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['An inherent problem in breast cancer treatment is that current therapeutic approaches fail to specifically target the dissemination of breast cancer cells from the primary tumor. Clinical findings show that the loss of Wnt-5a protein expression in the primary breast tumor predicts a faster tumor spread, and in vitro analyses reveal that it does so by inhibiting tumor cell migration. Therefore, we hypothesized that the reconstitution of Wnt-5a signaling could be a novel therapeutic strategy to inhibit breast cancer metastasis.', 'We used in vitro techniques to show that 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells responded to the reconstitution of Wnt-5a signaling using our novel Wnt-5a mimicking hexapeptide, Foxy-5, in the same way as human breast cancer cells. Therefore, we could subsequently study its effect in vivo on the metastatic spread of cancer following the inoculation of 4T1 cells into mice.', 'In vitro analyses revealed that both recombinant Wnt-5a and the Wnt-5a-derived Foxy-5 peptide impaired migration and invasion without affecting apoptosis or proliferation of 4T1 breast cancer cells. The in vivo experiments show that i.p. injections of Foxy-5 inhibited metastasis of inoculated 4T1 breast cancer cells from the mammary fat pad to the lungs and liver by 70% to 90%.'] Does the Wnt-5a-derived hexapeptide Foxy-5 inhibit breast cancer metastasis in vivo by targeting cell motility? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4207992553710938,
-1.128860592842102,
2.5680665969848633
] |
['Treatment failure after radiotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) could be a significant problem. Our objective is to sensitize SCCVII cells to ionizing radiation in vitro and in vivo through inhibiting ATM expression using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs), and investigate the potential mechanism of radiosensitization.', 'We designed and synthesized AS-ODNs that target ATM mRNA to reduce the ATM expression. The influence on the expression of ATM mRNA and protein in SCCVII cells were analysed by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting respectively. Clonogenic survival assay was performed to detect the survival ability of SCCVII cells after irradiation, while flow cytometry used to analyse the cell cycle and apoptosis. The volume of solid tumors generated with SCCVII cells was measured, and cell apoptosis was analysed by TUNEL assay after irradiation.', 'The relative ATM mRNA and protein expression in SCCVII cells treated with ATM AS-ODNs were decreased to 25.7 +/- 3.1% and 24.1 +/- 2.8% of that in untreated cells respectively (P < 0.05). After irradiation, the survival fraction (SF) of cells treated with ATM AS-ODNs was lower than that of other groups at the same dose of radiation (P < 0.05), while the percentage of cells in G2/M phase decreased and apoptotic rate of cells increased (P < 0.05). The inhibition rate in SCCVII cells solid tumor exposed to X-ray alone was 23.2 +/- 2.7%, while it was 56.1 +/- 3.8% in the group which irradiated in combination with the treatment of ATM AS-ODNs (P < 0.05). The apoptotic index for the group irradiated in combination with ATM AS-ODNs injection was 19.6 +/- 3.2, which was significantly higher than that of others (P < 0.05)'] Does antisense inhibition of ATM gene enhance the radiosensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9621336460113525,
-1.546689748764038,
2.469367027282715
] |
['The aim of the current study was to evaluate echocardiographic parameters after 6 months of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) as well as long-term outcome in patients with the left ventricular (LV) lead positioned at the site of latest activation (concordant LV lead position) as compared with that seen in patients with a discordant LV lead position.', 'A nonoptimal LV pacing lead position may be a potential cause for nonresponse to CRT.', 'The site of latest mechanical activation was determined by speckle tracking radial strain analysis and related to the LV lead position on chest X-ray in 244 CRT candidates. Echocardiographic evaluation was performed after 6 months. Long-term follow-up included all-cause mortality and hospitalizations for heart failure.', 'Significant LV reverse remodeling (reduction in LV end-systolic volume from 189 +/- 83 ml to 134 +/- 71 ml, p < 0.001) was noted in the group of patients with a concordant LV lead position (n = 153, 63%), whereas patients with a discordant lead position showed no significant improvements. In addition, during long-term follow-up (32 +/- 16 months), less events (combined for heart failure hospitalizations and death) were reported in patients with a concordant LV lead position. Moreover, a concordant LV lead position appeared to be an independent predictor of hospitalization-free survival after long-term CRT (hazard ratio: 0.22, p = 0.004).'] Does optimal left ventricular lead position predict reverse remodeling and survival after cardiac resynchronization therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8937190771102905,
-1.5291569232940674,
2.448434829711914
] |
['To examine the work and perceived impact of a dedicated specialist care homes support team.', 'A constructivist methodology was adopted. Data were collected in the form of semi-structured interviews and focus groups with staff, telephone interviews with managers, observation of meetings and teaching sessions, and analysis of documents.', 'This study was unable to demonstrate statistically the effectiveness of the care homes support team, but the narrative evidence demonstrates the impact the team had during the study. The perceived importance of sharing knowledge and experiences was mentioned repeatedly by participants. The study showed that the care homes support team had made an impact by: empowering participating care home staff; promoting more rapid access to services for care home residents; improved quality of life for residents; promoting changes in organisational and professional culture in the participating homes; and supporting staff in the systematic management of long-term conditions.'] Do examining the impact of a specialist care homes support team? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.549185276031494,
2.8320467472076416,
-0.8560231328010559
] |
['Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and other organochlorines induce porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) in animal studies. Evidence in humans, however, is contradictory. In neonates and adults from a population historically highly exposed to HCB (Flix, Catalonia, Spain), no relation with PCT or with porphyrin excretion was found.', 'We aimed to analyze the association between urinary porphyrin excretion and exposure to HCB and other organochlorinated compounds in children 4 years of age.', 'Our birth cohort included all newborns from Flix and the five surrounding towns (where no airborne pollution occurred). Among the 68 children with porphyrins we measured in cord blood, 52 children 4 years of age provided blood to measure organochlorine compounds, hair for methylmercury, and urine for porphyrin excretion pattern.', "Quantitative porphyrin excretion was within the normal values. However, total porphyrins, coproporphyrin I (CPI), and coproporphyrin III (CPIII) adjusted to creatinine excretion increased with increasing levels of HCB, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT), and polychlorinated biphenyl congener 153 (PCB-153). We found no association with methylmercury. When we fitted multiple pollutant models, p,p'-DDE had the strongest association. We found these associations in children from both Flix and other towns, and they were independent of breast-feeding and of organochlorine and porphyrin levels at birth."] Is urinary porphyrin excretion in children associated with exposure to organochlorine compounds? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.296856164932251,
-1.1567153930664062,
2.5691170692443848
] |
['To study the effect of mucosal toleration to E-selectin on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and associated mechanisms.', 'Rats were exposed to intranasal administration of E-selectin or PBS every other day for 10 days (single-tolerization group) or on two tolerization schedules separated by 11 days (booster-tolerization group). Control group received middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) only. MCAO was performed 48 h after the last dose of E-selectin or PBS. After 2 h ischemia and 22 h reperfusion, the rats were killed. We examined the regional cerebral blood flow, neurological testing, frequencies of CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes in blood, plasma SOD activity, infarct volumes, and mRNA expressions of IL-10, TGF-beta(1), E-selectin, ICAM-1 and LFA-1 in the ischemic brain tissues.', 'There were 30.25% (P<0.05) decreases of infarction volumes in the E-selectin booster group accompanied by decreased neurological deficit scores compared with PBS group. Compared with PBS-treated rats, CD8-positive cells were significantly decreased (27.4%, P<0.05), CD4-positive cells tended to increase (P>0.05), SOD activity was obviously increased (P<0.05), mRNA levels of IL-10 were markedly increased (21.0%, P<0.05) and TGF-beta(1) showed an upward trend (6.2%, P>0.05), mRNA levels of E-selectin were prominently decreased (28.7%, P<0.01) and ICAM-1 and LFA-1 had downward trends (P>0.05) in E-selectin booster animals.'] Does mucosal tolerance to E-selectin provide protection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9080517292022705,
-1.469893217086792,
2.3163094520568848
] |
['Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is widely accepted as an essential event for defence against infection. Many TLRs utilize a common signalling pathway that relies on activation of the kinase IRAK4 and the transcription factor NFkappaB for the rapid expression of immunity genes.', '21 K DNA microarray technology was used to evaluate LPS-induced (TLR4) gene responses in blood monocytes from a child with an IRAK4-deficiency. In vitro responsiveness to LPS was confirmed by real-time PCR and ELISA and compared to the clinical predisposition of the child and IRAK4-deficient mice to Gram negative infection.', 'We demonstrated that the vast majority of LPS-responsive genes in IRAK4-deficient monocytes were greatly suppressed, an observation that is consistent with the described role for IRAK4 as an essential component of TLR4 signalling. The severely impaired response to LPS, however, is inconsistent with a remarkably low incidence of Gram negative infections observed in this child and other children with IRAK4-deficiency. This unpredicted clinical phenotype was validated by demonstrating that IRAK4-deficient mice had a similar resistance to infection with Gram negative S. typhimurium as wildtype mice. A number of immunity genes, such as chemokines, were expressed at normal levels in human IRAK4-deficient monocytes, indicating that particular IRAK4-independent elements within the repertoire of TLR4-induced responses are expressed.'] Are robust TLR4-induced gene expression patterns an accurate indicator of human immunity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4889986515045166,
-1.0851056575775146,
2.627340793609619
] |
['Efficient multisensory integration is of vital importance for adequate interaction with the environment. In addition to basic binding cues like temporal and spatial coherence, meaningful multisensory information is also bound together by content-based associations. Many functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies propose the (posterior) superior temporal cortex (STC) as the key structure for integrating meaningful multisensory information. However, a still unanswered question is how superior temporal cortex encodes content-based associations, especially in light of inconsistent results from studies comparing brain activation to semantically matching (congruent) versus nonmatching (incongruent) multisensory inputs. Here, we used fMR-adaptation (fMR-A) in order to circumvent potential problems with standard fMRI approaches, including spatial averaging and amplitude saturation confounds. We presented repetitions of audiovisual stimuli (letter-speech sound pairs) and manipulated the associative relation between the auditory and visual inputs (congruent/incongruent pairs). We predicted that if multisensory neuronal populations exist in STC and encode audiovisual content relatedness, adaptation should be affected by the manipulated audiovisual relation.', 'The results revealed an occipital-temporal network that adapted independently of the audiovisual relation. Interestingly, several smaller clusters distributed over superior temporal cortex within that network, adapted stronger to congruent than to incongruent audiovisual repetitions, indicating sensitivity to content congruency.'] Does fMR-adaptation indicate selectivity to audiovisual content congruency in distributed clusters in human superior temporal cortex? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.500487804412842,
-0.6872476935386658,
2.2682013511657715
] |
['We examined the geographic distribution of patients to better understand the service area of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, a designated National Cancer Institute (NCI) comprehensive cancer center located in an urban center. Like most NCI cancer centers, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center serves a population beyond city limits. Urban cancer centers are expected to serve their immediate neighborhoods and to address disparities in access to specialty care. Our purpose was to learn the extent and nature of the cancer center service area.', 'Statistical clustering of patient residence in the continental United States was assessed for all patients and by gender, cancer site, and race using SaTScan.', "Primary clusters detected for all cases and demographically and tumor-defined subpopulations were centered at Baltimore City and consisted of adjacent counties in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey and New York, and the District of Columbia. Primary clusters varied in size by race, gender, and cancer site. Spatial analysis can provide insights into the populations served by urban cancer centers, assess centers' performance relative to their communities, and aid in developing a cancer center business plan that recognizes strengths, regional utility, and referral patterns."] Do spatial analyses identify the geographic source of patients at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.28541898727417,
2.050213098526001,
-0.46982109546661377
] |
['The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is activated in a range of malignant cancers, but its role in human cervical cancer has not been well defined. This study aims to investigate the activation of mTOR pathway in cervical carcinomas and whether inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin, as well as specific siRNA, could lead to decreased proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.', 'A cervical cancer tissue microarray was tested for activation of the mTOR pathway. The effects on HeLa cell survival and downstream signaling were determined following mTOR inhibition by increasing doses of rapamycin, or silencing by siRNA.', 'The mTOR pathway is activated in cervical carcinomas. mTOR-specific siRNA effectively suppressed HeLa cell growth through mechanisms including inhibition of the cell cycle and increased apoptosis, which were similar to the mechanisms of rapamycin action.'] Does activation of mTOR signaling pathway contribute to survival of cervical cancer cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6165897846221924,
-0.8494390249252319,
2.529086112976074
] |
["Intestinal and pancreaticobiliary types of Vater's ampulla adenocarcinoma have been considered as having different biologic behavior and prognosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the best immunohistochemical panel for tumor classification and to analyze the survival of patients having these histological types of adenocarcinoma.", 'Ninety-seven resected ampullary adenocarcinomas were histologically classified, and the prognosis factors were analyzed. The expression of MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC6, CK7, CK17, CK20, CD10, and CDX2 was evaluated by using immunohistochemistry.', "Forty-three Vater's ampulla carcinomas were histologically classified as intestinal type, 47 as pancreaticobiliary, and seven as other types. The intestinal type had a significantly higher expression of MUC2 (74.4% vs. 23.4%), CK20 (76.7% vs. 29.8%), CDX2 (86% vs. 21.3%), and CD10 (81.4% vs. 51.1%), while MUC1 (53.5% vs. 82.9%) and CK7 (79.1% vs. 95.7%) were higher in pancreatobiliary adenocarcinomas. The most accurate markers for immunohistochemical classification were CDX2, MUC1, and MUC2. Survival was significantly affected by pancreaticobiliary type (p = 0.021), but only lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, and stage were independent risk factors for survival in a multivariate analysis."] Is lymph node involvement and not the histophatologic subtype correlated with outcome after resection of adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of vater? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0890591144561768,
-1.4546020030975342,
2.626615524291992
] |
['A recent clinical study using coronary intravascular ultrasound showed that rimonabant, a cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist, significantly reduced total atheroma volume, suggesting that CB1 receptor blockade could be beneficial in anti-atherogenic therapy. The reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) system plays important roles in atherogenesis. We investigated whether CB1 receptor blockade could modulate atherogenesis in mice.', 'Oral administration of rimonabant (8 mg/kg/day) to apolipoprotein E-deficient mice for 3 months significantly reduced the relative area of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta (vehicle; 12.6+/-4.0% vs. rimonabant; 9.7+/-2.3, n=12 each, p<0.05) with an increase in serum adiponectin levels (15.6+/-2.3 microg/mL vs. 12.2+/-2.1, n=12 each, p<0.001), without affecting body weight or serum cholesterol levels. Rimonabant tended to increase serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p=0.05). The relative area of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta correlated inversely with serum HDL-C levels (r=-0.45, n=24, p<0.05). Rimonabant upregulated the mRNA expression levels of various components of the RCT system on THP-1 cell-derived macrophages (scavenger receptor B1: 1.15+/-0.12 fold, n=6; p<0.05, ATP-binding cassette [ABC] transporter G1: 1.23+/-0.11 fold, n=6; p<0.01), but not ABCA1 (1.13+/-0.20 fold, n=6; p=0.13).'] Does cannabinoid 1 receptor blockade reduce atherosclerosis with enhances reverse cholesterol transport? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.068129539489746,
-1.5026353597640991,
2.6093497276306152
] |
['To determine whether Dixon-based fat separation techniques can provide more robust removal of lipid signals from multiple-mouse magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-acquired images than conventional frequency selective chemical saturation techniques.', 'A two-point Dixon technique was implemented using a RARE-based pulse sequence and techniques for multivolume fat suppression were evaluated using a 4-element array of volume resonators at 4.7 T. Images were acquired of both phantoms and mice.', 'Fat saturation was achieved on all four channels of the multiple mouse acquisition with the Dixon technique, while failures of fat saturation were found with chemical saturation techniques.'] Does two-point Dixon technique provide robust fat suppression for multi-mouse imaging? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.228550434112549,
-1.1194944381713867,
2.390151023864746
] |
["RNA activation (RNAa) is a newly discovered mechanism of gene activation triggered by small double-stranded RNAs termed 'small activating RNAs' (saRNAs). Thus far, RNAa has only been demonstrated in human cells and is unclear whether it is conserved in other mammals.", 'In the present study, we evaluated RNAa in cells derived from four mammalian species including nonhuman primates (African green monkey and chimpanzee), mouse, and rat. Previously, we identified saRNAs leading to the activation of E-cadherin, p21, and VEGF in human cells. As the targeted sequences are highly conserved in primates, transfection of each human saRNA into African green monkey (COS1) and chimpanzee (WES) cells also resulted in induction of the intended gene. Additional saRNAs targeting clinically relevant genes including p53, PAR4, WT1, RB1, p27, NKX3-1, VDR, IL2, and pS2 were also designed and transfected into COS1 and WES cells. Of the nine genes, p53, PAR4, WT1, and NKX3-1 were induced by their corresponding saRNAs. We further extended our analysis of RNAa into rodent cell types. We identified two saRNAs that induced the expression of mouse Cyclin B1 in NIH/3T3 and TRAMP C1 cells, which led to increased phosphorylation of histone H3, a downstream marker for chromosome condensation and entry into mitosis. We also identified two saRNAs that activated the expression of CXCR4 in primary rat adipose-derived stem cells.'] Is rNAa conserved in mammalian cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2955706119537354,
-0.7004744410514832,
2.039851665496826
] |
['To assess the value of unenhanced brain computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).', 'Unenhanced brain CT images of 26 patients with proven CVST were mixed with 26 age and sex-matched images from patients without CVST. Four readers reviewed the 52 brain CT images and were asked to score the examinations for the absence or presence of CVST on a scale from 0 to 4. The mean density in the different venous sinuses was measured by one radiologist.', 'The sensitivity of unenhanced brain CT for the diagnosis of CVST was 73%. There were no false-positive readings. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis on these data resulted in an area under the curve of 0.86. Density measurements proved to be helpful, but could not detect all cases of CVST.'] Is unenhanced brain CT useful to decide on further imaging in suspected venous sinus thrombosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2700395584106445,
-0.9828061461448669,
2.451284408569336
] |
['CXCL12 is a chemokine that is constitutively expressed in many organs and tissues. CXCL12 promoter hypermethylation has been detected in primary breast tumours and contributes to their metastatic potential. It has been shown that the oestrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene can also be silenced by DNA methylation. In this study, we used methylation-specific PCR (MSP) to analyse the methylation status in two regions of the CXCL12 promoter and ESR1 in tumour cell lines and in primary breast tumour samples, and correlated our results with clinicopathological data.', "First, we analysed CXCL12 expression in breast tumour cell lines by RT-PCR. We also used 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) treatment and DNA bisulphite sequencing to study the promoter methylation for a specific region of CXCL12 in breast tumour cell lines. We evaluated CXCL12 and ESR1 methylation in primary tumour samples by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Finally, promoter hypermethylation of these genes was analysed using Fisher's exact test and correlated with clinicopathological data using the Chi square test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis.", 'CXCL12 promoter hypermethylation in the first region (island 2) and second region (island 4) was correlated with lack of expression of the gene in tumour cell lines. In the primary tumours, island 2 was hypermethylated in 14.5% of the samples and island 4 was hypermethylated in 54% of the samples. The ESR1 promoter was hypermethylated in 41% of breast tumour samples. In addition, the levels of ER alpha protein expression diminished with increased frequency of ESR1 methylation (p < 0.0001). This study also demonstrated that CXCL12 island 4 and ESR1 methylation occur simultaneously at a high frequency (p = 0.0220).'] Does simultaneous CXCL12 and ESR1 CpG island hypermethylation correlate with poor prognosis in sporadic breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.159306287765503,
-1.4795780181884766,
2.6202213764190674
] |
['Blood coagulation is a complex network of biochemical reactions, which is peculiar in that it is time- and space-dependent, and has to function in the presence of rapid flow. Recent experimental reports suggest that flow plays a significant role in its regulation. The objective of this study was to use systems biology techniques to investigate this regulation and to identify mechanisms creating a flow-dependent switch in the coagulation onset.', 'Using a detailed mechanism-driven model of tissue factor (TF)-initiated thrombus formation in a two-dimensional channel we demonstrate that blood flow can regulate clotting onset in the model in a threshold-like manner, in agreement with existing experimental evidence. Sensitivity analysis reveals that this is achieved due to a combination of the positive feedback of TF-bound factor VII activation by activated factor X (Xa) and effective removal of factor Xa by flow from the activating patch depriving the feedback of "ignition". The level of this trigger (i.e. coagulation sensitivity to flow) is controlled by the activity of tissue factor pathway inhibitor.'] Does blood flow control coagulation onset via the positive feedback of factor VII activation by factor Xa? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.776317834854126,
-0.7262440323829651,
2.6042466163635254
] |
['To assess the long-term effect of prepubertal high-dose GH treatment on growth in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS).', 'Forty children with no signs of puberty, age at start 4-8 years (girls) or 4-10 years (boys), height SDS <-2.0 SDS, and birth length >-2.0 SDS, were randomly allocated to receive GH at a dose of 2 mg/m(2) per day (equivalent to 75 microg/kg per day at start and 64 microg/kg per day at stop) until the onset of puberty for at least 2 years (preceded by two 3-month periods of treatment with low or intermediate doses of GH separated by two washout periods of 3 months) or no treatment. In 28 cases, adult height (AH) was assessed at a mean (S.D.) age of 20.4 (2.3) years.', 'GH-treated children (mean treatment period on high-dose GH 2.3 years (range 1.2-5.0 years)) showed an increased mean height SDS at discontinuation of the treatment compared with the controls (-1.3 (0.8) SDS versus -2.6 (0.8) SDS respectively). However, bone maturation was significantly accelerated in the GH-treated group compared with the controls (1.6 (0.4) versus 1.0 (0.2) years per year, respectively), and pubertal onset tended to advance. After an untreated interval of 3-12 years, AH was -2.1 (0.7) and -1.9 (0.6) in the GH-treated and control groups respectively. Age was a positive predictor of adult height gain.'] Does high-dose GH treatment limited to the prepubertal period in young children with idiopathic short stature increase adult height? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2256513833999634,
-1.5633468627929688,
1.8224321603775024
] |
['Extensive research suggests that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease and that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is able to inhibit the formation and development of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms of action of EGCG against atherosclerosis are still unclear. Therefore, the effect of EGCG on interleukin-6 (IL-6)- and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced CRP production in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was studied to provide experimental evidence for its anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic actions.', 'Rat VSMCs were cultured, and IL-6 (10(-7)M) and Ang II (10(-7)M) were used as stimulants for CRP generation. The CRP concentration in the supernatant was measured with ELISA, and mRNA and protein expression of CRP was assayed with RT-qPCR and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) was detected with ROS and O(2)(-) assay kits, respectively.', 'The results showed that both IL-6 and Ang II increased CRP levels in the supernatant of VSMCs and induced mRNA and protein expression of CRP in VSMCs, whereas pretreatment of the cells with EGCG (1 x 10(-6)M, 3 x 10(-6)M, 10 x 10(-6)M) significantly inhibited IL-6- and Ang II-induced production and expression of CRP in VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, Ang II stimulated O(2)(-) and ROS generations in VSMCs, and EGCG decreased the Ang II-induced increase of O(2)(-) and ROS in a concentration-dependent fashion.'] Does epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibit interleukin-6- and angiotensin II-induced production of C-reactive protein in vascular smooth muscle cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.194014310836792,
-1.4023030996322632,
2.6005148887634277
] |
['Utilization of the irreversible antiplatelet agent clopidogrel is increasing in the treatment acute coronary syndrome patients. Consequently, more patients are presenting for urgent cardiac surgery with an irreversible defect in platelet function. The objective of this study was to determine whether recent clopidogrel administration predicts transfusion and hemorrhagic complication in cardiac surgery patients.', 'This retrospective study included all patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), isolated valve, or CABG plus valve at a single center between 2004 and 2008. The outcomes of interest were transfusion and hemorrhagic complication. Clopidogrel stop interval was defined as the time between last dose and presentation to the operating room, and was examined in daily increments from 0 to 5 days, more than 5 days, and not receiving clopidogrel preoperatively. By logistic regression, the association of clopidogrel stop interval with transfusion and with hemorrhagic complication was examined after adjusting for other risk factors.', 'Of 3,779 patients included in this study, 26.4% (999) received clopidogrel preoperatively. The overall rates of transfusion and hemorrhagic complication were 34.1% and 4.1%, respectively. Clopidogrel use within 24 hours was an independent predictor of transfusion (odds ratio 2.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.8 to 3.3) and of hemorrhagic complication (odds ratio 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 3.6).'] Does clopidogrel increase blood transfusion and hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5861259698867798,
-1.5622689723968506,
2.130833625793457
] |
['Despite animal evidence that methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) causes lasting damage in brain regions related to long-term memory, results regarding human memory performance have been variable. This variability may reflect the cognitive complexity of the memory tasks. However, previous studies have tested only a limited range of cognitive complexity. Furthermore, comparisons across different studies are made difficult by regional variations in ecstasy composition and patterns of use.', 'The objective of this study is to evaluate ecstasy-related deficits in human verbal memory over a wide range of cognitive complexity using subjects drawn from a single geographical population.', 'Ecstasy users were compared to non-drug using controls on verbal tasks with low cognitive complexity (stem completion), moderate cognitive complexity (stem-cued recall and word list learning) and high cognitive complexity (California Verbal Learning Test, Verbal Paired Associates and a novel Verbal Triplet Associates test). Where significant differences were found, both groups were also compared to cannabis users.', 'More cognitively complex memory tasks were associated with clearer ecstasy-related deficits than low complexity tasks. In the most cognitively demanding task, ecstasy-related deficits remained even after multiple learning opportunities, whereas the performance of cannabis users approached that of non-drug using controls. Ecstasy users also had weaker deliberate strategy use than both non-drug and cannabis controls.'] Are deficits of long-term memory in ecstasy users related to cognitive complexity of the task? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5970618724823,
0.4286436140537262,
1.2429625988006592
] |
['Because of intratumoral heterogeneity, diffusely infiltrating gliomas that lack significant contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging are prone to tissue sampling error. Subsequent histologic undergrading may delay adjuvant treatments. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) leads to accumulation of fluorescent porphyrins in malignant glioma tissue, and is currently used for resection of malignant gliomas. The aim of this study was to clarify whether 5-ALA might serve as marker for visualization of anaplastic foci in diffusely infiltrating gliomas with nonsignificant contrast enhancement for precise intraoperative tissue sampling.', '5-ALA was administered in 17 patients with diffusely infiltrating gliomas with nonsignificant contrast enhancement. During glioma resection, positive fluorescence was noted by a modified neurosurgical microscope. Intraoperative topographic correlation of focal 5-ALA fluorescence with maximum (11)C-methionine positron emission tomography uptake (PET(max)) was performed. Multiple tissue samples were taken from areas of positive and/or negative 5-ALA fluorescence. Histopathological diagnosis was established according to World Health Organization (WHO) 2007 criteria. Cell proliferation was assessed for multiregional samples by MIB-1 labeling index (LI).', 'Focal 5-ALA fluorescence was observed in 8 of 9 patients with WHO grade III diffusely infiltrating gliomas. All 8 of 8 WHO grade II diffusely infiltrating gliomas were 5-ALA negative. Focal 5-ALA fluorescence correlated topographically with PET(max) in all patients. MIB-1 LI was significantly higher in 5-ALA-positive than in nonfluorescent areas within a given tumor.'] Is 5-Aminolevulinic acid a promising marker for detection of anaplastic foci in diffusely infiltrating gliomas with nonsignificant contrast enhancement? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.230431318283081,
-1.5164339542388916,
2.77547025680542
] |
['The K121Q (rs1044498) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the ENPP1 gene has shown association with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in various ethnic populations. We hypothesised that K121Q may predict the success of lifestyle intervention in terms of improvement of insulin sensitivity.', 'We genotyped 1,563 participants with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes for K121Q and performed correlational analyses with anthropometric data and variables of insulin sensitivity. For metabolic characterisation, all participants underwent an OGTT. A subgroup of 506 participants additionally underwent a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp. In 342 participants, metabolic traits and anthropometric data were re-evaluated after a 9 month lifestyle intervention.', 'In the overall cohort, K121Q was not associated with measures of obesity, indices of glucose tolerance during OGTT and insulin sensitivity estimated from the OGTT or derived from a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp after appropriate adjustment. However, K121Q did significantly influence the change in insulin sensitivity during lifestyle intervention after appropriate adjustment (p (additive) = 0.0067, p (dominant) = 0.0027). Carriers of the minor allele had an impaired increase in OGTT-derived insulin sensitivity. A similar trend was obtained for clamp-derived insulin sensitivity, but did not reach significance.'] Does the ENPP1 K121Q polymorphism determine individual susceptibility to the insulin-sensitising effect of lifestyle intervention? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.036602258682251,
-1.1492798328399658,
2.2617359161376953
] |
['Recent data suggest a reduction in the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in select groups of patients who use statins. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of statin use on the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients with solid organ tumor.', 'We conducted a retrospective, case-control study reviewing 740 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of solid organ tumor who were admitted to the Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Penn, between October 2004 and September 2007. Patients treated with anticoagulation therapy before their first admission were excluded. The occurrence of venous thromboembolism, risk factors for venous thromboembolism, and statin use were recorded. Patients who never used statins or had used them for less than 2 months were relegated to the control group.', 'The mean age of the study population was 65 years, and 52% of the patients were women and 76% were African American. The occurrence of venous thromboembolism was 18% (N=132), and 26% (N=194) were receiving statins. Among patients receiving statins, 8% (N=16) developed a venous thromboembolism compared with 21% (N=116) in the control group (odds ratio 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.57). A logistic regression analysis including risk factors for venous thromboembolism (metastatic disease, use of chemotherapy, immobilization, smoking, and aspirin use) along with statin use yielded the same results.'] Do statins decrease the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7985225915908813,
-1.2425637245178223,
2.048262596130371
] |
['Parenteral nutrition (PN)-induced liver injury is associated with gut atrophy, and probiotics have demonstrated the ability to stabilize the intestinal microecosystem and offer protection against bacterial translocation from the gut to the liver. Therefore, we hypothesized that enteral Bifidobacterium supplements could alleviate PN-associated liver injury.', 'Three-week-old New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: control, PN, and PN + Bif group (PN plus enteral feeding 0.5 × 10(8) Bifidobacterium adolescentis per day). After 10 days, serum levels of liver enzyme and endotoxin were measured, and histology of liver and ileum were performed. Blood and homogenized samples of tissue from the mesenteric lymph nodes, lung, and spleen were cultured for detecting bacteria translocation. Intestinal permeability was determined by sugar absorption test.', 'Serum levels of total bilirubin and bile acid were found to be lower in the PN + Bif group, with considerably improved ileum and liver histology (vs. the PN group). The bacterial translocation rate (15.6%), serum endotoxin level (0.11 ± 0.03 EU/ml), and lactulose/mannitol ratio (0.02 ± 0.004) in the PN + Bif group were obviously lower than those of PN group (77.5%, 0.60 ± 0.09 EU/ml, and 0.038 ± 0.008, respectively) and similar to those of the control group (2.8%, 0.09 ± 0.03 EU/ml, and 0.019 ± 0.005, respectively).'] Does bifidobacterium adolescentis supplementation ameliorate parenteral nutrition-induced liver injury in infant rabbits? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.673519253730774,
-1.6053173542022705,
2.254937171936035
] |
['Although allergic rhinitis and asthma frequently coexist, the nature of this association is poorly understood. Therefore, we examined whether upper and lower airway patency are associated.', 'We investigated 221 6-year-old children from the Copenhagen Prospective Study on Asthma in Childhood birth cohort, assessing upper airway patency by acoustic rhinometry before and after alpha-agonist, and lower airway patency by spirometry before and after beta2-agonist. Furthermore, we measured blood eosinophil count, nasal eosinophilia, total IgE, and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide. Associations were investigated by generalized linear models.', 'Decongested nasal airway patency and post-beta2 FEV(1) were significantly associated (P = .007). The association remained significant after adjustments for sex, body size, FVC, and atopic diseases (beta-coefficient 2.85 cm(3); 95% CI, 0.42 to 5.29; P = .02). Baseline values of upper and lower airway patency were also significantly associated (beta-coefficient 0.89 cm(3); 95% CI, 0.26-1.51; P = .01). In addition, blood eosinophil count and nasal eosinophilia were inversely associated with decongested nasal airway patency, beta-coefficient -0.42 cm(3) (95% CI, -0.77 to -0.07; P = .02) and beta-coefficient -0.47 cm(3) (95% CI, -0.89 to -0.05; P = .03), respectively.'] Are upper and lower airway patency associated in young children? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4544059038162231,
-1.6094980239868164,
1.9853546619415283
] |
['Morbidity rates following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain high with delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and slow resumption of oral diet contributing to increased postoperative length of stay. A Braun enteroenterostomy has been shown to decrease bile reflux following gastric resection. We hypothesize that addition of Braun enteroenterostomy during PD would reduce the sequelae of DGE.', 'From our PD database, patients were identified that underwent classic PD with partial gastrectomy from 2001 to 2006. All patients with reconstruction utilizing a single loop of jejunum at the University of Florida Shands Hospital were reviewed. Demographics, presenting signs and symptoms, pathologic diagnoses, and postoperative morbidity were compared in those patients undergoing reconstruction with an additional Braun enteroenterostomy (n = 70) to those not undergoing a Braun enteroenterostomy (n = 35).', 'Patients undergoing a Braun had NG tubes removed earlier (Braun: 2 days, no Braun: 3 days, P = 0.002) and no significant change in postoperative vomiting (Braun: 27%, no Braun: 37%, P = 0.37) or NG tube reinsertion rates (Braun: 17%, no Braun: 29%, P = 0.21). Median postoperative day with tolerance of oral liquids (Braun: 5, no Braun: 6, P = 0.01) and solid diets (Braun: 7, no Braun: 9, P = 0.01) were significantly sooner in the Braun group. DGE defined by two criteria including the inability to have oral intake by postoperative day 10 (Braun: 10%, no Braun: 26%, P < 0.05) and the international grading criteria (grades B and C, Braun: 7% vs. no Braun: 31%, P = 0.003) were significantly reduced in those undergoing the Braun procedure. In addition, the median length of stay (Braun: 10 days, no Braun: 12 days, P < 0.05) was significantly reduced in those undergoing the Braun procedure. The rate of pancreatic anastomotic failure was similar in the two groups (Braun: 17% vs. no Braun: 14%, P = 0.79). Median bile reflux was 0% in those undergoing a Braun.'] Is braun enteroenterostomy associated with reduced delayed gastric emptying and early resumption of oral feeding following pancreaticoduodenectomy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6922379732131958,
-1.5744779109954834,
2.2548418045043945
] |
['The present study was designed to determine the possibility of acetylbritannilactone (ABL) derivative 5-(5-(ethylperoxy)pentan-2-yl)-6-methyl-3-methylene-2-oxo-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydrobenzofuran-4-yl 2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)propanoate (ABL-N) as a novel therapeutic agent in human breast cancers.', 'We investigated the effects of ABL-N on the induction of apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and further examined the underlying mechanisms. Moreover, tumor growth inhibition of ABL-N was done in xenograft models.', 'ABL-N induced the activation of caspase-3 in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, as evidenced by the cleavage of endogenous substrate Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Pretreatment of cells with pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk or caspase-3-specific inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk inhibited ABL-N-induced apoptosis. ABL-N treatment also resulted in an increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic members (Bax and Bad) with a concomitant decrease in Bcl-2. Furthermore, c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (p38) were activated in the apoptosis induced by ABL-N and JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 and JNK small interfering RNA (siRNA) antagonized ABL-N-mediated apoptosis. However, the p38-specific inhibitor SB203580 had no effect upon these processes. Moreover, neither of the caspase inhibitors prevented ABL-N-induced JNK activation, indicating that JNK is upstream of caspases in ABL-N-initiated apoptosis. Additionally, in a nude mice xenograft experiment, ABL-N significantly inhibited the tumor growth of MDA-MB-231 cells.'] Is aBL-N-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells partially mediated by c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.399623155593872,
-1.3269704580307007,
2.7530922889709473
] |
['Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a satiation peptide released during meals in response to lipid intake; it regulates pancreatic digestive enzymes that are required for absorption of nutrients. We proposed that mice with a disruption in the CCK gene (CCK knockout [CCK-KO] mice) that were fed a diet of 20% butter fat would have altered fat metabolism.', 'We used quantitative magnetic resonance imaging to determine body composition and monitored food intake of CCK-KO mice using an automated measurement system. Intestinal fat absorption and energy expenditure were determined using a noninvasive assessment of intestinal fat absorption and an open circuit calorimeter, respectively.', 'After consuming a high-fat diet for 10 weeks, CCK-KO mice had reduced body weight gain and body fat mass and enlarged adipocytes, despite the same level of food intake as wild-type mice. CCK-KO mice also had defects in fat absorption, especially of long-chain saturated fatty acids, but pancreatic triglyceride lipase did not appear to have a role in the fat malabsorption. Energy expenditure was higher in CCK-KO than wild-type mice, and CCK-KO mice had greater oxidation of carbohydrates while on the high-fat diet. Plasma leptin levels in the CCK-KO mice fed the high-fat diet were markedly lower than in wild-type mice, although levels of insulin, gastric-inhibitory polypeptide, and glucagon-like peptide-1 were normal.'] Are cholecystokinin knockout mice resistant to high-fat diet-induced obesity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.300729513168335,
-1.136207938194275,
2.4076685905456543
] |
['A high copy number of CCL3L1, the most potent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-suppressive chemokine, associates with reduced HIV susceptibility. Whether CCL3L1 influences acquisition of multiple blood-borne infections (eg, hepatitis C virus [HCV], HIV, and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infections), which occur commonly among injection drug users (IDUs), is unknown.', 'We determined CCL3L1 copy number by real-time polymerase chain reaction among 374 Caucasian IDUs from Estonia; 285 were HCV positive, 208 were HIV positive, 177 were HCV and HIV positive, and 57 were HCV and HIV negative.', 'In univariate and multivariate analyses, HCV and HBV seropositivity and duration of IDU each strongly predicted HIV seropositivity. A high CCL3L1 copy number (>2) was associated with an 80% reduced risk of acquiring HIV infection after adjusting for age, sex, HCV and HBV status, CCR5-Delta32 polymorphism, and IDU duration (odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.45). By contrast, CCL3L1 gene dose did not influence HCV seropositivity. Among HCV-positive IDUs, there was a 3.5-fold overrepresentation and 65% underrepresentation of a high CCL3L1 copy number among HCV-positive, HIV-negative subjects and HCV-positive, HIV-positive subjects, respectively.'] Is cCL3L1 copy number a strong genetic determinant of HIV seropositivity in Caucasian intravenous drug users? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.839678406715393,
-1.5815768241882324,
2.4586029052734375
] |
['A substantial fraction of patients with diabetes mellitus develop end-stage renal disease. We wanted to study the influence of renal structural changes on the response to treatment of the systemic blood pressure (BP) in type 2 diabetic patients with micro- or macroalbuminuria.', 'A 5-year observational prospective study of 40 type 2 diabetic patients. Renal biopsy was performed on the indication micro-macroalbuminuria. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP and urine sampling were performed yearly. The goal for treatment was a nightly systolic BP below 140 mmHg. Glomerular filtration rate was examined early with plasma clearance of iohexol.', 'The nightly systolic BP goal <140 mmHg was achieved in 23 of 40 patients. The nightly systolic BP at start of study was correlated to the mean level of nightly systolic BP during the observation period. The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickness (BMT) was of prognostic significance for achieving the goal for antihypertensive treatment. Of the 12 patients with BMT below the median of 478 nm, 9 (75%) achieved the goal, while only 5 of 12 (42%) with BMT above 478 nm achieved a nightly systolic BP <140 mmHg. Also, the degree of interstitial fibrosis correlated to the nightly systolic BP.'] Is the response to antihypertensive therapy dependent on renal structural changes . A 5-year prospective study of renal biopsy in type 2 diabetic patients with micro-macroalbuminuria? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.229740619659424,
-1.3853942155838013,
2.6782045364379883
] |
['The sensitivity of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay detecting bacteria in platelet concentrates (PCs) was improved by detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in addition to DNA. The real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay was compared with the BacT/ALERT culturing system (bioMérieux) to determine its value for routine screening of PCs for bacterial contamination.', 'The sensitivity of the assay was determined by spiking PCs with serial dilutions of bacteria. RNA amplification was performed with real-time RT-PCR, using a universal primer and probe set based on the conserved 16S rRNA gene of bacteria. Routinely prepared PCs in plasma were spiked with low bacterial titers of four different bacteria to compare the real-time RT-PCR with the BacT/ALERT. For the BacT/ALERT, samples were taken directly after spiking. For the real-time RT-PCR, samples were taken daily during 7 days of storage.', 'RNA detection improved the sensitivity of the PCR assay at least 10-fold. When PCs were spiked with low bacterial titers, all positive samples were detected by the real-time RT-PCR after 48 hours. The BacT/ALERT became positive for almost all samples within 24 hours. However, some positive PC samples remained negative in the BacT/ALERT.'] Does development of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for eubacterial RNA detection in platelet concentrate? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.235379695892334,
-1.1040587425231934,
2.4833245277404785
] |
['Skeletal muscle wasting is a devastating complication of several physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the loss of skeletal muscle mass in various chronic diseases. We have recently reported that proinflammatory cytokine TWEAK is a major muscle-wasting cytokine. Emerging evidence suggests that gene expression is regulated not only at transcriptional level but also at post-transcriptional level through the expression of specific non-coding microRNAs (miRs) which can affect the stability and/or translation of target mRNA. However, the role of miRs in skeletal muscle wasting is unknown.', 'To understand the mechanism of action of TWEAK in skeletal muscle, we performed mRNA and miRs expression profile of control and TWEAK-treated myotubes. TWEAK increased the expression of a number of genes involved in inflammatory response and fibrosis and reduced the expression of few cytoskeletal gene (e.g. Myh4, Ankrd2, and TCap) and metabolic enzymes (e.g. Pgam2). Low density miR array demonstrated that TWEAK inhibits the expression of several miRs including muscle-specific miR-1-1, miR-1-2, miR-133a, miR-133b and miR-206. The expression of a few miRs including miR-146a and miR-455 was found to be significantly increased in response to TWEAK treatment. Ingenuity pathway analysis showed that several genes affected by TWEAK are known/putative targets of miRs. Our cDNA microarray data are consistent with miRs profiling. The levels of specific mRNAs and miRs were also found to be similarly regulated in atrophying skeletal muscle of transgenic mice (Tg) mice expressing TWEAK.'] Does genomic profiling of messenger RNAs and microRNAs reveal potential mechanisms of TWEAK-induced skeletal muscle wasting in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3297781944274902,
-1.0670677423477173,
2.4790091514587402
] |
['To study biomechanical changes of newly formed bones 24 weeks after repairing large defects of long bones of goats using heterogeneous deproteinated bone (DPB) prepared by modified methods as an engineering scaffold.', 'According to a fully randomized design, 18 goats were evenly divided into three groups: normal bone control group (Group A), autologous bone group (Group B) and experimental group (Group C). Each goat in Groups B and C were subjected to the periosteum and bone defect at middle-lower part of the right tibia (20% of the whole tibia in length), followed by autologous bone or DPB plus autologous MSCs + rhBMP2 implantation, respectively and semi-ring slot fixation; while goats in Group A did not perform osteotomy. At 24 weeks after surgery, biomechanical tests were carried out on the tibias.', 'At 24 weeks after surgery, the results of anti-compression test on tibias in three groups were recorded by a functional recorder presented as linear pressure-deformation curve. The shapes of the curves and their change tendency were similar among three groups. The ultimate pressure values were 10.74 MPa+/-1.23 MPa, 10.11 MPa+/-1.35 MPa and 10.22 MPa+/-1.32 MPa and fracture compression rates were 26.82%+/-0.87%, 27.17%+/-0.75% and 28.22%+/-1.12% in Groups A, B and C, respectively. Comparisons of anti-compression ultimate pressures and fracture compression rates among three groups demonstrated no significant difference (P(AB) equal to 0.415, P(BC) equal to 0.494). Three-point anti-bend test on tibias was recorded as load-deformation curves, and the shapes of the curves and their change tendency were similar among three groups. The ultimate pressure values of the anti-bend test were 481.52 N+/-12.45 N, 478.34 N+/-14.68 N and 475.62 N+/-13.41 N and the fracture bend rates were 2.62 mm+/-0.12 mm, 2.61 mm+/-0.15 mm and 2.81 mm+/-0.13 mm in Groups A, B and C, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups (P(AB) equal to 0.7, P(BC) equal to 0.448). The ultimate anti-torsion torque values were 6.55 Nm+/-0.25 Nm, 6.34 Nm+/-0.18 Nm and 6.42 Nm+/-0.21 Nm and fracture torsion rates were 29.51 degree+/-1.64degree, 28.88 degree+/-1.46 degree and 28.81 degree+/-1.33 degree in Groups A, B and C, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups (P(AB) equal to 0.123, P(BC) equal to 0.346).'] Does biomechanical research on tissue engineering bone constructed by deproteinated bone? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.46292927861213684,
-1.7986273765563965,
1.2956268787384033
] |
['To examine trends in twin gestational age over time, with adjustment for potential confounding factors, and to assess twin pair mortality and respiratory support over time.', 'Rates of preterm births, respiratory support, and neonatal mortality were calculated for 21,569 twin pairs born from 1980 to 2005 in Washington State, using birth certificate and hospital discharge data. Fetal death risks were determined on a "per-pair-at-risk" basis.', 'While the proportion of twins born at 24-31 weeks remained stable at 8%, the proportion born at 32-36 weeks increased from 28% to 48%, and the proportion at 37-42 weeks declined from 64% to 44% (P<0.0001). Controlling individually for a variety of factors, such as maternal age, race, parity, and mode of delivery did not diminish the highly significant trend of increasing preterm births (P<0.0001 for each). Twin pair neonatal mortality decreased significantly through time (P<0.0001); however, the rate of pairs with one or both infants requiring oxygen or ventilation increased significantly through time (P<0.0001). Fetal death risks declined for term twins.'] Do increasing rates of preterm twin births coincide with improving twin pair survival? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.132308840751648,
0.9377909302711487,
-0.5704809427261353
] |
['Dermicol-P35 27G, an advanced collagen dermal filler, is effective for nasolabial fold (NLF) correction.', 'To compare the efficacy and tolerance of Dermicol-P35 27G premixed with lidocaine with that of Dermicol-P35 27G injected after topical anesthesia for NLF correction.', 'In a split-face protocol, 10 patients were injected with Dermicol-P35 27G/topical anest:esia or Dermicol-P35 27G/0.3% lidocaine. Patients were monitored for adverse events and for pain using the Thermometer Pain Scale (TPS) and a visual analog scale (VAS). Efficacy was measured using the Modified Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale.', 'Patients experienced significantly less pain with Dermicol-P35 27G/0.3% lidocaine than with Dermicol-P35 27G/topical anesthesia (mean clinician-assessed TPS scores +/- standard deviation: 2.0 +/- 0.8 and 5.2 +/- 2.1, respectively, p<.001). Patients reported less discomfort with Dermicol-P35 27G/0.3% lidocaine than with Dermicol-P35 27G/topical anesthesia (mean VAS scores: 2.0 +/- 1.0 and 6.3 +/- 2.0, respectively, p<.001; TPS scores: 2.3 +/- 0.6 and 5.4 +/- 1.2, respectively, p<.001). Both treatments yielded similar efficacy scores and were well tolerated. Adverse events were mild.'] Does efficacy and tolerability of admixing 0.3 % lidocaine with Dermicol-P35 27G for the treatment of nasolabial fold? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8360615968704224,
-1.5680726766586304,
2.4205055236816406
] |
['Electrical stimulation [coupled pacing (CP)] applied near the end of the T-wave is able to create a retrograde activation of the atrioventricular (AV) node in turn to prevent rapid ventricular conduction during atrial fibrillation (AF). The impact of this pacing modality associated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been evaluated in the present experimental study.', 'After inducing AF by rapid pacing in six dogs, we applied the following pacing modalities: rapid right ventricular (RV) pacing, rapid CRT, CRT with an additional RV paced beat (CP) at a specific delay (CRT + CP), and CRT with vagal stimulation (CRT-VS). Left ventricular (LV) pressure recordings and echocardiography for 2D strain analysis were performed. CRT + CP reduced the ventricular response rate and increased the LV systolic pressure and cardiac output compared with CRT alone (136 +/- 6 vs. 86 +/- 13 mmHg, P < 0.05 and 2.0 +/- 0.4 vs.1.2 +/- 0.1, P < 0.05 L/m, respectively). Compared with CRT-VS, CRT + CP increased the LV ejection fraction (LVEF = 51 +/- 10 vs. 28 +/- 4%, P < 0.05), peak global circumferential strain (-17 +/- 2 vs. -11 +/- 3%), and diastolic filling time (49 +/- 6 vs. 28 +/- 3%, P < 0.02) suggesting beneficial effects of CP beyond rate control. CRT + CP did not result in increased dyssynchrony [CRT (8.3 +/- 2%) vs. CRTCP (8.4 +/- 3%, P = NS)].'] Does coupled pacing improve left ventricular function during simulated atrial fibrillation without mechanical dyssynchrony? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.790673851966858,
-1.6071374416351318,
2.3870837688446045
] |
['Heart rate alterations associated with exposure to particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants have been observed in epidemiological studies and animal experiments. Nevertheless, the time-lag of these associations is still unclear.', 'Determine the association at different time-lags between the complex mixture of ambient concentrations of PM, carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), and markers of cardiac function in a model of aged mice.', "AKR/J inbred mice were exposed to ambient air, 6 h daily for 40 weekdays. During this period, the animals' electrocardiogram (ECG), deep body temperature (Tdb), and body weight (BW) were registered, and concentrations of PM, CO, NO(2), as well as air temperature and relative humidity (RH) were measured. Data analysis included random effects models with lagged covariate methods.", 'CO was significantly associated with declines in heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), PM was significantly associated with declines in HRV and BW, and NO(2) was significantly associated with declines in HR. Some significant associations occurred in the same day (PM and HRV, PM and BW, CO and HR), whereas others were delayed by 1 to 3 days (CO and HR, CO and HRV, NO(2) and HR, PM and HRV).'] Does ambient air pollution alter heart rate regulation in aged mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3351404666900635,
-0.9828346967697144,
2.3881452083587646
] |
['The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus will result in a new epidemic of heart failure unless novel treatments able to halt diabetic cardiomyopathy early in its course are introduced. This study aimed to determine whether the activity of the Akt/Pim-1 signaling pathway is altered at critical stages of diabetic cardiomyopathy and whether supplementation with vitamin B1 analog benfotiamine (BFT) helps to sustain the above prosurvival mechanism, thereby preserving cardiomyocyte viability and function.', 'Untreated streptozotocin-induced type 1 or leptin-receptor mutant type 2 diabetic mice showed diastolic dysfunction evolving to contractile impairment and cardiac dilatation and failure. BFT (70 mg/kg(-1)/d(-1)) improved diastolic and systolic function and prevented left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increase and chamber dilatation in both diabetic models. Moreover, BFT improved cardiac perfusion and reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis. In hearts of untreated diabetic mice, the expression and activity of Akt/Pim-1 signaling declined along with O-N-acetylglucosamine modification of Akt, inhibition of pentose phosphate pathway, activation of oxidative stress, and accumulation of glycation end products. Furthermore, diabetes reduced pSTAT3 independently of Akt. BFT inhibited these effects of diabetes mellitus, thereby conferring cardiomyocytes with improved resistance to high glucose-induced damage. The phosphoinositide-3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 and dominant-negative Akt inhibited antiapoptotic action of BFT-induced and Pim-1 upregulation in high glucose-challenged cardiomyocytes.'] Does vitamin B1 analog benfotiamine prevent diabetes-induced diastolic dysfunction and heart failure through Akt/Pim-1-mediated survival pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4337899684906006,
-1.323148488998413,
2.7589449882507324
] |
['Exercise might have a persistent effect on energy expenditure and fat oxidation, resulting in increased fat loss. However, even without weight loss, exercise results in positive metabolic effects. The effect of an aerobic exercise program on 24-h total energy expenditure (TEE) and its components-basal (BEE), sleep (SEE), and awake sedentary (SEDEE) energy expenditure and substrate oxidation-has not been studied in lean and obese adolescents.', 'The objective was to test the hypothesis that 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation increase in lean and obese adolescents after 12 wk of moderate aerobic exercise without dietary intervention and weight loss.', 'Twenty-eight postpubertal Hispanic adolescents (13 lean [mean +/- SE: age, 15.3 +/- 0.3 y; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)), 20.2 +/- 0.7; body fat, 18.7 +/- 1.6%] and 15 obese [age, 15.6 +/- 0.3 y; BMI, 33.1 +/- 0.9; body fat, 38.1 +/- 1.4%]) completed a 12-wk aerobic exercise program (4 x 30 min/wk at > or =70% of VO(2 peak)) without weight loss. Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were quantified by 24-h room calorimetry at baseline and postexercise.', 'This aerobic exercise program did not affect 24-h TEE, BEE, SEE, or SEDEE in lean or obese participants. In obese adolescents, respiratory quotient (RQ) and substrate oxidation also did not change. In lean adolescents, 24-h RQ and RQ during SEE decreased (both P < 0.01) and fat oxidation increased (P < 0.01).'] Does twelve weeks of moderate aerobic exercise without dietary intervention or weight loss affect 24-h energy expenditure in lean and obese adolescents? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7395219802856445,
-0.9467262625694275,
1.8166141510009766
] |
['To examine, in women who underwent cardiac catheterization, whether breast arterial calcifications (BACs) seen at screening mammography correlate with coronary heart disease (CHD) seen at coronary angiography.', 'In an institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant study, 172 women (mean age, 64.29 years +/- 11.97 [standard deviation]) who underwent coronary angiography were recruited, interviewed, and assigned to two groups: those with (CHD+) and those without (CHD-) CHD. The severity and location of the CHD were considered. Their mammograms were reviewed by a breast imaging specialist who was blinded to the CHD status. Student t test, chi(2), and multiple logistic regression tests were performed as appropriate. Presence of BAC was noted and correlated with presence of CHD and presence of cardiac risk factors.', 'There were 104 women with and 68 women without CHD. Thirty-seven (36%) women in the CHD+ group versus 20 (29%) in the CHD-group (P = .40) had BAC. The mean age of the patients with BAC, 72 years +/- 9.8, was significantly older than the mean age of the patients without BAC, 60.4 years +/- 11.1 (P < .001). Therefore, subjects were divided into those younger than 65 years and those 65 years and older. No correlation existed, despite the fact that BAC was associated with some cardiac risk factors.'] Do breast arterial calcifications on mammograms predict coronary heart disease at coronary angiography? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8783382177352905,
-1.3545881509780884,
2.2448248863220215
] |
['As exceptional survivors, centenarians may have characteristics that reduce their dependency on family and community support systems despite the expectation that their extreme age creates a burden on those systems. The Georgia Centenarian Study obtained information about assistance for income, medical care, and caregiving of all types for a sample of centenarians and octogenarians. Previous studies have not established which characteristics may contribute to economic dependency among the oldest old.', 'To identify distal and proximal resource influences on economic dependency, considering past lifestyle, proximal health, economic resources, personality, and coping behavior.', 'Analysis sample sizes ranged from 109 to 138 octogenarians and centenarians. Blockwise multiple regressions predicted whether they received income assistance, number of medical care events, number of caregiving types, and total caregiving hours.', "Past life style, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, functional health, and coping were not related to economic dependency. With the exception of the number of types of care, centenarians were not more dependent than octogenarians. Cognitive ability had the strongest effects for medical care and caregiving services. 'Extraversion', 'ideas', 'neuroticism', and 'competence' personality factors had significant effects for caregiving types and total hours of care received."] Does distal and proximal resource influence on economic dependency among the oldest old? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.3183913230895996,
1.319249153137207,
0.2012498825788498
] |
['To explore the influence of folate-fortified foods (ready-to-eat [RTE] breakfast cereals or fruit-juice drinks) on the relation between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C>T) polymorphism and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in healthy children.', 'This was a cross-sectional study by face-to-face interview. A total of 186 sixth-grade students participated from randomly selected primary schools in Volos, Greece. Fasting plasma tHcy, folate, and vitamin B12 were measured. The MTHFR genotypes were determined. Anthropometric data were collected and dietary intake was assessed by two non-consecutive 24-h recalls. Participants were characterized as non-consumers of RTE breakfast cereals or fruit-juice drinks if there was no report of any such food during the 24-h recall interviews; all other children were classified as consumers.', 'Geometric means for plasma tHcy were higher, whereas plasma folate was lower in non-consumers compared with consumers. The sample was divided by consumption status (yes or no) to explore the significance of each polymorphism depending on consumption status. The association between the genotype and tHcy was restricted to non-consumers (P<0.05). Specifically, only in children who did not consume RTE breakfast cereals or fruit-juice drinks did the TT genotype carriers exhibit higher tHcy concentrations when compared with C-allele carriers (P<0.05). In contrast, in consumers, circulating tHcy was similar regardless of genotype.'] Is effect of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR 677C > T ) polymorphism on plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy children influenced by consumption of folate-fortified foods? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.856906533241272,
-1.163655400276184,
2.085531711578369
] |
['(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is currently not used on a routine basis for imaging of neuroendocrine (NE) tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of FDG-PET in patients with NE tumors.', 'Ninety-eight prospectively enrolled patients with NE tumors underwent FDG-PET imaging. FDG uptake was quantified by maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax). The prognostic value of FDG uptake, proliferation index, chromogranin A, and liver metastases were assessed.', 'During the 1-year follow-up, 14 patients died. The diagnostic sensitivity of FDG-PET was 58% (n = 57) and a positive FDG-PET result was associated with a significantly higher risk of death with a hazard ratio (HR) of 10.3 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3-78.9]. Thirteen of the 57 (23%) FDG-PET-positive patients died compared with 1 of 41 (2%) FDG-PET-negative patients. By univariate analysis, a SUVmax of >9 and a high Ki67 index were significant predictors of overall survival with a HR of 8.8 (95% CI, 2.7-28.7) and a HR of 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3-5.1), respectively. In a multivariate analysis including a SUVmax of >3, Ki67, and chromogranin A, SUVmax of >3 was the only predictor of progression-free survival (HR, 8.4; P < 0.001).'] Does 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography predict survival of patients with neuroendocrine tumors? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3512645959854126,
-1.6828103065490723,
2.0342843532562256
] |
['Urinary sodium excretion varies during the day. It is unknown whether expression levels of cell-cell junctions in the kidney are dynamic and associated with urinary sodium excretion.', "Adult Sprague Dawley rats were fed ad libitum or exclusively during the day, or kept under fasting condition. We measured expression levels of Per2, E-cadherin and claudin-4 as representative molecules of the peripheral circadian clock, adherens junctions and tight junctions, respectively. We also measured sodium concentration in urine. Effects of aldosterone on expression levels of Per2 and claudin-4 were also studied. To see proliferating cells in the kidney, rats were labeled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine.", 'In rats fed ad libitum, Per2, E-cadherin and claudin-4 mRNA showed robust circadian oscillation: the correlation coefficients (R values) of the cosinor fitting curves with a 24-hour cycle were 0.928, 0.999 and 0.983, respectively. Oscillation phases of these molecules shifted in response to restricted feeding (R=0.922, R=0.815 and R=0.821, respectively). E-cadherin and claudin-4 proteins also oscillated circadianly under ad libitum feeding (R=0.851 and R=0.999, respectively), which shifted in response to the restricted feeding (R=0.811 and R=0.985, respectively). Urinary sodium excretion was low when protein levels of E-cadherin and claudin-4 were high. Aldosterone or cell division did not account for mRNA oscillation of claudin-4 or E-cadherin in the kidney.'] Does e-cadherin and claudin-4 expression have circadian rhythm in adult rat kidney? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.886076807975769,
-1.3015165328979492,
2.1241817474365234
] |
['Although testosterone (T) has been suggested to play a protective role against the development of atherosclerosis, studies demonstrating an association between low T and incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are scanty in the general population and absent in subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED).', 'To investigate whether low T in subjects with ED predict incident fatal or nonfatal MACE.', 'This is an observational prospective cohort study evaluating a consecutive series of 1687 patients attending our andrological unit for ED. Patients were interviewed using the structured interview on erectile dysfunction (SIEDY) and ANDROTEST structured interviews measuring components relative to ED and hypogonadal-related symptoms, respectively.', 'Total T was evaluated at baseline. Information on MACE was obtained through the City of Florence Registry Office.', 'Among the patients studied, 5.2, 13.8, and 22.4% were hypogonadal according to different thresholds (T < 8, 10.4 and 12 nmol/L or 230, 300 and 350 ng/dL, respectively). During a mean follow-up of 4.3 + or - 2.6 years, 139 MACE, 15 of which were fatal, were observed. Unadjusted incidence of MACE was not associated with T levels. Conversely, the proportion of lethal events among MACE was significantly higher in hypogonadal patients, using either 10.4 nmol/L (300 ng/dL) or 8 nmol/L (230 ng/dL) thresholds. However, after adjustment for age and Chronic Diseases Score in a Cox regression model, only the association between incident fatal MACE and T < 8 nmol/L (230 ng/dL) was confirmed (HR = 7.1 [1.8-28.6]; P < 0.001). Interestingly, measuring hypogonadal-related symptoms and signs through ANDROTEST, only fatal MACE were also associated with a higher score (HR = 1.2 [1.0-1.5] for each ANDROTEST score increment; P = 0.05 after adjustment for age and Chronic Diseases Score).'] Is low testosterone associated with an increased risk of MACE lethality in subjects with erectile dysfunction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2549028396606445,
-1.5984258651733398,
1.8427170515060425
] |
["The mushroom bodies (MBs) of Drosophila are required for complex behaviors and consist of three types of neurons, gamma, alpha'/beta' and alpha/beta. Previously, roles for transcription factors in MB neuronal differentiation have only been described for a subset of MB neurons. We are investigating the roles of unfulfilled (unf; HR51, CG16801) in MB development. unf encodes a nuclear receptor that is orthologous to the nuclear receptors fasciculation of axons defective 1 (FAX-1) of the nematode and photoreceptor specific nuclear receptor (PNR) of mammals. Based on our previous observations that unf transcripts accumulate in MB neurons at all developmental stages and the presence of axon pathfinding defects in fax-1 mutants, we hypothesized that unf regulates MB axon growth and pathfinding.", "We show that unf mutants exhibit a range of highly penetrant axon stalling phenotypes affecting all neurons of the larval and adult MBs. Phenotypic analysis of unfX1 mutants revealed that alpha'/beta' and alpha/beta neurons initially project axons but stall prior to the formation of medial or dorsal MB lobes. unfZ0001 mutants form medial lobes, although these axons fail to branch, which results in a failure to form the alpha or alpha' dorsal lobes. In either mutant background, gamma neurons fail to develop larval-specific dorsal projections. These mutant gamma neurons undergo normal pruning, but fail to re-extend axons medially during pupal development. unfRNAi animals displayed phenotypes similar to those seen in unfZ0001 mutants. Unique asymmetrical phenotypes were observed in unfX1/unfZ0001 compound heterozygotes. Expression of UAS-unf transgenes in MB neurons rescues the larval and adult unf mutant phenotypes."] Is the unfulfilled gene required for the development of mushroom body neuropil in Drosophila? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.333977222442627,
-1.130692958831787,
2.484097480773926
] |
['The integrity of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) has not been systematically studied, especially in children. We tested the hypothesis that the blood-CSF barrier is disrupted by CPB.', 'The study randomized 25 piglets (mean weight, 11 kg) to five groups (5 per group): anesthesia alone (control); CPB at 37 degrees C with full-flow (FF); CPB at 25 degrees C with very low flow (LF); and HCA at 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C. pH-stat strategy was applied during CPB. An epidural catheter was inserted into the cisterna magna for collection of CSF. CSF and blood samples were collected at seven points: after induction of anesthesia (baseline), at 10, 50 and 115 minutes after start of CPB, just before the end of CPB, and at 30 and 120 minutes after CPB. Albumin levels in CSF and plasma were measured to assess blood-CSF barrier integrity and the albumin ratio (CSF/plasma) was calculated (Q(Alb)).', 'In both HCA groups, the Q(Alb) was significantly higher than in the control and 37 degrees C FF groups (all p < 0.05), whereas Q(Alb) in the 37 degrees C group was not significantly different vs control.'] Does cardiopulmonary bypass increase permeability of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5739701986312866,
-1.4789841175079346,
2.044271230697632
] |
['Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) is a collagen-binding receptor tyrosine kinase which mediates the migration and proliferation of several cell types. DDR1 is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during atherosclerosis and following vascular injury, mediating cell migration and contributing to disease pathogenesis. However, very little is known about the signaling pathways activated by the DDR1 in SMCs. Therefore we have studied the involvement of Src and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways downstream of DDR1 in vascular SMCs.', 'Cells harvested from DDR1(-/-), DDR1(+/+) mice, and DDR1(+/+) cells overexpressing human DDR1b (O/hDDR1b) were used for these studies.', 'Stimulation of O/hDDR1b cells with type I collagen resulted in increased tyrosine phosphorylation of DDR1. The non-receptor kinase Src co-immunoprecipitated with DDR1, and the Src inhibitor PP2 inhibited type I collagen-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of DDR1. Stimulation of DDR1-expressing cells with collagen resulted in the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2); however, ERK1/2 was not activated in DDR1-deficient cells. By contrast, p38 MAPK (p38) was activated by collagen stimulation in both DDR1-expressing and DDR1-deficient cells. Treatment with PP2 attenuated DDR1-dependent ERK1/2 activation, but not p38 activation. Finally, treatment of SMCs with PP2, or the MEK inhibitor PD98059, inhibited migration toward type I collagen in a chemotaxis chamber. However, PP2 but not PD98059 had a greater effect in reducing the migration of DDR1(+/+) cells compared to DDR1(-/-) cells, suggesting that Src but not ERK1/2 was important in regulating DDR1-dependent SMC migration.'] Does collagen stimulate discoidin domain receptor 1-mediated migration of smooth muscle cells through Src? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3462531566619873,
-1.2903308868408203,
2.630837917327881
] |
['Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial process that appears to be caused by the interaction of environmental risk factors with multiple predisposing genes. It is nowadays accepted that increased levels of DNA damage induced by xenobiotics play an important role in the early phases of atherogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we focus on determining whether genetic variations in xenobiotic-metabolizing [glutathione-S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1), glutathione-S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), cytochrome P450 IIEI (CYP2E1)] and DNA repair [X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1)] genes might be associated with increased risk for CAD.', 'A case-control study was conducted with 400 individuals who underwent subjected to coronary angiography. A total of 299 were patients diagnosed with effective coronary atherosclerosis (case group; >20% obstructive lesion), and 101 (control group) were individuals diagnosed as negative for CAD (<20% obstructive lesions). The polymorphism identifications for GSTM1 and GSTT1, and for CYP2E1 and XRCC1 genes were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and by PCR-RFLP, respectively.'] Is dNA repair gene polymorphism associated with the genetic basis of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4035985469818115,
-1.3264414072036743,
2.8294739723205566
] |
["Some studies have reported that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) D299G and T399I polymorphisms are associated with increased Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) risk in the Caucasian population. However, the results have been inconsistent.", 'A systemic review of the published data (16 studies with 8,387 cases and 7,013 controls for D299G; 8 studies with 3,881 cases and 1,861 controls for T399I) was undertaken and a meta-analysis was performed to test whether TLR4 D299G and T399I polymorphisms were associated with CD or UC susceptibility and whether 299Gly carriage was associated with phenotypes of CD patients.', 'The TLR4 299Gly allele showed a significant association with CD and UC in the Caucasian population (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.08-1.54, and OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.08-1.51, respectively). Similar association was detected between the T399I polymorphism and susceptibility to CD and UC (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.12-1.68, and OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.13-1.88, respectively). However, no significant association was identified between CD phenotypes and 299Gly carriage.'] Are the Toll-like receptor 4 D299G and T399I polymorphisms associated with Crohn 's disease and ulcerative colitis : a meta-analysis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1076371669769287,
-1.1954573392868042,
2.3308305740356445
] |
['Tungsten carbide (WC) and tungsten carbide cobalt (WC-Co) nanoparticles are of occupational health relevance because of the increasing usage in hard metal industries. Earlier studies showed an enhanced toxic potential for WC-Co compared to WC or cobalt ions alone. Therefore, we investigated the impact of these particles, compared to cobalt ions applied as CoCl(2), on the global gene expression level in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) in vitro.', 'WC nanoparticles exerted very little effects on the transcriptomic level after 3 hours and 3 days of exposure. In contrast, WC-Co nanoparticles caused significant transcriptional changes that were similar to those provoked by CoCl(2). However, CoCl(2) exerted even more pronounced changes in the transcription patterns. Gene set enrichment analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes were related to hypoxia response, carbohydrate metabolism, endocrine pathways, and targets of several transcription factors. The role of the transcription factor HIF1 (hypoxia inducible factor 1) is particularly highlighted and aspects of downstream events as well as the role of other transcription factors related to cobalt toxicity are considered.'] Do tungsten carbide cobalt nanoparticles exert hypoxia-like effects on the gene expression level in human keratinocytes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6931121349334717,
-0.46368107199668884,
2.171705722808838
] |
['The voltage-gated potassium channel hEag1 (KV10.1) has been related to cancer biology. The physiological expression of the human channel is restricted to the brain but it is frequently and abundantly expressed in many solid tumors, thereby making it a promising target for a specific diagnosis and therapy. Because chronic lymphatic leukemia has been described not to express hEag1, it has been assumed that the channel is not expressed in hematopoietic neoplasms in general.', 'Here we show that this assumption is not correct, because the channel is up-regulated in myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic myeloid leukemia and almost half of the tested acute myeloid leukemias in a subtype-dependent fashion. Most interestingly, channel expression strongly correlated with increasing age, higher relapse rates and a significantly shorter overall survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed hEag1 expression levels in AML as an independent predictive factor for reduced disease-free and overall survival; such an association had not been reported before. As a functional correlate, specific hEag1 blockade inhibited the proliferation and migration of several AML cell lines and primary cultured AML cells in vitro.'] Is the potassium channel Ether à go-go a novel prognostic factor with functional relevance in acute myeloid leukemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.563585042953491,
-1.1160893440246582,
2.7601938247680664
] |
['Glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36)amide (GLP-1) is cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) to GLP-1 (9-36)amide. We examined whether chemical inhibition or genetic elimination of DPP-4 activity affects cardiovascular function in normoglycemic and diabetic mice after experimental myocardial infarction.', 'Cardiac structure and function was assessed by hemodynamic monitoring and echocardiography in DPP-4 knockout (Dpp4(-/-)) mice versus wild-type (Dpp4(+/+)) littermate controls and after left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation-induced myocardial infarction (MI). Effects of sustained DPP-4 inhibition with sitagliptin versus treatment with metformin were ascertained after experimental MI in a high-fat diet-streptozotocin model of murine diabetes. Functional recovery from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury was measured in isolated hearts from Dpp4(-/-) versus Dpp4(+/+) littermates and from normoglycemic wild-type (WT) mice treated with sitagliptin or metformin. Cardioprotective signaling in the murine heart was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses.', 'Dpp4(-/-) mice exhibited normal indexes of cardiac structure and function. Survival post-MI was modestly improved in normoglycemic Dpp4(-/-) mice. Increased cardiac expression of phosphorylated AKT (pAKT), pGSK3beta, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was detected in the nonischemic Dpp4(-/-) heart, and HO-1, ANP, and pGSK3beta proteins were induced in nonischemic hearts from diabetic mice treated with sitagliptin or metformin. Sitagliptin and metformin treatment of wild-type diabetic mice reduced mortality after myocardial infarction. Sitagliptin improved functional recovery after I/R injury ex vivo in WT mice with similar protection from I/R injury also manifest in hearts from Dpp4(-/-) versus Dpp4(+/+) mice.'] Does genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 improve cardiovascular outcomes after myocardial infarction in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.381678819656372,
-1.4094133377075195,
2.811549186706543
] |
['Mucinous and clear cell histology have been associated with adverse prognosis in ovarian carcinomas. The authors compared the outcome of these subtypes with that of serous tumors in patients who were treated with combination paclitaxel/platinum at their center.', 'Four hundred twenty patients with histologically confirmed, serous (n = 367), mucinous (n = 24), or clear cell (n = 29) ovarian carcinomas, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III or IV disease, and who were treated with paclitaxel/platinum after cytoreductive surgery were included in this analysis.', 'The median overall survival for each histological subtype was 47.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.7-57.7 months) for serous, 15.4 months (95% CI, 4.2-26.6 months) for mucinous, and 36.6 months (95% CI, 22.7-50.5 months) for clear cell carcinomas. Cox regression analysis showed that mucinous histology was an independent predictor of poor prognosis compared with serous tumors (hazard ratio, 0.360; 95% CI, 0.215-0.603; P = .001). In contrast, such a difference between clear cell and serous carcinomas was not found (P = .337). Median survival of patients with mucinous tumors and residual disease >2 cm was poor, averaging 7.1 months (95% CI, 4.6-9.6 months).'] Is mucinous but not clear cell histology associated with inferior survival in patients with advanced stage ovarian carcinoma treated with platinum-paclitaxel chemotherapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4646135568618774,
-1.7156885862350464,
2.126404285430908
] |
['Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by an uncontrolled spread of destructive joint inflammation resembling malignancy. Epidemiological studies have established strong correlation between inflammation and predisposition for cancer. Here we assess the predictive role of the circulating proto-oncogene survivin for clinical and radiological outcome of early RA.', 'Serum survivin was measured by sandwich ELISA in 651 patients with early RA (mean duration 6 months). X-rays of hands and feet were prospectively obtained at base-line and after 1, 2, and 5 years and evaluated for the presence of bone destruction by a modified Sharp method. The predictive value of survivin for radiological destruction was calculated using multivariate regression models including antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (aCCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF). Remission was assessed by the EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) criteria and by criteria proposed by Mäkinen.', 'At base-line, 391 patients (60%) had high levels of survivin. Radiological progression at 5 years was significantly more frequent (P= 0.001) among survivin-positive patients than among survivin-negative. Survivin positivity predicted radiological progression independently of aCCP and RF. The positive predictive value of survivin was proved both in the group of patients with and in the group without erosions at base-line. The combination of positive tests for both survivin and aCCP had the highest prediction for radiological progression (positive predictive value 0.75). Additionally, a positive test for survivin was an independent predictor of not being in remission.'] Does increased expression of proto-oncogene survivin predict Joint destruction and persistent disease activity in early rheumatoid arthritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.114187240600586,
-1.4618782997131348,
2.602407693862915
] |
['The aim of this study is to examine the difference in the report of bodily pain experienced by patients who develop temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and by those who do not develop TMD over a 3-year observation period.', 'This is a 3-year prospective study of 266 females aged 18 to 34 years initially free of TMD pain. All patients completed the Symptom Report Questionnaire (SRQ) at baseline and yearly intervals, and at the time they developed TMD (if applicable). The SRQ is a self-report instrument evaluating the extent and location of pain experienced in the earlier 6 months. Statistical analysis was carried out using repeated measures ANOVA.', 'Over the 3-year period, 16 patients developed TMD based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. Participants who developed TMD reported more headaches (P=0.0089), muscle soreness or pain (P=0.005), joint soreness or pain (P=0.0012), back pain (P=0.0001), chest pain (P=0.0004), abdominal pain (P=0.0021), and menstrual pain (P=0.0036) than Participants who did not develop TMD at both the baseline and final visits. Participants who developed TMD also reported significantly more headache (P=0.0006), muscle soreness or pain (P=0.0059), and other pains (P=0.0188) when they were diagnosed with TMD compared with the baseline visit.'] Is development of temporomandibular disorders associated with greater bodily pain experience? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3035551309585571,
-1.1186244487762451,
1.5254912376403809
] |
['In early typical language development, children understand words before they are able to use them in speech. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) generally show impairments in both the comprehension and the production of language. However, the relative degree of delay or impairment in each of these sub-domains may also be atypical and remains less well-understood.', "Relative delay in receptive and expressive language skills was examined within a large sample of preschoolers with autism. Children's language abilities varied from pre-verbal to fluent speech.", 'Scores on one direct clinician assessment and two parent-report measures of language were obtained for 152 preschoolers with core autism.', 'As expected, on average, the language ability of the children with autism was lower than typical age norms, albeit with substantial individual variability. On all three language measures, receptive ability was relatively more impaired than expressive ability. Higher non-verbal ability was associated with such an atypical language profile.'] Do preschoolers with autism show greater impairment in receptive compared with expressive language abilities? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.292080044746399,
0.7941318154335022,
-0.2760334312915802
] |
['Malaria transmission is now recognized as a key target for intervention. Evaluation of the Plasmodium oocyst burden in the midguts of Anopheles spp. is important for many of assays investigating transmission. However, current assays are very time-consuming, manually demanding and patently subject to observer-observer variation.', 'This report presents the development of a method to rapidly, accurately and consistently determine oocyst burdens on mosquito midguts using GFP-expressing Plasmodium berghei and a custom-written macro for ImageJ. The counting macro was optimized and found to be fit-for-purpose by performing gametocyte membrane feeds with parasite infected blood. Dissected midguts were counted both manually and using the automated macro, then compared. The optimized settings for the macro were then validated by using it to determine the transmission blocking efficacies of two anti-malarial compounds - dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and lumefantrine, in comparison to manually determined analysis of the same experiment.', 'Concurrence of manual and macro counts was very high (R2 = 0.973) and reproducible. Estimated transmission blocking efficacies between manual and automated analysis were highly concordant, indicating that dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate has little or no transmission blocking potential, whilst lumefantrine strongly inhibits sporogony.'] Does a semi-automated method for counting fluorescent malaria oocysts increase the throughput of transmission blocking studies? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.446852445602417,
-1.1909295320510864,
2.7396292686462402
] |
['To determine whether a continuous infusion of heparin reduces the rate of catheter-related thrombosis in neonates and infants post cardiac surgery. Central venous and intracardiac catheters are used routinely in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients. Catheter-related thrombosis occurs in 8% to 45% of pediatric patients with central venous catheters.', 'Single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial.', "Cardiovascular intensive care unit, university-affiliated children's hospital.", 'Children <1 yr of age recovering from cardiac surgery.', 'Patients were randomized to receive either continuous heparin at 10 units/kg/hr or placebo. The primary end point was catheter-related thrombosis as assessed by serial ultrasonography.', 'Study enrollment was discontinued early based on results from an interim futility analysis. Ninety subjects were enrolled and received the study drug (heparin, 53; placebo, 37). The catheter-related thrombosis rate in the heparin group, compared with the placebo group, was 15% vs. 16% (p = .89). Subjects in the heparin group had a higher mean partial thromboplastin time (52 secs vs. 42 secs, p = .001), and this difference was greater for those aged <30 days (64 secs vs. 43 secs, p = .008). Catheters in place > or = 7 days had both a greater risk of thrombus formation (odds ratio, 4.3; p = .02) and catheter malfunction (odds ratio, 11.2; p = .008). We observed no significant differences in other outcome measures or in the frequency of adverse events.'] Does a continuous heparin infusion prevent catheter-related thrombosis in infants after cardiac surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4408291578292847,
-1.6722064018249512,
2.045884609222412
] |
['To review trends in open partial nephrectomy (OPN) at our center, concentrating on patient selection, technique and perioperative complications.', 'A comprehensive database was developed by chart review of consecutive patients undergoing OPN for renal masses at our center. Patient selection, technical modifications, perioperative morbidity, and histopathology were compared in patients undergoing OPN between 1992-1999, 2000-2003, and 2004-2008. Complications were divided into procedure-specific (PSCs) and nonspecific medical complications (NMCs). They were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 3.0.', 'One hundred and sixty-three OPNs were performed. Temporal trends identified include: an increase in the mean patient BMI (p = 0.04), an increase in the percentage of patients with central tumors (p < 0.001), decrease in cold ischemia time (p = 0.045), increasing use of a sequential renal vein clamp (p = 0.03), increasing utilization of tissue sealants (p < 0.001), reduced EBL (p = 0.05), reduced length of stay (p = 0.005), and a decline in PSCs from 16 to 7% (p = 0.002). The incidence of histologically benign tumors declined from 34 to 10% (p = 0.001). Thirty-three (20.2%) patients experienced perioperative complications: 70% were CTCAE grade 1 or 2 adverse events. BMI was the only factor that was found to be associated with the risk of complications on multivariate analysis [odds ratio 1.067, CI 95% (1.002-1.136); p = 0.031].'] Is contemporary open partial nephrectomy associated with diminished procedure-specific morbidity despite increasing technical challenges : a single institutional experience? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8706495761871338,
-1.5287318229675293,
2.4454827308654785
] |
['Increased nitric oxide production and altered mitochondrial function have been implicated in sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms underlying myocardial depression in sepsis and the contribution of nitric oxide in this process however, are incompletely understood.', 'To assess the transcriptional profile associated with sepsis-induced myocardial depression in a clinically relevant mouse model, and specifically test the hypothesis that critical transcriptional changes are inducible nitric oxide synthase-dependent.', 'Laboratory investigation.', 'University affiliated research laboratory.', 'C57/BL6 wild type and congenic B6 129P2-Nos2tm1Lau/J (iNOS) mice.', 'Assessment of myocardial function after 48 hrs of induction of polymicrobial sepsis by caecal ligation and perforation.', 'We compared the myocardial transcriptional profile in C57/BL6 wild type mice and congenic B6 129P2-Nos2tm1Lau/J litter mates after 48 hrs of polymicrobial sepsis induced by caecal ligation and perforation. Profiling of 22,690 expressed sequence tags by gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that inducible nitric oxide synthase -/- failed to down regulate critical bioenergy and metabolism related genes including the gene for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1. Bioinformatics analysis identified a striking concordance in down regulation of transcriptional activity of proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-related transcription factors resulting in sepsis associated myocardial remodeling as shown by isoform switching in the expression of contractile protein myosin heavy chain. In inducible nitric oxide synthase -/- deficient mice, contractile depression was minimal, and the transcriptional switch was absent.'] Is sepsis-induced myocardial depression associated with transcriptional changes in energy metabolism and contractile related genes : a physiological and gene expression-based approach? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.46966552734375,
-1.2768346071243286,
2.8148093223571777
] |
['The protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) and mitogen activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated kinase kinase/extracellular regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling pathways have been shown to play an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and angiogenesis, suggesting that inhibition of these pathways may have therapeutic potential.', 'We treated patient-derived HCC xenografts with 1) mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (RAPA); 2) MEK inhibitor AZD6244 (ARRY-142886); and 3) AZD6244 plus RAPA (AZD6244/RAPA). Western blotting was used to determine pharmacodynamic changes in biomarkers relevant to angiogenesis, mTOR pathway, and MEK signaling. Apoptosis, microvessel density, and cell proliferation were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.', 'We report here that pharmacological inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway by AZD6244 enhanced the antitumor and antiangiogenic activities of mTOR inhibitor RAPA in both orthotopic and ectopic models of HCC. Such inhibition led to increased apoptosis, decreased angiogenesis and cell proliferation, reduced expression of positive cell cycle regulators, and increase in proapoptotic protein Bim.'] Does aZD6244 ( ARRY-142886 ) enhance the antitumor activity of rapamycin in mouse models of human hepatocellular carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4926111698150635,
-1.2372654676437378,
2.7896018028259277
] |
['The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family plays an important role in cardiac growth and development. However, only FGF-16 RNA levels are reported to increase during the perinatal period and to be expressed preferentially in the myocardium, suggesting control at the transcriptional level and a role for FGF-16 in the postnatal heart. Beyond the identification of two TATA-like elements (TATA1 and TATA2) in the mouse FGF-16 promoter region and the preferential cardiac activity of TATA2, there is no report of Fgf-16 gene regulation. Assessment of promoter sequences, however, reveals putative nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) elements, suggesting that Fgf-16 is regulated via NF-kappaB activation and thereby implicated in a number of cardiac events. Thus, the Fgf-16 gene was investigated as a target for NF-kappaB activation in cardiac cells.', 'Assessments of Fgf-16 promoter activity were made using truncated and transfected hybrid genes with NF-kappaB inhibitors and/or beta-adrenergic stimulation via isoproterenol (IsP) treatment (a known NF-kappaB activator) in culture, and on endogenous mouse and human Fgf-16 genes in situ. The mouse Fgf-16 promoter region was stimulated in response to IsP treatment, but this response was lost with NF-kappaB inhibitor pretreatment. Deletion analysis revealed IsP responsiveness linked to sequences between TATA2 and TATA1 and, more specifically, a NF-kappaB element upstream and adjacent to TATA1 that associates with NF-kappaB p50/p65 subunits in chromatin. Finally, TATA1 and the proximal NF-kappaB element are conserved in the human genome and responsive to IsP.'] Is fGF-16 a target for adrenergic stimulation through NF-kappaB activation in postnatal cardiac cells and adult mouse heart? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2811379432678223,
-1.2412872314453125,
2.5237319469451904
] |
['Prolonged hypothermic circulatory arrest results in neuronal cell death and neurologic injury. We have previously shown that hypothermic circulatory arrest causes both neuronal apoptosis and necrosis in a canine model. Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase reduced neuronal apoptosis, while glutamate receptor antagonism reduced necrosis in our model. This study was undertaken to determine whether glutamate receptor antagonism reduces nitric oxide formation and neuronal apoptosis after hypothermic circulatory arrest.', 'Sixteen hound dogs underwent 2 hours of circulatory arrest at 18 degrees C and were sacrificed after 8 hours. Group 1 (n = 8) was treated with MK-801, 0.75 mg/kg intravenously prior to arrest followed by 75 microg/kg/hour infusion. Group 2 dogs (n = 8) received vehicle only. Intracerebral levels of excitatory amino acids and citrulline, an equal coproduct of nitric oxide, were measured. Apoptosis, identified by hematoxylin and eosin staining and confirmed by electron microscopy, was blindly scored from 0 (normal) to 100 (severe injury), while nick-end labeling demonstrated DNA fragmentation.', 'Dogs in groups 1 and 2 had similar intracerebral levels of glutamate. However, MK-801 significantly reduced intracerebral glycine and citrulline levels compared with hypothermic circulatory arrest controls. The MK-801 significantly inhibited apoptosis (7.92 +/- 7.85 vs 62.08 +/- 6.28, group 1 vs group 2, p < 0.001).'] Does glutamate excitotoxicity mediate neuronal apoptosis after hypothermic circulatory arrest? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.031672239303589,
-1.4848920106887817,
2.4898548126220703
] |
['There is a strong association between bipolar disorder (BD) and substance use disorder (SUD). The clinical and functional correlates of SUD in BD are still unclear and little is known about the role of excessive substance use that does not meet SUD criteria. Thus, the aims of the current study were to investigate lifetime rates of illicit substance use in BD relative to the normal population and if there are differences in clinical and functional features between BD patients with and without excessive substance use.', '125 consecutively recruited BD in- and outpatients from the Oslo University Hospitals and 327 persons randomly drawn from the population in Oslo, Norway participated. Clinical and functional variables were assessed. Excessive substance use was defined as DSM-IV SUD and/or excessive use according to predefined criteria.', 'The rate of lifetime illicit substance use was significantly higher among patients compared to the reference population (OR = 3.03, CI = 1.9-4.8, p < .001). Patients with excessive substance use (45% of total) had poorer educational level, occupational status, GAF-scores and medication compliance, with a trend towards higher suicidality rates, compared to patients without. There were no significant group differences in current symptom levels or disease course between groups.'] Is excessive substance use in bipolar disorder associated with impaired functioning rather than clinical characteristics , a descriptive study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8899184465408325,
-0.18523621559143066,
1.2650090456008911
] |
['Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been mainly related to insulin resistance, but the role of changes in insulin secretion has not been thoroughly investigated.', 'Using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) we studied beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity in subjects with normal fasting glucose with and without MS, and their relationship to fatty liver which was evaluated by abdominal-ultrasonography. In MS early phase insulin secretion, as measured by insulinogenic index (IG(30)), was increased (p<0.05) independently from insulin sensitivity. Furthermore IG(30) was progressively higher as the number of factors needed for the diagnosis of MS increased (p<0.01). Insulin and C-peptide AUC were also increased (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) but, in contrast to IG(30), these differences disappeared when ISI was used as a covariate. After OGTT, 51% of the subjects with MS had altered post-load glucose tolerance compared to 24.9% without MS (p<0.01). In both groups, the altered glucose tolerance was associated with a similar IG(30) reduction. In normo-tolerant subjects with MS the IG(30) was higher (+54.1%, p<0.01), and this elevation occurred irrespective of ISI; however, the beta-cell compensatory capacity for insulin resistance (disposition index) was impaired (p<0.001). Fatty liver was more frequent (p<0.001) and more severe (p<0.01) in MS, and it was significantly related to total AUC-insulin (p<0.001), independently from ISI.'] Is early phase insulin secretion increased in subjects with normal fasting glucose and metabolic syndrome : a premature feature of beta-cell dysfunction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.67511785030365,
-1.5522626638412476,
2.221912384033203
] |
['Histologically similar colorectal cancers (CRCs) exhibit a wide range of outcomes, suggesting that knowledge of the molecular differences might provide insight into this heterogeneity. Cancer cell lines have been used in preclinical studies to identify gene expression alterations that influence response to chemotherapeutic agents. However, it is not clear to what extent available CRC cell lines reflect the molecular heterogeneity observed in clinical colorectal tumors.', 'We compared genome-wide gene expression data from 22 CRC cell lines and 276 clinical colorectal tumors to determine whether the cell lines were able to represent the variability in expression profiles seen in the clinical tissues. Following mean centered data normalization, hierarchical clustering was performed on the samples using literature-derived biologic and pharmacogenomic gene sets.', 'In general, the majority of cell lines tended to cluster together in a single group, as a subcluster within the clinical tissues, although a few cell lines showed distinct expression profiles from the majority of cell lines.'] Do colorectal cancer cell lines lack the molecular heterogeneity of clinical colorectal tumors? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4778904914855957,
-0.2164391577243805,
1.8004446029663086
] |
['Transfusion of granulocytapheresis concentrates can be limited by the volume of incompatible donor red blood cells (RBCs) in the component. Efficient reduction of RBCs in granulocyte units would result in safe transfusion of RBC-incompatible units.', 'Granulocyte concentrates were collected by continuous-flow apheresis from granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and dexamethasone-stimulated volunteer donors, with 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) added continuously during apheresis as a RBC sedimenting agent to enhance granulocyte collection efficiency. After collection, the component was placed in a plasma extractor for 4 hours. A sharp line of demarcation between the starch-sedimented RBCs and the granulocyte-rich supernatant developed, and the supernatant was transferred to a sterilely docked transfer pack. RBC reduction and white blood cell recovery were determined.', 'Gravity sedimentation was performed on 165 granulocyte concentrates. Mean sedimentation time was 267 minutes (range, 150-440 min). RBC depletion was 92% (range, 71%-99%) with mean residual RBC content of 3.2 +/- 1.4 mL. Twelve percent of components contained less than 2 mL of RBCs. Mean granulocyte and platelet (PLT) recoveries were 80 and 81%, respectively. There were no transfusion reactions or signs of hemolysis after transfusion of 66 RBC-incompatible granulocyte concentrates (RBC volume, 1.6-8.2 mL). The remaining concentrates were used for topical or intrapleural applications.'] Does gravity sedimentation of granulocytapheresis concentrate with hydroxyethyl starch efficiently removes red blood cells and retains neutrophils? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4055424928665161,
-1.7073771953582764,
2.094377040863037
] |
['Obesity is associated with deterioration in asthma outcomes. Although airways eosinophil accumulation is characteristic of lung allergic diseases, little is known about the influence of obesity on the allergic eosinophil trafficking from bone marrow to lung tissues, and recruitment to airways lumen. Here, we have assessed the effects of diet-induced obesity on allergic eosinophilic inflammation in mice, examining eosinophil trafficking from bone marrow to airways, and production of T(H)1/T(H)2 cytokines.', 'C57BL/6 mice fed for 10 weeks with standard chow or high-fat diet were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. At 24-96 h post-ovalbumin challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, lung tissue and bone marrow were examined.', 'The high-fat-fed mice exhibited increased body weight and epididymal fat, glucose intolerance and alterations in lipid profile compared with the lean mice. Obesity markedly elevated serum leptin and lowered adiponectin levels. Ovalbumin challenge in obese mice promoted a markedly higher eosinophil accumulation in bone marrow and connective tissue surrounding the bronchial and bronchiolar segments. Eosinophil number in BAL fluid of obese mice was lower at 24 and 48 h. Levels of interleukin (IL)-5, eotaxin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and IL-10 in BAL fluid of obese mice were significantly higher than in lean mice.'] Does obesity enhance eosinophilic inflammation in a murine model of allergic asthma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.272930383682251,
-1.1544971466064453,
2.4282631874084473
] |
['Acid-sensing and regulating reactions are vitally important in the upper gastrointestinal tract and disturbances are common. Sensory neurons in the mucosa detect the intrusion of hydrogen ions and, by their release of vasoactive neuropeptides, seem to play a predominantly protective role in these tissues.', 'The model to investigate sensory transduction of proton stimuli in the isolated everted mouse stomach was to measure the induced calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release as an index of neuronal activation.', 'Proton concentrations in the range of pH 2.5-0.5 stimulated the release of CGRP and substance P and profoundly decreased the prostaglandin E2 formation in outbred CD mice. A similar linearly pH-dependent CGRP release was observed in inbred C57BL/6 mice, fully dependent on extracellular calcium at pH 2, partially at pH 1. Both transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and acid-sensing ion channel type 3 (ASIC3) are expressed in the sensory neurons innervating the stomach walls and are responsible for the transduction of acidic stimuli in other visceral organs. However, the proton-induced gastric CGRP release in mice lacking the TRPV1 or the ASIC3 receptor-channels was the same as in corresponding wild-type mice. Nonetheless, the pharmacological blockers N-(4-tertiarybutylphenyl)-4-(3-chlorophyridin-2-yl)tetrahydropyrazine-1(2H)carboxamide and amiloride, respectively, inhibited the acid-stimulated CGRP release, although to the same extend in wild types as TRPV1 and ASIC3 knockout mice.'] Does acid-induced CGRP release from the stomach depend on TRPV1 or ASIC3? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4777276515960693,
-1.230749249458313,
2.7195241451263428
] |
['The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors closely linked to inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). Tissue factor (TF) is an initiator of the extrinsic coagulation cascade and is expressed on peripheral blood monocytes and macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques. Monocytes are the principle cells capable of TF synthesis. Therefore, TF plays an important role in both thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a strong stimulator of TF, have been observed in patients with MetS. No study has investigated the relationship between monocyte TF activity and inflammation, and IR in MetS.', 'Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 40 normal subjects and 77 patients with MetS. Mononuclear cell TF procoagulant activity (MPCA) was measured with and without 100 pg/ml LPS stimulation using a 1-stage clotting assay and expressed as the mean +/- SD (mU TF/10(6) PBMCs). MPCA in MetS was significantly greater than in normal subjects (without LPS: 88.0+/-74.8 vs 52.6+/-9.8 mU TF/10(6) PBMCs, P<0.001; with LPS: 269.6+/-165.6 vs 158.6+/-42.8 mU TF/10(6) PBMCs, P<0.001). The LPS-stimulated log MPCA in MetS patients was significantly associated with homeostasis model assessment of IR (r=0.256, P=0.024) and log high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r=0.332, P=0.003).'] Is upregulation of monocyte tissue factor activity significantly associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7034419775009155,
-1.688292384147644,
2.3691024780273438
] |
['The purpose of this study was to test whether treating periodontal disease (PD) in pregnancy will reduce the incidence of spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) at < or = 35 weeks of gestation.', 'A multicenter, randomized clinical trial was performed. Subjects with PD were randomized to scaling and root planing (active) or tooth polishing (control). The primary outcome was the occurrence of SPTD at <35 weeks of gestation.', 'We screened 3563 subjects for PD; the prevalence of PD was 50%. Seven hundred fifty-seven subjects were assigned randomly; 378 subjects were assigned to the active group, and 379 subjects were assigned to the placebo group. Active treatment did not reduce the risk of SPTD at <35 weeks of gestation (relative risk, 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-2.28) or composite neonatal morbidity (relative risk, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.83-2.04). There was a suggestion of an increase in the risk of indicated SPTD at <35 weeks of gestation in those subjects who received active treatment (relative risk, 3.01; 95% CI, 0.95-4.24).'] Does treatment of localized periodontal disease in pregnancy reduce the occurrence of preterm birth : results from the Periodontal Infections and Prematurity Study ( PIPS )? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.857852578163147,
-1.1379083395004272,
2.1207633018493652
] |
['Liver-selective thyromimetics have been reported to efficiently reduce plasma cholesterol through the hepatic induction of both, the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor; the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). Here, we investigated the effect of the thyromimetic T-0681 on reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and atherosclerosis, and studied the underlying mechanisms using different mouse models, including mice lacking LDLr, SR-BI, and apoE, as well as CETP transgenic mice.', 'T-0681 treatment promoted bile acid production and biliary sterol secretion consistently in the majority of the studied mouse models, which was associated with a marked reduction of plasma cholesterol. Using an assay of macrophage RCT in mice, we found T-0681 to significantly increase fecal excretion of macrophage-derived neutral and acidic sterols. No positive effect on RCT was found in CETP transgenic mice, most likely due to the observed decrease in plasma CETP mass. Studies in SR-BI KO and LDLr KO mice suggested hepatic LDLr to be necessary for the action of T-0681 on lipid metabolism, as the compound did not have any influence on plasma cholesterol levels in mice lacking this receptor. Finally, prolonged treatment with T-0681 reduced the development of atherosclerosis by 60% in apoE KOs on Western type diet. In contrast, at an earlier time-point T-0681 slightly increased small fatty streak lesions, in part due to an impaired macrophage cholesterol efflux capacity, when compared to controls.'] Does the liver-selective thyromimetic T-0681 influence reverse cholesterol transport and atherosclerosis development in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.324622869491577,
-1.379429817199707,
2.695988416671753
] |
['We have previously explored a therapeutic strategy for specifically targeting the profibrotic activity of IL-13 during experimental pulmonary fibrosis using a fusion protein comprised of human IL-13 and a mutated form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (IL13-PE) and observed that the intranasal delivery of IL13-PE reduced bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis through its elimination of IL-13-responsive cells in the lung. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the presence of an immune response to P. aeruginosa and/or its exotoxin A (PE) would diminish the anti-fibrotic properties of IL13-PE.', 'Fourteen days after P. aeruginosa infection, C57BL/6 mice were injected with bleomycin via the intratracheal route. Other groups of mice received 4 doses of saline or IL13-PE by either intranasal or intraperitoneal application, and were challenged i.t. with bleomycin 28 days later. At day 21 after bleomycin, all mice received either saline vehicle or IL13-PE by the intranasal route and histopatological analyses of whole lung samples were performed at day 28 after bleomycin. Intrapulmonary P. aeruginosa infection promoted a neutralizing IgG2A and IgA antibody response in BALF and serum. Surprisingly, histological analysis showed that a prior P. aeruginosa infection attenuated the development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which was modestly further attenuated by the intranasal administration of IL13-PE. Although prior intranasal administration of IL13-PE failed to elicit an antibody response, the systemic administration of IL13-PE induced a strong neutralizing antibody response. However, the prior systemic sensitization of mice with IL13-PE did not inhibit the anti-fibrotic effect of IL13-PE in fibrotic mice.'] Is therapeutic efficacy of Cintredekin Besudotox ( IL13-PE38QQR ) in murine lung fibrosis unaffected by immunity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.385174512863159,
-1.4128926992416382,
2.8386030197143555
] |
['Previous studies have shown that isorhamnetin has anti-adipogenic effects in mouse 3T3-L1 cells. This study was conducted to elucidate the inhibitory mechanisms of isorhamnetin during adipogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hAMSCs).', 'The effect of isorhamnetin on adipogenic differentiation of hAMSCs was quantified by Oil Red O staining and a triglyceride assay. In addition, real-time PCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of adipogenesis-related genes.', 'Isorhamnetin inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of hAMSCs. Additionally, when the effects of Wnt antagonists that promote adipogenesis were evaluated, isorhamnetin was found to down-regulate the mRNA levels of sFRP1 and Dkk1, but had no effect on the mRNA levels of sFRP2, sFRP3, sFRP4 and Dkk3. Isorhamnetin also inhibited the expression of Wnt receptor and co-receptor genes. Furthermore, isorhamnetin increased the protein levels of beta-catenin, an effector molecule of Wnt signaling, but had no effect on the mRNA levels of beta-catenin. The phosphorylation level of GSK 3beta was also increased by isorhamnetin. These results were confirmed by the fact that the expression of c-myc, cyclin D1 and PPARdelta, which are target genes of beta-catenin, was upregulated by isorhamnetin. Moreover, isorhamnetin reduced the mRNA expression levels of C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma, which are known to be inhibited by c-myc or by cyclin D1 and PPARdelta, respectively.'] Is isorhamnetin-induced anti-adipogenesis mediated by stabilization of beta-catenin protein? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3575422763824463,
-1.2416536808013916,
2.6300783157348633
] |
['Delayed allergic skin reactions to drugs are common iatrogenic diseases mediated by activation of specific T cells in the skin.', 'To better understand the role of T cells in these diseases, we developed a mouse model of drug allergy induced by skin sensitization to amoxicillin (amox), a penicillin antibiotic frequently involved in delayed drug allergy.', 'Whereas wild-type mice could not be sensitized to amox, CD4+ T-cell-deficient mice developed an amox-specific allergic skin response, mediated by IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells. Amox-specific CD8+ T cells, induced in lymphoid organs at a high frequency during sensitization, were recruited in the skin upon challenge. CD8+ T cells were effectors of the allergic skin reaction to amox as in vivo treatment with depleting anti-CD8 mAbs abrogated the skin inflammatory reaction and as purified CD8+ T cells could adoptively transfer the allergic response to naive recipients.'] Do cD8+ T cells mediate skin allergy to amoxicillin in a mouse model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5892579555511475,
-0.902774453163147,
2.5085289478302
] |
['Histone acetyltransferase enzymes (HATs) are implicated in regulation of transcription. HATs from different families may overlap in target and substrate specificity.', 'We isolated the elp3+ gene encoding the histone acetyltransferase subunit of the Elongator complex in fission yeast and characterized the phenotype of an Deltaelp3 mutant. We examined genetic interactions between Deltaelp3 and two other HAT mutants, Deltamst2 and Deltagcn5 and used whole genome microarray analysis to analyze their effects on gene expression.'] Does expression profiling of S. pombe acetyltransferase mutants identify redundant pathways of gene regulation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.444096088409424,
-0.7101415991783142,
2.2092905044555664
] |
['The aim of the study was to define the cost-effectiveness of whole-body (18)F-FDG PET, as compared with chest CT, in screening for distant metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).', 'In a multicenter prospective study, 145 consecutive patients with high risk factors for distant metastases and scheduled for extensive treatment underwent chest CT and whole-body (18)F-FDG PET for screening of distant metastases. The cost data of 80 patients in whom distant metastases developed or who had a follow-up of at least 12 mo were analyzed. Cost-effectiveness analysis, including sensitivity analysis, was performed to compare the results of (18)F-FDG PET, CT, and a combination of CT and (18)F-FDG PET (CT + (18)F-FDG PET).', 'Pretreatment screening identified distant metastases in 21% of patients. (18)F-FDG PET had a higher sensitivity (53% vs. 37%) and positive predictive value (80% vs. 75%) than did CT. CT + (18)F-FDG PET had the highest sensitivity (63%). The average costs in the CT, (18)F-FDG PET, and CT + (18)F-FDG PET groups amounted to euro38,558 (approximately $57,705), euro38,355 (approximately $57,402), and euro37,954 (approximately $56,801), respectively, in the first year after screening. CT + (18)F-FDG PET resulted in savings between euro203 (approximately $303) and euro604 (approximately $903). Sensitivity analysis showed that the dominance of CT + (18)F-FDG PET was robust.'] Are chest CT and whole-body 18F-FDG PET cost-effective in screening for distant metastases in head and neck cancer patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.44628363847732544,
-1.7482209205627441,
1.2579967975616455
] |
['Feedback of medical imaging results can reveal visual evidence of actual bodily harm attributable to a given behaviour. This may offer a particularly promising approach to motivating changes in health behaviour to decrease risk. Applicable behaviours include smoking cessation, skin self-examination, sun protection behaviour, dietary intake, physical activity and medication usage. The current review assembles and evaluates the evidence concerning the behavioural impact of showing and explaining images, in order to determine whether their communication is an effective intervention approach.', 'To assess the extent to which feedback to individuals of images of their own bodies created during medical imaging procedures increases or decreases a range of health behaviours.', 'We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 3 2009), MEDLINE (1950 to 14 September 2009), EMBASE (1980 to 14 September 2009), CINAHL (1982 to 9 October 2009), PsycINFO (1806 to 14 September 2009) and reference lists of articles. We also contacted authors of selected papers, and searched the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database on 1 October 2009 for grey literature.', "Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials involving adult (18 years and over) non-pregnant individuals undergoing medical imaging procedures assessing risk of disease or of an existing condition, for which personal risk may be reduced by modification of behaviour. The sole or principal component of included interventions is visual feedback of individuals' medical imaging results, defined as individuals being shown, and having explained, source images (still or moving images) of their bodies generated by the procedure.", 'Two authors searched for studies and independently extracted data from included studies, with disagreements resolved by consensus and a third author acting as arbiter. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed and reported in accordance with the guidelines in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We conducted a narrative synthesis of the included studies, dividing them into clinical and non-clinical population groups and presenting major characteristics and results. Where the studies were sufficiently similar in terms of population, inclusion criteria, interventions and/or outcomes, we pooled the data statistically.', 'We included nine trials involving 1371 participants. Overall, results were mixed. Regarding five trials in clinical populations, three assessed smoking cessation behaviours, all featuring arterial scanning procedures to assess cardiovascular risk, and reported a statistically significant effect favouring the intervention, producing a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 2.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 6.41, P = 0.01). One of these trials also measured physical activity and reported no statistically significant difference between the groups. A further trial measured skin examination behaviour following a skin photography procedure for assessing moles, and reported a statistically significant increase in favour of the intervention, with an OR of 4.86 (95% CI 1.95 to 12.10, P = 0.0007). The final clinical population trial measured a range of dietary intake and medication usage behaviours and featured an arterial scanning procedure assessing cardiovascular risk, and reported no statistically significant effects.Among the four trials in non-clinical populations, all featuring ultraviolet (UV) photography to highlight UV-related skin damage, a statistically significant result favouring the intervention was found in one trial for reducing tanning booth use, producing a mean difference (MD) of -1.10 (95% CI -1.90 to -0.30, P = .007) and one trial reported an outcome on which the control condition was favoured, with an MD of 0.45 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.86, P = 0.03) on intentional hours spent in the sun. In two further trials, no statistically significant behavioral effects were reported regarding time spent in the sun or sun protection behaviours.There was no evidence of significant adverse effects in the included trials, although this was not well reported.'] Does visual feedback of individuals ' medical imaging result for changing health behaviour? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.586683988571167,
-0.4789999723434448,
2.2307541370391846
] |
['Alb/TGF-beta(1) transgenic mice overexpress active transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in the liver, leading to increased circulating levels of the cytokine and progressive renal fibrosis. This study was designed to explore if exogenous all-trans retinoic acid (tRA) prevents renal fibrosis in this animal model.', 'The retinoid profile in kidney and liver of wild-type and Alb/TGF-beta(1) transgenic mice was examined by high-performance liquid chromatography and slow-release pellets containing different amounts of tRA were implanted subcutaneously to treat the Alb/TGF-beta(1) transgenic mice, starting at 1 week of age; mice were sacrificed 2 weeks later.', 'Kidneys of 3-week-old wild-type mice had abundant tRA, which was completely absent in kidneys of the transgenic mice. Low doses of tRA (6-10.7 mg/kg/day) failed to affect renal fibrosis although it tended to suppress the mRNA expression of some molecular markers of fibrosis and retinal dehydrogenase 2 (RALDH2), a gene encoding a key tRA-synthesising enzyme. These tendencies disappeared, mortality tended to increase and RALDH2 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNAs significantly increased in the medium-dose group (12.7-18.8 mg/kg/day). High doses (20.1-27.4 mg/kg/day) showed even higher toxicity with increased renal fibrosis and significant mortality.'] Do kidneys of Alb/TGF-beta1 transgenic mice are deficient in retinoic acid and exogenous retinoic acid shows dose-dependent toxicity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1523468494415283,
-1.4307055473327637,
2.5715816020965576
] |
['Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is currently treated with surfactant preparations obtained from natural sources and attempts to develop equally active synthetic surfactants have been unsuccessful. One difference in composition is that naturally derived surfactants contain the two hydrophobic proteins SP-B and SP-C while synthetic preparations contain analogues of either SP-B or SP-C. It was recently shown that both SP-B and SP-C (or SP-C33, an SP-C analogue) are necessary to establish alveolar stability at end-expiration in a rabbit RDS model, as reflected by high lung gas volumes without application of positive end-expiratory pressure.', 'To study the efficacy of fully synthetic surfactants containing analogues of both SP-B and SP-C compared to surfactants with only one protein analogue.', 'Premature newborn rabbits, treated with synthetic surfactants, were ventilated for 30 min without positive end-expiratory pressure. Tidal volumes as well as lung gas volumes at end-expiration were determined.', 'Treatment with 2% Mini-B (a short-cut version of SP-B) and 2% SP-C33, or its C-terminally truncated form SP-C30, in 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol, 68:31 (w/w) resulted in median lung gas volumes of 8-9 ml/kg body weight, while animals treated with 2% Mini-B surfactant or 2% SP-C33/SP-C30 surfactant had lung gas volumes of 3-4 ml/kg, and those treated with Curosurf, a porcine surfactant, 15-17 ml/kg. In contrast, mixing SP-C33 with peptides with different distributions of positively charged and hydrophobic residues did not improve lung gas volumes.'] Is synthetic surfactant based on analogues of SP-B and SP-C superior to single-peptide surfactants in ventilated premature rabbits? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.211535692214966,
-1.3441377878189087,
2.6414003372192383
] |
['Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have been shown to block matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity, which plays a role in atherogenesis. MMP-9 activity of macrophages is increased during foam cell formation. To investigate the contribution of ACEIs to foam cell formation, we studied the effects of an ACEI, imidaprilat, on THP-1 macrophages and the underlying molecular mechanisms in vitro.', 'Pre-treatment of THP-1 macrophages with imidaprilat (100 nmol/L, 4 hours) significantly decreased foam cell formation induced by oxidized LDL (OxLDL). Imidaprilat reduced the protein level of MMP-9 in THP-1 macrophages and attenuated OxLDL-induced MMP-9 activity in the culture supernatants. Indeed, pretreatment of THP-1 macrophages with an MMP-2/9 inhibitor (20 micromol/L, 4 hours) attenuated OxLDL-induced foam-cell formation. Imidaprilat or the MMP-2/9 inhibitor blocked OxLDL-induced expressions of LOX-1 and scavenger receptor-A (SR-A), but not that of CD36, in THP-1 macrophages. In addition, OxLDL-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and ERK, but not JNK, was blunted by imidaprilat or the MMP-2/9 inhibitor. Finally, siRNA against MMP-9 inhibited foam cell formation as well as lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages.'] Does mMP-9 inhibition by ACE inhibitor reduce oxidized LDL-mediated foam-cell formation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.314023733139038,
-1.3674991130828857,
2.7234303951263428
] |
['Nutrition regimens influence postnatal small intestinal development, which shows prominent changes after 6 hours of suckling. Such influences are particularly important in preterm neonates as inappropriate feeding responses may predispose to gastrointestinal disorders such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The authors investigated the early morphological responses to enteral feeding, prior to the time period when a large proportion of preterm pigs normally develop clinical NEC symptoms.', "Preterm piglets (106-107 days of gestation) were fed parenteral nutrition (PN) for 2 days with or without a subsequent 8-hour or 17-hour period of enteral nutrition (EN) with sow's colostrum or formula. Another group of piglets was delivered at 108-109 days of gestation and used for comparison to PN pigs before enteral feeding. Stereological measurements of the mucosal surface density and the volume densities of the tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis, proliferative, and apoptotic cells were made and related to microscopical NEC-lesion score. In addition, villus length and crypt depth were measured.", 'PN-fed piglets showed minimal PN-induced mucosal atrophy, although their crypts were deeper, together with lower cell proliferation and higher apoptotic indices, than newborn (NB) unfed piglets. After PN, enteral feeding with colostrum, for just 8 hours, induced a rapid increase in the mucosal volume density while formula feeding was associated with an elevated number of both proliferating and apoptotic cells and a higher NEC lesion score than PN- or colostrum-fed pigs.'] Does formula induce intestinal apoptosis in preterm pigs within a few hours of feeding? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2237532138824463,
-1.132749080657959,
2.4815661907196045
] |
['Sucralose, a high-intensity sweetener, has been approved as a general-purpose sweetener in all food since the late 1990s. Due to its good taste and physiochemical profile, its use has increased and sucralose is considered a way of managing health and an option to improve the quality of life in the diabetic population. Recently high concentrations of sucralose have been found in the environment. Other environmental pollutants have been shown to induce neurotoxic effects when administered during a period of rapid brain growth and development. This period of rapid brain growth and development is postnatal in mice and rats, spanning the first 3-4 wk of life, reaching its peak around postnatal day 10, whereas in humans, brain growth and development is perinatal. The proteins calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, growth-associated protein-43, synaptophysin, and tau play important roles during brain growth and development.', 'In the present study, mice were orally exposed to 5-125 mg of sucralose per kilogram of body weight per day during postnatal days 8-12. Twenty-four hours after last exposure, brains were analyzed for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, growth-associated protein-43, synaptophysin, and tau, and at the age of 2 mo the animals were tested for spontaneous behavior.', 'The protein analysis showed no alterations in calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, growth-associated protein-43, synaptophysin, or tau. Furthermore, there were no disturbances in adult behavior or habituation after neonatal sucralose exposure.'] Does neonatal exposure to sucralose alter biochemical markers of neuronal development or adult behavior? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4496562480926514,
-1.0045278072357178,
2.5202479362487793
] |
['Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant infectious disease. Losing > or =10% birth weight may lead to formula use. The predictive value of first-day weight loss for subsequent weight loss has not been studied. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between weight loss at <24 hours and subsequent in-hospital weight loss > or =10%.', 'For 1,049 infants, we extracted gestational age, gender, delivery method, feeding type, and weights from medical records. Weight nadir was defined as the lowest weight recorded during birth hospitalization. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess the effect of first-day weight loss on subsequent in-hospital weight loss.', 'Mean in-hospital weight nadir was 6.0 +/- 2.6%, and mean age at in-hospital weight nadir was 38.7 +/- 18.5 hours. While in the hospital 6.4% of infants lost > or =10% of birth weight. Infants losing > or =4.5% birth weight at <24 hours had greater risk of eventual in-hospital weight loss > or =10% (adjusted odds ratio 3.57 [1.75, 7.28]). In this cohort, 798 (76.1%) infants did not have documented weight gain while in the hospital.'] Does first-day newborn weight loss predict in-hospital weight nadir for breastfeeding infants? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
0.09378540515899658,
-1.2484172582626343,
0.33456945419311523
] |
['Plasmodium parasites are unable to synthesize purines de novo and have to salvage them from the host. Due to this limitation in the parasite, purine transporters have been an area of focus in the search for anti-malarial drugs. Although the uptake of purines through the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter (hENT1), the human facilitative nucleobase transporter (hFNT1) and the parasite-induced new permeation pathway (NPP) has been studied, no information appears to exist on the relative contribution of these three transporters to the uptake of adenosine and hypoxanthine. Using the appropriate transporter inhibitors, the role of each of these salvage pathways to the overall purine transport in intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum was systematically investigated.', 'The transport of adenosine, hypoxanthine and adenine into uninfected and P. falciparum-infected human erythrocytes was investigated in the presence or absence of classical inhibitors of the hFNT1, hENT1 and NPP. The effective inhibition of the various transporters by the classical inhibitors was verified using appropriate known substrates. The ability of high concentration of unlabelled substrates to saturate these transporters was also studied.', 'Transport of exogenous purine into infected or uninfected erythrocytes occurred primarily through saturable transporters rather than through the NPP. Hypoxanthine and adenine appeared to enter erythrocytes mainly through the hFNT1 nucleobase transporter whereas adenosine entered predominantly through the hENT1 nucleoside transporter. The rate of purine uptake was approximately doubled in infected cells compared to uninfected erythrocytes. In addition, it was found that the rate of adenosine uptake was considerably higher than the rate of hypoxanthine uptake in infected human red blood cells (RBC). It was also demonstrated that furosemide inhibited the transport of purine bases through hFNT1.'] Is uptake of purines in Plasmodium falciparum-infected human erythrocytes mostly mediated by the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter and the human facilitative nucleobase transporter? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.557760000228882,
-1.0911860466003418,
2.705778121948242
] |
['This paper aimed to investigate the relationship between up-regulation of L-type calcium channels and altered motility disorder in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).', 'Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to neonatal maternal separation (NMS) from postnatal day 2-14 or normal handling (NH), and used when weighted 250-300 g. Colonic smooth muscle contractions was studied in an organ bath system. L-type Ca(2+) channel alpha(1c) subunit expression in smooth muscles from rat colon were studied by immunofluorescence and Western blotting analysis. The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) of enzymatically isolated single colonic smooth muscle cell was studied with laser confocal fluorescent microscopy.', 'The fecal pellets during 1 h water avoidance stress (WAS) were significantly increased; the amplitude of spontaneous contractions and contractions induced by Bay K 8644 (10 nM-1 microM), KCl (10-60 mM) and ACh (100 nM-10 microM) were significantly increased in NMS rats, when comparing with that of NH rats. [Ca(2+)]i induced by Bay K 8644 (1 microM), KCl (40 mM), and ACh (10 microM) significantly increased in muscle cells of NMS rats than NH rats. Further, alpha(1c) protein expression was significantly up-regulated in colonic smooth muscle of NMS rats than NH rats.'] Is increased colonic motility in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome associated with up-regulation of L-type calcium channels in colonic smooth muscle cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1748173236846924,
-1.3894703388214111,
2.591790199279785
] |
['In order to detect statistically relevant differences in mortality rates, it is essential to have adequate sample sizes and event rates. Our hypothesis is that case volumes and mortality rates present in pediatric cardiac surgery are too low to allow the use of mortality to differentiate between hospitals.', 'Pediatric cardiac surgical operations performed at U.S. hospitals were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database 2000 to 2005 (21,709 operations from 161 hospitals). Hospital annual surgical volumes and in-hospital mortality rates for Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery, version 1 (RACHS-1) categories and select individual operations were calculated. The actual case volumes were compared with thresholds necessary to detect a doubling and a 5 percentage point increase in the mortality rate.', 'No hospital had a sufficient annual case volume to determine a doubling of or 5 percentage point increase in mortality for any individual operation and a minority (0% to 5.6%) had sufficient volume to detect these differences for specific RACHS-1 categories. Minimum hospital case volumes needed to detect a doubling of mortality from a benchmark ranged from 11 for RACHS-1 category 5 to 2,935 for RACHS-1 category 1. Minimum case volumes necessary to detect a 5 percentage point difference in mortality between two hospitals ranged from 173 for RACHS-1 category 1 to 1,483 for RACHS-1 category 5. Five hundred twenty-five patients were needed to detect a doubling of overall hospital mortality rate compared with another hospital. Only 1.6% (n = 4) of hospitals met this minimum caseload.'] Is mortality rate a valid indicator of quality differences between pediatric cardiac surgical programs? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.6709036231040955,
-0.7628237009048462,
-0.6798549890518188
] |
['Autologous bone-marrow-derived intra= coronary injection of mononuclear cells (MNC) modestly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the selected patients after acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Major determinants of stem cell therapy outcome in the subacute phase of STEMI still remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine modifying factors for the outcome of stem cell therapy after STEMI.', 'Eighteen patients in the stem cell therapy group and 24 patients in the control group with the successfully reperfused first large STEMI (LVEF < or = 40%) were enrolled in the study. The stem cell group was submitted to autologous bone-marrow-derived MNC injection between 7-12 days after MI. Left ventricular ejection fraction and infarction size at baseline and after 4 months were determined by echocardiography and scintigraphy examination. Age, pain onset to reperfusion time, admission glycemia, maximum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and C-reactive protein level, baseline LVEF and infarction size, and the number of MNC injected were compared between patients with and without significant improvement of LVEF and decrease of myocardial infarct size after 4 months.', 'In the stem cell group, patients with the improvement of LVEF for more than 5.1% had significantly lower levels of LDH than patients without such improvement (1689 +/- 139 vs 2133 +/- 215 IU/L, p < 0.001) and lower baseline infarction size on scintigraphy (26.7 +/- 5.2 vs 34.9 +/- 3.7%, p < 0.001). Such dependence was not found in the control group.'] Is influence of intracoronary injections of bone-marrow-derived mononuclear cells on large myocardial infarction outcome : quantum of initial necrosis the key? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.025022268295288,
-1.5698142051696777,
2.59730863571167
] |
['The purpose of this study was to assess whether training to proficiency with the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) simulator would result in improved performance in the operating room (OR).', 'Nineteen junior residents underwent baseline FLS testing and were assessed in the OR using a validated global rating scale (GOALS) during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Those with GOALS scores <or=15 were randomly assigned to training (n = 9) or control (n = 8) groups. An FLS proficiency-based curriculum was used in the training group. Scoring on FLS and in the OR was repeated after the study period. Evaluators were blinded to randomization status.', 'Sixteen residents completed the study. There were no differences in baseline simulator (49.1 +/- 17 vs 39.5 +/- 16, P = .27) or OR scores (11.3 +/- 2.0 vs 12.0 +/- 1.8; P = .47). After training, simulator scores were higher in the trained group (95.1 +/- 4 vs 60.5 +/- 23, P = .004). OR performance improved in the control group by 1.8 to 13.8 +/- 2.2 (P = .04), whereas the trained group improved by 6.1 to 17.4 +/- 1.9 (P = .0005 vs control; P < .0001 vs baseline).'] Does fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery simulator training to proficiency improve laparoscopic performance in the operating room-a randomized controlled trial? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4666322469711304,
-0.09541782736778259,
0.812069296836853
] |
['Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is reportedly a prearthritic condition in young adults that can progress to osteoarthritis. However, the prevalence of FAI is unknown in the young, active population presenting with hip complaints.', 'We sought to determine (1) the prevalence of radiographic findings of FAI in a young, active patient population with complaints localized to the region of the hip presenting to primary care and orthopaedic clinics; (2) the percentage of films with FAI with an official reading suggesting the diagnosis; and (3) whether the Tönnis grades of osteoarthritis corresponded to the findings of FAI.', 'We performed a database review of pelvic and hip radiographs obtained from 157 young (mean age 32 years; range, 18-50 years) patients presenting with hip-related complaints to primary care and orthopaedic clinics. Radiographs were analyzed for signs of FAI (herniation pits, pistol grip deformity, center-edge angle, alpha angle, and crossover sign) and Tönnis grade. Radiology reports were reviewed for a diagnosis of FAI.', 'At least one finding of FAI was found in 135 of the 155 patients (87%). Four hundred thirteen of 487 radiographs (85%) had been read as normal and one read as showing FAI. Tönnis grades did not correlate with radiographic signs of FAI.'] Is radiographic prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement in a young population with hip complaints high? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7554820775985718,
-1.0841635465621948,
1.9498562812805176
] |
['The aim of the present study is to investigate serum BDNF levels in older depressed patients as compared to healthy elderly controls.', 'Twenty-nine elderly subjects with major depression and 42 healthy older adults were enrolled to this study. All depressed patients were antidepressant-free for at least 1 month prior clinical and laboratorial assessments. Serum BDNF levels were determined by sandwich ELISA.', 'BDNF levels were lower in elderly depressed patients as compared to controls (P=0.034). Patients with late-onset depression had the lowest BDNF level (median 478.5, interquartile range 373.5-740.9 pg/l) when compared to early-onset depression (median 620.7, interquartile range 366.1-971.9 pg/l) and healthy controls (median 711.3, interquartile range 534.7-1181.0 pg/l) (P<0.03).'] Is serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level reduced in antidepressant-free patients with late-life depression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.579559326171875,
-1.3128132820129395,
1.9718109369277954
] |
['Cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality are increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Prior investigations of the association of RA with measures of carotid atherosclerosis have yielded conflicting results. We compared carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) of both the common carotid (CCA) and proximal internal carotid (bulb-ICA) arteries, and plaque prevalence, between RA and non-RA participants.', 'Subjects with RA were participants in a cohort study of subclinical CV disease in RA. Non-RA controls were selected from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Both groups underwent B-mode ultrasonography of the right and left CCA and bulb-ICA. Linear regression was used to model the association of RA status with CCA and bulb-ICA-IMT, and logistic regression for the association of RA status with plaque.', 'We compared 195 RA patients to 198 non-RA controls. CV risk factors were similarly distributed, except for a higher prevalence of hypertension in the RA group. Mean adjusted bulb-ICA-IMT was higher in RA patients than controls (1.16 vs 1.02 mm, respectively; p < 0.001), while mean adjusted CCA-IMT did not differ significantly. After adjusting for CV risk factors, the odds of plaque were significantly increased in RA participants compared to controls (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.26-4.61). The association of gender, age, smoking, and hypertension with bulb-ICA-IMT and plaque did not significantly differ by RA status. Interleukin 6 was strongly associated with bulb-ICA-IMT and plaque in controls but not in RA patients. In the RA group, shared epitope was associated with an increased prevalence of plaque.'] Is increased prevalence of carotid artery atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis artery-specific? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8227072954177856,
-1.5336568355560303,
2.312075138092041
] |
['Ischemic spinal cord injury is a chain of events caused by the reduction and/or cessation of spinal cord blood flow, which results in neuronal degeneration and loss. Ischemic postconditioning is defined as a series of intermittent interruptions of blood flow in the early phase of reperfusion and has been shown to reduce the infarct size in cerebral ischemia. Our study aimed to characterize the relationship between the neuronal injury-decreasing effects of citicoline and ischemic postconditioning, which were proven to be effective against the apoptotic process.', 'Spinal cord ischemia was produced in rats using an intrathoracic approach to implement the synchronous arcus aorta and subclavian artery clipping method. In our study, 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats (309 +/- 27 g) were used. Animals were divided into sham operated, spinal ischemia, citicoline, postconditioning, and postconditioning citicoline groups. Postconditioning was generated by six cycles of 1 min occlusion/5 min reperfusion. A 600 mmol/kg dose of citicoline was given intraperitoneally before ischemia in the citicoline and postconditioning citicoline groups. All rats were sacrificed 96 h after reperfusion. For immunohistochemical analysis, bcl-2, caspase 3, caspase 9, and bax immune staining were performed. Caspase 3, caspase 9, bax, and bcl-2 were used as apoptotic and antiapoptotic markers, respectively.', 'The blood pressure values obtained at the onset of reperfusion were significantly lower than the preischemic values. A difference in immunohistochemical scoring was detected between the caspase 3, caspase 9, bax, and bcl-2 groups. When comparisons between the ischemia (groups 2, 3, 4, and 5) and sham groups (group 1) were performed, a significant increase in caspase 3, caspase 9, bax, and bcl-2 was detected. When comparing the subgroups, the average score of caspase 9 was found to be significantly higher in ischemia group 2. The average score of bcl-2 was also found to be significantly higher in postconditioning and citicoline group 5.'] Does citicoline and postconditioning provide neuroprotection in a rat model of ischemic spinal cord injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.101900339126587,
-1.4861400127410889,
2.5835866928100586
] |
["It has been recently noticed that type 2 diabetes (T2D), one of the most common metabolic diseases, causes a chronic low-grade inflammation and activation of the innate immune system that are closely involved in the pathogenesis of T2D. Cordyceps militaris, a traditional medicinal mushroom, produces a component compound, cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine). Cordycepin has been known to have many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, and anti-infection activities. The molecular mechanisms of cordycepin in T2D are not clear. In the present study, we tested the role of cordycepin on the anti-diabetic effect and anti-inflammatory cascades in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.", 'We confirmed the levels of diabetes regulating genes mRNA and protein of cytokines through RT-PCR and western blot analysis and followed by FACS analysis for the surface molecules.', 'Cordycepin inhibited the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in LPS-activated macrophages via suppressing protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. T2D regulating genes such as 11beta-HSD1 and PPARgamma were decreased as well as expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as ICAM-1 and B7-1/-2 were also decreased with the increment of its concentration. In accordance with suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production lead to inhibition of diabetic regulating genes in activated macrophages. Cordycepin suppressed NF-kappaB activation in LPS-activated macrophages.'] Does cordycepin suppress Expression of Diabetes Regulating Genes by Inhibition of Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammation in Macrophages? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.50215220451355,
-1.2118537425994873,
2.7610762119293213
] |
['Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder in children, in which enlarged adenotonsillar tissues (AT) play a major pathophysiologic role. Mechanisms leading to the proliferation and hypertrophy of AT in children who subsequently develop OSA remain unknown, and surgical extirpation of AT is associated with potential morbidity and mortality.', 'We hypothesized that a computationally based analysis of gene expression in tonsils from children with OSA and children with recurrent tonsillitis without OSA can identify putative mechanistic pathways associated with tonsillar proliferation and hypertrophy in OSA.', 'Palatine tonsils from children with either polysomnographically documented OSA or recurrent infectious tonsillitis were subjected to whole-genome microarray and functional enrichment analyses followed by significance score ranking based on gene interaction networks. The latter enabled identification and confirmation of a candidate list of tonsil-proliferative genes in OSA.', 'In vitro studies using a mixed tonsil cell culture system targeting one of these candidates, phosphoserine phosphatase, revealed that it was more abundantly expressed in tonsils of children with OSA, and that pharmacological inhibition of phosphoserine phosphatase led to marked reductions in T- and B-lymphocyte cell proliferation and increased apoptosis.'] Does transcriptomic analysis identify phosphatases as novel targets for adenotonsillar hypertrophy of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.571941614151001,
-1.1246025562286377,
2.7869200706481934
] |
['Clara cell 10-kD (CC10) protein, an antiinflammatory molecule, is involved in inflammatory upper airway diseases, but its regulatory role is unclear, particularly in the process of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).', 'To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of CC10 in eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) using an allergic mouse model.', 'Homozygous CC10-knockout mice were used to establish an allergic ECRS model. Phenotypic changes were examined by histology, cytokine ELISA, and gene microarray analysis. Differential expression of chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) was verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The functional role of CHI3L1 in vivo was assessed by the use of anti-CHI3L1 antibody in ECRS mice. CHI3L1 gene expression regulated by inflammatory cytokines and CC10 protein was performed using BEAS-2B cell line.', 'Compared with wild-type mice, a significantly greater extent of inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue remodeling was found in CC10-knockout ECRS mice, which was associated with significantly higher levels of various cytokines and eotaxin-1. CHI3L1 was up-regulated in ECRS mice with a significant further increase in CC10-knockout mice. Anti-CHI3L1 treatment markedly ameliorated eosinophilic inflammation. Furthermore, nasal mucosal CC10 gene transfer in CC10-knockout mice attenuated eosinophilic inflammation and suppressed the levels of CHI3L1. Moreover, significantly up-regulated expression of CHI3L1 was noted in human ECRS. IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-13 were found to up-regulate CHI3L1 expression in BEAS-2B cells, whereas CC10 inhibited such up-regulation.'] Does clara cell 10-kD protein suppress chitinase 3-like 1 expression associated with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.354038953781128,
-1.3579704761505127,
2.7616395950317383
] |
['The mechanisms contributing to alveolar formation are poorly understood. A better understanding of these processes will improve efforts to ameliorate lung disease of the newborn and promote alveolar repair in the adult. Previous studies have identified impaired alveogenesis in mice bearing compound mutations of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors (FGFRs) 3 and 4, indicating that these receptors cooperatively promote postnatal alveolar formation.', 'To determine the molecular and cellular mechanisms of FGF-mediated alveolar formation.', 'Compound FGFR3/FGFR4-deficient mice were assessed for temporal changes in lung growth, airspace morphometry, and genome-wide expression. Observed gene expression changes were validated using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, tissue biochemistry, histochemistry, and ELISA. Autocrine and paracrine regulatory mechanisms were investigated using isolated lung mesenchymal cells and type II pneumocytes.', 'Quantitative analysis of airspace ontogeny confirmed a failure of secondary crest elongation in compound mutant mice. Genome-wide expression profiling identified molecular alterations in these mice involving aberrant expression of numerous extracellular matrix molecules. Biochemical and histochemical analysis confirmed changes in elastic fiber gene expression resulted in temporal increases in elastin deposition with the loss of typical spatial restriction. No abnormalities in elastic fiber gene expression were observed in isolated mesenchymal cells, indicating that abnormal elastogenesis in compound mutant mice is not cell autonomous. Increased expression of paracrine factors, including insulin-like growth factor-1, in freshly-isolated type II pneumocytes indicated that these cells contribute to the observed pathology.'] Do fibroblast growth factor receptors control epithelial-mesenchymal interactions necessary for alveolar elastogenesis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.49836802482605,
-1.2512600421905518,
2.821977376937866
] |
['Animal models of anxiety disorders emphasize the crucial role of locus ceruleus-noradrenergic (norepinephrine, NE) signaling, the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and their interactions in the expression of anxiety-like behavioral responses to stress. Despite clinical evidence for the efficacy of a β-noradrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol in the alleviation of anxiety symptoms and the secondary prevention of post traumatic stress disorder, preclinical evidence for a β-noradrenergic modulation of BLA activity in humans is missing.', 'We combined functional magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers with probabilistic mapping of intra-amygdalar responses to fearful, neutral and happy facial expressions to test the hypothesis that a β-noradrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol would inactivate the BLA.', 'Consistent with our a priori hypothesis, propranolol diminished BLA responses to facial expressions, independent of their emotional valence. The absence of activity changes in probabilistically defined visual control regions underscores the specific action of propranolol in the BLA.'] Is human amygdala reactivity diminished by the β-noradrenergic antagonist propranolol? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.52480149269104,
-1.178065538406372,
2.7595202922821045
] |
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