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['The objective of this study was to confirm the renal protective effect of remifentanil-based anesthesia in perioperative adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).', 'A total of 90 non-dialysis perioperative adult patients with CKD, with preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate from creatinine (eGFRcreat) values of lower than 50\xa0ml/min/1.73\xa0m(2), who had undergone orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia were retrospectively selected. The subjects were divided into two groups according to whether or not remifentanil was used for anesthesia management: group R, in which remifentanil was used for anesthesia management (n\xa0=\xa045), and group NR, in which remifentanil was not used for anesthesia (n\xa0=\xa045). eGFRcreat was measured pre-surgery (pre), 7\xa0days after surgery (day-7), and 14\xa0days after surgery (day-14).', 'In group R, both day-7 eGFRcreat (52.2\xa0±\xa017.0\xa0ml/min/1.73\xa0m(2)) and day-14 eGFRcreat (49.7\xa0±\xa015.5\xa0ml/min/1.73\xa0m(2)) were significantly higher than the pre eGFRcreat (40.7\xa0±\xa07.5\xa0ml/min/1.73\xa0m(2)) (day-7: p\xa0<\xa00.01; day-14: p\xa0<\xa00.01). In group NR, on the other hand, pre eGFRcreat (37.8\xa0±\xa07.6\xa0ml/min/1.73\xa0m(2)), day-7 eGFRcreat (41.2\xa0±\xa010.9\xa0ml/min/1.73\xa0m(2)), and day-14 eGFRcreat (40.2\xa0±\xa010.5\xa0ml/min/1.73\xa0m(2)) values were similar. Furthermore, both day-7 eGFRcreat and day-14 eGFRcreat were significantly higher in group R than in group NR (day-7: p\xa0<\xa00.01; day-14: p\xa0<\xa00.01).'] Does remifentanil temporarily improve renal function in adult patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing orthopedic surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5332199335098267,
-1.9729546308517456,
1.4953033924102783
] |
['Venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease has a high incidence following trauma, but debate remains regarding optimal prophylaxis. Thrombelastography (TEG) has been suggested to be optimal in guiding prophylaxis. Thus, we designed a phase II randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis that TEG-guided prophylaxis with escalating low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH), followed by antiplatelet therapy would reduce VTE incidence.', 'Surgical intensive care unit trauma patients (n = 50) were randomized to receive 5,000 IU of LMWH daily (control) or to TEG-guided prophylaxis, up to 5,000 IU twice daily with the addition of aspirin, and were followed up for 5 days. In vitro studies were also conducted in which apheresis platelets were added to blood from healthy volunteers (n = 10).', 'Control (n = 25) and TEG-guided prophylaxis (n = 25) groups were similar in age, body mass index, Injury Severity Score, and male sex. Fibrinogen levels and platelet counts did not differ, and increased LMWH did not affect clot strength between the control and study groups. The correlation of clot strength (G value) with fibrinogen was stronger on Days 1 and 2 but was superseded by platelet count on Days 3, 4, and 5. There was also a trend in increased platelet contribution to clot strength in patients receiving increased LMWH. In vitro studies demonstrated apheresis platelets significantly increased clot strength (7.19 ± 0.35 to 10.34 ± 0.29), as well as thrombus generation (713.86 ± 12.19 to 814.42 ± 7.97) and fibrin production (274.03 ± 15.82 to 427.95 ± 16.58).'] Are platelets dominant contributors to hypercoagulability after injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.050297498703003,
-1.5151759386062622,
2.524080514907837
] |
['In the trauma population, patients with physiologic compromise may present with "normal" vital signs. We hypothesized that the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter could be used as a surrogate marker for hypovolemic shock and predict mortality in severely injured trauma patients.', 'A retrospective cohort study was performed at a Level I trauma center on 161 severely injured adult (aged ≥ 16 years) trauma patients who were transported from the scene and underwent abdominal computed tomography within 1 hour. Exposure of interest was dichotomously defined as having an infrarenal transverse to anteroposterior IVC ratio of ≥ 1.9 (flat IVC) or <1.9 (not exposed) based on the area under the curve analysis. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Covariates included initial heart rate, systolic blood pressure, bicarbonate, base excess, creatinine, hemoglobin, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Correlation analysis between IVC ratio and other known markers of hypoperfusion was performed. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent effect of the IVC ratio on mortality.', 'Of the 161 patients, 30 had a flat IVC. The IVC ratio had a significant (p < 0.05) inverse correlation with initial bicarbonate, hemoglobin, and base excess and a direct correlation with Cr and ISS. After controlling for age, ISS, and presence of severe head injury, patients who had a flat IVC were 8.1 times (95% confidence interval, 1.5-42.9) more likely to die compared with the nonexposed cohort. Importantly, heart rate and systolic blood pressure had no predictive value in this patient population.'] Does initial inferior vena cava diameter on computed tomographic scan independently predict mortality in severely injured trauma patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9465934038162231,
-1.473698377609253,
2.4415411949157715
] |
['The relationship between dilution caused by fluid resuscitation and blood coagulability during ongoing, uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock (UHS) remains unclear. We hypothesized that dilution caused by fluid resuscitation may impair blood coagulability in UHS.', "Eighteen rats underwent under halothane anesthesia. The UHS model consisted of the following phases: (1) an initial blood withdrawal of 2.5 mL per 100 g during 15 minutes, followed by UHS via tail amputation and fluid resuscitation with lactated Ringer's (LR) solution (0-60 minutes); (2) hemostasis and reinfusion of withdrawn blood and additional LR solution (60-100 minutes); and (3) observation of awake rats for 72 hours. Rats were randomized into three resuscitation regimens (n = 6 per group) during Phase I. LR solution was infused at a rate of 0.1 mL/min in Group 1, 0.25 mL/min in Group 2, and 0.75 mL/min in Group 3. Blood coagulability was assessed with a Sonoclot analysis, and survival to 72 hours were compared between groups.", 'Both resuscitation regimens of Groups 2 and 3 increased the blood pressure and bleeding volume from the tail stump compared with Group 1 (p < 0.05). At the end of Phase I, the hematocrit decreased to 29% (3%) in Group 1, 23% (3%) in Group 2, and 12% (3%) in Group 3 (p < 0.05). Sonoclot analysis revealed a decreased clot rate of 16 (9) clot signal per minute in Group 2 and 14 (10) clot signal per minute in Group 3 compared with Group 1 (40 [10] clot signal per minute; p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between clot rate and hematocrit values (r = +0.67, p < 0.01). Compared with Group 1, survival improved in Groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.05).'] Does hemodilution as a result of aggressive fluid resuscitation aggravate coagulopathy in a rat model of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.764055609703064,
-1.510524034500122,
2.280104875564575
] |
['The purpose of this study was to assess patient-specific organ doses and cancer risk with 3D-rotational acquisitions versus the current standard of multiple single-plane coronary angiography (CA).', 'Catheter-based CA remains one of the most commonly performed diagnostic invasive procedures delivering a relatively high radiation dose to the patient. With the introduction of flat-panel technology, three-dimensional rotational angiography became an alternative for the conventional two-dimensional angiography. However, limited information is available on the difference in patient radiation exposure with both acquisition techniques.', 'Eighty adult patients (45 males, age 38-93 years) were randomly assigned to the rotational or standard angiography group. Exposure parameters were registered and skin dose distribution was measured during the procedure. Patient-specific organ doses and related cancer risks were assessed with dedicated software.', 'Rotational angiograms were associated with 33% lower KAP-values (decrease from 49.99 Gycm(2) to 33.37 Gycm(2), P < 0.001). A significant (P < 0.001) lower peak skin dose was measured with rotational acquisitions (80 mGy, median) versus planar imaging (172 mGy, median). Moreover, the skin dose was smoothed over the whole chest of the patient. Contrast medium consumption decreased from 104 mL to 73 mL (P < 0.001) with the use of 3D-imaging. The reduction in radiation exposure resulted in a corresponding decrease of organ doses. The latter contributed to an overall cancer risk reduction of 21% for males and 50% for females.'] Is three-dimensional rotational X-ray acquisition technique reducing patients ' cancer risk in coronary angiography? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8643981218338013,
-1.4621027708053589,
2.4302494525909424
] |
['The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of individual clinical parameters as well as a composite index like the Blatchford score in predicting the need for endoscopic intervention and prognosticating the out come in patients with Mallory Weiss tear presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding.', 'We retrospectively reviewed our endoscopy database and our EMR system to identify patients with Mallory Weiss tear and collect relevant data.', 'A total of 38 cases with Mallory-Weiss tear were identified at our center over a 5 year period. Thirty-two patients presented with gastrointestinal bleeding constituting 3.1% of all cases presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Nine (28%) of 32 patients were found to have active bleeding or stigmata of recent bleeding at endoscopy and required endoscopic therapy. The Blatchford score ranged from 0 to 11 in the patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Nine patients had a Blatchford score < 6 (four 0, five 1-4) while 23 patients had a score > 6. None of the patients with a score < 6 required endoscopic intervention or a blood transfusion while 9 (39%) patients with a score > 6 required endoscopic intervention and 17 (74%) required a blood transfusion. Length of stay was significantly longer in patients with a score > 6.'] Is the Blatchford score an useful index in the management of Mallory-Weiss tear and gastrointestinal bleeding : experience from an urban community hospital? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1568593978881836,
-0.3959236741065979,
1.6732856035232544
] |
['To explore differences and similarities in environmental, personal, and behavioral factors influencing eating behavior among low-income women of varying weight status.', 'Focus groups (n = 16) were used to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data collected included demographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric (heights and weights).', 'Community centers, libraries, and homeless shelters in low-income neighborhoods.', 'Of the 83 participants, 58% were African-American, 28% were white, and the remainder were American Indian, Hispanic, or mixed race. A total of 35% of participants were lean/normal (body mass index <25 kg/m(2)) and 65% were overweight/obese (body mass index >25 kg/m(2)).', 'Focus group methodology was used to collect data on 83 participants. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) provided the theoretical basis. Transcripts were analyzed using the open-coding method and comments between lean/normal and overweight/obese women were systematically compared.', 'Focus group themes were food environment, aberrant eating behavior, health values, and beliefs. Differences in personal and behavioral factors were apparent between overweight/obese and lean/normal women, with the former group frequently discussing emotional eating, overeating, and stashing food, and the latter group communicating greater nutrition knowledge and describing regular physical activity. Both groups similarly expressed experiences with food insecurity and lived in low-income environments.'] Does health and eating behavior differ between lean/normal and overweight/obese low-income women living in food-insecure environments? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.4267919063568115,
2.5054523944854736,
-0.7898041009902954
] |
['Zoledronic acid (Zol) is a potent inhibitor of farnesyl-pyrophosphate synthase with broad clinical use in the treatment of osteoporosis, and bone metastases. We have previously shown that encapsulation of Zol in liposomes targeted to the folate receptor (FR) greatly enhances its in vitro cytotoxicity. To examine whether targeted liposomal delivery of Zol could be a useful therapeutic approach, we investigated here the in vivo pharmacology of i.v. administered liposomal Zol (L-Zol) in murine models.', 'Zol was passively entrapped in the water phase of liposomes containing a small fraction of either dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) or a polyethylene-glycol (PEG)-conjugated phospholipid with or without insertion of a folate lipophilic conjugate. Radiolabeled formulations were used for pharmacokinetic (PK) and biodistribution studies. Toxicity was evaluated by clinical, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters. Therapeutic studies comparing free Zol, nontargeted and folate targeted L-Zol were performed in FR-expressing human tumor models.', 'Encapsulation of Zol in liposomes resulted in major PK changes including sustained high plasma levels and very slow clearance. DPPG-L-Zol was cleared faster than PEG-L-Zol. Grafting of folate lipophilic conjugates on liposomes further accelerated the clearance of Zol. L-Zol caused a major shift in drug tissue distribution when compared to free Zol, with a major increase (20 to 100-fold) in liver and spleen, a substantial increase (7 to 10-fold) in tumor, and a modest increase (2-fold) in bone. Liposomal formulations proved to be highly toxic, up to 50-fold more than free Zol. PEG-L-Zol was more toxic than DPPG-L-Zol. Toxicity was non-cumulative and appears to involve macrophage/monocyte activation and release of cytokines. Co-injection of L-Zol with a large dose of blank liposomes, or injection of a very low Zol-to-phospholipid ratio liposome formulation reduced toxicity by 2-4-fold suggesting that diluting macrophage exposure below a threshold Zol concentration is important to overcome toxicity. L-Zol failed to significantly enhance the therapeutic activity of Zol vis-à-vis free ZOL and doxorubicin. Folate-targeted L-Zol was marginally better than other treatment modalities in the KB tumor model but toxic deaths greatly affected the outcome.'] Does liposome encapsulation of zoledronic acid result in major changes in tissue distribution and increase in toxicity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.354660749435425,
-1.3785507678985596,
2.785994052886963
] |
['This review presents the available evidence for effects of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (MHT), more specifically estrogen, and selective estrogen receptor modulators on the cardiovascular system with a focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published since 2010.', "In contrast to early observational studies, the Women's Health Initiative, the largest randomized controlled trial of MHT in generally healthy women, suggested harmful cardiovascular effects. Subsequent subanalyses of the Women's Health Initiative and other studies suggest the cardiovascular effects of MHT may vary by age and time since menopause, giving rise to a 'timing hypothesis'. Recent trials have looked at this issue by evaluating surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or CVD events adjudicated as secondary outcomes in RCTs and show a reduction in events with MHT."] Do an update on menopausal hormone replacement therapy in women and cardiovascular disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.68027400970459,
-0.587392270565033,
2.424241781234741
] |
['Obese cats show many similarities to obese people, including insulin resistance and an increased diabetes risk. However, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease are not seen in cats. In people, they are associated with the development of an inflammatory response, which, we hypothesized, does not occur in cats.', 'Twenty neutered cats of equal gender distribution were allowed to gain weight by offering food ad libitum and were examined before and at 10, 30, 60, and 100% weight gain. All cats reached 60% of weight gain, 12 cats gained 100% in 12 months.', 'Fat was equally distributed between subcutaneous and visceral depots. Insulin-independent glucose uptake increased and insulin sensitivity decreased with increasing adiposity. However, baseline glucose concentrations were unchanged suggesting a decrease in EGP. Inflammatory cytokines (Il-1, IL-6, TNFa) and catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase did not change. Insulin, proinsulin, and leptin were positively and adiponectin negatively correlated with adiposity. Heat production increased with obesity, but became less when body weight gain was > 60%.'] Do cats differ from other species in their cytokine and antioxidant enzyme response when developing obesity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.0357515811920166,
0.6718365550041199,
0.5043702125549316
] |
['Little is known of the effect of body composition on glucose metabolism in the aging female non-human primate. These variables in older female Rhesus macaques were studied.', 'Female Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, n = 19, age range 23-30 years) underwent magnetic resonance imaging and (1) H spectroscopy to quantify total abdominal fat, visceral fat (VF), subcutaneous fat (SF) area, extramyocellular lipid (EMCL), intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) and intrahepatic lipid (IHL) content, and DEXA scan for whole body composition. A subgroup (n = 12) underwent a fasting blood draw and intravenous glucose tolerance test.', 'SF correlated with homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR ) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), but not after adjustment for fat mass. IHL demonstrated the strongest correlation with HOMAIR , QUICKI and calculated insulin sensitivity index (CSI ), and remained significant after adjustment for fat mass. VF, IMCL, and EMCL did not correlate with any of our measures of insulin sensitivity.'] Is intrahepatic lipid , not visceral or muscle fat , correlated with insulin resistance in older , female rhesus macaques? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3027894496917725,
-1.2593880891799927,
2.67598295211792
] |
['It is widely believed that glucocorticoids cause insulin resistance in all tissues. We have previously demonstrated that glucocorticoids cause insulin sensitization in human adipose tissue in vitro and induce insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.', 'Our aim was to determine whether glucocorticoids have tissue-specific effects on insulin sensitivity in vivo.', 'Fifteen healthy volunteers were recruited into a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, receiving both an overnight hydrocortisone and saline infusion. The tissue-specific actions of insulin were determined using paired 2-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps incorporating stable isotopes with concomitant adipose tissue microdialysis.', 'The study was performed in the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.', 'The sensitivity of sc adipose tissue to insulin action was measured.', 'Hydrocortisone induced systemic insulin resistance but failed to cause sc adipose tissue insulin resistance as measured by suppression of adipose tissue lipolysis and enhanced insulin-stimulated pyruvate generation. In primary cultures of human hepatocytes, glucocorticoids increased insulin-stimulated p-ser473akt/protein kinase B. Similarly, glucocorticoids enhanced insulin-stimulated p-ser473akt/protein kinase B and increased Insulin receptor substrate 2 mRNA expression in sc, but not omental, intact human adipocytes, suggesting a depot-specificity of action.'] Do glucocorticoids fail to cause insulin resistance in human subcutaneous adipose tissue in vivo? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.542539358139038,
-1.1159439086914062,
2.746950149536133
] |
['Despite little evidence to suggest that HPA axis responses to psychological provocation are attenuated during pregnancy, it is widely held that dampening of the HPA axis response to psychological distress serves a protective function for the mother and fetus. The current study was designed to assess changes in biobehavioral coherence between psychological distress and cortisol over the course of pregnancy.', 'Ambulatory assessment of ecologically relevant psychological distress and salivary cortisol were repeated in all three trimesters for 82 pregnant women. Samples were collected 5 times per day over the course of 2 days in each trimester.', 'Psychological distress and cortisol were positively associated, β=.024, p<.01, indicating that increases in psychological distress were associated with increases in cortisol. Gestational age did not moderate this association, β=.0009, p=.13, suggesting that negative psychological experiences remain potent stimuli for the HPA axis during pregnancy.'] Does advancing gestation attenuate biobehavioural coherence between psychological distress and cortisol? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.299456834793091,
-0.7615195512771606,
2.024722099304199
] |
['Obesity impacts outcome in women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), although its exact role and the molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined. Adipocytes secrete leptin and adiponectin, and the leptin to adiponectin (L:A) ratio is correlated with poor survival in other malignancies. We hypothesized that the L:A ratio is associated with survival in women with EOC.', 'We queried the institutional tumor registry for patients with advanced stage EOC and identified a cohort of 161 women with banked fasting prediagnostic serum samples. Patients underwent cytoredutive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. Sera were assayed for leptin and adiponectin, and clinico-pathologic data were abstracted. Standard statistical tests were performed.', '161 patients met inclusion criteria. We identified a significant correlation between BMI and leptin and the L:A ratio, but not adiponectin, in this cohort (r=0.46, 0.46, and -0.13, respectively; p=0.001, 0.001, and 0.106). Women with low L:A ratios demonstrated statistically longer disease-specific survival (57 months) compared to those with median or high levels (49 and 37 months, respectively; p=0.02). On multivariate analysis, we determined that BMI and age, but not L:A ratio, retained significance as independent prognostic factors for survival (p=0.04, 0.004, and 0.895, respectively).'] Do obesity-associated adipokines correlate with survival in epithelial ovarian cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.011444568634033,
-1.4093800783157349,
2.4729623794555664
] |
['The aim of this study is to investigate difference of antiangiogenesis ablility and interaction about bevacizumab and endostatin in vivo in lung cancer animal model.', 'First, we construct a Balb/c mice model with A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell. Then, we divide the mice into four groups randomly. Every group has six mice.', 'mice injected with normal saline every day aroud the tumor. Endostatin group: mice injected with endostatin (Recombinant endostatin) injection (3 mg/kg) every day Peritumoral. Bevacizumab group: mice injected with bevacizumab twice a week (biw/5 mg/kg) Peritumoral. Combing group: mice were injected with endostatin and bevacizumab (dose just like single drug group). After 16 days, we executed mice and got the tumor tissue for next analysis.', 'Based on this experiment, we found bevacizumab and endostatin expressed the ability for inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. Bevacizumab was more powerful (52.36% vs 38.68%). Combining bevacizumab with endostatin could get better results (64.15%) than single drug did. Bevacizumab played the role by inhibiting VEGF-A expression (60.8%). Endostatin took effect by inhibiting VEGF-A/C (14.6%, 30.3%). Combining group present better antitumor efficacy than any single drug group did. (79.7%, 44.2%).'] Does [ Combining bevacizumab with endostatin got better antitumor efficacy in vivo in lung cancer animal model ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6377838850021362,
-1.507197618484497,
2.1910738945007324
] |
['In the present study, we investigated whether the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-activated protein kinase A (PKA) pathway may regulate the expression of AR and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and whether there is a correlation between the expression of cAMP/PKA-associated genes and androgen receptor (AR) in patients with prostate cancer (CaP).', 'The functional studies were performed in LNCaP and PC3 cell lines. Data on the mRNA expression of sets of genes in human clinical samples, including prostate tissues from organ donors, prostate primary cancer, and metastatic cancer, were extracted from the National Center for Biotechnology Informations Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Statistical tests were applied.', 'We showed that elevated levels of cAMP/PKA pathways induced an increased expression of AR and PSA proteins in LNCaP cells in the absence of androgen. A cAMP-associated phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, rolipram induced an up-regulation in AR expression, whereas a cAMP enhancer, forskolin increased PSA level without affecting AR expression. Forskolin treatment increased the level of PKA R1α in LNCaP cells, but remarkably inhibited R1α expression in aggressive PC3 cells. In patients with CaP, we found that the expression of genes encoding R1α and phosphodiesterase-4B was statistically significantly lower in the metastatic specimens than that in the primary CaP specimens or in the normal prostate tissues (P<0.01) and was reversely correlated with AR expression. Conversely, AR and PRKAR2B mRNA expressions were significantly higher in metastatic lesions than those in the primary CaP specimens or in the normal prostate tissues (P<0.01).'] Is protein kinase A ( PKA ) pathway functionally linked to androgen receptor ( AR ) in the progression of prostate cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2630741596221924,
-1.3285763263702393,
2.629359245300293
] |
['In treating pancreatic cancer, there is no clearly defined optimal sequence of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Therefore, cost-effectiveness should be considered. The objective of this study was to compare cost and outcomes between a surgery-first approach versus neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery for resectable pancreatic head cancer.', 'A decision analytic model was constructed to compare the 2 approaches. Data from the National Cancer Database, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, and literature populated the surgery-first arm. Data from our prospectively maintained institutional pancreatic cancer database populated the neoadjuvant arm. Costs were estimated by Medicare payment (2011 U.S. dollars). Survival was reported in quality-adjusted life-months (QALMs).', 'The neoadjuvant chemoradiation arm consisted of 164 patients who completed preoperative therapy. Of these, 36 (22 %) did not proceed to surgery; 12 (7 %) underwent laparotomy but had unresectable disease; and 116 (71 %) underwent definitive resection. The surgery-first approach cost $46,830 and yielded survival of 8.7 QALMs; the neoadjuvant chemoradiation approach cost $36,583 and yielded survival of 18.8 QALMs. In the neoadjuvant arm, costs and survival times for patients not undergoing surgery, those with unresectable disease at laparotomy, and those completing surgery were $12,401 and 7.7 QALMs, $20,380 and 7.1 QALMs, and $45,673 and 23.4 QALMs, respectively.'] Is the cost-effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemoradiation superior to a surgery-first approach in the treatment of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2246052026748657,
-1.546522617340088,
1.7542829513549805
] |
['Parenteral nutrition (PN) increases risks of infections in critically injured patients. Recently, PN was shown to reduce intestine luminal levels of the Paneth cell antimicrobial molecule secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and the goblet cell glycoprotein mucin2 (MUC2). These molecules are critical factors for innate mucosal immunity and provide barrier protection. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 regulate sPLA2 and MUC2 production through the IL-13 receptor. Because IL-25 stimulates IL-4 and IL-13 release and PN reduces luminal sPLA2 and MUC2, we hypothesized that adding IL-25 to PN would restore these innate immune factors and maintain barrier function.', 'Two days after venous cannulation, male ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were randomized to receive chow (n = 12), PN (n = 9), or PN + 0.7 μg of exogenous IL-25 (n = 11) daily for 5 days. Small-intestine wash fluid (SIWF) was collected for analysis of sPLA2 activity, MUC2 density, and luminal levels of IL-4 and IL-13. Small-intestinal tissue was harvested for analysis of tissue sPLA2 activity or immediate use in an ex-vivo intestinal segment culture (EVISC) to assess susceptibility of the tissue segments to enteroinvasive Escherichia coli.', 'PN reduced luminal sPLA2 (P < 0.0001) and MUC2 (P <0.002) compared with chow, whereas the addition of IL-25 to PN increased luminal sPLA2 (P < 0.0001) and MUC2 (P < 0.02) compared with PN. Tissue IL-4 and IL-13 decreased with PN compared with chow (IL-4: P < 0.0001, IL-13: P < 0.002), whereas IL-25 increased both cytokines compared with PN (IL-4: P < 0.03, IL-13: P < 0.02). Tissue levels of sPLA2 were significantly decreased with PN compared with chow, whereas IL-25 significantly increased tissue sPLA2 levels compared with PN alone. Functionally, more bacteria invaded the PN-treated tissue compared with chow (P < 0.01), and the addition of IL-25 to PN decreased enteroinvasion to chow levels (P < 0.01).'] Does iL-25 improve luminal innate immunity and barrier function during parenteral nutrition? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.052858591079712,
-1.5283328294754028,
2.5449726581573486
] |
['Recently, sildenafil was reported to be an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) in vitro. We have now investigated the in vivo potency of sildenafil.', 'By using wild-type and Abcb1; Abcg2 knockout mice we have investigated the effect of sildenafil on the brain penetration of two substrate drugs (docetaxel and topotecan). Next we have investigated if sildenafil was able to improve the efficacy of doxorubicin against P-glycoprotein expressing CT26 colon cancer cells in syngeneic Balb/c mice.', 'Sildenafil administered orally at a dose of 50mg/kg did not improve the brain penetration of docetaxel and topotecan, although the plasma level of sildenafil was already much higher than can be achieved in humans. On the other hand, sildenafil increased the plasma levels of the cytotoxic drugs, but not by inhibition of Abcb1 or Abcg2, since this effect was also seen in Abcb1;Abcg2 knockout mice. The brain penetration of sildenafil was more than 20-fold higher in Abcb1;Abcg2 mice versus wild-type mice, indicating that sildenafil is a good substrate of the two transporters. Sildenafil was also not able to improve the efficacy of doxorubicin against subcutaneous CT26 tumours. The doxorubicin level in tumour tissue did increase, but so did the concentration of doxorubicin in plasma and heart.'] Is sildenafil a useful modulator of ABCB1 and ABCG2 mediated drug resistance in vivo? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1617276668548584,
-1.3260166645050049,
2.513828754425049
] |
['Hyponatremia in hospitalized patients has been reported to be associated with in-hospital mortality. We studied patients treated at our hospital for hip fracture regarding the factors related to hyponatremia at admission.', 'Among 580 patients aged 60\xa0years or above who were admitted to our hospital since January 1997 for treatment of hip fracture, 512 patients (110 males, 402 females) from whom serum sodium level at admission was available were studied. In 512 patients, the age at injury ranged from 60 to 103 (mean 82.6) years. Fracture types were femoral neck fracture in 191 patients, and trochanteric fracture in 321. These patients were divided into two groups by the blood sodium level at admission: a hyponatremia group with sodium levels lower than 135\xa0mEq/L, and a normonatremia group with sodium levels within normal range. The age, gender, fracture type, residence before injury, pre-injury walking capability, anemia at admission, liver function, kidney function, inflammatory status, urinary glucose status, lung disease, ECG abnormality, systemic chronic disease, status of dementia, treatment modality, hospital stay (days), and in-hospital death were investigated. First a univariate study was conducted to identify the factors that differ significantly between the two groups. Then multivariate analysis was conducted using the parameters with significant difference as independent variables', 'Hyponatremia was found in 49 of 512 (9.6\xa0%) patients. In univariate analyses, six factors (age; residence before injury; anemia; dementia; treatment modality; in-hospital death) were significantly different between the hyponatremia group and normonatremia group. Multivariate analysis identified in-hospital death [odds ratio (OR)\xa0=\xa03.64, p\xa0=\xa00.035] and age (OR\xa0=\xa01.05, p\xa0=\xa00.029) as independently associated with hypernatremia.'] Is hyponatremia at admission associated with in-hospital death in patients with hip fracture? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3384445905685425,
-1.5067346096038818,
1.8761987686157227
] |
['The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral tamoxifen treatment on the number of myofibroblasts present during the healing process after experimental bile duct injury.', 'The sample consisted of 16 pigs that were divided into two groups (the control and study groups). Incisions and suturing of the bile ducts were performed in the two groups. Tamoxifen (20 mg/day) was administered only to the study group. The animals were sacrificed after 30 days. Quantification of myofibroblasts in the biliary ducts was made through immunohistochemistry analysis using anti-alpha smooth muscle actin of the smooth muscle antibody. Immunohistochemical quantification was performed using a digital image system.', 'In the animals treated with tamoxifen (20 mg/day), there was a significant reduction in immunostaining for alpha smooth muscle actin compared with the control group (0.1155 vs. 0.2021, p = 0.046).'] Does tamoxifen decrease the myofibroblast count in the healing bile duct tissue of pigs? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9444389343261719,
-1.4490578174591064,
2.427436590194702
] |
['Oxidative stress plays an important role in skeletal muscle damage in sepsis. Aerobic exercise can decrease oxidative stress and enhance antioxidant defenses. Therefore, it was hypothesized that aerobic exercise training before a sepsis stimulus could attenuate skeletal muscle damage by modulating oxidative stress. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic physical preconditioning on the different mechanisms that are involved in sepsis-induced myopathy.', 'Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to either the untrained or trained group. The exercise training protocol consisted of an eight-week treadmill program. After the training protocol, the animals from both groups were randomly assigned to either a sham group or a cecal ligation and perforation surgery group. Thus, the groups were as follows: sham, cecal ligation and perforation, sham trained, and cecal ligation and perforation trained. Five days after surgery, the animals were euthanized and their soleus and plantaris muscles were harvested. Fiber cross-sectional area, creatine kinase, thiobarbituric acid reactive species, carbonyl, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were measured.', 'The fiber cross-sectional area was smaller, and the creatine kinase, thiobarbituric acid reactive species and carbonyl levels were higher in both muscles in the cecal ligation and perforation group than in the sham and cecal ligation and perforation trained groups. The muscle superoxide dismutase activity was higher in the cecal ligation and perforation trained group than in the sham and cecal ligation and perforation groups. The muscle catalase activity was lower in the cecal ligation and perforation group than in the sham group.'] Does exercise training prevent skeletal muscle damage in an experimental sepsis model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.314788341522217,
-1.1647772789001465,
2.5618462562561035
] |
['Circulating epithelial tumor cell (CETC) analysis is a promising diagnostic field for estimating the risk for metastatic relapse and progression in patients with malignant disease. CETCs characterization can be used as a liquid biopsy for prognostic and predictive purposes in breast and other cancers. IGF-IR and VEGFR-2 play an important role in tumor growth and the progression of cancer disease. The purpose of the current study was therefore to investigate their expression on CETCs.', 'CETCs were determined from the blood of 50 patients suffering from breast cancer. The number of vital CETCs and the expression of IGF-IR and VEGFR-2 were investigated using the maintrac® method.', 'IGF-IR and VEGFR-2 expression on the surface of CETCs were detected in 84% of patients. A statistically high correlation was found between IGF-IR and VEGFR-2 (r\u200a=\u200a0.745 and p<0.001) on the CETCs. The co-expression of both receptors was confirmed in some experiments and ranged between 70% and 100%. Statistically significant correlations were observed between the number of CETCs and IGF-IR (r\u200a=\u200a0.315 and p<0.05) and VEGFR-2 (r\u200a=\u200a0.310 and p<0.05) expression. The presence of CETCs and the level of IGF-IR and VEGFR-2 expression were not associated with tumor stage, hormone receptor status or nodal/distant metastasis.'] Are insulin-like growth factor receptor I ( IGF-IR ) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 ( VEGFR-2 ) expressed on the circulating epithelial tumor cells of breast cancer patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.94143545627594,
-1.5119249820709229,
2.473086357116699
] |
['Although the association between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and risk of type 2 diabetes is well-studied, the effects of slightly increased ALT levels within the normal range on the temporal normal glucose profile remains poorly understood.', 'A total of 322 Chinese subjects without impaired glucose tolerance or previous diagnoses of diabetes were recruited for study from 10 hospitals in urban areas across China. All subjects wore a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system for three consecutive days. The diurnal (06∶00-20∶00) and nocturnal (20∶00-06∶00) mean blood glucose (MBG) levels were calculated. Subjects were stratified by ALT quartile level and correlation analyses were performed.', 'The median ALT level was 17 IU/L, and subjects with ALT ≥17 IU/L had higher nocturnal MBG level than those with ALT <17 IU/L (P<0.05). Nocturnal MBG was positively correlated with ALT levels (Pearson correlation analysis: r\u200a=\u200a0.187, P\u200a=\u200a0.001), and the correlation remained significant after correction for the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) (r\u200a=\u200a0.105, P\u200a=\u200a0.041). No correlations were found between diurnal MBG and ALT, and nocturnal or diurnal MBG and aspartate aminotransferase or gamma-glutamyltransferase (all, P>0.05). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis of elevated nocturnal MBG identified increased HOMA-IR, elevated ALT levels, and decreased homeostatic model assessment of ß-cell function as independent factors (all, P<0.05).'] Is alanine aminotransferase associated with an adverse nocturnal blood glucose profile in individuals with normal glucose regulation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7450288534164429,
-1.4785525798797607,
2.177267074584961
] |
['Salusin-β is a bioactive peptide with peripheral hypotensive, mitogenic and pro-atherosclerotic effects. The present study was designed to determine the roles of salusin-β in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and its relationship with arginine vasopressin (AVP) in hypertension and sympathetic activation.', 'Renovascular hypertension was induced by two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Acute experiments were carried out 4 weeks after 2K1C or sham-operation under urethane and alpha-chloralose anaesthesia. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Microinjection of salusin-β into the PVN increased the RSNA, MAP, and HR in a dose-related manner, whereas anti-salusin-β IgG in the PVN decreased the RSNA and MAP, and abolished the effects of salusin-β in 2K1C rats. However, either salusin-β or anti-salusin-β IgG in the PVN failed to cause any significant effects in sham-operated rats. The number of salusin-β-like immunopositive neurons in the PVN was significantly increased in 2K1C rats. Salusin-β in the PVN increased the plasma AVP and norepinephrine levels in 2K1C rats, but not in sham-operated rats. Iv injection of dTyr(CH2)5(Me)AVP (an AVP V1-receptor antagonist, AAVP) decreased RSNA and MAP, and abolished the effects of salusin-β in the PVN in 2K1C rats. Microinjection of AAVP into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), but not into the PVN, abolished the effects of salusin-β on RSNA and HR.'] Does salusin-β in paraventricular nucleus increase blood pressure and sympathetic outflow via vasopressin in hypertensive rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.285403251647949,
-1.4384897947311401,
2.7262253761291504
] |
['Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1-interacting protein-1 (AIP1) is a signaling adaptor molecule implicated in stress and apoptotic signaling induced by proinflammatory mediators. However, its function in atherosclerosis has not been established. In the present study, we use AIP1-null (AIP1(-/-)) mice to examine its effect on atherosclerotic lesions in an apolipoprotein E-null (ApoE(-/-)) mouse model of atherosclerosis.', 'ApoE(-/-) control mice developed atherosclerosis in the aortic roots and descending aortas on Western-type diet for 10 weeks, whereas the atherosclerotic lesions are significantly augmented in ApoE(-/-)AIP1(-/-) double knockout (DKO) mice. DKO mice show increases in plasma inflammatory cytokines with no significant alterations in body weight, total cholesterol levels, or lipoprotein profiles. Aortas in DKO mice show increased inflammation and endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction with nuclear factor-κB activity, correlating with increased accumulation of macrophages in the lesion area. Importantly, macrophages from DKO donors are not sufficient to augment inflammatory responses and atherogenesis when transferred to ApoE-KO recipients. Mechanistic studies suggest that AIP1 is highly expressed in aortic EC, but not in macrophages, and AIP1 deletion in EC significantly enhance oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced nuclear factor-κB signaling, gene expression of inflammatory molecules, and monocyte adhesion, suggesting that vascular EC are responsible for the increased inflammatory responses observed in DKO mice.'] Does aIP1 suppress atherosclerosis by limiting hyperlipidemia-induced inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.378659963607788,
-1.286149024963379,
2.7005090713500977
] |
['Central chemoreceptors are important to detect changes of CO2/H(+), and the Locus coeruleus (LC) is one of the many putative central chemoreceptor sites. Here, we studied the contribution of LC glutamatergic receptors on ventilatory, cardiovascular and thermal responses to hypercapnia.', 'To this end, we determined pulmonary ventilation (V(E)), body temperatures (T(b)), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) of male Wistar rats before and after unilateral microinjection of kynurenic acid (KY, an ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist, 10 nmol/0.1 μL) or α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG, a metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist, 10 nmol/0.1 μL) into the LC, followed by 60 min of air breathing or hypercapnia exposure (7% CO2).', 'Ventilatory response to hypercapnia was higher in animals treated with KY intra-LC (1918.7 ± 275.4) compared with the control group (1057.8 ± 213.9, P < 0.01). However, the MCPG treatment within the LC had no effect on the hypercapnia-induced hyperpnea. The cardiovascular and thermal controls were not affected by hypercapnia or by the injection of KY and MCPG in the LC.'] Do ionotropic but not metabotropic glutamatergic receptors in the locus coeruleus modulate the hypercapnic ventilatory response in unanaesthetized rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.345940351486206,
-1.410395622253418,
2.763540744781494
] |
['Flibanserin is a mixed 5-HT1A agonist/5-HT2A antagonist that has been developed for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.', 'To assess the acute and chronic dose-response effects of flibanserin on measures of sexual desire and copulation in ovariectomized rats primed with estradiol benzoate (EB) alone or in combination with progesterone (P).', 'In Experiment 1, sexually experienced ovariectomized (OVX) rats at one testing site were rendered fully sexually receptive with EB\u2009+\u2009P priming and tested weekly with a sexually active male in bi-level pacing chambers following daily flibanserin treatment for 28 days. In Experiment 2, sexually experienced OVX rats at a different testing site received EB alone and were tested weekly with sexually active males following daily flibanserin treatment.', 'Female appetitive behaviors (solicitations, hops and darts, anogenital investigations), defensive behaviors, pacing, lordosis, and male copulatory responses (intromissions and ejaculations) were measured during each 30-minute copulation test.', 'Acute flibanserin or 1 week of chronic flibanserin treatment did not modify sexual responses in fully (EB\u2009+\u2009P) or partially (EB-alone) primed females. After 2 weeks of chronic treatment, fully primed females displayed significantly more solicitations than the three other groups. After 3 weeks of chronic treatment, a significant increase in female solicitations was observed in both hormone-treatment groups.'] Does flibanserin treatment increase appetitive sexual motivation in the female rat? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1729915142059326,
-1.3452966213226318,
2.501678705215454
] |
['Aberration of miR-129-2 has been linked to a variety of human tumours. However, whether miR-129-2 is involved in hepatocarcinogenesis remains unknown. Here, we investigate the involvement of miR-129-2 in HBV infection-related HCC.', 'A total of 75 paired tumour and their corresponding non-tumour liver tissues from HCC patients with serum HBsAg positive were collected. The methylation of miR-129-2 gene was quantitatively analysed by a DNA methylation-sensitive endonuclease digestion followed by quantitative PCR. The expression of mature miR-129-2 (miR-129-3p) was detected by Taqman RT-PCR. SOX4 expression was detected using quantitative realtime RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemical staining. The function of miR-129-2 was investigated using cell proliferation and clonogenicity assays in vitro.', 'Compared with the adjacent non-tumour tissues, tumour tissues exhibited significantly increased miR-129-2 hypermethylation both in frequency (37.33% vs. 8%, P < 0.0001) and in intensity (14.77% vs. 3.08%, P = 0.002). Accordantly, miR-129-3p expression in HCC tissues was significantly lower than that in non-tumour tissues (P = 0.0461), in a manner reversely correlated with the level of miR-129-2 hypermethylation. Notably, SOX4 level in the HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumour tissues (P = 0.0174) and normal liver tissues (P = 0.0077), correlated reversely with miR-129-3p level (P = 0.0105). Furthermore, overexpression of miR-129-2 in HepG2 reduced cell proliferation and clonogenicity, while co-expression with SOX4 could partially reverse its antitumor effects. In addition, SOX4 in HepG2 cell can enhance β-catenin/TCF activity by increasing β-catenin level.'] Does methylation-mediated repression of microRNA 129-2 enhance oncogenic SOX4 expression in HCC? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.948045253753662,
-1.4659556150436401,
2.397413730621338
] |
['To assess the utility of anterior tibial tenderness (ATT) measured by visual analogue scoring (VAS) as a clinical diagnostic tool for vitamin D deficiency in a high-risk population of Pakistani women.', 'ATT was measured by VAS in 75 premenopausal women age 17 to 56 years (mean, 41.3 years) with generalized aches and pains and calcium <11 mg/dL (normal, 8 to 11 mg/dL) who were seen at a tertiary care center in Lahore, Pakistan. This was followed by administration of 1.8 million units of vitamin D3 in divided doses. ATT, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were checked before and after the injections. Correlation between ATT, vitamin D, and PTH, as well as changes in ATT, vitamin D, and PTH following supplementation were determined.', 'Pre-intervention average calcium and vitamin D were 9.3 mg/dL (range, 8 to 10.3 mg/dL) and 12.1 ng/mL (range, 1.5 to 32.6 ng/mL), respectively. Seventy-four percent of the participants (53/75) had vitamin D deficiency and elevated PTH (>60 pg/mL). Mean PTH was 81.6 pg/mL (range, 29.1 to 370 pg/mL). Changes in ATT correlated strongly (r = 0.422; P = .013) with changes in PTH. Following supplementation, there was significant improvement in ATT (P<.01) and vitamin D level (P<.01), with a decrease in PTH level (P<.01).'] Does tibial tenderness identify secondary hyperparathyroidism responding to high-dose vitamin D in Pakistani women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9667243957519531,
-1.6402134895324707,
1.5669492483139038
] |
['Previous studies suggest elevated inflammation in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with increased activity of the Interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, von Willebrand factor (vWf) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). It is unclear how immune activation is involved in the psychopathology. We investigated if elevated inflammation was associated with disease severity (trait) or current symptom level (state), comparing psychotic with general characteristics.', 'Plasma levels of sTNF receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-6, vWf and OPG were measured with ELISA techniques in 322 patients with schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorder. Current symptom level (state) was measured with Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Disease severity (trait) was measured with premorbid adjustment scale (PAS), age at onset, number of psychotic episodes and number and length of hospitalizations.', 'After controlling for confounders, IL-1Ra and TNF-R1 were independently associated with GAF, and significantly correlated with PANSS negative and positive, respectively. In addition, Il-1Ra was associated with PAS, and sTNF-R1 with number of hospitalizations and psychotic episodes. VWf was significantly correlated with psychotic episodes, OPG with hospitalizations and IL-6 with history of psychosis. Linear regression analysis showed that GAF remained associated with sTNF-R1 and IL-1Ra with PANSS, after controlling for the other clinical measures.'] Are interleukin 1 receptor antagonist and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 associated with general severity and psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.313727617263794,
-1.2367610931396484,
2.5787291526794434
] |
['Lysine acetylation is an important post-translational modification that plays a central role in eukaryotic transcriptional activation by modifying chromatin and transcription-related factors. Human pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSG) are the major secreted placental proteins expressed by the syncytiotrophoblast at the end of pregnancy and represent early markers of cytotrophoblast differentiation. Low PSG levels are associated with complicated pregnancies, thus highlighting the importance of studying the mechanisms that control their expression. Despite several transcription factors having been implicated as key regulators of PSG gene family expression; the role of protein acetylation has not been explored.', "Here, we explored the role of acetylation on PSG gene expression in the human placental-derived JEG-3 cell line. Pharmacological inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) up-regulated PSG protein and mRNA expression levels, and augmented the amount of acetylated histone H3 associated with PSG 5'regulatory regions. Moreover, PSG5 promoter activation mediated by Sp1 and KLF6, via the core promoter element motif (CPE, -147/-140), was markedly enhanced in the presence of the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). This effect correlated with an increase in Sp1 acetylation and KLF6 nuclear localization as revealed by immunoprecipitation and subcellular fractionation assays. The co-activators PCAF, p300, and CBP enhanced Sp1-dependent PSG5 promoter activation through their histone acetylase (HAT) function. Instead, p300 and CBP acetyltransferase domain was dispensable for sustaining co-activation of PSG5 promoter by KLF6."] Is pSG gene expression up-regulated by lysine acetylation involving histone and nonhistone proteins? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4173059463500977,
-1.1782535314559937,
2.6098670959472656
] |
['The transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) technique is widely used in clinical practice for measuring cardiac output (CO). This study was designed to investigate the influence of various levels of pulmonary oedema on the reliability of CO measurements by the TPTD method.', 'In 11 newborn lambs pulmonary oedema was induced using a surfactant washout technique. Serial CO measurements using TPTD (CO(TPTD)) were performed at various amounts of lung water. Simultaneously, CO was measured by an ultrasound flow probe around the main pulmonary artery (CO(MPA)) and used as the standard reference. CO was divided by the body surface area to calculate cardiac index (CI). Data were analysed using correlational statistics and Bland-Altman analysis.', 'One lamb died prematurely. A total of 56 measurements in 10 lambs were analysed with a median CI(MPA) of 2.95 (IQR 1.04) litre min(-1) m(-2). Mean percentage increase in extravascular lung water (EVLW) between the start and the end of the study was 126.4% (SD 40.4). Comparison of the two CO methods showed a mean bias CI of -0.16 litre min(-1) m(-2) (limits of agreement ±0.73 litre min(-1) m(-2)) and a percentage error of 23.8%. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.91 (95% CI 0.81-0.95) for absolute agreement and 0.92 (95% CI 0.87-0.95) for consistency. Acceptable agreement was confirmed by a tolerability-agreement ratio of 0.39. The within-subject correlation between the amount of EVLWI and the bias between the two methods was not significant (-0.02; P=0.91).'] Is transpulmonary thermodilution cardiac output measurement affected by severe pulmonary oedema : a newborn animal study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.29554516077041626,
-1.947338581085205,
1.2742067575454712
] |
['The role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, and mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in atorvastatin-induced cardioprotection were examined in human myocardium, in vitro.', 'Isometric force of contraction of human right atrial trabeculae was recorded during 30-min hypoxia and 60-min reoxygenation (control) and in the presence of atorvastatin (0.1 µM, 1 µM, 10 µM). In early reoxygenation, the TNF-α inhibitor, AG490 (inhibitor of JAK/STAT), or atractyloside (mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore opener), were administered. Cyclosporine A (inhibitor of mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore opening) was administered during the first minute of reoxygenation alone or in presence of atorvastatin and TNF-α inhibitor or AG490. The force of contraction (percentage of baseline) at the end of reoxygenation period was compared (mean ± SD; n = 6 in each group). Protein expression of JAK/STAT pathway was measured using Western immunoblotting.', 'Atorvastatin 0.1 µM (70 ± 9%), 1 µM (85 ± 5%), 10 µM (89 ± 5%), and Cyclosporine A (87 ± 10%) improved the recovery of force of contraction at the end of reoxygenation, as compared with control (50 ± 3%). Atorvastatin 1 µM (4.64 ± 2.90 ng · ml(-1) · g(-1) of tissue) decreased the release of troponin Ic after hypoxia-reoxygenation (control: 26.34 ± 19.30 ng · ml(-1) · g(-1); P < 0.001). The enhanced recovery of force of contraction after atorvastatin administration was abolished by TNF-α inhibitor (53 ± 8%), AG490 (56 ± 7%), atractyloside (48 ± 8%). Cyclosporine A restored the atorvastatin-induced cardioprotection abolished by TNF-α inhibitor (87 ± 6%) and AG490 (83 ± 9%). Atorvastatin significantly increased the phosphorylation of JAK-2 and STAT-3, TNF-α inhibitor abolished the enhanced phosphorylation of JAK-2 and STAT-3 by atorvastatin.'] Is atorvastatin-induced cardioprotection of human myocardium mediated by the inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening via tumor necrosis factor-α and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.860765814781189,
-1.638740062713623,
2.5129289627075195
] |
['Very little is known regarding correlation of micro RNA (miR)-106a with clinical outcomes of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). This study determined whether miR-106a could be used as an independent prognostic biomarker in those patients.', 'A total of 156 GBM patients were divided into 2 cohorts. In the first cohort, matched fresh frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were collected from 24 GBM patients, while in the second cohort, only FFPE samples were collected from 132 GBM patients. MiR-106a expression levels were examined by quantitative real-time PCR in the 2 cohorts and further validated by in situ hybridization assay in the second cohort. The correlation between miR-106a expression levels and overall survival was evaluated in the second cohort of 114 GBM patients available for follow-up by a log-rank test and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.', "Our data showed a very good correlation of miR-106a or U6 expression between fresh frozen and FFPE GBM specimens, with Pearson's correlation coefficients of 0.849 and 0.823, respectively (P < .001). Their expression levels in archival FFPE samples were quite stable for at least 7 years when stored at room temperature. Multivariate analysis revealed that the expression level of miR-106a was an independent and significant predictor of overall survival in GBM patients (P = .011)."] Is miR-106a an independent prognostic marker in patients with glioblastoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.706375241279602,
-1.3911380767822266,
2.157820701599121
] |
['Anecdotal evidence suggests that some sunglass users prefer yellow tints for outdoor activities, such as driving, and research has suggested that such tints improve the apparent contrast and brightness of real-world objects. The aim of this study was to establish whether yellow filters resulted in objective improvements in performance for visual tasks relevant to driving.', 'Response times of nine young (age [mean ± SD], 31.4 ± 6.7 years) and nine older (age, [mean ± SD], 74.6 ± 4.8) adults were measured using video presentations of traffic hazards (driving hazard perception task) and a simple low-contrast grating appeared at random peripheral locations on a computer screen. Response times were compared when participants wore a yellow filter (with and without a linear polarizer) versus a neutral density filter (with and without a linear polarizer). All lens combinations were matched to have similar luminance transmittances (~27%).', 'In the driving hazard perception task, the young but not the older participants responded significantly more rapidly to hazards when wearing a yellow filter than with a luminance-matched neutral density filter (mean difference, 450 milliseconds). In the low-contrast grating task, younger participants also responded more quickly for the yellow filter condition but only when combined with a polarizer. Although response times increased with increasing stimulus eccentricity for the low-contrast grating task, for the younger participants, this slowing of response times with increased eccentricity was reduced in the presence of a yellow filter, indicating that perception of more peripheral objects may be improved by this filter combination.'] Does a yellow filter improve response times to low-contrast targets and traffic hazards? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0011649131774902,
-0.4051406979560852,
1.4531307220458984
] |
['As a calcineurin inhibitor in T-cell activation, cyclosporine A (CsA) has provided the pharmacologic foundation for organ transplantation. We have previously demonstrated that CsA promotes trophoblast growth and invasion in vitro. Here, we further investigated the regulation of CsA on trophoblast migration and the intracellular signaling pathways involved.', 'We evaluated the migration of human primary trophoblasts by using transwell migration assay. CsA-mediated induction of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was evaluated by cotransfection with luciferase reporter constructs and luciferase activity assays.', 'Treatment with CsA-promoted migration of primary trophoblasts and the HTR8 cell line in a dose-dependent manner. CsA also increased NF-κB-transcriptional activity in trophoblasts in time- and dose-dependent manners. Pharmacologically inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 signaling with U0126 attenuated the CsA-induced cell migration and NF-κB activity in trophoblasts. Furthermore, pretreatment with PDTC, a specific NF-κB inhibitor, inhibited the CsA-induced migration of trophoblasts in dose-dependent manners. Although NFAT activation by ionomycin via calcineurin is accompanied by increased transactivation of NF-κB, pretreatment with the NFAT inhibitor did not affect NF-κB-transcriptional activity. Interestingly, ionomycin and CsA synergize to transactivate NF-κB. Ionomycin-inhibited basal migration of trophoblasts, and pretreatment with CsA reversed the ionomycin-inhibited trophoblast migration. However, the NFAT inhibitor increased basal migration, but not CsA-induced migration, of trophoblasts.'] Does cyclosporine A promote in vitro migration of human first-trimester trophoblasts via MAPK/ERK1/2-mediated NF-κB and Ca2+/calcineurin/NFAT signaling? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.414226531982422,
-1.303893804550171,
2.741211414337158
] |
['Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization is consistently rising. The question whether the MRSA colonization places the patients at higher risk, requiring higher levels of care when being admitted, has never been studied. We conducted this study to determine the impact of MRSA colonization status on the required level of care upon admission to hospital.', 'We conducted a retrospective chart review in 1000 plus-bed tertiary care academic institute. Our study population composed of all the patients who were admitted from January 2011 to March 2011. We found 7413 pediatric admissions that were identified as the study subjects. We assessed and divided study subjects into 2 groups, MRSA colonized and MRSA noncolonized. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-colonized patients were further grouped into those admitted to either pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or ward, and these 2 groups were analyzed using P value, Fisher exact test, relative risks, and odds ratios.', 'We found a total of 7413 admissions, 753 were admitted in PICU (average pediatric risk of mortality score 18), and 6660 were admitted in pediatric wards (average pediatric risk of mortality score, 5). We found that MRSA colonization was 20 (2.66%) of 753 in PICU admissions and 155 (2.33%) of 6660 in ward admissions. We found that rate of admissions difference between MRSA colonized and MRSA noncolonized groups was clinically insignificant (P > .05).'] Is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization associated with higher rate of admission to pediatric intensive care unit? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.8939840793609619,
-0.9894083142280579,
1.0094308853149414
] |
['Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are pluripotent cells that have immunosuppressive and reparative properties in vitro and in vivo. Although autologous bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs are already clinically tested in transplant recipients, it is unclear whether these BM cells are affected by renal disease. We assessed whether renal failure affected the function and therapeutic potential of BM-MSCs.', 'MSCs from 10 adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and 10 age-matched healthy controls were expanded from BM aspirates and tested for phenotype and functionality in vitro.', 'MSCs from ESRD patients were >90% positive for CD73, CD90 and CD105 and negative for CD34 and CD45 and showed a similar morphology and differentiation capacity as MSCs from healthy controls. Of importance for their clinical utility, growth characteristics were similar in both groups, and sufficient numbers of MSCs were obtained within 4\xa0weeks. Messenger RNA expression levels of self-renewal genes and factors involved in repair and inflammation were also comparable between both groups. Likewise, microRNA expression profiling showed a broad overlap between ESRD and healthy donor MSCs. ESRD MSCs displayed the same immunosuppressive capacities as healthy control MSCs, demonstrated by a similar dose-dependent inhibition of peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation, similar inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ production and a concomitant increase in the production of interleukin-10.'] Are bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells from patients with end-stage renal disease suitable for autologous therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3299314975738525,
-1.3641915321350098,
2.7722249031066895
] |
['Leakage and benign strictures occur frequently after esophagectomy. The objective of this study was to analyze the outcome of hand-sewn end-to-end versus end-to-side cervical esophagogastric anastomoses.', 'A series of 390 consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction was analyzed.', 'The end-to-end technique was performed in 112 (29\xa0%) patients and the end-to-side in 278 (71\xa0%) patients. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 20 (18\xa0%) patients with an end-to-end anastomosis versus 58 (21\xa0%) patients with an end-to-side anastomosis (p\u2009=\u20090.50). A higher incidence in anastomotic strictures was seen in end-to-end anastomoses (48 (43\xa0%)) compared with end-to-side anastomoses (89 (32\xa0%); p\u2009=\u20090.04). Moreover, a median of 11 (7-17) dilations was necessary in patients with a benign anastomotic stricture in the end-to-end group compared with four (2-8) dilations in patients with a benign anastomotic stricture in the end-to-end group (p\u2009<\u20090.036). After multivariate analysis, the difference in anastomotic leakage rates remained nonsignificant (p\u2009=\u20090.74), whereas anastomotic stricture rate and number of dilations were higher in the end-to-end group (p\u2009=\u20090.03 and p\u2009=\u20090.01, respectively).'] Are end-to-end cervical esophagogastric anastomoses associated with a higher number of strictures compared with end-to-side anastomoses? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8474122285842896,
-1.5694782733917236,
2.4350368976593018
] |
['Pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy. Conventional chemotherapeutic agents have shown limited utility and are largely ineffective in treating children with advanced ACC. The lack of cell lines and animal models of pediatric ACC has hampered the development of new therapies. Here we report the establishment of the first pediatric ACC xenograft model and the characterization of its sensitivity to selected chemotherapeutic agents.', 'A tumor from an 11-year-old boy with previously untreated ACC was established as a subcutaneous xenograft in immunocompromised CB17 scid(-/-) mice. The patient harbored a germline TP53 G245C mutation, and the primary tumor showed loss of heterozygosity with retention of the mutated TP53 allele. Histopathology, DNA fingerprinting, gene expression profiling, and biochemical analyses of the xenograft were conducted and compared with the primary tumor and normal adrenal cortex. The second endpoint was to assess the preliminary antitumor activity of selected chemotherapeutic agents.', 'The xenograft maintained the histopathologic and molecular features of the primary tumor. Screening the xenograft for drug responsiveness showed that cisplatin had a potent antitumor effect. However, etoposide, doxorubicin, and a panel of other common cancer drugs had little or no antitumor activity, with the exception of topotecan, which was found to significantly inhibit tumor growth. Consistent with these preclinical findings, topotecan as a single agent in a child with relapsed ACC resulted in disease stabilization.'] Does establishment and characterization of the first pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma xenograft model identify topotecan as a potential chemotherapeutic agent? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.465886354446411,
-1.3166148662567139,
2.8703112602233887
] |
['The aim of this study was to describe baseline coagulation in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) and its effect on survival.', 'Retrospective study of ED, theatre and laboratory records of patients presenting with rAAA to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh ED. Patients with symptomatic aneurysms, those without an initial ED coagulation screen and those on warfarin were excluded. Major coagulopathy was defined as international normalized ratio or activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) ratio of at least 1.5 or platelet count less than 50 × 10/l.', 'Between 1 July 2006 and 31 March 2011, 119 patients were enrolled. Mean (± SD) age was 76.5 ± 7.6 years and male to female ratio was 2.3 : 1. Ten patients died in the ED, 20 were considered not fit for surgery and 89 went to theatre. A total of 56 survived to hospital discharge. Seventeen (14.3%) patients had a major coagulopathy; an international normalized ratio or APTT ratio of at least 1.5. No patients had platelets less than 50 × 10/l, but eight patients had platelets less than 100 × 10/l. Neither ED prothrombin time (PT) nor ED APTT was associated with survival in either the operated [P=0.167 NS (PT) and P=0.353 NS (APTT); two-sided t-test] or entire cohort [P=0.254 NS (PT) and P=0.413 NS (APTT); two-sided t-test] groups.'] Does initial emergency department coagulation profile predict survival in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0108376741409302,
-1.7649701833724976,
1.8096919059753418
] |
['To determine the role of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in infection-associated pregnancy loss.', 'B6 and iNKT cell-deficient Jα18(-/-) mice were injected i.p. with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle, and pregnancy outcomes were examined. Decidual iNKT cell expression of CD69 and intracellular cytokine production were analyzed. Mouse decidual iNKT cells were co-cultured with LPS or PBS-treated dendritic cells (DCs), and iNKT cell CD69 expression and intracellular and extracellular cytokine production were assessed.', 'The embryo resorption rate was notably lessened for Jα18(-/-) mice treated with LPS on day 6 or day 9 gestation in comparison with B6 mice treated with LPS. Decidual iNKT cell CD69 expression and intracellular IFN-γ and IL-17 production for B6 mice injected with LPS on day 6 or day 9 gestation were significantly up-regulated compared with PBS-treated mice. Levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 in the supernatants of the co-culture of decidual iNKT cells and LPS-sensitized DCs were strikingly increased in comparison with the co-culture of iNKT cells and PBS-treated DCs. CD69 expression and intracellular IFN-γ and IL-17 production of iNKT cells co-cultured with LPS-sensitized DCs were remarkably up-regulated compared with iNKT cells co-cultured with PBS-treated DCs.'] Do invariant NKT cells increase lipopolysacchride-induced pregnancy loss by a mechanism involving Th1 and Th17 responses? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2469773292541504,
-1.4236154556274414,
2.6783525943756104
] |
['We previously showed that B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathways are important for in vitro survival of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells. To further identify early BCR-activated signaling pathways involved in MCL cell survival, we focused our study on BCR-proximal kinases such as LYN whose dysregulations could contribute to the aggressive course of MCL.', 'Primary MCL cells were isolated from 14 leukemic patients. Early BCR-induced genes were identified by qRT-PCR array. The basal and BCR-induced phosphorylation of LYN and JNK were evaluated by immunoblottting. Cell survival signals were evaluated by apoptosis using flow cytometry.', 'We showed that LYN was constitutively phosphorylated in MCL cell lines and in 9/10 leukemic MCL cases. Treatment with dasatinib or with a specific inhibitor of Src kinases such as PP2 suppressed constitutive LYN activation and increased in vitro spontaneous apoptosis of primary MCL cells. BCR engagement resulted in an increase of LYN phosphorylation leading to activation of c-JUN NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and over-expression of the early growth response gene-1 (EGR-1). Inhibition of JNK with SP600125 induced apoptosis and reduced level of basal and BCR-induced expression of EGR-1. Furthermore, decreasing EGR1 expression by siRNA reduced BCR-induced cell survival. Treatment with PP2 or with dasatinib suppressed BCR-induced LYN and JNK phosphorylation as well as EGR-1 upregulation and is associated with a decrease of cell survival in all cases analysed.'] Does targeting early B-cell receptor signaling induce apoptosis in leukemic mantle cell lymphoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4530792236328125,
-1.2490931749343872,
2.746735095977783
] |
['The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and in particular cortisol, has been reported to be involved in obesity-associated metabolic disturbances in adults and in selected populations of adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between morning adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight or obese Caucasian children and adolescents.', 'This cross-sectional study of 450 obese children and adolescents (aged 4 to 18 years) was performed in a tertiary referral center. ACTH, cortisol, cardiovascular risk factors (fasting and post-challenge glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, and hypertension) and insulin resistance were evaluated. All analyses were corrected for confounding factors (sex, age, puberty, body mass index), and odds ratios were determined.', 'ACTH and cortisol levels were positively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting glucose and insulin resistance. Cortisol, but not ACTH, was also positively associated with LDL-cholesterol. When adjusted for confounding factors, an association between ACTH and 2 h post-oral glucose tolerance test glucose was revealed. After stratification according to cardiovascular risk factors and adjustment for possible confounding factors, ACTH levels were significantly higher in subjects with triglycerides ≥90th percentile (P <0.02) and impaired fasting glucose or glucose tolerance (P <0.001). Higher cortisol levels were found in subjects with blood pressure ≥95th percentile and LDL-cholesterol ≥90th percentile. Overall, the highest tertiles of ACTH (>5.92 pmol/l) and cortisol (>383.5 nmol/l) although within the normal range were associated with increases in cardiovascular risk factors in this population.'] Are high-end normal adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels associated with specific cardiovascular risk factors in pediatric obesity : a cross-sectional study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.210395574569702,
-1.3213084936141968,
2.5418567657470703
] |
['We aimed to study vaginal fluid phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (phIGFBP-1) testing in early pregnancy to predict spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD).', 'Vaginal and cervical swab samples were collected from 5180 unselected women during the first-trimester (mean gestational age 13.1\u2009weeks) ultrasound screening. PhIGFBP-1 was measured in vaginal and cervical fluid by an immunoenzymometric assay. Concentrations of ≥10\u2009µg/L were considered elevated. The outcome measure was spontaneous PTD at <32 or <37\u2009weeks gestation.', 'The median concentrations of first-trimester vaginal and cervical phIGFBP-1 were higher in women with spontaneous PTD at <32 and <37\u2009weeks gestation. When 10\u2009µg/L of phIGFBP-1 was used as a cut-off level, the OR in predicting PTD at <32\u2009weeks gestation was 8.6 (95% CI 3.6-20.7) for vaginal samples and 3.6 (95% CI 1.7-7.9) for cervical samples. At <37\u2009weeks gestation, the OR in predicting PTD was 3.0 (95% CI 1.9-3.9) for vaginal samples and 1.9 (95% CI 1.4-2.5) for cervical samples. In multiple logistic regression analysis, both elevated vaginal and cervical fluid phIGFBP-1 levels were independent predictors of PTD both at <32 and <37\u2009weeks gestation.'] Does early pregnancy vaginal fluid phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 predict preterm delivery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.085922122001648,
-1.6915332078933716,
1.7783290147781372
] |
['The natural history of insulation defects with inside-out conductor externalization in recalled St Jude Medical Riata defibrillator leads is not well understood.', 'To determine the prevalence of externalization in a nationwide screening. Secondary aims were to examine time dependence and location of externalization, association with electrical failure, and fluoroscopic diagnostic performance.', 'All 299 patients with recalled Riata leads in Denmark were identified, and all except one underwent fluoroscopy and device interrogation. Externalizations were confirmed by multiple investigators.', "The prevalence of externalization was 32 of 298 (11%) at a mean dwell time of 5.1 years. The prevalence was 21 of 98 (21%) for 8-F leads and 11 of 200 (6%) for 7-F leads; however, 8-F leads had longer dwell times. The degree of externalization was correlated with dwell time (Spearman's ρ = .37; P = .03). Externalization more often included the lead segment below the tricuspid annulus in dual coil leads than in single coil leads (69% vs 16%; P = .004). No association was observed between externalization and electrical function. Fluoroscopic diagnostic performance was good with positive and negative predictive values of 88% and 99%, respectively."] Does nationwide fluoroscopic screening of recalled Riata defibrillator lead in Denmark? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7821321487426758,
-1.334634780883789,
2.236086368560791
] |
['The present study aims to investigate the relevance of immunohistochemical p53 expression in carcinomas of the oral cavity and of the head and neck region. Long-term clinical and histopathological follow-up findings as well as HPV status are correlated with the results of this examination.', 'Sections made from two tissue arrays composed of 222 oral squamous cell carcinomas and 427 squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region, respectively, were examined for p53 expression and Ki-67 index by means of immunohistochemistry. Correlation of long-term clinical findings of the patients and pathological features of tumours with laboratory results were examined statistically.', 'No significant correlation was found between the p53 immunohistochemical expression in the 207 oral carcinomas and features of the tumours and patient outcomes. There was no significant association between the Ki-67 labelling index and the p53 expression.'] Does p53 immunohistochemical expression correlate with clinical features in 207 carcinomas of the oral cavity and in the head and neck region? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.356576442718506,
-1.0912234783172607,
2.5905380249023438
] |
['Formic acid has recently been detected in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood of infants born to alcohol abusing mothers. This toxic metabolite of methanol requires folate for detoxification. We hypothesized that formic acid produced in the maternal circulation will transfer across the placenta and will be toxic to the placenta. Our objectives were, first, to determine whether formic acid transfers across the human placenta and whether it is toxic to the placenta and second, to determine whether folate can decrease transplacental transfer of formic acid and mitigate toxicity.', 'Dual perfusion of a single placental lobule ex vivo was used to characterize the transfer of formic acid across the placenta. After a 1-h control period, formic acid (2 mM) was introduced into the maternal circulation with (n = 4) or without folate (1 µM) (n = 4) and was allowed to equilibrate for 3 h.', 'Formic acid transferred rapidly from the maternal to the fetal circulation, and transfer was not altered with the addition of folate. Compared with the control period, there was a significant decrease in hCG secretion (P = 0.03) after addition of formic acid. The addition of folic acid to the perfusate mitigated the decrease in hCG.'] Is adverse placental effect of formic acid on hCG secretion mitigated by folic acid? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.436180353164673,
-1.2555465698242188,
2.718271255493164
] |
['The renin-angiotensin system peptides are critically involved in the regulation of endothelial function with important pathological implications. Angiotensin (Ang) 1-7 has many beneficial effects in the vasculature that modulate the cardiovascular risk. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Ang 1-7 has a protective role against the endothelial defects associated with diet-induced obesity (DIO) in mice.', 'Ang 1-7 (with or without Ang II) was delivered subcutaneously for 4 weeks using osmotic minipumps. Vascular studies were performed using aortic rings. Arterial pressure and heart rate were measured in separate cohorts of mice by telemetry.', 'First, we examined whether chronic administration of Ang 1-7 improves the vascular dysfunctions caused by Ang II. Subcutaneous coinfusion of Ang 1-7 significantly attenuates Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunctions. In addition, DIO mice have significant impairment in the endothelium-dependent relaxation. The contractile responses induced by various stimuli, including serotonin and endothelin-1, were differentially altered in DIO mice. Notably, DIO mice treated with Ang 1-7 for 4 weeks displayed significant improvement in the endothelial function as indicated by the increased acetylcholine-induced relaxation. Consistent with this, chronic treatment with Ang 1-7 reversed the increased aortic expression of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits (p22(phox) and p47(phox)) and plasma TBARS associated with DIO mice. In contrast, treatment with Ang 1-7 did not normalize the altered contractions associated with DIO mice.'] Does prolonged treatment with angiotensin 1-7 improve endothelial function in diet-induced obesity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3903145790100098,
-1.332211971282959,
2.7052559852600098
] |
['Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common and severe complication following femoral neck fractures in young adults. Despite significant advances in surgical techniques, radiological evaluation and comprehensive treatment for the prevention of ONFH, the incidence of traumatic ONFH has remained unchanged at approximately 20% in recent decades. The injury-to-surgery interval is considered as a principal factor affecting the occurrence of ONFH, and traditionally, femoral neck fractures are treated emergently. However, the relationship between the injury-to-surgery interval and ONFH occurrence is poorly understood, and previous reviews have not provided a precise explanation due to the lack of strict selection criteria for studies.', 'We reviewed previously published articles and included in current systematic review those studies with accurate multivariate analyses that included age, fracture type, operation method, follow-up, ONFH occurrence and injury-to-surgery interval.', 'Six case studies were included and reevaluated. The studies included 263 hips for final analysis, with an overall incidence of postfracture ONFH of 17.5%. Patients were categorized into groups of less/more than 8\xa0h, less/more than 24\xa0h, less/more than 48\xa0h and less/more than 3\xa0weeks based on the individual injury-to-surgery interval. The postfracture ONFH incidence ranged from 13.3% (<8\xa0weeks) to 21.7% (>3\xa0weeks). Operations performed within 3\xa0weeks of injury resulted in a lower ONFH incidence compared with operations performed after 3\xa0weeks; however, this difference was not statistically significant. The ONFH incidence remained relatively stable when the operations were performed within 3\xa0weeks of injury.'] Does injury-to-surgery interval affect postfracture osteonecrosis of the femoral head in young adults : a systematic review? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5820332765579224,
-1.6316759586334229,
1.2215025424957275
] |
['Many previous studies have focused on the postoperative complication of postoperative knee pain, infection, knee prosthesis loosening, periprosthetic fractures, and so on. There have been few studies focused on postoperative ecchymosis formation surrounding the wound of the TKA site. A certain degree of effect on the early functional recovery of the patients may occur due to the mental stress caused by the ecchymosis, which raises doubts regarding the success of the surgery. Therefore, it is particularly important to understand the risk factors for postsurgical ecchymosis formation after TKA, and specific measures for preventing ecchymosis should be taken. In this study, we reviewed the record of patients who received TKAs in our hospital, and a comprehensive analysis and assessment was conducted regarding 15 clinical factors causing postsurgical ecchymosis formation.', 'The records of 102 patients who received unilateral TKAs between January 2007 and May 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of ecchymosis.', 'Of the 102 patients, 14 (13.7%) developed ecchymosis. Blood transfusion and drainage catheter clamping during the first few postoperative hours had a significant impact on the development of ecchymosis (p\xa0<\xa00.05). There was no difference in age, BMI, operation time, pre- and postoperative platelet count, and length of postoperative anticoagulant therapy between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression revealed major risk factors for ecchymosis were postoperative blood transfusion (odds ratio (OR)\xa0=\xa015.624) and drainage catheter clamping (OR 14.237) (both, p\xa0<\xa00.05).'] Are blood transfusion and drainage catheter clamping associated with ecchymosis formation at the surgical site after total knee arthroplasty : an analysis of 102 unilateral cases? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.107741594314575,
-1.4310414791107178,
2.5499048233032227
] |
['Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are critical for metastatic progression. This study explores the effect of tetrathiomolybdate (TM), an anti-angiogenic copper chelator, on EPCs in patients at high risk for breast cancer recurrence.', 'This phase 2 study enrolled breast cancer patients with stage 3 and stage 4 without evidence of disease (NED), and stage 2 if triple-negative. TM 100 mg orally was administered to maintain ceruloplasmin <17 mg/dl for 2 years or until relapse. The primary end point was change in EPCs.', 'Forty patients (28 stage 2/3, 12 stage 4 NED) were enrolled. Seventy-five percent patients achieved the copper depletion target by 1 month. Ninety-one percent of triple-negative patients copper-depleted compared with 41% luminal subtypes. In copper-depleted patients only, there was a significant reduction in EPCs/ml by 27 (P = 0.04). Six patients relapsed while on study, of which only one patient had EPCs maintained below baseline. The 10-month relapse-free survival was 85.0% (95% CI 74.6%-96.8%). Only grade 3/4 toxicity was hematologic: neutropenia (3.1% of cycles), febrile neutropenia (0.2%), and anemia (0.2%).'] Does tetrathiomolybdate-associated copper depletion decrease circulating endothelial progenitor cells in women with breast cancer at high risk of relapse? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8776577711105347,
-1.516345500946045,
2.3649849891662598
] |
['Treatment for chronic hepatitis B has improved drastically with the use of nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs). However, NA therapy typically fails to eliminate Hepatitis B virus (HBV) completely, and it is difficult to discontinue these therapies. We previously demonstrated that NA therapy induced immature viral particles, including HBV RNA in sera of chronic hepatitis B patients. In the study reported here, we analyzed the association between HBV RNA titer and the recurrence rate of hepatitis after discontinuation of NA therapy.', 'The study cohort comprised 36 patients who had discontinued NA therapy. Serum HBV DNA or DNA plus RNA levels were measured by real time PCR and statistical analyses were performed using clinical data and HBV markers.', 'At 24\xa0weeks after discontinuation of NA therapy, HBV DNA rebound was observed in 19 of the 36 patients (52.8\xa0%), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rebound was observed in 12 of 36 patients (33.3\xa0%). Multivariate statistical analysis was used to identify factors predictive of HBV DNA rebound. The HBV DNA\xa0+\xa0RNA titer following 3\xa0months of treatment was significantly associated with HBV DNA rebound [P\xa0=\xa00.043, odds ratio (OR)\xa09.474, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.069-83.957)]. Absence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) at the end of treatment was significantly associated with ALT rebound (P\xa0=\xa00.003, OR\xa013.500, 95 % CI 2.473-73.705). In HBeAg-positive patients, the HBV DNA\xa0+\xa0RNA titer after 3\xa0months of treatment was marginally associated with ALT rebound (P\xa0=\xa00.050, OR\xa08.032, 95 % CI 0.997-64.683).'] Are serum HBV RNA and HBeAg useful markers for the safe discontinuation of nucleotide analogue treatments in chronic hepatitis B patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6399990320205688,
-1.7268922328948975,
2.34572696685791
] |
['Normal birth weight variation affects schizophrenia risk and cognitive performance in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Brain cortical anatomy is altered in psychotic disorders and in low birth weight subjects, but if birth weight variation relates to cortical morphology across the psychosis spectrum is not known.', 'Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain scans and clinical-, neurocognitive-, and medical birth registry data were collected from 359 adults including patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 90, mean age 29.4±10.2 [95% CI], 62% male), bipolar disorder (n = 79, age 29.4±11.8, 39% male) or other psychosis (n = 40, age 26.3±10.0, 56% male), and healthy controls (n = 140, age 30.8±12.0,53% male). We explored the relationship between whole-range birth weight variation and cortical surface area and thickness and their possible associations to cognitive performance.', 'Across all groups, lower birth weight was associated with smaller total surface area (t = 3.87, P = .0001), within specific regions of the temporal, parietal, and frontal cortex bilaterally. There were no associations between birth weight and cortical thickness, and no diagnosis by birth weight interaction effects on cortical thickness or surface area. Smaller cortical area (t = 2.50, P = .013) and lower birth weight (t = 2.53, P = .012) were significantly related to poorer working memory performance in all diagnostic groups except schizophrenia.'] Is normal birth weight variation related to cortical morphology across the psychosis spectrum? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8770357370376587,
-1.1865711212158203,
2.2293548583984375
] |
['The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of RAS components and SIRTs enzymes in the adipose tissue of mice fed diets with different macronutrient composition.', 'The body weight, food intake, and energy intake (kcal) were evaluated. Blood parameters (insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, total cholesterol, HDL-C triglyceride, and glucose levels) were also assessed. Real-time PCR was performed in epididymal adipose tissue samples to analyze the expression of renin, angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 and 2 (ACE and ACE2), and SIRTs 1-7. Male FVB/N mice were divided into 5 groups (N = 10 each) that were fed with experimental diets for 60 days. Test diets were divided into standard (ST), AIN-93M, high glucose (HG), high protein (HP) and high lipid (HL).', 'The main results showed that HL diet treatment induced reduction in HDL-C and triglyceride plasma levels; increased ACE (Ang II marker) expression and decreased ACE2 (Ang-[1-7] catalyzer) expression in adipose tissue; and also increased SIRT4 expression.'] Does diet composition modulate expression of sirtuins and renin-angiotensin system components in adipose tissue? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3243813514709473,
-1.2549993991851807,
2.636770248413086
] |
['We showed that early weaned rats developed obesity, hyperleptinemia, leptin and insulin resistance at adulthood. Here, we studied the potential beneficial effects of Ilex paraguariensis aqueous solution upon body composition, glycemia, lipid and hormonal profiles, leptin signaling and NPY content.', "To induce early weaning, lactating rats' teats were blocked with a bandage to interrupt lactation during the last 3 days (EW group), while control offspring had free access to milk throughout lactation (C group). In postnatal day (PN) 150, EW offspring were subdivided into: EW and EW+ mate groups treated, respectively, with water or yerba mate aqueous solution (1 g/kg BW/day, gavage) during 30 days. C offspring received water for gavage. In PN180, offspring were killed.", 'EW+ mate group presented lower body weight (-10 %), adipose mass (retroperitoneal:-40 % and epididymal:-44 %), total body fat (-43 %), subcutaneous fat (-46 %), visceral adipocyte area (-21 %), triglyceridemia (-31 %) and hypothalamic NPY content (-37 %) compared to EW group. However, hyperglycemia and lower HDL-c levels observed in EW group were not reverted with mate treatment. Although the hyperleptinemia, lower hypothalamic JAK2 and pSTAT3 content of EW group were not corrected by mate treatment, the hyperphagia and higher hypothalamic SOCS-3 content were normalized in EW+ mate group, indicating that the central leptin resistance could be restored.'] Does ilex paraguariensis ( yerba mate ) improve endocrine and metabolic disorders in obese rats primed by early weaning? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1162803173065186,
-1.2868778705596924,
2.3885257244110107
] |
['The beneficial effects of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy on fetal lung maturation require their passage across the placental glucocorticoid barrier, composed of glucocorticoid metabolising enzymes, such as 11 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD), and proteins that efflux glucocorticoids, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). We have shown that 11βHSD2 activity is responsive to antenatal glucocorticoids, however the effect on placental P-gp remains unknown. Since antenatal glucocorticoids have a greater prophylactic effect in females compared to males, we also assessed whether this therapy induced sexually dimorphic effects on P-gp expression, as well as on placental inflammatory processes mediated by corticosteroids.', 'Placentas were collected from 53 women presenting in threatened preterm labour, and processed to assess cytokine and P-gp mRNA expression, as well as P-gp localisation using immunohistochemistry.', 'Placental cytokine, P-gp mRNA and protein expression were not altered by timing of antenatal glucocorticoids or fetal sex. However, both P-gp mRNA and protein expression were significantly reduced in placentas from infants born small for gestational age (SGA) compared to appropriately grown infants (p < 0.05), suggesting a role for P-gp in its pathogenesis via the provision of a net increase in fetal exposure to bioactive exogenous glucocorticoids.'] Is placental P-glycoprotein unaffected by timing of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy but reduced in SGA preterm infants? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4635045528411865,
-1.2817094326019287,
2.8350436687469482
] |
['Perforated diverticulitis (PD) remains a serious acute abdominal condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate indications for emergency surgery in patients ≥80\xa0years of age with PD.', 'Twenty patients ≥80\xa0years of age and 28 younger patients who underwent emergency surgery for PD from January 2002 to December 2011 were studied. The demographics and postoperative outcomes were compared.', 'The preoperative characteristics, mortality rate, and postoperative complications were similar between these two groups. All seven patients ≥80\xa0years of age with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 2 survived after surgery. All five patients with a Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI) score of ≥26 in the elderly group died after surgery. There were significant associations between the mortality, the MPI and ASA score in patients ≥80\xa0years of age.'] Do indications for emergency surgery for perforated diverticulitis in elderly Japanese patients ≥80 years of age? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3490887880325317,
-0.9191271662712097,
1.2943837642669678
] |
['Two signalling molecules that are attractive for targeted therapy are the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). We investigated possible crosstalk between these 2 pathways, particularly in light of the recent evidence implicating PPARγ for anticancer therapy.', 'As evaluated by MTT assays, gefitinib (EGFR inhibitor) and DIM-C (PPARγ agonist) inhibited growth of 9 bladder cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner but with variable sensitivity. In addition, combination of gefitinib and DIM-C demonstrated maximal inhibition of cell proliferation compared to each drug alone. These findings were confirmed in vivo, where combination therapy maximally inhibited tumor growth in contrast to each treatment alone when compared to control (p<0.04). Induction of PPARγ expression along with nuclear accumulation was observed in response to increasing concentrations of gefitinib via activation of the transcription factor CCAT/enhancer-binding protein-β (CEBP-β). In these cell lines, DIM-C significantly sensitized bladder cancer cell lines that were resistant to EGFR inhibition in a schedule-specific manner.'] Does a novel mechanism of PPAR gamma induction via EGFR signalling constitute rational for combination therapy in bladder cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4241092205047607,
-1.264689326286316,
2.712730884552002
] |
['Heart and pulmonary involvement is a leading cause of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related deaths. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple and reproducible test commonly used to evaluate exercise capacity. We tried to assess a potential relationship between exercise capacity assessed by 6MWT, echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function and serum levels of endothelin-1 and NTproBNP.', 'We prospectively studied 111 consecutive patients (101F, 10M, age 54.2±13.8 years) with diagnosed SSc (mean disease duration 9±12.4 years) and a group of 21 age-matched subjects (18F, 3M, age 49.3±10.5 years). In addition to routine evaluation, 6MWT and transthoracic echocardiography (Phillips iE 33) were performed. We also measured serum endothelin-1 (Human Endothelin-1 immunoassay R & D Systems) and NT-proBNP levels (Elecsys pro-BNP immunoassay; Roche Diagnostics).', 'The mean 6MWT distance was significantly shorter in the SSc group than in the controls (562.8±60.3 vs. 514.7±102.5 m, p=0.03). In the SSc group 6MWT distance correlated with ET-1 (r=-0.5, p<0.0001), NTproBNP (r=-0.4, p=0.0008) levels, and echocardiographic indices AcT (r=0.4, p=0.0002) and TRPG (r=-0.4, p=0.0011). Moreover, in patients with 6MWT distance <450 m NTproBNP and endotothelin-1 levels were significantly higher than in patients with distance >450 m (311.2, 31.1-17237 vs. 105.3, 5-17670 pg/ml, p=0.0138 and 2.9±2.2 vs. 1.4±0.7 pg/ml, p=0.0032).'] Does six-minute walk test reflect neurohormonal activation and right ventricular function in systemic sclerosis patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.233005404472351,
-1.738142728805542,
2.02445650100708
] |
['Health and lifestyle factors are associated with variations in serum testosterone levels in ageing men. However, it remains unclear how age-related changes in testosterone may be attenuated by lifestyle modifications. The objective was to investigate the longitudinal relationships between changes in health and lifestyle factors with changes in hormones of the reproductive endocrine axis in ageing men.', 'A longitudinal survey of 2736 community-dwelling men aged 40-79 years at baseline recruited from eight centres across Europe. Follow-up assessment occurred mean (±S.D.) 4.4±0.3 years later.', 'Paired testosterone results were available for 2395 men. Mean (±S.D.) annualised hormone changes were as follows: testosterone -0.1±0.95\u200a nmol/l; free testosterone (FT) -3.83±16.8 \u200apmol/l; sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) 0.56±2.5\u200a nmol/l and LH 0.08±0.57\u200a U/l. Weight loss was associated with a proportional increase, and weight gain a proportional decrease, in testosterone and SHBG. FT showed a curvilinear relationship to weight change; only those who gained or lost ≥15% of weight showed a significant change (in the same direction as testosterone). Smoking cessation was associated with a greater decline in testosterone than being a non-smoker, which was unrelated to weight change. Changes in number of comorbid conditions or physical activity were not associated with significant alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis function.'] Are age-associated changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular function in middle-aged and older men modified by weight change and lifestyle factors : longitudinal results from the European Male Ageing Study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0572755336761475,
-1.0617841482162476,
2.181149482727051
] |
['The purpose of this study was to compare the results of hallux valgus surgery between feet fixed with Kirschner wires and those fixed with a plate and screws.', 'Between December 2008 and November 2009, 53 patients (62 feet) were treated with proximal chevron osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure for symptomatic moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity. Thirty-four patients (41 feet) were stabilised with Kirschner wires (K-wire group) and 19 patients (21 feet) were stabilised with a locking plate (plate group). Clinical results were assessed using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Radiographic parameters were compared between these groups. Recurrence rate at the last follow-up was compared between the K-wire and plate groups.', 'Mean AOFAS score was lower in the plate group, however, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant in AOFAS score at the last follow-up. Hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle were significantly larger in the plate group at the last follow-up. Mean 1-2 metatarsal (MT) distance on immediately postoperative radiographs was significant larger in the plate group. Four (9.8 %) of the 41 feet in the K-wire group and 7 (33.3 %) of the 21 feet in the plate group showed hallux valgus recurrence at the last follow-up. The plate group had a significantly higher risk of recurrence than the K-wire group.'] Does plate fixation for proximal chevron osteotomy have greater risk for hallux valgus recurrence than Kirschner wire fixation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7955225706100464,
-1.5630604028701782,
2.363450527191162
] |
["Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown a polygenic component to the risk of schizophrenia. The disorder is associated with impairments in general cognitive ability that also have a substantial genetic contribution. No study has determined whether cognitive impairments can be attributed to schizophrenia's polygenic architecture using data from GWAS.", 'Members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936, n = 937) were assessed using the Moray House Test at age 11 and with the Moray House Test and a further cognitive battery at age 70. To create polygenic risk scores for schizophrenia, we obtained data from the latest GWAS of the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium on Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia polygenic risk profile scores were calculated using information from the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium on Schizophrenia GWAS.', 'In LBC1936, polygenic risk for schizophrenia was negatively associated with IQ at age 70 but not at age 11. Greater polygenic risk for schizophrenia was associated with more relative decline in IQ between these ages. These findings were maintained when the results of LBC1936 were combined with that of the independent Lothian Birth Cohort 1921 (n = 517) in a meta-analysis.'] Is polygenic risk for schizophrenia associated with cognitive change between childhood and old age? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1924309730529785,
-0.4431912302970886,
1.6737804412841797
] |
['Evidence accumulates that the neuropeptide oxytocin plays an important role in mediating social interaction among humans and that a dysfunction in oxytocin-modulated brain mechanisms might lie at the core of disturbed social behavior in neuropsychiatric disease. Explanatory models suggest that oxytocin guides social approach and avoidance by modulating the perceived salience of socially meaningful cues. Animal data point toward the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as the brain site where this modulation takes place.', 'We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and a social incentive delay task to test the hypothesis that oxytocin modulates the neural processing of socially relevant cues in the VTA, hereby facilitating behavioral response. Twenty-eight nulliparous women (not taking any hormones) received intranasal oxytocin or placebo in a double-blind randomized clinical trial with a parallel-group design.', 'Oxytocin significantly enhanced VTA activation in response to cues signaling social reward (friendly face) or social punishment (angry face). Oxytocin effects on behavioral performance were modulated by individual differences in sociability with enhanced performance in women scoring low but decreased performance in women scoring high on self-reported measures of agreeableness.'] Does oxytocin influence processing of socially relevant cues in the ventral tegmental area of the human brain? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.629521608352661,
-0.9379764199256897,
2.609529972076416
] |
['While literature demonstrates that the optimum accuracy is obtained with the custom trays, the use of stock trays for elastomeric impressions appears to be popular in general practice. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of thickness of impression material on the dimensional accuracy of impressions made from monophasic polyvinylsiloxane impression material. This study also studies the dimensional stability of the impressions poured at different time intervals.', 'A metal model simulating two abutment teeth was fabricated along with reference lines inscribed on them. Custom impression trays were fabricated with spacer thickness of 2, 4 and 6 mm. impressions were made using monophasic polyvinyl siloxane impression material. The impressions were poured and stone models were obtained. The dimensional accuracy of the impressions were determined indirectly by measuring the dimensional changes of the recovered stone models. The dimensional stability was also evaluated by pouring the impressions at time intervals of 1 hour, 24 hours and 7 days. The obtained data was statistically analyzed.', 'The results of the study indicated that the impressions made from 2 and 4 mm tray space produced more accurate stone models when compared to 6 mm tray space. There was no significant deviation in the mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions when impressions were made using impression trays with 2, 4 and 6 mm tray spacers. There was a significant decrease in interabutment distance (p = 0.001) and height of the abutment (p = 0.024) when impressions were made using impression trays with a tray space of 6 mm. There were no significant differences found among the stone models obtained from 1 hour, 24 hours and 1 week pour times.'] Does the influence of tray space and repeat pour on the accuracy of monophasic polyvinylsiloxane impression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0068703889846802,
-1.1125147342681885,
1.1343753337860107
] |
['\u2002Periodontopathic bacteria are detected at a high rate in specimens obtained from the aortic walls of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and are involved in AAA development. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are key receptors of virulence factors of many periodontal bacteria, on periodontopathic bacteria-accelerated AAA progression.', '\u2002AAA was produced by peri-aortic application of 0.25 mol/L CaCl2, with NaCl used as a control. The mice were inoculated with live Porphyromonas (P.) gingivalis or vehicle once weekly. At 4 weeks after the application of CaCl2, the aortic diameter of the P. gingivalis-infected wild-type mice showed a significant increase in comparison with vehicle control mice (P<0.05). The P. gingivalis-infected TLR-2 deficient mice showed no statistical increase in aortic diameter over the same period. The aortic diameter of the P. gingivalis-infected TLR-4 deficient mice statistically increased. Immunohistochemically, the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in the aneurysmal samples from wild-type mice were higher than in TLR-2 deficient mice.'] Does toll-like receptor-2 play a fundamental role in periodontal bacteria-accelerated abdominal aortic aneurysms? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.403067111968994,
-1.3294435739517212,
2.7270383834838867
] |
['To assess the extent to which demographic characteristics are related to international medical graduate (IMG) candidate performance on the Centre for the Evaluation of Health Professionals Educated Abroad General Comprehensive Clinical Examination 1 (CE1).', 'Retrospective study.', 'Toronto, Ont.', 'All IMG candidates who registered for and took the CE1 in 2007 (n = 430), 2008 (n = 480), and 2009 (n = 472) were included in this analysis. All candidates completed the Centre for the Evaluation of Health Professionals Educated Abroad CE1, a 12-station objective structured clinical examination.', 'Mean (SD) examination scores for groups based on demographic variables (age, region of medical training, and Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 [MCCQE1] score) were calculated. Analysis of variance was done using CE1 examination total scores as the dependent variables.', 'Candidates from countries where both medical education and patient care are conducted in English and those from South America and Western Europe achieved the highest scores, while candidates from the Western Pacific region and Africa achieved the lowest scores. Younger candidates achieved higher scores than older candidates. These results were consistent across the 3 years of CE1 examination administration. There was a significant relationship between MCCQE1 and CE1 scores in 2 of the 3 years: 2007 (r = 0.218, P < .001) and 2008 (r = 0.23, P < .01).'] Does iMG candidates ' demographic characteristics as predictors of CEHPEA CE1 result? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-0.9791472554206848,
0.18961095809936523,
-0.11262695491313934
] |
['This study aimed to investigate the association between serum adiponectin and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.', 'We conducted a campus-based cross-sectional study in Northern Taiwan, an HBV-endemic country. A total of 506 participants, including 147 chronic HBV-infected individuals and 359 healthy controls, were assessed for anthropometric indices, serum adiponectin levels, serum HBV viral load and markers, serum alanine aminotransferase levels and metabolic factors.', 'Older age, male gender, higher alanine aminotransferase, higher body mass index, greater waist circumference, lower fasting glucose, higher triglycerides, and higher adiponectin were associated with chronic HBV infection in univariate analyses. In multivariate analysis, the presence of chronic HBV infection was positively associated with serum adiponectin levels (P < 0.0001) and high adiponectin levels over the 75th percentile (odds ratio, 4.25; 95% confidence interval, 2.36-7.66; P < 0.0001) after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, and insulin resistance index. Furthermore, serum adiponectin levels were positively associated with HBV viral load in overweight to obese HBV-infected subjects (P = 0.018).'] Are serum adiponectin levels associated with hepatitis B viral load in overweight to obese hepatitis B virus carriers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.09725022315979,
-1.0509835481643677,
2.196476459503174
] |
['Neuroendocrine abnormalities, such as activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, are associated with obesity; however, few large-scale population-based studies have examined HPA axis and markers of obesity. We examined the cross-sectional association of the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and diurnal salivary cortisol curve with obesity.', 'The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Stress Study includes 1,002 White, Hispanic, and Black men and women (mean age 65 ± 9.8 years) who collected up to 18 salivary cortisol samples over 3 days. Cortisol profiles were modeled using regression spline models that incorporated random parameters for subject-specific effects. Cortisol curve measures included awakening cortisol, CAR (awakening to 30-min postawakening), early decline (30 min to 2-h postawakening), late decline (2-h postawakening to bedtime), and the corresponding areas under the curve (AUC). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were used to estimate adiposity.', 'For the entire cohort, both BMI and WC were negatively correlated with awakening cortisol (P < 0.05), AUC during awakening rise, and early decline and positively correlated to the early decline slope (P < 0.05) after adjustments for age, race/ethnicity, gender, diabetes status, socioeconomic status, β-blockers, steroids, hormone replacement therapy, and smoking status. No heterogeneities of effects were observed by gender, age, and race/ethnicity.'] Is diurnal salivary cortisol associated with body mass index and waist circumference : the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2692949771881104,
-1.206700325012207,
2.510995388031006
] |
['Interaction between vascular wall abnormalities, inflammatory leukocytes, platelets, coagulation factors and hemorheology in the pathogenesis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is incompletely understood, requiring well defined animal models of human disease.', 'We subjected male C57BL/6 mice to ligation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) as a flow reduction model to induce DVT. Thrombus size and weight were analyzed macroscopically and sonographically by B-mode, pulse wave (pw) Doppler and power Doppler imaging (PDI) using high frequency ultrasound. Thrombus size varied substantially between individual procedures and mice, irrespective of the flow reduction achieved by the ligature. Interestingly, PDI accurately predicted thrombus size in a very robust fashion (r2 = 0.9734, p < 0.0001). Distance of the insertion of side branches from the ligature significantly determines thrombus weight (r2 = 0.5597, p < 0.0001) and length (r2 = 0.5441, p < 0.0001) in the IVC, regardless of the flow measured by pw-Doppler with distances <1.5 mm drastically impairing thrombus formation. Occlusion of side branches prior to ligation of IVC did not increase thrombus size, probably due to patent side branches inaccessible to surgery.'] Is deep vein thrombus formation induced by flow reduction in mice determined by venous side branches? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2627651691436768,
-1.428806185722351,
2.765096664428711
] |
['Recent observations, especially in adults, suggest that asthma severity may be associated with fungal sensitization. Other studies suggest that some patients with severe asthma and fungal sensitization may benefit from anti-fungal therapy. Currently, the prevalence of fungal sensitization among children with severe asthma is not well characterized.', 'We determined prevalence of fungal sensitization among children with moderate to severe persistent asthma and compared clinical characteristics between sensitized and non-sensitized children, including asthma severity, serum immunoglobulin E, and pulmonary function.', 'Of the 64 children enrolled, 25 (39%) had evidence of sensitization to one or more fungi. Nineteen of 25 (76%) children with fungal sensitization were categorized as severe persistent compared to 13 of 39 (33%) children without evidence of fungal sensitization (odds ratio = 6.33, 95% confidence interval 2.04-19.68, P = 0.0014). Of 32 severe persistent asthmatics, 19 (59%) demonstrated evidence of fungal sensitization. Serum immunoglobulin E was significantly higher (P < 0.001), and pulmonary function (including FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75%) significantly lower in the fungal-sensitized patients (P = 0.016, 0.0004, and 0.002, respectively). Bronchial biopsy of sensitized children revealed basement membrane thickening and eosinophil infiltration.'] Is fungal sensitization in childhood persistent asthma associated with disease severity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1344974040985107,
-0.7726472020149231,
2.0415122509002686
] |
['The aim of the study was to investigate circulating markers of apoptosis in relation to infarct size, left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling in an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) population undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).', 'Immediate re-opening of the acutely occluded infarct-related artery via primary PCI is the treatment of choice in STEMI to limit ischemia injury. However, the sudden re-initiation of blood flow can lead to a local acute inflammatory response with further endothelial and myocardial damage, so-called reperfusion injury. Apoptosis is suggested to be a key event in ischemia-reperfusion injury, resulting in LV-dysfunction, remodeling and heart failure.', 'The present study is a prespecified substudy of the F.I.R.E. trial. We included 48 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Blood samples were collected prior to PCI and after 24 hours. Plasma was separated for later analysis of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR) 1, sTNFR2, sFas and sFas ligand (sFasL) by ELISA. Infarct size, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and remodeling were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at five days and four months after STEMI.', 'The levels of sTNFR1 at 24 h as well as the relative increases in sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 over 24 h showed consistent and significant correlations with infarct size and LV-dysfunction at four months. Moreover, both sTNFRs correlated strongly with Troponin I and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 measurements. Soluble Fas and sFasL did not overall correlate with measures of infarct size or LV-dysfunction. None of the apoptosis markers correlated significantly with measures of remodeling.'] Are soluble TNF receptors associated with infarct size and ventricular dysfunction in ST-elevation myocardial infarction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3584067821502686,
-1.4079420566558838,
2.8170952796936035
] |
['The lack of accuracy of point of care (POC) glucose monitors has limited their use in the diagnosis of neonatal hypoglycemia. Hematocrit plays an important role in explaining discordant results. The objective of this study was to to assess the effect of hematocrit on the diagnostic performance of Abbott Precision Xceed Pro (PXP) and Nova StatStrip (StatStrip) monitors in neonates.', 'All blood samples ordered for laboratory glucose measurement were analyzed using the PXP and StatStrip and compared with the laboratory analyzer (ABL 800 Blood Gas analyzer [ABL]). Acceptable error targets were ±15% for glucose monitoring and ±5% for diagnosis.', 'A total of 307 samples from 176 neonates were analyzed. Overall, 90% of StatStrip and 75% of PXP values met the 15% error limit and 45% of StatStrip and 32% of PXP values met the 5% error limit. At glucose concentrations ≤4 mmol/L, 83% of StatStrip and 79% of PXP values met the 15% error limit, while 37% of StatStrip and 38% of PXP values met the 5% error limit. Hematocrit explained 7.4% of the difference between the PXP and ABL whereas it accounted for only 0.09% of the difference between the StatStrip and ABL. The ROC analysis showed the screening cut point with the best performance for identifying neonatal hypoglycemia was 3.2 mmol/L for StatStrip and 3.3 mmol/L for PXP.'] Does hematocrit correction improve glucose monitor accuracy in the assessment of neonatal hypoglycemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1401118040084839,
-1.7421534061431885,
1.921356439590454
] |
['Serum HER2 (S-HER2) was approved in 2003 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for monitoring trastuzumab treatment in tissue HER2 positive breast cancer patients. Information of the value of S-HER2 is scarce. We hypothesised that S-HER2 would reflect the clinical effect of trastuzumab.', 'We followed 48 patients eligible for trastuzumab treatment for up to 6 years or until death. S-HER2 was measured on an ADVIA Centaur System and S-Trastuzumab was measured by an in-house developed fluorescent enzyme immunoassay system on the ImmunoCap 100.', 'A decrease in S-HER2 of ≥ 20% was correlated to no progression in the disease in 20 out of 21 clinical courses (p<0.0001). An increase in S-HER2 of ≥ 20% was correlated to progression in the disease in 40 out of 44 clinical courses (p<0.0001). Patients with no recurrence after trastuzumab treatment (n=18) had a median S-HER2 concentration of 10.5 μg/L, whereas patients alive with recurrence (n=13) had a median S-HER2 of 20.1 μg/L (p=0.002). Patients who died prompted by recurrence (n=17) had a median S-HER2 of 232.4 μg/L at latest measurement before death (p=<0.0001) compared to patients without recurrence. In two patients with S-HER2 values above 1000 μg/L the concentrations of S-trastuzumab were measured below the target trough concentration in serum of 10 mg/L.'] Does serum HER-2 predict response and resistance to trastuzumab treatment in breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9889878034591675,
-1.7430040836334229,
1.6750506162643433
] |
['Methane (CH4)-producing intestinal bacteria might be related to constipation. This study was carried out to evaluate the association between breath CH4, colonic transit, and anorectal pressure in constipated patients.', 'A database of consecutive 62 constipated patients fulfilling the Rome III with the lactulose CH4 breath test (LMBT), a colon marker study, and anorectal manometry was studied. The profile of LMBT in patients was compared with 49 healthy controls. The positivity to LMBT (LMBT+) was defined as CH4 of at least 10 ppm in baseline or above baseline within 90 min. There were two types of constipation: normal and delayed transit.', 'There were significant differences in the breath CH4 between patients with delayed transit and (a) normal transit from 0 to 135 min or (b) healthy controls from 0 to 180 min. The LMBT+ was higher in delayed transit patients than in healthy controls (58.8 vs.12.2%) or in normal transit patients (vs. 13.3%), respectively (P<0.01). The delayed transit was the only independent factor for LMBT+ [odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 27.8 (3.32-250.00), P<0.01]. The left and total colonic transit time were significantly increased in LMBT-positive than in LMBT-negative patients. Significant correlations were found between total CH4 and the time of left or total colonic transit. However, no difference was found in the parameters of manometry by LMBT status.'] Is breath methane positivity more common and higher in patients with objectively proven delayed transit constipation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4929183721542358,
-1.5693608522415161,
2.025786876678467
] |
['Neonatal total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with animals with low glucose tolerance, body weight, and physical activity at adulthood. The early life origin of adult metabolic perturbations suggests a reprogramming of metabolism following epigenetic modifications induced by a change in the pattern of DNA expression. We hypothesized that peroxides contaminating TPN inhibit the activity of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), leading to a modified DNA methylation state.', "Three groups of 3-d-old guinea pigs with catheters in their jugular veins were compared: (i) control: enterally fed with regular chow; (ii) TPN: fed exclusively with TPN (dextrose, amino acids, lipids, multivitamins, contaminated with 350 ± 29 μmol/l peroxides); (iii) H2O2: control + 350 μmol/l H2O2 intravenously. After 4 d, infusions were stopped and animals enterally fed. Half the animals were killed immediately after treatments and half were killed 8 wk later (n = 4-6 per group) for hepatic determination of DNMT activities and of 5'-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine (5MedCyd) levels, a marker of DNA methylation.", 'At 1 wk, DNMT and 5MedCyd were lower in the TPN and H2O2 groups as compared with controls. At 9 wk, DNMT remained lower in the TPN group, whereas 5MedCyd was lower in the TPN and H2O2 groups.'] Does total parenteral nutrition induce sustained hypomethylation of DNA in newborn guinea pigs? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7075566053390503,
-1.623203992843628,
2.2677042484283447
] |
['Wolbachia are maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria that manipulate the reproductive success of their insect hosts. Uninfected females that mate with Wolbachia infected males do not reproduce due to cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CI results in the increased frequency of Wolbachia-infected individuals in populations. Recently, two Wolbachia strains, the benign wMel and virulent wMelPop have been artificially transinfected into the primary vector of dengue virus, the mosquito Ae. aegypti where they have formed stable infections. These Wolbachia infections are being developed for a biological control strategy against dengue virus transmission. While the effects of Wolbachia on female Ae. aegypti have been examined the effects on males are less well characterised. Here we ascertain and compare the effects of the two strains on male fitness in resource-limited environments that may better approximate the natural environment.', 'A series of population mating trials were conducted to examine the effect of Wolbachia infection status (with strains wMel and wMelPop) and male larval nutrition on insemination frequency, remating rates, the fecundity of females, the hatch rates of eggs and the wing length and fertility of males.', 'wMel and wMelPop infections reduce the fecundity of infected females and wMelPop reduces the viability of eggs. Low nutrition diets for males in the larval phase affects the fecundity of wMel-infected females. Neither strain of Wolbachia affected sperm quality or viability or the ability of males to successfully mate multiple females.'] Do transinfected Wolbachia have minimal effects on male reproductive success in Aedes aegypti? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.9108991622924805,
0.986142635345459,
1.0533690452575684
] |
['Oxidative stress is considered a key element in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Unconjugated bilirubin is the main endogenous lipid antioxidant and is cytoprotective in different tissues and organs. In this study, it was evaluated if unconjugated bilirubin levels are associated with the degree of liver injury in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.', 'Two hundred and eighty-five patients were retrospectively evaluated with biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship of steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis levels to the features of patients.', 'Unconjugated bilirubin levels differed significantly according to inflammation and fibrosis scores. Unconjugated bilirubin was lower in patients with moderate-severe inflammation compared with those with absent-mild (P\u2009=\u20090.001) and in patients with moderate-severe fibrosis compared with those with absent-mild (P\u2009<\u20090.001), whereas no difference was observed for steatosis grades. At logistic regression analysis, low unconjugated bilirubin levels were associated with moderate-severe inflammation (odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.76; P\u2009=\u20090.025) and moderate-severe fibrosis (odds ratio, 0.013; 95% confidence interval 0.001-0.253; P\u2009=\u20090.004).'] Is unconjugated bilirubin , a potent endogenous antioxidant , decreased in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and advanced fibrosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4624519348144531,
-1.625103235244751,
2.016022205352783
] |
['A significant barrier to islet transplantation is the rapid loss of human islet function in vivo. The present study evaluates whether bone marrow (BM) could be used to support human islet survival and function in vivo.', 'We cocultured human islets and BM for 3 weeks before transplantation into the left subrenal capsule of diabetic severe combined immunodeficient mice.', 'The cocultured human islets before transplantation demonstrated improved viability, increased size, and migration capacity in vitro. After 4 months, animals transplanted with precultured BM/islets exhibited euglycemia and detectable human insulin levels (157 μU/mL), whereas no human insulin was detected in the islet-only transplantation group. Furthermore, the removal of the transplants on day 126 resulted in hyperglycemia, indicating that the reduction of blood glucose was dependent on the transplants. Diabetic mice transplanted with BM/islets demonstrated the longest survival period (130 vs. 40 days for those with islet-only transplants). The transplanted BM/islets showed signs of vascularization and migration from the renal capsule into medulla.'] Does allogeneic bone marrow cocultured with human islets significantly improve islet survival and function in vivo? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3074185848236084,
-0.5988257527351379,
1.9094111919403076
] |
['Vascular involvement is a key feature of Systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although the pericytes/endothelial cells (ECs) cross-talk regulates vessels formation, no evidences about the pericytes contribution to ineffective angiogenesis in SSc are available. Recent findings showed similarities between pericytes and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM-MSCs). Due to difficulties in pericytes isolation, this work explores the possibility to use BM-MSCs as pericytes surrogate, clarifying their role in supporting neo-angiogenesis during SSc.', 'To demonstrate their potential to normally differentiate into pericytes, both SSc and healthy controls (HC) BM-MSCs were treated with TGF-β and PDGF-BB. The expression of pericytes specific markers (α-SMA, NG2, RGS5 and desmin) was assessed by qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence; chemioinvasion and capillary morphogenesis were also performed. Cell-sorting of BM-MSCs co-cultured with HC-ECs was used to identify a possible change in contractile proteins genes expression.', 'We showed that BM-MSCs isolated from SSc patients displayed an up-regulation of α-SMA and SM22α genes and a reduced proliferative activity. Moreover during SSc, both TGF-β and PDGF-BB can specifically modulate BM-MSCs toward pericytes. TGF-β was found interfering with the PDGF-BB effects. Using BM-MSCs/MVECs co-culture system we observed that SSc BM-MSCs improve ECs tube formation in stressed condition, and BM-MSCs, sorted after co-culture, showed a reduced α-SMA and SM22α gene expression.'] Do scleroderma Mesenchymal Stem Cells display a different phenotype from healthy controls ; implications for regenerative medicine? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4104743003845215,
-1.3504409790039062,
2.778271198272705
] |
['We aimed to describe the weight status of obese mothers 6 months after delivery and examine its relationship to important sociodemographical, behavioral, and psychological variables.', 'Postpartum data from an interventional trial in obese pregnant women (n = 197), conducted in three regional hospitals, between March 2008 and June 2012, were available from 150 mothers. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 29 kg/m2. Predictors were examined from the pregnancy and postpartum period. Descriptive statistics were performed and linear regression models constructed.', 'Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) 6 months after delivery ranges from -17 to + 19 kg with a mean of -1.28 kg (SD 6.05). Thirty-nine percent showed PPWR (>0 kg) and 13% of obese mothers reported a high PPWR (≥5 kg). Gestational weight gain (GWG) and psychological discomfort were significantly higher in obese mothers with PPWR compared to those with no or low PPWR. Mean duration of breastfeeding in this cohort of obese mothers was 9.5 weeks (SD 8.7), with 17.3% breastfeeding for at least 6 months. At 6 months after delivery, prepregnancy BMI (β = -0.283; P = 0.001), GWG (β = 0.337; P = 0.001), and maternal trait anxiety in the first trimester of pregnancy (β = 0.255; P = 0.001) were significantly associated with PPWR in obese mothers.'] Does anxiety during early pregnancy predict postpartum weight retention in obese mothers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.944036066532135,
-1.1243209838867188,
1.1359128952026367
] |
['Plants respond to herbivore damage with the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This indirect defense can cause ecological costs when herbivores themselves use VOCs as cues to localize suitable host plants. Can VOCs reliably indicate food plant quality to herbivores?', 'We determined the choice behavior of herbivorous beetles (Chrysomelidae: Gynandrobrotica guerreroensis and Cerotoma ruficornis) when facing lima bean plants (Fabaceae: Phaseolus lunatus) with different cyanogenic potential, which is an important constitutive direct defense. Expression of inducible indirect defenses was experimentally manipulated by jasmonic acid treatment at different concentrations. The long-distance responses of male and female beetles to the resulting induced plant volatiles were investigated in olfactometer and free-flight experiments and compared to the short-distance decisions of the same beetles in feeding trials.'] Do distance and sex determine host plant choice by herbivorous beetles? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.838707685470581,
1.573789119720459,
0.3359576165676117
] |
['Constitutive activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and Akt has been implicated in chemoresistance as well as inhibition of apoptosis to cisplatin (CDDP), therefore, we examined whether (-) epigallocateocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) or theaflavins (TF) could sensitize human cancer cells to CDDP via induction of apoptosis mediated by the inactivation of NF-κB and Akt signaling.', 'Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa and SiHa cells) were treated with EGCG or TF and CDDP alone and with their combinations, further their effects on cell viability were evaluated. Western blotting was used for examining the apoptotic signaling proteins and inhibition of NF-κB activation. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) were examined by flow cytometry.', 'The combined treatment of EGCG or TF with CDDP elicited significant inhibition of cell growth in comparison to either of them in both cell lines (p<0.05). Combinatorial treatment of both compounds potentially induced apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of Akt and NF-κB through blocking phosphorylation of inhibitor kappa Bα. These combinations acted in concert to induce increase in ROS level, release of cytochrome-c and expression of p53 and Bax, with decrease in cellular glutathione contents, ΔΨm, and Bcl-2 expression, thereby eventually resulting in the activation of caspases, poly(ADP)ribose polymerase cleavage and apoptosis of cancer cells.'] Do tea polyphenols enhance cisplatin chemosensitivity in cervical cancer cells via induction of apoptosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4781644344329834,
-1.320061206817627,
2.845116376876831
] |
['Obesity is still considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopic splenectomy (LS).', 'All patients undergoing LS at our institution were classified as obese or nonobese (group A, body mass index [BMI] >30; group B, BMI <30). Primary end points included conversion rate, operative complications, length of stay, operative time, and estimated blood loss (EBL).', 'Three hundred seventy patients who underwent LS were included. Baseline characteristics were similar in groups A (n = 127; mean BMI, 36.2 ± 6.9 kg/m²) and B (n = 243; mean BMI, 24.6 ± 2.9 kg/m²). Conversion rates and overall morbidity were similar in both groups (9% vs 11% for conversion to open procedures, P = .621; 16% vs 16% for morbidity rates, P = .940). Length of hospital stay and EBL were also comparable (P = .643 and P = .544, respectively). Mean operative time was significantly increased in the obese group on multivariate analysis (170 vs 151 minutes, P = .021).'] Does obesity adversely affect outcomes after laparoscopic splenectomy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5573551654815674,
-1.5658304691314697,
1.1521480083465576
] |
['Suicide rates are higher in East-Asians than other populations, and especially high in Koreans. However, little is known about suicidality risk and melancholic features in Asian patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).', 'Drug-free MDD outpatients were included from 13 centers across five ethnicities consisting of Chinese (n=290), Korean (n=101), Thai (n=102), Indian (n=27), and Malay (n=27). All were interviewed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Symptoms Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R).', 'Of 547 subjects, 177 MDD patients showed melancholic features (32.4%). These melancholic MDD patients revealed significantly higher suicidality risk (p<0.0001), hostility (p=0.037), and severity of depression (p<0.0001) than those MDD patients without melancholic features. Suicidality risk was significantly higher in MDD with melancholic features than those without in subjects with lower hostility, whereas it showed no difference in higher hostility. Adjusted odds ratios of melancholic features and hostility for moderate to high suicidality risk were 1.79 (95% CI=1.15-2.79) and 2.45 (95% CI=1.37-4.38), after adjusting for age, sex, education years, and depression severity. Post-hoc analyses showed that suicidality risk was higher in Korean and Chinese than that of Thai, Indian and Malay in MDD subjects with melancholic features, although depression severity showed no significant differences among the ethnicities.'] Are melancholic features and hostility associated with suicidality risk in Asian patients with major depressive disorder? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.8502253293991089,
-1.1770195960998535,
1.0728530883789062
] |
['Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a high incidence of postoperative recurrence, despite high rates of complete necrosis with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and curative hepatic resections (HR). The aim of this study was to identify intraoperative ultrasound patterns observed during HR or RFA that predicting intrahepatic HCC recurrence.', 'From January 1997 through August 2008, we treated 377 patients with HCC (158 with HR and 219 with surgical RFA). All patients underwent intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) examination. Primary HCCs was classified according to diameter, HCC pattern (nodular or infiltrative), echogenicity (hyper- or hypo-), echotexture (homogeneous or inhomogeneous), capsular invasion, mosaic pattern, nodule-in-nodule appearance, and infiltration of portal vessels. Number of HCC nodules was also considered. Comparisons between the groups of possible factors for intrahepatic recurrence of treated tumors were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.', 'Patients were followed for 9-127 months (median: 18.6 months), and intrahepatic recurrence was observed in 198 (52.5%). In 138 patients (36.5%), recurrences were located in different segments with respect to the primary tumor. In 60 HCC tumors (16%), local recurrences were found in the same segment as the primary tumor. At univariate analysis, primary HCC echogenicity and mosaic pattern were the only factors not significant associated with intrahepatic recurrences.'] Do intraoperative ultrasound patterns predict recurrences after surgical treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma ( )? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.07570219039917,
-1.4686384201049805,
2.6033973693847656
] |
['The purpose of this systematic review was to examine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography angiography (CTA) is more sensitive for the detection of endoleaks in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) after EVAR.', 'Systematic review.', 'A systematic electronic search was performed. Articles were included when post-EVAR patients were evaluated by both MRI as index test and CTA as comparison. Methodological quality was assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients in whom MRI detected additional endoleaks, which were not seen with CTA.', 'Eleven articles were included. The overall methodological quality of the articles was good. In total, 369 patients with 562 MRI and 562 CTA examinations were included. A total of 146 endoleaks were detected by CTA; MRI detected all but two of these endoleaks. With MRI 132 additional endoleaks were found.'] Is magnetic resonance imaging more sensitive than computed tomography angiography for the detection of endoleaks after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair : a systematic review? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.155226945877075,
-1.0930569171905518,
2.4365105628967285
] |
['Abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture is caused by mechanical vascular tissue failure. Although mechanical properties within the aneurysm vary, currently available ultrasound methods assess only one cross-sectional segment of the aorta. This study aims to establish real-time 3-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking ultrasound to explore local displacement and strain parameters of the whole abdominal aortic aneurysm.', 'Validation was performed on a silicone aneurysm model, perfused in a pulsatile artificial circulatory system. Wall motion of the silicone model was measured simultaneously with a commercial real-time 3D speckle tracking ultrasound system and either with laser-scan micrometry or with video photogrammetry. After validation, 3D ultrasound data were collected from abdominal aortic aneurysms of five patients and displacement and strain parameters were analysed.', 'Displacement parameters measured in vitro by 3D ultrasound and laser scan micrometer or video analysis were significantly correlated at pulse pressures between 40 and 80 mmHg. Strong local differences in displacement and strain were identified within the aortic aneurysms of patients.'] Do strain measurement of abdominal aortic aneurysm with real-time 3D ultrasound speckle tracking? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.347076654434204,
-1.1915388107299805,
2.6537718772888184
] |
['DNA-damaging compounds (e.g., alkylating agents, cytotoxic antibiotics and DNA topoisomerase poisons) are the most widely used anticancer drugs. The inability of tumor cells to properly repair some types of DNA damage may explain why specific DNA-damaging drugs can selectively kill tumor cells. Phenylglyoxal is a dicarbonyl compound known to react with guanidine groups such as that of the DNA base guanine, therefore suggesting that phenylglyoxal could induce DNA damage and have anticancer activity.', 'Cellular DNA damage was measured by the alkaline comet assay and the γH2AX focus assay. Formation of topoisomerase I- and topoisomerase II-DNA complexes was assessed by the TARDIS assay, an immunofluorescence technique that employs specific antibodies to DNA topo I or topo II to detect the protein covalently bound to the DNA in individual cells. Cell growth inhibition and cytotoxicity were determined by XTT, MTT and clonogenic assays. Apoptosis was assessed by the Annexin V flow cytometry assay.', 'Phenylglyoxal induced cellular DNA damage and formation of high levels of topoisomerase I- and topoisomerase II-DNA complexes in cells. These topoisomerase-DNA complexes were abolished by catalase pretreatment and correlated well with the induction of apoptosis. Phenylglyoxal-induced cell death was partially prevented by catalase pretreatment and was higher in lung cancer cells (A549) than in normal lung fibroblasts (MRC5). Mammalian cell lines defective in nucleotide excision repair (NER), homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) were more sensitive to phenylglyoxal than parental cells; this suggests that phenylglyoxal may induce bulky distortions in the shape of the DNA double helix (which are repaired by the NER pathway) and DNA double-strand breaks (which are repaired by HR and NHEJ).'] Does guanidine-reactive agent phenylglyoxal induce DNA damage and cancer cell death? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.559791326522827,
-1.2461698055267334,
2.8497908115386963
] |
['Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with limited treatment modalities. The animal model of colitis induced by treatment with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS-colitis) is commonly used to test new therapies of this disease. In our previous work we found that epicutaneous (EC) immunization with protein antigen induced a state of profound immunosuppression that inhibited inflammatory response in contact sensitivity, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in allogeneic skin graft rejection.', 'TNBS-induced colitis was used as an experimental model.', 'In our current work, we showed that EC immunization with TNP-conjugated mouse immunoglobulin (TNP-Ig) prior to induction of TNBS-colitis alleviates disease severity what was determined by the body weight, the length and the weight of the colon, the histological activity index (HAI) and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO). Observed amelioration of the disease in TNP-Ig patched mice was accompanied with decreased production of IFN-γ and IL-17A by splenocytes. Additionally, spleen cells isolated from mice EC immunized with TNP-Ig prior to colitis induction showed increased production of IL-10 suggesting that this cytokine might be involved in inhibiting inflammatory response in the colon.'] Does epicutaneous immunization with protein antigen TNP-Ig alleviate TNBS-induced colitis in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5195019245147705,
-1.3015916347503662,
2.8962438106536865
] |
["This study was designed to investigate the possible effectiveness of resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) administration on oxidative stress, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity and apoptosis rate in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic retinopathy.", 'Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: normal control, diabetic control, normal rats treated with resveratrol, and diabetic rats treated with resveratrol. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg; ip), 15 min after the prescription of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg; ip) in 12 h fasted rats.', 'Four-month oral resveratrol administration (5 mg/kg/day) significantly alleviated hyperglycemia, weight loss, enhancement of oxidative markers (lipid peroxidation index and oxidized to reduced glutathione ratio) and superoxide dismutase activity in both blood and retinas of the diabetic rats. Moreover, resveratrol administration to diabetic rats improved the elevated levels of retinas NF-κB activity and apoptosis rate. On the other hand, four months resveratrol administration prevented from disarrangement and reduction in thickness of retinal layers.'] Does resveratrol improve diabetic retinopathy possibly through oxidative stress - nuclear factor κB - apoptosis pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.401707649230957,
-1.328956127166748,
2.7640414237976074
] |
['To determine the relation of neonatal cranial ultrasound abnormalities to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in low birth weight (LBW) adult survivors, a population at increased ASD risk.', 'This is a secondary analysis of a prospectively-followed regional birth cohort of 1105 LBW infants systematically screened for perinatal brain injury with cranial ultrasound in the first week of life and later assessed for ASD using a two-stage process [screening at age 16 years (n = 623) followed by diagnostic assessment at age 21 years of a systematically selected subgroup of those screened (n = 189)]; 14 cases of ASD were identified. For this analysis, cranial ultrasound abnormalities were defined as ventricular enlargement (indicative of diffuse white matter injury), parenchymal lesions (indicative of focal white matter injury), and isolated germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage.', 'Compared with no cranial ultrasound abnormalities, any type of white matter injury (ventricular enlargement and/or parenchymal lesion) tripled the risk for screening positively for ASD [3.0 (2.2, 4.1)]. However, the risk of being diagnosed with ASD depended on type of white matter injury. With ventricular enlargement, the risk of ASD diagnosis was almost seven-fold that of no cranial ultrasound abnormality [6.7 (2.3, 19.7)], and no elevated risk was found for parenchymal lesion without ventricular enlargement [1.8 (0.2, 13.6)]. Isolated germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage did not increase risk for a positive ASD screen or diagnosis.'] Is autism spectrum disorder associated with ventricular enlargement in a low birth weight population? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9487040042877197,
-1.4155771732330322,
2.4573121070861816
] |
['An audit took place to look at the diagnostic or pick-up rate of ankle fractures. A seasonal variation was discovered. Although it is expected that more fractures may be seen in wet or icy periods, an excess of X-rays taken in the summer months has not been previously registered.', 'An automated X-ray system was looked at to see the number of X-rays taken and the diagnostic yield.', 'We reviewed ankle X-rays of 3929 patients over a 24-month period between 1 July 2009 and 31 June 2011; of which, 612 patients were found to have fractured their ankle giving a pick-up rate of 0.16. This is less than what might be expected with strict application of Ottawa rules. The pick-up rate fluctuated each month from an admirable 0.35 fractures per X-ray ordered in December 2009 to a lowly 0.06 fractures per X-ray in May 2010. The same pattern was noted for the other year. For both Decembers, the fewest number of X-rays were taken at 80 and 140, the most at 200 and 240 in May for both years. Less X-rays were taken in for all winter months. For younger age groups, males dominated with the crossover to females dominating in the fifth decade.'] Are demographics of 3929 ankle injuries , seasonal variation in diagnosis and more fractures diagnosed in winter? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.26097047328948975,
0.14881682395935059,
-1.2455430030822754
] |
['Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer originating from the mesothelial cells that line the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities. These cells synthesise large quantities of surface glycoproteins, rendering them dependent upon efficient endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function. When faced with elevated levels of secretory protein load, cells are said to experience ER stress, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many human diseases including cancer.', 'We set out to measure markers of ER stress in malignant mesothelioma and to determine whether ER stress signalling correlates with clinical parameters.', 'We observed that expression of the ER stress-responsive transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) correlated with patient survival and remained an independent prognostic variable in pairwise comparisons with all clinical variables tested. The most parsimonious multivariate model in our study comprised only performance status and CHOP staining. In contrast, expression of the ER stress-responsive phosphatase growth arrest and DNA damage 34 (GADD34) correlated with the degree of mesothelial differentiation, being lost progressively in biphasic and sarcomatoid mesotheliomas.'] Does the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker CHOP predict survival in malignant mesothelioma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5136890411376953,
-1.1218935251235962,
2.7694931030273438
] |
['Hepatic iron overload (HIO) and iron-induced oxidative stress have recently emerged as an important factor for the development and progression of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tamibarotene, a selective retinoic acid receptor α/β agonist, on hepatic iron metabolism, based on our previous findings that retinoids suppress hepatic iron accumulation by increasing hepatic iron efflux through the regulation of hemojuvelin and ferroportin expression.', 'We quantitated the non-heme iron content and iron metabolism-related gene expression in the liver, and serum lipid and blood glucose levels in KK-A(y) mice after dietary administration of tamibarotene.', 'It was demonstrated that tamibarotene significantly reduced blood glucose and hepatic iron, but not serum lipids, and that hemojuvelin expression significantly decreased while ferroportin increased, as observed previously.'] Does a retinoic acid receptor agonist tamibarotene suppress iron accumulation in the liver? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5324153900146484,
-0.9917629957199097,
2.595808982849121
] |
['Several recent studies implementing the standard "drinking-in-the-dark" (DID) model of short-term binge-like ethanol (EtOH) intake in C57BL/6J mice highlighted a role for the stress-related neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and its primary binding partner, the CRF type-1 (CRF1) receptor.', 'We evaluated the selectivity of CRF1 involvement in binge-like EtOH intake by interrupting CRF1 function via pharmacological and genetic methods in a slightly modified 2-bottle choice DID model that allowed calculation of an EtOH preference ratio. In addition to determining EtOH intake and preference, we also measured consumption of food and H2 O during the DID period, both in the presence and absence of EtOH and sweet tastant solutions.', 'Treatment with either of the CRF1-selective antagonists CP-376,395 (CP; 10 to 20 mg/kg, i.p.) or NBI-27914 (10 to 30 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased intake of 15% EtOH in male C57BL/6J mice, but did so in the absence of a concomitant decrease in EtOH preference. These findings were replicated genetically in a CRF1 knockout (KO) mouse model (also on a C57BL/6J background). In contrast to effects on EtOH intake, pharmacological blockade of CRF1 with CP increased intake of 10% sucrose, consistent with previous findings in CRF1 KO mice. Finally, pharmacological and genetic disruption of CRF1 activity significantly reduced feeding and/or total caloric intake in all experiments, confirming the existence of nonspecific effects.'] Does cRF1 receptor signaling regulate food and fluid intake in the drinking-in-the-dark model of binge alcohol consumption? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3692424297332764,
-1.2848246097564697,
2.695040225982666
] |
['To determine the validity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as screening tools for cognitive impairment after stroke.', 'Cognitive assessments were administered over 2 sessions (1 week apart) at 3 months post-stroke. Scores on the MoCA and MMSE were evaluated against a diagnosis of cognitive impairment derived from a comprehensive neuropsychological battery (the criterion standard).', 'Sixty patients participated in the study [mean age 72.1 years (SD = 13.9), mean education 10.5 years (SD = 3.9), median acute NIHSS score 5 (IQR 3-7)]. The MoCA yielded lower scores (median = 21, IQR = 17-24; mean = 20.0, SD = 5.4) than the MMSE (median = 26, IQR = 22-27; mean = 24.2, SD = 4.5). MMSE data were more skewed towards ceiling than MoCA data (skewness = -1.09 vs -0.73). Area under the receiver operator curve was higher for MoCA than for MMSE (0.87 vs 0.84), although this difference was not significant (χ(2) = 0.48, P = 0.49). At their optimal cut-offs, the MoCA had better sensitivity than the MMSE (0.92 vs 0.82) but poorer specificity (0.67 vs 0.76).'] Are montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination both valid cognitive tools in stroke? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3722327947616577,
-1.0773341655731201,
1.5904370546340942
] |
['To determine whether the long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is expressed in human retinal pigment epithelial cells and is induced by inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), expression of PTX3 was investigated in the human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, ARPE-19 cells.', 'In ARPE-19 cells, we first analyzed PTX3 production in the presence or absence of inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, dose- and time-dependently using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protein and mRNA expression of PTX3 was measured with western blotting analysis and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Specific inhibitors were used to determine the signaling pathways of inflammatory cytokine-induced PTX3 expression.', 'In this study, production of PTX3 was induced by IL-1β and TNF-α dose- and time-dependently, but not by IFN-γ in ARPE-19 cells. Protein and mRNA expression of PTX3 was significantly upregulated in the presence of IL-1β and TNF-α. Furthermore, pretreatment with extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells specific inhibitor abolished IL-1β and TNF-α-induced PTX3 production, but the other inhibitors had no effect.'] Do human retinal pigment epithelial cells express the long pentraxin PTX3? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.449309825897217,
-1.2574491500854492,
2.78853178024292
] |
['Estrogen receptor (ER) signaling and its interaction with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a potential therapeutic target in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To explore cross-communication between ER and EGFR, we have correlated ER pathway gene and protein expression profiles and examined effects of antiestrogens with or without EGFR inhibitors in preclinical models of human NSCLC.', 'We evaluated 54 NSCLC cell lines for growth inhibition with EGFR inhibitors, antiestrogen treatment, or the combination. Each line was evaluated for baseline ER pathway protein expression. The majority were also evaluated for baseline ER pathway gene expression. Human NSCLC xenografts were evaluated for effects of inhibition of each pathway, either individually, or in combination.', 'The specific antiestrogen fulvestrant has modest single agent activity in vitro, but in many lines, fulvestrant adds to effects of EGFR inhibitors, including synergy in the EGFR-mutant, erlotinib-resistant H1975 line. ERα, ERβ, progesterone receptor-A, progesterone receptor-B, and aromatase proteins are expressed in all lines to varying degrees, with trends toward lower aromatase in more sensitive cell lines. Sensitivity to fulvestrant correlates with greater baseline ERα gene expression. Tumor stability is achieved in human tumor xenografts with either fulvestrant or EGFR inhibitors, but tumors regress significantly when both pathways are inhibited.'] Does antiestrogen fulvestrant enhance the antiproliferative effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in human non-small-cell lung cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.470454454421997,
-1.2258630990982056,
2.725041151046753
] |
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