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['Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been ubiquitously detected within high-grade gliomas, but its role in gliomagenesis has not been fully elicited.', 'Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors were analyzed by flow cytometry to determine CMV antigen expression within various glioma-associated immune populations. The glioma cancer stem cell (gCSC) CMV interleukin (IL)-10 production was determined by ELISA. Human monocytes were stimulated with recombinant CMV IL-10 and levels of expression of p-STAT3, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), TGF-β, viral IE1, and pp65 were determined by flow cytometry. The influence of CMV IL-10-treated monocytes on gCSC biology was ascertained by functional assays.', 'CMV showed a tropism for macrophages (MΦ)/microglia and CD133+ gCSCs within GBMs. The gCSCs produce CMV IL-10, which induces human monocytes (the precursor to the central nervous system MΦs/microglia) to assume an M2 immunosuppressive phenotype (as manifested by downmodulation of the major histocompatibility complex and costimulatory molecules) while upregulating immunoinhibitory B7-H1. CMV IL-10 also induces expression of viral IE1, a modulator of viral replication and transcription in the monocytes. Finally, the CMV IL-10-treated monocytes produced angiogenic VEGF, immunosuppressive TGF-β, and enhanced migration of gCSCs.'] Does glioma-associated cytomegalovirus mediate subversion of the monocyte lineage to a tumor propagating phenotype? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3522422313690186,
-1.4036481380462646,
2.8449692726135254
] |
['This study was conducted to investigate the association of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with both arterial stiffness and intima-media thickness (IMT).', 'We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 731 subjects with type 2 diabetes. DPN was diagnosed on the basis of neuropathic symptoms, insensitivity to a 10-g monofilament, abnormal pin-prick sensation, and abnormal current perception threshold. Arterial stiffness was assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and IMT was assessed by B-mode ultrasonography.', 'Patients with DPN had higher CAVI than those without DPN in multivariate-adjusted models, whereas no differences in IMT were observed between patients with and without DPN after adjustment for age and sex. In the multivariate analysis, CAVI was a significant determinant of DPN (odds ratio 1.36 [95% CI 1.13-1.65], P = 0.001).'] Is diabetic peripheral neuropathy associated with increased arterial stiffness without changes in carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1030056476593018,
-1.422691822052002,
2.549753189086914
] |
['To identify clinical characteristics predicting death among inpatients who are infected with or exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during a period of pediatric antiretroviral therapy scale-up in sub-Saharan Africa.', 'Retrospective review of medical records from every child with HIV infection (n = 834) or exposure (n = 351) identified by routine inpatient testing in Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi, September 2007 through December 2008.', 'The inpatient mortality rate was high among children with HIV infection (16.6%) and exposure (13.4%). Clinically diagnosed Pneumocystis pneumonia or very severe pneumonia independently predicted death in inpatients with HIV infection (OR 14; 95% CI 8.2 to 23) or exposure (OR 21; CI 8.4 to 50). Severe acute malnutrition independently predicted death in children who are HIV infected (OR 2.2; CI 1.7 to 3.9) or exposed (OR 5.1; CI 2.3 to 11). Other independent predictors of death were septicemia, Kaposi sarcoma, meningitis, and esophageal candidiasis for children infected with HIV, and meningitis and severe anemia for inpatients exposed to HIV.'] Are pneumonia and malnutrition highly predictive of mortality among African children hospitalized with human immunodeficiency virus infection or exposure in the era of antiretroviral therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.697544813156128,
-0.15020892024040222,
1.9711239337921143
] |
['To define an association of bone marrow microvessel density (MVD) with histological properties (the magnitude of fibrosis and quantification of megakaryocytes (MGKC)) in patients with Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMPD).', 'MVD was analyzed in 93 patients with different forms of CMPD, by estimating histological parameters. True polycythemia (TP) was present in 28 patients; 20 patients had essential thrombocythemia (ET), 36 had subleukemic myelosis, out them 6 were in a prefibrotic stage, and 9 with diagnosed post-TP (ET) myelofibrosis. The grade of myelofibrosis was estimated from the degree of bone marrow fibrosis as 0, 1, 2, and 3 and the clusters of MGKC were in accordance with degrees: 0, 1, and 2. MVD was studied from the absolute number of CD34-positive vascular structures.', 'In patients with TP, fibrosis was defined as grade 0 and 1 in 23 (82%) and 5 (18%) cases, respectively. The content of reticulin fiber was in the normal range in 19 (95%) of the 20 patients with ET. The clusters of MGKC of grades 1 and 2 showed an even distribution among patients with ET and those with TP. Fibrosis was absent in all the patients (n = 6) with prefibrotic-stage primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The patients with PMF had high MVD values [6.5 (range 2.8-22)] than those with TP [4.0 (range 1.76-10.2)] or ET [3.7 (range 2-8.5)] and the controls [3.2 (range 2-4.1)] (p < 0.001) confirming that angiogenesis is uninvolved at the onset of disease in patients with ET and those with TP. The patients with prefibrotic-stage PMF had higher values [6.0 (range 4.8-10.6)] than those with ET [3. 7 (range 2-8.5)] (p < 0.001). This suggests that angiogenesis is an early sign preceding the development of fibrosis.'] Is [ Study of bone marrow microvessel density one of the diagnostic approaches in patients with Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative diseases ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6168160438537598,
-1.611419439315796,
2.2124390602111816
] |
['Multimer complex formation of adiponectin is recognized as an important mechanism modulating the biological functions of this adipokine, but the role of adiponectin isoforms in myocardial infarction (MI) is still unclear.', 'We quantified total adiponectin (TOTAL), high, middle, and low molecular weight adiponectin multimers (HMW, MMW, LMW) in a study of non-diabetic obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) and normal-weight (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m(2)) male subjects with MI and healthy controls (n=180). Subsequently, we designed a prospective nested-case-control study to investigate the association of the adiponectin multimers with fatal and non-fatal MI in n=1236 initially healthy non-diabetic men.', 'Obesity was significantly related to lower levels of TOTAL, HMW, MMW, and LMW in subjects with and without MI (p < 0.01, each). In contrast, MI was strongly related to MMW/TOTAL (p < 0.0001), inversely to HMW/TOTAL (p < 0.0001), but not TOTAL or LMW levels. In particular, the median MMW/HMW ratios were markedly different in men with MI (1.71, interquartile range (1.08-2.40)) and without (0.72 (0.49-1.08), p < 0.0001). In the prospective study, 56 incident fatal and non-fatal MI events occured. The MMW/HMW ratio was associated with fatal and non-fatal MI up to 5 years before the event. The β-estimates for the relationship between MMW/HMW and incident MI decreased with increasing time to the event.'] Are adiponectin multimeric forms but not total adiponectin levels associated with myocardial infarction in non-diabetic men? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.043494462966919,
-1.732380747795105,
1.7477366924285889
] |
['Only few data are available regarding the prognostic impact of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-sestamibi (MPS) regarding emerging cardiac events in elderly patients', 'To evaluate the prognostic value of MPS regarding emerging cardiac events in patients aged ≥70 years with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).', 'One hundred and thirty-three patients (74.6 ± 3.7 years) who underwent exercise or pharmacological stress/rest MPS were included in this analysis. Semi-quantitative visual interpretation of MPS images was performed and Summed-Stress- (SSS), Summed-Difference- (SDS), and Summed-Rest Scores (SRS) were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were calculated for evaluation of the independent prognostic impact of MPS results and several cardiac-related patient characteristics with regard to emerging cardiac events. Kaplan-Meier survival- and log rank analyses were calculated for assessment of cardiac event-free survival.', 'Pathological SSS (OR: 3.3), angina (OR: 2.7) and ischemic ECG (OR: 3.0) were independently associated with cardiac events. Patients with pathological SSS (p=0.005) and ischemic ECG (p=0.012) had a significantly lower incidence of cardiac event-free survival.'] Is pathological 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion scintigraphy independently associated with emerging cardiac events in elderly patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0794873237609863,
-1.3548064231872559,
2.5411720275878906
] |
['Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes mellitus and statin treatment affect cholesterol metabolism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate markers of cholesterol metabolism and determine their relationship with CVD in patients without diabetes mellitus who were not receiving statin treatment.', 'In addition to conventional CVD risk factors, plasma levels of campesterol and sitosterol (indicators of cholesterol absorption) and lathosterol (an indicator of cholesterol synthesis) were determined in 835 consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography. Coronary artery disease was evaluated by coronary angiograms, carotid atherosclerosis and peripheral vascular disease were assessed by Doppler ultrasound, and cerebrovascular accidents and transient ischemic attacks were identified by medical history.', 'After excluding patients with known diabetes mellitus and those receiving statin treatment, 177 patients were included in the analysis. Compared to patients without CVDs (n=111), patients with concomitant CVDs (n=66) had a reduced lathosterol-to-cholesterol ratio (1.25±0.61 vs. 1.38±0.63, P<0.05) and an increased campesterol-to-cholesterol ratio (1.81±1.04 vs. 1.50±0.69, P<0.05), indicating that enhanced absorption and reduced synthesis of cholesterol is associated with CVD development. Logistic regression analysis including all established cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, total cholesterol, arterial hypertension, body mass index and smoking) revealed that campesterol and the campesterol-to-cholesterol ratio were significant predictors of concomitant CVD in this patient population.'] Are markers of enhanced cholesterol absorption a strong predictor for cardiovascular diseases in patients without diabetes mellitus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0095250606536865,
-1.4377537965774536,
2.4858973026275635
] |
['H-cadherin, functions as a tumor suppressor, is frequently silenced by promoter methylation in human cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using H-cadherin methylation in tumor tissues as a potential biomarker in patients with bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).', "We examined the methylation status of H-cadherin in 133 primary bladder TCC samples and 43 normal bladder epithelial tissues using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and then analyzed the associations between H-cadherin methylation and clinicopathologic features as well as patients' outcome.", 'H-cadherin methylation was detected in 47 (35.3%) bladder TCC samples, but not found in controls (P = 0.0000). Moreover, H-cadherin methylation was significantly associated with advanced stage (P = 0.0006), high grade (P = 0.0165), larger tumor size (P = 0.0225), tumor recurrence (P = 0.0106), and poor prognosis (P = 0.0000). In addition, multivariate analysis indicated that H-cadherin methylation is independently associated with poor outcome and had a relative risk of death of 3.832 (P = 0.0071, 95% confidence interval: 1.443-10.176).'] Is promoter methylation of H-cadherin a potential biomarker in patients with bladder transitional cell carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.193723440170288,
-1.4747040271759033,
2.715075731277466
] |
["We aimed to identify the prognostic factors and the new parameters such as Charlson's comorbidity index (CCI) that might predict postoperative complication rates in a radical nephrectomy cohort. We also evaluated the correlation of CCI with the Clavien postoperative complication scale (CPCS).", 'Perioperative characteristics of 47 patients undergoing radical nephrectomy were recorded. Following items were assessed: preoperative patient characteristics including age, gender, CCI, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system category, renal and hepatic functions, type of nephrectomy incision, operative time, clinical stage and histopathological subtype of the tumor, and preoperative co-morbid conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic pulmonary disease, peptic ulcers, renal and hepatic dysfunction. Postoperative complications were defined as death, wound infection, pneumonia, atelectasis, pulmonary emboli, anemia, sepsis, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and deep vein thrombosis. In addition, postoperative complications were also graded according to the CPCS and accepted as those occurring within 30\xa0days.', 'Preoperative chronic pulmonary diseases were found to be significant risk factors for the development of postoperative complications. Age adjusted odds ratio was 7.112 for chronic pulmonary disease. The mean CCI in patients who did not develop any postoperative complication was 4.49\xa0±\xa01.95, whereas it was 5.75\xa0±\xa02.60 for patients who developed postoperative complications (P\xa0=\xa00.138). In Spearman correlation analysis, CCI value was found to be significantly correlated with CPCS grade (P\xa0=\xa00.011, rho value\xa0=\xa00.366).'] Are chronic pulmonary diseases independent risk factors for complications after radical nephrectomy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4817386865615845,
-1.6673179864883423,
2.088387966156006
] |
['Squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) has increased from 4% to 10% over 4 decades, stimulating interest in developing novel agents that slow sun-damaged skin progression. This is the first study evaluating the naturally occurring bioactive food compound curcumin on skin cancer xenografts. Low bioavailability of curcumin has slowed its transition to clinical trials. It is hypothesized that curcumin has growth-inhibitory effects through the TOR pathway and chemopreventive potential in skin SCCa where local application could bypass bioavailability problems.', 'A randomized experimental animal and laboratory study.', 'Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana.', 'SCID mice were pretreated with 0, 5, or 15 mg of curcumin (n = 8 per group), 3 days prior to injecting 10⁶ SRB12-p9 skin SCCa cells in each flank, and were gavaged daily thereafter. Tumor volumes were measured and tumors were harvested on day 24 when mice were sacrificed. Immunohistochemical analysis of pS6 expression (n = 3 per group) and tumor volumes in the 3 groups were compared using 1-way analysis of variance and pairwise comparisons were determined with the Tukey t test if overall comparisons were significant.', 'Tumor volume increased 2.3 times faster in control mice compared with the group receiving 15 mg of curcumin (P = .0003). A significant difference in average tumor volumes was seen (P = .0012), especially with treatment of 15 mg of curcumin compared with control P = .0003). Curcumin inhibited S6 phosphorylation (P = .0027), suggest-ing inhibition of the MTOR pathway.'] Does curcumin inhibit skin squamous cell carcinoma tumor growth in vivo? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7281367778778076,
-1.560459852218628,
2.271885395050049
] |
['Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies implying a very poor prognosis for patients even under therapy. Since it is known that SCLC cells exhibit neurone-like characteristics, we investigated whether a neuronal induction medium (NID) consisting of indomethacin (200 μM), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 500 μM) and insulin (5 μg/ml) induces neuronal differentiation and by this reduces malignancy of SCLC in vitro.', 'Anti-proliferative effects were tested by incubating five SCLC cell lines (OH1, OH3, SW2, H69 and H82) with NID for 72 h (XTT-assay). Afterwards, anti-proliferative as well as cytotoxic effects (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] assay, electron microscopy) of a range of drug concentrations (indomethacin 6.25-800 μM, IBMX 15.625-2000 μM and combinations of both) regarding H82 and SW2 were analysed. We further investigated the presence of cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 1 and 2 (IHC, Western blot) as well as levels of COX-2 before and after treatment. Neuronal differentiation was evaluated by morphological analyses (electron microscopy), detection of CD 56 and CD 171 (FACS) and recording Na(+) and K(+) currents (patch clamp).', 'Proliferation of all cell lines was inhibited significantly in a dose dependent manner (linear regression), whereas SW2 and H82 were most sensitive. Treatment with insulin alone had no effect at all. Cytotoxic effects were only observed after incubation with high concentrations of indomethacin (H82) and combined treatment (SW2). COX-1 and 2 were detectable in H82 and SW2, whereas the level of COX-2 remained unaffected under treatment. By electron microscopy, we could not observe distinct neurone-like morphological changes after 72 h of treatment. However, the majority of H82 and SW2 cells expressed both CD 56 (NCAM) and CD 171 (L1), showing an increase of NCAM and L1 intensity at the cell surface after 7 and 14 days of treatment. We further demonstrated an up-regulation of neurone-specific Na(+) currents as well as a significant down-regulation of herg K(+) currents after NID treatment.'] Does neuronal differentiation by indomethacin and IBMX inhibit proliferation of small cell lung cancer cells in vitro? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.301927328109741,
-1.4657950401306152,
2.8015072345733643
] |
['At the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), isoflurane potentiates GABA(A) receptor currents and inhibits NMDA receptor currents, and these actions may be important for producing anesthesia. However, isoflurane modulates GABA(A) receptors more potently than NMDA receptors. The objective of this study was to test whether isoflurane would function as a more potent NMDA receptor antagonist if its efficacy at GABA(A) receptors was decreased.', 'Prospective experimental study.', 'Fourteen 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 269 ± 12 g.', 'Indwelling lumbar subarachnoid catheters were surgically placed in isoflurane-anesthetized rats. Two days later, the rats were anesthetized with isoflurane, and artificial CSF containing either 0 or 1 mg kg(-1) picrotoxin, a GABA(A) receptor antagonist, was infused intrathecally at 1 μL minute(-1). The baseline isoflurane MAC was then determined using a standard tail clamp technique. MK801 (dizocilpine), an NMDA receptor antagonist, was then administered intravenously at 0.5 mg kg(-1). Isoflurane MAC was re-measured.', 'Picrotoxin increased isoflurane MAC by 16% compared to controls. MK801 significantly decreased isoflurane MAC by 0.72% of an atmosphere in controls versus 0.47% of an atmosphere in rats receiving intrathecal picrotoxin.'] Does gABA ( A ) receptor antagonism increase NMDA receptor inhibition by isoflurane at a minimum alveolar concentration? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0420939922332764,
-1.5157959461212158,
2.578676700592041
] |
['Massive intraoperative transfusion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing noncardiac thoracic operations. We examined whether this association carries over to patients who receive only 1 to 2 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) during their operation.', "We queried the American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database for patients undergoing noncardiac, nonvascular thoracic operations during a 5-year period. Patient 30-day morbidity (1 or more of 20 complications) and mortality were evaluated. We used propensity-score matching to minimize confounding when estimating the effect of transfusion on postoperative morbidity.", 'We analyzed 8728 nonvascular thoracic operations in patients from 173 hospitals. Of these, 7875 (90.2%) did not receive intraoperative transfusions. The 579 patients (6.6%) who received 1 to 2 units of intraoperative PRBCs had higher unadjusted rates of wound problems, pulmonary complications, sepsis/shock, composite morbidity, mortality, and length of stay than those who did not receive transfusions. These rates further increased with postoperative transfusion of more than 2 units of intraoperative PRBC. After propensity adjustment, transfusion of 1 or 2 units of PRBCs increased the multivariate risk of composite morbidity, pulmonary complications, systemic sepsis, wound complications, and the postoperative length of stay compared with those who did not receive transfusions.'] Does intraoperative transfusion of small amounts of blood herald worse postoperative outcome in patients having noncardiac thoracic operations? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2983070611953735,
-1.2181075811386108,
1.5053778886795044
] |
['Although animal studies suggest that it is the uncarboxylated rather than carboxylated form of osteocalcin that affects glucose homeostasis, the human data are scant and equivocal.', 'This study investigated associations of uncarboxylated and carboxylated forms of osteocalcin with insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in 140 overweight prepubertal children (43% female, 46% black, 84% obese) with normal glucose levels (n = 99) and prediabetes (n = 41).', 'An oral glucose tolerance test was used to identify prediabetes and for measurement of insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), β-cell function [oral glucose tolerance test derived insulinogenic index and disposition index (DI(OGTT))] and uncarboxylated and carboxylated forms of osteocalcin. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging.', 'After controlling for age, sex and race, lower uncarboxylated osteocalcin concentrations, Matsuda index, insulinogenic index, and DI(OGTT) and higher VAT levels were found in the prediabetes vs. normal-glucose group (all P < 0.03). Carboxylated osteocalcin levels were not different between groups. Multiple linear regression adjusting for age, sex, race, and VAT revealed that uncarboxylated osteocalcin was associated with insulinogenic index and DI(OGTT) (β = 0.34, 0.36, respectively, both P < 0.04) in the prediabetes group but not the normal-glucose group. In both the normal-glucose and prediabetes groups, carboxylated osteocalcin was associated with insulin sensitivity (β = 0.26, 0.47, respectively, both P < 0.02).'] Is lower uncarboxylated osteocalcin concentrations in children with prediabetes associated with beta-cell function? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1465189456939697,
-1.4350305795669556,
2.599701404571533
] |
['miR-200c and other members of the miR-200 family promote epithelial identity by directly targeting ZEB1 and ZEB2, which repress E-cadherin and other genes involved in polarity. Loss of miR-200c is often observed in carcinoma cells that have undergone epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Restoration of miR-200c to such cells leads to a reduction in stem cell-like characteristics, reduced migration and invasion, and increased sensitivity to taxanes. Here we investigate the functional role of novel targets of miR-200c in the aggressive behavior of breast and endometrial cancer cells.', 'Putative target genes of miR-200c identified by microarray profiling were validated as direct targets using dual luciferase reporter assays. Following restoration of miR-200c to triple negative breast cancer and type 2 endometrial cancer cell lines that had undergone EMT, levels of endogenous target mRNA and respective protein products were measured. Migration and sensitivity to anoikis were determined using wound healing assays or cell-death ELISAs and viability assays respectively.', 'We found that restoration of miR-200c suppresses anoikis resistance, a novel function for this influential miRNA. We identified novel targets of miR-200c, including genes encoding fibronectin 1 (FN1), moesin (MSN), neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase type 2 (NTRK2 or TrkB), leptin receptor (LEPR), and Rho GTPase activating protein 19 (ARHGAP19). These targets all encode proteins normally expressed in cells of mesenchymal or neuronal origin; however, in carcinoma cells that lack miR-200c they become aberrantly expressed and contribute to the EMT phenotype and aggressive behavior. We showed that these targets are inhibited upon restoration of miR-200c to aggressive breast and endometrial cancer cells. We demonstrated that inhibition of MSN and/or FN1 is sufficient to mediate the ability of miR-200c to suppress cell migration. Lastly, we showed that targeting of TrkB mediates the ability of miR-200c to restore anoikis sensitivity.'] Do targets of miR-200c mediate suppression of cell motility and anoikis resistance? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.408884286880493,
-1.0480382442474365,
2.453655481338501
] |
['Cigarette smoking is a recognized risk factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but little data are available on the association between smoking and RCC biology. We investigated the association between cigarette smoking and RCC stage in a large contemporary multiethnic surgical cohort.', 'We retrospectively reviewed the demographic, clinical, and pathologic data of patients undergoing surgery for RCC between 2000 and 2009. Advanced RCC was defined as metastatic disease, pathologic stage ≥ T3, and/or lymph node involvement. Self-reported smoking history included smoking status, duration, intensity, cumulative exposure, and cessation. Patient and tumor characteristics were compared between the groups in univariate and multivariate analyses.', 'Of the 845 eligible patients, 19.4% and 29.1% were current and former smokers, respectively, and 207 patients (24.5%) had advanced disease. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, smoking was consistently associated with advanced RCC, and cessation reversed the risk. Current and former smokers had 1.5- and 1.6-fold increased odds of advanced disease, respectively. Heavier smoking (longer duration and exposure) was associated with increased risk of advanced RCC, whereas durable cessation reduced the odds of advanced disease.'] Is cigarette smoking associated with advanced renal cell carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.101639986038208,
-1.1267423629760742,
2.262655019760132
] |
['Anti-angiogenic agents have recently become one of the major adjuvants for cancer therapy. A cyclopeptide, RA-V, has been shown to have anti-tumour activities. Its in vitro anti-angiogenic activities were evaluated in the present study, and the underlying mechanisms were also assessed.', 'Two endothelial cell lines, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), were used. The effects of RA-V on the proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, migration, tube formation and adhesion were assessed. Western blots and real-time PCR were employed to examine the protein and mRNA expression of relevant molecules.', 'RA-V inhibited HUVEC and HMEC-1 proliferation dose-dependently with IC(50) values of 1.42 and 4.0 nM respectively. RA-V inhibited migration and tube formation of endothelial cells as well as adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. RA-V treatment down-regulated the protein and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2. Regarding intracellular signal transduction, RA-V interfered with the activation of ERK1/2 in both cell lines. Furthermore, RA-V significantly decreased the phosphorylation of JNK in HUVEC whereas, in HMEC-1, p38 MAPK was decreased.'] Does cyclopeptide RA-V inhibit angiogenesis by down-regulating ERK1/2 phosphorylation in HUVEC and HMEC-1 endothelial cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4013936519622803,
-1.3215582370758057,
2.7834482192993164
] |
['Allergic asthma is IgE-mediated and the IgE-sensitisation is usually demonstrated by skin prick tests (SPT) and IgE antibody determinations in serum. The SPT and IgE-antibody values do not directly predict if the allergy clinically contributes to the asthma. There is therefore a need for new objective tests that may indicate the clinical importance of an IgE-sensitisation.', 'To evaluate basophil allergen threshold sensitivity (CD-sens) as a measure of allergen sensitivity in allergic asthma.', 'Twenty-six subjects with stable, intermittent allergic asthma were tested with SPT and spirometry, and methacholine and allergen inhalation challenges to determine methacholine PD(20) (provocative dose causing a 20% drop in forced expiratory volume in 1 s) and allergen PD(20) . The results were compared with CD-sens and serological parameters, i.e. IgE- and IgG4 antibodies to the relevant allergens.', 'A significant correlation was found between CD-sens and allergen PD(20) (P = 0.01; r = 0.49; n = 26) as well as between CD-sens and the ratio of allergen PD(20) to methacholine PD(20) (P = 0.007; r = 0.52; n = 26). In patients with a moderate to low degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness there was an excellent correlation (P = 0.0001; r = 0.88, n = 13) between CD-sens and allergen sensitivity. No relation to either allergen PD(20) or the ratio was found for basophil allergen reactivity measured as CD63 up-regulation at high concentrations of the respective allergen.'] Is basophil allergen threshold sensitivity , CD-sens , a measure of allergen sensitivity in asthma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.549847960472107,
-1.6385414600372314,
2.139057159423828
] |
['Pitx2 is a homeobox transcription factor that plays a pivotal role in early left/right determination during embryonic development. Pitx2 loss-of-function mouse mutants display early embryonic lethality with severe cardiac malformations, demonstrating the importance of Pitx2 during cardiogenesis. Recently, independent genome-wide association studies have provided new evidence for a putative role of PITX2 in the adult heart. These studies have independently reported several risk variants close to the PITX2 locus on chromosome 4q25 that are strongly associated with atrial fibrillation in humans.', 'We show for the first time that PITX2C expression is significantly decreased in human patients with sustained atrial fibrillation, thus providing a molecular link between PITX2 loss of function and atrial fibrillation. In addition, morphological, molecular, and electrophysiological characterization of chamber-specific Pitx2 conditional mouse mutants reveals that atrial but not ventricular chamber-specific deletion of Pitx2 results in differences in the action potential amplitude and resting membrane potential in the adult heart as well as ECG characteristics of atrioventricular block. Lack of Pitx2 in atrial myocardium impairs sodium channel and potassium channel expression, mediated in part by miRNA misexpression.'] Does pITX2 insufficiency lead to atrial electrical and structural remodeling linked to arrhythmogenesis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4166643619537354,
-1.172641396522522,
2.632453441619873
] |
["Memory self-efficacy (MSE) is the belief about one's mastery of memory functioning. In healthy elderly, memory complaints are related to MSE rather than to objectively measured memory capacity. MSE has scarcely been studied in patients that suffered a stroke. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to examine whether memory capacity and MSE can predict the presence of memory complaints in stroke patients, and (2) to study which variables are the best predictors of MSE.", "In a cross-sectional study, 136 stroke patients (>18 months after onset) were recruited from April 2008 to November 2009. MSE was measured using the Metamemory in Adulthood questionnaire. Depression, coping and personality were measured using validated questionnaires, and memory performance was measured using the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). Patients were divided into a 'complaints' and a 'no complaints' group.", 'A lower MSE score was an independent predictor of having memory complaints (adjusted odds ratio: 0.422; p = 0.000), adjusted for age and depression. The RBMT and AVLT scores did not predict the presence of memory complaints (p > 0.263). Presence of memory complaints and depression were the strongest predictors of MSE (B = -1.748, p = 0.000; B = -0.054, p = 0.000), followed by word fluency, not having a partner and side of stroke (B = 0.038, p = 0.012; B = -0.517, p = 0.082; B = -0.479, p = 0.088).'] Are memory complaints in chronic stroke patients predicted by memory self-efficacy rather than memory capacity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.8119193315505981,
-1.1075853109359741,
0.9568878412246704
] |
['This study aimed to investigate the potential of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a predictor of death within 14 days in acutely symptomatic patients with advanced cancer admitted to the emergency department (ED).', 'A prospective observational study was conducted of 126 consecutive patients with advanced cancer who were admitted to the ED because of acute symptoms. The patients were categorized into two groups according to serum CRP levels (cutoff 9.2 mg/dL). Demographic characteristics, disease-related factors, clinical symptoms and signs, and laboratory data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between clinical findings and 14-day mortality.', 'Median survival was 26.5 days (interquartile range = 8.0-79.5 days). In univariate analysis, serum CRP level (≥9.2 mg/dL), chemotherapy, age (≥65 years), altered mental status, hypotension, and leukocytosis were significant. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that among these variables, serum CRP level (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.444, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.298 to 4.603, p = 0.006) and chemotherapy (HR = 0.452, 95% CI = 0.236 to 0.863, p = 0.016) were independent prognostic factors for 14-day mortality.'] Is serum C-reactive protein level a predictive factor for 14-day mortality of patients with advanced cancer who present to the emergency department with acute symptoms? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5226467847824097,
-1.4394030570983887,
2.0389468669891357
] |
['Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is often accompanied by lymph node metastasis (LNM), compared with follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). Sialic acid is carried by fibronectin (sFN) as the antigen of monoclonal antibody (MoAb) JT-95 detected in 90% of PTC, and a few cases of FTC.', 'JT-95 staining was performed in 9 PTC and 20 follicular type tumors to investigate the relationship between the expression of sFN and the frequency of LNM.', 'There were 11 cases with LNM from 23 malignant tumors, and no cases of LNM from 6 benign follicular type tumors. The staining scores by JT-95 of the 11 tumors with LNM were 5+ in 4 cases, and 6+ in 7 cases. On the other hand, the scores of 12 malignant tumors without LNM were <4+ in all cases.'] Does the expression of sialic fibronectin correlate with lymph node metastasis of thyroid malignant neoplasmas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.672476887702942,
-1.5270825624465942,
2.2544169425964355
] |
['Although gemcitabine is the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer, this particular type of cancer develops rapidly and has intrinsic chemoresistance. Chemoresistance plays a critical role in tumor progression, invasion and migration. Nevertheless, the effect of adenoviral therapy on chemoresistant cancer cells has not been studied. In this study, we compared the efficacy of adenoviral therapy in parental and chemoresistant pancreatic cancer cells.', 'To establish gemcitabine-resistant cells, pancreatic cancer SUIT2 cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of gemcitabine. Both parental and chemoresistant cells were infected with adenoviruses expressing either green fluorescent protein (Ad-GFP) or the hepatocyte growth factor antagonist, NK4 (Ad-NK4). To investigate the transduction efficacy, GFP expression and NK4 concentrations were measured and an invasion assay was used to investigate the efficacy of the adenoviral therapy.', 'The 50% inhibitory concentration of gemcitabine was <10 nM in the parental SUIT-2 cells, while it was >1 μM in gemcitabine-resistant cells. A large number of gemcitabine-resistant cells were GFP-positive compared with only a small number of parental cells (p<0.05). The NK4 expression level was significantly higher in gemcitabine-resistant cells than in parental cells (p<0.05). The supernatant from Ad-NK4-infected gemcitabine-resistant cells significantly inhibited the invasion of cancer cells compared with that from Ad-NK4-infected parental cells (p<0.05).'] Is adenoviral therapy more effective in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer than in gemcitabine-sensitive cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8695794343948364,
-1.53279447555542,
2.3716514110565186
] |
['Galanin is expressed at low levels in the intact sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia with a dramatic increase after peripheral nerve injury. The neuropeptide is also expressed in primary afferent terminals in the dorsal horn, spinal inter-neurons and in a number of brain regions known to modulate nociception. Intrathecal administration of galanin modulates sensory responses in a dose-dependent manner with inhibition at high doses. To date it is unclear which of the galanin receptors mediates the anti-nociceptive effects of the neuropeptide and whether their actions are peripherally and/or centrally mediated. In the present study we investigated the effects of direct administration into the receptive field of galanin and the galanin receptor-2/3-agonist Gal2-11 on nociceptive primary afferent mechanical responses in intact rats and mice and in the partial saphenous nerve injury (PSNI) model of neuropathic pain.', 'Exogenous galanin altered the responses of mechano-nociceptive C-fibre afferents in a dose-dependent manner in both naive and nerve injured animals, with low concentrations facilitating and high concentrations markedly inhibiting mechano-nociceptor activity. Further, use of the galanin fragment Gal2-11 confirmed that the effects of galanin were mediated by activation of galanin receptor-2 (GalR2). The inhibitory effects of peripheral GalR2 activation were further supported by our demonstration that after PSNI, mechano-sensitive nociceptors in galanin over-expressing transgenic mice had significantly higher thresholds than in wild type animals, associated with a marked reduction in spontaneous neuronal firing and C-fibre barrage into the spinal cord.'] Does activation of the galanin receptor 2 in the periphery reverse nerve injury-induced allodynia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5305306911468506,
-1.1771873235702515,
2.720062494277954
] |
['To identify the circumstances associated with falls resulting in hip fracture in the elderly, and risk factors for this kind of fall.', 'A 12 month observational study of patients over 65 years, admitted for hip fracture resulting from a fall to the General University Hospital of Albacete.', 'demographic data, circumstances of fall, type of fracture, previous falls, associated diseases, regular drug treatment and mental status, collected from medical records and interviews. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed, which included, comparison of means (t test), comparison of proportions (χ(2)), odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence intervals, and logistic regression models.', 'A total of 312 patients were included with a mean age 81.68 years (range, 65-99), of which 74.3% (232) were women. Only 35 patients (11,2%) lived in an institution, 212 (68%) had not had a fall during previous six months, and 116 patients (37.2%) had cognitive impairment. Falls occurred indoors (189 patients, 63.2%), with only 14% (41) during the night. Most of falls were related to extrinsic factors (31.5% tripping, slipping 24.1%; n=257). Patients had previous diseases in a 96% (300) of cases, with the most common being hypertension (177 patients, 59%) and diabetes (72, 24%). Drugs most frequently taken were anti-platelets (82, 31.9%), antihypertensives, diuretics (78, 30.4%), oral hypoglycaemic agents (41, 16%), anxiolytics (37, 14.4%) and antidepressants (35, 13.6%). The prior independence for walking on the street appears as a protective factor to fall indoors.'] Does [ Analysis of hip-fracture fall in the elderly ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9399257898330688,
-0.5307541489601135,
1.6193931102752686
] |
['To clarify the value of resection of gallbladder cancer involving the extrahepatic bile duct.', ': Several recent studies have proven that jaundice and extrahepatic biliary involvement are independent predictors of a poor outcome. Only a few authors recommend resection of such advanced disease.', 'One hundred patients with pT3/4, pN0/1, M0 disease were the subjects of this study. Mortality and long-term outcome were analyzed using a prospectively collected database.', 'The only factor associated with mortality in univariate and multivariate analyses was intraoperative blood loss. The 5-year survival rate and median survival time were 23% and 1.5 years for patients with pathologic extrahepatic biliary invasion (pEBI), and 54% and 15.4 years for patients without pEBI. Twelve patients with pEBI survived beyond 5 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that R1/2 resection and combined resection of adjacent organs other than the liver and extrahepatic bile duct (CRAO) were independent predictors of poor outcome. Five-year survival rate and median survival time after R0 resection without CRAO were 36% and 3.8 years even in patients with pEBI. In contrast, after R0 resection with CRAO 5-year survival and median survival time were 16% and 0.8 years, respectively.'] Is gallbladder cancer involving the extrahepatic bile duct worthy of resection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0073633193969727,
-1.1972328424453735,
2.2770237922668457
] |
['Eczema lesions are characterized by impaired expression of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin, which play crucial roles in the innate immune defence against cutaneous infections. LL-37 corresponds to amino acids 134-170 of human cathelicidin and is a multifunctional host defence molecule essential for normal immune responses to infection and tissue injury.', 'The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between childhood eczema and circulating LL-37 levels.', "One hundred and forty-four eczema children and 36 controls were recruited. Eczema severity was assessed by SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and serum LL-37 concentration measured using enzyme immunoassay. Patients' skin hydration and transepidermal water loss at forearms were measured using Corneometer and Tewameter.", "Patients' mean SCORAD was 49.2 and their disease was classified as mild (n=28; 12.8%), moderate (n=95; 43.6%) and severe (n=95; 43.6%). Serum LL-37 concentrations did not differ between eczema patients and controls (mean: 832 pg/mL vs. 952 pg/mL, P=0.471). However, serum LL-37 concentrations increased with increasing eczema severity among the patients (P=0.005 for trend). This biomarker shows weakly positive correlation with patients' objective SCORAD (r=0.207, P=0.013) and age (r=0.170, P=0.041), but not skin hydration or transepidermal water loss (P>0.09). Linear regression confirmed significant association between objective SCORAD and serum LL-37 when adjusted for age and gender as covariates (β=0.171, P=0.038). On the other hand, serum LL-37 did not differ between patients with and without heavy growth of staphylococci (P=0.151)."] Is circulating LL-37 a biomarker for eczema severity in children? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.831809639930725,
-1.5707015991210938,
2.4358129501342773
] |
['The pelvic radiograph in children with cerebral palsy (CP) can inform the degree of hip displacement by calculation of the migration percentage. However, concerns have arisen about the reliability of this measurement. The present study examined the reliability of radiographic assessment of displacement and the importance of positioning and reporting experience.', 'Two pelvic radiographs, taken at least an hour apart, were performed in 20 children (total 40 hips) in the standard position by a trained paediatric radiographer. Children (13 males, seven females) were aged 30 months to 10 years with severe bilateral spastic CP in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV (n=10) and V (n=10). The migration percentage of each hip was measured on two occasions 3 months apart by two experienced radiologists independently. Comparisons of migration percentage were made in three ways by (1) the same observer at the same time, (2) the same observer 3 months apart, and (3) different observers 3 months apart.', 'Migration percentage (mean [SD]) was (1) 3.2% (3.5), (2) 3.3% (3.2), and (3) 3.7% (3.8) respectively.'] Does correct positioning for hip radiographs allow reliable measurement of hip displacement in cerebral palsy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.31924450397491455,
-1.1736699342727661,
0.6218111515045166
] |
['Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1-DS) is a metabolic encephalopathy that can be effectively treated with a ketogenic diet. The aim of this study was to consolidate the effectiveness of the modified Atkins diet (MAD) as an alternative treatment for GLUT1-DS.', "Six Japanese males with GLUT1-DS were selected for treatment with the MAD. Their age at the time the MAD was instituted ranged from 7 to 16 years and the duration of treatment ranged from 1 to 42 months. All participants had early-onset epilepsy. Each participant's neuropsychological activity, seizure frequency, neurological status, and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings were compared before and after the introduction of the MAD.", 'After initiation of the treatment, all individuals showed +2 to +3 urinary ketosis on a ketostick test check. Epileptic seizures and other paroxysmal events decreased markedly in all individuals. Interictal EEG showed improvement in the background activity and disappearance of epileptic discharges. Along with an increased vigilance level, improvement in motivation and cognitive function was also achieved. Non-paroxysmal permanent ataxia, spasticity, dysarthria, and dystonia were moderately improved in four individuals and slightly improved in the remaining two. Preprandial transient aggravation of neurological symptoms completely disappeared in all participants. There were no significant side effects.'] Is a modified Atkins diet promising as a treatment for glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.523944854736328,
-1.0778707265853882,
2.6250345706939697
] |
["Somatotroph adenomas are typically recognized when they secrete GH excessively and cause acromegaly. Both 'silent' somatotroph adenomas (immunohistochemical evidence of GH excess without biochemical or clinical evidence) and 'clinically silent' somatotroph adenomas (immunohistochemical and biochemical evidence but no clinical evidence) have occasionally been reported. The relative frequency of each presentation is unknown. The goal of this study was, therefore, to determine the frequency of clinically silent somatotroph adenomas, a group that is potentially recognizable in vivo.", 'We retrospectively identified 100 consecutive patients who had surgically excised and histologically confirmed pituitary adenomas.', "Each pituitary adenoma was classified immunohistochemically by pituitary cell type. Somatotroph adenomas were further classified as 'classic' (obvious clinical features of acromegaly and elevated serum IGF1), 'subtle' (subtle clinical features of acromegaly and elevated IGF1), 'clinically silent' (no clinical features of acromegaly but elevated IGF1), and 'silent' (no clinical features of acromegaly and normal IGF1).", 'Of the 100 consecutive pituitary adenomas, 29% were gonadotroph/glycoprotein, 24% somatotroph, 18% null cell, 15% corticotroph, 6% lactotroph, 2% thyrotroph, and 6% not classifiable. Of the 24 patients with somatotroph adenomas, classic accounted for 45.8%, subtle 16.7%, clinically silent 33.3%, and silent 4.2%.'] Are clinically silent somatotroph adenomas common? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.790081262588501,
-1.5400727987289429,
2.329904794692993
] |
['beta-catenin, the chief oncogenic component of the canonical Wnt pathway, is known to be involved in development of a variety of cancers, but its role in human osteosarcomas is not fully understood. Here we investigate the effect of small interfering RNA-mediated beta-catenin knockdown on the survival, invasion and chemosensitivity of a human osteosarcoma cell line.', 'A siRNA against beta-catenin was constructed and transfected into MG-63 cells. Expression of beta-catenin was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell growth and apoptosis were assessed in the presence or absence of doxorubicin by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively, cell invasion by transwell assay, and XIAP, Bclxl, nulear P65 and MT1-MMP expression by western blot and real-time PCR.', 'Transfection of beta-catenin siRNA resulted in decreased expression of beta-catenin, suppression of invasion and motility of MG-63 cells and reduced chemosensitivity to doxorubicin in vitro, but little change in cell growth and apoptosis. At the same time, down-regulation of MT1-MMP and up-regulation of NF-kappaB activation were observed.'] Does siRNA-mediated silencing of beta-catenin suppress invasion and chemosensitivity to doxorubicin in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.530170202255249,
-1.2565078735351562,
2.8123559951782227
] |
['Common variation in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene region is robustly associated with smoking quantity. Conversely, the association between one of the most significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs1051730 within the CHRNA3 gene) with perceived difficulty or willingness to quit smoking among current smokers is unknown.', 'Cross-sectional study including current smokers, 502 women, and 552 men. Heaviness of smoking index (HSI), difficulty, attempting, and intention to quit smoking were assessed by questionnaire.', 'The rs1051730 SNP was associated with increased HSI (age, gender, and education-adjusted mean ± SE: 2.6 ± 0.1, 2.2 ± 0.1, and 2.0 ± 0.1 for AA, AG, and GG genotypes, respectively, p < .01). Multivariate logistic regression adjusting for gender, age, education, leisure-time physical activity, and personal history of cardiovascular or lung disease showed rs1051730 to be associated with higher smoking dependence (odds ratio [OR] and 95% CI for each additional A-allele: 1.38 [1.11-1.72] for smoking more than 20 cigarette equivalents/day; 1.31 [1.00-1.71] for an HSI ≥5 and 1.32 [1.05-1.65] for smoking 5 min after waking up) and borderline associated with difficulty to quit (OR = 1.29 [0.98-1.70]), but this relationship was no longer significant after adjusting for nicotine dependence. Also, no relationship was found with willingness (OR = 1.03 [0.85-1.26]), attempt (OR = 1.00 [0.83-1.20]), or preparation (OR = 0.95 [0.38-2.38]) to quit. Similar findings were obtained for other SNPs, but their effect on nicotine dependence was no longer significant after adjusting for rs1051730.'] Is variant within the promoter region of the CHRNA3 gene associated with FTN dependence related to self-reported willingness to quit smoking? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.511126160621643,
-1.4989888668060303,
1.9938257932662964
] |
['Serum free fatty acid (FFA) composition and abnormal fatty acid metabolism have been implicated in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Therefore, we determined if the serum FFA composition can provide accurate diagnosis of NASH.', 'We compared fasting serum FFA compositions in 20 patients with simple steatosis to those in 77 patients with NASH, including 65 patients with early-stage NASH.', 'By univariate analysis, the proportions of serum free myristic acid (P\xa0=\xa00.002) and palmitoleic acid (P\xa0=\xa00.033) and the stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD)-1 index (P\xa0=\xa00.047) were significantly elevated in NASH patients in comparison to patients with simple steatosis. Only the serum free myristic acid proportion was significantly elevated in the early-stage NASH group in comparison to the simple steatosis group (P\xa0=\xa00.003). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the serum free myristic acid proportion was significantly elevated in all patients with NASH (P\xa0=\xa00.011) and the subset of patients with early-stage NASH (P\xa0=\xa00.012) in comparison to those with simple steatosis. The area under the curve (AUC) for the serum free myristic acid proportion was 0.734 to detect NASH and 0.719 to detect early-stage NASH in comparison to simple steatosis.'] Is plasma free myristic acid proportion a predictor of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.609475016593933,
-1.6827597618103027,
2.2631382942199707
] |
['Obesity is epidemic worldwide, and increases in cesarean delivery rates have occurred in parallel.', 'This study aimed to determine whether cesarean delivery is a risk factor for obesity in adulthood in a birth cohort of Brazilian subjects.', 'We initiated a birth cohort study in Ribeirão Preto, southeastern Brazil, in 1978. A randomly selected sample of 2057 subjects from the original cohort was reassessed in 2002-2004. Type of delivery, birth weight, maternal smoking, and schooling were obtained after birth. The following data from subjects were collected at 23-25 y of age: body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)), physical activity, smoking, and income. Obesity was defined as a BMI ≥30. A Poisson multivariable model was performed to determine the association between cesarean delivery and BMI.', 'The obesity rate in adults born by cesarean delivery was 15.2% and in those born by vaginal delivery was 10.4% (P = 0.002). Adults born by cesarean delivery had an increased risk (prevalence ratio: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.23, 2.02) of obesity at adulthood after adjustments.'] Is cesarean delivery associated with an increased risk of obesity in adulthood in a Brazilian birth cohort study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4307972192764282,
0.10948984324932098,
0.5348192453384399
] |
['Individuals who quit smoking frequently experience symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. It is not clear whether these symptoms index liability to negative affect generally or whether such symptoms are a function of nicotine withdrawal and are thus indexed by nicotine dependence (ND).', 'A population-based sample of twins (N = 4,777 individuals) reported their lifetime history of psychopathology, ND, and symptoms of anxiety and depression experienced after attempts to quit smoking. Co-twin phenotype was used to predict withdrawal-induced symptoms of negative affect and to test whether genetic factors influence liability to these symptoms.', "Co-twin's ND was significantly associated with nicotine withdrawal-induced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, monozygotic co-twins more strongly predicted outcome than did dizygotic co-twins, indicating that genetic factors contribute to risk. Co-twins' history of psychopathology did not predict outcome, suggesting that liability to withdrawal-induced negative affect is independent of a liability to negative affect outside the context of nicotine withdrawal."] Is nicotine withdrawal-induced negative affect a function of nicotine dependence and not liability to depression or anxiety? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9383866786956787,
-0.5467701554298401,
1.5304710865020752
] |
['Excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in reactive microglia is a major contributor to initiation/exacerbation of inflammatory and degenerative neurological diseases. Previous studies have indicated that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) can lead to iNOS induction. Because of the existence of various PKC isoforms and the ambiguous specificity of PKC inhibitors, it is unclear whether all PKC isoforms or a specific subset are involved in the expression of iNOS by reactive microglia. In this study, we employed molecular approaches to characterize the role of each specific PKC isoform in the regulation of iNOS expression in murine microglia.', 'Induction of iNOS in response to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was measured in BV-2 murine microglia treated with class-specific PKC inhibitors, or transfected with siRNA to silence specific PKC isoforms. iNOS expression and MAPK phosphorylation were evaluated by western blot. The role of NF-κB in activated microglia was examined by determining NF-κB transcriptional response element- (TRE-) driven, promoter-mediated luciferase activity.', 'Murine microglia expressed high levels of nPKCs, and expressed relatively low levels of cPKCs and aPKCs. All PKC inhibitors attenuated induction of iNOS in LPS-activated microglia. Knockdown of PKC δ and PKC β attenuated ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation, respectively, and blocked NF-κB activation that leads to the expression of iNOS in reactive microglia.'] Do specific PKC isoforms regulate LPS-stimulated iNOS induction in murine microglial cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4531643390655518,
-1.24027681350708,
2.7223122119903564
] |
['Troponin I is often obtained during the evaluation of a potential transplant donor heart. It is not clear whether elevations in donor troponin I levels predict adverse outcomes and should thus preclude acceptance of a donor heart. This study examined whether troponin I levels from donors accepted for pediatric heart transplantation predicted graft failure.', 'Deidentified data on heart transplants performed in recipients aged < 21 years between April 2007 and April 2009 was provided by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Donor troponin I level and recipient outcomes, including survival without retransplantation (graft survival), were examined for statistical correlation.', 'Overall graft survival in 839 heart transplants was 81% at 2 years. At least 1 troponin I level was recorded in 657 donors before transplant, with a median value of 0.1 ng/ml (range, 0-50 ng/ml). Troponin I level and graft status were not correlated (p = 0.74). A receiver operating characteristic curve showed no association between troponin I and graft status (area under the curve, 0.51; p = 0.98). Graft survival did not differ significantly (p = 0.60) among quartiles of troponin I levels (<0.04, 0.04-<0.1, 0.1-<0.35, ≥ 0.35 ng/ml). A troponin I level ≥ 1 ng/ml was found in 74 transplanted donor hearts; graft survival was not associated with troponin I ≥ 1 (80%) vs < 1 (80%) at 2 years (p = 0.93). Troponin I values were not associated with post-transplant hospital length of stay (r = -0.06; p = 0.10).'] Do troponin I levels from donors accepted for pediatric heart transplantation predict recipient graft survival? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.18067654967308044,
-1.8107447624206543,
1.0253829956054688
] |
['Adequate pump flow is a prerequisite for recovery of end-organ failure and outcome in patients treated with a biventricular assist device (BiVAD). We hypothesized that hemodynamics and organ recovery would improve after biventricular, apical cannulation compared with right atrial cannulation.', 'Between 2003 and 2009, we treated 31 patients (21 men, 10 women; mean age, of 43 ± 15 years) with a paracorporeal BiVAD (Thoratec BVAD, Pleasanton, CA). In 15 of 31 patients, the inflow cannula of the right VAD (RVAD) was positioned inside the right ventricle (RV) through the RV apex (biapical) instead of the right atrium (conventional). We analyzed pump flow, driving pressure, and vacuum of the Thoratec driving console and recovery of kidney (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) and liver function (bilirubin).', 'Mean duration of BiVAD support was 84 ± 72 days. BiVAD weaning was successful in 4 of 31 patients (13%), 12 underwent cardiac transplantation (39%), and 15 (48%) died. We observed significantly higher pump flow of the LVAD and RVAD in patients after biapical cannulation compared with those with conventional cannulation (LVAD, 5.6 ± 0.4 vs 5.1 ± 0.3 liters/min, p = 0.002; and RVAD: 4.9 ± 0.3 vs 4.2 ± 0.3 liters/min, p < 0.001). This superior circulatory support correlated with faster recovery of kidney function.'] Is biventricular cannulation superior regarding hemodynamics and organ recovery in patients on biventricular assist device support? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.397398591041565,
-1.7563880681991577,
2.02404522895813
] |
['Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 is one of the pericellular collagenases to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM), which is involved to the modulation of susceptibility or clinicopathological features of a cancer. The contributions of MMP-14 on the susceptibility or clinicopathological features of certain cancers have been well documented, and the expression of MMP-14 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) also has been observed. This study was designed to examine the association of MMP-14 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility and clinicopathological development of OSCC.', 'A total of 363 patients with OSCC and 506 healthy control subjects were recruited. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MMP-14 genes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping and haplotype-base analysis.', 'MMP-14 +7096 TC/CC genotypes might lower the risk of OSCC, and MMP-14 +6767 GA/AA genotypes cause a poor clinical status in OSCC patients. The +6727 C: +6767 G: +7096 T: +8153 G haplotype and diplotype increased the risk for OSCC by 1.706-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.383-2.105) and 2.276-fold (95% CI = 1.531-3.384), respectively, compared with the reference. The diplotype with at least one CGTG exhibited a high risk (adjusted odds ratio, 1.639; 95% CI, 1.005-2.673) for developing a poor clinicopathological diagnosis of OSCC compared with the others/other diplotype.'] Are single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of MMP-14 associated with the risk and pathological development of oral cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.825318694114685,
-1.6385037899017334,
2.4733006954193115
] |
['Variations in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) occur. This study was performed to obtain insight into the reasons why patients with MS use or do not use immunomodulating treatment (DMT).', 'We held a survey on the use of DMT in a group of 1572 patients with MS.', 'Response rate was 89%. Of the patients, 31% were never on DMT, 21% had stopped DMT, 30% were still on the first DMT, and 18% had changed. The treatment-naive patients were significantly older, had a longer duration of disease, and had a lower number of relapses per year (P < 0.0001). The most important reasons not to start the treatment of MS were the severity and phase of the disease (too mild or PP), possible side effects, the advice of the neurologist, and uncertainty about the effect of DMT. Fifteen percent of the patients stated that when choosing treatment, the information definitely had not been sufficient to make a proper choice. Reasons to stop or switch DMT were mainly side effects (primarily influenza-like symptoms or injection site reactions), especially in RR-MS, and the uncertainty of action or failure of DMT, especially in SP-MS. According to the opinion of the patients, the neurologist had the most decisive role in starting or changing DMT, whilst the patient was primarily responsible in deciding to stop DMT.'] Do reasons patients give to use or not to use immunomodulating agents for multiple sclerosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7325382232666016,
0.5208629369735718,
1.2993658781051636
] |
['The aim of this study was to investigate how interleukin (IL)-8 (cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant; CINC-1) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 contribute to root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement.', 'Forty 6-week-old male Wistar rats were subjected to orthodontic force of 10 or 50 g to induce a mesially tipping movement of the upper first molars for 7 days. We determined the expressions of CINC-1, CXCR2, and MCP-1 proteins in root resorption area using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of compression forces (CF) on IL-8 and MCP-1 production by human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. We observed an effect of chemokine treatment on rat odonto/osteoclasts in dentin slices that recapitulated root resorption.', 'The immunoreactivity for CINC-1/CXCR2 and MCP-1 was detected in odontoclasts and PDL fibroblasts by the orthodontic force of 50 g on day 7. CF increased the secretion and the expression of mRNA of IL-8 and MCP-1 from PDL cells in a magnitude-dependent manner. Moreover, CINC-1 and MCP-1 stimulated osteoclastogenesis from rat osteoclast precursor cells.'] Does iL-8 and MCP-1 induced by excessive orthodontic force mediate odontoclastogenesis in periodontal tissues? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.383662462234497,
-1.3246314525604248,
2.7635560035705566
] |
['Different models for biofilm in Streptococcus pneumoniae have been described in literature. To permit comparison of experimental data, we characterised the impact of the pneumococcal quorum-sensing competence system on biofilm formation in three models. For this scope, we used two microtiter and one continuous culture biofilm system.', 'In both microtiter models the competence system influences stability and structure of biofilm in the late attachment phase and synthetic competence stimulating peptide (CSP) restored wild type phenotypes in the comC mutants unable to produce the peptide. Early attachment of single cells to well bottoms was found for both systems to be competence independent, while later phases, including microcolony formation correlated to an intact competence system. The continuous culture biofilm model was not affected by mutations in the competence locus, but deletion of capsule had a significant impact in this model.'] Does the impact of the competence quorum sensing system on Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilms vary depending on the experimental model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5254766941070557,
-0.7669721245765686,
2.4372854232788086
] |
['We have reported that tubular epithelial cell injury caused by renal ischemia-reperfusion is attenuated in conditional VHL knockout (VHL-KO) mice and also that induction of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) suppresses angiotensin II-accelerated Habu snake venom (HV) glomerulonephropathy in rats. However, it remains unknown whether VHL knockdown protects glomerular endothelial cells from endothelium-targeted glomerulonephritis.', 'VHL-KO mice with HV glomerulonephropathy (HV GN) had fewer injured glomeruli, a lower mesangiolysis score and reduced blood urea nitrogen levels. Immunoreactivity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the glomerular capillaries was enhanced by VHL knockdown and was conserved even in VHL-KO mice with HV GN, despite HV-attenuating endothelial VEGF expression in vitro. VHL-KO mice showed enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production in glomerular endothelial cells and tubular cells, associated with activated VEGF expression in the kidney (i.e. an activated NO-VEGF axis). The levels of NO in glomeruli and tubules were conserved even in mice with HV GN. In contrast, suppressing NO production in glomerular endothelial cells by an NO synthase inhibitor, N(ϖ)-nitro-L-arginase, completely blunted the protection of VHL-KO from HV GN. The activated NO-VEGF axis in the kidney of VHL-KO mice was also associated with an elevation in Flk-1 phosphorylation and increased levels of IL-10 and IP-10.'] Does conditional VHL gene deletion activate a local NO-VEGF axis in a balanced manner reinforcing resistance to endothelium-targeted glomerulonephropathy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3415050506591797,
-1.362060308456421,
2.7345612049102783
] |
['Hepatic steatosis is the initial stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and may predispose to more severe hepatic disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been recently implicated as a novel mechanism that may lead to NAFLD, although the genetic factors invoking ER stress are largely unknown. During a screen for liver defects from a zebrafish insertional mutant library, we isolated the mutant cdipthi559Tg/+ (hi559). CDIPT is known to play an indispensable role in phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) synthesis. Here we show that cdipt is expressed in the developing liver, and its disruption in hi559 mutants abrogates de novo PtdIns synthesis, resulting in hepatomegaly at 5 days postfertilization. The hi559 hepatocytes display features of NAFLD, including macrovesicular steatosis, ballooning, and necroapoptosis. Gene set enrichment of microarray profiling revealed significant enrichment of endoplasmic reticulum stress response (ERSR) genes in hi559 mutants. ER stress markers, including atf6, hspa5, calr, and xbp1, are selectively up-regulated in the mutant liver. The hi559 expression profile showed significant overlap with that of mammalian hepatic ER stress and NAFLD. Ultrastructurally, the hi559 hepatocytes display marked disruption of ER architecture with hallmarks of chronic unresolved ER stress. Induction of ER stress by tunicamycin in wild-type larvae results in a fatty liver similar to hi559, suggesting that ER stress could be a fundamental mechanism contributing to hepatic steatosis.'] Does lack of de novo phosphatidylinositol synthesis lead to endoplasmic reticulum stress and hepatic steatosis in cdipt-deficient zebrafish? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4176247119903564,
-1.3471276760101318,
2.7876229286193848
] |
['To examine the association of activation of calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) with apoptosis in cardiomyocytes under simulated ischemia/reperfusion.', 'Ventricular cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were incubated in ischemia-mimetic solution for 2 h, then re-incubated in normal culture medium for 24 h to establish a model of simulated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL assay). The expression of CaSR mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of Caspase -3 and Bcl-2 was detected by Western blotting.', 'The simulated I/R enhanced the expression of CaSR and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. GdCl(3), a specific activator of CaSR, further increased the expression of CaSR and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, along with upregulation of Caspase-3 and downregulation of Bcl-2.'] Is [ Activation of calcium-sensing receptors associated with apoptosis in cardiomyocytes under simulated ischemia/reperfusion ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4808712005615234,
-1.2959203720092773,
2.8411333560943604
] |
['Lipid rafts enriched in glycosphingolipids (GSLs), cholesterol and signaling molecules play an essential role not only for signal transduction started by ligand binding, but for intracellular events such as organization of actin, intracellular traffic and cell polarity, but their functions in cleavage division of preimplantation embryos are not well known.', 'Here we show that monosialylGb5Cer (MSGb5Cer)-enriched raft domains are involved in development during the cleavage stage of mouse preimplantation embryos. MSGb5Cer preferentially localizes at the interfaces between blastomeres in mouse preimplantation embryos. Live-imaging analysis revealed that MSGb5Cer localizes in cleavage furrows during cytokinesis, and that by accumulating at the interfaces, it thickens them. Depletion of cholesterol from the cell membrane with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbCD) reduced the expression of MSGb5Cer and stopped cleavage. Extensive accumulation of MSGb5Cer at the interfaces by cross-linking with anti-MSGb5Cer Mab (6E2) caused F-actin to aggregate at the interfaces and suppressed the localization of E-cadherin at the interfaces, which resulted in the cessation of cleavage. In addition, suppression of actin polymerization with cytochalasin D (CCD) decreased the accumulation of MSGb5Cer at the interfaces. In E-cadherin-targeted embryos, the MSGb5Cer-enriched raft membrane domains accumulated heterotopically.'] Are lipid rafts enriched in monosialylGb5Cer carrying the stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 epitope involved in development of mouse preimplantation embryos at cleavage stage? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3298287391662598,
-1.304741621017456,
2.6969716548919678
] |
['Thrombomodulin, which is expressed solely on monocytes, along with tissue factor (TF), takes part in coagulation and inflammation. Circulating blood monocytes can be divided into 3 major subtypes on the basis of their receptor phenotype: classical (CD14brightCD16negative, CMs), inflammatory (CD14brightCD16positive; IMs), and dendritic cell-like (CD14dimCD16positive DMs). Monocyte subtype is strongly regulated, and the balance may influence the clinical outcomes of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Therefore, we investigated the phenotypic difference in thrombomodulin and TF expression between different monocyte subtypes in coagulopathy severity and prognosis in patients suspected of having DIC.', 'In total, 98 patients suspected of having DIC were enrolled. The subtypes of circulating monocytes were identified using CD14 and CD16 and the thrombomodulin and TF expression in each subtype, expressed as mean fluorescence intensity, was measured by flow cytometry. Plasma level of tissue factor was measured by ELISA. In cultures of microbead-selected, CD14-positive peripheral monocytes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or interleukin-10-induced expression profiles were analyzed, using flow cytometry.', 'The proportion of monocyte subtypes did not significantly differ between the overt and non-overt DIC groups. The IM thrombomodulin expression level was prominent in the overt DIC group and was well correlated with other coagulation markers. Of note, IM thrombomodulin expression was found to be an independent prognostic marker in multivariate Cox regression analysis. In addition, in vitro culture of peripheral monocytes showed that LPS stimulation upregulated thrombomodulin expression and TF expression in distinct populations of monocytes.'] Is thrombomodulin phenotype of a distinct monocyte subtype an independent prognostic marker for disseminated intravascular coagulation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.278846502304077,
-1.4353240728378296,
2.753659963607788
] |
['Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease with respect to molecular alterations and cellular composition making therapeutic and clinical outcome unpredictable. This diversity creates a significant challenge in developing tumor classifications that are clinically reliable with respect to prognosis prediction.', 'This paper describes an unsupervised context analysis to infer context-specific gene regulatory networks from 1,614 samples obtained from publicly available gene expression data, an extension of a previously published methodology. We use the context-specific gene regulatory networks to classify the tumors into clinically relevant subgroups, and provide candidates for a finer sub-grouping of the previously known intrinsic tumors with a focus on Basal-like tumors. Our analysis of pathway enrichment in the key contexts provides an insight into the biological mechanism underlying the identified subtypes of breast cancer.'] Do context-specific gene regulatory networks subdivide intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.859619379043579,
0.08403775095939636,
1.965624451637268
] |
['Members of the growth factor family of neurotrophins [NTs; e.g. brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT3)] and their high-affinity receptors (tropomyosin-related kinase; Trk) and low-affinity receptors p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) have been localized to pulmonary artery (PA) in humans. However, their role is unclear. Based on previous findings of NTs and their receptors within the pulmonary endothelium, we tested the hypothesis that NTs induce nitric oxide (NO) production in pulmonary endothelial cells (ECs), thus contributing to vasodilation.', "In human pulmonary artery ECs loaded with the NO-sensitive fluorescent dye diaminofluorescein-2, both BDNF and NT3 (100 pM, 1 nM, and 10 nM) acutely (<10 min) and substantially increased fluorescence levels in a concentration-dependent fashion (to levels comparable to that induced by 1 μM acetylcholine). NT-induced elevation of NO levels was blunted by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor K252a, the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, the Ca(2+) chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, and the NO scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide. Suppression of TrkB or TrkC expression via siRNA as well as functional blockade of p75NTR prevented NT-induced NO elevation. Both BDNF and NT3 increased phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). In endothelium-intact porcine PA rings, NTs increased cGMP and induced vasodilation in pre-contracted arteries."] Do neurotrophins induce nitric oxide generation in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.454653739929199,
-1.349952220916748,
2.8230173587799072
] |
['Tumour protein p53 plays an important role in the vascular remodelling process as well as in oncogenesis. p53 is negatively regulated by murine double minute 2 (MDM2). A recently developed MDM2 inhibitor, nutlin-3, is a non-genotoxic activator of the p53 pathway. So far, the effect of MDM2 inhibition on vascular remodelling has not been elucidated. We therefore investigated the effect of nutlin-3 on neointima formation.', 'Nutlin-3 up-regulated p53 and its downstream target p21 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). DNA synthesis assay and flow cytometric analysis revealed that nutlin-3 inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMC proliferation by cell cycle arrest. This inhibitory effect was abrogated in p53-siRNA-transfected VSMCs. Furthermore, nutlin-3 inhibited PDGF-stimulated VSMC migration. Treatment with nutlin-3 attenuated neointimal hyperplasia at 28 days after vascular injury in mice, associated with up-regulation of p53 and p21. BrdU incorporation was decreased at 14 days after injury in nutlin-3-treated mice. TUNEL assay showed that nutlin-3 did not exaggerate apoptosis of the injured vessels. Infiltration of macrophages and T-lymphocytes and mRNA expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-5, interleukin-6, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were decreased in the injured vessels of nutlin-3-treated mice. Nutlin-3 suppressed NF-κB activation in VSMCs, but not in p53-siRNA-transfected VSMCs.'] Does inhibition of MDM2 attenuate neointimal hyperplasia via suppression of vascular proliferation and inflammation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.383331537246704,
-1.3544127941131592,
2.7264769077301025
] |
['Testosterone (T) and the androgen receptor (AR) are involved in mechanisms associated with hypertension and vessel reactivity.', 'To investigate T and the AR on blood vessel reactivity, testicular feminized male (TFM; AR deficient males) and normal androgen receptor (NAR) male rats were used. Therefore, if the functional AR is necessary for plasma T to regulate vessel responsiveness, TFM males will exhibit altered vessel function compared to NAR males.', 'Adult (16 weeks of age) TFM or NAR males were assigned to the following treatment groups: gonadal intact controls (CONT), castrate (CAST), or castrate with T replacement (CAST+T) with (n=8-10/group).', 'Plasma T followed a consistent pattern with CAST+T elevated compared to CONT and CAST TFM and NAR males. In addition, CAST plasma T was significantly decreased compared to CONT and CAST+T in TFM and NAR males. In a similar manner for systolic blood pressure (SBP), CAST lowered SBP compared to CONT in both NAR and TFM. Following 8 weeks of treatment, second-order mesenteric artery responses to changes in intraluminal pressure (myogenic reactivity) were analyzed using a pressure arteriograph system. Both TFM (P < 0.05) and NAR (P < 0.05) CAST groups revealed a decrease in myogenic reactivity compared to CONT. Following T treatment the TFM CAST+T myogenic reactivity returned to CONT levels, whereas the NAR CAST+T myogenic reactivity increased a further 10%.'] Does testosterone increase myogenic reactivity of second-order mesenteric arteries in both defective and normal androgen receptor adult male rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0557849407196045,
-1.4636895656585693,
2.489476203918457
] |
['The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic decrease rate of PSA in patients treated with androgen suppression (AS) for prostate cancer (PCa).', 'We identified in our database CaP patients with histologically documented, treated with SA alone and for whom vital status with a minimum follow-up of 6 months (except death beforehand) was established. Patient characteristics and CaP and PSA at baseline, PSA nadir, time of reaching the nadir PSA (DAN) and the ratio of the DAN/nadir value (ratio DAN/Nadir) were analyzed in relation to progression-free survival, specific and overall survival.', 'One hundred ninety eight patients met the inclusion criteria and the median was 61.5 months (range 4.8 to 233). The median PSA at the start of the SA were 37.1 ng/mL and the median nadir PSA was 0.48 ng/mL. The median time to progression was 23.6 months. The median specific and overall survivals were 94 and 78 months, respectively. In univariate analysis, predictors of progression-free survival were PSA before SA, PSA nadir, DAN, DAN ratio/nadir, Gleason score, the percentage of core positive prostate biopsy and the status of bone scintigraphy. Except for PSA before SA which was no longer significant, predictors of specific and overall survival were similar and added the biochemical response (decrease of more than 50% of PSA) to a second hormonal manipulation during the biological progression. In multivariate analysis, the nadir PSA and the ratio DAN/Nadir remained significant predictors.'] Is [ Survival associated with time to reach PSA nadir ( DAN ) and the ratio DAN/nadir value after androgen deprivation for prostate cancer ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8741217851638794,
-1.497642159461975,
2.45371675491333
] |
['Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are two major complications following radical prostatectomy (RP). In case of failure of medical treatment, Advance™ retrourethral male sling and penile implant are validated options to manage respectively SUI and ED. Our goal was to assess the feasibility and results of the combination of these two devices.', 'Four patients were treated for SUI and DE following RP in our institution by retrourethral sling and penile prosthesis, after failure of medical management. Each patient was preoperatively evaluated by age, complete medical history, ASA score, endoscopy, pad-test, and urodynamics. The first two patients were implanted with the two devices in a two-stage procedure: retrourethral sling then penile prosthesis for one, and penile prosthesis then retrourethral sling for the other. The two other patients underwent a one-stage procedure: one received the two devices, and the other had retrourethral sling implantation and replacement of a penile prosthesis. Post-operative follow-up was focused on complications and efficacy (evaluated by pad use and PGI-I questionnaire for continence, and patient auto-evaluation for sexual function).', 'No perioperative complication occurred. After a minimum of 6 months follow-up, all the four patients were pad-free with no leakage reported, feeling very much better after the procedure according to the PGI-I. The four patients were fully satisfied of the penile implant device.'] Do [ Initial experience combinating transobturator male sling and penile implant after radical prostatectomy ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.357020139694214,
-1.2527849674224854,
2.688732862472534
] |
['Wnt signaling is important in development and can also contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer. The Secreted Frizzled Related Proteins (SFRPs) constitute a family of Wnt modulators, crucial for controlling Wnt signaling. Here we investigate the expression and role of SFRP3 in melanoma.', "We show that SFRP3 mRNA is down-regulated in malignant melanoma tumors as compared to normal/benign tissue. Furthermore, we found that SFRP3 expression was lost in the malignant melanoma cell lines, A2058, HTB63 and A375, but not in the non-transformed melanocyte cell line, Hermes 3A. Methylated CpG rich areas were detected in the SFRP3 gene in melanoma cell lines and their SFRP3 expression could be restored using the demethylating agent, 5'aza-deoxycytidine. Addition of recombinant SFRP3 to melanoma cells had no effect on viable cell numbers, but decreased cell migration and invasion. Wnt5a signaling has been shown to increase the migration and invasion of malignant melanoma cells, and high expression of Wnt5a in melanoma tumors has been connected to a poor prognosis. We found that recombinant SFRP3 could inhibit Wnt5a signaling, and that it inhibited melanoma cell migration and invasion in a Wnt5a-dependent manner."] Does methylation and loss of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 3 enhance melanoma cell migration and invasion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4977216720581055,
-0.9606366753578186,
2.499655246734619
] |
['To investigate the biocompatibility of human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and human dental pulp cells (DPCs), and the effect of human platelet-rich plasma on the mineralization of human dental pulp cells in vivo.', 'DPCs were isolated from healthy dental pulp, and identified by immunostaining of vimentin and cytokeratin. PRP was obtained from healthy volunteer donors by traditional two-step centrifugation. The forth passage of DPCs and PRP were mixed well and activated, and then transplanted subcutaneously in 5-week female nude mice. The groups which were implanted with PRP alone or DPCs alone were used as controls. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-transplantation, and the histological and immunohistostaining examinations were used to evaluate the effect of PRP on the mineralization of DPCs.', 'Immunostaining showed that DPCs were positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin. In vivo assay showed that the newly formed mineralized tissues were only found in PRP combined with DPCs group after 4 weeks and 8 weeks, while newly formed tissues were not observed in PRP alone or DPCs alone groups. HE staining showed the mineralized tissues were found in PRP+DPCs samples. Immunohistochemistry staining showed these mineralized tissues were positive for osteopontin(OPN), osteocalcin(OC) and collagen I (COLI).'] Does [ Platelet-riched plasma promote potential mineralizing capacity of human dental pulp cells in vivo ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.437514066696167,
-1.269524097442627,
2.8011131286621094
] |
['To investigate the relationship between postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after coronary artery bypass graft in Chinese population.', 'One hundred and seven patients who were referred for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Baseline and perioperative variables as well as occurrence of postoperative complications were recorded. POD was diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit twice daily during the first seven postoperative days. A neuropsychological test battery that included 7 tests with 9 subscales was administered at baseline and on the seventh day after surgery. POCD was defined using the same definition that was used in the ISPOCD1 study.', 'The incidence of POD was 47.7% (51/107) while that of POCD was 55.3% (57/103). Multivariate Logistic regression analyses identified four independent risk factors of POD, i.e., increasing age (OR 1.174, 95% CI 1.085-1.269, P<0.001), preoperative history of diabetes mellitus (OR 4.224, 95% CI 1.543-11.563, P=0.005), occurrence of postoperative complications (OR 3.667, 95% CI 1.152-11.670, P=0.028), and prolonged duration of intensive care unit stay (OR 1.024, 95% CI 1.005-1.044, P=0.016). And two independent risk factors of POCD were identified, i.e., increasing age (OR 1.065, 95% CI 1.001-1.134, P=0.047) and prolonged duration of POD (OR 1.744, 95% CI 1.173-2.593, P=0.006).'] Is [ Postoperative delirium associated with cognitive dysfunction one week after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.529481291770935,
-1.5662394762039185,
2.1236581802368164
] |
["Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast) is found in diverse ecological niches and is characterized by high adaptive potential under challenging environments. In spite of recent advances on the study of yeast genome diversity, little is known about the underlying gene expression plasticity. In order to shed new light onto this biological question, we have compared transcriptome profiles of five environmental isolates, clinical and laboratorial strains at different time points of fermentation in synthetic must medium, during exponential and stationary growth phases.", 'Our data unveiled diversity in both intensity and timing of gene expression. Genes involved in glucose metabolism and in the stress response elicited during fermentation were among the most variable. This gene expression diversity increased at the onset of stationary phase (diauxic shift). Environmental isolates showed lower average transcript abundance of genes involved in the stress response, assimilation of nitrogen and vitamins, and sulphur metabolism, than other strains. Nitrogen metabolism genes showed significant variation in expression among the environmental isolates.'] Does expression variability of co-regulated genes differentiate Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6558353900909424,
0.8304250240325928,
1.0093650817871094
] |
['Of men with vasectomy 6% elect to have more children. When considering vasectomy reversal vs in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, an elucidation of preoperative factors that predict surgical success would help determine appropriate management. We tested the hypothesis that preoperative follicle-stimulating hormone 10 U/l or greater predict a lower paternity rate after vasectomy reversal.', 'Using preoperative follicle-stimulating hormone levels we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent vasectomy reversal. Follicle-stimulating hormone was measured in cases suspicious for impaired spermatogenesis. The final analysis included 206 men, who were divided by follicle-stimulating hormone less than 10 U/l (normal in 155) and 10 U/l or greater (high in 51). Nominal logistic regression was performed to evaluate assisted reproduction predictors.', 'Mean ± SD follicle-stimulating hormone in the normal and high groups was 5.1 ± 2.2 and 16.2 ± 6.2 U/l, respectively. Postoperative semen parameters were similar. However, in the high hormone group there was greater use of any type of assisted reproduction (78.4% vs 54.8%, p = 0.0028). On multivariate analysis follicle-stimulating hormone 10 U/l or greater (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.34-6.83) and vasoepididymostomy that was bilateral or to a solitary testis (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.09-9.69) was associated with greater assisted reproduction use.'] Is increased follicle-stimulating hormone associated with higher assisted reproduction use after vasectomy reversal? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5122190713882446,
-1.6404345035552979,
2.1794273853302
] |
['The degree of carotid artery stenosis has traditionally been used as a marker of hemodynamic compromise and increased stroke risk. However, the hemodynamic effect of carotid atherosclerotic plaque length on cerebral blood flow has not previously been studied.', 'To determine whether carotid plaque length, in addition to degree of stenosis, significantly affects carotid blood flow in patients with >65% carotid stenosis.', 'Consecutively treated surgical patients with unilateral >65% carotid stenosis at a single institution were analyzed. Quantitative measurements of plaque length, internal carotid artery (ICA) vessel diameter, and degree of stenosis were made from magnetic resonance angiography images. Quantitative phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography flow maps were generated to estimate ICA flow compromise by calculating a ratio of the ipsilateral/contralateral ICA flow rates.', 'Of 38 eligible patients, 23 had full anatomic and ICA flow data sets available for analysis. Univariate regression analysis demonstrated that longer carotid plaques and increasing percentage carotid stenosis were associated with a significant decline in ipsilateral ICA flow (P = .008 and P = .02, respectively). A multivariate regression identified both plaque length and vessel diameter as independent predictors of ICA flow (P = .001 and P = .002, respectively).'] Do extracranial carotid plaque length and parent vessel diameter significantly affect baseline ipsilateral intracranial blood flow? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1258416175842285,
-1.3389418125152588,
2.5173277854919434
] |
['Tumor growth is intimately linked with stromal interactions. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are dramatically elevated in cancer patients and tumor bearing mice. MDSCs modulate the tumor microenvironment through attenuating host immune response and increasing vascularization.', 'In searching for molecular mediators responsible for pro-tumor functions, we found that regulator of G protein signaling-2 (Rgs2) is highly increased in tumor-derived MDSCs compared to control MDSCs. We further demonstrate that hypoxia, a common feature associated with solid tumors, upregulates the gene expression. Genetic deletion of Rgs2 in mice resulted in a significant retardation of tumor growth, and the tumors exhibit decreased vascular density and increased cell death. Interestingly, deletion of Rgs2 in MDSCs completely abolished their tumor promoting function, suggesting that Rgs2 signaling in MDSCs is responsible for the tumor promoting function. Cytokine array profiling identified that Rgs2-/- tumor MDSCs produce less MCP-1, leading to decreased angiogenesis, which could be restored with addition of recombinant MCP-1.'] Does rgs2 mediate pro-angiogenic function of myeloid derived suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment via upregulation of MCP-1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4464125633239746,
-1.0927717685699463,
2.615452527999878
] |
['Human populations that are naturally subjected to Plasmodium infection do not acquire complete protection against the liver stage of this parasite despite prolonged and frequent exposure. However, sterile immunity against Plasmodium liver stage can be achieved after repeated exposure to radiation attenuated sporozoites. The reasons for this different response remain largely unknown, but a suppressive effect of blood stage Plasmodium infection has been proposed as a cause for the lack of liver stage protection.', 'Using Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL, the response generated in mice subjected to daily infective bites from normal or irradiated mosquitoes was compared. The effect of daily-infected mosquito bites on mice that were previously immunized against P. yoelii liver stage was also studied.', 'It was observed that while the bites of normal infected mosquitoes do not generate strong antibody responses and protection, the bites of irradiated mosquitoes result in high levels of anti-sporozoite antibodies and protection against liver stage Plasmodium infection. Exposure to daily infected mosquito bites did not eliminate the protection acquired previously with a experimental liver stage vaccine.'] Does daily Plasmodium yoelii infective mosquito bite do not generate protection or suppress previous immunity against the liver stage? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.726926565170288,
-0.31322476267814636,
2.137153148651123
] |
['To investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV)and target-organ damage in elderly patients with hypertension.', 'A total of 197 elderly patients were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: those with hypertension (n=146) and those without hypertension (Control, n=51). The 24 h systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (24 h SBPV/DBPV),24 h average systolic and diastolic blood pressure (24 h SBP/DBP), day time systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (d SBPV/DBPV),and night time systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (n SBPV/DBPV)were measured. The hypertensive group was further divided into low and high variability groups according to the 50th percentile of 24 h SBPV. The carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), 24 h microalbuminuria (MA) and basic clinical and laboratory parameters were compared among the groups. The correlations between blood pressure variability and IMT, LVMI, and MA were analyzed with multivariable regression analyses.', 'The patients with essential hypertension had significantly higher 24 h SBPV (P < 0.001) and d SBPV (P < 0.05) than those without hypertension. The patients with higher blood pressure variability had greater incidence of plaque and cardiovascular disorder, as well as IMT, LVMI and MA (P < 0.001). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) differed significantly among the three groups of participants (P < 0.05). The multivariable regression analysis showed that 24 h SBPV was independently correlated with IMT, LVMI and MA.'] Does [ Blood pressure variability correlate with target-organ damage in elderly patients with hypertension ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3698464632034302,
-1.3769564628601074,
1.7750980854034424
] |
['The posterior subthalamic area (PSA), ventral to the intercommissural line (ICL) and the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM), has been suggested as a promising target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients suffering from essential tremor (ET). In this study the clinical benefit of VIM and PSA DBS on postural tremor suppression was systematically evaluated in a two step approach with a 3D ultrasound kinematic analysis tool.', "We defined the exact position of 40 VIM-DBS-electrodes from 21 ET patients. In a first experiment with a subgroup of electrodes we subsequently activated a thalamic and a contact below ICL (sub-ICL) with equal parameter settings for within subject comparison. In a second step, we divided all electrodes into two groups, i.e. one group with activated thalamic and the other group with activated contacts below ICL and performed a group comparison under patients' individual stimulation parameters. Here, the corrected amplitude required for tremor suppression was analyzed separately for both groups.", "Within subject comparison with equal parameter settings revealed a significant improvement of sub-ICL compared to thalamic stimulation. In contrast, group comparison under patients' individual stimulation did not show any significant difference in tremor suppression between VIM and PSA DBS. Although higher corrected stimulation amplitude was needed in the thalamic group this difference was not significant."] Is deep brain stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus in patients with essential tremor : stimulation below intercommissural line more efficient but equally effective as stimulation above? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9790889024734497,
-1.312770128250122,
2.2817304134368896
] |
['The vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 (VitD3) is a potent immunosuppressive drug and, among others, is used for topical treatment of psoriasis. A\xa0proposed mechanism of VitD3-mediated suppression is priming of dendritic cells (DCs) to induce regulatory T (Treg) cells.', 'Currently, there is confusion about the phenotype of VitD3-induced Treg cells and the DC-derived molecules driving their development. We investigated Treg cell induction after VitD3 priming of 2 distinct skin DC subsets: Langerhans cells (LCs) and dermal dendritic cells (DDCs).', 'LCs and DDCs primed with VitD3 were cocultured with allogeneic naive T cells. The phenotype and function of the DCs and induced T cells were analyzed.', 'Both VitD3-primed DC subtypes induced T cells with regulatory activity. Unexpectedly, whereas the Treg cell populations generated by VitD3-primed LCs were CD25(hi)CD127(lo) forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)-positive cells, which meet the criteria of classical inducible Treg cells, the\xa0T\xa0cells developing in response to VitD3-primed DDCs were Foxp3(-) T(R)1 cells expressing IL-10. Inhibition experiments revealed that LC-derived TGF-β is a key factor\xa0in the induction of Foxp3(+) Treg cells, whereas DDC-derived IL-10 is important for the induction of IL-10(+) T(R)1 cells.'] Does vitamin D3 target epidermal and dermal dendritic cells for induction of distinct regulatory T cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.368495225906372,
-1.367690086364746,
2.779949426651001
] |
['We previously published findings from our clinical trial comparing treatment outcomes for substance-dependent veterans with co-occurring depression who received Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) or Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) Therapy.', 'This study is a secondary analysis that examined whether neuropsychological functioning at baseline moderated substance use and depression outcomes in ICBT relative to TSF.', 'This study was a randomized clinical trial in which 164 veterans with major depressive disorder and comorbid alcohol, cannabinol, and/or stimulant dependence were randomly assigned to either ICBT or TSF group therapy. A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was administered at baseline.', 'Contrary to our hypothesis, participants with poor neuropsychological functioning had better substance use outcome in ICBT than in TSF, whereas participants with good neuropsychological functioning had comparable substance use outcomes in TSF and ICBT by 18-month follow-up. Depression outcomes, in contrast, were not moderated by neuropsychological functioning by 18-month follow-up.'] Do neuropsychological functioning and outcomes of treatment for co-occurring depression and substance use disorders? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4085280895233154,
-0.5944625735282898,
2.094332695007324
] |
['The association between bone mineral density (BMD) and myocardial infarction (MI) was investigated in 6,872 men and women. For both men and women, lower BMD in the femoral neck and hip was associated with increased risk of MI largely independent of smoking, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and diabetes.', 'The relationship between BMD and cardiovascular disease is not completely understood. The objective of this prospective study was to investigate the risk of MI in relation to bone mineral density and to determine if cardiovascular risk factors could explain this association.', 'Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed in 5,490 women and 1,382 men to determine total hip and femoral neck BMD (in grams per square centimeters) and estimate femoral neck volumetric BMD (in grams per cubic centimeters). During a mean follow-up time of 5.7 years, 117 women and 79 men suffered an initial MI.', 'After adjustment for age and BMI, lower BMD of the femoral neck and total hip was associated with increased risk of MI for both women [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.66 per standard deviation (SD) decrease in femoral neck BMD] and men (HR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.34-2.28 per SD decrease in total hip BMD). After additional adjustment for smoking, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and diabetes, the associations were slightly attenuated in men (HR = 1.42-1.88 in the age and BMI-adjusted model versus 1.33-1.77 in the fully adjusted model) while similar attenuations were seen in women (HR = 1.06-1.25 versus 1.05-1.22).'] Is low bone mineral density associated with increased risk for myocardial infarction in men and women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.203904151916504,
-1.69563627243042,
1.9122682809829712
] |
['We investigated prognostic factors (PFs) for 90-day mortality in a large cohort of advanced/metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients treated with first-line chemotherapy.', 'The PFs were identified by both logistic regression analysis and probability tree analysis in patients captured in the Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group (STBSG) database (3002 patients). Scores derived from the logistic regression analysis and algorithms derived from probability tree analysis were subsequently validated in an independent study cohort from the French Sarcoma Group (FSG) database (404 patients).', 'The 90-day mortality rate was 8.6 and 4.5% in both cohorts. The logistic regression analysis retained performance status (PS; odds ratio (OR)=3.83 if PS=1, OR=12.00 if PS ≥2), presence of liver metastasis (OR=2.37) and rare site metastasis (OR=2.00) as PFs for early death. The CHAID analysis retained PS as a major discriminator followed by histological grade (only for patients with PS ≥2). In both models, PS was the most powerful PF for 90-day mortality.'] Is performance status the most powerful risk factor for early death among patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma : the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group ( STBSG ) and French Sarcoma Group ( FSG ) study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9266232252120972,
-1.3350027799606323,
2.342738628387451
] |
['Type II cancers account for 10% of endometrial cancers but 50% of recurrence. Response rates to chemotherapy at recurrence are poor and better prognostic markers are needed to guide therapy. CD151 is a small transmembrane protein that regulates cell migration and facilitates cancer metastasis. High CD151 expression confers poor prognosis in breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. The prognostic significance of tetraspanin CD151 expression in poor outcome endometrial cancers was evaluated, along with oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor -2 (HER-2), and CD 151 staining compared with α6β1, α3β1 integrins, and E-cadherin.', 'Tissue microarray constructed from 156 poor outcome endometrial cancers, tested with immunohistochemistry and staining correlated with clinicopathological data were used. A total of 131 data sets were complete for analysis.', 'Expression of CD151 was significantly higher in uterine papillary serous and clear cell carcinoma than in grade 3 endometrioid carcinoma, sarcoma or carcinosarcoma (P<0.001). In univariate analysis, age, stage, histology type and CD151 were significant for both recurrence free (RFS) and disease specific survival (DSS). In multivariate analyses, CD151 was significant for RFS and DSS (P=0.036 and 0.033, respectively) in triple negative (ER, PR and HER-2 negative) tumours (88/131). The HER-2, p53, ER and PR were not prognostic for survival. There was strong concordance of CD151 with E-cadherin (98%), but not with α6β1 (35%), α3β1 staining (60%).'] Is tetraspanin CD151 a novel prognostic marker in poor outcome endometrial cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0791990756988525,
-1.534380555152893,
2.6463429927825928
] |
['The aim of this study was to determine if the placement of prophylactic drains influences the incidence of postoperative adverse events in neonates.', 'Neonatal patients undergoing laparotomy between April 2000 and December 2007 were prospectively assigned to aggressive peritoneal cavity lavage, without the placement of prophylactic drains, before abdominal closure (non-drainage group, n = 111). The historical control group consisted of neonates who underwent laparotomy with routine prophylactic drain placement between January 1993 and March 2000 (drainage group, n = 87). The incidence of postoperative adverse events was compared between the two groups.', 'There were no significant differences in the incidence of overall complications (drainage, 48%; non-drainage, 36%: p = 0.08), infectious complications (drainage, 34%; non-drainage, 26%: p = 0.20) or surgical site infections (drainage, 20%; non-drainage, 14%: p = 0.25) between the two groups. In the subgroup analysis, the incidences of total postoperative complications and infectious complications were significantly higher in the drainage group compared with the non-drainage group for upper gastrointestinal tract operations (52 vs. 20%; 39 vs. 6.7%) (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively).'] Does placement of prophylactic drain after laparotomy may increase infectious complications in neonates? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7107360363006592,
-1.246709942817688,
1.9914919137954712
] |
['The aim of the study was to evaluate blood leukocyte counts in patients with uterine cervical neoplasia.', 'Patients treated at a university hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Disease progression was monitored, beginning in 1990 to 2002, for at least 5 years. Blood count parameters included absolute leukocyte, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, leukocytosis (white blood cells > 10³/μL), neutrophilia (neutrophils ≥ 70% of leukocytes), lymphopenia (lymphocytes ≤ 15% of leukocytes), and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), categorized as less than 5 or 5 or greater.', 'A total of 315 patients were enrolled: 182 (57.8%) with preinvasive neoplasia (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] group), 95 (30.1%) with stages I to II (early group), and 38 patients (12.1%) with stages III to IV neoplasia (advanced group). Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were elevated and reduced, respectively, at advanced stages compared with the CIN group (P < 0.05). Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and an NLR of 5 or greater were more frequent at advanced stages compared with the CIN and early-stage groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, neutrophilia was also significantly more frequent at early stage compared with the CIN group. The advanced group with neutrophilia had increased frequency of recidivism and metastasis than patients in the CIN group with neutrophilia (P < 0.05).'] Are systemic leukocyte alterations associated with invasive uterine cervical cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.721226692199707,
-1.4494211673736572,
2.120335340499878
] |
['To present the clinical and ultrasound features in patients with endometrial cancer in whom the endometrial thickness was less that 5 mm.', 'Retrospective study on 263 patients with endometrial carcinoma in whom the ultrasound evaluation of the endometrium was performed. The features noticed in the patients with endometrial thickness below 5 mm are presented.', 'In 249 (94.68%) of our patients with endometrial carcinoma the mean endometrial thickness was 15 mm. In 14 patients (5.32%), in whom biopsy was performed prior to ultrasound examination, endometrial thickness was less than 5 mm.'] Is the endovaginal ultrasound finding of a thin and regular endometrium uncommon in endometrial cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9287316799163818,
-1.2155334949493408,
2.339202880859375
] |
['This study was undertaken to identify the incremental risk factors for early mortality in operations for proximal aortic pathologies.', 'Between September 2000 and May 2010, 240 consecutive patients underwent replacement of various portions of the proximal aorta. Mean age was 56 ± 13 years (range 18 to 84) and female/male ratio was 3/7. Operations were performed emergently in 97, urgently in 21, and electively in 122 patients. Thirty-four patients had previous cardiac or aortic operations. Etiology was acute dissection in 102, chronic dissection in 41, degenerative aneurysm in 61, and other factors (endocarditis, pseudoaneurysm, aortitis, etc.) in 36 patients. The ascending aorta was replaced in all patients. In addition, the aortic arch was replaced in 20 and the root was replaced in 106 patients.', 'The in-hospital mortality rate was 10.4% in the overall group (25/240), 21.6% in emergent cases (21/97), 9.5% in urgent cases (2/21), and 1.6% in elective cases (2/122). Morbidity rates were as follows: stroke 2.7%, temporary neurological dysfunction 13.3%, nonoliguric renal failure 3%, dialysis 5.4%, tracheostomy 3.3%, bleeding requiring revision 3.3%. In multivariate analysis, the presence of malperfusion in patients with acute aortic dissection emerged as the incremental risk factor for mortality (p < 0.0001, odds ratio = 10.37). There was no variable associated with stroke. Emergency/urgency of operation did not emerge as incremental risk factors for mortality.'] Does malperfusion remain the major cause of mortality in proximal aortic operations? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5316987037658691,
-1.4184808731079102,
1.977532148361206
] |
['Age is one the factors associated with poor prognosis in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and elderly patients are a high-risk collective with few parameters for mid-term cardiovascular stratification. We aimed to assess the predictive value of ankle-brachial index (ABI) in patients (> 75 years) for 1-year mortality after an ACS.', 'Prospective, observational and multicentre study of ACS patients in whom ABI was assessed during hospitalization.', 'A total of 1·054 patients were included, mean age 66·6 (11·7) years from whom 26·6% were > 75 years. Elderly patients showed more history of cardiovascular disease and higher prevalence of all risk factors, except current smoking. Angiography and revascularization were performed less frequently in the elderly. Patients > 75 years showed higher presence of three vessel coronary disease and received fewer guideline-recommended treatments. Patients who died through the follow-up, mean time 387·9 ± 7·2 days, had lower ABI (0·73 ± 0·24 vs. 0·92 ± 0·22; P < 0·01), also in the elderly patients (0·73 ± 0·24 vs. 0·86 ± 0·23; P < 0·01). Cox regression analysis identified age > 75 years (HR: 2·30; IC 95% 1·26-4·18; P < 0·01) and ABI < 0·90 (HR: 3·58; IC 95% 1·80-7·15; P < 0·01) as risk factors for to 1-year mortality. Mortality was similar in elderly patients with ABI > 0·90 and young patients with ABI < 0·90; the worst prognosis was observed in elderly patients with ABI < 0·90 (HR: 10·01; 95% CI 3·74-27·15).'] Is pathological ankle-brachial index equivalent of advanced age in acute coronary syndromes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6678544282913208,
-1.6579663753509521,
1.4430464506149292
] |
['Renal cell carcinoma is a typical hypervascular tumor in which neovascularization may have a large part in progression. We examined expression of the cancer regulating, p53 targeted angiogenesis inhibitor brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 in renal cell carcinoma tissue to elucidate the clinical significance of its expression.', 'We examined brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 mRNA and protein expression in 47 renal cell carcinoma and 10 normal kidney tissues using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Levels of VEGF and bFGF mRNA, and immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein were also investigated in the same renal cell carcinoma tissues.', 'A significant decrease in BAI1 mRNA was noted in renal cell carcinoma tissue compared with that in normal kidney tissue (p <0.001). Immunostaining for brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 was also decreased in carcinoma tissue compared with normal kidney tissue. BAI1 mRNA and protein expression were lower in advanced renal cell carcinoma (pT3-4) than in localized renal cell carcinoma (pT1-2) tissues (p <0.03 and 0.003, respectively). A significant negative correlation was observed between microvessel density and brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 protein expression (r = -0.4056, p = 0.002). No significant correlation was noted between BAI1 and VEGF or bFGF mRNA levels. Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 protein expression did not correlate with p53 protein expression.'] Is brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 a putative factor for inhibition of neovascular formation in renal cell carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2143664360046387,
-1.3333864212036133,
2.6087393760681152
] |
['There are still few effective therapeutic options for advanced prostate cancer. One of the most troublesome aspects of prostate cancer is that androgen dependent prostate cancer inevitably progresses to highly aggressive, life threatening castration resistant prostate cancer after androgen ablation therapy. To our knowledge it remains unknown how sensitivity to docetaxel changes during progression to more aggressive castration resistant prostate cancer under androgen ablation.', 'We investigated sensitivity to docetaxel and phosphorylated Akt status in C4-2 and C4-2AT6 cells established at our institution.', 'C4-2AT6 cells established under androgen ablation conditions for 6 months showed significantly higher resistance to docetaxel than C4-2 cells in vivo and in vitro. Resistance was accompanied by increased phosphorylated Akt. In C4-2AT6 cells phosphorylated Akt activity was significantly up-regulated by docetaxel in a dose dependent manner. After treatment with docetaxel and a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt inhibitor the sensitivity of C4-2AT6 cells to docetaxel markedly increased through enhanced apoptotic death.'] Do long-term androgen ablation and docetaxel up-regulate phosphorylated Akt in castration resistant prostate cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5516560077667236,
-1.1254702806472778,
2.689737558364868
] |
['BEZ235 is a dual phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI(3)K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor that is orally available and that has been shown to be effective in several malignancies in vitro. Recently, BEZ235 entered clinical trials for solid tumors. We aimed at investigating if BEZ235 is effective in lung cancer cell lines.', 'The human lung cancer cell lines EPLC, HCC and H1339 were analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, gene sequencing and Western blot analysis. Cells were exposed to BEZ235 and/or cisplatin and the survival fraction was quantified.', 'In all cell lines, BEZ235 reduced pAkt and pS6 expression indicating interference with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway. Furthermore, BEZ235 inhibited tumor cell growth and added to the effects of cisplatin. This was independent of EGFR amplification and EGFR, KRAS, PI3K and AKT mutation.'] Is the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 effective in lung cancer cell lines? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2934272289276123,
-1.303171157836914,
2.648688793182373
] |
['Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy using tumor homogenate has been evaluated. In all previously reported cases, DCs have been pulsed with a soluble fraction (lysate) of the tumor homogenate. The aim of this study was the evaluation of DCs pulsed with solubilized insoluble fraction of tumor cells.', 'Solubilized recombinant murine TRP-2 and solubilized-insoluble fraction of B16 melanoma was prepared by a novel method using nucleotides. Bone marrow-derived DCs were electroloaded with the solubilized proteins.', 'Cytotoxic T lymphocytes were elicited in the splenocytes of C57BL/6 mice immunized with electroloaded DCs with solubilized rTRP-2. CD8(+) T-cells derived from immunized mice with electroloaded DCs using the solubilized insoluble fraction of B16 melanoma had specific killing activity. The effects were augmented when DCs were electroloaded with both the soluble and insoluble fractions of B16 homogenate.'] Is insoluble fraction of tumor cell homogenate a useful material for eliciting cytotoxic T lymphocytes : a unique method for protein solubilization? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.353642225265503,
-1.37126886844635,
2.764173984527588
] |
['To evaluate the dependency of the sensitivity of [(11)C]choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for detecting and localizing primary prostate cancer (PCa) on tumor configuration in the histologic specimen.', 'Forty-three patients with biopsy-proven PCa were included. They underwent radical prostatectomy within 31 days after [(11)C]choline PET/CT. The transaxial image slices and the histologic specimens were analyzed by comparing the respective slices. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUV(max)) were calculated in each segment and correlated with histopathology. The tumor configuration in the histologic specimen was grouped as: I, unifocal; II, multifocal; III, rind-like shaped; IV, size <5 mm. Data analysis included the investigation of detection of PCa by SUV(max), the assessment of the influence of potential contributing factors on tumor prediction, and the evaluation of whether SUV could discriminate cancer tissue from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, HGPIN (high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasm), or normal prostate tissue. General estimation equation models were used for statistical analysis.', 'Tumor configuration in histology was classified as I in 21 patients, as II in 9, as III in 5, and as IV in 8. The prostate segment involved by cancer is identified in 79% of the patients. SUV(max) was located in the same side of the prostate in 95% of patients. Tumor configuration was the only factor significantly negatively influencing tumor prediction (P < 0.001). PCa-SUV(max) (median SUV(max) = 4.9) was not significantly different from BPH-SUV (median SUV(max) = 4.5) and prostatitis-SUV (median SUV(max) = 3.9), P = 0.102 and P = 0.054, respectively.'] Does the sensitivity of [ 11C ] choline PET/CT to localize prostate cancer depend on the tumor configuration? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7980687618255615,
-1.6437937021255493,
2.4542012214660645
] |
['Differentiation of enhancing malignant lesions on conventional MR imaging can be difficult and various newer imaging techniques have been suggested. Our aim was to evaluate the role of PSR obtained from DSC perfusion measurements in differentiating lymphoma, GBM, and metastases. The effectiveness of PSR was compared with that of rCBV. We hypothesized that the newly defined parameter of PSR is more sensitive and specific in differentiating these lesions.', 'This retrospective study included 66 patients (39 men and 27 women; age range: 27-82 years) with a pathologically proved diagnosis of primary CNS lymphoma, GBM, or metastases (22 patients in each group). Mean PSR, min PSR, max PSR, and rCBV were calculated. The classification accuracy of these parameters was investigated by using ROC.', 'Mean PSR was high (113.15 ± 41.59) in lymphoma, intermediate in GBM (78.22 ± 14.27), and low in metastases (53.46 ± 12.87) with a P value < .000. F values obtained from 1-way ANOVA analysis for mean, min, and max PSR ratios were 29.9, 39.4, and 23.4, respectively, which were better than those of rCBV (11.1) in differentiating the 3 groups. Max PSR yielded the best ROC characteristics with an A(z) of 0.934 (95% CI, 0.877-0.99) in differentiating lymphoma from metastases and GBM. The A(z) for mean and min PSR of 0.938 (95% CI, 0.0.884-0.990) and 0.938 (95% CI, 0.884-0.991), respectively, was better than rCBV (A(z), 0.534; 95% CI, 0.391-0.676) in the differentiation of metastases from GBM and lymphoma (P ≤ .0001).'] Is percentage signal recovery derived from MR dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging useful to differentiate common enhancing malignant lesions of the brain? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3693163394927979,
-1.7130237817764282,
2.09971022605896
] |
['Several studies have shown that anti-C1q antibodies correlate with the occurrence and activity of nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the significance of anti-C1q antibodies in SLE has not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between anti-C1q antibodies and clinical and serologic parameters of SLE.', 'An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to measure anti-C1q antibodies in the sera of 126 consecutive patients with active SLE who were admitted to our university hospital from 2007 through 2009. Sera obtained from patients with high titers of anti-C1q antibodies at the initial evaluation (n = 20) were reevaluated following treatment. Control sera were obtained from patients with other autoimmune diseases and from normal healthy control subjects (n = 20 in each group). Associations between anti-C1q antibodies and clinical and serologic parameters of SLE were statistically analyzed.', 'Anti-C1q antibodies were detected in the sera of 79 of 126 patients with SLE. The prevalence and titers of anti-C1q antibodies were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in SLE patients than in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, patients with systemic sclerosis, and normal healthy control subjects. The prevalence and titers of anti-C1q antibodies were not significantly associated with active lupus nephritis (P = 0.462 and P = 0.366, respectively). Anti-C1q antibody titers were significantly correlated with SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 scores and the levels of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, C3, C4, CH50, and C1q (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Moreover, anti-C1q antibody titers significantly decreased as clinical disease was ameliorated following treatment (P = 0.00097).'] Are anti-C1q antibodies associated with systemic lupus erythematosus global activity but not specifically with nephritis : a controlled study of 126 consecutive patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8290537595748901,
-1.4462709426879883,
2.266618013381958
] |
['To investigate the inhibitory effect of salidroside (Sal) on pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (HPMEC) apoptosis induced by simulated microgravity and its mechanism.', 'Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro were divided into control group, clinorotation group and clinorotation+Sal pretreatment groups. Microgravity was simulated by clinorotation. The apoptotic rate of HPMECs was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC staining, and the expressions of bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3 at the mRNA and protein levels were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.', 'A 72-h clinorotation significantly induced apoptosis in HPMECs. Real-time PCR results demonstrated a significantly lowered bcl-2 but increased bax and caspase-3 mRNA expressions in clinorotation group as compared with those in the control group. Western blotting showed that clinorotation inhibited the protein expressions of PI3K and p-AKT and increased caspase-3 protein expression. Salidroside significantly inhibited the cell apoptosis, reversed the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax, and attenuated the decrease in the protein expression of PI3K and phosphorylation level of AKT. Salidroside also antagonized the activation of caspase-3.'] Does [ Salidroside inhibit clinorotation-induced apoptosis in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5395545959472656,
-1.2481552362442017,
2.795046329498291
] |
['To investigate the effects of Trichophyton rubrum exposure on the expressions of toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2), TLR-4 and dendritic cell associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1) and cytokine secretions in human keratinocytes cell line HaCaT.', 'The mRNA of TLR-2,4, and dectin-1 in the HaCaT co-cultured with the conidia of Trichophyton rubrum conidia for 24 h was measured with real-time PCR. The mean fluorescence intensity and the percentage of cells positive for TLR-2, 4, and dectin-1 was detected during the co-culture using flow cytometry. The cytokine secretion profiles in the cell culture supernatant was analyzed using a cytokine antibody array.', 'The TLR-2,4, and dectin-1 mRNA expressions, mean fluorescence intensity and percentage of positive cells for TLR-2,4, and dectin-1 all increased in HaCaT cells in response to Trichophyton rubrum conidia exposure. The results of cytokine antibody array demonstrated obviously increased secretions of IL-8, I-309, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-13 in the culture supernatant of HaCaT cells in response to Trichophyton rubrum exposure.'] Is [ The immune response of human keratinocytes to Trichophyton rubrum conidia partially mediated by toll-like receptor-2 , 4 , dectin-1 and cytokines ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5384771823883057,
-1.1366567611694336,
2.7929630279541016
] |
['To investigate the cellular memory of previous high glucose exposure in rat islet cell line (INS-1) and explore the possible mechanism.', 'INS-1 cells were exposed to a high glucose (33.3 mmol/L) culture for 48 h followed by further culture in the presence of 11.1 mmol/L glucose in the culture medium for 3 or 5 days. The levels of bax and caspase-3 mRNA were measured by real-time PCR, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assayed using the dihydroethidium probe, and the cell viability was detected by MTT assay.', 'High glucose exposure of the cells for 48 h resulted in significantly increased ROS production and bax and caspase-3 mRNA expressions and lowered cell viability (P<0.001). In cells cultured in 11.1 mmol/L glucose following previous high glucose exposure, the ROS production and bax and caspase-3 mRNA expressions still maintained the high levels (P<0.05) while the cell viability remained significantly lower than the control cells (P<0.001).'] Is [ Cellular memory of high glucose exposure in normoglycemia probably mediated by reactive oxygen species in INS-1 cells ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.502411365509033,
-0.929750382900238,
2.5333056449890137
] |
['In early heart development, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor expression in the heart ventricles is restricted to the epicardium. Previously, we showed that PDGFRβ is required for coronary vascular smooth muscle cell (cVSMC) development, but a role for PDGFRα has not been identified. Therefore, we investigated the combined and independent roles of these receptors in epicardial development.', 'To understand the contribution of PDGF receptors in epicardial development and epicardial-derived cell fate determination.', 'By generating mice with epicardial-specific deletion of the PDGF receptors, we found that epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was defective. Sox9, an SRY-related transcription factor, was reduced in PDGF receptor-deficient epicardial cells, and overexpression of Sox9 restored epicardial migration, actin reorganization, and EMT gene expression profiles. The failure of epicardial EMT resulted in hearts that lacked epicardial-derived cardiac fibroblasts and cVSMC. Loss of PDGFRα resulted in a specific disruption of cardiac fibroblast development, whereas cVSMC development was unperturbed.'] Do epicardial-derived cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and fate specification require PDGF receptor signaling? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.675138235092163,
-0.8294610381126404,
2.502690076828003
] |
['Schizotypy is viewed as a dimensional trait ranging from healthy people to schizophrenic spectrum patients. Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and accumulated evidence suggests that schizophrenia is associated with altered HPA axis function; however, HPA axis function in relation to schizotypal personality has not been well documented.', 'We examined the relationship between schizotypal traits as assessed with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and cortisol responses to the combined dexamethasone/corticotropin- releasing hormone test in 141 healthy volunteers. Subjects were divided into three groups based on their cortisol responses to the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone test: incomplete suppressors, moderate suppressors, and enhanced suppressors. SPQ scores were compared between these three groups using the analysis of covariance, controlling for age and sex.', 'The analysis of covariance showed significant main effects of the suppressor status on the ideas of reference and suspiciousness/paranoid ideation subscales and cognitive-perceptual factor. Post-hoc analyses with Bonferroni correction revealed that the enhanced suppressors scored significantly higher than the moderate suppressors on these SPQ indices.'] Is schizotypal personality in healthy adults related to blunted cortisol responses to the combined dexamethasone/ corticotropin-releasing hormone test? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4725778102874756,
-1.1044933795928955,
2.616222381591797
] |
['RNA silencing is used in plants as a major defence mechanism against invasive nucleic acids, such as viruses. Accordingly, plant viruses have evolved to produce counter defensive RNA-silencing suppressors (RSSs). These factors interfere in various ways with the RNA silencing machinery in cells, and thereby disturb the microRNA (miRNA) mediated endogene regulation and induce developmental and morphological changes in plants. In this study we have explored these effects using previously characterized transgenic tobacco plants which constitutively express (under CaMV 35S promoter) the helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro) derived from a potyviral genome. The transcript levels of leaves and flowers of these plants were analysed using microarray techniques (Tobacco 4 × 44 k, Agilent).', 'Over expression of HC-Pro RSS induced clear phenotypic changes both in growth rate and in leaf and flower morphology of the tobacco plants. The expression of 748 and 332 genes was significantly changed in the leaves and flowers, respectively, in the HC-Pro expressing transgenic plants. Interestingly, these transcriptome alterations in the HC-Pro expressing tobacco plants were similar as those previously detected in plants infected with ssRNA-viruses. Particularly, many defense-related and hormone-responsive genes (e.g. ethylene responsive transcription factor 1, ERF1) were differentially regulated in these plants. Also the expression of several stress-related genes, and genes related to cell wall modifications, protein processing, transcriptional regulation and photosynthesis were strongly altered. Moreover, genes regulating circadian cycle and flowering time were significantly altered, which may have induced a late flowering phenotype in HC-Pro expressing plants. The results also suggest that photosynthetic oxygen evolution, sugar metabolism and energy levels were significantly changed in these transgenic plants. Transcript levels of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) were also decreased in these plants, apparently leading to decreased transmethylation capacity. The proteome analysis using 2D-PAGE indicated significantly altered proteome profile, which may have been both due to altered transcript levels, decreased translation, and increased proteosomal/protease activity.'] Does hC-Pro silencing suppressor significantly alter the gene expression profile in tobacco leaves and flowers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.469562292098999,
-0.9493565559387207,
2.454665422439575
] |
['The tam (tardy asynchronous meiosis) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, which exhibits a modified cytokinesis with a switch from simultaneous to successive cytokinesis, was used to perform a direct test of the implication of cytokinesis in aperture-pattern ontogeny of angiosperm pollen grains. The aperture pattern corresponds to the number and arrangement of apertures (areas of the pollen wall permitting pollen tube germination) on the surface of the pollen grain.', 'A comparative analysis of meiosis and aperture distribution was performed in two mutant strains of arabidopsis: quartet and quartet-tam.', 'While the number of apertures is not affected in the quartet-tam mutant, the arrangement of the three apertures is modified compared with the quartet, resulting in a different aperture pattern.'] Does successive microsporogenesis affect pollen aperture pattern in the tam mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.518819570541382,
-0.7390998005867004,
2.3421823978424072
] |
['QRS fragmentation (fQRS) has been shown to be a marker of scar in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Whether fQRS is associated with progressive left ventricular remodeling and increased mortality in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is unclear.', 'We reviewed the preimplant and follow-up echocardiograms in 233 patients undergoing the new implantation of a CRT device between December 2001 and November 2006. Patients were included if they had a pre-CRT ECG with appropriate filter settings (filter 0.16-100 or 0.16-150 Hz, 25 mm/s, 10 mm/mV), a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%, and New York Heart Association class II-IV symptoms on standard medical therapy. The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was interpreted by two blinded reviewers for the presence of fQRS. Remodeling end points, including changes in LVEF and left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDV) and systolic (LVESV) volumes, were compared between patients with and without contiguous fQRS, and an assessment of all-cause mortality was made.', 'Two hundred thirty-two patients met inclusion criteria, of which 50 demonstrated fQRS in contiguous leads. There was no difference in improvement in LVEF (%) (7.9 ± 12.9 vs 6.8 ± 11.0, P = 0.60) or reduction in LVEDV (mL) (-30.1 ± 57.2 vs -15.7 ± 47.6) or LVESV (mL) (-33.7 ± 58.1 vs -22.7 ± 50.6, P = 0.40) between patients with and without contiguous fQRS. At a mean follow-up of 4.4 ± 1.9 years, there were a total of 89 deaths, 22 (44.0%) in patients with contiguous fQRS and 67 (36.8%) without (log rank P = 0.31).'] Is qRS fragmentation associated with poor response to cardiac resynchronization therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4071309566497803,
-1.7323966026306152,
2.136127471923828
] |
['Adverse reactions to metal debris have been reported to be a cause of pain in metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty. We assessed the incidence of both symptomatic and asymptomatic adverse reactions in a consecutive series of patients with a modern large-head metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty.', 'We studied the early clinical results and results of routine metal artifact-reduction MRI screening in a series of 79 large-head metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties (ASR; DePuy, Leeds, UK) in 68 patients. 75 hips were MRI scanned at mean 31 (12-52) months after surgery.', '27 of 75 hips had MRI-detected metal debris-related abnormalities, of which 5 were mild, 18 moderate, and 4 severe. 8 of these hips have been revised, 6 of which were revised for an adverse reaction to metal debris, diagnosed preoperatively with MRI and confirmed histologically. The mean Oxford hip score (OHS) for the whole cohort was 21. It was mean 23 for patients with no MRI-based evidence of adverse reactions and 19 for those with adverse reactions detected by MRI. 6 of 12 patients with a best possible OHS of 12 had MRI-based evidence of an adverse reaction.'] Is silent soft tissue pathology common with a modern metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1472301483154297,
-1.3127477169036865,
2.528501510620117
] |
['Mice that carry the Klotho mutation (KL(-) (/) (-) ) manifest diverse age-related disorders similar to those observed in humans. Thus, the Klotho protein might function as an anti-aging hormone in mammals. Recently, we reported that Klotho recombinant protein attenuated apoptosis and cellular senescence in endothelial cells, but the mechanism remained unclear. Here, we designed an in vitro study to test whether inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and mitogen-activated kinase kinase could affect Klotho regulation of apoptosis and cellular senescence.', 'Cellular senescence was investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with or without Klotho recombinant protein, and with or without inhibitors of mitogen-activated kinases. Senescence was quantified by staining with senescence-associated β-galactosidase and by evaluating western blots probed for phosphorylation of mitogen-activated kinases. Apoptosis was assayed on western probed for p53, p21, and caspase-3 and -9.', 'The Klotho recombinant protein induced transient phosphorylation of mitogen-activated kinases within a few minutes. Application of inhibitors of mitogen-activated kinases attenuated the ability of Klotho to interfere with apoptosis and senescence in endothelial cells.'] Does klotho protein diminish endothelial apoptosis and senescence via a mitogen-activated kinase pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5537922382354736,
-1.0629944801330566,
2.6576647758483887
] |
['Afternoon colonoscopies have recently been reported to be associated with lower adenoma detection rate (ADR), which was attributed to physician fatigue resulting from the same endoscopist performing procedures throughout the day. The aim of our study was to assess ADR in morning compared with afternoon colonoscopy performed in half-day blocks with different physicians. We evaluated the primary hypothesis that morning and afternoon ADRs would not differ significantly when performed in half-day blocks by different endoscopists.', 'Data on all colonoscopies performed between January 2009 and December 2009 were obtained from our endoscopy database. All patients who underwent colonoscopies in 2009 for screening, surveillance, and family history of colon cancer/polyps were included in the study. Morning colonoscopies were defined as those that were performed from 0800 to 1200 hours. Afternoon colonoscopies were defined as those that were performed from 1300 to 1700 hours. Colonoscopies in each block were performed either by different endoscopists working in half-day (morning or afternoon) block schedules or by the same endoscopist working a full-day schedule.', 'A total of 4,665 patients were included in the study. For endoscopists working the full-day, the afternoon ADR was significantly lower than the morning ADR (21 vs. 26.1%; odds ratio (OR)=0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59, 0.96; P=0.02). Conversely, in the half-day group, there was no significant difference in ADR between afternoon and morning (27.6 vs. 26.6%; OR=1.05; 95% CI 0.88, 1.26; P=0.56).'] Is adenoma detection rate influenced by the timing of colonoscopy when performed in half-day blocks? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.48232460021972656,
-1.7078450918197632,
0.3390873670578003
] |
['Circulating tissue factor (TF) is associated with inflammation and may contribute to thrombotic events. Aim of this study was to analyze circulating TF activity and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with deep venous thrombosis.', 'Forty-eight patients with deep vein thrombosis and 45 control subjects were included. Venous blood samples were obtained at diagnosis for analysis of TF activity, TF antigen, prothrombin fragment F1 + 2, microparticles (expressing phosphatidylserine and supporting FXa generation), Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNF).', 'TF antigen, activity and microparticles were similar in both groups: In contrast, a significant increase in plasma IL-6, IL-8 and F1 + 2 levels was found in thrombosis. This increase in IL-6 and IL-8 as well as F1 + 2 was not correlated with the extent of thrombosis, predisposing factors or onset of symptoms.'] Are circulating tissue factor and microparticles increased in patients with deep vein thrombosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.300671339035034,
-1.3774349689483643,
2.772169828414917
] |
['Cholesterol accumulation plays an important role in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We have demonstrated that inflammation aggravated cholesterol accumulation, causing tissue injury in the vessel and kidney. This study was undertaken to investigate whether inflammatory stress exacerbates hepatic cholesterol accumulation and we explored the underlying mechanisms.', 'We used casein injection in C57BL/6J mice, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 stimulation in human hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2) cells to induce inflammatory stress. Oil Red O staining and intracellular cholesterol assay were used to quantify cellular cholesterol levels. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to measure messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of target genes. HMGCoA reductase (HMGCoA-r) enzymatic activity and cellular cholesterol synthesis were measured by radioactive methods.', 'We demonstrated that inflammatory stress increased hepatic cholesterol accumulation and enhanced sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and HMGCoA-r mRNA and protein expression in livers of C57BL/6J mice and in HepG2 cells. A high-fat diet in mice or LDL loading in HepG2 cells inhibited mRNA and protein expression of these genes. However, the suppressive effect was overridden by inflammatory stress both in vivo and in vitro. Inflammatory stress increased HMGCoA-r enzymatic activity and cellular cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells in the absence or presence of LDL loading.'] Does inflammatory stress exacerbate hepatic cholesterol accumulation via increasing cholesterol uptake and de novo synthesis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.516160249710083,
-1.2306032180786133,
2.78206729888916
] |
['The relationship between neovasculature in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the prognosis of patients still remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic significance of morphologic features of the microvessels in patients with HCC after resection.', 'The paraffin-embedding specimens of 98 consecutive HCC patients, who received primary resection between 2000 and 2002, were collected from our prospective established tumor bank. The intratumoral microvessels were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for CD31 and CD34. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model.', 'There are two distinct microvessel types: capillary-like and sinusoid-like were identified in tumor tissues. The patients could be divided into two groups according to their microvessel types. Both DFS and OS of capillary group patients (n = 65) were better than those of sinusoid group patients (n = 33). Multivariate analyses showed that the microvessel type was an independent risk factor for DFS (P = 0.016) and OS (P = 0.004) of this cohort. Capillary-like microvessels were more common in small HCC, and were significantly associated with higher microvessel density, while sinusoid-like microvessels were significantly correlated with lower microvessel density.'] Is morphologic classification of microvessels in hepatocellular carcinoma associated with the prognosis after resection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.295628786087036,
-1.3656162023544312,
2.7593913078308105
] |
['Outcomes of surgical resident training are under scrutiny with the changing milieu of surgical education. Few have investigated the effect of surgical resident involvement (SRI) on operative parameters. Examining 7 common general surgery procedures, we evaluated the effect of SRI on perioperative morbidity and mortality and operative time (OpT).', 'The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005 to 2007) was used to identify 7 cases of nonemergent operations. Cases with simultaneous procedures were excluded. Logistic regression was performed across all procedures and within each procedure incorporating SRI, OpT, and risk-stratifying American College of Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program morbidity and mortality probability scores, which incorporate multiple prognostic individual patient factors. Procedure-specific, SRI-stratified OpTs were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.', 'A total of 71.3% of the 37,907 cases had SRI. Absolute 30-day morbidity for all cases with SRI and without SRI were 3.0% and 1.0%, respectively (p < 0.001); absolute 30-day mortality for all cases with SRI and without SRI were 0.1% and 0.08%, respectively (p < 0.001). After multivariate analysis by specific procedure, SRI was not associated with increased morbidity but was associated with decreased mortality during open right colectomy (odds ratio 0.32; p = 0.01). Across all procedures, SRI was associated with increased morbidity (odds ratio 1.14; p = 0.048) but decreased mortality (odds ratio 0.42; p < 0.001). Mean OpT for all procedures was consistently lower for cases without SRI.'] Is surgical resident involvement safe for common elective general surgery procedures? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.722575306892395,
-1.62367844581604,
1.3245701789855957
] |
['Cancer survival is related to features of the primary malignancy and concurrent presence of nonmalignant diseases (comorbidities), including weight-related conditions (obesity, weight loss). The Charlson and Elixhauser methods are 2 well-known methods that take comorbidities into account when explaining survival. They differ in both the number and categorization of comorbidities.', 'Cancer, comorbidity, and survival data were acquired from inpatient administrative hospital records in 574 colorectal cancer patients. Robust Poisson regression was used to analyze 2- and 3-year survival according to cancer features and comorbidities classified by the Charlson and Elixhauser methods. Data for weight-related conditions (body mass index, weight loss) and performance status were acquired upon a new patient visit to the regional cancer center. Discrimination was assessed with the concordance (c) statistic.', 'A base model (age, sex, stage) had excellent discrimination (c-statistic, 0.824 [2-year survival] and 0.827 [3-year survival]). The addition of Charlson comorbidities did not outperform the base model (c-statistic, 0.831 [2-year survival] and 0.833 [3-year survival]). Elixhauser comorbidities added higher discrimination compared with the base model, both in stage and overall (c-statistic, 0.852 [2-year survival] and 0.854 [3-year survival]; P < .01). The greatest increase in the c-statistic contributed by the addition of the Elixhauser comorbidities occurred in stage II patients (increased from 0.683 to 0.838). Overall, the Elixhauser comorbidities outperformed the Charlson comorbidities (P < .05). The use of self-reported weight and performance status data significantly increased discrimination by the Elixhauser method in 2-year but not 3-year survival.'] Does a comparison of Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidity measure to predict colorectal cancer survival using administrative health data? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6469957828521729,
-1.4897280931472778,
1.1760401725769043
] |
['Late age at first full-term birth and nulliparity are known to increase breast cancer risk. The frequency of these risk factors has increased in recent decades.', 'The purpose of this population-based case-control study was to examine associations between parity, age at first birth (AFB), and specific histological subtypes of breast cancer. Women with breast cancer were identified from cancer registries in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Control subjects were randomly selected from population lists. Interviews collected information on reproductive histories and other risk factors. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of ductal, lobular, and mixed ductal-lobular breast cancer diagnosis in association with AFB and nulliparity.', 'AFB ≥30 years was associated with a 2.4-fold increase in risk of lobular breast cancer compared with AFB <20 years (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9-2.9). The association was less pronounced for ductal breast cancer (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.4). Nulliparity was associated with increased risk for all breast cancer subtypes, compared with women with AFB <20 years, but the association was stronger for lobular (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2) than for ductal (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3) subtypes (P = .004). The adverse effects of later AFB was stronger with obesity (P = .03) in lobular, but not ductal, breast cancer.'] Is late age at first full term birth strongly associated with lobular breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5320868492126465,
-1.4614826440811157,
1.9620647430419922
] |
['Endocannabinoids have both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties against harmful stimuli. We previously demonstrated that the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) protects hippocampal neurons by limiting the inflammatory response via a CB(1) receptor-dependent MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathway. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether PPARγ, an important nuclear receptor, mediates 2-AG-induced inhibition of NF-κB phosphorylation and COX-2 expression, and COX-2-enhanced miniature spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs).', 'By using a whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiological recording technique and immunoblot analysis, we determined mEPSCs, expression of COX-2 and PPARγ, and phosphorylation of NF-kB in mouse hippocampal neurons in culture.', 'Exogenous and endogenous 2-AG-produced suppressions of NF-κB-p65 phosphorylation, COX-2 expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in response to pro-inflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and LPS were inhibited by GW9662, a selective PPARγ antagonist, in hippocampal neurons in culture. PPARγ agonists 15-deoxy-Δ(12,14) -prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) and rosiglitazone mimicked the effects of 2-AG on NF-κB-p65 phosphorylation, COX-2 expression and mEPSCs, and these effects were eliminated by antagonism of PPARγ. Moreover, exogenous application of 2-AG or elevation of endogenous 2-AG by inhibiting its hydrolysis with URB602 or JZL184, selective inhibitors of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), prevented the IL-1β- and LPS-induced reduction of PPARγ expression. The 2-AG restoration of the reduced PPARγ expression was blocked or attenuated by pharmacological or genetic inhibition of the CB(1) receptor.'] Is inhibition of COX-2 expression by endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol mediated via PPAR-γ? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4050185680389404,
-1.3477098941802979,
2.7135026454925537
] |
['Celastrol is one of several bioactive compounds extracted from the medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii. Celastrol is used to treat inflammatory conditions, and shows benefits in models of neurodegenerative disease, cancer and arthritis, although its mechanism of action is incompletely understood.', 'Celastrol was tested on human NADPH oxidases (NOXs) using a panel of experiments: production of reactive oxygen species and oxygen consumption by NOX enzymes, xanthine oxidase activity, cell toxicity, phagocyte oxidase subunit translocation, and binding to cytosolic subunits of NOX enzymes. The effect of celastrol was compared with diphenyleneiodonium, an established inhibitor of flavoproteins.', 'Low concentrations of celastrol completely inhibited NOX1, NOX2, NOX4 and NOX5 within minutes with concentration-response curves exhibiting higher Hill coefficients and lower IC₅₀ values for NOX1 and NOX2 compared with NOX4 and NOX5, suggesting differences in their mode of action. In a cell-free system, celastrol had an IC₅₀ of 1.24 and 8.4 µM for NOX2 and NOX5, respectively. Cytotoxicity, oxidant scavenging, and inhibition of p47(phox) translocation could not account for NOX inhibition. Celastrol bound to a recombinant p47(phox) and disrupted the binding of the proline rich region of p22(phox) to the tandem SH3 domain of p47(phox) and NOXO1, the cytosolic subunits of NOX2 and NOX1, respectively.'] Are nADPH oxidase ( NOX ) isoforms inhibited by celastrol with a dual mode of action? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3698642253875732,
-1.301697015762329,
2.728701591491699
] |
['[corrected] Mitragyna speciosa Korth (Rubiaceae) is one of the medicinal plants used traditionally to treat various types of diseases especially in Thailand and Malaysia. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in its crude form are well documented. In this study, the cellular mechanism involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of mitragynine, the major bioactive constituent, was investigated.', 'The effects of mitragynine on the mRNA and protein expression of COX-1 and COX-2 and the production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) were investigated in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of COX-1 and COX-2. Protein expression of COX-1 and COX-2 were assessed using Western blot analysis and the level of PGE(2) production was quantified using Parameter™ PGE(2) Assay (R&D Systems).', 'Mitragynine produced a significant inhibition on the mRNA expression of COX-2 induced by LPS, in a dose dependent manner and this was followed by the reduction of PGE(2) production. On the other hand, the effects of mitragynine on COX-1 mRNA expression were found to be insignificant as compared to the control cells. However, the effect of mitragynine on COX-1 protein expression is dependent on concentration, with higher concentration of mitragynine producing a further reduction of COX-1 expression in LPS-treated cells.'] Does mitragynine inhibit the COX-2 mRNA expression and prostaglandin E₂ production induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW264.7 macrophage cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.436798334121704,
-1.169219970703125,
2.6671628952026367
] |
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