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['With the recent discovery of recurrent mutations in the TERT promoter in melanoma, identification of other somatic causal promoter mutations is of considerable interest. Yet, the impact of sequence variation on the regulatory potential of gene promoters has not been systematically evaluated. This study assesses the impact of promoter mutations on promoter activity in the whole-genome sequenced malignant melanoma cell line COLO-829. Combining somatic mutation calls from COLO-829 with genome-wide chromatin accessibility and histone modification data revealed mutations within promoter elements. Interestingly, a high number of potential promoter mutations (n = 23) were found, a result mirrored in subsequent analysis of TCGA whole-melanoma genomes. The impact of wild-type and mutant promoter sequences were evaluated by subcloning into luciferase reporter vectors and testing their transcriptional activity in COLO-829 cells. Of the 23 promoter regions tested, four mutations significantly altered reporter activity relative to wild-type sequences. These data were then subjected to multiple computational algorithms that score the cis-regulatory altering potential of mutations. These analyses identified one mutation, located within the promoter region of NDUFB9, which encodes the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 beta subcomplex 9, to be recurrent in 4.4% (19 of 432) of TCGA whole-melanoma exomes. The mutation is predicted to disrupt a highly conserved SP1/KLF transcription factor binding motif and its frequent co-occurrence with mutations in the coding sequence of NF1 supports a pathologic role for this mutation in melanoma. Taken together, these data show the relatively high prevalence of promoter mutations in the COLO-829 melanoma genome, and indicate that a proportion of these significantly alter the regulatory potential of gene promoters.'] Does systematic Screening of Promoter Regions pinpoint Functional Cis-Regulatory Mutations in a Cutaneous Melanoma Genome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.311009645462036,
-1.0777591466903687,
2.425753116607666
] |
['Complementing infant diets with lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNSs) has been suggested to improve growth and reduce morbidity, but the daily quantity and the milk content of LNSs affect their cost.', 'We tested the hypotheses that the change in mean length-for-age z score (LAZ) for infants provided with 10-40 g LNSs/d from ages 6 to 18 mo would be greater than that for infants receiving no dietary intervention at the same age and that provision of LNSs that did not contain milk would be as good as milk-containing LNSs in promoting linear growth.', 'We enrolled in a randomized single-blind trial 6-mo-old infants who were allocated to 1 of 6 groups to receive 10, 20, or 40 g LNSs/d containing milk powder; 20 or 40 g milk-free LNSs/d; or no supplement until 18 mo of age. The primary outcome was change in LAZ.', 'Of the 1932 enrolled infants, 78 (4.0%) died and 319 (16.5%) dropped out during the trial. The overall reported supplement consumption was 71.6% of days, with no difference between the groups (P = 0.26). The overall mean ± SD length and LAZ changes were 13.0 ± 2.1 cm and -0.45 ± 0.77 z score units, respectively, which did not differ between the groups (P = 0.66 for length and P = 0.74 for LAZ). The difference in mean LAZ change in the no-milk LNS group compared with the milk LNS group was -0.02 (95% CI: -0.10, 0.06; P = 0.72).'] Does provision of 10-40 g/d Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements from 6 to 18 Months of Age Prevent Linear Growth Faltering in Malawi? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
1.494353175163269,
-1.6600656509399414,
-0.6410404443740845
] |
['Dietary intakes of betaine and choline may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, epidemiologic evidence is limited. Seafood is a rich source of betaine and is a popular traditional food in Japan.', 'We examined the associations of betaine and choline intakes with cardiovascular disease mortality in a population-based cohort study in Japan.', 'Study subjects were 13,355 male and 15,724 female residents of Takayama City, Japan, who were aged ≥35 y and enrolled in 1992. Their diets were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke were identified from death certificates over 16 y. Multivariable-adjusted HRs were computed by using Cox regression models.', 'During follow-up, we documented 308 deaths from coronary heart disease and 676 deaths from stroke (393 from ischemic and 153 from hemorrhagic strokes). Compared with the lowest quartile, the second, third, and highest quartiles of betaine intake were significantly associated with a decreased risk of mortality from coronary heart disease in men after controlling for covariates. The HRs were 0.58 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.93), 0.62 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.998), and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.97), respectively. The trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). There was no significant association between betaine intake and the risk of mortality from ischemic stroke. In women, betaine intake was unrelated risk of mortality from coronary heart disease and stroke (P = 0.32 and 0.73, respectively, for interaction by sex). There was no significant association between choline intake and cardiovascular disease mortality risk in men or women.'] Are choline and Betaine Intakes Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Risk in Japanese Men and Women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0808871984481812,
-1.029783010482788,
1.1343564987182617
] |
['Furosemide is a loop diuretic, which blocks the Na(+), K(+), 2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC2) in the thick ascending limb of Henle (TAL). By diminishing sodium (Na(+)) reabsorption, loop diuretics reduce the lumen-positive transepithelial voltage and consequently diminish paracellular transport of magnesium (Mg(2+)) and calcium (Ca(2+)) in TAL. Indeed, furosemide promotes urinary Mg(2+) excretion; however, it is unclear whether this leads, especially during prolonged treatment, to hypomagnesaemia. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to determine the effect of chronic furosemide application on renal Mg(2+) handling in mice.', 'Two groups of 10 mice received an osmotic minipump subcutaneously for 7 days with vehicle or 30 mg/kg/day furosemide. Serum and urine electrolyte concentrations were determined. Next, renal mRNA levels of the epithelial Mg(2+) channel (TRPM6), the Na(+), Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC), the epithelial Ca(2+) channel (TRPV5), the cytosolic Ca(2+)-binding protein calbindin-D28K, as well parvalbumin (PV), claudin-7 (CLDN7) and claudin-8 (CLDN8), the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) and the Na(+)-H(+) exchanger 3 (NHE3) were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Renal protein levels of NCC, TRPV5, calbindin-D28K and ENaC were also measured using semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting.', 'The mice chronically treated with 30 mg/kg/day furosemide displayed a significant polyuria (2.1 ± 0.3 and 1.3 ± 0.2 mL/24 h, furosemide versus control respectively, P < 0.05). Furosemide treatment resulted in increased serum concentrations of Na(+) [158 ± 3 (treated) and 147 ± 1 mmol/L (control), P < 0.01], whereas serum K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) values were not significantly altered in mice treated with furosemide. Urinary excretion of Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) was not affected by chronic furosemide treatment. The present study shows specific renal upregulation of TRPM6, NCC, TRPV5 and calbindin-D28K.'] Does increased expression of renal TRPM6 compensate for Mg ( 2+ ) wasting during furosemide treatment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1779825687408447,
-1.526885747909546,
2.729975461959839
] |
['Symptoms compatible with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical remission. It has been suggested that these symptoms might arise due to post-inflammatory changes comparable with post-infectious IBS. The aim was to study factors at new onset of UC that predict development of IBS-like symptoms during clinical remission.', 'In total, 98 patients with new onset of UC were followed prospectively for 3 years with yearly follow-up visits. Data from the first visit at the onset of UC were compared between a group of patients who fulfilled the criteria for IBS while in remission (UCR+IBS) during follow-up and a group who did not (UCR-IBS).', 'Among the UC patients, 87 met the criteria for clinical remission and 25 (29%) of these reported IBS-like symptoms in remission during follow-up. There was no difference in inflammatory disease activity at the initial flare or in the prevalence of previous IBS symptoms when comparing UCR+IBS and UCR-IBS patients. The UCR+IBS patients reported more severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, during their primary flare.'] Is the severity of inflammation at onset of ulcerative colitis associated with IBS-like symptoms during clinical remission? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.69952392578125,
-0.7711541652679443,
1.4976062774658203
] |
['We compared temporal trends in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in two primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) cohorts recruited 20 years apart. The prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <20 and <30 ng/mL declined by 30-50 %, respectively, and was accompanied by lower PTH. In the older cohort, higher PTH may be due to lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D.', 'Vitamin D deficiency may exacerbate PHPT. Whether there have been temporal trends in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in PHPT is unclear. The prevalence of low vitamin D levels (25OHD <20 and <30 ng/mL) and associated biochemical and bone mineral density (BMD) profiles were assessed in two PHPT cohorts recruited over 20 years apart.', 'This is a cross-sectional comparison of serum 25OHD levels, calciotropic hormones, and BMD between two PHPT cohorts recruited at the same hospital: the "old" (N\u2009=\u2009103) and "new" (N\u2009=\u2009100) cohorts were enrolled between 1984 and 1991 and between 2010 and 2014, respectively.', 'Mean 25OHD levels were 26 % higher in the new cohort (23\u2009±\u200910 vs. 29\u2009±\u200910 ng/mL, p\u2009<\u20090.0001). Levels of 25OHD <20 and <30 ng/mL declined from 46 and 82 %, respectively, to 19 and 54 % (both p\u2009<\u20090.0001). Supplemental vitamin D use was common in the new (64 %) but not the old cohort (0 %). The new cohort demonstrated 33 % lower serum PTH levels (p\u2009<\u20090.0001). Neither serum nor urine calcium differed. BMD was higher in the new cohort at all skeletal sites (all p\u2009<\u20090.001).'] Do low vitamin D levels have become less common in primary hyperparathyroidism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.3446059226989746,
-1.6099166870117188,
1.0255069732666016
] |
['It is well known that expression of markers for WNT signaling is dysregulated in osteoarthritic (OA) bone. However, it is still not fully known if the expression of these markers also is affected in OA cartilage. The aim of this study was therefore to examine this issue.', 'Human cartilage biopsies from OA and control donors were subjected to genome-wide oligonucleotide microarrays. Genes involved in WNT signaling were selected using the BioRetis database, KEGG pathway analysis was searched using DAVID software tools, and cluster analysis was performed using Genesis software. Results from the microarray analysis were verified using quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. In order to study the impact of cytokines for the dysregulated WNT signaling, OA and control chondrocytes were stimulated with interleukin-1 and analyzed with real-time PCR for their expression of WNT-related genes.', 'Several WNT markers displayed a significantly altered expression in OA compared to normal cartilage. Interestingly, inhibitors of the canonical and planar cell polarity WNT signaling pathways displayed significantly increased expression in OA cartilage, while the Ca(2+)/WNT signaling pathway was activated. Both real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry verified the microarray results. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that interleukin-1 upregulated expression of important WNT markers.'] Do characteristic Markers of the WNT Signaling Pathways Are Differentially Expressed in Osteoarthritic Cartilage? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.465158224105835,
-1.1391007900238037,
2.6889760494232178
] |
['The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) determined at pretreatment is important in the prediction of prognosis in various cancers. We investigated if the GPS used both at pretreatment and during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) could predict the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer.', "We collected GPS and clinicopathological data from the medical records of 91 patients who underwent CCRT for cervical cancer; their GPSs at pretreatment and during CCRT were retrospectively analyzed for correlations with recurrence and survival. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox's proportional hazard regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses.", 'The median follow-up for all patients who were alive at the time of last follow-up was 38.0 months (range, 1-108 months). The DFS and OS rates of patients with a high GPS during CCRT (GPS 1 + 2; 55 patients; 60.4%) were significantly shorter than those for patients with a low GPS (GPS 0; 36 patients; 39.6%) (DFS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analyses showed that high GPS during CCRT was an independent prognostic factor of survival for OS (P = 0.008).'] Does the Glasgow Prognostic Score Determined During Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy be an Independent Predictor of Survival for Cervical Cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.436356544494629,
-1.3037513494491577,
1.7948929071426392
] |
['The prognostic significance of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer is not established. We sought to determine if LVSI status in patients with early-stage low-risk endometrial cancer correlates with recurrence and survival.', 'The records of all women who underwent hysterectomy for primary treatment of endometrial cancer from January 2006 through January 2011 at 1 academic institution were reviewed. Patients with grade 1 or 2 endometrioid histology, myometrial invasion less than 50%, and disease confined to the uterus (clinical International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology stage IA) were analyzed. Fisher exact test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were applied to compare patients with and without LVSI. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.', 'Two hundred forty patients met the inclusion criteria. Forty (16.7%) had LVSI. Ninety-one patients (37.9%) underwent lymphadenectomy. Median tumor size was 30 mm in patients with and 26 mm in patients without LVSI (P = 0.150). Thirty patients (12.5%) received adjuvant therapy. Site of recurrence did not differ between patients with and without LVSI. Patients with LVSI were more likely to have myometrial invasion (P < 0.001), postoperative pathologic grade 2 disease (P < 0.001), to undergo lymphadenectomy (P = 0.049) and receive adjuvant therapy (P < 0.001). The 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence was 3.8% in the no-LVSI group and 14.2% in the LVSI group (P = 0.053). The presence of LVSI was significantly associated with worse RFS (P = 0.002) and OS (P = 0.013).'] Does lymphovascular Space Invasion portend Poor Prognosis in Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7673054933547974,
-1.5777337551116943,
2.3066463470458984
] |
['Chironomus ramosus is one of the recently reported radiotolerant insects. Salivary gland cells of fourth instar larvae respond to ionizing radiations with increases in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and chaperone proteins. Here we made an attempt to study the state of nuclear DNA after exposure of larvae to a lethal dose for 20% of the population (LD(20)) of gamma radiation (2200 Gy, at a dose rate 5.5 Gy/min).', "Genomic DNA preparations were subjected to competitive ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) for detection of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to monitor any radiation-induced damage. Single salivary gland cells were subjected to alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (ASCGE), comet assay and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to check for DNA double-strand breaks.", 'Results from all four experimental procedures confirmed damage of nucleobases and fragmentation of nuclear DNA immediately after radiation. Some 48 h after radiation exposure, modified 8-oxodG residues returned to basal level, homodispersity of genomic DNA reappeared, the length of comet tail regressed significantly (ASCGE) and PFGE pattern matched with that of high molecular weight unirradiated DNA.'] Do chironomus ramosus larvae exhibit DNA damage control in response to gamma radiation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3730881214141846,
-1.326977252960205,
2.8207125663757324
] |
['A key aim of palliative care is to improve the quality-of-life of people with a life-threatening illness. Occupational therapists are well positioned to contribute to this aim due to their broad range of interventions, client-centeredness and focus on occupation. However, there is a limited understanding of how occupational therapy contributes to the end-of-life experience, which is crucial to providing optimal care. The aim of this study is to investigate the lived experience of occupational therapy in palliative care for people with a life-threatening illness.', 'A hermeneutic interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants recruited from inpatient and outpatient sectors of a specialist palliative care hospital in Sydney, Australia.', 'The two themes developed from participant responses were: (1) occupational therapy provides comfort and safety and (2) trusting the occupational therapist to know what is needed.'] 's `` It about treatment , it 's how to improve your life '' : The lived experience of occupational therapy in palliative care? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.829735040664673,
3.033496618270874,
-0.8051328659057617
] |
['Does peri-ovulatory putrescine supplementation of older mice improve oocyte quality and reduce the incidence of embryo resorption?'] Does peri-ovulatory putrescine supplementation reduce embryo resorption in older mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2963171005249023,
0.6059583425521851,
0.7661443948745728
] |
['Renal insufficiency (RI) is frequent in patients eligible for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and may be worsened by the use of contrast agents. We sought to determine the feasibility of CRT implantation without contrast injection in patients with contraindication to iodine.', 'Patients eligible for CRT and presenting with RI were prospectively included (non-contrast NC group). A contemporary control group (CG) of CRT patients with contrast injection was used for comparison. An over-the-wire coronary sinus (CS) lead with an angled distal tip was selected for this "blind harpooning" technique.', 'Seventeen patients in the NC group were included (78 ± 7 years). Serum creatinine was 208 ± 86 μmol/L (glomerular filtration rate 33 ± 15 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). CG included 25 patients (70 ± 7 years, serum creatinine 85 ± 21 μmol/L). CRT implantation was successful in 16/17 patients (94.1 %) without contrast injection. The mean procedure and fluoroscopy times were similar in the two groups: 146 ± 29 in the NC group versus 153 ± 25 min (p = 0.57) and 25 ± 12 in the NC group versus 23 ± 16 min (p = 0.7) respectively. The mean CS lead implantation time was 36 ± 19 (NC group) versus 39 ± 15 min (p = 0.64). No major procedure-related complications were observed in both groups.'] Is non-contrast cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation feasible in case of renal insufficiency? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.472306251525879,
-1.6596951484680176,
2.1580474376678467
] |
['Although informed consent is vital to patient-physician communication, little training is provided to surgical trainees. We hypothesized that highlighting critical aspects of informed consent would improve resident performance.', 'Eighty (out of 88) surgical postgraduate year 1 surgical residents were randomly assigned to one of the 2 cases (laparoscopic cholecystectomy or ventral herniorrhaphy) and instructed to obtain and document informed consent with a standardized patient (SP) followed by a didactic training session. The residents then obtained and documented informed consent with the other case with the other SP. SPs graded encounters ("Checklist"); trained raters graded notes. Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to determine differences between pre- and post-training and Checklist versus "Note" scores.', 'Statistically significant pre- to post differences for Note (P < .01) and Checklist (P < .01) along with significant differences between Note and Checklist (P < .01) were noted.'] Does informed consent training improve surgery resident performance in simulated encounters with standardized patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.083414077758789,
-0.7025822997093201,
1.8812485933303833
] |
['We and others have shown a significant proportion of interventional trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov have their primary outcomes altered after the listed study start and completion dates. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether changes made to primary outcomes are associated with the likelihood of reporting a statistically significant primary outcome on ClinicalTrials.gov.', 'A cross-sectional analysis of all interventional clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as of 20 November 2014 was performed. The main outcome was any change made to the initially listed primary outcome and the time of the change in relation to the trial start and end date.', '13,238 completed interventional trials were registered with ClinicalTrials.gov that also had study results posted on the website. 2555 (19.3%) had one or more statistically significant primary outcomes. Statistical analysis showed that registration year, funding source and primary outcome change after trial completion were associated with reporting a statistically significant primary outcome .'] Are funding source and primary outcome changes in clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov associated with the reporting of a statistically significant primary outcome : a cross-sectional study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9143648147583008,
0.30761274695396423,
0.7966337203979492
] |
['β-Thalassemia is a common inherited red cell disorder characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis and severe oxidative stress. Peroxiredoxin-2 (Prx2), a typical 2-cysteine peroxiredoxin, is upregulated during β-thalassemic erythropoiesis, but its contribution to stress erythropoiesis, a common feature of thalassemia, is yet to be fully defined.', 'Here, we showed that Prx2(-/-) mice displayed reactive oxygen species related abnormalities in erythropoiesis similar to that of Hbb(th3/+) mice associated with activation of redox response transcriptional factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2 (Nrf2). We generated β-thalassemic mice genetically lacking Prx2 (Prx2(-/-)Hbb(th3/+)) and documented a worsened β-thalassemic hematological phenotype with severe ineffective erythropoiesis. To further validate a key role of Prx2 in stress erythropoiesis, we administrated fused recombinant PEP1Prx2 to Hbb(th3/+) mice and documented a decrease in ineffective erythropoiesis. We further show that Prx2 effects are mediated by activation of Nrf2 and upregulation of genes that protect against oxidative damage such as gluthatione S-transferase, heme-oxygenase-1, and NADPH dehydrogenase quinone-1.', 'We propose Prx2 as a key antioxidant system and Nrf2 activation is a cellular adaptive process in response to oxidative stress, resulting in upregulation of antioxidant (antioxidant responsive element) genes required to ensure cell survival.'] Does the Interplay Between Peroxiredoxin-2 and Nuclear Factor-Erythroid 2 be Important in Limiting Oxidative Mediated Dysfunction in β-Thalassemic Erythropoiesis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.530017375946045,
-1.1485378742218018,
2.738992214202881
] |
['The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway regulates immune responses, and promotes cell growth and differentiation. Inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin modulates allergic asthma, while the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that rapamycin, effectively inhibits eosinophil differentiation, contributing to its overall protective role in allergic airway inflammation.', 'Rapamycin was administered in a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation, and the eosinophil differentiation was analysed in vivo and in vitro.', 'Rapamycin significantly attenuated allergic airway inflammation and markedly decreased the amount of eosinophils in local airways, peripheral blood and bone marrow, independently of levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5). In vitro colony forming unit assay and liquid culture demonstrated that rapamycin directly inhibited IL-5-induced eosinophil differentiation. In addition, rapamycin reduced the production of IL-6 and IL-13 by eosinophils. Rapamycin was also capable of reducing the eosinophil levels in IL-5 transgenic NJ.1638 mice, again regardless of the constitutive high levels of IL-5. Interestingly, rapamycin inhibition of eosinophil differentiation in turn resulted in an accumulation of eosinophil lineage-committed progenitors in bone marrow.'] Does rapamycin inhibition of eosinophil differentiation attenuate allergic airway inflammation in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5062763690948486,
-1.1178486347198486,
2.66924786567688
] |
['To determine whether the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) is valid in identifying patients who had a clinically important overall improvement with no worsening in other descriptors/systems.', 'Consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with active disease who attended the Lupus Clinic between 2000 and 2012 were studied. Based on the change in the total SLEDAI-2K scores on last visit, patients were grouped as improved, flared/worsened, and unchanged. Patients showing improvement were evaluated for the presence of new active descriptors at last visit compared with baseline visit.', 'Of the 158 patients studied, 109 patients had improved, 38 remained unchanged, and 11 flared/worsened at last visit. In the improved group, 11 patients had a new laboratory descriptor that was not present at baseline visit. In those 11 patients, this new laboratory descriptor was not clinically significant and did not require a change in disease management.'] Does sLEDAI-2K Conceal Worsening in a Particular System When There Is Overall Improvement? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4474016427993774,
-0.0708857923746109,
0.6267228126525879
] |
['Apoptosis of chondrocytes in articular cartilage has been observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, molecules involved in such chondrocyte apoptosis in arthritic joints have not been fully understood. We previously observed that apoptosis of chondrocytes is enhanced in a murine arthritis model induced by injection with anti-type II collagen antibodies and lipopolysaccharide (mAbs/LPS), and osteopontin (OPN) deficiency suppresses chondrocyte apoptosis in this arthritis model in vivo. To understand how OPN deficiency renders resistance against chondrocyte apoptosis, we examined the cellular basis for this protection.', 'Chondrocytes were prepared from wild-type and OPN-deficient mouse ribs, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced cell death was examined based on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay and TUNEL assay.', 'TNF-α treatment induced LDH release in wild-type chondrocytes, while OPN deficiency suppressed such LDH release in the cultures of these cells. TNF-α-induced increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells was observed in wild-type chondrocytes, while OPN deficiency in chondrocytes suppressed the TNF-α induction of TUNEL-positive cells. OPN deficiency suppressed TNF-α-induced increase in caspase-3 activity in chondrocytes in culture. Furthermore, OPN overexpression in chondrocytes enhanced TNF-α-induced apoptosis.'] Does osteopontin Deficiency suppress Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Apoptosis in Chondrocytes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5071749687194824,
-1.296485185623169,
2.836874008178711
] |
['To investigate the effect of DMSO on cisplatin induced cytotoxicity (invitro) against K562 (Human mylogenous leukemia) cell line and to study the cisplatin-DMSO adduct formation using UV-spectrophotometer.', 'Effect of DMSO on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin was studied in K562 (Chronic mylogenous leukemia) cell line by MTT assay. Cisplatin-DMSO adduct formation was studied by continuously monitoring the increase in absorption peaks for 30 minutes using UV-spectrophotometer.', '0.1-0.3% DMSO markedly reduced the cytotoxic activity of cisplatin in K562 cells. Cisplatin-DMSO adduct formation was detected using UV-spectrophotometer. Continuous increase in UV absorbance between 250nm-290nm was observed when cisplatin (0.5mg/ml) and DMSO (10%) were mixed.'] Does dimethyl sulfoxide inactivate the anticancer effect of cisplatin against human myelogenous leukemia cell lines in in vitro assays? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.230273962020874,
-1.336726188659668,
2.6651382446289062
] |
['African Americans (AAs) have lower triglyceride (TG) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than other ethnic groups; yet, they also have higher risk for developing diabetes mellitus despite the strong relationship of dyslipidemia with insulin resistance. No studies directly compare adolescents and adults with regard to relationships among dyslipidemia, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and insulin resistance. Here, we compare AA adolescents to adults with regard to the relationships of adiposity-related lipid risk markers (TG-to-HDL ratio and non-HDL-C) with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA), and hs-CRP.', 'Two cohorts of healthy AA were recruited from the same urban community. Participants in each cohort were stratified by TG-to-HDL ratio (based on adult tertiles) and non-HDL-C levels. BMI, WC, HOMA, and hs-CRP were compared in adolescents and adults in the low-, middle-, and high-lipid strata.', 'Prevalence of TG-to-HDL ratio greater than 2.028 (high group) was 16% (44 of 283) in adolescents and 33% (161 of 484) in adults; prevalence of non-HDL-C above 145 and 160, respectively, was 8% (22 of 283) in adolescents and 12% (60 of 484) in adults. Values of hs-CRP were lower, and HOMA values were higher in adolescents (both P\xa0<\xa0.01). As both TG-to-HDL ratio and non-HDL-C strata increased, BMI, WC, HOMA, and hs-CRP increased in both adolescents and adults. In the high TG-to-HDL ratio and non-HDL-C groups, BMI and WC were similar in adolescents vs adults (BMI, 34\xa0kg/m(2) vs 32\xa0kg/m(2); WC, 101\xa0cm vs 101\xa0cm). After adjusting for non-HDL-C and other covariates, a 2-fold increase in TG-to-HDL ratio was associated with increases of 10.4% in hs-CRP (95% CI, 1.1%-20.5%) and 24.2% in HOMA (95% CI, 16.4%-32.6%). Non-HDL-C was not significant in models having TG-to-HDL ratio.'] Do adolescent and adult African Americans have similar metabolic dyslipidemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
0.16421441733837128,
-1.5579135417938232,
0.4150296449661255
] |
['Mounting evidence suggests that miRNAs have major functions in tumor pathogenesis, and this study aimed to identify the candidate miRNA and investigate its role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).', 'MiRNA and mRNA expressions were screened by microarray assays. The cell proliferation, colony formation and migration ability were measured by MTT, soft agar and wound healing assays, respectively. The tumor growth suppression was evaluated by xenografting in nude mice. The plasma miR-223 levels in NPC patients were detected by TaqMan analysis. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to confirm miR-223 and MAFB expression levels. The targeting relationship between miR-223 and MAFB was verified using dual luciferase reporter assay.', "The miR-223 expression was decreased in CNE-1, CNE-2 cells as compared with NP69 cells, an immortalized human nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line, and its level also reduced in NPC patients' plasma as compared with healthy controls. Exogenous expression of miR-223 in CNE-2 cells could inhibit cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Extrogenous miR-223 in CNE-2 cells would decrease the ability of colony formation and migration. MAFB, a transcription factor of Maf family members, was identified as a target gene of miR-223. We found that migration and invasion abilities were inhibited by MAFB silencing."] Does miR-223 targeting MAFB suppress proliferation and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3400719165802,
-1.1157300472259521,
2.4687273502349854
] |
['To study the effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) inducing angiogenesis on the neuroblast migration from the subventricular zone and its mechanisms after focal cerebral ischemia.', 'The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed to mice for 30 minutes to establish the model. The rats were divided into sham group, model group, BYHWD group and endostatin group. BYHWD (20 g x kg(-1), ig) and endostatin (10 μg, sc) were administered 24 h after ischemia once a day for consecutively 14 days. At 14 d after ischemia, the density of micro-vessel and the number of neuroblasts in the ischemia border zone were determined by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA and protein expression of cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and brain-derived neurotrophic (BDNF) were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot.', 'Compared with the model group, BYHWD significantly increased the density of micro-vessel and the number of DCX positive cells in the ischemia border zone (P < 0.01), and significantly increased the SDF-1 and BDNF mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.01). Compared with BYHWD group, endostatin significantly reduced the density of micro-vessel and the number of DCX positive cells in the ischemia border zone (P < 0.01), as well as the SDF-1, BDNF mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.01).'] Does [ Buyang Huanwu decoction promote neuroblast migration from subventricular zone via inducing angiogenesis after ischemia ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0588572025299072,
-1.435077428817749,
2.4996654987335205
] |
['Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most common tumor involving upper urinary tract (UTUC) and urinary bladder (UBUC) whose molecular survival determinants remains obscured. By computerizing a public transcriptomic database of UBUCs (GSE32894), we identified cell division cycle associated 5 (CDCA5) as the most significantly upregulated gene among those associated with G1-S transition of the mitotic cell cycle (GO:0000082). We therefore analyzed the clinicoptaological significance of CDCA5 expression in our well-characterized UC cohort.', 'Quantigene assay was used to detect CDCA5 transcript levels in 36 UTUCs and 30 UBUCs. We used immunohistochemistry evaluated by H-scores to determine CDCA5 protein expression in 295 UBUCs and 340 UTUCs, respectively. CDCA5 expression was further correlated with clinicopathological features and disease-specific survival (DSS) and metastasis-free survival (MeFS). For both groups of UCs, increments of CDCA5 transcript levels were associated with higher pT status, CDCA5 protein overexpression was also significantly associated with advanced pT status, nodal metastasis, high histological grade, vascular invasion, and frequent mitoses. CDCA5 overexpression was predictive for worse DSS and MeFS in univariate and multivariate analysis.'] Is cDCA5 overexpression an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract and urinary bladder? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3853704929351807,
-1.3656325340270996,
2.8069567680358887
] |
['In this study, we focus on the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on tunicamycin-, streptozotocin-, or high fat diet (HFD)-induced β-cell damage and dysfunction.', 'Pretreatment with n-3 PUFAs protected RINm5F cells and mouse islets against tunicamycin-induced β-cell damage through suppression of ER stress and apoptosis induction. This protective effect of n-3 PUFAs on β-cells was further demonstrated by the normalization of insulin secretion in response to glucose in tunicamycin-treated islets. In multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes models, fat-1 mice, which endogenously synthesize n-3 PUFAs from n-6 PUFAs, were fully resistant to the development of diabetes, with normal islet morphology, high insulin immunoreactivity, and decreased apoptotic cells. In HFD-induced diabetes models, fat-1 mice also exhibited improved glucose tolerance and functional β-cell mass. In both diabetes models, we observed an attenuation of ER stress in fat-1 mice. Interestingly, n-3 PUFAs attenuated the nuclear translocation of lipogenic transcription factors sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and C/EBPβ, induced by tunicamycin or HFD, suggesting that n-3 PUFAs suppress ER stress via modulation of SREBP-1 and C/EBPβ.'] Do n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids protect against pancreatic β-cell damage due to ER stress and prevent diabetes development? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4597127437591553,
-1.264000415802002,
2.721466302871704
] |
['Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is standard practice for intermediate-thickness head and neck melanoma (HNM) but remains controversial for melanomas more than 4 mm in thickness. The objectives of this study were to evaluate (1) the diagnostic accuracy and (2) the prognostic value of SLNB in patients with thick HNM.', 'Case series with chart review.', 'Large cancer center between June 2000 and December 2012.', '77 patients undergoing SLNB for T4 HNM without in-transit, regional, or distant metastatic disease at presentation.', 'Univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors were performed.', '77 patients underwent attempted SLNB for T4 HNM without in-transit, regional, or distant metastatic disease at presentation. The mean patient age was 62 years (range, 4-87 years) and there was a male predominance (80%). Mean Breslow thickness was 6.1 mm (range, 4-21 mm). Of the 77 patients undergoing attempted SLNB, 7 had no identifiable sentinel lymph node (9%). For the remaining 91% with 1 or more identifiable sentinel lymph nodes, the mean number of nodes identified was 3.3 (range, 1-13). The sentinel lymph node positivity rate was 24%. A false-negative SLNB occurred in 2 patients (3.8%). With a median follow-up of 36 months, the estimated 5-year disease-free, disease-specific, and overall survival rates were 47%, 74%, and 69%, respectively. A positive sentinel lymph node was significantly linked to shortened disease-free survival (74 vs 36 months, P = .026) and disease-specific survival (121 vs 59 months, P = .035).'] Does sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy provide Prognostic Value in Thick Head and Neck Melanoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.256483554840088,
-1.6459108591079712,
1.924842119216919
] |
['Hyperkinetic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a common complication in congenital heart disease, and affects operations, indications, and prognoses for patients. Gene-based stem cell transplantation is an alternative treatment that can attenuate PAH.', 'Hyperkinetic PAH rabbit models were successfully established, using common carotid artery and jugular vein anastomosis. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were isolated from the bone marrow, cultured, and transfected with human hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (hHIF-1α), using lentiviruses. Two weeks after the transfected EPCs were transplanted into the rabbits, catheterization was applied to collect hemodynamic data. The hypertrophy of the right ventricle and pulmonary vascular remodeling were evaluated by measuring the right ventricle hypertrophy index, the medial wall thickness, and the medial wall area. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses were used to detect the expression of hHIF-1α in the pulmonary small arteries.', 'Two weeks after transplantation, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were both attenuated. The hypertrophy of the right ventricle, and pulmonary vascular remodeling were reversed. Expression of hHIF-1α in the hHIF-1α-transfected EPCs that had been transplanted was high, and the number of pulmonary small arteries had increased. In addition, combined HIF-1α and homogeneous EPC therapy was more effective at attenuating PAH and increasing the density of pulmonary small arteries, compared with EPC transplantation alone.'] Does combined hypoxia inducible factor-1α and homogeneous endothelial progenitor cell therapy attenuate shunt flow-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rabbits? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.411905527114868,
-1.3985028266906738,
2.8101391792297363
] |
["White-to-brown adipose tissue remodeling (browning) in response to different stimuli constitutes an active research area for obesity treatment. The emergence in traditional white adipose tissue (WAT) depots of multilocular adipocytes that express uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and resemble brown adipocytes, the so called 'brite' adipocytes, could contribute to increased energy expenditure. In rodents, obesogenic stimuli such as the intake of hyperlipidic diets can increase brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic capacity and contribute to maintaining body weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of two different hyperlipidic diets, a commercial high-fat (HF) diet and a highly palatable cafeteria (CAF) diet, to induce WAT browning.", 'We analyzed gene expression of a wide number of brown/brite adipocyte markers in different WAT depots, in BAT and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) increasingly being used in nutrition studies as a potential source of biomarkers of physiological effects. We also performed morphological analysis of adipose tissue.', 'Both HF diets studied were able to increase the expression of the markers studied in WAT in a depot-specific manner, as well as in BAT; some of these changes were also reflected in PBMCs. This increased browning capacity was translated into the appearance of UCP1- and CIDE-A (cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector A)-positive brite adipocytes in retroperitoneal WAT. Administration of the CAF diet, associated with higher adiposity, produced the strongest impact on the parameters studied while its withdrawal restored basal conditions.'] Does the intake of high-fat diets induce the acquisition of brown adipocyte gene expression features in white adipose tissue? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5796642303466797,
-1.0599944591522217,
2.7135257720947266
] |
['The objective of this study is to describe the technical design and verify the technical performance of a new bone conduction implant (BCI) system.', 'The BCI consists of an external audio processor and an implanted unit called the bridging bone conductor. These two units use an inductive link to communicate with each other through the intact skin in order to drive an implanted transducer.', 'In this study, the design of the full BCI system has been described and verified on a skull simulator and on real patients.', 'It was found that the maximum output force (peak 107 dB re 1 μN) of the BCI is robust for skin thickness range of 2-8 mm and that the total harmonic distortion is below 8% in the speech frequency range for 70 dB input sound pressure level. The current consumption is 7.5 mA, which corresponds to 5-7 days use with a single battery.'] Do technical design of a new bone conduction implant ( BCI ) system? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7577276229858398,
-0.8398827314376831,
1.7541104555130005
] |
['To examine the impact of visual cues, speech materials, age and listening condition on the frequency bandwidth necessary for optimizing speech recognition performance.', "Using a randomized repeated measures design; speech recognition performance was assessed using four speech perception tests presented in quiet and noise in 13 LP filter conditions and presented in multimodalities. Participants' performance data were fitted with a Boltzmann function to determine optimal performance (10% below performance achieved in FBW).", 'Thirty adults (18-63 years) and thirty children (7-12 years) with normal hearing.', 'Visual cues significantly reduced the bandwidth required for optimizing speech recognition performance for listeners. The type of speech material significantly impacted the bandwidth required for optimizing performance. Both groups required significantly less bandwidth in quiet, although children required significantly more than adults. The widest bandwidth required was for the phoneme detection task in noise where children required a bandwidth of 7399 Hz and adults 6674 Hz.'] Do the importance of high-frequency audibility with and without visual cues on speech recognition for listeners with normal hearing? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0631139278411865,
0.2984352111816406,
0.8662647604942322
] |
['It was recently suggested that electron flow into cyt c, coupled with ROS generation, oxidizes cyt c Met(80) to Met(80) sulfoxide (Met-O) in isolated hearts after ischemia-reperfusion, and converts cyt c to a peroxidase. We hypothesize that ischemia disrupts Met(80)-Fe ligation of cyt c, forming pentacoordinated heme Fe(2+), which inhibits electron transport (ET) and promotes oxygenase activity.', 'SS-20 (Phe-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2) was used to demonstrate the role of Met(80)-Fe ligation in ischemia. Mitochondria were isolated from ischemic rat kidneys to determine sites of respiratory inhibition. Mitochondrial cyt c and cyt c Met-O were quantified by western blot, and cristae architecture was examined by electron microscopy.', 'Biochemical and structural studies showed that SS-20 selectively targets cardiolipin (CL) and protects Met(80)-Fe ligation in cyt c. Ischemic mitochondria showed 17-fold increase in Met-O cyt c, and dramatic cristaeolysis. Loss of cyt c was associated with proteolytic degradation of OPA1. Ischemia significantly inhibited ET initiated by direct reduction of cyt c and coupled respiration. All changes were prevented by SS-20.'] Is disruption of cytochrome c heme coordination responsible for mitochondrial injury during ischemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4880499839782715,
-1.2712204456329346,
2.8085880279541016
] |
['IGF-2 is highly expressed in the granulosa cells of human dominant ovarian follicles; however, little is known about the regulation of the IGF-2 gene or the interaction of IGF-2 and FSH during follicle development.', 'To examine the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the IGF-2 gene by FSH and the interplay between FSH and IGF-2 during granulosa cell differentiation. Design, Setting, Patients, and Interventions: Cumulus granulosa cells were separated from cumulus-oocyte complexes isolated from the follicular aspirates of in vitro fertilization patients and cultured for in vitro studies.', 'Protein and mRNA levels of IGF-2 and CYP19A1 (aromatase) were quantified using Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. IGF-2 promoter-specific activation was determined by the amplification of alternative exons by PCR. Cell proliferation was assessed after treatment with FSH and/or IGF-2.', 'FSH significantly enhanced IGF-2 expression after 8 hours of treatment and at low doses (1 ng/mL). Reciprocally, IGF-2 synergized with FSH to increase cell proliferation and the expression of CYP19A1. When IGF-2 activity was blocked, FSH was no longer able to stimulate CYP19A1 expression. Determination of IGF-2 promoter usage in human cumulus cells showed that the IGF-2 gene is driven by promoters P3 and P4. However, FSH exclusively increased P3 promoter-derived transcripts. Moreover, the FSH-induced stimulation of P3-driven IGF-2 transcripts was blocked by cotreatment with inhibitors of AKT or IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R). The inhibitory effect of the IGF-1R inhibitor on FSH-induced IGF-2 mRNA accumulation was reversed by overexpression of a constitutively active AKT construct.'] Does fSH regulate IGF-2 Expression in Human Granulosa Cells in an AKT-Dependent Manner? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3996384143829346,
-1.223214864730835,
2.640357494354248
] |
['CRH participates in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and in neural circuits involved in the pathophysiology of depression. During pregnancy, the placenta produces large amounts of CRH, and production ceases abruptly after delivery. The relationship between CRH in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during pregnancy and peripartum mood disorders has not been investigated.', 'The objectives were to determine whether there are differences in CSF CRH concentrations of pregnant and nonpregnant women and whether CSF CRH concentrations in late pregnancy are associated with the presence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and in the early postpartum period.', 'This was a prospective cohort study conducted from January to April, 2011.', 'The study was conducted in one public and two private hospitals in Brasilia, Brazil.', 'Patients included 107 healthy pregnant women who underwent elective cesarean delivery and 22 nonpregnant healthy women who underwent spinal anesthesia for elective surgical sterilization.', 'CRH in CSF was measured in pregnant and nonpregnant women by ELISA.', 'The association between CSF CRH concentration at delivery and maternal depression assessed before cesarean section and postpartum (4 to 8 wk) with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with a cutoff of ≥ 13.', 'CRH concentration in the CSF was significantly higher in pregnant (4.1 ± 0.51 log CRH) than in nonpregnant women (3.6 ± 0.26 log CRH) (P < .001). Depressive symptoms starting after delivery occurred in 5.6% of women. CRH concentration in CSF was not different between women without depressive symptoms and women showing such symptoms during pregnancy or in the postpartum period.'] Are cerebrospinal Fluid CRH Levels in Late Pregnancy Associated With New-Onset Postpartum Depressive Symptoms? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.586737036705017,
-1.162474513053894,
1.789049744606018
] |
['Diet is proposed to contribute to androgen-related reproductive dysfunction.', 'This study evaluated the association between dietary macronutrient intake, carbohydrate fraction intake, and overall diet quality on androgens and related hormones, including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and insulin, in healthy, regularly menstruating women.', 'This was a prospective cohort study from 2005 and 2007.', 'The study was conducted at the University at Buffalo, western New York State, USA.', 'Participants were 259 eumenorrheic women without a self-reported history of infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or other endocrine disorder.', 'A 24-hour dietary recall was administered 4 times per menstrual cycle, and hormones were measured 5 to 8 times per cycle for 1 (n = 9) or 2 (n = 250) cycles per woman (n = 509 cycles). Associations between the dietary intake of carbohydrates (starch, sugar, sucrose, and fiber), macronutrients, overall diet quality and hormones (insulin, AMH, and total and free testosterone), as well as the relationship of dietary intake with occurrences of high total testosterone combined with high AMH (fourth quartile of each), ie, the "PCOS-like phenotype," were assessed.', 'No significant relationships were identified between dietary intake of carbohydrates, percent calories from any macronutrient or overall diet quality (ie, Mediterranean diet score) and relevant hormones (insulin, AMH, and total and free testosterone). Likewise, no significant relationships were identified between dietary factors and the occurrence of a subclinical PCOS-like phenotype.'] Does dietary Carbohydrate Intake Impact Insulin Resistance or Androgens in Healthy , Eumenorrheic Women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.327385663986206,
-0.6990218758583069,
2.0986881256103516
] |
['Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with poor prognosis and a high health care burden. The incidence of asthma and COPD overlap syndrome is increasing, and contributes to a high financial burden and poor prognosis.', 'To investigate clinical features of the overlap syndrome among Asian patients and to analyse its impact on hospitalisation due to respiratory problems or death compared to COPD alone.', 'We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 2933 COPD patients presenting at the Asan Medical Center from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2009. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyse the significance of clinical parameters, including age, sex, smoking history, body mass index (BMI), severity of airflow limitation, airway obstruction reversibility and overlap syndrome with hospitalisation due to respiratory problems or death.', 'Overlap syndrome patients were older, included smaller proportions of males and of smokers and had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (% predicted). Shorter hospitalisation-free and survival periods were noted among overlap syndrome patients. Overlap syndrome was significantly associated with risk of hospitalisation due to respiratory problems after adjusting for age, smoking history, BMI, FEV1 (% predicted) and changes in FEV1 (P < 0.001).'] Do asthma and COPD overlap syndrome is associated with increased risk of hospitalisation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3032989501953125,
-0.9831409454345703,
2.3576416969299316
] |
['This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between motor performance and mental health in a representative population of children with hearing impairment.', 'Ninety-three pupils (45 males, 48 females) aged 6 years to 16 years (mean 11 y 3 mo, SD 2 y 9 mo) with hearing impairment of at least 40 dB and a Nonverbal IQ greater than 70 were assessed for motor performance with the Zürich Neuromotor Assessment (ZNA) and for mental health with the parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).', 'Children with hearing impairment had lower motor performance scores in all four ZNA subscales compared with ZNA norms (z-scores -1.42 to -2.67). After controlling for Nonverbal IQ, ZNA pure motor performance correlated negatively with the SDQ total difficulties score. Pure motor, pegboard, and dynamic balance subscales correlated negatively with peer-relationship problems. Dynamic balance correlated negatively with emotional problems. Performance in pure motor and dynamic balance skills correlated negatively with age. Except for static balance, no correlation was found between motor performance and the degree of hearing impairment.'] Does motor performance and correlate of mental health in children who are deaf or hard of hearing? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9094383716583252,
0.16396653652191162,
0.961358904838562
] |
['We aimed to assess whether age at menarche was associated with insulin sensitivity in young adult women.', "We studied 54 healthy young women aged 20-30 years. Participants were grouped according to age at menarche: Early (≤11.0 years; n=13), Average (>12.0 and ≤13.0 years; n=28), and Late (≥14.0 years, n=13). Primary outcome was insulin sensitivity measured using intravenous glucose tolerance tests and Bergman's minimal model. Body composition was assessed using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.", 'Earlier menarche was associated with lower insulin sensitivity (p=0.015). There was also a continuous increase in adiposity with younger age at menarche, which was associated with increased weight (p=0.001), BMI (p=0.002), total body fat (p=0.049), and truncal fat (p=0.020). Stratified analyses showed that insulin sensitivity in Early women (5.5 x10-4·min-1(mU/l)) was lower than in Average (8.0 x10-4·min-1(mU/l), p=0.021) and Late (8.6 x10-4·min-1(mU/l), p=0.033) groups. Early women (weight=66.1 kg; BMI=24.1 kg/m2) were considerably heavier and fatter than Average (59.0 kg, p=0.004; 21.4 kg/m2, p=0.002) and Late (57.0 kg, p=0.001; 20.8 kg/m2, p=0.0009) women.'] Does earlier Menarche be Associated with Lower Insulin Sensitivity and Increased Adiposity in Young Adult Women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.615044355392456,
-1.721449851989746,
1.3206158876419067
] |
['The volume and complexity of endovascular procedures are increasing. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) made precise three-dimensional (3D) planning of these procedures possible, but intraoperative imaging, even with the use of modern flat-panel detectors, is limited to two dimensions. Flat detectors, however, allow C-arm cone-beam CT. This technology can be used to generate a 3D data set that can be fused with a preoperative high-resolution CT scan, thus generating a live 3D roadmap. We hypothesized that use of a novel image fusion software, VesselNavigator (Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands), facilitates precise and expeditious procedures and therefore reduces radiation exposure and contrast agent dose.', 'A retrospective review of patients undergoing standard aortobi-iliac endovascular aneurysm repair at our institution between January 2011 and April 2014 was performed. Conventional imaging was compared with VesselNavigator-assisted imaging, and a matched analysis based on body mass index (BMI) was performed because of the dependence of radiation dose on body habitus. Outcome parameters were procedure time, fluoroscopy time, radiation, and contrast agent dose.', 'A total of 75 patients were identified. After matching based on BMI, control and VesselNavigator groups each had 16 patients with BMI of 27.0 ± 3.6 kg/m(2) and 27.0 ± 3.6 kg/m(2), respectively (mean ± standard deviation). R(2) was 6.37 × 10(-7). Radiation dose measured as air kerma was lower with VesselNavigator (1067 ± 470.4 mGy vs 1768 ± 696.2 mGy; P = .004). Fluoroscopy time was shorter (18.4 ± 6.8 minutes vs 26.8 ± 10.0 minutes; P = .01) and contrast agent dose was lower (37.4 ± 21.3 mL vs 77.3 ± 23.0 mL; P < .001) with VesselNavigator compared with control. Procedure time was also shorter with VesselNavigator (80.4 ± 21.2 minutes vs 110.0 ± 29.1 minutes; P = .005).'] Does a novel tool for three-dimensional roadmapping reduce radiation exposure and contrast agent dose in complex endovascular interventions? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4485880136489868,
-1.7114901542663574,
2.158271312713623
] |
['The study of mammalian development has offered many insights into the molecular aetiology of cancer. We previously used analysis of mammary morphogenesis to discover a critical role for GATA-3 in mammary developmental and carcinogenesis. In recent years an important role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in a myriad of cellular processes in development and in oncogenesis has emerged.', "microRNA profiling was conducted on stromal and epithelial cellular subsets microdissected from the pubertal mouse mammary gland. miR-184 was reactivated by transient or stable overexpression in breast cancer cell lines and examined using a series of in vitro (proliferation, tumour-sphere and protein synthesis) assays. Orthotopic xenografts of breast cancer cells were used to assess the effect of miR-184 on tumourigenesis as well as distant metastasis. Interactions between miR-184 and its putative targets were assessed by quantitative PCR, microarray, bioinformatics and 3' untranslated region Luciferase reporter assay. The methylation status of primary patient samples was determined by MBD-Cap sequencing. Lastly, the clinical prognostic significance of miR-184 putative targets was assessed using publicly available datasets.", 'A large number of microRNA were restricted in their expression to specific tissue subsets. MicroRNA-184 (miR-184) was exclusively expressed in epithelial cells and markedly upregulated during differentiation of the proliferative, invasive cells of the pubertal terminal end bud (TEB) into ductal epithelial cells in vivo. miR-184 expression was silenced in mouse tumour models compared to non-transformed epithelium and in a majority of breast cancer cell line models. Ectopic reactivation of miR-184 inhibited the proliferation and self-renewal of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines in vitro and delayed primary tumour formation and reduced metastatic burden in vivo. Gene expression studies uncovered multi-factorial regulation of genes in the AKT/mTORC1 pathway by miR-184. In clinical breast cancer tissues, expression of miR-184 is lost in primary TNBCs while the miR-184 promoter is methylated in a subset of lymph node metastases from TNBC patients.'] Does microRNA profiling of the pubertal mouse mammary gland identify miR-184 as a candidate breast tumour suppressor gene? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.331559658050537,
-1.2959338426589966,
2.6839749813079834
] |
['Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) reportedly has an antioxidant effect through superoxide dismutase (SOD) activation. However, the effect of riboflavin on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has never been investigated. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that riboflavin has a protective effect on AAA formation in an experimental rat model.', 'The AAA model, which was induced with intraluminal elastase and extraluminal calcium chloride, was created in 36 rats. The 36 rats were divided into a riboflavin group (group R; 25\xa0mg/kg/d), and control group (carboxymethyl cellulose). Riboflavin administration by gastric gavage once per day was started at 3\xa0days before aneurysm preparation. On day 3, SOD activity in aneurysm walls was assayed. On day 7, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were semiquantified by dihydroethidium staining, and the oxidation product of DNA produced by ROS, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), was measured by immunohistochemical staining. Histopathologic examination (hematoxylin/eosin and elastica Van Gieson staining) was performed on day 28, and the AAA dilatation ratio was calculated to evaluate the protective effect of riboflavin.', 'On day 3, SOD activity was significantly increased in aneurysm walls by riboflavin administration (370\xa0± 204 U/mL in normal, 334\xa0± 86 U/mL in control, 546\xa0± 143 U/mL in group R; P\xa0= .021). On day 7, ROS levels and 8-OHdG-positive cells in aneurysm walls were significantly decreased by riboflavin treatment (ROS levels: 1.0\xa0± 0.1 in normal, 4.5\xa0± 0.4 in control, 3.1\xa0± 0.5 in group R, P\xa0< .01; 8-OHdG-positive cells: 30\xa0± 2 cells in normal, 148\xa0± 20 cells in control, 109\xa0± 15 cells in group R, P\xa0< .01). Riboflavin treatment significantly reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 messenger RNA expression in aneurysm walls (relative expression: MMP-9: 0.4\xa0± 0.7 in normal, 2.6\xa0± 1.3 in control, 0.5\xa0± 0.3 in group R, P\xa0< .01). On day 28, the aortic walls were less dilated and had higher elastin content in group R than in control (dilatation ratio: 194.9%\xa0± 10.9% in control, 158.6%\xa0± 2.5% in group R; P\xa0<.01).'] Does endogenous superoxide dismutase activation by oral administration of riboflavin reduce abdominal aortic aneurysm formation in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9948749542236328,
-1.5897871255874634,
2.598020076751709
] |
['Though necessary for improved outcomes, surgical resection is often limited in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancers (LAPCs). We evaluated the efficacy of the approach adopted by our institution of using modified FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy followed by radiation with concurrent gemcitabine or capecitabine for patients with LAPCs, in an effort to enhance resectability while improving the toxicity profile compared with similar treatment regimens.', 'We included 29 consecutive patients with LAPC treated at our institution with the above approach in this review. We evaluated rates of resection, locol control, and survival outcomes in this cohort.', 'The median follow up for this series of patients was 15.2 months. Approximately half the patients were unresectable at presentation. After neoadjuvant therapy, 41.3% of all patients were able to undergo resection of their tumors and 83% achieved an R0 resection. One-year local control for the entire cohort was 85%; one-year progression-free and overall were 49.2% and 65.5%, respectively. High rates of metastatic disease were seen regardless of resectability. There were minimal toxicities in this cohort.'] Does neoadjuvant modified FOLFIRINOX and chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer improve resectability? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.137082815170288,
-1.1767323017120361,
2.3785324096679688
] |
['Achieving a major molecular response (MMR) is the goal of imatinib therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia. However, the association between gender, BCR-ABL transcript type, and age with MMR is not well understood and often controversial.', 'We retrospectively analyzed 166 patients who have been treated with imatinib for up to 10 yr.', 'Men had a lower MMR rate than women (63.3% vs. 81.6%, P = 0.006) and a shorter time to relapse (median 354 vs. 675 d, P = 0.049), while patients with b3a2 or with both b3a2 and b2a2 break point transcripts had higher MMR rate than those with b2a2 (81.8%, 77.1% vs. 60.7%, P = 0.023 for b3a2 vs. b2a2, P = 0.043 for both vs. b2a2). A striking difference was found between men with b2a2 and women with both b2a2 and b3a2 in terms of MMR rate (43.8% vs. 88.9%), MMR rate within 6 months (7.1% vs. 62.5%) and the time to MMR (median d 493 vs. 159, P = 0.036).'] Are gender and BCR-ABL transcript type correlated with molecular response to imatinib treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6552809476852417,
-1.324078917503357,
1.9520126581192017
] |
['Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which involves changes in cellular morphology of highly polarized epithelial cells and the gain of mesenchymal cell phenotype with migratory and invasive capacities, is implicated in smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the interactions of fibroblasts and epithelial cells and the participation of fibroblasts in the EMT processes in COPD are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that EMT is active in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells of COPD patients, and that mediators secreted by lung fibroblasts from COPD patients induce EMT.', 'Primary HBE cells from normal subjects and COPD patients were purchased from LONZA. HLFs were derived from resected lung obtained from normal (N) and COPD (D) subjects and their conditioned medium (CM) was collected after 2-day culture in serum-free medium. The expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers as well as EMT-related transcription factors in lung biopsies, and in HBE cells following stimulation with CM from both normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF) and COPD human lung fibroblasts (DHLF) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and western blot.', 'Basal mRNA expression of mesenchymal markers and EMT-related transcription factors were increased in DHBE cells compared to normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) cells as well as in COPD lungs. CM from NHLF significantly induced vimentin expression in both NHBE and COPD human bronchial epithelial cells (DHBE) cells, but only increased N-cadherin expression in DHBE cells. CM from NHLF significantly induced Twist1 and Twist2 expression in NHBE cells and increased Snai2 (Slug) expression in DHBE cells. While CM from NHLF had no effect on such EMT markers, CM from DHLF significantly increased the protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin in NHBE cells compared to control. N-cadherin expression was upregulated to a greater degree in NHBE cells than DHBE cells. Only CM from DHLF significantly increased E-/N-cadherin ratio in DHBE cells.'] Do fibroblast-epithelial cell interactions drive epithelial-mesenchymal transition differently in cells from normal and COPD patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3086087703704834,
-1.439629077911377,
2.7671027183532715
] |
['Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with memory and learning deficits. Evidence has been provided that vitamin D is involved in brain function. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential effect of vitamin D on acquisition and retention of memory and learning in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.', 'Experiments were performed in four groups of mice (each group; n = 7). Male mice were induced to diabetes by single dose (60 mg/kg, i.p.) injection of freshly prepared STZ dissolved in cold normal saline. Treatment with vitamin D (5µg/kg daily, i.p. dissolved in tween80) was begun at three days after diabetes induction. Passive avoidance (PA) learning method was used four weeks later. Retrieval test was carried out 24 h after training.', 'Our results demonstrate significant impairment in acquisition and retrieval processes of PA learning in STZ- induced diabetic mice. Treatment with vitamin D improved learning and memory compared to the control group, both in acquisition and retrieval stages and reversed learning deficits in diabetic mice. In acquisition test, there were significant differences in the initial latency among the DM+Vit. D treated and control groups (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in step-through latency between diabetic group treated with vitamin D compared to diabetic non-treated groups (P < 0.05).'] Does vitamin D improve Learning and Memory Impairment in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.045038938522339,
-1.38077974319458,
2.428579568862915
] |
['To investigate the association between the presence of Porphyromonas\xa0gingivalis-induced immunoglobulin G antibodies and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level.', 'A total of 108 individuals were examined. The presence of P.\xa0gingivalis was detected using primers designed to target the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Peripheral blood was collected from each subject to determine the levels of P.\xa0gingivalis-induced IgG1 and IgG2 serum antibodies. The HDL levels were determined using fully enzymatic methods.', 'A higher proportion of periodontitis patients had high levels of P.\xa0gingivalis-induced IgG1 and IgG2, and the proportion of subjects with a HDL level of <\xa035\xa0md/dL was higher in the group of chronic periodontitis patients. In the unadjusted regression model, the presence of high levels of P.\xa0gingivalis-induced IgG2 was associated with a HDL level of <\xa035\xa0md/dL. The adjusted model indicated that periodontitis patients with high levels of P.\xa0gingivalis-induced IgG2 showed 3.2 more chances of having pathological HDL levels (odds ratio\xa0=\xa03.2, 95% confidence interval\xa0=\xa01.2-9.8).'] Are high levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced immunoglobulin G2 associated with lower high-density lipoprotein levels in chronic periodontitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.751883864402771,
-1.6066697835922241,
2.3382415771484375
] |
['Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is expressed in the kidney and may be a renoprotective enzyme since it converts angiotensin (Ang) II to Ang-(1-7). In addition, ACE2 has been detected in urine from patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to determine the urinary ACE2 levels in patients with various stages of CKD and to identify the factors associated with the presence of ACE2.', 'We assessed 152 patients with CKD stage G1-G4. The patients were classified according to the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (DM group, n = 72; non-DM group, n = 80) and according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (CKD stage G1/2 group, n = 40; CKD stage G3 group, n = 74; and CKD stage G4 group, n = 38). Parameters were urinary ACE2, urinary albumin/ creatinine ratio (UACR), urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), estimated glomerular filtration rate, and other factors determined to be associated with elevated urinary ACE2.', 'Urinary ACE2 was significantly higher in patients with diabetes (p = 0.01) and in patients with CKD stage G4 compared with stages G1-G3 (p < 0.0001). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that urinary L-FABP and UACR were significantly associated with urinary ACE2 levels, indicating that urinary ACE2 is increased in patients with diabetes and advanced stage CKD.'] Is urinary ACE2 associated with urinary L-FABP and albuminuria in patients with chronic kidney disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.996397614479065,
-1.4984409809112549,
2.4663820266723633
] |
['We previously reported on the efficacy of endocytoscopic classification (EC-C). However, the correlation of the endocytoscopic vascular (EC-V) pattern with diagnoses was unclear.', 'To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the EC-V pattern for colorectal lesions.', 'Retrospective.', 'A university hospital.', 'Patients who underwent endocytoscopy between January 2010 and March\xa02013.', 'We evaluated 198 consecutive lesions according to the EC-V pattern (EC-V1, obscure surface microvessels; EC-V2, clearly observed surface microvessels of a uniform caliber and arrangement; and EC-V3, dilated surface microvessels of a nonhomogeneous caliber or arrangement).', 'The diagnostic accuracy for predicting hyperplastic polyps and invasive cancer were compared between the EC-V pattern and other modalities (narrow-band imaging, pit pattern, and EC-C).', 'The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the EC-V1 pattern for diagnosing hyperplastic polyps were 95.5%, 99.4%, and 99.0%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the EC-V3 pattern for diagnosing invasive cancer were 74.6%, 97.2%, and 88.6%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the EC-V pattern for predicting hyperplastic polyps was comparable to the other modalities. For predicting invasive cancer, the EC-V pattern was comparable to narrow-band imaging and pit pattern, although EC-C was slightly more accurate (P\xa0= .04). In the substudy, the diagnosis time by using the EC-V pattern was shorter than that with the EC-C pattern (P\xa0< .001).'] Is endocytoscopic microvasculature evaluation a reliable new diagnostic method for colorectal lesions ( with video )? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.736462950706482,
-1.5286545753479004,
2.311318874359131
] |
['The identification of species B and E in the Anopheles culicifacies complex in the Indian subcontinent has been based on Y-chromosome karyotype. Since no detectable variations were previously found in DNA markers commonly used for sibling species identification, further molecular characterization using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and microsatellite markers was carried out on Y-chromosome karyotyped Anopheles culicifacies specie B and E from Unnichchai, Kallady and Ranawarunawa in Sri Lanka.', 'COI sequence analysis (n\u2009=\u200922) revealed the presence of nine unique haplotypes with six in each species. Three haplotypes were shared by both species. The two sibling species had a pairwise FST value of 1.338 (p\u2009<\u20090.05) with the number of migrants (Nm) value <1. The genetic structure analysis resulted in two genetic clusters not 100% associated with karyotypes. While none of the species B were incorrectly assigned two were inconclusive. Five out of 26 specimens karyotyped as species E were incorrectly assigned, while further 9 were inconclusive.'] Does karyotypic assignment of Sri Lankan Anopheles culicifacies species B and E correlate with cytochrome oxidase subunit I and microsatellite genotypes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1650952100753784,
-1.0491503477096558,
1.3747408390045166
] |
['To better understand the parameters that govern spore dissemination after lung exposure using in vitro cell systems.', 'We evaluated the kinetics of uptake, germination and proliferation of Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores in association with human primary lung epithelial cells, Calu-3 and A549 cell lines. We also analysed the influence of various cell culture medium formulations related to spore germination.'] Do bacillus anthracis spores germinate extracellularly at air-liquid interface in an in vitro lung model under serum-free conditions? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.575885057449341,
-0.7274993062019348,
2.4329681396484375
] |
['To detect the target degradation of miR-141-3p on androgen receptor (AR) gene in LNCaP cells and demonstrate whether AR gene is a target of miR-141-3p.', "After prostate cancer cell line LNCaP was transfected with miR-141-3p mimics, expression levels of AR mRNA and protein in the LNCaP cells were detected by reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The 3'untranslated regions (3'UTR) of AR mRNA containing the binding site of miR-141-3p was amplified by PCR and inserted into pmiR-report vector (a 3'downstream luciferase reporter gene). The product was termed pmiR-AR-3'UTR. Double luciferase reporter system was employed to verify the potential target effect of miR-141-3p on pmiR-AR-3'UTR.", "Transfection of miR-141-3p mimics decreased both mRNA and protein expression levels of AR in LNCaP cells. Compared with control group, miR-141-3p transfection significantly inhibited the activity of luciferase of pmiR-AR-3'UTR."] Does [ miR-141-3p regulate the expression of androgen receptor by targeting its 3'UTR in prostate cancer LNCaP cells ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.196997880935669,
-1.3125391006469727,
2.526311159133911
] |
['Artesunate (ART) has been known as the most effective and safe reagents to treat malaria for many years. In this study, we explored whether ART could protect pancreatic beta-cell against cytokine-induced damage.', "The production of nitrite (NO) was detected with the Griess Assay Kit. SIRT1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were determined with Western blot. The transcriptional activity of NF-κB was evaluated by luciferase reporter assay. The expression of Sirt1 was silenced by RNA interference. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and potassium-stimulated insulin secretion (KSIS) assays were performed to measure the effect of ART on pancreatic beta-cells' function. The effect of ART on beta-cells apoptosis was evaluated by using Hochest/PI staining and TUNEL assay.", 'ART enhanced GSIS (KSIS) and reduced apoptosis of pancreatic beta-cells induced by IL-1β. Further study showed that ART inhibited IL-1β-induced increase of NF-κB activity, iNOS expression, and NO production. Moreover, ART up-regulated SIRT1 expression in INS-1 cells and islets exposed to IL-1β. Inhibition of SIRT1 expression could partially abolished the inhibitory effect of ART on NF-κB activity in IL-1β-treated beta-cells. More importantly, the protective effect of ART on cytokine-induced damage was reversed by silencing SIRT1 expression.'] Does artesunate protect pancreatic beta cells against cytokine-induced damage via SIRT1 inhibiting NF-κB activation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.398393154144287,
-1.2627291679382324,
2.6581969261169434
] |
['To investigate the effect of aquaporin 9 (AQP9) expression level on the apoptosis and biological behaviors of HepG2 cells induced by arsenic trioxide (As2O3).', 'The effects of different concentration As2O3 on the cell proliferation were measured by MTT assay, and IC50 was calculated. The recombinant plasmids pEGFP-N1-AQP9 and pshRNA-AQP9 were transfected into HepG2 cells. The expression of AQP9 mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Then As2O3 was added to plasmid-transfected cells and untreated HepG2 cells. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, cell cycle and apoptosis rate were determined by flow cytometry, and cell invasion and migration ability were examined by Transwell(TM) (Boyden Chamber) assay. The activity of caspase-3 was detected by microplate reader.', 'The recombinant plasmids remarkably influenced the expression of AQP9. Compared with the group treated with As2O3 alone (control group), the cell proliferation, invasion and migration of HepG2 cells transfected with pEGFP-N1-AQP9 were attenuated significantly, while the cells transfected with pshRNA-AQP9 increased. The increasing population of apoptotic cells, augmented caspase 3 activity and highest percentage of cells stagnating at G0/G1 phase were observed in HepG2 cells transfected with pEGFP-N1-AQP9 as compared with the control HepG2 cells; in contrast, the HepG2 cells transfected with pshRNA-AQP9 presented with lower caspase 3 activity and stronger invasion and migration ability than the control HepG2 cells did.'] Does [ The expression of AQP9 in HepG2 cells affect cell biological behaviors and sensitivity to As2O3 ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.261718988418579,
-1.3171266317367554,
2.594970941543579
] |
['To explore the effects of NANOGP8 on proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, invasion and migration of human SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells.', 'Eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N1-NANOGP8 and recombinant plasmid shRNA-NANOGP8 were constructed and confirmed by enzyme digestion and sequencing analysis. Then, vector pEGFP-N1-NANOGP8 and recombinant plasmid shRNA-NANOGP8 were transfected into SGC-7901 cells via liposome. The expression of NANOGP8 mRNA and protein were tested by fluorescence microscopy, reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The proliferation of SGC-7901 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle were examined by flow cytometry. TranswellTM assay proved the changes in the invasion and migration abilities of SGC-7901 cells.', 'The recombinant plasmids pEGEP-N1-NANOGP8 and pshRNA-NANOGP8 were constructed successfully and transfected into gastric cancer cells. pEGEP-N1-NANOGP8 transfection group showed high expression of NANOGP8, conversely, pshRNA-NANOGP8 transfection group showed low expression of NANOGP8. High expression of NANOGP8 significantly promoted the proliferation of tumor cells, arrested cells cycle in the S phase, decreased apoptotic cells and increased cell invasion and migration obviously. While the low expression group presented with inhibited cell proliferation, cell-cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited migration and invasion.'] Is [ The expression of retrogene Nanogp8 related to the biological characteristics of human SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3194384574890137,
-1.124802827835083,
2.554037570953369
] |
['To construct a eukaryotic expression vector containing human cannabinoid receptor 2 (hCB2R) gene and investigate its expression, location and the influence on the apoptosis of cervical cancer Caski cells.', 'The eukaryotic expression vector GV230-hCB2R was constructed and identified by double enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing analysis. Then it was transfected into HEK293 cells and Caski cells by Lipofectamine(TM) 2000. The expression and cellular localization of hCB2R protein were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescent cytochemistry combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy, the apoptosis rate was tested by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of hCB2R, Bcl-2, Bax and Bad were examined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.', 'The gene fragment of 1128 bp was obtained by double enzyme digestion, it had 99% homology with human hCB2R gene nucleic acid sequence reported (NM_001841.2). After transfected into HEK293 cells, hCB2R protein, with the relative molecular mass (Mr) being 40 000, was expressed in both cytoplasm and cellular membrane. The over-expression of hCB2R promoted apoptosis of Caski cells via up-regulating the Bax, Bad expressions and down-regulating the Bcl-2 expression.'] Does [ Over-expression of cannabinoid receptor 2 induce the apoptosis of cervical carcinoma Caski cells ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3506851196289062,
-1.3203883171081543,
2.7690377235412598
] |
['To explore the insulin resistance-inducing effect of chemerin on murine C2C12 myoblasts and the underlying molecular mechanism.', 'Following 24-hour treatment with various concentrations of chemerin (0, 10, 100) ng/mL and 30-minute insulin stimulation in C2C12 cells, the glucose uptake was evaluated using a fluorescence microplate reader. ELISA was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in culture fluid. In addition, the expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) was determined by Western blotting. The underlying mechanism involved in chemerin-induced insulin resistance was evaluated with the precondition of NF-κB blocker pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC).', 'Chemerin inhibited the glucose uptake of C2C12 cells in a dose-dependent manner, concomitant with the increases of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α levels. Furthermore, chemerin stimulation improved the expression of NF-κB. However, pretreatment with NF-κB blocker PDTC significantly abated the inhibitory effect of chemerin on glucose uptake, and also obviously decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α induced by chemerin.'] Does [ Chemerin induce insulin resistance in C2C12 cells through nuclear factor-κB pathway-mediated inflammatory reaction ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.551957368850708,
-1.130488395690918,
2.784841775894165
] |
['A retrospective imaging and clinical study.', 'To evaluate the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and neurological prognosis in patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without major bone injury.', 'A total of 72 patients with CSCI without major bone injury were treated conservatively in our hospital. MRI was performed for all patients at admission and 1 month following injury. We measured the antero-posterior and cranio-caudal diameter of intramedullary intensity changed area with T1-weighted images at the injured segment. Neurological evaluations were performed using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score and the modified Frankel grade at the time of admission and discharge.', "There was a significant relationship between the antero-posterior diameter ratio of the T1-weighted low-intensity area on MRI at the subacute stage and the ASIA motor score. The optimal threshold of the T1-weighted low-intensity diameter ratio for predicting the patient's ability to walk with or without assistance at discharge was determined to be 46%. Moreover, 96.8% of the patients with <50% T1-weighted low-intensity area recovered to walk with or without a cane at discharge."] Does subacute T1-low intensity area reflect neurological prognosis for patients with cervical spinal cord injury without major bone injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2552083730697632,
-1.4466413259506226,
1.7316598892211914
] |
['Electric stimulation has been proved to be available to monitor the efficacy of renal denervation (RDN). This study was to evaluate the effectiveness of high-frequency stimulation (HFS)-guided proximal RDN.', 'A total of 13 Chinese Kunming dogs were included and allocated to proximal RDN group (n=8) and control group (n=5). HFS (20 Hz, 8 V, pulse width 2 ms) was performed from proximal to distal renal artery in all dogs. Radiofrequency ablations were delivered in proximal RDN group and only at the proximal positive sites where systolic blood pressure (BP) increased ≥10 mm\u2009Hg during HFS. Postablation HFS was performed over the previously stimulated sites. BP, heart rate, and plasma norepinephrine were analyzed. In 8 denervated dogs, preablation HFS caused significant BP increases of 6.0±5.0/3.4±5.5, 16.9±11.7/11.1±8.5, and 17.1±8.4/8.5±5.3 mm\u2009Hg during the first, second, and third 20 s of HFS at the proximal positive sites. After ablation, these sites showed a negative response to postablation HFS with increases of BP by 1.3±3.0/1.0±2.5, 0.8±3.9/1.5±3.4, and 1.5±4.5/0.7±3.8 mm\u2009Hg. Of note, no radiofrequency applications were delivered at the positive sites of middle renal artery, repeated HFS increased BP only by 3.3±5.3/2.8±4.2, 5.3±6.6/3.8±4.7, and 2.9±4.6/1.3±3.2 mm\u2009Hg, failed to reproduce the previous BP increases of 6.2±5.6/5.3±4.4, 15.0±9.3/10.2±6.2, and 14.9±7.7/8.4±4.7 mm\u2009Hg. At 3 months, BP and plasma norepinephrine substantially decreased in proximal RDN group. Whereas controls showed minimal BP decreases and had similar plasma norepinephrine concentrations as baseline.'] Do selective proximal renal denervation guided by autonomic responses evoked via high-frequency stimulation in a preclinical canine model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6607260704040527,
-1.9118547439575195,
1.5090796947479248
] |
['Analysis of a microRNA (miRNA) expression signature of bladder cancer (BC) by deep-sequencing revealed that clustered miRNAs microRNA (miR)-451a, miR-144-3p, and miR-144-5p were significantly downregulated in BC tissues. We hypothesised that these miRNAs function as tumour suppressors in BC. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional roles of these miRNAs and their modulation of cancer networks in BC cells.', 'The functional studies of BC cells were performed using transfection of mature miRNAs. Genome-wide gene expression analysis, in silico analysis, and dual-luciferase reporter assays were applied to identify miRNA targets. The association between miR-144-5p levels and expression of the target genes was determined, and overall patient survival as a function of target gene expression was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.', 'Gain-of-function studies showed that miR-144-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation by BC cells. Four cell cycle-related genes (CCNE1, CCNE2, CDC25A, and PKMYT1) were identified as direct targets of miR-144-5p. The patients with high CCNE1 or CCNE2 expression had lower overall survival probabilities than those with low expression (P=0.025 and P=0.032).'] Does tumour-suppressive microRNA-144-5p directly target CCNE1/2 as potential prognostic markers in bladder cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.303246259689331,
-0.9048998951911926,
2.2523887157440186
] |
['Functional microRNAs (miRNAs) in exosomes have been recognised as potential stable biomarkers in cancers. The aim of this study is to identify specific miRNAs in exosome as serum biomarkers for the early detection of recurrence in human colorectal cancer (CRC).', 'Serum samples were sequentially obtained from six patients with and without recurrent CRC. The miRNAs were purified from exosomes, and miRNA microarray analysis was performed. The miRNA expression profiles and copy number aberrations were explored using microarray and array CGH analyses in 124 CRC tissues. Then, we validated exosomal miRNAs in 2 serum sample sets (90 and 209 CRC patients) by quantitative real-time RT-PCR.', 'Exosomal miR-17-92a cluster expression level in serum was correlated with the recurrence of CRC. Exosomal miR-19a expression levels in serum were significantly increased in patients with CRC as compared with healthy individuals with gene amplification. The CRC patients with high exosomal miR-19a expression showed poorer prognoses than the low expression group (P<0.001).'] Is exosomal microRNA in serum a novel biomarker of recurrence in human colorectal cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0480785369873047,
-1.2733891010284424,
2.3556056022644043
] |
['Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is increasing in incidence, especially among young patients and preferably females. Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) has been suggested as a cause of SCC in the head and neck, and the proportion of oropharyngeal cancers caused by HPV has steadily increased.', 'Samples from 109 patients with primary TSCC were analysed for the presence of HPV16 by in situ hybridisation and for expression of its surrogate marker p16 and the HPV receptor syndecan-1 by immunhistochemistry.', 'No evidence of HPV16 DNA was observed in the tumours, although one-third showed p16 staining. There was no difference in the expression of the primary HPV receptor, syndecan-1, between TSCC and a group of tonsil SCC.'] Is expression of p16 in squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue independent of HPV infection despite presence of the HPV-receptor syndecan-1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3779842853546143,
-1.2440311908721924,
2.7479817867279053
] |
['Oxidative stress has been implicated in the progression of pathogenesis in diabetes mellitus and leads to a variety of deformations in the central nervous system. Recent studies have provided several insights on therapeutic uses of resveratrol in diabetic complications.', 'The present study determines if resveratrol ameliorates oxidative stress and molecular changes in the brain frontal cortex of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.', 'Rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetic, resveratrol-treated control, and resveratrol-treated diabetic. After diabetes induction, resveratrol (20\u2009mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally once daily for 4 weeks. In addition to enzymatic activities, gene and protein expression of brain antioxidant enzymes were utilized by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.', 'The results indicated a significant elevation in total oxidant species (1.22-fold) and malonedialdehyde (1.38-fold) contents in diabetic rat brain cortex tissues. In addition, significant augmentation in the activities of catalase (1.38-fold) and superoxide dismutase (3-fold) was witnessed with the gene and protein expression levels reflecting a transcriptional regulation. Resveratrol treatment significantly normalized diabetic malonedialdehyde and oxidized glutathione levels and strengthens the action of all antioxidant enzymes. Recovery of the diabetes-associated changes reflects the reduction of oxidative conditions by resveratrol and reveals the decrease in the requirement for the activation of antioxidant defense systems in the brain tissues of diabetic rats.'] Does resveratrol regulate oxidative biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes in the brain of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.483966112136841,
-1.281416654586792,
2.811744451522827
] |
['Regular physical activity is recommended to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in a healthy population. Inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) was shown to reduce (LDL-C) levels; however, the impact of physical exercise on PCSK9 levels remains unclear.', 'We used data from 67 healthy hospital employees who participated in a 6-month intervention promoting active use of stairs instead of elevators during 3 months, followed by 3 months without recommendation. We confirmed the degree of physical activity with estimated aerobic capacity (VO2 max ) and measured serum PCSK9 levels at baseline, 3 and 6 month. Using a multilevel regression model, we analysed changes of PCSK9 levels over time adjusting for age, gender, aerobic capacity, baseline LDL-C, and LDL-C and body mass index (BMI) changes.', 'At baseline, PCSK9 levels were associated with higher aerobic capacity (P-value = 0·024). At 3 months, we observed a significant decrease in mean PCSK9 levels from 403·6 to 324·3 ng/mL (P-value = 0·001), as well a significant decrease in mean LDL-C levels from 3·5 to 3·3 mM (P-value = 0·01). During this period, mean aerobic capacity (VO2 max ) increased from 37·0 to 40·4 mL/kg/min (P-value < 0·001). Physical activity was independently associated with a decrease in PCSK9 levels after adjustment for age, gender, baseline aerobic capacity, and LDL-C and BMI changes.'] Does stairs instead of elevators at the workplace decrease PCSK9 levels in a healthy population? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6998540163040161,
-1.515317440032959,
1.2647700309753418
] |
['ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motif) zinc metalloproteinases are important during the synthesis and breakdown of cartilage extracellular matrix. ADAMTS-12 is up-regulated during in vitro chondrogenesis and embryonic limb development; however, the regulation of ADAMTS-12 expression in cartilage remains unknown. The transcription factor c-Maf is a member of Maf family of basic ZIP (bZIP) transcription factors. Expression of c-Maf is highest in hypertrophic chondrocytes during embryonic development and postnatal growth. We hypothesize that c-Maf and ADAMTS-12 are co-expressed during chondrocyte differentiation and that c-Maf regulates ADAMTS-12 expression during chondrogenesis.', 'Promoter analysis and species alignments identified potential c-Maf binding sites in the ADAMTS-12 promoter. c-Maf and ADAMTS-12 co-expression was monitored during chondrogenesis of stem cell pellet cultures. Luciferase expression driven by ADAMTS-12 promoter segments was measured in the presence and absence of c-Maf, and synthetic oligonucleotides were used to confirm specific binding of c-Maf to ADAMTS-12 promoter sequences.', 'In vitro chondrogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells revealed co-expression of ADAMTS-12 and c-Maf during differentiation. Truncation and point mutations of the ADAMTS-12 promoter evaluated in reporter assays localized the response to the proximal 315 bp of the ADAMTS-12 promoter, which contained a predicted c-Maf recognition element (MARE) at position -61. Electorphoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that c-Maf directly interacted with the MARE at position -61.'] Does c-Maf Transcription Factor regulate ADAMTS-12 Expression in Human Chondrogenic Cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.352163553237915,
-1.259371042251587,
2.6022794246673584
] |
['Retrospective cross-sectional database analysis.', 'The cost of spine surgery is growing exponentially, and cost-effectiveness is a critical consideration. Smoking has been shown to increase hospital costs in general surgery, but this impact has not been reported in patients with spinal disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of smoking on cost and complications in a large sample of patients admitted for treatment of spinal disease.', 'In 2012, the authors identified all inpatient admissions to all University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) hospitals from 2005 to 2011 for spinal disease based on the principal diagnosis ICD-9-CM codes from the prospectively collected UHC database. Patient outcomes - including length of stay; complication, readmission, intensive care unit admission rates; and total cost - were compared for non-obese smokers and non-smokers using a two-sample t-test.', 'There were 137,537 patients, including 136,511 (122,608 non-smokers and 13,903 smokers) in the 4 largest diagnostic groups. Smoking was associated with increased complications and worse outcomes in three of these four groups. All outcomes in the two largest groups - fracture and dorsopathy - were worse in the smoking patients.'] Is smoking Associated with Poorer Quality-Based Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized with Spinal Disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1832997798919678,
-0.24331790208816528,
1.5216703414916992
] |
['To investigate the acute effects of the ingestion of a fructose-containing beverage combinedwith fat on postprandial lipoprotein metabolism.', 'Twelve young healthy Japanese women with apolipoprotein E phenotype 3/3 were enrolled in this study. At each of four sessions, the subjects ingested one of four sugar beverages containing fructose and/or glucose (total: 0.5g/kg body weight) combined with OFTT cream (1g/kg, 0.35g/kg as fat) in a randomized crossover design. The four sugar beverages were as follows: 100% (w/w) fructose (F100), 90% fructose+10% glucose (F90G10), 55% fructose+45% glucose (F55G45) and 100% glucose (G100). Venous blood samples were obtained at baseline and 0.5, one, two, four and six hours after ingestion.', 'The serum concentrations of TG in the F100, F90G10 and F55G45 trials were significantlyhigher than each fasting value at two and four hours, and returned to baseline at six hours, except inthe F100 trial. The concentrations at four hours and the incremental areas under the curve for thehepatic triglyceride-rich lipoprotein-triglyceride (VLDL-TG(TM)) levels in the F100 and F90G10 trialswere significantly higher and larger, respectively, than those observed in the G100 trial. Meanwhile,the concentrations of RLP-TG and apolipoprotein B-48 peaked at two hours in the G100 trial, versusfour hours in the other trials, and did not return to baseline at six hours, except in the G100 trial.At four hours, the ⊿apoB48 tended to be higher in the F100 trial than in the G100 trial.'] Does the Ingestion of a Fructose-Containing Beverage Combined with Fat Cream exacerbate Postprandial Lipidemia in Young Healthy Women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1262050867080688,
-1.546350359916687,
1.6131672859191895
] |
['To investigate the prevalence of disabilities amongst adult hospitalized patients and to estimate their specific needs for rehabilitation support.', "A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Moroccan university hospital. A total of 411 patients were included, and assessed for impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions through medical examination and structured questionnaires. Patients' clinical and assessment data were used to estimate the specific needs for rehabilitation professionals' intervention, and the optimal mode of rehabilitation support.", "Patients' mean age was 47.75 years (standard deviation 17.34). Prevalences of types of impairments were led by pain (41.6%), followed by sensory-motor deficits (21.9%) and limitations in joint range of motion (21.4%). Activity limitations were dominated by gait and balance disorders (25.3%). Participation restrictions in social and family life were reported by 118 patients; and in professional life by 44 patients. The most needed rehabilitation interventions were: physiotherapy (36.2%), occupational therapy (20.4%), and prosthetics (15.8%), and 24.5% patients were eligible for inpatient rehabilitation support."] Does prevalence of disability and rehabilitation need amongst adult hospitalized patients in a Moroccan university hospital? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.1673697233200073,
0.6899799108505249,
-0.20493298768997192
] |
['Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are amphipathic, pro-inflammatory proteins secreted by most Staphylococcus aureus isolates. This study tested the hypothesis that in\xa0vitro PSM production levels are associated with specific clinical phenotypes.', '177 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates from infective endocarditis (IE), skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), and hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP) were matched by geographic origin, then genotyped using spa-typing. In\xa0vitro PSM production was measured by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-squared or Kruskal-Wallis tests as appropriate.', 'Spa type 1 was significantly more common in SSTI isolates (62.7% SSTI; 1.7% IE; 16.9% HAP; p\xa0<\xa00.0001) while HAP and IE isolates were more commonly spa type 2 (0% SSTI; 37.3% IE; 40.7% HAP; p\xa0<\xa00.0001). USA300 isolates produced the highest levels of PSMs in\xa0vitro. SSTI isolates produced significantly higher quantities of PSMα1-4, PSMβ1, and δ-toxin than other isolates (p\xa0<\xa00.001). These findings persisted when USA300 isolates were excluded from analysis.'] Do clinical MRSA isolates from skin and soft tissue infections show increased in vitro production of phenol soluble modulins? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9104208946228027,
-1.4896533489227295,
2.4395196437835693
] |
['To evaluate the clinical efficacy of autologous semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafting with anchor repair for the treatment of chronic achilles tendon rupture and severe scarring.', 'From April 2010 to October 2012,26 patients with chronic achilles tendon rupture(with Myerson type III ) and severe scarring were treated with autologous semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafting with anchor repair. There were 19 males and 7 females,with an average age of 32 years old (ranged, 22 to 47 years). The time from injury to surgery was from 3 to 12 months (7 months on average). The plantar flexion strength of all injuried feet attenuated and single heel rise test were positive in 26 cases before operation. Plaster immobilization and routine rehabilitation therapy were performed after operation. Clinical effects were evaluated by Arner-lindholm criterion and complications were observed after operation.', 'All the patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months with a mean of 16 months. No complications such as achilles tendon re-rupture, wound infection, etc were found during follow-up period. According to the Arner-Lindholm standard, 15 cases got excellent results and 11 good.'] Do [ Surgical treatment for chronic achilles tendon rupture and severe scarring ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2343642711639404,
-0.8333115577697754,
2.1929707527160645
] |
['This study aimed to investigate the relationship between miR-506 and proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.', 'MiR-506 mimics, inhibitor, and negative control (NC) were transfected into MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Cell proliferation, cell counting, colony formation assay, and Transwell assay were applied to evaluate the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. Data are shown as mean ± standard deviation and the experiment was performed 3 times. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS version 10.0.', 'At 1 day after transfection, cell proliferation detected by CCK-8 assay was significantly promoted in miR-506 inhibitor when compared with the miR-506 mimics group and the NC group (P<0.05). At 3 days or 5 days after transfection, cell proliferation was markedly inhibited in the miR-506 mimics group, and miR-506 inhibitor was still significantly promoted. Cell counting with a hemocytometer showed similar results to cell proliferation. Colony formation assay showed that the number of colonies in the miR-506 mimics group was significantly smaller than that in the miR-506 inhibitor group and NC group. Transwell assay revealed that the number of migrated cells in miR-506 mimics was markedly smaller than that in the miR-506 inhibitor group and NC group.'] Does miR-506 Over-Expression inhibit Proliferation and Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3451048135757446,
-1.2491774559020996,
1.6250298023223877
] |
['IL-1β has been shown to play a pivotal role in autoimmunity. Cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1) inhibitor may be an important drug target for autoimmune diseases. However, the effects of caspase-1 inhibitor on myasthenia gravis (MG) remain undefined.', "To investigate the effects of caspase-1 inhibitor on experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG), an animal model of MG, caspase-1 inhibitor was administered to Lewis rats immunized with region 97-116 of the rat AChR α subunit (R97-116 peptide) in complete Freund's adjuvant. The immunophenotypical characterization by flow cytometry and the levels of autoantibody by ELISA were carried out to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of caspase-1 inhibitor.", 'We found that caspase-1 inhibitor improved EAMG clinical symptom, which was associated with decreased IL-17 production by CD4+ T cells and γδ T cells, lower affinity of anti-R97-116 peptide IgG. Caspase-1 inhibitor decreased expression of CD80, CD86, and MHC class II on DCs, as well as intracellular IL-1β production from DCs. In addition, caspase-1 inhibitor treatment inhibited R97-116 peptide-specific cell proliferation and decreased follicular helper T cells relating to EAMG development.'] Does caspase-1 inhibitor ameliorate experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis by innate dendric cell IL-1-IL-17 pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4015862941741943,
-1.3011621236801147,
2.729611396789551
] |
['The mainstay of treatment in rectal cancer is neoadjuvant radio chemotherapy prior to surgery, in an attempt to downstage the tumour, allowing for more complete removal during surgery. In 40\xa0% of cases however, this neoadjuvant radio chemotherapy fails to achieve tumour regression, partly due insufficient apoptosis signaling. X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP) is an anti-apoptotic protein that has been reported to contribute to disease progression and chemotherapy resistance.', 'We obtained rectal biopsy normal and matched tumour tissue from 29 rectal cancer patients with varying degrees of tumour regression, and using Western blot, examined anti-apoptotic XIAP and pro-apoptotic Smac protein levels in these tissues, with the aim to examine whether disturbed XIAP/Smac levels may be an indicator of neoadjuvant radio chemotherapy resistance. Expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 was also examined.', 'We found that levels of XIAP increased in accordance with the degree of radio chemotherapy resistance of the tissue. Levels of this protein were also significantly higher in tumour tissue, compared to matched normal tissue in highly resistant tissue. In contrast, Smac protein levels did not increase with radio chemotherapy resistance, and the protein was similarly expressed in normal and tumour tissue, indicating a shift in the balance of these proteins. Post treatment surgical resection tissue was available for 8 patients. When we compared matched tissue pre- and post- radio chemotherapy we found that XIAP levels increased significantly during treatment in both normal and tumour tissue, while Smac levels did not change. cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 levels were not differentially expressed in varying degrees of radio chemotherapy resistance, and neoadjuvant therapy did not alter expression of these proteins.'] Are high levels of X-linked Inhibitor-of-Apoptosis Protein ( XIAP ) indicative of radio chemotherapy resistance in rectal cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.278745412826538,
-1.4093283414840698,
2.70291805267334
] |
['Fetuin-A is a liver-derived circulating protein that has potent calcification-inhibitory activity. Uraemic patients exhibit decreased serum fetuin-A levels, increased vascular calcification and elevated cardiovascular mortality. Because the mechanisms for fetuin-A deficiency are unknown, we hypothesized that some uraemic toxins suppressed hepatic fetuin-A production, which resulted in accelerated vascular calcification and poor outcome. Among these potential candidates, indoxyl sulfate (IS) has highly toxic properties.', 'We examined the direct effects of IS on hepatic fetuin-A expression using the human hepatoma HepG2 cell line.', 'IS, but not p-cresyl sulfate, suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of fetuin-A in a dose- and time-dependent manner. As reported previously, IS stimulated p38 MAPK phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, although the knockdown of p38 and inhibition of ROS generation had no effect on IS-induced fetuin-A suppression. Then, because IS is a potent endogenous ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), we assessed whether IS suppresses fetuin-A production via AhR. The knockdown of AhR prevented IS-induced fetuin-A suppression. However, some attention should be paid to no effect of IS on fetuin-A expression in mouse and human primary cultured hepatocytes.'] Does indoxyl sulfate suppress hepatic fetuin-A expression via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in HepG2 cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5441489219665527,
-1.1881219148635864,
2.7713968753814697
] |
['This study evaluated the association of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and cardiovascular complications after noncardiac surgery.', 'We prospectively evaluated patients referred for noncardiac surgery. The ABI was performed before surgery. Patients with abnormal ABI (≤ 0.9) were included in the peripheral artery disease (PAD) group and the remaining constituted the control group. Cardiac troponin and electrocardiogram were obtained 72 hours after surgery. Patients were followed up to 30 days, and primary end point was the occurrence of any cardiovascular event: cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, isolated troponin elevation (ITE), decompensated heart failure, cardiogenic shock, unstable arrhythmias, nonfatal cardiac arrest, pulmonary edema, stroke, or PAD symptoms increase.', 'We evaluated 124 patients (61.3% male; mean age 65.4 years). During the study, 57.9% of patients in the PAD group had an event versus 25.7% in the control group (P = .011). The ITE was the most observed event (24.2%). After logistic regression, the odds ratio for ITE was 7.4 (95% confidence interval 2.2-25.0, P = .001).'] Is the Ankle-Brachial Index Associated With Cardiovascular Complications After Noncardiac Surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0424844026565552,
-1.5170307159423828,
1.6044375896453857
] |
['Banana and plantain (Musa spp.) comprise an important part of diets for millions of people around the globe. Low temperature is one of the key environmental stresses which greatly affects the global banana production. To understand the molecular mechanism of the cold-tolerance in plantain we used RNA-Seq based comparative transcriptomics analyses for both cold-sensitive banana and cold-tolerant plantain subjected to the cold stress for 0, 3 and 6 h.', 'The cold-response genes at early stage are identified and grouped in both species by GO analysis. The results show that 10 and 68 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are identified for 3 and 6 h of cold stress respectively in plantain, while 40 and 238 DEGs are identified respectively in banana. GO classification analyses show that the majority of DEGs identified in both banana and plantain belong to 11 categories including regulation of transcription, response to stress signal transduction, etc. A similar profile for 28 DEGs was found in both banana and plantain for 6 h of cold stress, suggesting both share some common adaptation processes in response to cold stress. There are 17 DEGs found uniquely in cold-tolerance plantain, which were involved in signal transduction, abiotic stress, copper ion equilibrium, photosynthesis and photorespiration, sugar stimulation, protein modifications etc. Twelve early responsive genes including ICE1 and MYBS3 were selected and further assessed and confirmed by qPCR in the extended time course experiments (0, 3, 6, 24 and 48 h), which revealed significant expression difference of key genes in response to cold stress, especially ICE1 and MYBS3 between cold-sensitive banana and cold-tolerant plantain.'] Does comparative transcriptomics analysis reveal difference of key gene expression between banana and plantain in response to cold stress? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0316684246063232,
-0.8280441761016846,
1.9848237037658691
] |
['To investigate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VEGFC gene and the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in white patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).', 'Cross-sectional, case control study.', 'White patients with T1DM or T2DM (n\xa0= 2899) were recruited from ophthalmology and endocrine clinics in Australia and the United Kingdom. Patients with T2DM were required to have diabetes mellitus (DM) for at least 5 years and be receiving oral hypoglycemic treatment or insulin.', 'Participants were categorized according to their worst-ever DR grading, as having "no DR" (no history of nonproliferative DR [NPDR], proliferative DR [PDR], or diabetic macular edema [DME]) or "any DR" (further subclassified as NPDR or PDR, without or with DME). Clinical characteristics, glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), and presence of diabetic complications were determined at recruitment. Genotyping was performed for 13 VEGFC tag SNPs.', 'Odds ratios (ORs) were determined for associations with DR of VEGFC tag SNPs, individually and within haplotypes. Logistic regression was used to adjust for clinical covariates, including DM type, age, sex, DM duration, hypertension, nephropathy, HbA1c, and smoking.', 'Participants with DM but "no DR" (n\xa0= 980) were compared with 1919 participants with DM and "any DR." Three VEGFC SNPs were associated with DR after logistic regression: rs17697419 (P\xa0= 0.001; OR,\xa00.67; confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.85), rs17697515 (P\xa0= 0.001; OR, 0.62; CI, 0.47-0.81), and rs2333526 (P\xa0= 0.005; OR, 0.69; CI, 0.54-0.90). rs17697515 Was also specifically associated with DME in those with T2DM (P\xa0= 0.004; OR, 0.53; CI, 0.35-0.82). Haplotype analysis revealed 2 significantly associated haplotypes, both protective against DR development.'] Does common Sequence Variation in the VEGFC Gene be Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9294277429580688,
-1.503631830215454,
2.415008068084717
] |
['Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD), a form of dominantly inherited ataxia belonging to the group of polyQ expansion neurodegenerative disorders, occurs when a threshold value for the number of glutamines in Ataxin-3 (Atx3) polyglutamine region is exceeded. As a result of its modular multidomain architecture, Atx3 is known to engage in multiple macromolecular interactions, which might be unbalanced when the polyQ tract is expanded, culminating in the aggregation and formation of intracellular inclusions, a unifying fingerprint of this group of neurodegenerative disorders. Since aggregation is specific to certain brain regions, localization-dependent posttranslational modifications that differentially affect Atx3 might also contribute for MJD.', 'We combined in vitro and cellular approaches to address SUMOylation in the brain-predominant Atx3 isoform and assessed the impact of this posttranslational modification on Atx3 self-assembly and interaction with its native partner, p97.', 'We demonstrate that Atx3 is SUMOylated at K356 both in vitro and in cells, which contributes for decreased formation of amyloid fibrils and for increased affinity towards p97.'] Does sUMOylation of the brain-predominant Ataxin-3 isoform modulate its interaction with p97? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.535465717315674,
-1.1781409978866577,
2.7646265029907227
] |
['The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of the fruit extract of Tribulus terrestris (TT) on the metronidazole (MTZ)-induced alterations in spermatogenesis, sperm count, testicular functions, and oxidative stress.', 'Thirty adult Swiss strain mice were divided into six groups. Animals of Groups I and II served as untreated and vehicle-treated controls, while that of Groups III and IV were administered with MTZ (500 mg/kg BW/day) and TT (200 mg/kg BW/day) alone for 28 days, respectively. Low (100 mg/kg BW/day) and high (200 mg/kg BW/day) doses of TT along with MTZ (500 mg/kg BW/day) were administered for 28 days in the mice of Groups V and VI, respectively. Twenty four hours after the last treatment, all the animals were euthanized to study the histological changes in the testis and sperm count in the epididymis. Testicular functional markers, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, were also assessed in the mice of all the groups.', 'Metronidazole caused marked alterations in the testicular weight, spermatogenesis, activities of antioxidant enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and the level of LPO. The epididymal sperm count also declined significantly in MTZ-treated group. These changes were partially restored following co-administration of 500 mg/kg BW/day of MTZ and 100 mg/kg BW/day of TT. However, in the mice co-administered with 500 mg/kg BW/day of MTZ and 200 mg/kg BW/day of TT, the changes reverted back completely, similar to that of the controls.'] Does tribulus terrestris ameliorate metronidazole-induced spermatogenic inhibition and testicular oxidative stress in the laboratory mouse? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1897644996643066,
-1.4123585224151611,
2.5995686054229736
] |
['Lead (Pb) is a long-known poison of environment and industrial origin. Its prolonged exposure affects cellular material and alters cellular genetics and produces oxidative damages. In this study, we investigated the exposure of chronic sustained hypoxia or lead acetate alone or in combination with or without supplementation of α-tocopherol on hepatic oxidative and nitrosative stress in rats.', 'The rats weighing 165 ± 5 g were exposed to chronic sustained hypoxia (10% oxygen) or lead acetate (25 mg/kg of body weight, intraperitoneally) alone or in combination with or without supplementation of α-tocopherol (10 mg/100 g b.wt, intramuscularly). The body weight of all the rats was recorded on the day 1 of the treatment and the day of sacrifice. Serum lipid profile was estimated by using a biochemical analyzer. Oxidant and enzymatic antioxidants status was evaluated by using spectrophotometer. Serum levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by using ELISA technique. Histopathological assessments of hepatic tissue were also done.', 'Exposure of both lead and hypoxia showed decreased body weight, altered serum lipid profile, oxidant and enzymatic antioxidants status, serum HIF-1α and VEGF concentrations. Simultaneous α-tocopherol supplementation showed beneficial effects to all these alterations. Histopathological observations also showed hepatic degenerative changes after lead or hypoxia exposure either alone or in combination, but remarkable improvement has been noticed after α-tocopherol supplementation.'] Does α-tocopherol supplementation prevent lead acetate and hypoxia-induced hepatic dysfunction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.332650899887085,
-1.3709934949874878,
2.754714012145996
] |
['Inflammation is a key factor in the development of plaque rupture and acute cardiovascular events. Although imaging techniques can be used to identify vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, we are lacking non-invasive methods, such as plasma markers of plaque inflammation that could help to identify presence of vulnerable plaques. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether increased plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines reflects inflammatory activity within atherosclerotic plaques.', 'Cytokines were measured using Luminex immunoassay in 200 homogenized plaque extracts and plasma, obtained from 197 subjects undergoing carotid surgery. Plasma levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and fractalkine correlated significantly, not only with plaque levels of the same cytokines but also with the abundance of several pro-inflammatory and atherogenic cytokines assessed in plaque tissue. High plasma levels (upper tertile) of MIP-1β, TNF-α and fractalkine identified the presence of a plaque with high inflammation (above median of a score based on the plaque content of MIP-1β, TNF-α, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and fractalkine) with a sensitivity between 65 and 67% and a specificity between 78 and 83%. Furthermore, this study shows that high plasma levels of MIP-1β, TNF-α and fractalkine predict future transient ischemic attacks.'] Do circulating cytokines reflect the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in atherosclerotic plaques? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4464914798736572,
-1.2338708639144897,
2.778754234313965
] |
['Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute complicated type B aortic dissection (AD) promotes early positive aortic remodeling. However, little is known about the long-term effect of TEVAR on the dissected aorta, which is the goal of this study.', 'Between August 2005 and August 2009, 31 patients with complicated type B AD were treated with TEVAR and had >1-year follow-up imaging. Computed tomography angiograms obtained at 1 month, 1 year, and long term (average, 42 months) were compared with baseline scans. The largest diameters of the stented thoracic aorta, stented true lumen, and stented false lumen were recorded at each time point, as were the values in the unstented distal thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta. Changes over time were evaluated by a mixed effect analysis of variance model of repeated measures.', 'The average age of the cohort was 56 years, and 74% were male. Indications for TEVAR were as follows: 61% malperfusion, 32% refractory hypertension, 45% impending rupture, and 32% persistent pain; 58% had more than one indication. All patients were treated in the acute phase within 7 days of the initial presentation. The average length of aorta covered was 19 cm. Observation of the stented segment over time showed that the maximum diameter of the stented thoracic aorta was stable (P = NS), the diameter of the stented true lumen increased (P < .001), and the diameter of the stented false lumen decreased (P < .001); 84% had complete false lumen obliteration across the stented aortic segment. Observation of the uncovered thoracic aorta over time showed that the maximum diameter increased (P = .014), as did the visceral segment of the aorta (P < .001). The average growth of the visceral segment was 31% in patients with a patent false lumen vs 3% in those with a thrombosed false lumen (P = .004). One patient had aneurysmal degeneration of the false lumen and required an additional endograft at 18 months.'] Does late aortic remodeling persist in the stented segment after endovascular repair of acute complicated type B aortic dissection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5975074768066406,
-1.704965353012085,
2.263167142868042
] |
['Effective treatments against restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting are largely lacking. Human tissue kallikrein gene transfer has been shown to be able to attenuate neointima formation induced by balloon catheter. As a tissue kallikrein in\xa0vivo, human urinary kininogenase (HUK) is widely used to prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the effects of HUK on neointima formation have not been explored. We therefore investigated whether HUK could alleviate balloon catheter-induced intimal hyperplasia in rabbits fed with high-fat diets.', 'The effects of HUK on neointima and atherosclerosis formation were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining in balloon-injured carotid arteries of rabbits. Local inflammatory response was evaluated by detecting the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction plus the invasion of macrophages with immunohistochemical staining. Western blotting was employed to investigate the effects of HUK on activities of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and Smad signaling pathway. The long-term effect of HUK on intimal hyperplasia of the injured carotid artery was assessed by angiography.', 'Quantitative image analysis showed that intravenous administration of HUK for 14\xa0days significantly decreased the intimal areas and intima area/media area ratios (day 14, 54% decrease in intimal area and 58% decrease in intima area/media area ratios; day 28, 63% and 85%). Significant decreases were also noted in macrophage foam cell-positive area after 7-day or 14-day administration of HUK (day 7, 69% decrease in intimal area and 78% decrease in media area; day 14, 79% and 60%; day 28, 68% and 44%). Actin staining for smooth muscle cells in neointima at 2\xa0months showed similar results (vascular smooth muscle cell-positive area of neointima, 28.21%\xa0± 5.58% vs 43.78%\xa0± 8.36%; P\xa0< .05). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blot analysis showed that HUK reduced expression of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, TGF-β1, and p-Smad2/3 but increased the expression of p-eNOS. Angiography analysis showed that 14-day administration of HUK significantly decreased the degree of stenosis (26.8%\xa0± 7.1% vs 47.9%\xa0± 5.7%; P\xa0< .01) at 2\xa0months after balloon injury.'] Does human urine kininogenase attenuate balloon-induced intimal hyperplasia in rabbit carotid artery through transforming growth factor β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.251992702484131,
-1.4803173542022705,
2.7528533935546875
] |
["To investigate physicians' knowledge including chronic hepatitis B (CHB) diagnosis, screening, and management in various stages of their training.", "A voluntary 20-question survey was administered in Santa Clara County, CA where Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) account for a third of the population. Among the 219 physician participants, there were 63 interns, 60 second-year residents, 26 chief residents and 70 attending physicians. The survey asked questions regarding respondents' demographics, general hepatitis B virus knowledge questions (i.e., transmission, prevalence, diagnostic testing, prevention, and treatment options), as well as, self-reported practice behavior and confidence in knowledge.", 'Knowledge about screening and managing patients with CHB was poor: only 24% identified the correct tests to screen for CHB, 13% knew the next steps for patients testing positive for CHB, 18% knew the high prevalence rate among API, and 31% knew how to screen for liver cancer. Wald chi-square analysis determined the effect of training level on knowledge; in all cases except for knowledge of liver cancer screening (P = 0.0032), knowledge did not significantly increase with length in residency training or completion of residency.'] Does medical training fail to prepare providers to care for patients with chronic hepatitis B infection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.916182518005371,
0.3415803611278534,
0.8126351833343506
] |
['To study the potential prognostic role of microRNA-382 (miR-382) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).', "Forty six patients were divided into 2 groups according to postoperative survival time: the poor outcome group (28 patients), who showed early metastasis but no recurrence, and died within 1 year after surgery, 12 patients of the group received postoperative chemotherapy treatment that was given after early metastasis happening; the good outcome group (18 patients), who had no clinical metastasis and recurrence, and survived 5 years or more after surgery, all patients did not receive any postoperative treatment. Total RNA was extracted from the patients' formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded esophageal cancer tissues. miR-382 level was evaluated using high-throughput real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The correlation between miR-382 level and clinicopathologic features was analyzed through COX regression model, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to analyze the relationship between miR-382 level and patient survival time.", 'miR-382 was differentially expressed in the two groups. Overall the average miR-382 level in the ESCC patients with good outcome was 9.8 ± 3.8, while miR-382 level in the ESCC patients with poor outcome was 3.0 ± 0.8. The differences of miR-382 levels between two groups were significant (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis results showed that miR-382 expression level generally had a significant reverse-correlation with ESCC patient survival time (P < 0.001), in which the patients with higher expressions of miR-382 had a longer survival time either among individuals with the same tumor stage or among the overall patients.'] Is downregulation of microRNA-382 associated with poor outcome of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6404993534088135,
-1.4113038778305054,
2.0197079181671143
] |
['There is a growing awareness of the importance of carotid plaque features evaluation in stroke prediction. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and recently its echogenicity were used for stroke prediction, although their clinical relevance was not well determined. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between common carotid artery (CCA) ultrasound markers of atherosclerosis and distal, bifurcation and internal carotid artery (ICA), plaque features.', 'We analyzed 137 carotid arteries in 87 asymptomatic patients with known carotid disease (mean age 69 ± 6 year, 34.5% females). Intima media thickness (IMT) and its gray scale median (IM-GSM) were measured at the CCA. Plaque textural features including gray scale median (GSM), juxtaluminal black area (JBA-mm(2)) without a visible cap, and plaque coarseness, at bifurcation and ICA were also determined. CCA measurements were correlated with those of the distal plaques.', 'An increased IMT in CCA correlated with plaque irregularities in the bifurcation and ICA (r=0.53, p<0.001), while IM-GSM was closely related to plaque echogenicity (GSM) (r=0.76, p<0.001), and other textural plaque features. Both, IMT and IM-GSM correlated weakly with stenosis severity (r=0.27, p=0.001 and r=-0.18, p=0.026) respectively.'] Do common carotid intima-media features determine distal disease phenotype and vulnerability in asymptomatic patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9144378900527954,
-1.4712594747543335,
2.3934438228607178
] |
['Recent studies reported that Naja naja atra venom (NNAV) regulated immune function and had a therapeutic effect on adjunctive arthritis and nephropathy. We hypothesized that NNAV and its active component, neurotoxin (NTX), might inhibit skin allograft rejection.', 'Skin allografts were used to induce immune rejection in rats. In addition, mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was used to mimic immune rejection reaction in vitro. Both NNAV and NTX were orally given starting from 5days prior to skin allograft surgery.', "The results showed that oral administration of NNAV or NTX prolonged the survival of skin allografts and inhibited inflammatory response. The production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2) was also suppressed. NTX inhibited T-cell proliferation and CD4(+) T cell division induced by skin allografts. NTX also showed immunosuppressive activity in mixed lymphocyte culture. Atropine alone inhibited Con A-induced proliferation of T cells and potentiated NTX' s inhibitory effects on T cells, while pilocarpine only slightly enhanced Con A-induced T cell proliferation and partially reversed the inhibitory effect of NTX. On the other hand, neither nicotine nor mecamylamine had an influence on NTX's inhibitory effects on Con A-induced T cell proliferation in vitro. NTX inhibited T cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase."] Does neurotoxin from Naja naja atra venom inhibit skin allograft rejection in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3329808712005615,
-1.2736034393310547,
2.655099391937256
] |
['Many histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are well recognized as potential anti-cancer drugs. Inhibition of HDACs induces temporal transcription or epigenetic control, thus regulating many different biological responses. Here, we investigated the osteogenic effect of the HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; vorinostat).', 'The effects of SAHA on osteoblast differentiation were examined in the 6XOSE-Luc reporter assay for determination of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) activity and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and in an immunoprecipitation assay to determine the Runx2 acetylation state. The osteogenic activity of SAHA in vivo was studied in and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoporotic mouse model.', 'SAHA increased the transcriptional activity of Runx2 in a dose-dependent manner in the 6XOSE-Luc reporter assay. SAHA by itself was unable to induce ALP activity; however, SAHA enhanced ALP activity induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). The degree of acetylation of Runx2 was increased with SAHA treatment, which suggests that the increase in Runx2 transcriptional activity might be dependent on stabilization by acetylation. Also, SAHA successfully reversed soluble RANKL-induced osteoporotic bone loss.'] Is a Novel Osteogenic Activity of Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Synergized by BMP-2? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4163100719451904,
-1.3366022109985352,
2.787691593170166
] |
['Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has become a common spine procedure, however, there have been no previous studies on whole spine alignment changes after cervical fusion. Our purpose in this study was to determine whole spine sagittal alignment and pelvic alignment changes after ACDF.', 'Forty-eight patients who had undergone ACDF from January 2011 to December 2012 were enrolled in this study. Cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and pelvic parameters were measured preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and Neck Disability Index (NDI) values.', 'Forty-eight patients were grouped according to operative method (cage only, cage & plate), operative level (upper level: C3/4 & C4/5; lower level: C5/6 & C6/7), and cervical lordosis (high lordosis, low lordosis). All patients experienced significant improvements in VAS scores and NDI values after surgery. Among the radiologic parameters, pelvic tilt increased and sacral slope decreased at 12 months postoperatively. Only the high cervical lordosis group showed significantly-decreased cervical lordosis and a shortened SVA postoperatively. Correlation tests revealed that cervical lordosis was significantly correlated with SVA and that SVA was significantly correlated with pelvic tilt and sacral slope.'] Does anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion alter Whole-Spine Sagittal Alignment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1708481311798096,
-1.2093167304992676,
2.459662437438965
] |
['The purpose of this study was to analyze the perceptions and practices of internal medicine residents in the western region of Saudi Arabia regarding the implementation of do not resuscitate (DNR) orders to improve future training practices among physicians.', 'Medical residents involved in training programs in the western region of Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah, Makah, Medinah, and Taif, were invited to participate in a cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey regarding DNR orders. The 16-question survey was distributed to residents in all training programs in the region using surveymonkey.com, and the results were collected and tabulated.', 'Of 364 residents, 157 completed the questionnaire, resulting in a 43% response rate. The study showed that most (66%) internal medicine residents in the western region of Saudi Arabia participate in DNR discussions with patients and family or surrogate decision-makers. In addition, 43% were observed by faculty members, and half of them (51.9%) reported feeling comfortable during these discussions. Furthermore, most residents believed that additional educational programs would enhance their competence in addressing issues related to DNR discussions.'] Do internal medicine residents ' perspectives and practice about resuscitate orders : survey analysis in the western region of Saudi Arabia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.1432158946990967,
2.58306884765625,
-0.870457649230957
] |
['Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) suggests a direct cellular insult to myocardium. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis have been implicated in the pathogenesis of DCM. NADPH oxidase is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in cardiomyocytes. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol, has shown beneficial effects on some cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes.', 'We aimed to examine the role of resveratrol on high glucose-induced NADPH oxidase-derived ROS production and cardiac apoptosis, together with modulation of protein signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes.', 'Primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to 30\u2009mmol/L high glucose with or without resveratrol. Cell viability, apoptosis, superoxide formation, NADPH oxidase activity and its subunits expression, antioxidant enzymes activities, as well as the potential regulatory molecules AMPK, Akt and GSK-3β were assessed in cardiac cells.', 'Elevated ROS production induced by 30\u2009mmol/L high glucose was inhibited with the addition of resveratrol in primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Consistently, resveratrol markedly suppressed the increased activity of NADPH oxidase and Rac1, as well as the enhanced expression of p67(phox), p47(phox), and gp91(phox) induced by high glucose. Lipid peroxidation, SOD, catalase, GSH-px activity and GSH content was reversed in the presence of resveratrol. Moreover, the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax was down regulated while anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was up regulated. And cardiac cell injury and apoptosis were markedly rescued by resveratrol. In addition, resveratrol significantly increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at Thr172 in cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose. Compound C, the pharmacologic inhibitor of AMPK, could mostly abrogate roles of resveratrol on cardiomyocytes in high glucose. In contrast, Akt and GSK-3β were little influenced by resveratrol.'] Does resveratrol attenuate high glucose-induced oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis through AMPK? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.500105857849121,
-1.3086981773376465,
2.817244529724121
] |
['The decline of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is thought to be related to the risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) as well as herpes zoster (HZ). However, the relationship between immunological condition and the incidence of PHN is still unclear.', 'We conducted a large-scale prospective cohort study to clarify the relationship between immunological factors for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and the incidence of PHN.', 'We carried out a cohort study on VZV immunity in a population living on an island cluster, Shozu County in Japan, and examined the people who developed HZ during a follow-up period of 3 years, with a focus on the relationship between cell-mediated and humoral immunity and the incidence of PHN. A total of 12,522 people over the age of 50 were enrolled in this study, and 401 registrants were diagnosed with HZ, including 79 PHN cases. We evaluated anatomical location and severity of skin lesion, acute pain severity, presence or absence of abnormal sensations, CMI assessed by VZV skin test, and VZV-specific antibody titer measured by serological tests.', 'The incidence of PHN was significantly associated with a weak response to the VZV skin test, as well as facial or lumbosacral localization of skin rash, severe skin lesion, severe acute pain, and presence of abnormal sensations, but not related to VZV-specific antibody titer.'] Is vZV skin-test reaction , but not antibody , an important predictive factor for postherpetic neuralgia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.413198232650757,
-1.1949701309204102,
2.777864694595337
] |
['Adherence to prophylactic antibiotics guidelines is challenging and poorly documented. We hypothesized that a multiphase, multifaceted quality improvement initiative would engage relevant stakeholders, address known barriers to adoption, and improve overall adherence.', "From 2011 to 2014, a series of interventions were introduced in the pediatric operating rooms. After each interventional period, prospective assessments were performed to record the antibiotic type, dose, timing, and redosing according to the guidelines. Perioperative factors that may influence guideline adherence were analyzed. Spearman's rank correlation, analysis of variance, and χ(2) tests were performed.", 'A total of 1,052 operations were observed, and 629 (60%) required prophylactic antibiotics. Adherence to all 4 guideline components remained unchanged (54-55%, P = .38). Redosing significantly improved (7-53%, P = .02), but correct type decreased (98-70%, P < .01). The percentage of cases in which only one antibiotic guideline component was missed remained unchanged (35-34%, P = .46). Adherence to guidelines was not significantly associated with American Society of Anesthesiologists class, surgical specialty, patient weight, anesthesia provider, or surgical wound class.'] Does adherence to surgical antibiotic prophylaxis remain a challenge despite multifaceted interventions? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1703274250030518,
-1.1455847024917603,
2.3982632160186768
] |
['Accelerated aging has been proposed as a pathologic mechanism of various chronic diseases, including COPD. This concept has almost exclusively been approached by analyses of individual markers. We investigated whether COPD is associated with accelerated aging using a panel of markers representing various interconnected aspects of the aging process.', 'Lung function, leukocyte telomere length, lymphocyte gene expression of anti-aging (sirtuin 1, total klotho, and soluble klotho [Sklotho]), senescence (p16/21), and DNA repair (Ku70/80 and TERF2) proteins, and markers of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress were determined in 160 patients with COPD, 82 smoking subjects, and 38 never-smoking control subjects.', 'Median levels for telomere length, Sklotho, Ku70, and sirtuin 1 gene expression were lower (respectively, 4.4, 4.6, and 4.7 kbp for telomere length; 74%, 82%, and 100%\xa0for Sklotho; 88%, 92%, and 100%\xa0for Ku70 and 70%, 92%, and 100%\xa0for sirtuin 1, all P\xa0< .05) in patients compared with the smoking and never-smoking control groups. P21 gene expression was higher in patients compared with smoking control subjects. Telomere length correlated with Ku70 gene expression (r\xa0= 0.15, P\xa0= .02). After correction for age, smoking history, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress, telomere length and p21 were the only markers that remained independently associated with lung function. In separate groups, only telomere length remained associated with lung function parameters.'] Do various Mechanistic Pathways Representing the Aging Process Are Altered in COPD? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.961104154586792,
-1.3897980451583862,
2.2717881202697754
] |
['Leishmania (L.) tropica is the causative agent of different forms of human leishmaniasis. There is little information about the role of Leishmania-specific antibodies in the immune response against L. tropica infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of Leishmania-specific antibodies and their immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotypes in L. tropica infection.', 'L. tropica at two different doses (high dose, 10', 'Our data showed that (1) a higher parasite dose results in higher levels of antibody. (2) L. tropica infection results in a lower IgG1 antibody response, compared with L. major infection. (3) The IgG2a/IgG1 antibody response in L. tropica infection is higher than that in L. major infection.'] Are lower levels of IgG1 in comparison with IgG2a associated with protective immunity against Leishmania tropica infection in BALB/c mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.076333522796631,
-1.3027509450912476,
2.431532144546509
] |
['Spices and herbs are recognized sources of natural antioxidants that can protect from oxidative stress, thus play an important role in chemoprevention of liver diseases. Ginger is used worldwide primarily as a spicy condiment.', 'This study evaluated the ability of ginger extract (GE) to ameliorate oxidative-hepatic toxicity induced by lead acetate (PbAc) in rats.', 'Five groups of animals were used: group I kept as control; groups II, IV, and V received PbAc (1\u2009ppm in drinking water daily for 6 weeks, and kept for an additional 2 weeks without PbAc exposure); group III treated orally with GE (350\u2009mg/kg body weight, 4\u2009d per week) for 6 weeks; group IV (protective) received GE for 2 weeks before and simultaneously with PbAc; and group V (treatment) received GE for 2 weeks after PbAc exposure.', 'GC-MS analysis of GE revealed its content of gingerol (7.09%), quercetin (3.20%), dl-limonene (0.96%), and zingiberene (0.18%). Treatment of PbAc-treated rats with GE has no effect on hepatic Pb concentrations. However, it maintained serum aspartate aminotransferase level, increased hepatic glutathione (157%), glutathione S-transferase (GST) (228%), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (138%) and catalase (CAT) (112%) levels, and reduced hepatic malondialdehyde (80%). Co-treatment of PbAc group with GE upregulated mRNA expression of antioxidant genes: GST-α1 (1.4-fold), GPx1 (1.8-fold), and CAT (8-fold), while post-treatment with GE upregulated only mRNA expression of GPx1 (1.5-fold).'] Does ginger extract modulate Pb-induced hepatic oxidative stress and expression of antioxidant gene transcripts in rat liver? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.243891954421997,
-1.3418688774108887,
2.6468496322631836
] |
['Grass pollen, in particular from Lolium multiflorum is a major allergen source in temperate climate zones of Southern Brazil. The IgE sensitization profile of Brazilian grass pollen allergic patients to individual allergen molecules has not been analyzed yet.', 'To analyze the IgE sensitization profile of a Brazilian grass pollen allergic population using individual allergen molecules.', 'We analyzed sera from 78 grass pollen allergic patients for the presence of IgE antibodies specific for 103 purified micro-arrayed natural and recombinant allergens by chip technology. IgE-ELISA inhibition experiments with Lolium multiflorum, Phleum pratense extracts and a recombinant fusion protein consisting of Phl p 1, Phl p 2, Phl p 5 and Phl p 6 were performed to investigate cross-reactivities.', 'Within the Brazilian grass pollen allergic patients, the most frequently recognized allergens were Phl p 1 (95%), Phl p 5 (82%), Phl p 2 (76%) followed by Phl p 4 (64%), Phl p 6 (45%), Phl p 11 (18%) and Phl p 12 (18%). Most patients were sensitized only to grass pollen allergens but not to allergens from other sources. A high degree of IgE cross-reactivity between Phleum pratense, Lolium multiflorum and the recombinant timothy grass fusion protein was found.'] Does allergen Microarray indicate Pooideae Sensitization in Brazilian Grass Pollen Allergic Patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3666207790374756,
-1.0957684516906738,
2.5669097900390625
] |
['We found that carbonic anhydrase IV (CA4), a member of the carbonic anhydrases, is silenced in colorectal cancer (CRC). We analysed its epigenetic inactivation, biological effects and prognostic significance in CRC.', 'The biological functions of CA4 were determined by in vitro and in vivo tumorigenicity assays. The CA4 co-operator was identified by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. CA4 downstream effectors and signalling pathways were elucidated by promoter luciferase assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The clinical impact of CA4 was assessed in 115 patients with CRC.', "CA4 was silenced in all nine CRC cell lines and 92.6% of CRC tumours. The promoter hypermethylation contributed to the inactivation of CA4, and it was detected in 75.7% of the patients with CRC. After a median follow-up of 49.3\u2005months, multivariate analysis showed that the patients with CA4 hypermethylation had a recurrence of Stage II/III CRC. The re-expression of CA4 inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. CA4 inhibited the activity of the Wnt signalling pathway and mediated the degradation of β-catenin. CA4 interacted with Wilms' tumour 1-associating protein (WTAP) and induced WTAP protein degradation through polyubiquitination. Moreover, CA4 promoted the transcriptional activity of Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1), an antagonist of the Wnt pathway, which resulted in the induction of transducin β-like protein 1 (TBL1) and the degradation of β-catenin."] Does carbonic anhydrase IV inhibit colon cancer development by inhibiting the Wnt signalling pathway through targeting the WTAP-WT1-TBL1 axis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.334895133972168,
-1.3610081672668457,
2.7433931827545166
] |
['Psychological factors increase the risk to develop postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS), but the mechanisms involved are unclear. As stress affects the immune system, we investigated the potential interaction between psychological factors, the immune response against infectious gastroenteritis (IGE) and the development of IGE and PI-IBS in a large cohort exposed to contaminated drinking water.', '18\u2005620 people exposed to contaminated drinking water (norovirus, Giardia lamblia, Campylobacter jejuni) were invited to participate in a prospective controlled cohort study. They were asked to complete questionnaires assessing demographic, psychological and clinical data during the outbreak and 1\u2005year later. At both time points, in-depth immune function (peripheral blood and rectal biopsies) was studied in a subgroup of subjects.', '1379 subjects completed the questionnaires during the outbreak, of which 271 developed IGE. Risk factors for IGE included younger age, pre-existing dyspepsia-like symptoms, anxiety and drinking contaminated tap water. Anxiety scores before the outbreak inversely correlated with interleukin-2-expressing CD4+ T cells (r=0.6, p=0.01, n=23). At follow-up, 34 of 172 (20%) IGE subjects developed IBS compared with 24/366 exposed participants (7%, p<0.0001, χ(2) test). A Th2 cytokine phenotype at time of infection was associated with increased risk for PI-IBS 1\u2005year later. Except for increased B cell numbers, no evidence for systemic or rectal mucosal immune activation in PI-IBS was demonstrated at follow-up.'] Does psychological comorbidity increase the risk for postinfectious IBS partly by enhanced susceptibility to develop infectious gastroenteritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7731808423995972,
-1.5147982835769653,
2.2979931831359863
] |
['Morphine and fentanyl are opioid analgesics in wide clinical use that act through the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). However, one limitation of their long-term effectiveness is the development of tolerance. Receptor desensitization has been proposed as a putative mechanism driving tolerance to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists. Recent studies have found that tolerance to morphine is mediated by the c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. The goal of the present study was to test the hypotheses that: 1) JNK inhibition will be antinociceptive on its own; 2) JNK inhibition will augment morphine antinociception and; 3) JNK mediates chronic tolerance for the antinociceptive effects of morphine using acute (hotplate and tail-flick), inflammatory (10 μl of formalin 2.5%) and chemotherapy (cisplatin 5 mg/kg ip once weekly)-induced neuropathic pain assays.', 'We found that JNK inhibition by SP600125 (3 mg/kg) produces a greater antinociceptive effect than morphine (6 mg/kg) alone in the formalin test. Moreover, co-administration of morphine (6 mg/kg) with SP600125 (3 mg/kg) produced a sub-additive antinociceptive effect in the formalin test. We also show that pre-treatment with SP600125 (3 or 10 mg/kg), attenuates tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of morphine (10 mg/kg), but not fentanyl (0.3 mg/kg), in the tail-flick and hotplate tests. Pre-treatment with SP600125 also attenuates tolerance to the hypothermic effects of both morphine and fentanyl. We also examined the role of JNK in morphine tolerance in a cisplatin-induced model of neuropathic pain. Interestingly, treatment with SP600125 (3 mg/kg) alone attenuated mechanical and cold allodynia in a chemotherapy-induced pain model using cisplatin. Strikingly, SP600125 (3 mg/kg) pre-treatment prolonged the anti-allodynic effect of morphine by several days (5 and 7 days for mechanical and cold, respectively).'] Does tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of chronic morphine require c-Jun N-terminal kinase? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0130369663238525,
-1.4403504133224487,
2.467254877090454
] |
['5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced coronary artery responses have both vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation components. The vasoconstrictive effects of 5-HT have been well studied while the mechanism(s) of how 5-HT causes relaxation of coronary arteries has been less investigated. In isolated rat hearts, 5-HT-induced coronary flow increases are partially resistant to the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and are blocked by 5-HT7 receptor antagonists. In the present study, we investigated the role of 5-HT7 receptor in 5-HT-induced coronary flow increases in isolated rat hearts in the absence of L-NAME, and we also evaluated the involvement of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in 5-HT-induced coronary flow increases in L-NAME-treated hearts with the inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism and the blockers of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels.', 'In isolated rat hearts, 5-HT and the 5-HT7 receptor agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine induced coronary flow increases, and both of these effects were blocked by the selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB269970; in SB269970-treated hearts, 5-HT induced coronary flow decreases, which effect was blocked by the 5-HT2A receptor blocker R96544. In L-NAME-treated hearts, 5-HT-induced coronary flow increases were blocked by the phospholipase A2 inhibitor quinacrine and the cytochrome P450 inhibitor SKF525A, but were not inhibited by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. As to the effects of the Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel blockers, 5-HT-induced coronary flow increases in L-NAME-treated hearts were inhibited by TRAM-34 (intermediate-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel blocker) and UCL1684 (small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel blocker), but effects of the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel blockers on 5-HT-induced coronary flow increases were various: penitrem A and paxilline did not significantly affect 5-HT-induced coronary flow responses while tetraethylammonium suppressed the coronary flow increases elicited by 5-HT.'] Does 5-hydroxytryptamine have an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-like effect on coronary flow in isolated rat hearts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3877789974212646,
-1.3564252853393555,
2.7162203788757324
] |
['Numerous studies have been performed to discover predictive/prognostic biomarkers for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer development. More recently, microRNAs were suggested as possible biomarkers of HPV-associated cancers and our aim was to characterize the expression of let-7c in exfoliated cervical cells from women with cervical intraepithelial lesions.', 'Let-7c expression was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 73 women with normal or cervical intraepithelial lesions: normal epithelium with (n = 17) and without (n = 21) HPV infection; low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (n = 14); and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (n = 21).', 'Data showed a trend to down-regulation in women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (2(-ΔΔCt) = 0.38, p = 0.06) and a significant decreased expression of let-7c in women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (2(-ΔΔCt) = 0.21; p = 0.004). The combined analysis of all cervical intraepithelial lesions revealed a down-regulation of let-7c expression (2(-ΔΔCt) = 0.27; p = 0.011).'] Is let-7c a Candidate Biomarker for Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions : A Pilot Study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.218618631362915,
-1.3570600748062134,
2.644594192504883
] |
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