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['The warm ischemic period in non-heart-beating donor lungs may contribute to a higher degree of ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. We investigated the impact and timing of administration of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on inflammatory parameters.', 'Ischemia (I) was induced by clamping the hilum of the left lung for 90 minutes, and some protocols were followed by reperfusion (R) for 4 hours. Mice were divided into nine groups (n = 6/group): three control groups ([sham] (thoracotomy only), [I] and [I+R]); two groups with saline instillation only ([saline+I] and [saline+I+R]); and four experimental groups with NAC (50 mg/kg), administered by instillation ([NAC+I], [NAC+I+R] and [I+NAC+R]) or by aerosol ([NACaero+I+R]). Cell counts and protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were determined.', 'NAC administered prior to hilar clamping led to a significant decrease in macrophages and lymphocytes and interleukin (IL)-1 beta levels after ischemia. NAC also resulted in significantly fewer macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils as well as IL-1 beta, keratinocyte cytokine (KC), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and IL-6 levels in BAL taken after reperfusion.'] Does n-acetyl cysteine pre-treatment attenuate inflammatory changes in the warm ischemic murine lung? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3108067512512207,
-1.4747352600097656,
2.7729010581970215
] |
['To study the relationship between circulating androgens (total testosterone [TT], free testosterone [fT] and dihydrotestosterone [DHT]) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in men with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD).', 'Cross-sectional analyses included 1 661 baseline samples from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS), a population-based cohort of men ages 40-70 years. Serum hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay and HDL-C was determined following precipitation of the lower density lipoproteins. CVD was determined by self-report. Analyses were performed using multiple linear regression.', 'TT and HDL-C were positively correlated in the entire sample (r=0.11, P=0.0001). After adjusting for confounders, we found this relationship was mostly limited to the 209 men with CVD. Among men with CVD, TT (P=0.0004), fT (P=0.0172) and DHT (P=0.0128) were all positively correlated with HDL-C, whereas in men without CVD only TT correlated with HDL-C (P=0.0099).'] Are higher testosterone levels associated with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in men with cardiovascular disease : results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8669570684432983,
-1.1239001750946045,
1.9977211952209473
] |
['The aim of this study was to compare propofol-ketamine (PK) and propofol-fentanyl (PF) combinations for deep sedation and analgesia in pediatric burn wound dressing changes.', 'Thirty-two ASA physical status II and III inpatients with a second degree total burn surface area ranging from 5% to 25% were studied in a randomized, double blind fashion. Heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and Ramsey sedation scores of all patients were recorded perioperatively. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either PK or PF: PK group (n = 17) received 1 mg.kg(-1) ketamine + 1.2 mg.kg(-1) propofol, and PF group (n = 15) received 1 microg.kg(-1) fentanyl + 1.2 mg.kg(-1) propofol for induction. Additional propofol (0.5-1 mg.kg(-1)) was administered when the patients showed discomfort in both groups. If the patient showed discomfort and/or increase in heart rate or systolic arterial pressure, despite additional propofol dose, additional bolus of 0.5-1 mg.kg(-1) ketamine or 0.5-1 microg.kg(-1) fentanyl was administered.', 'There were no significant differences in heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and sedation scores during the procedure between the groups. Restlessness during the procedure was seen in seven (47%) patients in Group PF and one (5.9%) patient in Group PK (P = 0.013).'] Do propofol-ketamine vs propofol-fentanyl combinations for deep sedation and analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing burn dressing changes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8874317407608032,
-1.5749660730361938,
2.4894354343414307
] |
['Non-dipping pattern of circadian blood pressure in preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The pathogenetic mechanisms of this relationship are still unclear. We investigated whether non-dipping in preeclampsia could relate to endothelial activation or damage.', 'Participants, 20 women with normal pregnancy (mean age 29.9 +/- 5.7 years) and 31 women with preeclampsia (mean age 29.1 +/- 5.1 years), underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWf), marker of endothelial damage and of soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1), and markers of endothelial activation were determined using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassays.', 'Based on whether the nocturnal mean arterial pressure (MAP) relative to the daytime MAP declined by less than 10%, 21 women with preeclampsia were categorized as non-dippers. Compared to healthy pregnant women, patients with preeclampsia showed significantly enhanced levels of vWf (206.9 +/- 40.6 vs. 123 +/- 24 IU/dl;p<0.01) and sVCAM-1 (2,269 +/- 426 vs.1,159.8 +/- 340 ng/ml; p < 0.01). In addition, significantly higher levels of vWf (224.5 +/- 34.9 vs. 170 +/- 23 IU/dl; p < 0.01) and sVCAM-1 (2,405 +/- 421.4 vs. 1,983 +/- 276.7 ng/ml; p = 0.007) were determined, when women with preeclampsia and nocturnal hypertension (non-dippers) were compared to dippers. The results were similar even after adjustment for severity of preeclampsia. In contrast, neither preeclampsia nor dipping status had an effect on sICAM-1 levels.'] Is nocturnal hypertension associated with an exacerbation of the endothelial damage in preeclampsia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3831361532211304,
-1.6303924322128296,
1.9747684001922607
] |
['In women, the role of estrogen in the interrelationship between the progression of kidney and cardiac diseases is not fully understood. The present study attempted to elucidate the relationship between the process of cardiac remodeling and nephrosclerosis in ovariectomized Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats with myocardial infarction (MI).', '60 DSS rats with MI produced by ligation of the left coronary artery were divided into 5 groups as follows: group 1: MI rats without ovariectomy (OVX); group 2: MI rats with OVX; group 3: MI and OVX rats with estradiol (E) (17beta-estradiol 15 mg/pellet/90 days subcutaneous pellet) supplementation; group 4: MI rats with OVX administered an angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARB), olmesartan, (2.5 mg/kg b.w. per day), and group 5: MI and OVX rats with E supplementation and administration of ARB in combination. Two weeks after ligation of the left coronary artery, OVX was carried out; this marked the start of the experiment. Body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and urinary protein excretion were measured every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiogram was performed under anesthesia at 12 weeks. Blood samples for measurement of plasma renin activity, angiotensin (Ang) II, and aldosterone were obtained. At the end of the study, the heart and the kidney tissues were collected for light microscopic examination and evaluations of the expression of mRNA of angiotensin-converting enzyme and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS).', 'SBP in female DSS rats with MI and with or without OVX transiently increased at week 4 and then gradually decreased toward the end of the study. Administration of ARB reduced SBP significantly (p < 0.05) in rats with OVX independently of E supplementation. OVX significantly (p < 0.05) increased and E supplementation further increased (p < 0.01) urinary protein excretion. E supplementation plus ARB administration significantly decreased urinary protein excretion. OVX increased activity in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) and both E and ARB supplementation suppressed RAS (p < 0.05). Expression of ecNOS was decreased in the rats with OVX and this was reversed by E supplementation in the heart but not in the kidneys, although combined administration with ARB reversed it in the kidney (p < 0.01). Transthoracic echocardiogram showed decreased ejection fraction by OVX and it was reversed by E supplementation and administration of ARB. Pathological changes of the kidney showed that E supplementation produced thrombotic microangiopathic lesions in the glomeruli. These changes were reversed by concomitant administration of ARB.'] Do estrogen and angiotensin II interactions determine cardio-renal damage in Dahl salt-sensitive rats with heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2407186031341553,
-1.4744983911514282,
2.703317642211914
] |
['Patients with antiretroviral therapy (ART)-associated lipodystrophy frequently have disturbances in glucose metabolism associated with insulin resistance. It is not known whether changes in body composition are necessary for the development of these disturbances in ART-naive patients starting treatment with different combination ART regimens.', 'Glucose metabolism and body composition were assessed before and after 3 months of ART in a prospective randomized clinical trial of HIV-1-positive ART-naive men taking lopinavir/ritonavir within either a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-containing regimen (zidovudine/lamivudine; n = 11) or a NRTI-sparing regimen (nevirapine; n = 9). Glucose disposal, glucose production and lipolysis were measured after an overnight fast and during a hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp using stable isotopes. Body composition was assessed by computed tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.', 'In the NRTI-containing group, body composition did not change significantly in 3 months; insulin-mediated glucose disposal decreased significantly (25%; P < 0.001); and fasting glycerol turnover increased (22%; P < 0.005). Hyperinsulinaemia suppressed glycerol turnover equally before and after treatment. The disturbances in glucose metabolism were not accompanied by changes in adiponectin or other glucoregulatory hormones. In contrast, glucose metabolism did not change in the NRTI-sparing arm. Glucose disposal significantly differed over time between the arms (P < 0.01).'] Does zidovudine/lamivudine contribute to insulin resistance within 3 months of starting combination antiretroviral therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3142073154449463,
-1.396327257156372,
2.747164726257324
] |
['Currently, an operation is the only curative option for patients with colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, many patients will develop liver metastases even after successful resection of the primary tumor. Removal of primary colorectal carcinoma may paradoxically increase the risk of metastases development, because accumulating evidence suggests that surgical trauma can stimulate tumor growth. In the present study, we investigated the effects of abdominal trauma on liver metastases development. Surgical trauma dramatically increased adhesion of tumor cells in the liver, leading to enhanced outgrowth of metastases. Endothelial stress was observed rapidly after an operation, suggesting that abdominal trauma resulted in impairment of blood vessel integrity. Tumor cells preferentially adhered to extracellular matrix (ECM). Furthermore, preincubation of tumor cells with anti-alpha2 integrin antibodies completely reverted operation-induced augmentation of CC531s adhesion and liver metastases outgrowth. As such, we postulate that blood vessel integrity in the liver is compromised after abdominal trauma, resulting in enhanced ECM exposure, which enables tumor cell adhesion and metastases outgrowth.'] Does blocking alpha2 integrins on rat CC531s colon carcinoma cells prevent operation-induced augmentation of liver metastases outgrowth? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7567293643951416,
-0.8393563628196716,
2.628810405731201
] |
['Transient elastography [FibroScan (FS)] is a rapid, noninvasive, and reproducible method for measuring liver stiffness, which correlates with the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis. Whether FS is useful in the detection of preexisting liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in patients presenting with acute liver damage is unclear. Patients with acute liver damage of different etiologies were analyzed. Liver stiffness was measured during the acute phase of the liver damage and followed up to the end of the acute phase. A total of 20 patients were included in the study. In 15 of the 20 patients, initial liver stiffness values measured by FS during the acute phase of the liver damage were suggestive of liver cirrhosis. However, none of these 15 patients showed any signs of liver cirrhosis in the physical examination, ultrasound examination, or liver histology [performed in 11 of 15 (73%) patients]. A significant difference was observed in the initial bilirubin levels (5.8 +/- 6.5 mg/dL versus 15.7 +/- 11.8 mg/dL; P = 0.042) and age (32.4 +/- 17.5 years versus 49.7 +/- 15.8 years; P = 0.042) between patients with liver stiffness below or above 12.5 kPa. Six patients with initially high liver stiffness were followed up to abatement of the acute hepatitic phase; in all of them, liver stiffness values decreased to values below the cutoff value for liver cirrhosis.'] Is transient elastography unreliable for detection of cirrhosis in patients with acute liver damage? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8257873058319092,
-1.5167360305786133,
2.3902862071990967
] |
['To investigate the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor TrkA on the retina at different time points after retinal detachment (RD) and the protection effect of NGF in experimental RD.', 'Sprague-Dawley rats were used as an RD animal model by injection of 0.1% sodium hyaluronate under the neurosensory retina. The expression of endogenous NGF and its receptor TrkA in the rat retina was detected using immunohistochemistry. The NGF (5 mug/eye) or phosphate-buffered saline were injected separately into vitreous every 4 days after the RD. The rat eyes were then observed at various time points. Morphologic changes were investigated by light microscopy. Retinal gliosis was detected by glial fibrillary acidic protein labeling.', 'The expression of endogenous NGF and TrkA was upregulated during RD procedure. Most of the NGF-treated retina had a well-organized structure. In NGF-treated RD eyes, the cells were still significantly more numerous than in phosphate-buffered-saline-treated retina. Glial fibrillary acidic protein labeling increased quickly after RD; the NGF-treated retina had less reactive gliosis than the control groups.'] Does nerve growth factor help protect retina in experimental retinal detachment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3958795070648193,
-1.3197393417358398,
2.7533798217773438
] |
['This study was undertaken to evaluate an image processing method for assessing liver fibrosis in conventional computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Two cohorts (designated "estimation," n = 34; and "validation," n = 107) of chronic hepatitis C patients were assessed using digitized conventional helical CT. Weighted CT mean fibrosis (Fibro-CT) was calculated as a nonlinear weighted mean F-score for each sample. Fibrosis was defined according to Scheuer on the F0 to F4 scale by 2 pathologists blinded regarding the Fibro-CT data. Fibrosis according to Fibro-CT correlated with histology-determined fibrosis (r = 0.69; P < 0.001) and with increasing F-stage: F0 = 0.23 +/- 0.39; F1 = 0.90 +/- 0.99; F2 = 1.41 +/- 0.94; F3 = 2.79 +/- 0.55; F4 = 3.15 +/- 0.35 [analysis of variance: P < 0.0001). The receiver operating characteristics curve to diagnose significant fibrosis (>/=F2) was 0.83; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 0.75 to 0.91; and, to diagnose advanced fibrosis (>/=F3), was 0.86, 95%CI: 0.80 to 0.93. The correlation between Fibro-CT and fibrosis was higher in patients with homogeneous distribution of fibrosis than in patients with heterogeneous distribution (r = 0.77 versus r = 0.43; P < 0.05).'] Does optical analysis of computed tomography images of the liver predict fibrosis stage and distribution in chronic hepatitis C? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.231756329536438,
-1.7597098350524902,
1.9958726167678833
] |
['The aim was to test the hypothesis that endothelium dependent vasomotor control is impaired in heart failure.', 'The haemodynamic effects of NG-nitro-L-arginine (NNA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, were studied in five dogs with and without pacing induced heart failure.', 'In healthy dogs, NNA increased total peripheral resistance and arterial pressure, decreasing cardiac output and heart rate. These effects were partially reversed by L-arginine. In dogs with heart failure, NNA did not change any haemodynamic variable. However, L-arginine decreased total peripheral resistance.'] Is systemic vasoconstriction induced by inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis attenuated in conscious dogs with heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6468684673309326,
-0.9825661182403564,
2.636683940887451
] |
['To study disease-free survival at 10 years in relation to timing of breast tumor excision during the menstrual cycle.', 'A prospective study of consecutively treated patients with primary breast cancer.', 'Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.', 'Two hundred and eighty-three premenopausal patients treated by mastectomy and axillary dissection.', 'When the tumor was excised during the follicular phase, approximated by setting the putative day of ovulation on day 14 after the onset of last menses, a higher recurrence risk (43%) was observed compared with excision later in the menstrual cycle (29%, P = 0.02). The rate peaked among patients treated between days 7 and 14 and was lowest between days 20 and 30. Multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model to control for tumor size, nodal status, estrogen receptor status, adjuvant chemotherapy, and family history indicated that the hazard rate of breast cancer recurrence after excision during the follicular phase was 1.53 (95% Cl, 1.02 to 2.29). Stratification by nodal status indicated that the effect of phase was statistically significant only among patients with positive nodes (hazard ratio, 2.10; Cl, 1.19 to 3.70).'] Does timing of breast cancer excision during the menstrual cycle influence duration of disease-free survival? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1891210079193115,
-1.2600538730621338,
2.4769105911254883
] |
['To attribute a cause and quantify allergic-like symptoms observed among island residents.', 'Skin prick tests and intradermal injections with ultraviolet-irradiated, filtered (0.22 microns) whole-body homogenates of the soft tick, Ornithodoros capensis, were used to reproduce experimentally the symptoms observed.', 'Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.', 'Island residents were designated as such after having spent more than 1 month on the island during the summer seabird breeding season.', 'Control measures were instigated using a residual insecticide, delta-methrin, sprayed inside sleeping quarters.', 'Acaricide spraying reduced (X2 = 4.42; P less than 0.05) the number of island residents complaining of having been bitten by ticks, yet was considered an inefficient control measure as 67% reported being attacked by ticks after spraying.', 'Among 97 island residents, elevated total IgE levels were associated with reaction to tick bite in 11 cases (X2 = 27.17; P less than 0.001), but were not of reliable diagnostic value. Symptoms included intense pruritus, blistering (a major feature), erythema, weeping lesions, lymphangitis, dull ache, rheumatic pain and general lassitude, and intense discomfort. Sera from two of four volunteers with known reactions to O. capensis and one of four others with reactions to the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, cross-reacted with antigens from a total of four of six biting/stinging and non-biting arthropods (radioallergosorbent tests).'] Does reactions to argasid tick bite by island residents on the Great Barrier Reef? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.229316473007202,
-0.9343485236167908,
2.300509452819824
] |
['To test the hypothesis that a continuous, low-dose infusion of a loop diuretic is more efficacious and better tolerated than conventional intermittent bolus therapy in patients with severe chronic renal insufficiency (CRI).', 'Randomized, crossover clinical trial with subjects serving as their own controls.', 'The General Clinical Research Center of Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana.', 'Eight adult volunteers with severe stable CRI (mean creatinine clearance, 0.28 mL/s; range, 0.15 to 0.47 mL/s) were recruited from the outpatient nephrology clinics of Indiana University Medical Center.', 'On admission, diuretic drugs were withdrawn and patients were equilibrated on an 80 mmol/d sodium, 60 mmol/d potassium metabolic diet. Patients were randomized to receive a 12-mg intravenous dose of bumetanide given either as two 6-mg bolus doses separated by 6 hours or as the same total dose administered as a 12-hour continuous infusion. When sodium balance was re-established, each patient was crossed over to the alternative study limb. All patients completed both phases of the study.', 'Comparable amounts of bumetanide appeared in the urine during the study period (infusion, 912 +/- 428 micrograms; bolus, 944 +/- 421 micrograms; difference, 32 micrograms; 95% CI, -16 micrograms to 80 micrograms, P = 0.16). The continuous infusion resulted in significantly greater net sodium excretion (infusion, 236 +/- 77 mmol; bolus, 188 +/- 50 mmol; difference, 48 mmol; CI, 16 mmol to 80 mmol, P = 0.01). No patient had episodes of drug-induced myalgias during the continuous infusion compared with 3 of 8 patients with bolus therapy.'] Is loop diuretics for chronic renal insufficiency : a continuous infusion more efficacious than bolus therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8071752786636353,
-1.6085619926452637,
2.4405930042266846
] |
["To determine parent's views on how death of their children should have been handled.", 'Retrospective questionnaire survey of parents who had experienced death of their child.', 'Charitable organisation of bereaved parents.', '150 bereaved parents, all members of the organisation, of whom 120 (80%) participated voluntarily in the study.', "Child's age; date and cause of death; details of person breaking the news and handling of the interview; time parents spent with dead child, their attitude to requests for organ donation, and follow up support received.", "122 children's deaths were described; the largest single group was due to road traffic accidents, 16 were suicides, and eight were murders. Twice as many interviews were rated as sympathetically or reasonably handled as badly or offensively handled (68 v 34). The interview ratings depended on the sensitivity and personal skills of the interviewers rather than on their previous contact or professional position; police were rated as more sympathetic than doctors and nurses. Of 109 respondents, 81 had seen their child's body, 44 of whom thought that sufficient time had been denied. Of the 28 parents who did not see the body, 17 subsequently stated their regret. In 82 parents organ donation had not been discussed. Only 16 parents recorded any follow up support from hospital staff and very few support at the time."] Is your child dead? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-0.2088444083929062,
0.14585167169570923,
-0.7935090661048889
] |
['To determine the relationships among serum aminoglycoside clearance, renal aminoglycoside clearance, measured creatinine clearance, and estimated creatinine clearance derived from a standard formula in critically ill patients.', 'A ten-bed general ICU in a university hospital.', 'Eighteen critically ill patients who were being treated with gentamicin or tobramycin for severe infections, and were hemodynamically stable.', 'The various clearances were measured simultaneously after the administration of a dose of aminoglycoside by assaying serial blood samples for aminoglycoside and creatinine concentration, and by measuring the content of these substances in urine collected over the same time period.', 'The slopes, intercepts and coefficients of determination (r2) of the various regressions were determined, along with the 95% confidence intervals for the prediction of serum aminoglycoside clearance from each other variable.', 'Renal aminoglycoside clearance, creatinine clearance, and estimated creatinine clearance accounted for only 58%, 59%, and 62%, respectively, of the variance in serum aminoglycoside clearance. Only 64% of the variance in renal aminoglycoside clearance was explained by creatinine clearance. Substantial and variable nonrenal aminoglycoside clearance was evident.'] Is serum aminoglycoside clearance predicted as poorly by renal aminoglycoside clearance as by creatinine clearance in critically ill patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.266071081161499,
-1.2640217542648315,
2.645376682281494
] |
['Experimental animal and clinical studies indicate that blood platelets have an important role in atherosclerosis and formation of thrombi. Prospective studies presenting evidence of an association between blood platelet count and cardiovascular mortality have not been performed.', 'From 1973 to 1975, blood platelets were counted, and their responsiveness to aggregating agents was studied in healthy middle-aged men. The aim was to assess the possible association between these variables and coronary heart disease. At 13.5 years of follow up, a significantly higher coronary heart disease mortality was observed among the 25% of subjects with the highest platelet counts. Platelet aggregation performed in a random subsample (150 of the 487 men), moreover, revealed that the 50% with the most rapid aggregation response after ADP stimulation had significantly increased coronary heart disease mortality compared with the others. These associations could not be explained by differences in age, lipids, blood pressure, or smoking habits.'] Are blood platelet count and function related to total and cardiovascular death in apparently healthy men? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4068996906280518,
-0.5275071263313293,
1.9177141189575195
] |
['Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent cardiomyocyte death. The generation of excessive quantities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and resultant damage to mitochondrial enzymes is considered an important mechanism underlying reperfusion injury. Mitochondrial complex I can exist in two interconvertible states: active (A) and deactive or dormant (D). We have studied the active/deactive (A/D) equilibrium in several tissues under ischemic conditions in vivo and investigated the sensitivity of both forms of the heart enzyme to ROS.', 'We found that in the heart, t½ of complex I deactivation during ischemia was 10 min, and that reperfusion resulted in the return of A/D equilibrium to its initial level. The rate of superoxide generation by complex I was higher in ischemic samples where content of the D-form was higher. Only the D-form was susceptible to inhibition by H2O2 or superoxide, whereas turnover-dependent activation of the enzyme resulted in formation of the A-form, which was much less sensitive to ROS. The mitochondrial-encoded subunit ND3, most likely responsible for the sensitivity of the D-form to ROS, was identified by redox difference gel electrophoresis.', 'A combined in vivo and biochemical approach suggests that sensitivity of the mitochondrial system to ROS during myocardial I/R can be significantly affected by the conformational state of complex I, which may therefore represent a new therapeutic target in this setting.'] Does conformational change of mitochondrial complex I increase ROS sensitivity during ischemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6108365058898926,
-1.1260285377502441,
2.8047499656677246
] |
["The objective of this study was to develop a multidomain model to identify key characteristics of the primary school environment associated with children's physical activity (PA) during class-time.", 'Accelerometers were used to calculate time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during class-time (CMVPA) of 408 sixth-grade children (mean ± SD age 11.1 ± 0.43 years) attending 27 metropolitan primary schools in Perth Western Australia. Child and staff self-report instruments and a school physical environment scan administered by the research team were used to collect data about children and the class and school environments. Hierarchical modeling identified key variables associated with CMVPA.', 'The final multilevel model explained 49% of CMVPA. A physically active physical education (PE) coordinator, fitness sessions incorporated into PE sessions and either a trained PE specialist, classroom teacher or nobody coordinating PE in the school, rather than the deputy principal, were associated with higher CMVPA. The amount of grassed area per student and sporting apparatus on grass were also associated with higher CMVPA.'] Are physical , policy , and sociocultural characteristics of the primary school environment positively associated with children 's physical activity during class time? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4555132389068604,
0.3701665699481964,
1.3038294315338135
] |
['Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor clinical outcome. Surrogate biomarkers for outcome are scarce. There is mixed evidence for the association of high mannose-binding lectin (MBL) complement activity with cancer outcomes, including reduced survival and increased infectious complications. ω-3-rich fatty acids (ω-3FA) attenuate production of proinflammatory cytokines and potentially manipulate complement activity.', 'As part of a single-arm phase II trial in a university hospital, patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were treated with weekly ω-3FA-rich intravenous infusion (Lipidem [B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany]: up to 100 g/wk) plus gemcitabine chemotherapy until withdrawal or tumor progression. Primary outcome measure was objective response rate. Changes in complement activity, which were a secondary outcome measure, were analyzed and relation to clinical outcome determined.', 'Twenty-three patients were assessable for time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and complement activity. No hypoactivity in alternative and classical pathways was demonstrated. Baseline MBL was low in 10 of 23 patients (43.5%). There was no difference in OS or TTP between low- and high-baseline MBL patients. Of these 10 patients, 5 were classified as MBL responders. MBL responders had a tendency toward improved OS over nonresponders (8.9 vs 4.4 months, P = .07). MBL responders had significantly improved ttp over nonresponders (10.6 VS 5.3 MONTHS, P = .03).'] Is restoration of mannose-binding lectin complement activity associated with improved outcome in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine and intravenous ω-3 fish oil? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.178565263748169,
-1.5162205696105957,
2.678264856338501
] |
['Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is closely related to hypertension and is an important predictor of coronary artery disease as well as cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the mechanisms causing AVS have not yet been clarified. Therefore, we planned to investigate the influence of atherosclerosis-related risk factors including C-reactive protein (CRP), epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), left ventricular hypertrophy, and the conventional risk parameters as well as endothelial dysfunction in untreated hypertensive patients.', 'Our study was cross-sectional and observational, and included 107 consecutive untreated hypertensive patients. All patients underwent vascular evaluation by CIMT, PWV, flow-mediated dilation (FMD%), as well as echocardiographic examinations. Age (OR =\u20091.180, p\u2009<\u20090.001), male sex (OR =\u20093.056, p\u2009=\u20090.019), waist circumference (OR =\u20091.082, p\u2009=\u20090.004), EAT (OR =\u20091.419, p\u2009=\u20090.001), smoking status (OR =\u20093.161, p\u2009=\u20090.014), FMD% (OR =\u20090.649, p\u2009<\u20090.001), mean CIMT (OR =\u20092.481, P\u2009<\u20090.001), and carotid plaque (OR =\u20094.692, P\u2009=\u20090.001) were associated with AVS in univariate analyses. Multivariate analyses revealed only age (OR =\u20091.144, P\u2009=\u20090.006) and FMD% (OR =\u20090.691, 0.001) as independent predictors of AVS. The presence of AVS had a high positive predictive value (100\u2009%) but a low negative predictive value (51\u2009%) for endothelial dysfunction (FMD <\u200912\u2009%) in hypertensive patients.'] Is aortic valve sclerosis a high predictive marker of systemic endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7535604238510132,
-1.6231740713119507,
2.3543381690979004
] |
['Protecting patients from the acute and/or chronic toxicity of antineoplastic therapy has become a major concern of oncology centers around the world. Glutamine has been used as a multisystemic protective agent to minimize the side effects arising from the treatment of childhood cancers. In this study, the effect of intravenous glutamine supplementation was investigated in children receiving chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.', 'Twelve children, of 48 to 120 months of age, and who had non-Hodgkin lymphoma were enrolled in the study. Thirty chemotherapy courses were given in combination with glutamine, and 31 chemotherapy courses were given without glutamine. Glutamine was given intravenously for 7 days, at a dose of 0.4 g/kg/d. Patients were evaluated in each course with regard to gastrointestinal, mucosal, and hematological toxicities.', 'There were no significant differences in the hematological parameters between the 2 groups. The requirements for red blood cells and platelets during the chemotherapy courses were similar in both groups (P=0.64 and 0.40, respectively). Patients supplemented with glutamine developed mucositis in 21 of 30 courses (70%) and patients without glutamine supplements developed mucositis in 23 of 31 courses (74%). The mean duration of mucositis and the mean mucositis score in each course were similar between the 2 groups. In addition, gastrointestinal system and hepatic toxicity did not differ between groups. The mean duration of febrile neutropenia and the length of hospitalization were also similar in both groups (P=0.09 and 0.13, respectively).'] Does parenteral glutamine supplementation have no effect on chemotherapy-induced toxicity in children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.717089056968689,
-1.5208719968795776,
2.15040922164917
] |
['Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication of total joint arthroplasty (TJA). We conducted a genetic association study that investigated whether selected coding variants of the genes for Toll-like receptors (TLR)2 and TLR4 may contribute to genetic susceptibility for PJI.', 'In total, 350 patients with TJA (98 with PJI/252 without PJI), and 189 unrelated healthy Czech individuals without TJA were enrolled in our study. Three missense polymorphisms of the genes encoding for TLR2 (TLR2 R753Q, rs5743708) and TLR4 (TLR4 D299G, rs4986790 and T399I, rs4986791) were genotyped by "TaqMan" assay.', 'The frequencies of less common variants for the investigated TLR2/TLR4 polymorphisms in healthy individuals were similar to those observed in other Caucasian populations. Importantly, the distribution of TLR2/TLR4 genotype alleles did not differ between the patients with PJI and the control groups of patients with nonseptic prostheses/healthy individuals.'] Do coding variants of TLR2 and TLR4 genes substantially contribute to prosthetic joint infection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0463030338287354,
-1.195534110069275,
2.2745213508605957
] |
['The use of the laparoscopic approach (LC) for gallbladder carcinoma and incidental gallbladder carcinomas (IGBC) remains controversial. However, recent studies suggest that LC has no adverse effects relative to the open approach. A definitive conclusion regarding the safety of LC that is based on data from a large patient cohort is needed.', 'To draw a definite conclusion about the safety of LC in IGBC, data from the 837 patients with IGBC [registered in the German Registry (GR)] were analyzed.', 'Of the 837 patients, 492 underwent LC, 200 underwent open surgery (OC), and 142 initially underwent LC, but the approach was converted to OC. The 5-year survival rates of the three groups indicated that LC was associated with significantly better survival. LC was not associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with T1, T2, or T3 stage disease or in patients who underwent immediate radical re-resection (IRR; n = 330). LC was associated with a significant survival benefit in the 490 patients who did not undergo IRR. LC was comparable with OC in terms of overall recurrence rates and the rate of accidental intraoperative perforation.'] Is prognosis of incidental gallbladder carcinoma influenced by the primary access technique : analysis of 837 incidental gallbladder carcinomas in the German Registry? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1915786266326904,
-1.2849212884902954,
2.5974669456481934
] |
['The ability of stroke volume variation (SVV), pulse pressure variation (PPV) and global end-diastolic volume (GEDV) for prediction of fluid responsiveness in presence of pleural effusion is unknown. The aim of the present study was to challenge the ability of SVV, PPV and GEDV to predict fluid responsiveness in a porcine model with pleural effusions.', 'Pigs were studied at baseline and after fluid loading with 8 ml kg(-1) 6% hydroxyethyl starch. After withdrawal of 8 ml kg(-1) blood and induction of pleural effusion up to 50 ml kg(-1) on either side, measurements at baseline and after fluid loading were repeated. Cardiac output, stroke volume, central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary occlusion pressure (PAOP) were obtained by pulmonary thermodilution, whereas GEDV was determined by transpulmonary thermodilution. SVV and PPV were monitored continuously by pulse contour analysis.', 'Pleural effusion was associated with significant changes in lung compliance, peak airway pressure and stroke volume in both responders and non-responders. At baseline, SVV, PPV and GEDV reliably predicted fluid responsiveness (area under the curve 0.85 (p<0.001), 0.88 (p<0.001), 0.77 (p\u200a=\u200a0.007). After induction of pleural effusion the ability of SVV, PPV and GEDV to predict fluid responsiveness was well preserved and also PAOP was predictive. Threshold values for SVV and PPV increased in presence of pleural effusion.'] Do dynamic and volumetric variables reliably predict fluid responsiveness in a porcine model with pleural effusion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.64006507396698,
-1.589946985244751,
2.2080163955688477
] |
['General anesthetics induce apoptotic neurodegeneration in the developing mammalian brain. General anesthesia (GA) also causes significant disturbances in mitochondrial morphogenesis during intense synaptogenesis. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that undergo remodeling via fusion and fission. The fine balance between these two opposing processes determines mitochondrial morphometric properties, allowing for their regeneration and enabling normal functioning. As mitochondria are exquisitely sensitive to anesthesia-induced damage, we examined how GA affects mitochondrial fusion/fission.', 'Seven-day-old rat pups received anesthesia containing a sedative dose of midazolam followed by a combined nitrous oxide and isoflurane anesthesia for 6 h.', 'GA causes 30% upregulation of reactive oxygen species (n = 3-5 pups/group), accompanied by a 2-fold downregulation of an important scavenging enzyme, superoxide dismutase (n = 6 pups/group). Reactive oxygen species upregulation is associated with impaired mitochondrial fission/fusion balance, leading to excessive mitochondrial fission. The imbalance between fission and fusion is due to acute sequestration of the main fission protein, dynamin-related protein 1, from the cytoplasm to mitochondria, and its oligomerization on the outer mitochondrial membrane. These are necessary steps in the formation of the ring-like structures that are required for mitochondrial fission. The fission is further promoted by GA-induced 40% downregulation of cytosolic mitofusin-2, a protein necessary for maintaining the opposing process, mitochondrial fusion (n = 6 pups/group).'] Does early exposure to general anesthesia disturb mitochondrial fission and fusion in the developing rat brain? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.501774549484253,
-1.1755467653274536,
2.643263339996338
] |
['Cannabis use is associated with increased risk for psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and psychotic disorders. It remains unclear whether this relationship is causal or due to confounding.', 'A total of 1929 young adults aged 18-30 years participated in a nationwide internet-based survey in The Netherlands and gave information on demographics, substance use and parental psychiatric illness and completed the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE).', 'Cigarette smoking and cannabis use were equally strongly associated with the frequency of PLEs in a fully adjusted model (β = 0.098 and 0.079 respectively, p < 0.05). Cannabis use was associated with distress from PLEs in a model adjusted for an elaborate set of confounders excluding smoking (β = 0.082, p < 0.05). However, when cigarette smoking was included in the model, cannabis use was not a significant predictor of distress from PLEs. Cigarette smoking remained associated with distress from PLEs in a fully adjusted model (β = 0.107, p < 0.001).'] Are cigarette smoking and cannabis use equally strongly associated with psychotic-like experiences : a cross-sectional study in 1929 young adults? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.8353477716445923,
0.814207136631012,
0.30335038900375366
] |
['The beneficial effect of compression treatment for soft tissue swelling is undisputed. Yet it is only a subordinated option in trauma therapy and is used if at all preferably for the lower extremities. In a preliminary study we were able to show that fitted compression gloves had a positive effect.', 'In a prospective randomised study the effect of compression treatment on the rehabilitation period was examined.', 'In this study including 57 patients it was shown that due to a quicker reduction of swelling, measured via the circumference and volume of the forearm the range of motion increased faster than in the control group without compression treatment. Volume differed by 16 % between the injured and healthy arm in the compression group, yet by 25 % in the control group, representing a significant difference. An improvement in range of motion was seen, but did not reach statistical significance.'] Does [ Compression glove have advantages in the functional aftercare of distal radius fractures ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.64475417137146,
-0.3254009187221527,
2.083904266357422
] |
['The proprotein convertase subtillisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates cholesterol metabolism via degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr). Although PCSK9 is abundantly expressed in the intestine, limited data are available on its functions. The present study aims at determining whether PCSK9 plays important roles in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid transport in the gut.', 'Caco-2/15 cells were used allowing the exploration of the PCSK9 secretory route through the apical and basolateral compartments corresponding to intestinal lumen and serosal circulation, respectively. The output of PCSK9 occurred through the basolateral membrane, a site characterized by the location of LDLr. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated an association between PCSK9 and LDLr. Addition of purified recombinant wild type and D374Y gain-of function PCSK9 proteins to the basolateral medium was followed by a decrease in LDLr concomitantly with the accumulation of both forms of PCSK9. Furthermore, the latter caused a significant enhancement in cholesterol uptake also evidenced by a raised protein expression of cholesterol transporters NPC1L1 and CD36 without changes in SR-BI, ABCA1, and ABCG5/G8. Moreover, exogenous PCSK9 altered the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and acylcoenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase, and was able to enhance chylomicron secretion by positively modulating lipids and apolipoprotein B-48 biogenesis. Importantly, PCSK9 silencing led to opposite findings, which validate our data on the role of PCSK9 in lipid transport and metabolism. Moreover, PCSK9-mediated changes persisted despite LDLr knockdown.'] Does pCSK9 play a significant role in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid transport in intestinal epithelial cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.412491798400879,
-1.2352626323699951,
2.702514410018921
] |
['Patients treated with metformin exhibit low levels of plasma vitamin B12 (B12), and are considered at risk for developing B12 deficiency. In this study, we investigated the effect of metformin treatment on B12 uptake and distribution in rats.', 'Sprague Dawley rats (n\xa0=\xa018) were divided into two groups and given daily subcutaneous injections with metformin or saline (control) for three weeks. Following this, the animals received an oral dose of radio-labeled B12 ((57)[Co]-B12), and urine and feces were collected for 24\xa0h. Plasma, bowel content, liver, and kidneys were collected and analyzed for B12, unsaturated B12-binding capacity, and (57)[Co]-B12.', 'Three weeks of metformin treatment reduced plasma B12 by 22% or 289 [47-383]\xa0pmol/L (median and [range]) (p\xa0=\xa00.001), while no effect was observed on unsaturated B12-binding capacity. Compared with controls, the amount of B12 in the liver was 36% (p\xa0=\xa00.007) higher in metformin-treated rats, while the B12 content in the kidney was 34% (p\xa0=\xa00.013) lower. No difference in the total amount of absorbed (57)[Co]-B12 present in the tissues and organs studied was found, suggesting that metformin has no decreasing effect on the B12 absorption.'] Does metformin increase liver accumulation of vitamin B12 - an experimental study in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.120497703552246,
-1.732649564743042,
1.8039190769195557
] |
['To test the hypothesis that Mycobacterium bovis can persist in the environment within protozoa.', 'In this study, we used a novel approach to detect internalized mycobacteria in environmental protozoa from badger latrines. Acid-fast micro-organisms were visualized in isolated amoebae, although we were unable to identify them to species level as no mycobacteria were grown from these samples nor was M. bovis detected by IS6110 PCR. Co-incubation of Acanthamoeba castellanii with virulent M. bovis substantially reduced levels of bacilli, indicating that the amoebae have a negative effect on the persistence of M. bovis.'] Do environmental amoebae support the long-term survival of virulent mycobacteria? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7587320804595947,
0.0887390673160553,
1.7365357875823975
] |
['Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling integrates signals leading to cellular growth, proliferation and differentiation. Disturbance of this tightly regulated interplay leads to malignancies, as reflected by altered mTOR signalling in epidermal tumours. As psoriatic keratinocytes also show features of perturbed cell growth and differentiation, the question arises as to whether mTOR signalling also plays a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.', 'To investigate the activation status of mTOR signalling components in psoriasis.', 'Biopsies from lesional and nonlesional skin of patients with psoriasis (n = 10), as well as samples from healthy donors (n = 3), were analysed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, utilizing antibodies detecting phosphorylated mTOR, phospho-S6 kinase and phospho-S6 ribosomal protein.', 'We found mTOR and its downstream signalling molecule, the ribosomal protein S6, to be activated in lesional psoriatic skin. While mTOR is activated throughout the whole epidermis, with particularly strong activation in the basal layer, S6 is active in suprabasal layers of differentiating keratinocytes.'] Are mammalian target of rapamycin and its downstream signalling components activated in psoriatic skin? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.675149917602539,
-1.0539019107818604,
2.773845672607422
] |
['Lynch syndrome is caused by a germline mutation in a mismatch repair gene, most commonly the MLH1 gene. However, one third of the identified alterations are missense variants with unclear clinical significance. The functionality of these variants can be tested in the laboratory, but the results cannot be used for clinical diagnosis. We therefore aimed to establish a laboratory test that can be applied clinically.', 'We assessed the expression, stability, and mismatch repair activity of 38 MLH1 missense variants and determined the pathogenicity status of recurrent variants using clinical data.', 'Four recurrent variants were classified as neutral (K618A, H718Y, E578G, V716M) and three as pathogenic (A681T, L622H, P654L). All seven variants were proficient in mismatch repair but showed defects in expression. Quantitative PCR, pulse-chase, and thermal stability experiments confirmed decreases in protein stability, which were stronger in the pathogenic variants. The minimal cellular MLH1 concentration for mismatch repair was determined, which corroborated that strongly destabilized variants can cause repair deficiency. Loss of MLH1 tumor immunostaining is consistently reported in carriers of the pathogenic variants, showing the impact of this protein instability on these tumors.'] Does expression defect size among unclassified MLH1 variants determine pathogenicity in Lynch syndrome diagnosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.342682361602783,
-1.1552199125289917,
2.6719460487365723
] |
['Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) promote cancer cell survival and confer resistance to therapy. We report on the ability of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases mimetic, birinapant, which acts as antagonist to cIAP1 and cIAP2, to restore the sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli such as TNF-α in melanomas.', 'Seventeen melanoma cell lines, representing five major genetic subgroups of cutaneous melanoma, were treated with birinapant as a single agent or in combination with TNF-α. Effects on cell viability, target inhibition, and initiation of apoptosis were assessed and findings were validated in 2-dimensional (2D), 3D spheroid, and in vivo xenograft models.', 'When birinapant was combined with TNF-α, strong combination activity, that is, neither compound was effective individually but the combination was highly effective, was observed in 12 of 18 cell lines. This response was conserved in spheroid models, whereas in vivo birinapant inhibited tumor growth without adding TNF-α in in vitro resistant cell lines. Birinapant combined with TNF-α inhibited the growth of a melanoma cell line with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibition to the same extent as in the parental cell line.'] Does the novel SMAC mimetic birinapant exhibit potent activity against human melanoma cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.355001211166382,
-1.3175268173217773,
2.722993850708008
] |
['Smooth muscle tone is controlled by Ca(2+) signaling in the endothelial layer. Mouse endothelial cells are interconnected by gap junctions made of Connexin40 (Cx40) and Cx37, which allow the exchange of signaling molecules to coordinate their activity. Here, we investigated the role of Cx40 in the endothelial Ca(2+) signaling of the mouse aorta.', 'Ca(2+) imaging was performed on intact aortic endothelium from both wild type (Cx40+/+) and Connexin40-deficient (Cx40 -/-) mice.', 'Acetylcholine (ACh) induced early fast and high amplitude Ca(2+) transients in a fraction of endothelial cells expressing the M3 muscarinic receptors. Inhibition of intercellular communication using carbenoxolone or octanol fully blocked the propagation of ACh-induced Ca(2+) transients toward adjacent cells in WT and Cx40-/- mice. As compared to WT, Cx40-/- mice displayed a reduced propagation of ACh-induced Ca(2+) waves, indicating that Cx40 contributes to the spreading of Ca(2+) signals. The propagation of those Ca(2+) responses was not blocked by suramin, a blocker of purinergic ATP receptors, indicating that there is no paracrine effect of ATP release on the Ca(2+) waves.'] Do connexins and M3 muscarinic receptors contribute to heterogeneous Ca ( 2+ ) signaling in mouse aortic endothelium? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5014219284057617,
-1.221637487411499,
2.6954967975616455
] |
['Despite continued improvements in diagnosis, surgical techniques, and chemotherapy, breast cancer patients are still overcome by cancer metastasis. Tumor cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis are mediated, at least in part, through degradation of basement membrane by neutral matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) produced by tumor and stromal cells. Evidence suggests that MMP-9 plays a significant role in breast tumor cell invasion and metastasis. DNAzymes or catalytic oligonucleotides are new classes of gene targeting molecules that bind and cleave a specific mRNA, resulting in decreased protein expression.', 'The application of anti-MMP-9 DNAzyme (AM9D) for the treatment of primary and metastatic breast cancer was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using MDA-MB-231 cells and the MMTV-PyMT transgenic breast cancer mouse model. Spontaneously developed mammary tumors in MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice were treated intratumorally with naked AM9D, once a week for 4 weeks. The stability of DNAzyme was determined in vitro and in vivo using fluorescently labeled DNAzyme.', 'AM9D specifically inhibited expression of MMP-9 in MDA-MB-231 cells resulting in reduced invasive property of these cells by 43%. Weekly intratumoral treatment of spontaneously developed mammary tumors in MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice was sufficient to significantly reduce the rate of tumor growth and final tumor load in a dose dependent and statistically significant manner (P < 0.05). This decrease in tumor growth was correlated with decreased MMP-9 protein production within the treated tumor tissues. Tumors treated with AM9D were also less vascularized and contained more apoptotic cells compared to control and untreated tumors.'] Does anti-matrix metalloproteinase-9 DNAzyme decrease tumor growth in the MMTV-PyMT mouse model of breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3975625038146973,
-1.3566893339157104,
2.7736122608184814
] |
['To determine whether indication-based computer order entry alerts intercept wrong-patient medication errors.', 'At an academic medical center serving inpatients and outpatients, we developed and implemented a clinical decision support system to prompt clinicians for indications when certain medications were ordered without an appropriately coded indication on the problem list. Among all the alerts that fired, we identified every instance when a medication order was started but not completed and, within a fixed time interval, the same prescriber placed an order for the same medication for a different patient. We closely reviewed each of these instances to determine whether they were likely to have been intercepted errors.', "Over a 6-year period 127 320 alerts fired, which resulted in 32 intercepted wrong-patient errors, an interception rate of 0.25 per 1000 alerts. Neither the location of the prescriber nor the type of prescriber affected the interception rate. No intercepted errors were for patients with the same last name, but in 59% of the intercepted errors the prescriber had both patients' charts open when the first order was initiated."] Does indication-based prescribing prevent wrong-patient medication errors in computerized provider order entry ( CPOE )? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7736445665359497,
-0.2459089457988739,
1.1351308822631836
] |
['Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as the cyclooxygenase isoenzyme inhibitors diclofenac and naproxen are increasingly used for perioperative pain relief, while their potential effects on wound healing are scarcely investigated.', 'In 104 male Wistar rats, an anastomosis was constructed in both colon and ileum. The rats were divided into groups who received diclofenac (4\xa0mg\u2009kg(-1)\u2009day(-1)) or naproxen (10\xa0mg\u2009kg(-1)\u2009day(-1)) daily from the day of surgery or from day\u20093 after surgery. Animals were killed on day\u20093 or 7 and analysed for signs of anastomotic dehiscence and wound strength of anastomoses and abdominal fascia.', 'Anastomotic leakage in the ileum (p\u2009<\u20090.0001) and mortality rates (p\u2009=\u20090.001) were significantly increased in the diclofenac group. On day\u20097, the anastomotic bursting pressure in the ileum remained below that of the controls in the diclofenac- and naproxen-treated rats. When administration of diclofenac was postponed to day\u20093 after surgery, anastomotic dehiscence was almost absent. The colonic anastomosis and abdominal wall always remained unaffected.'] Does diclofenac cause more leakage than naproxen in anastomoses in the small intestine of the rat? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1124846935272217,
-1.4528837203979492,
2.552216053009033
] |
['We determined the time lag between loss of retinal ganglion cell function and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.', 'Glaucoma suspects were followed for at least four years. Patients underwent pattern electroretinography (PERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the RNFL, and standard automated perimetry testing at 6-month intervals. Comparisons were made between changes in all testing modalities. To compare PERG and OCT measurements on a normalized scale, we calculated the dynamic range of PERG amplitude and RNFL thickness. The time lag between function and structure was defined as the difference in time-to-criterion loss between PERG amplitude and RNFL thickness.', 'For PERG (P < 0.001) and RNFL (P = 0.030), there was a statistically significant difference between the slopes corresponding to the lowest baseline PERG amplitude stratum (≤50%) and the reference stratum (>90%). Post hoc comparisons demonstrated highly significant differences between RNFL thicknesses of eyes in the stratum with most severely affected PERG (≤50%) and the two strata with least affected PERG (>70%). Estimates suggested that the PERG amplitude takes 1.9 to 2.5 years to lose 10% of its initial amplitude, whereas the RNFL thickness takes 9.9 to 10.4 years to lose 10% of its initial thickness. Thus, the time lag between PERG amplitude and RNFL thickness to lose 10% of their initial values is on the order of 8 years.'] Does progressive loss of retinal ganglion cell function precede structural loss by several years in glaucoma suspects? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9117323756217957,
-1.8270254135131836,
1.7828516960144043
] |
['The impact of improved nutritional status on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is unknown for children with cystic fibrosis (CF).', 'Associations between nutritional status and HRQOL were examined over 2 years in 95 children, aged 9-19 years, who were followed in the Wisconsin Newborn Screening Project. HRQOL was assessed using the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire (CFQ). Associations between height z-score (HtZ), BMI z-score (BMIZ) and seven CFQ dimensions were evaluated.', 'Mean values of at least 80 were observed for all CFQ dimensions except respiratory symptoms and treatment burden. Treatment burden was significantly worse in patients with meconium ileus (57) compared to pancreatic insufficient (65) and sufficient (78) subjects, p<0.0001. HtZ and BMIZ were positively associated with physical functioning and body image (p<0.05).'] Is nutritional status associated with health-related quality of life in children with cystic fibrosis aged 9-19 years? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.397100567817688,
-1.1395317316055298,
1.6480965614318848
] |
['HbA1c is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), with 1% higher HbA1c levels associated with a 10-20% increased risk of CVD. Little is known about the association between change in HbA1c over time and cardiovascular risk in non-diabetic populations. This study examined the association between change in HbA1c over time and cardiovascular risk in a non-diabetic British population.', 'We used data on HbA1c collected at baseline and at a second health examination 3 years later among a population of 5,790 non-diabetic men and women who participated in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk. The association between change in HbA1c over 3 years and incident cardiovascular events over the following 8 years was examined using multivariate Cox regression. We also examined whether information on change in HbA1c over time improved prediction of cardiovascular events over a single measure of HbA1c by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (aROC) and computing the net reclassification improvement.', 'The mean change (SD) in HbA1c over 3 years was 0.13% (0.52). During 44,596 person-years of follow-up, 529 cardiovascular events occurred (incidence 11.9 per 1,000 person-years). Each 0.5% rise in HbA1c over 3 years was associated with a 9% increase in risk of a cardiovascular event (HR 1.09; 95% CI 1.01, 1.18) after adjustment for baseline HbA1c and other major cardiovascular risk factors. However, change in HbA1c was not associated with cardiovascular risk after adjustment for HbA1c at follow-up. Multivariate models with and without information on change in HbA1c over time showed a similar aROC of 0.78. Adding change in HbA1c to the model with HbA1c at follow-up did not improve risk classification.'] Does change in HbA1c over 3 years improve the prediction of cardiovascular disease over and above HbA1c measured at a single time point? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5137581825256348,
-1.3849670886993408,
0.9957729578018188
] |
['We tested the hypothesis that low vitamin D is associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. We also studied whether body composition, sex hormones, serum sex hormone-binding globulin, albumin corrected serum calcium, adiponectin and lipid status are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.', 'We investigated 184 representative, randomly selected men 72 to 76 years old enrolled in the Gothenburg arm of the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (MrOS). Men with a history of prostate cancer, prostate operation or medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia were excluded from study, leaving 155 available for analysis. A cross-sectional study was performed in which benign prostatic hyperplasia measured by total prostate volume was related to clinical, anthropometric, endocrine and metabolic factors on univariate and multivariate analyses with regression models.', 'Median prostate volume was 40 ml. In multivariate models only 25-OH vitamin D, albumin corrected serum calcium, serum sex hormone-binding globulin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly and inversely associated with large prostate glands.'] Is low 25-OH vitamin D associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.132913827896118,
-1.287797212600708,
2.4921507835388184
] |
['Chronic ethanol (EtOH) abuse in humans is known to independently increase the incidence of and mortality due to acute lung injury in at-risk individuals. However, the mechanisms by which EtOH affects lung cells remain incompletely elucidated. In earlier work, we reported that EtOH increased the expression in lung fibroblasts of fibronectin, a matrix glycoprotein implicated in lung injury and repair. This effect was blocked by α-bungarotoxin, a neurotoxin that binds certain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) thereby implicating nAChRs in this process. Here, we examine the identity of these receptors.', 'Mouse lung fibroblasts were stimulated with EtOH (60\xa0mM) or acetylcholine (100 to 500\xa0μM) and evaluated for the expression of fibronectin and nAChRs. Inhibitors to nAChRs or the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) were used to assess changes in fibronectin expression. Animals exposed to EtOH for up to 6\xa0weeks were used to evaluate the expression of nAChRs in vivo.', 'First, in EtOH-treated fibroblasts, we observed increased expression of α4 and α9 nAChR subunits. Second, we found that acetylcholine, a natural ligand for nAChRs, mimicked the effects of EtOH. Dihydro-β-erythroidin hydrobromide, a competitive inhibitor of α4 nAChR, blocked the increase in fibronectin expression and cell proliferation. Furthermore, EtOH-induced fibronectin expression was inhibited in cells silenced for α4 nAChR. However, EtOH-treated cells showed increased α-bungarotoxin binding suggesting that α4 nAChR mediates the effects of EtOH via a ligand-independent pathway. Knowing there are several important cysteine residues near the ligand-binding site of α4 nAChRs, we tested the antioxidant NAC and found that it too blocked the induction of fibronectin expression by EtOH. Also, fibroblasts exposed to oxidant stress showed increased fibronectin expression that was blocked with α-bungarotoxin. Finally, we showed increased expression of α4 nAChRs in the lung tissue of mice and rats exposed to EtOH suggesting a role for these receptors in vivo.'] Are nicotinic acetylcholine receptors sensors for ethanol in lung fibroblasts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3977553844451904,
-1.3025436401367188,
2.6966280937194824
] |
['Because effective prediction of survival time can be highly beneficial for the treatment of glioblastoma patients, the relationship between survival time and multiple patient characteristics has been investigated. In this paper, we investigate whether the predictive power of a survival model based on clinical patient features improves when MRI features are also included in the model.', 'The subjects in this study were 82 glioblastoma patients for whom clinical features as well as MR imaging exams were made available by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA). Twenty-six imaging features in the available MR scans were assessed by radiologists from the TCGA Glioma Phenotype Research Group. We used multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression to construct 2 survival models: one that used 3 clinical features (age, gender, and KPS) as the covariates and 1 that used both the imaging features and the clinical features as the covariates. Then, we used 2 measures to compare the predictive performance of these 2 models: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the 1-year survival threshold and overall concordance index. To eliminate any positive performance estimation bias, we used leave-one-out cross-validation.', 'The performance of the model based on both clinical and imaging features was higher than the performance of the model based on only the clinical features, in terms of both area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (P < .01) and the overall concordance index (P < .01).'] Do imaging descriptors improve the predictive power of survival models for glioblastoma patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1928420066833496,
-1.0160753726959229,
2.274036407470703
] |
['TRIM28 is a multi-domain nuclear protein with pleotropic effects in both normal and tumor cells. In this study, TRIM28 expression in epithelial and stromal tumor microenvironment and its prognostic role in colorectal cancer were investigated.', 'Immunohistological staining of TRIM28 was evaluated in tissue microarrays constructed from 137 colorectal cancer patients. The correlations of TRIM28 expression with clinicopathological features and p53 expression were studied. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard modeling were used to assess overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).', 'Strong epithelial TRIM28 expression was found in 42% of colorectal cancer tissues. TRIM28 expression correlated significantly with p53 expression in matched cases (P=0.0168, Spearman rank test). A high epithelial to stromal TRIM28 expression ratio was associated with shorter OS (P=0.033; log-rank test) and RFS (P=0.043; log-rank test). Multivariate analysis showed that the epithelial to stromal TRIM28 expression ratio was an independent predictor of OS (hazard ratio=2.136; 95% confidence interval 1.015-4.498, P=0.046) and RFS (hazard ratio=2.100; confidence interval 1.052-4.191, P=0.035).'] Does relationship between epithelial and stromal TRIM28 expression predict survival in colorectal cancer patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7297638654708862,
-1.4538424015045166,
2.2674126625061035
] |
['Artificial nutrition is frequently associated with hepatobiliary complications, probably due to the inherent derangement of the gastrointestinal tract physiology. Alterations of hepatic lipid metabolism are likely to be involved. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of artificial nutrition on bile acid production, a key event in cholesterol homeostasis, in humans.', 'Eleven patients receiving artificial nutrition, either parenteral nutrition (PN; n = 6) or enteral nutrition (EN; n = 5) with no previous history of liver disease, underwent analysis of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylation rates in vivo, a measure of bile acid formation, by isotope release analysis after intravenous injection of [7α-(3)H]cholesterol. The results were compared with those obtained in a population of 16 age-matched control subjects.', 'Hydroxylation rates were lower in patients with artificial nutrition (PN: 94 ± 13 mg/d; EN: 230 ± 39 mg/d, mean ± SEM) when compared with controls (385 ± 47 mg/d) (P < .01, 1-way analysis of variance). In a patient receiving EN, hydroxylation rates increased 3.5-fold after treatment with the cholecystokinin analogue ceruletide (20 µg bid for 2 weeks intramuscularly). Serum lathosterol-to-cholesterol ratio, a marker of cholesterol synthesis, was also significantly reduced in artificial nutrition, whereas serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) were increased.'] Is in vivo degradation of cholesterol to bile acids reduced in patients receiving parenteral nutrition? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.209076166152954,
-1.375489354133606,
2.6495485305786133
] |
['In the mouse ovary, oocytes initially develop in clusters termed germ-cell nests. Shortly after birth, these germ-cell nests break apart, and the oocytes individually become surrounded by somatic granulosa cells to form primordial follicles. Notch signaling plays essential roles during oogenesis in Drosophila, and recent studies have suggested that Notch signaling also plays an essential role during oogenesis and ovary development in mammals. However, no in vivo loss-of-function studies have been performed to establish whether Notch family receptors have an essential physiological role during normal ovarian development in mutant mice.', 'Female mice with conditional deletion of the Notch2 gene in somatic granulosa cells of the ovary exhibited reduced fertility, accompanied by the formation of multi-oocyte follicles, which became hemorrhagic by 7 weeks of age. Formation of multi-oocyte follicles resulted from defects in breakdown of the primordial germ-cell nests. The ovaries of the Notch2 conditional mutant mice had increased numbers of oocytes, but decreased numbers of primordial follicles. Oocyte numbers in the Notch2 conditional mutants were increased not by excess or extended cellular proliferation, but as a result of decreased oocyte apoptosis.'] Is notch2 required in somatic cells for breakdown of ovarian germ-cell nests and formation of primordial follicles? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2885708808898926,
-0.931807279586792,
2.2356338500976562
] |
['To determine the value of pancreatic stone protein in predicting sepsis-related postoperative complications and death in the ICU.', 'A prospective cohort study of postoperative patients admitted to the ICU. Blood samples for analysis were taken within 3 hours from admission to the ICU including pancreatic stone protein, white blood cell counts, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and procalcitonin. The Mannheim Peritonitis Index and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II clinical scores were also determined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and independent predictors of death in the ICU [Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01465711].', 'An adult medical-surgical ICU in a teaching hospital in Germany.', 'Ninety-one consecutive postoperative patients with proven diagnosis of secondary peritonitis admitted to the ICU were included in the study from August 17, 2007, to February 8, 2010.', 'Peripheral vein blood sampling.', 'Univariate analysis demonstrated that pancreatic stone protein has the highest diagnostic accuracy for complications and is the best predictor for death in the ICU. Pancreatic stone protein had the highest overall efficacy in predicting death with an odds ratio of 4.0 vs. procalcitonin (odds ratio 3.2), interleukin-6 (odds ratio 2.8), C-reactive protein (odds ratio 1.3), and WBCs (odds ratio 1.4). By multivariate analysis, pancreatic stone protein was the only independent predictor of death.'] Does pancreatic stone protein predict outcome in patients with peritonitis in the ICU? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2062225341796875,
-1.3485078811645508,
2.6494245529174805
] |
['A study was undertaken to identify the molecular cause of Welander distal myopathy (WDM), a classic autosomal dominant distal myopathy.', 'The genetic linkage was confirmed and defined by microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism haplotyping. The whole linked genomic region was sequenced with targeted high-throughput and Sanger sequencing, and coding transcripts were sequenced on the cDNA level. WDM muscle biopsies were studied by Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Splicing of TIA1 and its target genes in muscle and myoblast cultures was analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Mutant TIA1 was characterized by cell biological studies on HeLa cells, including quantification of stress granules by high content analysis and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments.', 'The linked haplotype at 2p13 was narrowed down to <806 kb. Sequencing by multiple methods revealed only 1 segregating coding mutation, c.1362 G>A (p.E384K) in the RNA-binding protein TIA1, a key component of stress granules. Immunofluorescence microscopy of WDM biopsies showed a focal increase of TIA1 in atrophic and vacuolated fibers. In HeLa cells, mutant TIA1 constructs caused a mild increase in stress granule abundance compared to wild type, and showed slower average fluorescence recovery in FRAP.'] Is welander distal myopathy caused by a mutation in the RNA-binding protein TIA1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3161375522613525,
-1.3468921184539795,
2.7564709186553955
] |
['The mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) pathway is frequently altered in tumours. The purpose of our study was to determine the prognostic value of tumour MET expression levels in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in order to strengthen the rationale for targeted therapy of TNBC using MET inhibitors.', 'We determined expression of MET in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of TNBC by immunohistochemistry. Recurrence-free and overall survival was analysed with Cox models adjusted for clinical and pathological factors.', 'Immunostaining for MET was classified as high in 89 of 170 (52%) tumours. MET expression was more frequently observed in G3 carcinomas (P=0.02) but was not significantly associated to any of the other clinical or pathological parameters. High MET expression predicted shorter survival of the patients. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses identified MET to be an independent prognostic factor for recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for recurrence 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65-7.12; P=0.001) and death (adjusted HR for death 3.74; 95% CI 1.65-8.46; P=0.002).'] Is high MET expression an adverse prognostic factor in patients with triple-negative breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1667721271514893,
-1.4524849653244019,
2.677778959274292
] |
['Several studies have demonstrated that YWHAZ (14-3-3ζ), included in the 14-3-3 family of proteins, has been implicated in the initiation and progression of cancers. We tested whether YWHAZ acted as a cancer-promoting gene through its activation/overexpression in gastric cancer (GC).', 'We analysed 7 GC cell lines and 141 primary tumours, which were curatively resected in our hospital between 2001 and 2003.', 'Overexpression of the YWHAZ protein was frequently detected in GC cell lines (six out of seven lines, 85.7%) and primary tumour samples of GC (72 out of 141 cases, 51%), and significantly correlated with larger tumour size, venous and lymphatic invasion, deeper tumour depth, and higher pathological stage and recurrence rate. Patients with YWHAZ-overexpressing tumours had worse overall survival rates than those with non-expressing tumours in both intensity and proportion expression-dependent manner. YWHAZ positivity was independently associated with a worse outcome in multivariate analysis (P=0.0491, hazard ratio 2.3 (1.003-5.304)). Knockdown of YWHAZ expression using several specific siRNAs inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of YWHAZ-overexpressing GC cells. Higher expression of the YWHAZ protein was significantly associated with the lower expression of miR-375 in primary GC tissues (P=0.0047).'] Does overexpression of YWHAZ relate to tumor cell proliferation and malignant outcome of gastric carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0882599353790283,
-1.4081170558929443,
2.495469331741333
] |
['The aim of this study was to determine whether lutein affected biomarkers related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in healthy nonsmokers.', 'A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of lutein supplementation was conducted in healthy nonsmokers. 117 eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive 10 or 20 mg/d of lutein or placebo for 12 weeks. Levels of plasma carotenoid concentrations, total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), the lipoprotein profile, and antioxidant enzymes activities were determined at baseline and at 6, and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Biomarkers of oxidative damage to protein and lipids, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured at baseline and after supplementation.', 'Plasma lutein and TAOC significantly increased in both active treatment groups during 12 weeks. A significant reduction was found in malondialdehyde in the 20 mg lutein group. CRP concentration decreased in a dose-dependent manner for lutein supplementation, and there was a significant between-group difference in CRP between the 20 mg lutein and the placebo group. Serum CRP was directly related to the change in plasma lutein and TAOC for both active treatment groups.'] Does lutein supplementation reduce plasma lipid peroxidation and C-reactive protein in healthy nonsmokers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2228119373321533,
-1.301105260848999,
2.5760879516601562
] |
['The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of cystamine on lupus-associated cardiac hypertrophy.', 'Balb/c and lupus-prone NZB/W-F1 mice were individually randomized into sham group (saline, n=16) and cystamine group (n=16). Mice received saline or cystamine (100 mmol in 100 μL saline) by daily intraperitoneal injection for 2 consecutive weeks. Morphological, histological, and biochemical alterations were investigated.', 'Cystamine decreased both left ventricular (LV) mass and LV mass/tissue-to-blood ratio (TBR) in NZB/W-F1 mice (p<0.05), whereas slight effects were observed in Balb/c mice. Moreover, cystamine reduced levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), C-reactive protein (CRP), heart type-fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and IL-6 in LV tissues of NZB/W-F1 mice (p<0.05). Additionally, in LV tissues of NZB/W-F1 mice, suppression of hypertrophic signaling mediated by IL-6 in response to administration of cystamine was revealed, including phosphorylation of MEK5, ERK5, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) (p<0.05).'] Does cystamine ameliorate ventricular hypertrophy associated with modulation of IL-6-mediated signaling in lupus-prone mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.307006359100342,
-1.4083843231201172,
2.76045823097229
] |
['Aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) are a useful therapy for diabetic neuropathy. Nerve damage is associated with delayed wound healing of skin ulcers in diabetic patients. Therefore, we hypothesized that ARI supplementation would improve diabetic wound healing.', 'Control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were fed either control diet or diet containing the ARI Epalrestat (40 mg/kg). After 12 weeks, we created skin wounds on the backs of the mice. Wound healing was determined by measuring the reduction in wound area.', 'The wound gap of the diabetic group was significantly larger 9 days after creating the wounds when compared to the other groups (p<0.01). Interestingly, wound healing in the diabetic mice fed Epalrestat was comparable to the non-diabetic mice. To clarify the mechanism(s) behind this improved wound healing, mRNA expression of growth factors reported to be involved in wound healing were examined. Among the growth factors investigated, only the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) was -significantly decreased (54.0%) in the healing lesions of diabetic mice. Similarly, NGF protein expression was decreased in diabetic mice and recovered in Epalrestat treated diabetic mice. Inhibition of NGF via 2 separate inhibitors (K252a and BSO) reduced the ability of Epalrestat to improve wound healing in diabetic mice.'] Does epalrestat improve diabetic wound healing via increased expression of nerve growth factor? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2597768306732178,
-1.233891248703003,
2.559854507446289
] |
["To compare health and science students' demographic characteristics and learning approaches across different disciplines, and to examine the relationship between learning approaches and academic performance.", "While there is increasing recognition of a need to foster learning approaches that improve the quality of student learning, little is known about students' learning approaches across different disciplines, and their relationships with academic performance.", 'Prospective, correlational design.', 'Using a survey design, a total of 919 first year health and science students studying in a university located in the western region of Sydney from the following disciplines were recruited to participate in the study - i) Nursing: n = 476, ii) Engineering: n = 75, iii) Medicine: n = 77, iv) Health Sciences: n = 204, and v) Medicinal Chemistry: n = 87.', 'Although there was no statistically significant difference in the use of surface learning among the five discipline groups, there were wide variations in the use of deep learning approach. Furthermore, older students and those with English as an additional language were more likely to use deep learning approach. Controlling for hours spent in paid work during term-time and English language usage, both surface learning approach (β = -0.13, p = 0.001) and deep learning approach (β = 0.11, p = 0.009) emerged as independent and significant predictors of academic performance.'] Does learning approach as predictors of academic performance in first year health and science students? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.887686014175415,
1.114542007446289,
0.130961075425148
] |
['To clarify the correlation between serum fetuin-A levels and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).', 'A total of 241 consecutive patients with T2DM and 69 controls were recruited. Serum fetuin-A levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The presence and severity of CAD were evaluated by coronary angiography (CAG).', 'Serum fetuin-A levels are independently correlated with the presence and severity of CAD in T2DM patients.'] Are serum fetuin-A levels associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.096186876296997,
-1.2929232120513916,
2.4847397804260254
] |
['Abdominal drainage is routinely performed after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), but this policy has recently been challenged. The aim of the present study was to assess whether abdominal drainage could be omitted after PD in patients at low risk of pancreatic fistula (PF).', 'From 2009 to 2011, 27 consecutive patients underwent PD without abdominal drainage. Their preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were compared to those of 27 matched patients undergoing PD with prophylactic drainage. Patients were matched 1:1 in terms of demographic data, preoperative weight loss, preoperative biliary drainage, surgical indication, and main risk factors of PF (pancreatic texture, main duct size, and body mass index).', 'Overall morbidity rates (no drainage, 56 % vs. drainage, 70 %; p < 0.4) and operative mortality (1 patient in each group) were similar in both groups. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of delayed gastric emptying (15 vs. 11 %; p = 0.68), and chylous ascites (4 vs. 15 %; p = 0.35). Radiological or surgical interventions for surgical complications were required in 2 patients (1 in each group). Pancreatic fistula rate (0 vs. 22 %; p = 0.009) and hospital stay (10 vs. 15 days; p = 0.004) were significantly reduced in the no drainage group as compared to the drainage group. The hospital readmission rate was similar in the two groups (no drainage, 3.7 vs. 0 %; p = 0.31).'] Is selective policy of no drain after pancreaticoduodenectomy a valid option in patients at low risk of pancreatic fistula : a case-control analysis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8869167566299438,
-1.5030193328857422,
2.415681838989258
] |
['Increasing evidence suggests that miRNAs have a profound impact on host defense to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and clinical outcome of standard HCV therapy. In this study, we investigated modulation of miRNA expression in Huh7.5 hepatoma cells by HCV infection and in vitro interferon-αtreatment.', 'MiRNA expression profiling was determined using Human miRNA TaqMan® Arrays followed by rigorous pairwise statistical analysis. MiRNA inhibitors assessed the functional effects of miRNAs on HCV replication. Computational analysis predicted anti-correlated mRNA targets and their involvement in host cellular pathways. Quantitative RTPCR confirmed the expression of predicted miRNA-mRNA correlated pairs in HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells with and without interferon-α.', 'Seven miRNAs (miR-30b, miR-30c, miR-130a, miR-192, miR-301, miR-324-5p, and miR-565) were down-regulated in HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells (p<0.05) and subsequently up-regulated following interferon-α treatment (p<0.01). The miR-30(a-d) cluster and miR-130a/301 and their putative mRNA targets were predicted to be associated with cellular pathways that involve Hepatitis C virus entry, propagation and host response to viral infection.'] Does microRNA expression profiling in HCV-infected human hepatoma cells identify potential anti-viral targets induced by interferon-α? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2428948879241943,
-1.1418609619140625,
2.458909511566162
] |
['Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein can induce liver steatosis and glucose intolerance in transgenic mice. We aimed to clarify the association of HCV core region heterogeneity with the development of insulin resistance (IR) among patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).', 'A total of 56 non-diabetic CHC genotype-1b patients were enrolled. IR was evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). The amino acid (aa) sequences in the core region were determined by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing.', 'Patients with a higher HOMA-IR (≥3.5) had a higher ratio of aa substitutions in core 70 (p = 0.025), a higher body mass index (p = 0.021) and serum total cholesterol level (p = 0.044) and presence of hepatic steatosis (≥5%) as compared with those with a lower HOMA-IR (<3.5). Multivariate analysis showed that independent factors of higher HOMA-IR were mutated aa70 (odds ratio 3.80, p = 0.033) and body mass index (odds ratio 1.20, p = 0.042). Patients with mutated aa70 had a higher serum tumor necrosis factor-α level than those with wild-type (p = 0.014).'] Do amino acid substitutions in the core region associate with insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.992388367652893,
-1.4389185905456543,
2.450073719024658
] |
['The engraftment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is reported to promote recovery of renal function in animal models of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, it is unknown whether mesenchymal-like progenitors (MPs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can mediate similar therapeutic effects. We investigated the responses of recipient renal tissue to engraftment of hESC-MPs and underlying mechanisms of these effects.', 'We measured blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels of AKI mice with hESC-MPs transplantation and control mice. We performed renal morphology analysis by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to confirm the renoprotective effects of engrafted hESC-MPs. Proliferation, apoptosis and gene expression of tubular cells were also monitored by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to investigate the mechanisms that occurred.', 'After transplantation of hESC-MPs into mice with cisplatin-induced AKI, improvements in renal function and recovery from tubular epithelial cell injury were observed. Engrafted hESC-MPs were localized to areas of injured kidney 5 days after cisplatin induction, where they promoted tubular cell proliferation and decreased kidney cell apoptosis. The beneficial effect was further confirmed by the capability of the engrafted cells to up-regulate renal gene expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and pro-survival cytokines. Meanwhile, infusion of these cells reduced renal gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, a chemokine that stimulates monocyte and macrophage infiltration.'] Do mesenchymal-like progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells promote recovery from acute kidney injury via paracrine actions? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.519387722015381,
-1.2466620206832886,
2.842451572418213
] |
['The pentaspan protein CD133 (Prominin-1) is a predictive marker and part of the signature of tumour-initiating cells (TICs) for various cancer entities.', 'The correlation of CD133 expression with clinical parameters was assessed in primary samples of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (n=98) and normal mucosas (n=24).', 'A gradual and inversely proportional correlation between CD133 expression in primary tumours and decreased overall survival was observed, along with a positive correlation with the presence of lymph node metastases.'] Is cD133 a predictor of poor survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2227096557617188,
-1.2959349155426025,
2.5896639823913574
] |
['Frailty is an important geriatric syndrome. Adiponectin is an important adipokine that regulates energy homeostasis. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and frailty in elders.', 'The demographic data, body weight, metabolic and inflammatory parameters, including plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), c-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin levels, were assessed. The frailty score was assessed using the Fried Frailty Index (FFI).', 'The mean (SD) age of the 168 participants [83 (49.4%) men and 85 (50.6%) women] was 76.86 (6.10) years. Judged by the FFI score, 42 (25%) elders were robust, 92 (54.7%) were pre-frail, and 34 (20.3%) were frail. The mean body mass index was 25.19 (3.42) kg/m(2). The log-transformed mean (SD) plasma adiponectin (µg/mL) level was 1.00 (0.26). The log-transformed mean plasma adiponectin (µg/mL) levels were 0.93 (0.23) in the robust elders, 1.00 (0.27) in the pre-frail elders, and 1.10 (0.22) in the frail elders, and the differences between these values were statistically significant (p \u200a=\u200a0.012). Further analysis showed that plasma adiponectin levels rose progressively with an increasing number of components of frailty in all participants as a whole (p for trend \u200a=\u200a0.024) and males (p for trend \u200a=\u200a0.037), but not in females (p for trend \u200a=\u200a0.223).'] Do plasma adiponectin levels correlate positively with an increasing number of components of frailty in male elders? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9043269157409668,
-1.6536669731140137,
1.512000560760498
] |
['Primaquine (Pq) metabolic products are responsible for drug-associated hemotoxicity and limit primaquine usage.', 'Methemoglobin (MetHb)-Pq molecular modeling was used to identify the Pq binding pocket. UPLC, mass spectrometry, and other indirect analytical methods were used to predict the metabolite. MetHb generation, development of oxidative stress, inhibition of antioxidant enzymes, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to characterize the hemotoxic potentials of oxidized Pq (Pqox).', 'MetHb binded Pq at the heme site with KD =6.4 μM as evidenced by a difference spectroscopy study. MetHb oxidized Pq through a single e-transfer mechanism to form Pqox. The analysis of Pq from MetHb-H2O2 peroxidase reaction mixture gave peaks at m/z 300.53 and m/z 243.42, corresponding to the hydroxyl and desamino derivative of Pq, respectively. Similar peaks were absent in Pq or Pq incubated with H2O2 in the same buffer system. A robust increase in MetHb formation, reactive oxygen species generation, and inhibition of antioxidant enzymes were found in red blood cells (RBCs) exposed to Pqox compared with a parent drug molecule. The RBC membrane exhibited visible damages to plasma membrane (holes) as evidenced by SEM analysis of Pqox-exposed RBCs.'] Does methemoglobin incite primaquine toxicity through single-electron oxidation and modification? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.31982159614563,
-1.3653578758239746,
2.77215313911438
] |
['Smaller hippocampal volumes in major depressive disorder (MDD) have been linked with earlier onset, previous recurrences and treatment refractoriness. The aim of our study was to investigate metabolite abnormalities in the hippocampus associated with past depressive illness burden.', 'Glutamate/glutamine (Glx), N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and choline (Cho), potential markers of glial/neuronal integrity and membrane turnover, respectively, were measured in adults with depression and healthy controls using a 3 T magnetic resonance spectroscopy scanner. Voxels were placed in the head of the right and left hippocampus. We controlled for systematic differences resulting from volume-of-interest (VOI) tissue composition and total hippocampal volume.', 'Our final sample comprised a total of 16 healthy controls and 52 adult patients with depression in different stages of the illness (20 treatment-resistant/chronic, 18 remitted-recurrent and 14 first-episode), comparable for age and sex distribution. Patients with treatment-resistant/chronic and remitted-recurrent depression had significantly lower levels of Glx and NAA than controls, especially in the right hippocampal region (p ≤ 0.025). Diminished levels of Glx were correlated with longer illness duration (left VOI r = -0.34, p = 0.01). By contrast, Cho levels were significantly higher in patients with treatment-resistant/chronic depression than those with first-episode depression or controls in the right and left hippocampus (up to 19% higher; all p ≤ 0.025) and were consistently related to longer illness duration (right VOI r = 0.30, p = 0.028; left VOI r = 0.38, p = 0.004) and more previous episodes (right VOI r = 0.46, p = 0.001; left VOI r = 0.44, p = 0.001).'] Are hippocampal abnormalities of glutamate/glutamine , N-acetylaspartate and choline in patients with depression related to past illness burden? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8244832754135132,
-1.4087448120117188,
2.208791732788086
] |
['The hybrid procedure for coronary heart disease combines minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and is an alternative to revascularization treatment. We sought to assess the predictive value of four risk-stratification models for risk assessment of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with multivessel disease undergoing hybrid coronary revascularization.', 'The data of 120 patients were retrospectively collected and the SYNTAX score, EuroSCORE, SinoSCORE and the Global Risk Classification (GRC) calculated for each patient. The outcomes of interest were 2.7-year incidences of MACCE, including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and any-vessel revascularization.', 'During a mean of 2.7-year follow-up, actuarial survival was 99.17%, and no myocardial infarctions occurred. The discriminatory power (area under curve (AUC)) of the SYNTAX score, EuroSCORE, SinoSCORE and GRC for 2.7-year MACCE was 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.42 - 0.77), 0.65 (0.47 - 0.82), 0.57 (0.39 - 0.75) and 0.65 (0.46 - 0.83), respectively. The calibration characteristics of the SYNTAX score, EuroSCORE, SinoSCORE and GRC were 3.92 (P = 0.86), 5.39 (P = 0.37), 13.81 (P = 0.32) and 0.02 (P = 0.89), respectively.'] Do major risk-stratification models fail to predict outcomes in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing simultaneous hybrid procedure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6280786991119385,
-1.4496270418167114,
2.0937089920043945
] |
['To investigate the clinical effects of the combined therapy of the Chinese medicine Compound Xuanju Capsule and vitamin E on sperm chromatin damage in idiopathic oligoasthenospermia.', 'We assigned 50 infertile men with seminal abnormality to a control group (n = 26) and a trial group (n = 24) to receive vitamin E and the combined therapy of Compound Xuanju Capsule plus vitamin E, respectively, both treated for 3 months. Before and after the treatment, we detected semen routine parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation indexes (DFI) by computer aided semen analysis (CASA) and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), and compared them between the two groups.', 'There was no obvious difference between the percentage of progressively motile sperm in the trial group and that in the control group (21.55 +/- 8.68 vs 21.47 +/- 11.53, P > 0.05). The trial group showed a significantly decreased sperm DFI after medication as compared with pre-medication (29.57 +/- 12.19 vs 34.09 +/- 10.32, P < 0.05).'] Does [ Compound Xuanju Capsule combined with vitamin E improve sperm chromatin integrity ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.722521424293518,
-1.3915135860443115,
2.1182398796081543
] |
['High neuroticism is prospectively associated with psychopathology and physical health. However, within-subject changes in neuroticism due to life experiences (LEs) or state effects of current psychopathology are largely unexplored. In this 2-year follow-up study, four hypotheses were tested: (1) positive LEs (PLEs) decrease and negative LEs (NLEs) increase neuroticism; (2) LE-driven change in neuroticism is partly long-lasting; and (3) partly independent of LE-driven changes in anxiety/depression; and (4) childhood adversity (before age 16 years) moderates the influence of NLEs/PLEs on neuroticism scores in adult life.', 'Data came from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety [NESDA, n = 2981, mean age 41.99 years (s.d. = 13.08), 66.6% women]. At follow-up (T₂) we assessed PLEs/NLEs with the List of Threatening Experiences (LTE) over the prior 24 months and categorized them over recent and distant PLE/NLE measures (1-3 and 4-24 months prior to T₂ respectively) to distinguish distant NLE/PLE-driven change in trait neuroticism (using the Dutch version of the Neuroticism-Extroversion-Openness Five Factor Inventory, NEO-FFI) from state deviations due to changes in symptoms of depression (self-rated version of the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, IDS-SR30) and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI).', 'Distant NLEs were associated with higher and distant PLEs with lower neuroticism scores. The effects of distant LEs were weak but long-lasting, especially for distant PLEs. Distant NLE-driven change in neuroticism was associated with change in symptoms of anxiety/depression whereas the effect of distant PLEs on neuroticism was independent of any such changes. Childhood adversity weakened the impact of distant NLEs but enhanced the impact of distant PLEs on neuroticism.'] Are negative and positive life events associated with small but lasting change in neuroticism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2073681354522705,
-1.038351058959961,
2.355563163757324
] |
['For the total knee arthroplasty in valgus deformed knee, superiority of the medial or lateral approach is still controversial. We compared the short-term result of two approach groups.', 'Forty-seven knees in rheumatoid arthritis with valgus deformity from 6° to 24° were randomly divided into two group; medial approach (24 knees) and lateral approach (24 knees). We used Scorpio NRG PS for all knees. Median postoperative periods were 43\xa0months in both groups. We compared the surgical time, and alignment on standing radiograph, range of motion (ROM) pre/postoperatively, and degrees of soft-tissue release procedure, and lateral laxity measured by stress radiograph immediately after operation and at final follow-up.', "Pre/postoperative alignment, surgical time, lateral laxity, and preoperative ROM had no significant in two groups; however, postoperative flexion was superior in lateral approach group 123.8°, 109° in medial approach group. All cases required iliotibial band (ITB) release at Gerdy's tubercle, 83\xa0% ITB at joint level, 21\xa0% lateral collateral ligament (LCL), 17\xa0% popliteus tendon (PT) in medial approach group, and 88\xa0% ITB at Gerdy's tubercle, 46\xa0% ITB at joint level, 13\xa0% LCL, 4\xa0% PT in lateral approach group."] Is lateral approach advantageous in total knee arthroplasty for valgus deformed knee? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6003849506378174,
-1.685555338859558,
2.270521640777588
] |
['Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is a common treatment for metabolic acidemia; however, little definitive information exists regarding its treatment efficacy and cerebral hemodynamic effects. This pilot observational study quantifies relative changes in cerebral blood flow (ΔrCBF) and oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations (ΔHbO2 and ΔHb) due to bolus administration of NaHCO3 in patients with mild base deficits.', 'Infants and children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) were enrolled before cardiac surgery. NaHCO3 was given as needed for treatment of base deficit. Diffuse optical spectroscopies were used for 15 min postinjection to noninvasively monitor ΔHb, ΔHbO2, and ΔrCBF relative to baseline before NaHCO3 administration.', 'Twenty-two anesthetized and mechanically ventilated patients with HLHS (aged 1 d to 4 y) received a median (interquartile range) dose of 1.1 (0.8, 1.8) mEq/kg NaHCO3 administered intravenously over 10-20 s to treat a median (interquartile range) base deficit of -4 (-6, -3) mEq/l. NaHCO3 caused significant dose-dependent increases in ΔrCBF; however, population-averaged ΔHb and ΔHbO2 as compared with those of controls were not significant.'] Does sodium bicarbonate cause dose-dependent increases in cerebral blood flow in infants and children with single-ventricle physiology? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2252402305603027,
-1.4206185340881348,
2.658531904220581
] |
['To investigate the influence of cerebral atrophy on clinical outcome in patients with supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage.', 'Computed tomography scans of 320 patients included in a prospective, multicenter trial were used for a segmentation analysis to determine the supratentorial cerebral volume. A logistic regression analysis was used to explore its effect on outcome after 90 days in addition to other clinical and imaging parameters.', 'Cerebral volume loss significantly reduced the odds for favorable outcome after 90 days (odds ratio=0.91; confidence interval, 0.85-0.99; P=0.02).'] Is cerebral atrophy an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcome after spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3099887371063232,
-1.2454099655151367,
2.6786787509918213
] |
['A number of clinical and biochemical studies demonstrate that obesity and insulin resistance are associated with increases in oxidative stress and inflammation. Paradoxically, insulin sensitivity can be enhanced by oxidative inactivation of cysteine residues of phosphatases, and inflammation can be reduced by S-glutathionylation with formation of protein-glutathione mixed disulfides (PSSG). Although oxidation of protein-bound thiols (PSH) is increased in multiple diseases, it is not known whether there are changes in PSH oxidation species in obesity.', 'In this work, the hypothesis that obesity is associated with decreased levels of proteins containing oxidized protein thiols was tested.', 'The tissue levels of protein sulfenic acids (PSOH) and PSSG in liver, visceral adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle derived from glucose intolerant, obese-prone Sprague-Dawley rats were examined.', 'The data in this study indicate that decreases in PSSG content occurred in liver (44%) and adipose (26%) but not skeletal muscle in obese rats that were fed a 45% fat-calorie diet versus lean rats that were fed a 10% fat-calorie diet. PSOH content did not change in the tissue between the two groups. The activity of the enzyme glutaredoxin (GLRX) responsible for reversal of PSSG formation did not change in muscle and liver between the two groups. However, levels of GLRX1 were elevated 70% in the adipose tissue of the obese, 45% fat calorie-fed rats.'] Does s-Glutathionylation of hepatic and visceral adipose proteins decrease in obese rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.280226945877075,
-0.9683155417442322,
2.2804479598999023
] |
['Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are present in the systemic circulation and home to sites of ischemic injury where they promote neoangiogenesis. β2-Adrenergic receptor (β2AR) plays a critical role in vascular tone regulation and neoangiogenesis.', "We aimed to evaluate the role of β2AR on EPCs' function.", "We firstly performed in vitro analysis showing the expression of β2AR on EPCs. Stimulation of wild-type EPCs with β-agonist isoproterenol induced a significant increase of Flk-1 expression on EPCs as assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Moreover, β2AR stimulation induced a significant increase of cell proliferation, improved the EPCs migratory activity, and enhanced the EPCs' ability to promote endothelial cell network formation in vitro. Then, we performed in vivo studies in animals model of hindlimb ischemia. Consistent with our in vitro results, in vivo EPCs' treatment resulted in an improvement of impaired angiogenic phenotype in β2AR KO mice after induction of ischemia, whereas no significant amelioration was observed when β2AR knock out (KO) EPCs were injected. Indeed, wild-type-derived EPCs' injection resulted in a significantly higher blood flow restoration in ischemic hindlimb and higher capillaries density at histological analysis as compared with not treated or β2AR KO EPC-treated mice."] Does β2-Adrenergic receptor stimulation improve endothelial progenitor cell-mediated ischemic neoangiogenesis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.385566473007202,
-1.3248584270477295,
2.7134673595428467
] |
['In patients immediately following lung transplant, does three months of supervised exercise training confer changes in physical activity during daily life, functional exercise capacity, muscle force, health-related quality of life (HRQL), or forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1))?', 'Randomised, controlled trial with concealed allocation in which investigators responsible for collecting the outcome measures were blinded to group allocation.', 'Out-patient department of a hospital in Leuven, Belgium.', 'Patients aged between 40 and 65 years who had an uncomplicated single or double lung transplant. Randomisation of 40 participants allocated 21 to the intervention group and 19 to the control group.', 'Participants in both groups received six individual counselling sessions of 15-30 minutes in duration, during which they were instructed to increase participation in daily physical activity. In addition, the intervention group attended supervised exercise training sessions three times a week for 3 months following discharge. Each training session was approximately 90 minutes and comprised cycle ergometry, walking, stair climbing, and leg press resistance exercises. Training was prescribed at moderate to high intensity and progressed according to symptoms.', 'The primary outcome was time spent walking each day. Secondary outcomes included the six-minute walk distance (6MWD), peripheral muscle force, HRQL, and FEV(1).', 'Data were available on 18 and 16 patients in the intervention and control groups, respectively. On completion of the intervention, between-group differences in favour of the intervention group were demonstrated in the average time spent walking each day (difference in means 14 min, 95% CI 4 to 24), 6MWD (differences in means 9% predicted, 95% CI 3 to 15) and quadriceps force (difference in means 17% predicted, 95% CI 9 to 24), but not HRQL or FEV(1). These between-group differences were maintained 12 months following discharge from hospital. At the 12 month assessment, between-group differences in favour of the intervention group were also demonstrated in two components of HRQL related to physical function.'] Is exercise training following lung transplant now evidence-based practice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6975479125976562,
-1.2031720876693726,
1.9760048389434814
] |
['Owing to strong linkage disequilibrium between markers, pinpointing disease associations within genetic regions is difficult in European ancestral populations, most notably the very strong association of the HLA-DRB1*03-DQA1*05:01-DQB1*02:01 haplotype with Type 1 diabetes risk, which is assumed to be because of a combination of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1. In contrast, populations of African ancestry have greater haplotype diversity, offering the possibility of narrowing down regions and strengthening support for a particular gene in a region being causal. We aimed to study the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region in African American Type 1 diabetes.', 'Two hundred and twenty-seven African American patients with Type 1 diabetes and 471 African American control subjects were tested for association at the HLA class II genes, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1 and 5147 single nucleotide polymorphisms across the major histocompatibility complex region using logistic regression models. Population admixture was accounted for with principal components analysis.', 'Single nucleotide polymorphism marker associations were explained by the HLA associations, with the major peak over the class II loci. The HLA association overall was extremely strong, as expected for Type 1 diabetes, even in African Americans in whom diabetes diagnosis is heterogeneous. In addition, there were unique features: the HLA-DRB1*03 haplotype was split into HLA-DRB1*03:01, which confers greatest susceptibility in these samples (odds ratio 3.17, 95% CI 1.72-5.83) and HLA-DRB1*03:02, an allele rarely observed in Europeans, which confers the greatest protection in these African American samples (odds ratio 0.22, 95% CI 0.09-0.55).'] Do hLA class II gene associations in African American type 1 diabetes reveal a protective HLA-DRB1*03 haplotype? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9341840744018555,
-1.3165602684020996,
2.2649197578430176
] |
['Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of hyperpolarized substrates allows for the observation of label exchange catalyzed by enzymes providing a powerful tool to investigate tissue metabolism and potentially kinetics in vivo. However, the accuracy of current methods to calculate kinetic parameters has been limited by T1 relaxation effects, extracellular signal contributions, and reduced precision at lower signal-to-noise ratio.', 'To address these challenges, we investigated a new modeling technique using metabolic activity decomposition-stimulated echo acquisition mode. The metabolic activity decomposition-stimulated echo acquisition mode technique separates exchanging from nonexchanging metabolites providing twice the information as conventional techniques.', 'This allowed for accurate measurements of rates of conversion and of multiple T1 values simultaneously using a single acquisition.'] Do quantitative measurement of cancer metabolism using stimulated echo hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRS? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.460216522216797,
-0.9639129638671875,
2.563523769378662
] |
['A stemless reverse shoulder prosthesis with humeral cup was developed to allow stemless press-fit fixation, to preserve bone stock. Our hypothesis was that a stemless reverse shoulder arthroplasty could produce the same functional results without compromising humeral fixation.', 'This is a continuous, prospective, single-surgeon series including prostheses implanted from 2004 to 2009. Patients received pre- and postoperative clinical evaluation with measurement of joint mobility, the Oxford Shoulder score, and the Constant-Murley score by independent evaluators. Standard radiographs and computed tomographic arthrography were performed.', 'Fifty-six implants were reviewed at a mean of 58 months (38-95). The Constant-Murley score improved from 29 to 62 points and the Oxford Shoulder score from 46 to 17 points. Active elevation in forward flexion improved from 79° to 140°. One intraoperative complication was recorded: a metaphyseal-diaphyseal humeral bone crack without consequence. One revision surgery due to early instability was performed using a conventional implant. No humeral loosening was observed. Five cases of scapular notching were reported.'] Do results of a stemless reverse shoulder prosthesis at more than 58 months mean without loosening? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.21103572845459,
-1.295273780822754,
2.610531806945801
] |
['Short sleep duration is recognized as a significant risk factor in childhood obesity; however, the question as to how sleep contributes to the development of obesity remains largely unknown. The majority of pediatric studies have relied on sleep duration as the exclusive measure of sleep; this insular approach may be misleading given that sleep is a dynamic multidimensional construct beyond sleep duration, including sleep disturbances and patterns. Although these sleep dimensions partly overlap, it is necessary to determine their independent relation with obesity, which in turn, may inform a more comprehensive understanding of putative pathophysiological mechanisms linking sleep and obesity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether sleep dimensions including sleep duration, disturbances, and patterns were individually associated with obesity, independent of multiple covariates. The second objective was to examine whether sleep disturbances and patterns were independently associated with obesity, after adjusting for sleep duration.', 'Participants included 240 healthy children and adolescents (Mage=12.60, s.d.=1.98; 45.8% females). Anthropometric measures included measured waist and hip circumference, body mass index Z-score, and percent body fat. Subjective sleep measures included sleep duration, sleep disturbances, sleep quality, and sleep patterns from youth- and parental report.', 'Youth with larger adiposity and body composition measures reported poorer sleep quality (β avg=-0.14, P<0.01), more sleep disturbances (β avg=0.13, P<0.05), and showed a delayed sleep phase pattern (β avg=0.15, P<0.05), independent of age, sex, pubertal status, physical activity, screen time, socioeconomic status, and sleep duration. Shorter sleep duration was significantly associated with obesity; however, this link was attenuated after adjustment of covariates.'] Are beyond sleep duration : distinct sleep dimensions associated with obesity in children and adolescents? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9564849138259888,
-0.6482754349708557,
1.6694810390472412
] |
['Injuries and fatalities due to large truck and other vehicle crashes have decreased over the last decade, but motor vehicle injuries remain a leading cause of death for both the working and general populations. The present study was undertaken to determine semi truck driver and sleeper berth passenger injury risk in a moving semi truck collision using a matched-pair cohort study.', 'Study data were obtained from the Kentucky Collision Report Analysis for Safer Highways (CRASH) electronic files for 2000-2010. A matched-pair cohort study was used to compare the odds of injury of both drivers and sleeper berth passengers within the same semi truck controlling for variables specific to the crash or the semi truck. The crude odds ratio of injury was estimated and a statistical model for a correlated outcome using generalized estimating equations was utilized.', 'In a moving semi truck collision, the odds for an injury were increased by 2.25 times for both semi truck drivers and sleeper berth passengers who did not use occupant safety restraints compared to semi truck drivers and sleeper berth passengers who used occupant safety restraints at the time of the collision. The driver seat or sleeper berth position in the vehicle was not a significant factor (p-value=0.31) associated with a moving semi truck collision injury.'] Do motor vehicle injuries among semi truck drivers and sleeper berth passengers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-0.8549058437347412,
0.20313990116119385,
-0.2545550465583801
] |
['The aim of this study was to clarify the association between nutritional state on admission and in-hospital death in tuberculosis (TB) patients, including a high proportion of elderly patients.', 'A retrospective cohort study of 246 TB patients was conducted. The serum albumin concentrations and peripheral blood lymphocyte counts were measured on admission, and the primary outcome of interest was in-hospital death. Patient mortality was categorized into two groups: TB death and non-TB death. A multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between nutritional state on admission and in-hospital mortality in TB patients.', 'The median [interquartile range] patient age was 79 [69-83] years, and the in-hospital death rate was 20.73% (TB death: 26 patients; non-TB death: 25 patients). The multivariate analysis revealed that the serum albumin concentrations (OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.10-0.41; p<0.0001) and peripheral blood total lymphocyte counts (Category 2 [627.2-1,106.7/mm(3)] vs. 1 [<627.2/mm(3)]. OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.11-0.73; p=0.009, Category 3 [>1,106.7/mm(3)] vs. 1. OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08-0.76, p=0.015) on admission were significantly associated with all in-hospital deaths in the TB patients. The serum albumin concentrations and peripheral blood total lymphocyte counts were also found to be associated with in-hospital deaths directly caused by TB.'] Are hypoalbuminemia and lymphocytopenia predictive risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with tuberculosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9187095165252686,
-1.6452116966247559,
1.590295672416687
] |
['Absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and procalcitonin (PCT) level may have a prognostic value in critically ill patients. However, their role in cirrhotic patients has never been studied. We evaluated the role of AEC and PCT, obtained at admission, in predicting in-hospital mortality in cirrhotic patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).', 'In consecutive cirrhotic patients with SIRS (with or without sepsis), the levels of AEC and PCT were estimated at admission. Their outcome was correlated with these baseline parameters.', "One hundred patients were enrolled [median age 52 (range 17-78) years, 84% men]. The etiology of cirrhosis was alcohol (47%), cryptogenic (35%), viral (13%), and others (5%). Their median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores were 24 (range 6-40) and 11 (range 5-15), respectively. Infection was present in 59 patients and the rest of the 41 patients had SIRS without infection. There was a significant difference between the median levels of AEC and PCT between patients who had infection and those who did not have infection (P<0.01). Sixty-three patients recovered from SIRS and were discharged, 33 patients died, and four patients received orthotopic liver transplantation during the same admission. Baseline AEC and PCT levels were significantly different between patients who recovered and died. On multivariate analysis, baseline AEC values could independently predict in-hospital mortality, in addition to MELD and serum sodium. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of AEC for predicting mortality was 0.785, and the best cutoff of AEC, obtained by Youden's index, was 104 cells/cumm, indicating that patients with baseline AEC values less than 104 cells/cumm had higher in-hospital mortality (sensitivity 78%, specificity 70%, positive predictive value 60%, negative predictive value 85%, and accuracy 73%)."] Does low eosinophil count predict in-hospital mortality in cirrhosis with systemic inflammatory response syndrome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3980824947357178,
-1.6233237981796265,
1.9776877164840698
] |
['In spite of an expanding use of health-related quality of life assessment in research and treatment of ADHD, there is still limited knowledge about the role of impaired quality of life in symptomatic outcomes. This study investigates how specific functional domains affect the relationship between ADHD symptoms and occupational outcome.', 'A total of 149 referred adults with ADHD participated in the study. We used mediation analyses to test a model with two 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) Mental Component scales, that is, role-emotion function and social function as mediators for the relationship between ADHD inattentiveness and occupational outcome.', 'The relationship between ADHD inattentiveness and occupational outcome was completely mediated by both role-emotion function and social function.'] Does functional Impairment mediate the Relationship Between Adult ADHD Inattentiveness and Occupational Outcome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.384458303451538,
0.1679057478904724,
1.3763699531555176
] |
['Chinese older people have approximately half the risk of falling as their white counterparts, but no studies to date have explained why such a disparity exists.', 'A total of 692 Chinese and 764 white community-dwelling older people participated in a multicohort study conducted in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Australia. Baseline measurements included sociodemographic, psychological, and physical measures; concern about falling (Falls Efficacy Scale-International scores); and physical activity levels. Falls were monitored prospectively for 12-24 months.', 'The standardized annual fall rates for the 3 Chinese cohorts were 0.26 ± 0.47 in Taiwan, 0.21 ± 0.57 in Hong Kong, and 0.36 ± 0.80 in Australia, which were significantly lower than that of the white cohort at 0.70 ± 1.15. The fall rates for the Taiwan and Hong Kong cohorts were also significantly lower than that of the Australian Chinese cohort. The difference in fall rates was not due to better physical ability in the Chinese cohorts. However, the Chinese cohorts did more planned activity and expressed more concern about falling. Negative binomial regression analysis revealed a significant Cohort × Falls Efficacy Scale-International score interaction. After adjusting for this interaction, Falls Efficacy Scale-International scores, other predictors, and confounders, the incidence rate ratios comparing the cohorts were no longer statistically significant.'] Is increased concern protective for falls in Chinese older people : the chopstix fall risk study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2874763011932373,
-0.1836870014667511,
1.7076950073242188
] |
['With the arrival of the potent P2Y12 antagonists, ticagrelor and prasugrel, the need for co-treatment with aspirin in acute coronary syndromes must be re-examined. This study assessed whether high-dose aspirin: a) provides additional anti-platelet efficacy, assessed in vivo and ex vivo, when combined with P2Y12 inhibition; and/or b) has a negative effect on vascular function.', 'Using an anaesthetized dog model of thrombosis, the effects of aspirin (50mg/kg) in addition to clopidogrel and ticagrelor were evaluated at two levels of P2Y12 inhibition, maximal (≥96%) and sub-maximal (~80%), as assessed by ex vivo ADP-induced whole blood impedence aggregometry.', 'In the absence of aspirin, maximal and sub-maximal P2Y12 inhibition inhibited arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation by approximately 80% and 24%, respectively, without affecting platelet TXA2 formation. During maximal P2Y12 inhibition, aspirin provided less additional inhibition of ex vivo arachidonic acid- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation, as compared with sub-maximal P2Y12 inhibition, without additional anti-thrombotic effect in vivo. Aspirin significantly decreased in vivo PGI2 production (27%) and increased vascular resistance (16%), independently of P2Y12 antagonism.'] Does high-dose aspirin in dogs increase vascular resistance with limited additional anti-platelet effect when combined with potent P2Y12 inhibition? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2509233951568604,
-1.42059326171875,
2.639702320098877
] |
['The obesity prevalence is growing worldwide and largely responsible for cardiovascular disease, the most common cause of death in the western world. The rationale of this study was to distinguish metabolically healthy from unhealthy overweight/obese young and adult patients as compared to healthy normal weight age matched controls by an extensive anthropometric, laboratory, and sonographic vascular assessment.', 'Three hundred fifty five young [8 to < 18 years, 299 overweight/obese(ow/ob), 56 normal weight (nw)] and 354 adult [>18-60 years, 175 (ow/ob), 179 nw)] participants of the STYJOBS/EDECTA (STYrian Juvenile Obesity Study/Early DEteCTion of Atherosclerosis) cohort were analyzed. STYJOBS/EDECTA (NCT00482924) is a crossectional study to investigate metabolic/cardiovascular risk profiles in normal and ow/ob people free of disease except metabolic syndrome (MetS).', 'From 299 young ow/ob subjects (8-< 18 years), 108 (36%), and from 175 adult ow/ob subjects (>18-60 years), 79 (45%) had positive criteria for MetS. In both age groups, prevalence of MetS was greater among males. Overweight/obese subjects were divided into "healthy" (no MetS criterion except anthropometry fulfilled) and "unhealthy" (MetS positive). Although percentage body fat did not differ between "healthy" and "unhealthy" ow/ob, nuchal and visceral fat were significantly greater in the "unhealthy" group which had also significantly higher values of carotid intima media thickness (IMT). With MetS as the dependent variable, two logistic regressions including juveniles <18 years or adults >18 years were performed. The potential predictor variables selected with the exception of age and gender by t test comparisons included IMT, ultrasensitive c-reactive protein (US-CRP), IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized LDL, leptin, adiponectin, uric acid (UA), aldosterone, cortisol, transaminases, fibrinogen. In both groups, uric acid and in adults only, leptin and adiponectin, turned out as the best predictor.'] Does uric acid best predict metabolically unhealthy obesity with increased cardiovascular risk in youth and adults? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4729732275009155,
-1.52882981300354,
1.9341168403625488
] |
['Guaiac faecal occult blood tests are being replaced by faecal immunochemical tests (FIT). We investigated whether faecal haemoglobin concentration (f-Hb) was related to stage in progression of colorectal neoplasia, studying cancer and adenoma characteristics in an evaluation of quantitative FIT as a first-line screening test.', 'We invited 66 225 individuals aged 50-74 years to provide one sample of faeces. f-Hb was measured on samples from 38 720 responders. Colonoscopy findings and pathology data were collected on the 943 with f-Hb ≥ 400 ng Hb/ml (80 µg Hb/g faeces).', 'Of the 814 participants with outcome data (median age: 63 years, range 50-75, 56.4% male), 39 had cancer, 190 high-risk adenoma (HRA, defined as ≥ 3 or any ≥ 10 mm) and 119 low-risk adenoma (LRA). 74.4% of those with cancer had f-Hb>1000 ng Hb/ml compared with 58.4% with HRA, and 44.1% with no pathology. Median f-Hb concentration was higher in those with cancer than those with no (p<0.002) or non-neoplastic (p<0.002) pathology, and those with LRA (p=0.0001). Polyp cancers had lower concentrations than more advanced stage cancers (p<0.04). Higher f-Hb was also found in those with HRA than with LRA (p<0.006), large (>10 mm) compared with small adenoma (p<0.0001), and also an adenoma displaying high-grade dysplasia compared with low-grade dysplasia (p<0.009).'] Is faecal haemoglobin concentration related to severity of colorectal neoplasia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6327293515205383,
-1.7768990993499756,
1.4092133045196533
] |
['The development of colon cancer represents a major complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The importance of microRNAs (miRs) in carcinogenesis is becoming clearer because miRs have been implicated in the regulation of cancer-related cellular processes to include apoptosis, differentiation, cell cycle progression, and immune function. In the current study, we sought to identify miR dysregulation specific to progression along the normal-inflammation-cancer axis in colonic specimens from patients with IBD.', 'MiR microarrays and quantitative reverse transcription PCR were used to detect and confirm dysregulated miRs. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to evaluate the potential use of miR-224 as a neoplastic disease marker in IBD. For miR-224 target messenger RNA (mRNA) identification, mRNA microarrays were employed in combination with bioinformatic analyses, Western blotting, and luciferase activity measurements.', 'We identified 30 miRs that were differentially expressed between chronically inflamed mucosae and cancers arising from IBD tissues. MiR-224 levels increased successively at each stage of IBD progression and accurately discriminated cancers from normal or chronically inflamed IBD tissues. Moreover, mRNA arrays combined with bioinformatic analyses suggested the participation of miR-224 in cell cycle regulation. Subsequently, cell cycle experiments indicated that miR-224 regulates the G1-S checkpoint. Finally, in silico prediction analyses, confirmed by Western blotting and luciferase assays, identified p21 as a specific direct mRNA target of miR-224.'] Does microRNA-224 negatively regulate p21 expression during late neoplastic progression in inflammatory bowel disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2433149814605713,
-1.1177434921264648,
2.449101209640503
] |
['We evaluated a novel electrochemiluminescent assay for insulin/proinsulin autoantibodies (ECL-IAA) as a new marker of the onset of islet autoimmunity and as a predictor of type 1 diabetes.', 'The Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY) prospectively follows children at increased genetic risk for development of islet autoimmunity (defined as presence of autoantibodies to insulin, GAD65, IA-2, or zinc transporter 8 [ZnT8]) and type 1 diabetes (general population of children and first-degree relatives). Serial serum samples from subjects who progressed to type 1 diabetes and who had their first islet autoantibodies measured by age 18 months (N = 47) were tested using ECL-IAA.', 'Almost all prediabetic children tested positive for ECL-IAA (46 of 47, 98%) during follow-up. ECL-IAA was almost always the first autoantibody to appear (94% total; 21% very first [by itself]; 23% with only mIAA; 19% with another islet autoantibody [GAD or ZnT8]; and 30% with ≥ 2 other antibodies [mIAA, GAD, IA-2, or ZnT8]). Among the 46 subjects who were ECL-IAA positive, ECL-IAA antedated the onset of other islet autoantibodies by a mean of 2.3 years (range, 0.3-7.2 years). Both the age of appearance of autoantibody and IAA levels (but not GAD65, IA2, or ZnT8 levels) are major determinants of the age of diabetes onset.'] Are proinsulin/Insulin autoantibodies measured with electrochemiluminescent assay the earliest indicator of prediabetic islet autoimmunity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7450119256973267,
-1.546014428138733,
2.261270046234131
] |
['Conventional imaging does not always accurately depict the pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) may provide additional insight into the chemotherapeutic effect. This study assessed whether the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) correlated with pathological outcome and prognosis in breast cancer patients receiving NAC.', 'Fifty-six patients with locally advanced breast cancer received surgery after NAC. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) and DWI were performed before and after NAC. The pathological response was classified into five categories from no response to complete response according to amount of residual cancer. The correlation between ADC and postoperative pathologic and prognostic outcome was assessed.', 'The distribution of the pathological response classification was as follows: no response, 3 cases; mild response, 22 cases; moderate response, 12 cases; marked response, 11 cases; complete response, 8 cases. ADC after NAC correlated with pathological response, but ADC before NAC did not. The change in ADC after chemotherapy had better correlation coefficient (r = 0.67) than change in size (r = 0.58) and ADC after NAC (r = 0.64). Although the group with larger change of tumor size showed only marginal significance compared with the smaller change group (p = 0.089), the group with higher change of ADC showed significantly better prognosis than the lower one (p = 0.038).'] Does diffusion-weighted imaging reflect pathological therapeutic response and relapse in breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.722235918045044,
-1.487580418586731,
2.2235116958618164
] |
['Whether a patient has urothelial carcinoma located within the renal pelvis or ureter remains a controversial prognostic indicator in clinical urology. We wished to evaluate whether tumor location is associated with recurrence in patients undergoing nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial cancer in a large volume patient cohort.', 'We created a retrospective database of patients from 7 academic centers throughout Canada who underwent nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Patient demographics as well as pathologic and surgical factors were analyzed to evaluate any statistical association between tumor location and overall survival, disease-free survival, and disease-specific survival.', 'A total of 1,029 patients had data available for analysis with a mean follow up of 3.2 years. Kaplan Meier 5-year disease-free survivals (DFS) were 46%, 37%, and 19% for renal pelvis tumors, ureteric tumors, and multifocal tumors respectively. There was no association between the location of the tumor and the DFS, however, disease involving both the ureter and renal pelvis was associated with lower DFS and overall survival (OS) (P < 0.001).'] Is multifocality rather than tumor location a prognostic factor in upper tract urothelial carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0660903453826904,
-1.2037882804870605,
2.394347667694092
] |
["With the advent of clinical fellowships in general surgery, there has been a continual debate over the effect on general surgical resident training. Will a fellowship interfere with a chief resident's experience or case volume? The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the presence of an advanced laparoscopic fellow in a tertiary care hospital and residency has had no deleterious effect on chief resident laparoscopic case volume.", "The operative case logs of graduating residents and fellows from 2001 to 2011 were reviewed, focusing on laparoscopic basic and complex cases and comparing between those 2 groups and comparing residents' case numbers with the national average published by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.", "Residents graduating from 2001 to 2011 (4-6 chief residents per year) performed an average of 989 ± 76.2 laparoscopic cases per graduating chief class, with each chief averaging 207.7 ± 10.7. The average number of laparoscopic basic cases per graduating chief year was 555.3 ± 42.1, with each chief averaging 116.2 ± 4.9. The average number of laparoscopic complex cases per graduating chief year was 434.4 ± 39.2, with each chief averaging 91.5 ± 7.2. Over the same period of time (1 or 2 fellows per year), fellows performed an average of 336 ± 23.3 cases per year. When comparing residents' total average cases with the national data, the residents performed a similar number of cases (209.9 ± 11.9 vs 195.0 ± 19.5, P = .53). When comparing years when there were 2 clinical fellows vs years with 1 fellow, there was no change in the total number of laparoscopic cases per chief (224.2 vs 195.6, P = .26) and no change in the number of complex laparoscopic cases (97.1 vs 88.7, P = .63). There was a significant difference for basic laparoscopic cases, with a slight decrease when there were 2\xa0fellows (127.8 vs 106.9, P = .04)."] Does minimally invasive surgery fellowship adversely affect general surgery resident case volume : a decade of experience? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.7460300922393799,
-0.41544267535209656,
-1.2429404258728027
] |
['Current studies indicate that triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive breast cancer subtype, is associated with poor prognosis and an early pattern of metastasis. Emerging evidence suggests that MUC4 mucin is associated with metastasis of various cancers, including breast cancer. However, the functional role of MUC4 remains unclear in breast cancers, especially in TNBCs.', 'In the present study, we investigated the functional and mechanistic roles of MUC4 in potentiating pathogenic signals including EGFR family proteins to promote TNBC aggressiveness using in vitro and in vivo studies. Further, we studied the expression of MUC4 in invasive TNBC tissue and normal breast tissue by immunostaining.', 'MUC4 promotes proliferation, anchorage-dependent and-independent growth of TNBC cells, augments TNBC cell migratory and invasive potential in vitro, and enhances tumorigenicity and metastasis in vivo. In addition, our studies demonstrated that MUC4 up-regulates the EGFR family of proteins, and augments downstream Erk1/2, PKC-γ, and FAK mediated oncogenic signaling. Moreover, our studies also showed that knockdown of MUC4 in TNBC cells induced molecular changes suggestive of mesenchymal to epithelial transition. We also demonstrated in this study, for the first time, that knockdown of MUC4 was associated with reduced expression of EGFR and ErbB3 (EGFR family proteins) in TNBC cells, suggesting that MUC4 uses an alternative to ErbB2 mechanism to promote aggressiveness. We further demonstrate that MUC4 is differentially over-expressed in invasive TNBC tissues compared to normal breast tissue.'] Does mUC4 overexpression augment cell migration and metastasis through EGFR family proteins in triple negative breast cancer cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4307215213775635,
-0.9980202317237854,
2.488170623779297
] |
['BRCA1 function is inactivated through BRCA1 promoter methylation in a substantial number of triple-negative breast cancers. We investigated the impact of BRCA1-methylation status on the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer or with non-triple-negative breast cancer.', 'BRCA1 promoter methylation was assessed in 1163 unselected breast cancer patients. Methylation was evaluated using a methylation-specific PCR (MSP) assay.', 'In the subgroup of 167 triple-negative breast cancer patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, patients with BRCA1-methylated tumors had a superior 10-year disease-free survival (DFS)(78% versus 55%, P = 0.009) and 10-year disease-specific survival (DSS) (85% versus 69%, P = 0.024) than those with BRCA1-unmethylated tumors, and BRCA1 methylation was an independent favorable predictor of DFS and DSS in a multivariate analysis in this subgroup [DFS: hazard ratio (HR) = 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.84; P = 0.019; DSS: HR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.19-0.95; P = 0.044]. In contrast, in 675 non-triple-negative breast cancer patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, BRCA1 methylation was an unfavorable predictor of DFS and DSS in univariate analysis (DFS: HR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.16-2.12; P = 0.003; DSS: HR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.05-2.21; P = 0.026).'] Does promoter methylation of BRCA1 in triple-negative breast cancer predict sensitivity to adjuvant chemotherapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2417322397232056,
-1.7213799953460693,
1.9165382385253906
] |
['Vascular smooth muscle (SM) cell phenotypic modulation plays an important role in arterial stiffening associated with aging. Serum response factor (SRF) is a major transcription factor regulating SM genes involved in maintenance of the contractile state of vascular SM cells.', 'We investigated whether SRF and its target genes regulate intrinsic SM tone and thereby arterial stiffness.', 'The SRF gene was inactivated SM-specific knockout of SRF (SRF(SMKO)) specifically in vascular SM cells by injection of tamoxifen into adult transgenic mice. Fifteen days later, arterial pressure and carotid thickness were lower in SRF(SMKO) than in control mice. The carotid distensibility/pressure and elastic modulus/wall stress curves showed a greater arterial elasticity in SRF(SMKO) without modification in collagen/elastin ratio. In SRF(SMKO), vasodilation was decreased in aorta and carotid arteries, whereas a decrease in contractile response was found in mesenteric arteries. By contrast, in mice with inducible SRF overexpression, the in vitro contractile response was significantly increased in all arteries. Without endothelium, the contraction was reduced in SRF(SMKO) compared with control aortic rings owing to impairment of the NO pathway. Contractile components (SM-actin and myosin light chain), regulators of the contractile response (myosin light chain kinase, myosin phosphatase target subunit 1, and protein kinase C-potentiated myosin phosphatase inhibitor) and integrins were reduced in SRF(SMKO).'] Does inactivation of serum response factor contribute to decrease vascular muscular tone and arterial stiffness in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.471667528152466,
-1.3010950088500977,
2.8164474964141846
] |
['Epilepsy is a complex disease characterized by a predisposition toward seizures. There are numerous barriers to the successful treatment of epilepsy. For instance, current antiepileptic drugs have adverse side effects and variable efficacies. Furthermore, the pathophysiologic basis of epilepsy remains largely elusive. Therefore, investigating novel genes and biologic processes underlying epilepsy may provide valuable insight and enable the development of new therapeutic agents. We previously identified methylglyoxal (MG) as an endogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA ) receptor agonist. Here, we investigated the role of MG and its catabolic enzyme, glyoxalase 1 (GLO1), in seizures.', 'We pretreated mice with MG before seizure induction with picrotoxin or pilocarpine and then assessed seizures behaviorally or by electroencephalography (EEG). We then investigated the role of GLO1 in seizures by treating mice with a pharmacologic inhibitor of GLO1 before seizure induction with pilocarpine and measured subsequent seizure phenotypes. Next, we explored the genetic relationship between Glo1 expression and seizures. We analyzed seizure phenotypes among C57BL/6J × DBA/2J (BXD) recombinant inbred (RI) mice with differential Glo1 expression. Lastly, we investigated a causal role for Glo1 in seizures by administering pilocarpine to transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress Glo1.', 'Pretreatment with MG attenuated pharmacologically-induced seizures at both the behavioral and EEG levels. GLO1 inhibition, which increases MG concentration in vivo, also attenuated seizures. Among BXD RI mice, high Glo1 expression was correlated with increased seizure susceptibility. Tg mice overexpressing Glo1 displayed reduced MG concentration in the brain and increased seizure severity.'] Are glyoxalase 1 and its substrate methylglyoxal novel regulators of seizure susceptibility? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.497889280319214,
-1.189652681350708,
2.7096033096313477
] |
['Platelets (PLT), which serve as the primary hemostatic indicator, can be used as a peripheral model for studying monoamine turnover in the brain. Therefore, they are attractive targets as circulatory biomarkers for the detection of psychiatric disorders. However, PLT counts have not been utilized as a peripheral biomarker of psychopathology.', "This study was a retrospective analysis of PLT counts upon admission of 108drug-naïve adolescents hospitalized in an inpatient psychiatric department. PLT counts of patients with suicidal ideation (SI) were compared with those of nonsuicidal in patients (NSI) and those of 77 healthy adolescents, serving as a control group. The patients' disorders were diagnosed and classified by one of four American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM IV) diagnoses, that is, unipolar depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, and a pooled group of conduct and borderline personality disorders.", 'Significantly higher PLT counts were observed in SI patients, as compared with NSI patients (300,200±53.3/mL vs. 253,900±53.2/mL, respectively; p=0.0001). A significant difference in PLT counts in SI patients, relative to the control group, was also noted (300,200±53.3/mL vs. 254,000±52/mL, respectively; p=<10(-26)). Finally, a significant difference in PLT counts was observed between conduct/borderline personality disorders patient with and without suicidal ideation (292,000±55/mL vs. 246,000±64/mL, respectively; p=0.001).'] Are suicidal thoughts associated with platelet counts in adolescent inpatients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.93614661693573,
-1.6554172039031982,
1.5202382802963257
] |
['The school food environment is important to target as less healthful food and beverages are widely available at schools. This study examined whether the availability of specific food/beverage items was associated with a number of school environmental factors.', "Principals from elementary (n=369) and middle/high schools (n=118) in British Columbia (BC), Canada completed a survey measuring characteristics of the school environment. Our measurement framework integrated constructs from the Theories of Organizational Change and elements from Stillman's Tobacco Policy Framework adapted for obesity prevention. Our measurement framework included assessment of policy institutionalization of nutritional guidelines at the district and school levels, climate, nutritional capacity and resources (nutritional resources and participation in nutritional programs), nutritional practices, and school community support for enacting stricter nutritional guidelines. We used hierarchical mixed-effects logistic regression analyses to examine associations with the availability of fruit, vegetables, pizza/hamburgers/hot dogs, chocolate candy, sugar-sweetened beverages, and french fried potatoes.", 'In elementary schools, fruit and vegetable availability was more likely among schools that have more nutritional resources (OR=6.74 and 5.23, respectively). In addition, fruit availability in elementary schools was highest in schools that participated in the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program and the BC Milk program (OR=4.54 and OR=3.05, respectively). In middle/high schools, having more nutritional resources was associated with vegetable availability only (OR=5.78). Finally, middle/high schools that have healthier nutritional practices (i.e., which align with upcoming provincial/state guidelines) were less likely to have the following food/beverage items available at school: chocolate candy (OR=\u2009.80) and sugar-sweetened beverages (OR=\u2009.76).'] Are school nutritional capacity , resources and practices associated with availability of food/beverage items in schools? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.4304414987564087,
0.9848319292068481,
-0.3737703561782837
] |
["Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactor disease that has been reported to have a close association with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. In the response, the regulator factor human X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) has been shown to facilitate the refolding and degradation of misfolded proteins, prevent neurotoxicity of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau, and play an important role in the survival of neurons. The aim in the study was to analyze the potential association between the -116C/G polymorphism of XBP1 and the risk of AD.", 'The association between -116C/G polymorphism of XBP1 promoter and possible risk of AD was assessed among 276 patients with AD and 254 matched healthy individuals in a case-control study.', 'Overall, there was a significantly statistical difference in genotype (P = 0.0354) and allele frequencies (P = 0.0150, OR = 1.3642, 95% CI = 1.0618-1.7528) between the AD subjects and control subjects, showing that the -116C/G polymorphism of XBP1 might lead to increased susceptibility for AD in a Chinese Han population. In addition, the -116CG and -116GG genotypes were significantly associated with increased AD risk in female (P = 0.0217) and in subjects with APOE є4 (-) (P = 0.0070) in stratified analyses, and the -116CC genotype was significantly associated with fast cognitive deterioration in the AD patients (P = 0.0270).'] Does polymorphism -116C/G of human X-box-binding protein 1 promoter is associate with risk of Alzheimer 's disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0322906970977783,
-1.385725498199463,
2.3730320930480957
] |
['The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in shoulders with adhesive capsulitis ("frozen shoulder").', 'Glenohumeral capsular tissue was obtained from twenty-six patients (seventeen with adhesive capsulitis and nine controls), and ICAM-1 was evaluated with use of oligonucleotide arrays, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry. ICAM-1 was also evaluated in synovial fluid with use of western blotting (six patients with adhesive capsulitis and two controls) and in peripheral blood with use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (thirty-two patients with adhesive capsulitis, twenty with diabetes mellitus, and fourteen controls). The effect of ICAM-1 treatment on gene expression of cytokines related to inflammation and fibrosis was evaluated in cultured normal human synovial cells.', 'The level of ICAM-1 was significantly greater in capsular tissue from the glenohumeral joint of patients with adhesive capsulitis compared with controls as measured by oligonucleotide array analysis (0.12 ± 0.01 compared with 0.09 ± 0.00 arbitrary units) (p = 0.001), real-time RT-PCR (1.70 ± 0.19 compared with 0.67 ± 0.24 arbitrary units) (p < 0.05), and immunohistochemical staining. ICAM-1 was also significantly increased in the synovial fluid of patients with adhesive capsulitis (1.70 ± 0.18 arbitrary units) compared with normal controls (0.48 ± 0.17) (p < 0.05) and in serum of patients with adhesive capsulitis (633.22 ± 59.14 ng/mL) and patients with diabetes mellitus (671.25 ± 27.08 ng/mL) compared with controls (359.86 ± 44.29 ng/mL) (p < 0.05). Gene expression of cytokines related to inflammation and fibrosis in synoviocytes cultured in vitro was greater after three days of treatment with ICAM-1 and with ICAM-1 with glucose compared with untreated cells.'] Is intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( ICAM-1 , CD54 ) increased in adhesive capsulitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8325555324554443,
-1.5368967056274414,
2.4127392768859863
] |
['An inverse correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and atopic dermatitis (AD) severity has been suggested.', 'To determine if a statistically significant relationship exists between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and AD severity.', 'A cross-sectional study was conducted of patients with AD who were 1 to 18 years of age. An objective Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration were measured for each subject. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate univariate tests and multivariable models.', 'Ninety-four of 97 enrolled subjects were included in the analysis. Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D <20 ng/mL) was present in 37 subjects (39%), insufficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D 21-29 ng/mL) in 33 (35%), and sufficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D ≥30 ng/mL) in 24 (26%). The correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and SCORAD was not significant (r = -0.001; P = .99). A multivariate model showed that a lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was significantly associated with age 3 years or older (P < .0001), black race (P < .0001), and winter season (P = .0084).'] Does serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration correlate with atopic dermatitis severity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4012486934661865,
-1.4802134037017822,
1.9085197448730469
] |
['BRCA1, a tumor suppressor gene implicated in breast and ovarian cancers, exerts multiple effects on DNA repair and affords resistance against cellular stress responses. We hypothesized that BRCA1 limits endothelial cell apoptosis and dysfunction, and via this mechanism attenuates atherosclerosis.', 'Loss and gain of function were achieved in cultured endothelial cells by silencing and overexpressing BRCA1, respectively. In\xa0vivo loss and gain of function were performed by generating endothelial cell-specific knockout (EC-BRCA1(-/-)) mice and administering a BRCA1 adenovirus. Well-established cell and animal models of angiogenesis and atherosclerosis were used.', 'BRCA1 is basally expressed in endothelial cells. BRCA1 overexpression protected and BRCA1 silencing exaggerated inflammation- and doxorubicin-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. Key indices of endothelial function were modulated in a manner consistent with an effect of BRCA1 to limit endothelial cell apoptosis and improve endothelial function. BRCA1 overexpression strongly attenuated the production of reactive oxygen species and upregulated endothelial nitric oxide synthase, phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase, phosphorylated Akt, and vascular endothelial growth factor-a expression. BRCA1 overexpression also improved capillary density and promoted blood flow restoration in mice subjected to hind-limb ischemia. BRCA1-overexpressing ApoE(-/-) mice fed a Western diet developed significantly less aortic plaque lesions, exhibited reduced macrophage infiltration, and generated less reactive oxygen species. Lung sections and aortic segments from EC-BRCA1(-/-) mice demonstrated greater inflammation-associated apoptosis and impaired endothelial function, respectively. BRCA1 expression was attenuated in the plaque region of human atherosclerotic carotid artery samples compared with the adjacent plaque-free area.'] Is bRCA1 a novel target to improve endothelial dysfunction and retard atherosclerosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4571006298065186,
-1.3187912702560425,
2.8143792152404785
] |
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