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['Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) correlates with aggressive tumor behavior and chemotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer (PC). We evaluated the prognostic value of the basal transcription controlling germ line GTn repeat polymorphism (GTn) in the promoter region of the HO-1 gene in PC.', 'We determined the GTn in 100 controls and 150 PC patients. DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes and GTn determined by PCR, electrophoresis, and sequencing. Clinicopathological parameters, disease-free, and overall survival (DFS, OS) were correlated with GTn.', 'Three genotypes were defined based on short (S) <25 and long (L) ≥25 GTn repeat alleles. In PC patients, a steadily increasing risk was evident between LL, SL, and SS genotype patients for larger tumor size, presence of lymph node metastasis, poor tumor differentiation and higher recurrence rate (P < 0.001 each). The SS genotype displayed the most aggressive tumor biology. The LL genotype had the best and the SS genotype the worst DFS and OS (P < 0.001 each). The GTn genotype was the strongest prognostic factor for recurrence and survival (P < 0.001 each).'] Is heme oxygenase-1 germ line GTn promoter polymorphism an independent prognosticator of tumor recurrence and survival in pancreatic cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0067203044891357,
-1.4996575117111206,
2.5589637756347656
] |
['Metastasis of cancer is a complex process that involves multiple alterations. Recent evidence indicates that small non-protein coding RNA molecules (miRNAs) might be involved in cancer-related processes in humans. This study was to systematically investigate the differentially expressed miRNAs during metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using microarray technology.', 'The differentially expressed miRNAs between HCCLM3 and MHCC97-L, two HCC cell lines with differently metastatic potentials were displayed using microarray technology. The expression of miR-503 was verified by the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the lentivirus-delivered system for expressing miR-503 in HCCLM3 cells was employed to investigate whether miR-503 was involved in invasive phenotype of HCC cell.', 'Our study built a metastasis-related miRNAs expression profiling, which includes 327 miRNAs expressed differentially between HCCLM3 and MHCC97-L cell lines. Furthermore, expression of miR-503 by lentivirus-delivered system in HCCLM3 cell was established successfully. Our results showed that miR-503 induces a G1 arrest and decreased proliferation for HCCLM3 cell (P < 0.05). In addition, miR-503 inhibits migration and invasion of HCCLM3 cell in vitro (P < 0.05).'] Does analysis of microRNA expression profiling identify microRNA-503 regulates metastatic function in hepatocellular cancer cell? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.273940324783325,
-1.0626685619354248,
2.4214510917663574
] |
['Ureaplasmas are among the most common bacteria isolated from the human urogenital tract. Ureaplasmas can produce asymptomatic infections or disease characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory response. Most investigations have focused on elucidating the pathogenic potential of Ureaplasma species, but little attention has been paid to understanding the mechanisms by which these organisms are capable of establishing asymptomatic infection.', 'We employed differential proteome profiling of bladder tissues from rats experimentally infected with U. parvum in order to identify host cell processes perturbed by colonization with the microbe. Tissues were grouped into four categories: sham inoculated controls, animals that spontaneously cleared infection, asymptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI), and complicated UTI. One protein that was perturbed by infection (filamin A) was used to further elucidate the mechanism of U. parvum-induced disruption in human benign prostate cells (BPH-1). BPH-1 cells were evaluated by confocal microscopy, immunoblotting and ELISA.', "Bladder tissue from animals actively colonized with U. parvum displayed significant alterations in actin binding proteins (profilin 1, vinculin, α actinin, and filamin A) that regulate both actin polymerization and cell cytoskeletal function pertaining to focal adhesion formation and signal transduction (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.004; ANOVA, P < 0.02). This phenomenon was independent of clinical profile (asymptomatic vs. complicated UTI). We selected filamin A as a target for additional studies. In the BPH-1 model, we confirmed that U. parvum perturbed the regulation of filamin A. Specifically, infected BPH-1 cells exhibited a significant increase in filamin A phosphorylated at serine 2152 (P ≤ 0.01), which correlated with impaired proteolysis of the protein and its normal intracellular distribution."] Does ureaplasma parvum infection alter filamin A dynamics in host cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.451127767562866,
-1.3168737888336182,
2.863194465637207
] |
['Mice lacking type 1 equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT1(-/-)) exhibit increased ethanol-preferring behavior compared with wild-type littermates. This phenotype of ENT1(-/-) mice appears to be correlated with increased glutamate levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, little is known about the downstream consequences of increased glutamate signaling in the NAc.', 'To investigate the significance of the deletion of ENT1 and its effect on glutamate signaling in the NAc, we employed microdialysis and iTRAQ proteomics. We validated altered proteins using Western blot analysis. We then examined the pharmacological effects of the inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor and protein kinase Cγ (PKCγ) on alcohol drinking in wild-type mice. In addition, we investigated in vivo cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding activity using cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-β-galactosidase mice in an ENT1(-/-) background.', 'We identified that NMDA glutamate receptor-mediated downregulation of intracellular PKCγ-neurogranin-calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase type II signaling is correlated with reduced cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding activity in ENT1(-/-) mice. Inhibition of PKCγ promotes ethanol drinking in wild-type mice to levels similar to those of ENT1(-/-) mice. In contrast, an NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist reduces ethanol drinking of ENT1(-/-) mice.'] Does type 1 equilibrative nucleoside transporter regulate ethanol drinking through accumbal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor signaling? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4438579082489014,
-1.2555391788482666,
2.704087734222412
] |
['the purpose of this study was to determine the mineral loss on surrounding enamel restored with glass ionomer cements (GIC) after erosive and cariogenic challenges.', 'Bovine enamel specimens were randomly assigned into six groups according to the restorative material: G1 - composite resin; G2 - high viscous GIC; G3 - resin-modified glass ionomer with nanoparticles; G4 - encapsulated resin-modified GIC; G5 - encapsulated high viscous GIC; G6 - resin-modified GIC. After restorative procedures, half of specimens in each group were submitted to caries challenge using a pH cycling model for 5 days, and the other half were submitted to erosive challenge in citric acid for 10 min. Before and after the challenges, surface Knoop microhardness assessments were performed and mineral changes were calculated for adjacent enamel at different distances from restorative margin.', 'Data were compared for significant differences using two-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests (p<0.05). Erosive challenge significantly reduced enamel surface hardness, but no significant difference was observed irrespectively restorative materials (p>0.05). The cariogenic challenge promoted a higher surface hardness loss for the resin-modified GIC (G4) and only for the High viscous GIC (G2) an increase in surface hardness was observed. For enamel analyses, significant differences were observed with respect to the different materials (p<0.001) and distances (p=0.023). Specimens restored with the composite resin presented higher mineral loss and specimens restored with the conventional high viscous GIC and the encapsulated resin-modified GIC presented the lowest values for mineral loss.'] Does mineral loss on adjacent enamel glass ionomer cement restorations after cariogenic and erosive challenges? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9164903163909912,
-1.085641622543335,
2.129046678543091
] |
['We compared, clinically and radiologically, the accuracy and reliability of two types of titanium mesh plates used for orbital reconstruction. The first were non-preshaped mesh plates (NPMP) and the second were three-dimensionally preformed mesh plates (PMP).', 'Two groups were created, each including 15 patients treated with NPMP and the second formed by 15 patients treated with PMP. The volume of each orbit was computed from coronal CT-scans using the OsiriX medical imaging software (version 3.3.2, www.osirix-viewer.com). Measurements were done for both, healthy and reconstructed sides. The other studied parameters were: sex, age, fracture distribution, and complications (diplopia and enophthalmia).', 'The orbital volume difference between the reconstructed and the healthy contralateral side was not statistically significant in either group (NPMP: p=0.991 PMP: p=0.200). The mean orbital volume of reconstructed orbits was not statistically significant in either group (NPMP: 21.76 cm(3) and PMP: 20.28 cm(3), p=0.441).'] Does [ Post-traumatic orbital reconstruction comparing preformed versus non preformed titanium mesh plate ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6624466180801392,
-1.3750715255737305,
2.167426109313965
] |
['Microcirculatory dysfunction causes ischemia resulting in tissue necrosis. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown capable of protecting tissue from ischemic necrosis. However, the mechanism of action of NAC is yet not fully understood.', 'Herein, we studied whether NAC is capable of attenuating microvascular perfusion failure in critically ischemic musculo-cutaneous tissue.', 'A laterally based skin flap was elevated in the dorsum of C57BL/6 mice and fixed into a dorsal skinfold chamber. Arteriolar perfusion, functional capillary density, leukocytic inflammation, apoptotic cell death, and non-perfused tissue area were repetitively analyzed over 10 days by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Treatment with either 100mg/kg NAC or saline (control) was started 30 min before surgery and was continued until day 10 after flap elevation.', 'Surgery induced leukocytic inflammation, microvascular perfusion failure, apoptosis, and tissue perfusion failure. NAC was capable of significantly attenuating the area of non-perfused tissue. This was associated by a marked arteriolar dilation and an increased capillary perfusion. NAC further reduced the ischemia-associated leukocytic response and significantly attenuated apoptotic cell death in all areas of the flap.'] Does n-acetylcysteine attenuate leukocytic inflammation and microvascular perfusion failure in critically ischemic random pattern flaps? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.51090145111084,
-1.3078246116638184,
2.9131927490234375
] |
['The accurate intraoperative localization of malignant nodes can pose a challenge to the surgical oncologist. Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning has significantly increased our ability to detect suspicious lesions. We investigated the ability of a novel, handheld tool to evaluate suspicious nodes intraoperatively and to correlate its findings with those seen on preoperative PET scan.', 'Ten nude rats were inoculated with a lymphogenic mesothelioma tumor line and followed weekly with PET scan studies. When suspicious lymph nodes were found, animals were dissected and the intraoperative amount of tissue radiation was analyzed as "tumor-to-background ratio" (TBR) using the PET probes.', 'The intraoperative probe was used to guide dissections and select high-risk nodes based on their specific radiotracer uptake. A total of 52 nodes were harvested; eight of these were suspicious on preoperative PET scan studies. Using a TBR of 2.5, the intraoperative probes were able to localize all suspicious nodes previously seen on PET scan. Both gamma (sensitivity: 100%; specificity: 86%; positive predictive value (PPV): 57%; negative predictive value (NPV): 100%) and beta (sensitivity: 88%; specificity: 91%; PPV: 64%; NPV: 98%) probes showed an excellent area under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC). Both probes had an AUC of 0.95 for localizing suspicious nodes on PET scan. Furthermore, the AUC for detecting malignancy for the gamma probe was 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83-0.99), and for the beta probe it was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.94-1.0), suggesting a better performance of the beta probe for detecting malignancy.'] Do novel handheld PET probes provide intraoperative localization of PET-avid lymph nodes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7923533916473389,
-1.5754172801971436,
2.4188392162323
] |
['Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) causes increased oxidative stress and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress is now believed to be a major contributory factor in the development of non alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most common liver disorder worldwide. In this study, the changes which occur in homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism in high fat-diet induced non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats were investigated.', 'After feeding rats a standard low fat diet (control) or a high fat diet (57% metabolisable energy as fat) for 18 weeks, the concentration of homocysteine in the plasma was significantly raised while that of cysteine was lowered in the high fat as compared to the control diet fed animals. The hepatic activities of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CGS), the enzymes responsible for the breakdown of homocysteine to cysteine via the transsulphuration pathway in the liver, were also significantly reduced in the high fat-fed group.'] Is high fat diet-induced non alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats associated with hyperhomocysteinemia caused by down regulation of the transsulphuration pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.859954357147217,
-0.49446532130241394,
2.416966438293457
] |
['Recently, it has been reported that oncostatin M receptor-β (OSMR) is frequently methylated in primary colon cancer tissues, but not in normal tissues. We examined the methylation status of the OSMR gene in primary carcinomas and the corresponding normal tissues derived from 56 patients with colorectal cancer.', 'The methylation status of the OSMR gene was examined in primary carcinomas and corresponding normal tissues derived from 56 patients with colorectal cancer using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP), and the correlation between the methylation status and the clinicopathological findings was evaluated.', 'Methylation of the OSMR gene was detected in 18 out of the 56 (32%) primary colon carcinomas. The clinicopathological data were then compared with the methylation results. A significant difference was observed in regard to the extent of tumour (p=0.0442). These results indicated that OSMR was more frequently methylated in non-invasive colorectal carcinomas.'] Is methylation of OSMR gene frequently observed in non-invasive colorectal cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.252992868423462,
-1.2942051887512207,
2.577793598175049
] |
['The aim of this study was to compare the effect of atorvastatin treatment on high-grade yellow coronary plaques (grade ≥ 2, group H) vs. low-grade yellow plaques (grade ≤ 1, group L).', 'Twenty-nine hypercholesterolemic patients with coronary heart disease were treated with atorvastatin (10-20mg/day) for 80 weeks and were divided into 2 groups by baseline plaque color grade. The angioscopic plaque grade and the vessel, plaque, and luminal volumes were measured by intravascular ultrasound at baseline and in weeks 28 and 80. The plaque color grade decreased significantly from baseline to weeks 28 and 80 in group H (2.27 ± 0.48, 1.47 ± 0.75, and 1.55 ± 0.86, respectively), but not significantly in group L (0.90 ± 0.31, 0.83 ± 0.61, and 0.89 ± 0.56, respectively). The plaque volume of group HP was greater than that of group LP (respectively 158.0 ± 45.8 vs. 107.5 ± 21.9 mm(3) at baseline, 144.5 ± 41.1 vs. 97.5 ± 24.8mm(3) in week 28, and 128.8 ± 31.5 vs. 87.9 ± 31.5mm(3) in week 80 (P < 0.001 by ANCOVA between groups).'] Is plaque-stabilizing effect of atorvastatin stronger for plaques evaluated as more unstable by angioscopy and intravenous ultrasound? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9566842317581177,
-1.4838676452636719,
2.492006540298462
] |
['To objectively compare the electronic radial scanning echoendoscope (ER-ES) with the mechanical radial scanning echoendoscope (MR-ES) in the quality of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) images of gastrointestinal tract and pancreaticobiliary lesions.', "Studied were 56 patients: 20 with gastric cancer, 20 with gallbladder lesions, and 16 with intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMN). They were subjected to EUS, half of them using the ER-ES, and the other half using the MR-ES. EUS images thus obtained were evaluated concerning four items in patients with gastric cancer and those with gallbladder lesions, and three items in patients with IPMN. Six endosonographers blindly assessed two EUS images per patient on a visual analogue scale. In each of the three groups of patients, the evaluators' median scores for the ER-ES and MR-ES for each item were compared.", 'The median scores for the ER-ES were significantly higher than those for the MR-ES in all items in patients with gastric cancer and those with IPMN, and in one item in patients with gallbladder lesions.'] Is an electronic radial scanning echoendoscope superior to a mechanical radial scanning echoendoscope in ultrasound image quality for gastrointestinal tract and pancreaticobiliary lesions? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.882776141166687,
-1.4624269008636475,
2.3870420455932617
] |
['Intravenous glutamine-enriched solution seems to be effective in posttransplant period in decreasing the severity and duration of mucositis. The aim of this randomized study was to determine the benefit of glutamine supplementation both on mucosal morbidity and in posttransplant associated complications.', 'Children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) for malignant hematological diseases were randomly assigned to standard total parenteral nutrition (S-TPN) or glutamine-enriched (GE)-TPN solution consisting of 0.4 g/kg/day of l-alanine-glutamine dipeptide. This treatment started on the day of HSCT and ended when the patients could orally cover more than 50% of their daily energy requirements. The severity and the rate of post-HSCT mucositis were based on World Health Organization criteria. All the analyses were conducted on intention-to-treat principle.', 'One hundred twenty consecutive patients (83 men; median age, 8.1 years) were enrolled. The mean duration of treatment was 23.5 and 23 days in the two treatment arms. The mean calorie intake was 1538 kcal/d in the S-TPN group and 1512 kcal/d in GE-TPN group. All patients were well nourished before and after HSCT. Mucositis occurred in 91.4% and 91.7% of patients in S-TPN and GE-TPN arm, respectively (P=0.98). Odds ratio adjusted by type of HSCT was 0.98 (95% confidence interval, 0.26-2.63). Type and duration of analgesic treatment, clinical outcome (engraftment, graft versus host disease, early morbidity, and mortality, relapse rate up to 180 days post-HSCT) were not significantly different in the two treatment arms.'] Does glutamine-enriched nutrition reduce mucosal morbidity or complications after stem-cell transplantation for childhood malignancies : a prospective randomized study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9150933027267456,
-1.4683482646942139,
2.418504238128662
] |
['Serotonin 1-A receptors are key regulators of serotonin activity and their dysregulation might be implicated in the emergence of both major depression (MD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Previous studies have yielded inconclusive results as to whether the 5-HT1A receptor gene (HTR1A) has a role in the aetiology of MD and no study up to date has analysed this polymorphism on either pure MD or MD comorbid with GAD.', 'In this study, 1059 patients taking part in the PREDICT-Gene study were ascertained for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV MD and GAD diagnoses using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders questionnaire, respectively. They were also genotyped for the C(-1019)G functional polymorphism at the promoter region of HTR1A gene.', 'Genetic variability at HTR1A was significantly associated with MD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14-2.44; P = 0.008], although this effect disappeared after adjusting for GAD (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 0.96-2.14; P = 0.080). Similarly, a crude association between C(-1019)G polymorphism and GAD was found (OR = 2.54; 95% CI = 1.28-4.86; P = 0.003), but these results became no longer significant after adjusting for MD (OR = 1.97; 95% CI = 0.99-3.91; P = 0.050). However, a main effect of HTR1A G(-1019) allele on comorbid MD-GAD was found (OR = 3.41; 95% CI = 1.44-8.05; P = 0.005) and it remained robust and statistically significant after adjusting by sex, age and family history of psychological problems (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.18-6.77; P = 0.020).'] Is polymorphic variation at the serotonin 1-A receptor gene associated with comorbid depression and generalized anxiety? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5331459045410156,
-1.6073859930038452,
2.0856494903564453
] |
['Application of different lubricants during the cochlear implant electrode insertion can affect the insertion forces.', 'Parameters related to cochlear trauma, such as insertion forces, gained more and more importance, especially in regard to preservation of residual hearing. The impact of lubricants on the insertion forces has not been systematically examined yet.', "Nucleus 24 Contour Advance electrodes were inserted into an artificial model of the human scala tympani filled with glycerin, sodium hyaluronate (Healon), and water or soap solution of 10% Bathox and 90% distilled water. A specially designed insertion protocol was applied so as any remains of the lubricants in the scala tympani model or on the electrodes' surface could be completely removed. Force measurements were performed by a force measurement system equipped with a 10 N load cell. Average (AF) and maximum (MF) insertion forces were recorded for every lubricant.", 'The highest values were documented with water (AF = 0.139 N, MF = 0.367 N) and the lowest with the soap solution (AF = 0.065 N, MF = 0.148 N). Application of Healon and glycerin resulted in low, comparable values between each other.'] Do the effect of different lubricants on cochlear implant electrode insertion forces? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6457240581512451,
-1.402677059173584,
2.1094110012054443
] |
["To analyze educational placement settings of Israeli children with cochlear implants (CIs) and evaluate the prognostic influence of the following demographic variables on mainstreaming: age at implantation, experience with CI, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and parents' educational level.", 'Retrospective review.', 'Tertiary referral center.', 'The study population comprised 245 children with severe-to-profound hearing impairment and at least 1 year of experience with a unilateral CI. Mean age at implantation was 4.5 ± 3.9 years, and mean duration of CI use was 5.4 ± 2.8 years.', 'Follow-up review and statistical analysis of available data on educational placement after cochlear implantation.', 'Placement in mainstream education.', 'Regular schools were attended by 89 children (36.3%) and special education schools by 156 (63.7%). Variables found to be significantly associated with mainstream educational placement were younger age at implantation, higher level of parental education, higher socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model revealed that the factor with the highest positive correlation with mainstreaming was parental education level.'] Do demographic factors influencing educational placement of the hearing-impaired child with a cochlear implant? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6324405670166016,
0.32041922211647034,
1.3812299966812134
] |
['The ADVIA 2120 Haematology Analyser is capable of measuring parameters that can be used as markers of platelet activation, mean platelet component (MPC), platelet component distribution width (PCDW) and mean platelet mass (MPM). This study investigated the degree of correlation of these measures of platelet granularity with CD62P measurement of platelet activation by flow cytometry in platelet concentrates.', 'Pooled platelets in plasma/citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) anticoagulant or apheresis platelets in plasma/acid citrate dextrose formula A (ACD-A) anticoagulant were evaluated. Pooled platelets were tested during 13 day storage, and apheresis platelets within 24 h of venepuncture. These were assessed for platelet activation using CD62P and the ADVIA, with or without extra EDTA anticoagulant.', 'In pooled platelets, PCDW correlated strongly with CD62P, both with and without the addition of extra EDTA anticoagulant. There was a good correlation between MPC and CD62P with additional EDTA, but a weaker correlation without extra EDTA. There was no correlation between CD62P and MPM. In apheresis platelets the correlation between PCDW and CD62P was poor, whereas MPC correlated strongly with CD62P if EDTA anticoagulant was added.'] Does comparison of platelet activation in platelet concentrate measured by flow cytometry or ADVIA 2120? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0009877681732178,
-1.459979772567749,
2.495695114135742
] |
['The standard treatment for patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is platin based chemotherapy. Only approximately 50% of the patients respond to chemotherapy. Therefore, molecular predictive markers for identification of chemotherapy sensitive subgroups of patients are highly needed. We selected the transcription factor TFAP2α from a previously identified gene expression signature for chemotherapy response.', 'TFAP2α expression and localization was assessed by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 282 bladder cancer tumors from patients with locally advanced (pT2-T4(b) and N(1-3)) or metastatic (M(1)) disease. All patients had received cisplatin containing chemotherapy. Furthermore, QPCR analysis of three TFAP2α isoforms was performed on tumor specimens of advanced muscle invasive bladder cancers (T2-4). Using the bladder cell lines T24 and SW780 the relation of TFAP2α and cisplatin and gemcitabine sensitivity as well as cell proliferation was examined using siRNA directed TFAP2α knockdown.', 'TFAP2α protein expression was analyzed on a TMA with cores from 282 advanced bladder cancer tumors from patients treated with cisplatin based combinational chemotherapy. TFAP2α was identified as a strong independent predictive marker for a good response and survival after cisplatin-containing chemotherapy in patients with advanced bladder cancer. Strong TFAP2α nuclear and cytoplasmic staining predicted good response to chemotherapy in patients with lymph node metastasis, whereas weak TFAP2α nuclear staining predicted good response in patients without lymph node metastasis. In vitro studies showed that siRNA mediated knockdown of TFAP2α increased the proliferation of SW780 cells and rendered the cells less sensitive to cisplatin and gemcitabine. In contrast to that T24 bladder cells with mutated p53 showed to be more drug sensitive upon TFAP2α depletion.'] Does increased expression of transcription factor TFAP2α correlate with chemosensitivity in advanced bladder cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3398149013519287,
-1.3941638469696045,
2.7844350337982178
] |
['Differences in floral traits, such as petal color, scent, morphology, or nectar quality and quantity, can lead to specific interactions with pollinators and may thereby cause reproductive isolation. Petunia provides an attractive model system to study the role of floral characters in reproductive isolation and speciation. The night-active hawkmoth pollinator Manduca sexta relies on olfactory cues provided by Petunia axillaris. In contrast, Petunia exserta, which displays a typical hummingbird pollination syndrome, is devoid of scent. The two species can easily be crossed in the laboratory, which makes it possible to study the genetic basis of the evolution of scent production and the importance of scent for pollinator behavior.', "In an F2 population derived from an interspecific cross between P. axillaris and P. exserta, we identified two quantitative trait loci (QTL) that define the difference between the two species' ability to produce benzenoid volatiles. One of these loci was identified as the MYB transcription factor ODORANT1. Reciprocal introgressions of scent QTL were used for choice experiments under controlled conditions. These experiments demonstrated that the hawkmoth M. sexta prefers scented plants and that scent determines choice at a short distance. When exposed to conflicting cues of color versus scent, the insects display no preference, indicating that color and scent are equivalent cues."] Does pollinator choice in Petunia depend on two major genetic Loci for floral scent production? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6050281524658203,
0.5821335911750793,
0.9528157114982605
] |
['An important goal of contemporary neuroscience research is to define the neural circuits and synaptic interactions that mediate behavior. In both mammals and Drosophila, the neuronal circuitry controlling circadian behavior has been the subject of intensive investigation, but roles for glial cells in the networks controlling rhythmic behavior have only begun to be defined in recent studies.', 'Here, we show that conditional, glial-specific genetic manipulations affecting membrane (vesicle) trafficking, the membrane ionic gradient, or calcium signaling lead to circadian arrhythmicity in adult behaving Drosophila. Correlated and reversible effects on a clock neuron peptide transmitter (PDF) and behavior demonstrate the capacity for glia-to-neuron signaling in the circadian circuitry. These studies also reveal the importance of a single type of glial cell-the astrocyte-and glial internal calcium stores in the regulation of circadian rhythms.'] Do glial cells physiologically modulate clock neurons and circadian behavior in a calcium-dependent manner? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-3.0210630893707275,
0.12478753179311752,
1.9640862941741943
] |
['Many studies have found that smoking reduces lung function, but the relationship between cigarette smoke and allergic asthma has not been clearly elucidated, particularly the role of mast cells. This study aimed to investigate the effects of smoke exposure on allergic asthma and its association with mast cells.', 'BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged by OVA to induce asthma, and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) were stimulated with antigen/antibody reaction. Mice or BMMCs were exposed to cigarette smoke or CSE solution for 1 mo or 6 h, respectively. The recruitment of inflammatory cells into BAL fluid or lung tissues was determined by Diff-Quik or H&E staining, collagen deposition by Sircol assay, penh values by a whole-body plethysmography, co-localization of tryptase and Smad3 by immunohistochemistry, IgE and TGF-β level by ELISA, expressions of Smads proteins, activities of signaling molecules, or TGF-β mRNA by immunoblotting and RT-PCR.', 'Cigarette smoke enhanced OVA-specific IgE levels, penh values, recruitment of inflammatory cells including mast cells, expressions of smad family, TGF-β mRNA and proteins, and cytokines, phosphorylations of Smad2 and 3, and MAP kinases, co-localization of tryptase and Smad3, and collagen deposition more than those of BAL cells and lung tissues of OVA-induced allergic mice. CSE solution pretreatment enhanced expressions of TGF-β, Smad3, activities of MAP kinases, NF-κB/AP-1 or PAI-1 more than those of activated-BMMCs.'] Does cigarette smoke exacerbate mouse allergic asthma through Smad proteins expressed in mast cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4724392890930176,
-1.249080777168274,
2.760775566101074
] |
['Insulin resistance is an integral feature of metabolic syndromes, including obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we evaluated whether the aloe component could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and the occurrence of metabolic disorders such as blood glucose and insulin resistance.', 'Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation.', 'Aloe QDM lowered fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin compared with HFD. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, -6, -12, TNF-α) and chemokine (CX3CL1, CCL5) mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration and hepatic triglycerides by Aloe QDM. At the same time, Aloe QDM decreased the mRNA and protein of PPARγ/LXRα and 11β-HSD1 both in the liver and WAT.'] Does dietary Aloe improve Insulin Sensitivity via the Suppression of Obesity-induced Inflammation in Obese Mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.334589958190918,
-1.3373552560806274,
2.7066144943237305
] |
['To evaluate whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicts survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before and after transarterial chemoembolization treatment.', 'Clinical and laboratory data for 145 consecutive patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable HCC during 2001-2004 were analyzed retrospectively. The NLR was recorded before and 3 days after treatment.', 'The pretreatment mean NLR was 3.3; 59 (40.7%) patients had an elevated NLR (≥ 3.3). The median survival of patients with a high NLR was 8 months (range 1-28 months) compared with 12 months (range 2-41 months) for patients with a normal NLR; a significant difference was found in overall survival (log-rank test, P = .001). The NLR was increased in 127 (87.6%) patients after transarterial chemoembolization and was decreased in 18 patients; the increase indicated better outcomes (log-rank test, P = .006). Age (≥ 49 y), high NLR, decreased NLR after treatment, large tumor (≥ 5 cm), vascular invasion, and elevated serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level all were predictors of poor survival. Multivariate analysis showed that a high NLR (P = .041) and vascular invasion (P = .040) were independent factors for predicting worse survival.'] Does blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7653292417526245,
-1.550769567489624,
2.3021490573883057
] |
['Skin maceration is recognized as a risk factor for the development of certain skin lesions. In health care settings, incontinence-associated skin maceration is highly prevalent in the elderly. However, the effect of senescence on maceration has not been fully elucidated.', 'To reveal the enhancement of the maceration-induced ultrastructural alteration and barrier function of the epidermis by aging.', 'Skin maceration was reproduced by exposure to agarose gel in human and rat. The ultrastructural alterations in human and rat tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The skin barrier function was evaluated by noninvasive methods in human, and by the transdermal penetration of small- and large-fluorescent molecules in rat. In order to reveal the effect of aging on the skin maceration, we compared these parameters between young and aged rats.', 'In macerated skin, we observed expansion of the interstices of the stratum corneum, spinosum, and basale of the epidermis; disruption of the intercellular lipid structure in the stratum corneum; a decreased number of cell processes in the stratum spinosum and basale. The transdermal penetration test in the rat using two types of fluorescein indicated that maceration disrupted skin barrier function. Furthermore, senescence-enhanced ultrastructural and functional alterations were revealed in the rodent studies.'] Does aging enhance maceration-induced ultrastructural alteration of the epidermis and impairment of skin barrier function? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7037832736968994,
-1.0087065696716309,
2.7686314582824707
] |
['\u2002 Wilson disease is a genetic disorder of copper metabolism characterized by impaired biliary copper excretion. Wilson disease gene product (ATP7B) functions in copper incorporation to ceruloplasmin (Cp) and biliary copper excretion. Our previous study showed the late endosome localization of ATP7B and described the copper transport pathway from the late endosome to trans-Golgi network (TGN). However, the cellular localization of ATP7B and copper metabolism in hepatocytes remains controversial. The present study was performed to evaluate the role of Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) gene product NPC1 on intracellular copper transport in hepatocytes.', '\u2002 We induced the NPC phenotype using U18666A to modulate the vesicle traffic from the late endosome to TGN. Then, we examined the effect of NPC1 overexpression on the localization of ATP7B and secretion of holo-Cp, a copper-binding mature form of Cp.', '\u2002 Overexpression of NPC1 increased holo-Cp secretion to culture medium of U18666A-treated cells, but did not affect the secretion of albumin. Manipulation of NPC1 function affected the localization of ATP7B and late endosome markers, but did not change the localization of a TGN marker. ATP7B co-localized with the late endosome markers, but not with the TGN marker.'] Is copper incorporation into ceruloplasmin regulated by Niemann-Pick C1 protein? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.34613299369812,
-1.2849743366241455,
2.6900875568389893
] |
['To elucidate the modulation of the chemerin/ChemR23 axis by iptakalim-induced opening of K(ATP) channels and to determine the role of the chemerin/ChemR23 axis in the iptakalim-mediated endothelial protection.', 'Cultured rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were used. Chemerin secretion and ChemR23 protein expression were investigated using Western blot analysis. The gene expression level of ChemR23 was examined with RT-PCR. In addition, the release of nitric oxide (NO) was measured with a nitric oxide assay.', 'Homocysteine, uric acid, high glucose, or oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) down-regulated the chemerin secretion and ChemR23 gene/protein expression in RAECs as a function of concentration and time, which was reversed by pretreatment with iptakalim (1-10 μmol/L). Moreover, these effects of iptakalim were abolished in the presence of the K(ATP) channel antagonist glibenclamide (1 μmol/L). Both iptakalim and recombinant chemerin restored the impaired NO production in RAECs induced by uric acid, and the effects were abolished by anti-ChemR23 antibodies.'] Is chemerin/ChemR23 signaling axis involved in the endothelial protection by K ( ATP ) channel opener iptakalim? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3853025436401367,
-1.3865835666656494,
2.8070383071899414
] |
['Subcellular Ca(2+) signals control a variety of responses in the liver. For example, mitochondrial Ca(2+) (Ca(mit)(2+)) regulates apoptosis, whereas Ca(2+) in the nucleus regulates cell proliferation. Because apoptosis and cell growth can be related, we investigated whether Ca(mit)(2+) also affects liver regeneration. The Ca(2+)-buffering protein parvalbumin, which was targeted to the mitochondrial matrix and fused to green fluorescent protein, was expressed in the SKHep1 liver cell line; the vector was called parvalbumin-mitochondrial targeting sequence-green fluorescent protein (PV-MITO-GFP). This construct properly localized to and effectively buffered Ca(2+) signals in the mitochondrial matrix. Additionally, the expression of PV-MITO-GFP reduced apoptosis induced by both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The reduction in cell death correlated with the increased expression of antiapoptotic genes [B cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2), myeloid cell leukemia 1, and B cell lymphoma extra large] and with the decreased expression of proapoptotic genes [p53, B cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein (bax), apoptotic peptidase activating factor 1, and caspase-6]. PV-MITO-GFP was also expressed in hepatocytes in vivo with an adenoviral delivery system. Ca(mit)(2+) buffering in hepatocytes accelerated liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, and this effect was associated with the increased expression of bcl-2 and the decreased expression of bax.'] Does mitochondrial calcium regulate rat liver regeneration through the modulation of apoptosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.378835439682007,
-1.2782347202301025,
2.655367851257324
] |
['Upper abdominal pain is a dominant feature of chronic pancreatitis. A key phenomenon in this context is hyperalgesia, typically associated with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor activation. This exploratory study evaluates acute effects of S-ketamine, a noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, in modulating generalized hyperalgesia in chronic pancreatitis pain.', 'In a blinded crossover trial, 10 chronic pancreatitis pain patients received S-ketamine for 3 hrs at 2 μg · kg · min or placebo infusion at an equivalent rate in randomized order. Clinical pain was assessed via visual analog scale (VAS) and short Dutch Language Version McGill Pain Questionnaire (sf-MPQ-DLV). Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured in dermatome C5, T4, dorsal T10, L1, and L4, and the sum of PPTs (SOPPT) calculated before, at end of, and after infusion.', 'Nine patients completed the study. Median pain VAS before infusion was 29 mm at rest, 32 mm during activity; sf-MPQ-DLV score was 4. For the S-ketamine session median SOPPT change at infusion end was significantly higher than in the placebo session (218; interquartile range [IQR], 116-527, versus -123 [IQR, -330 to 24]; P = 0.005) and significant versus preinfusion values (2109 [IQR, 964-3035] vs 1914 [IQR, 842-2884]; P = 0.03). The SOPPT was unchanged versus preinfusion values and similar between groups at 1 hr after infusion end. No significant changes in VAS and sf-MPQ-DLV occurred.'] Does s-ketamine modulate hyperalgesia in patients with chronic pancreatitis pain? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5800927877426147,
-1.668818712234497,
2.2088656425476074
] |
['Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is not only involved in the development, differentiation, and survival of dopaminergic neurons; it also regulates fast neurotransmission and neuronal activity.', 'In this study, 22 patients with acute schizophrenia and 22 age-matched healthy volunteers were recruited, and BDNF serum concentrations were measured in unmedicated patients and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of medication.', 'Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels of unmedicated schizophrenic patients (n = 22; 4.38 ± 2.1 ng/mL) were significantly decreased compared to the age-matched healthy volunteers (n = 44, df = 42, P = 0.029). In a mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance, a significant BDNF increase has been found during treatment (χ² = 2.91; df = 1; P < 0.0001). The percental change of BDNF (increase, 173% ± 110) correlated negatively with the percental change of PANSS score (decrease: 75% ± 22; n = 18; r = -0.554; P = 0.032).'] Do reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum concentrations in acute schizophrenic patients increase during antipsychotic treatment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4234669208526611,
-1.4425268173217773,
1.865399956703186
] |
['Life-threatening adverse drug reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) sometimes start with clinical features of ordinary drug-induced skin reactions (ODSRs) and it may be difficult to make a correct diagnosis before severe mucocutaneous erosions occur. We have reported that serum granulysin levels are elevated (cut off: 10 ng/mL) in patients with SJS/TEN before generalized blisters form.', 'We sought to develop a rapid detection system for elevated serum granulysin to predict the progression from ODSRs.', 'Serum samples from 5 patients with SJS/TEN at 2 to 4 days before mucocutaneous erosions formed were analyzed. Sera from 24 patients with ODSRs and 31 healthy volunteers were also investigated as control subjects. We developed a rapid immunochromatographic assay for the detection of high levels of serum granulysin using two different antigranulysin monoclonal antibodies.', 'The immunochromatographic test showed positive results for 4 of 5 patients with SJS/TEN but only one patient of 24 with ODSRs. The results correlated closely with those of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.'] Is rapid immunochromatographic test for serum granulysin useful for the prediction of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.312025785446167,
-1.3526183366775513,
2.7640438079833984
] |
['To test the hypothesis that antioxidants can attenuate high-intensity interval training-induced improvements in exercise performance.', 'Two groups of recreationally active males performed a high-intensity interval running protocol, four times per week for 4 wk. Group 1 (n = 8) consumed 1 g of vitamin C daily throughout the training period, whereas Group 2 (n = 7) consumed a visually identical placebo. Pre- and posttraining, subjects were assessed for VO2max, 10 km time trial, running economy at 12 km/h and distance run on the YoYo intermittent recovery tests level 1 and 2 (YoYoIRT1/2). Subjects also performed a 60 min run before and after training at a running velocity of 65% of pretraining VO2max so as to assess training-induced changes in substrate oxidation rates.', 'Training improved (P < .0005) VO2max, 10 km time trial, running economy, YoYoIRT1 and YoYoIRT2 in both groups, although there was no difference (P = .31, 0.29, 0.24, 0.76 and 0.59) between groups in the magnitude of training-induced improvements in any of the aforementioned parameters. Similarly, training also decreased (P < .0005) mean carbohydrate and increased mean fat oxidation rates during submaximal exercise in both groups, although no differences (P = .98 and 0.94) existed between training conditions.'] Does vitamin C consumption impair training-induced improvements in exercise performance? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0569968223571777,
-0.7739565968513489,
0.8676292896270752
] |
['Of the eight human herpes viruses, varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and zoster, has a unique epidemiology. Primary infection is much less common in children in the tropics compared with temperate areas. This results in increased adult susceptibility causing outbreaks, for example in health-care workers migrating from tropical to temperate countries. The recent demonstration that there are different genotypes of varicella-zoster virus and their geographic segregation into tropical and temperate areas suggests a distinct, yet previously unconsidered climatic factor may be responsible for both the clinical and molecular epidemiological features of this virus infection.', 'Unlike other human herpes viruses, varicella-zoster virus does not require intimate contact for infection to occur indicating that transmission may be interrupted by a geographically restricted climatic factor. The factor with the largest difference between tropical and temperate zones is ultra-violet radiation. This could reduce the infectiousness of chickenpox cases by inactivating virus in vesicles, before or after rupture. This would explain decreased transmissibility in the tropics and why the peak chickenpox incidence in temperate zones occurs during winter and spring, when ultra-violet radiation is at its lowest. The evolution of geographically restricted genotypes is also explained by ultra-violet radiation driving natural selection of different virus genotypes with varying degrees of resistance to inactivation, tropical genotypes being the most resistant. Consequently, temperate viruses should be more sensitive to its effects. This is supported by the observation that temperate genotypes are found in the tropics only in specific circumstances, namely where ultra-violet radiation has either been excluded or significantly reduced in intensity.', 'The hypothesis is testable by exposing different virus genotypes to ultra-violet radiation and quantifying virus survival by plaque forming units or quantitative mRNA RT-PCR.'] Is ultra-violet radiation responsible for the differences in global epidemiology of chickenpox and the evolution of varicella-zoster virus as man migrated out of Africa? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7526299953460693,
0.33426305651664734,
1.5741522312164307
] |
['Silibinin, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid, has been reported to induce cell death in various cancer cell types. However, the molecular mechanism is not clearly defined. Our previous study showed that silibinin induces glioma cell death and its effect was effectively prevented by calpain inhibitor. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the role of calpain in the silibinin-induced glioma cell death.', 'U87MG cells were grown on well tissue culture plates and cell viability was measured by MTT assay. ROS generation and △ψm were estimated using the fluorescence dyes. PKC activation and Bax expression were measured by Western blot analysis. AIF nuclear translocation was determined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry.', 'Silibinin induced activation of calpain, which was blocked by EGTA and the calpain inhibitor Z-Leu-Leu-CHO. Silibinin caused ROS generation and its effect was inhibited by calpain inhibitor, the general PKC inhibitor GF 109203X, the specific PKCδ inhibitor rottlerin, and catalase. Silibinin-induce cell death was blocked by calpain inhibitor and PKC inhibitors. Silibinin-induced PKCδ activation and disruption of △ψm were prevented by the calpain inhibitor. Silibinin induced AIF nuclear translocation and its effect was prevented by calpain inhibitor. Transfection of vector expressing microRNA of AIF prevented the silibinin-induced cell death.'] Does silibinin induce apoptosis via calpain-dependent AIF nuclear translocation in U87MG human glioma cell death? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3610336780548096,
-1.3569190502166748,
2.7725436687469482
] |
['Iophenoxic acid is an iodinated radiocontrast agent that was withdrawn from clinical use because of its exceptionally long half-life in the body, which was due in part to its high-affinity binding to human serum albumin (HSA). It was replaced by Iopanoic acid, which has an amino rather than a hydroxyl group at position 3 on the iodinated benzyl ring and, as a result, binds to albumin with lower affinity and is excreted more rapidly from the body. To understand how iophenoxic acid binds so tightly to albumin, we wanted to examine the structural basis of its interaction with HSA.', 'We have determined the co-crystal structure of HSA in complex with iophenoxic acid at 2.75 Å resolution, revealing a total of four binding sites, two of which--in drugs sites 1 and 2 on the protein--are likely to be occupied at clinical doses. High-affinity binding of iophenoxic acid occurs at drug site 1. The structure reveals that polar and apolar groups on the compound are involved in its interactions with drug site 1. In particular, the 3-hydroxyl group makes three hydrogen bonds with the side-chains of Tyr 150 and Arg 257. The mode of binding to drug site 2 is similar except for the absence of a binding partner for the hydroxyl group on the benzyl ring of the compound.'] Does crystallographic analysis reveal the structural basis of the high-affinity binding of iophenoxic acid to human serum albumin? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4000236988067627,
-1.0464411973953247,
2.592529535293579
] |
['Mycoparasitism, a lifestyle where one fungus is parasitic on another fungus, has special relevance when the prey is a plant pathogen, providing a strategy for biological control of pests for plant protection. Probably, the most studied biocontrol agents are species of the genus Hypocrea/Trichoderma.', 'Here we report an analysis of the genome sequences of the two biocontrol species Trichoderma atroviride (teleomorph Hypocrea atroviridis) and Trichoderma virens (formerly Gliocladium virens, teleomorph Hypocrea virens), and a comparison with Trichoderma reesei (teleomorph Hypocrea jecorina). These three Trichoderma species display a remarkable conservation of gene order (78 to 96%), and a lack of active mobile elements probably due to repeat-induced point mutation. Several gene families are expanded in the two mycoparasitic species relative to T. reesei or other ascomycetes, and are overrepresented in non-syntenic genome regions. A phylogenetic analysis shows that T. reesei and T. virens are derived relative to T. atroviride. The mycoparasitism-specific genes thus arose in a common Trichoderma ancestor but were subsequently lost in T. reesei.'] Does comparative genome sequence analysis underscore mycoparasitism as the ancestral life style of Trichoderma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5797221660614014,
-0.3674258887767792,
2.198611259460449
] |
['Endothelins (EDNs) are thought to modulate endometrial blood flow during menses, stromal healing and endometrial growth during the proliferative phase. Our goal was to assess the effects of estrogen and progesterone on the EDN paracrine system in the endometrium of rhesus macaques.', 'In this study, archived samples were used. These samples were collected from oophorectomized rhesus macaques that were treated sequentially with estradiol (E(2)) and then E(2) plus progesterone to create artificial menstrual cycles. Endometrium from animals in the menstrual, proliferative and secretory phases of the artificial cycle were analyzed by real-time PCR, in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry to detect changes in EDN peptides (EDN1, EDN2, EDN3), EDN receptors (EDNRA, EDNRB), EDN-converting enzyme 1 (ECE1) and membrane metalloendopeptidase (MME)-an enzyme that degrades the EDNs.', 'Compared with the late secretory phase, progesterone withdrawal at the end of the artificial menstrual cycle triggered an increase (P< 0.05) in EDN1, EDNRB and ECE1 in the upper functionalis zone during menses of the next cycle. Treatment with E(2) alone in the proliferative phase increased (P< 0.05) EDNRA transcript, which was confined predominantly to the stromal cells. E(2) plus progesterone in the artificial secretory phase suppressed (P< 0.05) the expression of EDN3 in the functionalis zone stroma and epithelia, tended (P= 0.08) to attenuate levels of epithelial EDN2 and markedly up-regulated (P< 0.05) the stromal expression of MME.'] Do estrogen and progesterone regulate expression of the endothelins in the rhesus macaque endometrium? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.288231134414673,
-1.4102799892425537,
2.7147815227508545
] |
['Proliferation in transformed β-cell lines is high compared to primary islet cells and is accompanied by reduced insulin content and release. Our aim was to determine whether experimental reduction of proliferation restores the cells to a more authentic β-cell phenotype in terms of secretory function and to investigate the potential beneficial effect of their configuration as islet-like structures.', 'Mitosis inhibitor mitomycin c treatment neither altered the rate of proliferation nor improved the secretory responses of MIN6 monolayer cells. The proliferative rate of MIN6 cells was not affected by pseudoislet formation, but in contrast to monolayer cells, pseudoislets responded to 20 mM glucose with a 2.6-fold increase in insulin secretion. MMC reduced proliferation in MIN6 pseudoislets, but did not further improve their secretory responsiveness. Withdrawal of doxycycline resulted in complete growth-arrest in R7T1 cells, but monolayer and pseudoislet R7T1 cells were unresponsive to glucose and remained so upon growth-arrest although insulin content was increased in growth-arrested pseudoislets.', 'MIN6 monolayer and pseudoislet cells were treated with MMC whereas growth-arrest was induced in R7T1 monolayer and pseudoislet cells by withdrawal of doxycycline. Proliferation rates were determined by immunocytochemical measurements of BrdU incorporation and insulin secretion was assessed by radioimmunoassay.'] Does down-regulation of proliferation affect the secretory function of transformed β-cell lines regardless of their anatomical configuration? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5699546337127686,
-1.1230733394622803,
2.7985267639160156
] |
['Earlier studies suggest that social phobia (SP) and depression (DEP) often have their onset in adolescence, and are highly comorbid, with SP mainly preceding depression. There is a lack of population-based prospective studies among adolescents vulnerable to both disorders, taking into account possible gender differences in the relationship between the two.', 'This study is part of a prospective Adolescent Mental Health Cohort (AMHC) study. Subjects are 9th grade pupils (mean age 15.5 years (sd 0.39)) responding to a survey conducted 2002-2003 (T1) and a 2-year follow-up 2004-2005 (T2) (N=2038). Social phobia was measured by the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and depression by the 13-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13).', 'Risk for depression at T2 by SP at T1 was elevated only among boys (OR 3.6, 95% C.I. 1.507-8.579, p=0.004), whereas among girls, risk for SP at T2 by DEP at T1 was elevated (OR 7.8, 95% CI 4.529-13.391, p<0.001). The course of both disorders was unstable and recovery was common.'] Does relationship between social phobia and depression differ between boys and girls in mid-adolescence? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.377565622329712,
0.6100910305976868,
0.0370040237903595
] |
['Idiopathic photodermatoses (IP) are a recurrent, acquired sunlight-induced rash of delayed onset, appearing after exposure to ultraviolet radiation in susceptible individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the photoprotective activity of polypodium leucotomos (PL) in IP.', 'Fifty-seven patients affected by IP were recruited for the study (53 with polymorphic light eruption and 4 with solar urticaria). The use of UV protection filters or other drugs that could in some way interfere with exposure to light were excluded. All patients exposed themselves to sunlight while consuming 480 mg/day of PL extract orally. A statistical evaluation of the basal clinical conditions compared to those after sunlight exposure with PL was performed.', 'About 73.68% of the patients had a benefit from the administered PL, with a significant reduction of skin reaction and subjective symptoms. No side effects were observed. Results were statistically significant (P<0.05).'] Do oral polypodium leucotomos extract photoprotective activity in 57 patients with idiopathic photodermatoses? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1943037509918213,
-1.3442060947418213,
2.595585823059082
] |
['The gene encoding human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) is involved in DNA base excision repair from oxidatively damaged DNA. A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the susceptibility and clinicopathological outcomes of prostate cancer (CaP) and hOGG1 genotype.', 'Subjects were recruited from 266 CaP patients and 266 age-matched benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. The hOGG1 codon 326 genotype was determined by peptide nucleic acid-mediated PCR clamping and compared with Gleason score and tumor stage.', 'The Cys allele at codon 326 of hOGG1 was associated with an increased risk of CaP in comparison with the Ser allele (P = 0.005). Gleason scores of 8 or higher were observed more often in patients with the mutant genotypes Ser/Cys and Cys/Cys than in those with a wild-type genotype (P = 0.045), and the Cys/Cys homozygous genotype was associated with a significantly higher risk of metastatic disease in comparison with the Ser/Ser genotype (P = 0.017).'] Is the hOGG1 mutant genotype associated with prostate cancer susceptibility and aggressive clinicopathological characteristics in the Korean population? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1631290912628174,
-1.4059300422668457,
2.6069560050964355
] |
['The 3-minute step test is a simple test of exercise capacity for children with cystic fibrosis (CF), but no data have been reported regarding its usefulness in adults or its prognostic value.', 'To determine the feasibility and acceptability of the 3-minute step test as a test of exercise capacity in adults with CF and whether test performance is associated with 12-month clinical outcomes.', 'From our out-patient clinic we prospectively recruited consecutive adult patients with CF in stable health. The 3-minute step test was conducted with a standardized protocol that included a 15-cm high step and external pacing at 30 steps/min. We measured heart rate, dyspnea, and S(pO(2)). With multiple linear regression analyses we assessed the relationships between step-test performance and change in FEV(1) and hospital days at 12 months.', 'The participants were 101 adults: 56 male, mean ± SD age 29 ± 9 years, percent-of-predicted FEV(1) 61 ± 23%, body mass index 22 ± 4 kg/m(2). Only 42% of the participants with mild CF achieved 70% of the predicted maximum heart rate during the 3-minute step test, compared to 77% of those with FEV(1) < 60% of predicted. The 22 patients who desaturated to < 90% during the 3-minute step test had a larger number of hospital days over the following 12 months than did those who did not (median 28 d vs 11 d, P < .001). Those who desaturated also had a greater FEV(1) decline (mean difference -117 mL, 95% CI -215 to -19 mL). Desaturation during the 3-minute step test was an independent predictor of both FEV(1) decline and days spent in hospital.'] Does desaturation during the 3-minute step test predict impaired 12-month outcomes in adult patients with cystic fibrosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.0917314738035202,
-1.661487102508545,
0.8096675872802734
] |
['There is interest in developing new compounds to enhance the immune response to airway virus infections. CVT-E002 is a patented ginseng extract shown to decrease symptoms of virus infection in clinical trials. We hypothesized that the mechanism for this antiviral effect could be through modulation of dendritic cells leading to enhanced T-cell activation.', "Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC) exposed to CVT-E002 (or not) were co-cultured with autologous T cells, with or without virus (respiratory syncytial virus or parainfluenza virus). Effects of CVT-E002 on cell function were determined through flow cytometry, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and ELISA.", 'moDC cultured with CVT-E002 or virus induced greater activation of T cells, as measured by CD25 expression and BrdU incorporation, compared with untreated moDC. Responding T cells were CD4+CD45RO+. Co-cultures of CVT-E002 treated moDC with T cells responded with increased release of Th1-type cytokines (interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-12). CVT-E002-treated moDC showed increased expression of CD83, CD80 and CD86. Lipopolysaccharide levels were not detected in CVT-E002 and antagonists for Toll-like receptor-4 did not inhibit CVT-E002-induced moDC maturation.'] Do human dendritic cells promote an antiviral immune response when stimulated by CVT-E002? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.414885997772217,
-1.3998208045959473,
2.8346593379974365
] |
['Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous immune defect characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, failure of specific antibody production, susceptibility to infections, and an array of comorbidities.', 'To address the underlying immunopathogenesis of CVID and comorbidities, we conducted the first genome-wide association and gene copy number variation (CNV) study in patients with CVID.', 'Three hundred sixty-three patients with CVID from 4\xa0study sites were genotyped with 610,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Patients were divided into a discovery cohort of 179 cases in comparison with 1,917 control subjects and a replication cohort of 109 cases and 1,114 control subjects.', 'Our analyses detected strong association with the MHC region and association with a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) genes (P combined\xa0= 1.96 × 10(-7)) replicated in the independent cohort. CNV analysis defined 16 disease-associated deletions and duplications, including duplication of origin recognition complex 4L (ORC4L) that was unique to 15 cases (P\xa0= 8.66 × 10(-16)), as well as numerous unique rare intraexonic deletions and duplications suggesting multiple novel genetic causes of CVID. Furthermore, the 1,000 most significant SNPs were strongly predictive of the CVID phenotype by using a Support Vector Machine algorithm with positive and negative predictive values of 1.0 and 0.957, respectively.'] Does genome-wide association identify diverse causes of common variable immunodeficiency? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1173417568206787,
-1.436059594154358,
2.6197125911712646
] |
['Sex-related differences in bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) have been reported in adolescents, but the mechanisms remain obscure.', 'To investigate the risk factors for BHR in the Raine Study, a community-based longitudinal birth cohort.', 'At 14 years of age, children underwent a respiratory assessment including a questionnaire, lung function testing,\xa0methacholine challenge, and determination of atopic status.', 'A total of 1779 children provided data for assessment, with 1510 completing lung function and methacholine challenge testing. Current asthma was present in 152 (10.4%), 762 (50.5%) were atopic, and 277 (18.6%) had BHR. BHR was more common in girls, whereas atopy was more common in boys, with no sex differences in asthma or current wheeze. Independent risk factors for BHR were being female (odds ratio [OR], 3.45; P\xa0< .001), atopy at 14 years (OR, 1.27; P\xa0= .004), and current asthma (OR, 2.15; P\xa0= .005). Better lung function was protective against BHR (forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity/forced vital capacity, OR, 0.09; P\xa0< .001). Risk factors differed with sex and atopic status. Early-life factors were generally not independent risk factors for BHR at 14 years of age, with the\xa0exception of being smaller at birth in boys (birth length, OR, 6 × 10(-9); P\xa0= .017) and maternal asthma in girls (OR, 1.84; P\xa0= .041). Current asthma was not a risk for BHR in nonatopic children.'] Do risk factors for bronchial hyperresponsiveness in teenagers differ with sex and atopic status? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1356121301651,
-1.3696489334106445,
1.4662456512451172
] |
['Exaggerated pressure fluctuation between the thorax and abdomen during exercise or with pulmonary disease may challenge the gastroesophageal barrier and allow reflux of gastric juice into the esophagus. The aim of this study was to investigate the pressure differentials in the region of the gastroesophageal junction to better understand the relationship between the thoraco-abdominal pressure gradient and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) barrier function.', 'We reviewed the esophageal motility and 24-h pH studies in 151 patients with a manometrically normal lower esophageal sphincter who did not have pulmonary disease, history of anti-reflux surgery, hiatal hernia, or ineffective esophageal motility (IEM). Intra-abdominal gastric and intra-thoracic esophageal pressure fluctuations with respiration were measured and the thoraco-abdominal pressure gradients were calculated during both inspiratory and expiratory phases of the respiratory cycle. Predictive factors for an abnormal composite pH score were identified by multivariable analysis.', 'An inspiratory thoraco-abdominal pressure gradient that was higher than the resting LES pressure was found in 27 patients. In 23 of these patients (85.2%) there was increased esophageal acid exposure (OR 13.5, 95% CI 4.4-41.8). An abnormal composite pH score was predicted by a high inspiratory thoraco-abdominal pressure gradient (P < 0.001), greater fluctuation between inspiratory and expiratory thoracic pressure (P = 0.023), lower LES resting pressure (P = 0.049) and a decreased residual pressure after a swallow induced relaxation (P = 0.002).'] Do thoraco-abdominal pressure gradients during the phases of respiration contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2685673236846924,
-1.3222829103469849,
2.6828980445861816
] |
['Magnesium modulates insulin-mediated glucose uptake but data regarding its role in insulin secretion are scarce; therefore, in this study we determined whether decreased serum magnesium levels are associated with the impairment of insulin secretion in non-diabetic individuals.', 'A total of 182 apparently healthy subjects, men and non-pregnant women, 18-65 years of age, were enrolled in a population-based cross-sectional study and allocated to groups with hypomagnesaemia and normomagnesaemia. The groups in the study were subsequently stratified according to glucose status: normal glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, and impaired glucose tolerance. Insulin secretion was evaluated by the first and second phases of insulin secretion.', 'The Spearman coefficient between serum magnesium and the first and second phases of insulin secretion showed a significant positive correlation in the overall (r = 0.265, p < 0.0005; r = 0.541, p < 0.0005), normal glucose tolerance (r = 0.369, p = 0.001; r = 0.618, p < 0.0005), impaired fasting glucose (r = 0.320, p = 0.02; r = 0.449, p = 0.001), and impaired glucose tolerance (r = 0.129, p = 0.37; r = 0.522, p < 0.0005) groups. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed a significant association between serum magnesium levels and the first and second phases of insulin secretion: for the entire groups [B = 75.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 27.6-122.7; B = 25.4; 95% CI 16.4-34.3], normal glucose tolerance (B = 129.6, 95% CI 38.1-221.1; B = 40.3, 95% CI 23.7-56.8), impaired fasting glucose (B = 75.2, 95% CI 27.6-122.7; B = 15.1, 95% CI 4.2-30.2), and impaired glucose tolerance (B = 57.4, 95% CI 23.5-138.3; B = 25.4, 95% CI 16.4-34.3) groups.'] Is insulin secretion decreased in non-diabetic individuals with hypomagnesaemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.205045223236084,
-1.5920860767364502,
1.8036854267120361
] |
['To identify predictors of clinical remission as well as of no x-ray progression in a cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) treated with a tight-control protocol.', 'A total of 121 consecutive patients with ERA were treated to reach European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and/or American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical remission with methotrexate (MTX) for 3 months, then with a combination with anti-tumour necrosis factor if the patient did not achieve a 44-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS44) ≤2.4. At baseline and after 12 months all the patients had hand and foot joint radiographs. Very early rheumatoid arthritis (VERA) was defined as a disease with symptoms of less than 12 weeks.', "In all, 46.3% of the patients reached DAS remission and 24.8% achieved ACR remission. More than 60% of patients reached remission with MTX. Male sex and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate <35 mm/h at onset arose as significant predictors of EULAR remission, while VERA disease was the only predictor of ACR remission. At baseline, 28.1% of the patients were erosive. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the only independent predictor of erosiveness was 'not having VERA disease'. After 12 months, VERA was the only factor predicting a lack of new erosions."] Is very early rheumatoid arthritis the major predictor of major outcomes : clinical ACR remission and radiographic non-progression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.242668628692627,
-1.2953267097473145,
2.569258213043213
] |
['Oxidative stress is implicated in prostate cancer by several lines of evidence. We studied the relationship between the level of F2-isoprostanes, a validated biomarker of oxidative stress, and prostate cancer and high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.', "This case-control analysis within the Nashville Men's Health Study included men recruited at prostate biopsy. Body morphometrics, health history and urine were collected from more than 2,000 men before biopsy. F2-isoprostanes were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry within an age matched sample of Nashville Men's Health Study participants that included 140 patients with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, 160 biopsy negative controls and 200 prostate cancer cases. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was used to determine the associations between F2-isoprostane level, and high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate cancer.", 'Mean patient age was 66.9 years (SD 7.2) and 10.1% were nonwhite. Adjusted geometric mean F2-isoprostane levels were higher in patients with prostate cancer (1.82, 95% CI 1.66-2.00) or high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (1.82, 95% CI 1.68-1.96) than in controls (1.63, 95% CI 1.49-1.78, p <0.001), but were similar across Gleason scores (p = 0.511). The adjusted odds of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate cancer increased with increasing F2-isoprostane quartile (p-trend = 0.015 and 0.047, respectively) and the highest F2-isoprostane quartile was associated with significantly increased odds of prostate cancer (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.17-5.09, p = 0.017).'] Is oxidative stress measured by urine F2-isoprostane level associated with prostate cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6584552526474,
-1.5869522094726562,
2.2003841400146484
] |
['The ability to predict intensive care unit length of stay greatly facilitates triage and resource allocation for postoperative cardiac surgical patients in the intensive care unit. We developed a simple, intuitive Surgical Procedure Assessment score that integrates surgical complexity (1, low; 2, intermediate; 3, high) with patient comorbidity (A, minimal; B, substantial). We hypothesized that the Surgical Procedure Assessment score would predict intensive care unit length of stay, discriminate preoperatively between fast-track and prolonged-stay patients, and compare favorably with more complex risk scores.', 'After institutional review board approval, 1201 cardiac surgical patients were preoperatively assigned a Surgical Procedure Assessment score, as well as a Parsonnet, Tuman, Tu, and Cardiac Anesthesia Risk Evaluation score. We compared these scores with regard to prediction of intensive care unit length of stay, as well as their concordance in predicting intensive care unit length of stay of less than 48 hours (fast track) and more than 7 days (prolonged stay).', "Intensive care unit length of stay increased significantly with increasing Surgical Procedure Assessment scores (P\xa0<\xa0.01, Cuzick's test for trend). The lowest Surgical Procedure Assessment score (1A) predicted intensive care unit length of stay of less than 48 hours, and the higher Surgical Procedure Assessment scores (2B or 3) predicted intensive care unit length of stay of more than 7 days more accurately than the Parsonnet, Tuman, Tu and Cardiac Anesthesia Risk Evaluation scores."] Do the Surgical Procedure Assessment ( SPA ) score predicts intensive care unit length of stay after cardiac surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9749618768692017,
-1.0527904033660889,
1.119013786315918
] |
['Timely provision of evidence-based recommendations through computerized physician order entry with clinical decision support may improve use of red blood cell transfusions (RBCTs).', "We performed a cohort study with historical controls including inpatients admitted between February 1, 2008, and January 31, 2010. A clinical decision-support alert for RBCTs was constructed by using current evidence. RBCT orders resulted in assessment of the patient's medical record with prescriber notification if parameters were not within recommended ranges. Primary end points included the average pretransfusion hemoglobin level and the rate of RBCTs per patient-day.", "In total, 3293 control discharges and 3492 study discharges were evaluated. The mean (SD) control pretransfusion hemoglobin level in the PICU was 9.83 (2.63) g/dL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.65-10.01) compared with the study value of 8.75 (2.05) g/dL (95% CI: 8.59-8.90) (P < .0001). The wards' control value was 7.56 (0.93) g/dL (95% CI: 7.47-7.65), the study value was 7.14 (1.01) g/dL (95% CI: 6.99-7.28) (P < .0001). The control PICU rate of RBCTs per patient-day was 0.20 (0.11) (95% CI: 0.13-0.27), the study rate was 0.14 (0.04) (95% CI: 0.11-0.17) (P = .12). The PICU's control rate was 0.033 (0.01) (95% CI: 0.02-0.04), and the study rate was 0.017 (0.007) (95% CI: 0.01-0.02) (P < .0001). There was no difference in mortality rates across all cohorts."] Does computerized physician order entry with decision support decrease blood transfusions in children? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5983376502990723,
-1.5950748920440674,
1.2545325756072998
] |
['IgE-mediated cross-reactivity between fungal antigens and human proteins has been described in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), but it remains to be elucidated whether there is also cross-reactivity at the T-cell level.', 'We sought to explore cross-reactivity at the T-cell level between the fungal thioredoxin (Mala s 13) of the skin-colonizing yeast Malassezia sympodialis and its homologous human thioredoxin (hTrx).', 'T-cell lines (TCLs) were generated in the presence of rMala s 13 from the peripheral blood and from skin biopsy specimens of positive patch test reactions of patients with AD sensitized to Mala s 13 and hTrx. Patients with AD not sensitized to Malassezia species, healthy subjects, and patients with psoriasis served as control subjects. Mala s 13-specific T-cell clones (TCCs) were generated from TCLs. TCCs were characterized by antigen specificity, phenotype, and cytokine secretion pattern. Human keratinocytes were stimulated with IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-4, and the release of hTrx was determined by means of ELISA.', 'Mala s 13-specific TCLs and TCCs from the blood and skin of patients with AD sensitized to Mala s 13 and hTrx were fully cross-reactive with hTrx. Mala s 13- and hTrx-specific TCCs could not be generated from control subjects. The majority of cross-reactive TCCs were CD4(+) and coexpressed cutaneous lymphocyte antigen. In addition to T(H)1 and T(H)2 TCCs, we could also identify TCCs secreting IL-17 and IL-22. After stimulation with IFN-γ and TNF-α, keratinocytes released substantial amounts of thioredoxin.'] Are malassezia sympodialis thioredoxin-specific T cells highly cross-reactive to human thioredoxin in atopic dermatitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3875672817230225,
-1.3861353397369385,
2.8333077430725098
] |
['Higher chronological age has been suggested to confer worse prognosis in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The aim of the current study was to test this hypothesis in a large multicenter external validation cohort of patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) while controlling for patient performance status.', 'We retrospectively reviewed the data from 1,169 patients treated with RNU for UTUC. Age at RNU was analyzed both as a continuous and categorical variable (<50\xa0years, n\xa0=\xa066; 50-59.9\xa0years, n\xa0=\xa0185; 60-69.9\xa0years, n\xa0=\xa0367; 70-79.9\xa0years, n\xa0=\xa0419; ≥80\xa0years, n\xa0=\xa0132). Median follow-up was 37\xa0months.', 'Actuarial recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and all-cause survival estimates at 5\xa0years after RNU were 69, 73, and 61%, respectively. Advanced age was associated with female gender, higher ECOG status, higher ASA score, and a lower probability of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (all P values\xa0≤\xa00.02). In multivariable analyses, advanced age was associated with decreased recurrence-free (P\xa0=\xa00.021), cancer-specific (P\xa0=\xa00.002), and all-cause survival (P\xa0<\xa00.001) after controlling for the effects of gender, tumor location, number of lymph nodes removed, tumor grade, stage, architecture, necrosis, and lymphovascular invasion. After addition of ECOG status, age remained an independent predictor of only all-cause mortality (P\xa0>\xa00.001).'] Is chronological age an independent predictor of clinical outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.791763424873352,
-1.6358084678649902,
2.425891876220703
] |
['Prior fracture is a strong independent risk factor for subsequent fracture. To date, few studies have examined the level of osteoporosis knowledge specifically in the population of patients who have sustained a fracture. This study was designed to assess the knowledge of osteoporosis among patients who sustained a fracture and who were forty years of age or older, as well as to identify what social factors and health and fracture characteristics determine the level of osteoporosis knowledge in this population.', 'Patients who had sustained a fracture and were attending fracture clinics at two Toronto hospitals were identified and invited to fill out a questionnaire during their visit. This questionnaire included questions that could be answered by checking "true," "false," or "don\'t know" and that were designed to assess the patient\'s knowledge of osteoporosis. The questionnaire also included questions about the respondent\'s background.', 'Of 259 patients identified as eligible for the study, 204 (78.8%) agreed to participate. The mean number of correct responses was 16.5 (55%) out of thirty responses. Variables significantly associated with greater numbers of correct responses were female sex, English as a first language, being currently employed, exercising regularly, and having received information from a health-care provider or from a newspaper or magazine.'] Do male and non-English-speaking patients with fracture have poorer knowledge of osteoporosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.9690327644348145,
1.2999935150146484,
-0.22057382762432098
] |
["The effects of visual cortical transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) depends upon the initial state of the stimulated region. Thus TMS perceptually facilitates the attributes encoded by adapted neuronal populations. These reports however, relied upon subjects' description of phosphene qualia and were not quantified. We aimed to: (1) quantify the effect of visual motion adaptation on cortical excitability; (2) assess whether the effect on neuronal excitability was limited to the neuronal population undergoing adaptation or whether there was a generalised modulation of visual cortical excitability.", 'Visual motion adaptation was induced using a random dot kinematogram display. The frequency of induced phosphenes, using baseline threshold TMS intensity, was used to probe visual cortical excitability.', 'Adaptation to visual motion increased the frequency of V5/MT-stimulated phosphene reports. The effect was only observed when the adapting stimulus and the phosphene spatially overlapped.'] Does visual motion adaptation increase the susceptibility of area V5/MT to phosphene induction by transcranial magnetic stimulation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.660978078842163,
-0.7755773067474365,
2.486415386199951
] |
["The prevalence of anti-HCV in the population of a village, which is located in China's Putian County, was 28.9%.", 'To investigate whether intrafamilial transmission is the main cause of the high prevalence of HCV infection in the village.', "This study surveyed the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA and analyzed the risk factors for infection. Twenty-seven families consisting of 2 or more cases who were HCV RNA-positive were selected. Genotyping of HCV isolates was performed using a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of 5'-NCR. The identity of the nucleotide sequence, the Kimura distance, and the phylogenetic trees between HCV 1b isolates from the same family were compared with that from different families using BioEdit and MEGA4.0 software.", 'Of 303 anti-HCV-positive subjects, 113 subjects were HCV RNA-positive. The frequency of some risk factors was significantly different between HCV RNA-positive and anti-HCV-negative subjects. Twenty-two pairs had subjects who were both infected with genotype 1b strains. The sequence identities between the 2 isolates from the family pairs ranged from 78.9% to 98.5% for HVR1 and from 92.4% to 97.6% for NS5B, which were not higher than the pairs from different families. The Kimura distances for family pairs ranged from 0.014 to 0.357 for HVR1 and from 0.024 to 0.081 for NS5B. They were not shorter than that from non-family pairs. Only 2 family pairs clustered in the same branch in the dendrogram obtained with NS5B sequences.'] Is intrafamilial viral transmission the main cause of the high prevalence of hepatic C virus infection in a village , Putian county , China? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.13432294130325317,
-1.638630747795105,
0.7864111661911011
] |
['Previous studies have demonstrated that sun-induced alteration of epidermal permeability barrier function varies with gender and age. In the present study, we assess the stratum corneum (SC) hydration in sun-exposed males and females.', 'A total of 168 subjects (84 males and 84 females) aged 19-75 years were enrolled. A multifunctional skin physiology monitor was used to measure SC hydration.', 'In comparison with non-sun exposure, sun exposure does not cause a significant change in SC hydration in either young males or young females, whereas in aged females, a significant reduction of SC hydration is seen on the forehead and the dorsal hand of sun-exposed subjects. SC hydration on the canthus of both aged males and aged females is significantly lower than that of young subjects. Additionally, SC hydration on the dorsal hand of aged females is also significantly lower as compared with young females. Sun-induced reduction of SC hydration is more evident on the dorsal hand of aged females than that of males (P<0.001). Moreover, the SC rehydration capacity is significantly lower in sun-exposed aged females than in age-matched males.'] Do sun-induced changes of stratum corneum hydration vary with age and gender in a normal Chinese population? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8599227666854858,
-0.5999885201454163,
1.484114646911621
] |
['Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of pediatric-onset dystonia. Deep brain stimulation is gaining acceptance for treating dystonias in children. There is minimal reported experience regarding the efficacy of deep brain stimulation in cerebral palsy.', 'Fourteen patients, including 8 younger than 16 years, received bilateral implants (13 patients) or a unilateral implant (1 patient) of the internal globus pallidus and were observed in a noncontrolled, nonblinded study for at least 6 months. Motor function was assessed using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Movement and Disability scales and the Barry Albright Dystonia Scale.', 'By 6 months, significant improvement was observed in the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Movement scale (P=.004), the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Disability scale (P=.027), and the Barry Albright Dystonia Scale (P=.029) for the whole cohort (n=14) and in the patients treated before skeletal maturity (group 1; n=8): Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Movement scale, P=.012; Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Disability scale, P=.020; and Barry Albright Dystonia Scale, P=.027.'] Does dystonia due to cerebral palsy respond to deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4089585542678833,
-1.2463374137878418,
1.7219680547714233
] |
['A limitation of animal models of central pain is their inability to recapitulate all clinical characteristics of the human condition. Specifically, many animal models rely on reflexive measures of hypersensitivity and ignore, or cannot assess, spontaneous pain, the hallmark characteristic of central pain in humans. Here, we adopt a conditioned place preference paradigm to test if animals with lesions in the anterolateral quadrant of the spinal cord develop signs consistent with spontaneous pain. This paradigm relies on the fact that pain relief is rewarding to animals, and has been used previously to show that animals with peripheral nerve injury develop tonic pain. With the use of 2 analgesic treatments commonly used to treat patients with central pain (clonidine infusion and motor cortex stimulation), we demonstrate that analgesic treatments are rewarding to animals with spinal cord lesions but not sham-operated controls. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that animals with spinal cord injury suffer from tonic pain.'] Does conditioned place preference reveal tonic pain in an animal model of central pain? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.795386552810669,
0.6013457179069519,
1.3996596336364746
] |
['Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is overexpressed in many types of cancer, including breast cancer, and it is regulated by ligand binding and post-translational modifications. It was previously demonstrated that endogenous transactivation promotes an aggressive phenotype of malignant breast cells. This study examines whether selective antagonism of PPARγ with T0070907 is a potential strategy for breast cancer therapy.', 'PPARγ activation was inhibited using both pharmacological and molecular approaches and proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were measured in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells.', 'T0070907 treatment inhibited proliferation, invasion and migration but did not significantly affect apoptosis. Molecular inhibition using a dominant negative (Δ462) receptor yielded similar results. T007 also mediated a dose-dependent decrease in phosphorylation of PPARγ, and its ability to bind to DNA, and may directly affect mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling.'] Does the PPARgamma antagonist T0070907 suppress breast cancer cell proliferation and motility via both PPARgamma-dependent and -independent mechanisms? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.377688407897949,
-1.2162436246871948,
2.599337577819824
] |
['We genetically disrupted the wolffian duct in mice to study the affected organogenesis processes and to test the hypothesis that cell loss can be the developmental basis for a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies in the kidney and urinary tract.', 'We used Hoxb7-Cre transgenic lines (HC1 and HC2) to induce diphtheria toxin production from a ROSA(DTA) allele, disrupting the wolffian duct and derivatives.', 'The first set of mutants (HC1;ROSA(DTA/+)) exhibited agenesis of the kidney, ureter and reproductive tracts. The second set of mutants (HC2;ROSA(DTA/+)) exhibited diverse defects, including renal agenesis/hypoplasia, hydronephrosis, hydroureter, ureter-vas deferens fistulas in males and ureter-oviduct/uterus fistulas in females. The phenotypic differences correspond to the degree of apoptosis induced caudal truncation of the wolffian duct, which is less severe and more variable in HC2;ROSA(DTA/+) mice. Whenever the wolffian duct failed to reach the urogenital sinus, the ureter failed to separate from the wolffian duct, suggesting that ureteral migration along the common nephric duct to the cloaca and the subsequent common nephric duct degeneration constitute the only pathway for separating the ureter and wolffian duct derivatives.'] Does cell death serve as a single etiological cause of a wide spectrum of congenital urinary tract defects? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5497477054595947,
-1.1124253273010254,
2.753787040710449
] |
['Mutations in the cardiac Na(+) channel gene (SCN5A) can adversely affect electric function in the heart, but effects can be age dependent. We explored the interacting effects of Scn5a disruption and aging on the pathogenesis of sinus node dysfunction in a heterozygous Scn5a knockout (Scn5a(+/-)) mouse model.', 'We compared functional, histological, and molecular features in young (3 to 4 month) and old (1 year) wild type and Scn5a(+/-) mice. Both Scn5a disruption and aging were associated with decreased heart rate variability, reduced sinoatrial node automaticity, and slowed sinoatrial conduction. They also led to increased collagen and fibroblast levels and upregulated transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)) and vimentin transcripts, providing measures of fibrosis and reduced Nav1.5 expression. All these effects were most noticeable in old Scn5a(+/-) mice. Na(+) channel inhibition by Nav1.5-E3 antibody directly increased TGF-β(1) production in both cultured human cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts. Finally, aging was associated with downregulation of a wide range of ion channel and related transcripts and, again, was greatest in old Scn5a(+/-) mice. The quantitative results from these studies permitted computer simulations that successfully replicated the observed sinoatrial node phenotypes shown by the different experimental groups.'] Are tGF-β1-mediated fibrosis and ion channel remodeling key mechanisms in producing the sinus node dysfunction associated with SCN5A deficiency and aging? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.303325891494751,
-1.2610323429107666,
2.572270631790161
] |
['Urinary bladder cancer is two to four times more common among men than among women, a difference in risk not fully explained by established risk factors. Our objective was to determine whether hormonal and reproductive factors are involved in female bladder cancer.', 'We analyzed data from two population-based studies: the Los Angeles-Shanghai Bladder Cancer Study, with 349 female case-control pairs enrolled in Los Angeles and 131 female cases and 138 frequency-matched controls enrolled in Shanghai, and the California Teachers Study (CTS), a cohort of 120,857 women with 196 incident cases of bladder urothelial carcinoma diagnosed between 1995 and 2005. We also conducted a meta-analysis summarizing associations from our primary analyses together with published results.', 'In primary data analyses, parous women experienced at least 30% reduced risk of developing bladder cancer compared with nulliparous women (Shanghai: OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.13-1.10; CTS: RR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.95) consistent with results of a meta-analysis of nine studies (summary RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.85). The CTS, which queried formulation of menopausal hormone therapy (HT), revealed a protective effect for use of combined estrogen and progestin compared with no HT (RR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37-0.98). Meta-analysis of three studies provided a similar effect estimate (summary RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.48-0.88).'] Does lower risk in parous women suggest that hormonal factors are important in bladder cancer etiology? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5750921964645386,
-1.483954668045044,
1.9651610851287842
] |
['To investigate the effect of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on binding of monocytes to human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) with or without cytokine induction.', 'Confluent monolayers of HAECs were incubated with or without E2 for 48 h prior to the monocyte adhesion assay. In studies with cytokines, 1 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), 20 U/ml interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or both were added to the culture medium for the final 24 or 4 h. For the measurement of monocyte adhesion, 3H-thymidine labeled human THP-1 monocytes (4 x 10(5) cells per well) were added to the confluent monolayer of HAECs and incubated at 37 degrees C for 90 min. The unbound THP-1 cells were removed by gentle washing, and bound cells were digested with NaOH and quantified by measuring radioactivity.', 'When HAECs were pretreated for 48 h with E2 the basal adhesion of THP-1 cells was reduced by an average of 28%. Estrogen significantly reduced cytokine-induced adhesion by 30-35% when the cytokines were added for 4 h. When the cytokine treatment was prolonged to 24 h, pretreatment of HAECs with E2 had no effect on THP-1 cell adhesion.'] Does estradiol reduce basal and cytokine induced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3697428703308105,
-1.306741714477539,
2.686375856399536
] |
['Since contradictory results have been reported, we reanalysed the 77C-->G transition in exon 4 of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type C (PTPRC also known as CD45) in a large cohort of German MS patients and controls. Different isoforms of the protein are expressed, depending on alternative splicing of exons 4 (CD45RA), 5 (CD45RB) and 6 (CD45RC) (CD45RO, exons 4-6 spliced out). The 77C-->G transition does not change the amino acid sequence, but it is probably part of a motif necessary for splicing leading to the isoform CD45RA. The expression of CD45RA is increased in 77C/G heterozygous individuals. The aim of the study was to clarify the importance of the PTPRC 77C-->G transition in our German cohort of MS patients.', 'PCR products of exon 4 were digested using endonuclease MspI. The resulting restriction fragments of the wildtype C allele are 198 and 62 bp in length. In the G allele an additional restriction site is present yielding fragments of 114 and 84 bp.', 'The G allele was identified in 10 of the 347 controls (1.4%) and in 7 of 454 MS patients (0.8%; Table 1). No homozygous individuals were found either in the control or in the patient group. Genetic association between the PTPRC 77C-->G transition and MS susceptibility was excluded in the MS cohort. In addition, subgrouping patients according to differences in the clinical course of MS or according to HLA-DRB1*15 status did not yield significant differences.'] Is pTPRC ( CD45 ) associated with multiple sclerosis in a large cohort of German patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0376458168029785,
-1.4395692348480225,
2.5214903354644775
] |
['Olive pollen is one of the main causes of allergy in Mediterranean countries, where it is widely distributed. One inconvenience in studying new immunotherapies for olive pollen allergy is the lack of suitable animal models. The aim of this study was to develop a murine model of IgE sensitization to Ole e 1, the major allergen of olive pollen, which mimics the immunological features of olive pollinosis in humans and to investigate the in vivo antigenicity of the recombinant form of the allergen.', 'BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal administration of natural Ole e 1 (nOle e 1) and recombinant Ole e 1 (rOle e 1) in Al(OH)(3), respectively. Serum levels of specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a, cytokine production and the proliferative response of splenocytes after in vitro stimulation with nOle e 1 were analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometry. The binding capacity of rOle e 1-specific IgG1 was examined by ELISA and immunoblotting.', 'Sensitization with nOle e 1 or rOle e 1 induced high levels of specific IgE and IgG1 versus low IgG2a antibody levels. Splenocytes from sensitized mice exhibited a proliferative response to nOle e 1. In vitro stimulated splenic cells from nOle e 1-primed mice produced IL-4 and low or nondetectable levels of IFN-gamma. Specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies of immunized mice bound to the same Ole e 1 isoforms and showed a similar degree of cross-reactivity as observed for human IgE. Mouse specific nOle e 1 IgG1 was strongly inhibited by IgE from allergic patients. The IgG1 antibodies elicited by rOle e 1 reacted with both the recombinant and natural forms of the allergen.'] Does sensitization of mice with olive pollen allergen Ole e 1 induce a Th2 response? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.334294557571411,
-1.3610343933105469,
2.7598955631256104
] |
['Ovarian stimulation by gonadotrophin treatment exerts negative effects on implantation and embryonic development. We investigated whether gonadotrophin treatment affects VEGF(120) mRNA expression during the peri-implantation period.', 'Two groups of adult female CD1 mice were used: the hormone-treated group was injected i.p. with urinary human FSH (5 IU in 0.1 ml saline) and urinary HCG (5 IU in 0.1 ml saline). Spontaneously ovulating mice served as controls and received saline injections. The pregnant mice were killed on embryonic development (ED) days 0, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (day of vaginal plug detection is considered as ED0). The uteri with the implanted embryos were processed for in-situ hybridization for VEGF(120). A separate group of control and hormone-treated pregnant mice were allowed to give birth. Litter size, birthweight and length of gestational period were noted.', 'Gonadotrophin treatment decreased VEGF(120) mRNA levels, delayed implantation, reduced the size of the embryo implantation site on ED5 and ED6 and prolonged the gestational period.'] Does gonadotrophin stimulation reduce VEGF ( 120 ) expression in the mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.381073474884033,
-1.2537411451339722,
2.684352397918701
] |
['It is well known that miscarriage risk increases with age. However, studies usually investigate only maternal age effects. We investigated both maternal age and paternal age effects on miscarriage risk to provide insight into this frequent reproductive failure.', "The last planned pregnancies (n = 3174) that ended in a birth or miscarriage were analysed in a retrospective population-based study on women aged 25-44 years in Denmark, Germany, Italy and Spain. Maternal and paternal ages were analysed together, using a single variable 'couple age' in a multivariate logistic regression analysis, with couples composed of a woman and a man both aged 20-29 years forming the reference group.", "After adjustment for various factors (e.g. reproductive history, country), we found that the risk of miscarriage was higher if the woman was aged > or = 35 years, as has already been reported in a number of studies. However, the increase in risk was much greater for couples composed of a woman aged > or = 35 years and of a man aged > or = 40 years. Potential source of bias (especially 'reproductive compensation') are discussed."] Are paternal age and maternal age risk factors for miscarriage ; results of a multicentre European study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.6046481132507324,
0.9657477736473083,
0.6973066329956055
] |
["There is little data to support the use of blood culture (BC) testing in the burn patient. Clinical signs (fever, leukocytosis) may not reliably indicate infection; moreover, BC's are expensive, invasive and plagued by false positive results. A policy of critical evaluation of lab utilization was instituted in our burn unit in 1993. By 1997 the use of blood culture testing had decreased by 50%. A retrospective analysis of our change in BC utilization was undertaken to derive practice guidelines for usage of this test.", '47 patients with BC testing in 1997 were compared to a cohort of 47 patients from 1993, representing a total of 441 BC episodes.', "Comparison of 1993 and 1997 patients revealed no significant differences in patient characteristics or outcomes. The mean white blood cell count and maximum temperature on the day of culture were identical for both positive and negative BC episodes. However, BC's drawn during a state of shock were twice as likely to be positive. Patients who experienced positive BC's had larger burns, received more antibiotics, had more indwelling catheters, and had longer lengths of ventilator support and hospital stays."] Do effective limitation of blood culture use in the burn unit? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7326767444610596,
-0.27685850858688354,
2.135704278945923
] |
['To study the effects exerted by two antioxidants, N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), as an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, on the expression of the major growth factor involved in cartilage repair, TGF-beta, under the three isoforms beta1, beta2 and beta3, and the receptors I and II of this factor, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated human chondrocytes in culture.', 'Suspension cultures of human chondrocytes derived from the knee of osteoarthritic patients were treated for 48 h with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 microg/ml), L-NMMA (0.5 mM) or NAC (1 mM). Nitrite levels were assayed on the culture media using the Griess spectrophotometric method. After total RNA extraction, the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, TGF-beta3, TGF-beta receptors I and II, was determined by semi-quantitative polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR).', 'LPS induced a dramatic increase of both NO production and iNOS mRNA level. The addition of L-NMMA (0.5 mM) abolished NO production without affecting iNOS mRNA levels. In contrast NAC (1 mM) strongly synergized with LPS to stimulate NO synthesis. LPS treatment did not significantly alter TGF-beta1 expression whereas L-NMMA inhibited its production. TGF-beta2 mRNA level was decreased by LPS and was not changed in the presence of L-NMMA. On the other hand, NAC was capable of counteracting the LPS-induced inhibition of TGF-beta2 expression. TGFbeta3 mRNA level was markedly reduced by LPS alone, or with both L-NMMA and NAC. Finally, the expression of TGF-betaRI was slightly increased in the presence of combined LPS and L-NMMA or NAC whereas that of TGFbeta-RII was reduced in the same conditions.'] Is expression of TGF-betas and their receptors differentially modulated by reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in human articular chondrocytes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3406617641448975,
-1.418994665145874,
2.7953994274139404
] |
['To study the role of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) on cellular radiation sensitivity by analysing mouse lung fibroblasts of different TGF-beta1 genotypes.', 'Heterozygous TGF-beta1 knock-out mice were mated to produce offspring of different TGF-beta1 genotypes as confirmed by PCR-genotyping. Primary lung fibroblast populations were established from new-born animals of specific genotypes (TGF-beta1(+/+), TGF-beta1(+/-), TGF-beta1(-/-)). Production of TGF-beta1 was tested by ELISA. TGF-beta1 receptor-II mRNA expression was analysed by RT-PCR. Colony formation of untreated, TGF-beta1-treated and/or irradiated primary lung fibroblasts was determined under different medium conditions.', 'Plating efficiencies under different medium conditions were independent of TGF-beta1 genotype. Production of TGF-beta1 correlated with the genotype: heterozygous TGF-beta1 knock-out fibroblasts (TGF-beta1(+/-)) produced 60-65% of wild-type (TGF-beta1(+/+) cells). As expected, homozygous TGF-beta1 knock-out fibroblasts (TGF-beta1(-/-)) did not produce TGF-beta1. Radiation exposure significantly enhanced TGF-beta1 production in TGF-beta1(+/+) cells by a factor of 2. No such stimulation was observed in TGF-beta1(+/-) cells. TGF-beta1(+/-) and especially TGF-beta1(-/-) cells were significantly more radioresistant than TGF-beta1(+/+) cells. TGF-beta1 treatment significantly reduced clonogenic survival for both TGF-beta1(+/+) and TGF-beta1(-/-) cells. TGF-beta1 treatment of TGF-beta1(-/-) cells resulted in an enhancement of radiation sensitivity.'] Do irradiated homozygous TGF-beta1 knockout fibroblasts show enhanced clonogenic survival as compared with TGF-beta1 wild-type fibroblasts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.284959554672241,
-1.3896584510803223,
2.726426601409912
] |
['Cell-matrix interactions are in part mediated through the beta1-integrin pathway regulating cell survival, proliferation, adhesion and migration. This study was performed to elucidate alterations of expression of the beta1-integrin and its co-localized protein kinase, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), after exposure to ionizing radiation in two lung carcinoma cell lines in the presence or absence of different beta1-integrin-dependent matrix proteins.', 'Exponentially growing A549 and SKMES1 cells grown on fibronectin, laminin, BSA or plastic were exposed to 2 Gy or 6 Gy. Besides colony formation assays (0.5-8 Gy) and immediate plating experiments, flow cytometry (for beta1-integrin) and immunoblotting (for beta1-integrin and ILK) were carried out to analyze the protein expression. The localization of both proteins plus filamentous (f-) actin was further examined by immunofluorescence staining and laser confocal scanning microscopy. Functionality of the beta1 receptor subunit after irradiation was investigated in adhesion assays.', 'A549 and SKMES1 cells grown on fibronectin or laminin demonstrated a significant increase in cell survival after irradiation compared to cells grown on BSA or plastic. Immediate plating of cells after irradiation on fibronectin did not show an improved survival. Flow cytometric and Western blot data showed a dose- and matrix-dependent induction of beta1-integrin and ILK expression after irradiation within 48 h. Adhesion to fibronectin or laminin compared to BSA or plastic was increased by 10-fold after irradiation, demonstrating these specific cell surface receptors to be functional. The staining of beta1-integrin and ILK in A549 cells confirmed the radiation-induced up-regulation of both proteins. Additionally, beta1-integrin and ILK co-localized with accumulated actin fibers at the cytoplasmic face of the cell membrane at confined areas.'] Does ionizing radiation induce up-regulation of functional beta1-integrin in human lung tumour cell lines in vitro? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.412584066390991,
-1.3366211652755737,
2.82611083984375
] |
["Subtotal thyroidectomy has been advocated as the standard treatment for Graves' disease because of the possibility of avoiding thyroxine therapy as well as the assumed lower risk of complications compared to total thyroidectomy. However, the long-term results of subtotal thyroidectomy are not as good as they were previously believed to be, as evidenced by the increasing incidence of hypothyroidism. If the risk of complications from total thyroidectomy is no higher,then that procedure offers significant advantages in the surgical management of Graves' disease. The aim of this study therefore was to compare the complication rate of the two procedures in patients with Graves' disease.", "This was a retrospective case control study in a tertiary referral hospital. Information was obtained from an endocrine surgery database over the study period from January 1957 to December 2000. During that period 1246 patients with Graves' disease underwent subtotal thyroidectomy and 119 patients underwent total thyroidectomy.", 'Prior to 1987 total thyroidectomy was rarely if ever performed whereas in the last 12 months total thyroidectomy comprised 95% of all procedures. There was no significant difference in the rate of permanent complications between the two procedures although temporary hypocalcaemia was significantly more common following total thyroidectomy. Permanent hypoparathyroidism resulted in one patient each who underwent total thyroidectomy (0.8%) and subtotal thyroidectomy (0.1%). Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in one patient who underwent total thyroidectomy (0.8%) and 5 patients undergoing subtotal thyroidectomy (0.4%).'] Is total thyroidectomy now the preferred option for the surgical management of Graves ' disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2456367015838623,
-1.3019227981567383,
1.5111594200134277
] |
['More than one third of patients in the United States use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); most also visit conventional physicians. There is little information about how physicians and patients discuss CAM. We hypothesized that physicians frequently fielded questions about CAM treatments but felt uncomfortable discussing them owing to a lack of education.', 'To survey physicians to see how they discussed CAM with their patients and what factors influenced discussions and referrals.', 'A total of 751 physicians in the Denver, Colo, area were asked about their experience with CAM and communication about CAM with patients. Analyses were conducted using the SAS system (version 6, 1989; SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC).', 'Of the 705 deliverable surveys, 302 (43%) were returned: 76% of physicians reported having patients using CAM; 59% had been asked about specific CAM treatments; 48% had recommended CAM to a patient; and 24% had personally used CAM. Physician recommendation of CAM was most strongly associated with physician self-use (odds ratio, 6.98; P<.001). Few physicians felt comfortable discussing CAM with their patients, and the overwhelming majority (84%) thought they needed to learn more about CAM to adequately address patient concerns.'] Do physicians want education about complementary and alternative medicine to enhance communication with their patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.0646541118621826,
2.192535638809204,
-1.6541906595230103
] |
['Recent evidence from animal models has demonstrated that tPA can be neurotoxic to the hippocampus and cerebellum. Since tPA is used in patients with myocardial infarction and has been approved for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, we carried out a pilot study to investigate whether its administration could result in any clinically relevant neuropsychological dysfunction, with particular attention to those structures most involved in the animal model.', 'Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who were subjected to thrombolysis with r-tPA and without evidence of prior or concomitant neurological-neuropsychological damage, were eligible. Controls consisted of patients with AMI not candidate for thrombolysis or patients with severe angina admitted to the intensive care unit. A detailed neurological and neuropsychological evaluation was performed, which included mood, visual and verbal memory, psychomotor speed processing and motor dexterity and visuomotor sequence learning.', 'Ten patients and 13 controls were included. No significant differences between both groups were found, although all the subjects performed in the lower limits of the normal range on the Purdue pegboard test (motor dexterity) and digit-symbol test (psychomotor speed). There was no evidence of depression, as assessed by the Hamilton scale, that could have interfered with performance. Declarative memory (Rey auditory-verbal learning test) as well as visual memory (Rey-Osterrieth figure copy) and visuomotor sequence learning (serial reaction time task) were normal, without between-group differences.'] Does tissue plasminogen activator administration result in clinically relevant neuropsychological dysfunction in patients with myocardial ischemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.447498083114624,
-1.2658677101135254,
2.827467203140259
] |
['There is a lack of consensus regarding the role of CD44 variants in colorectal cancer, with conflicting reports regarding their expression and correlation with prognosis. We investigated the expression and prognostic significance of CD44v6 protein in our series of colorectal tumour specimens and then analysed the pattern of CD44 variant mRNA transcript expression in a smaller series of colorectal tumour/normal tissue specimens, thus assessing what our data contributes to this debate.', 'Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD44v6 protein expression, while reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in combination with Southern blotting was used to analyse CD44 mRNA transcript expression.', "Similar levels of expression of CD44v6 protein were observed in each of the Dukes' stages, ranging from 50% to 67%, indicating no correlation with progression of disease or survival rates. CD44 variant mRNA expression was found in 85% of the tumours and 75% of the normal specimens. The majority of tumours expressed each of the variants. The pattern of variant expression was maintained in the corresponding normal tissue in nearly one-half (47%) of the tumour specimens. A sequential pattern of variant expression was observed in the majority of specimens. There was no association between CD44 variant mRNA expression and Dukes' stage, tumour differentiation or survival."] Is cD44v6 relevant in colorectal tumour progression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0854039192199707,
-1.2441850900650024,
2.438843250274658
] |
['Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition exerts positive effects on the microvasculature of normotensive animals, although this concept is not universally accepted. Recently, ACE inhibitors have been suggested to be useful for rescue in peripheral ischemia.', 'We investigated whether chronic treatment with the ACE inhibitor ramipril may have a positive impact on the defective healing response to ischemia that is typical of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Unilateral limb ischemia was induced in 20-week-old SHR by surgically removing the left femoral artery. Rats were allowed to regain consciousness and then were randomly allocated to treatment with ramipril (1 mg/kg body weight in drinking water) or vehicle for 28 days.', 'The SHR failed to develop reparative angiogenesis in response to ischemia, thus having inadequate perfusion recovery. Ramipril reduced both tail-cuff systolic blood pressure (180 +/- 7 v 207 +/- 2 mm Hg in the vehicle group at 28 days, P < .05) and intra-arterial mean blood pressure (115 +/- 6 v 135 +/- 5 mm Hg in the vehicle group, P < .05). These effects were associated with increased responsiveness to endothelium-dependent vasodilatation by acetylcholine. Treatment with ramipril did not influence muscular capillary and arteriole density but accelerated the rate of perfusion recovery, leading to complete healing within 28 days after surgery.'] Does ramipril improve hemodynamic recovery but not microvascular response to ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3411383628845215,
-1.3141181468963623,
2.6916942596435547
] |
['It is not uncommon to observe circulating tumor antigen-specific T lymphocytes in cancer patients despite a lack of significant infiltration and destruction of their tumors. Thus, an important goal for tumor immunotherapy is to identify ways to modulate in vivo anti-tumor immunity to achieve clinical efficacy. We investigate this proposition in a spontaneous mouse tumor model, Rip1-Tag2.', 'Experimental therapies were carried out in two distinctive trial designs, intended to either intervene in the explosive growth of small tumors, or regress bulky end-stage tumors. Rip1-Tag2 mice received a single transfer of splenocytes from Tag-specific, CD4+ T cell receptor transgenic mice, a single sub-lethal radiation, or a combination therapy in which the lymphocyte transfer was preceded by the sub-lethal radiation. Tumor burden, the extent of lymphocyte infiltration into solid tumors and host survival were used to assess the efficacy of these therapeutic approaches.', 'In either intervention or regression, the transfer of Tag-specific T cells alone did not result in significant lymphocyte infiltration into solid tumors, not did it affect tumor growth or host survival. In contrast, the combination therapy resulted in significant reduction in tumor burden, increase in lymphocyte infiltration into solid tumors, and extension of survival.'] Does sub-lethal radiation enhance anti-tumor immunotherapy in a transgenic mouse model of pancreatic cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.458254814147949,
-1.1949207782745361,
2.753485918045044
] |
['Monolysocardiolipin acyltransferase (MLCL AT) catalyzes the acylation of monolysocardiolipin to cardiolipin in mammalian tissues. We previously reported that cardiac cardiolipin levels, MLCL AT and cardiolipin synthase activities were all elevated in rats made hyperthyroid by thyroxine treatment. In this study, we examined if cardiac mitochondrial MLCL AT activity was dependent upon the biosynthesis and level of cardiolipin in the heart. Rat heart mitochondrial MLCL AT activity was determined under conditions in which the levels of cardiac cardiolipin and cardiolipin synthase activity were either reduced or unaltered using four different disease models in the rat. In addition, these parameters were examined in a murine model of cardiac cell differentiation.', 'In rats made hypothyroid by treatment with 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil in the drinking water for 34 days, cardiac cardiolipin content was decreased 29% (p < 0.025) and this was associated with a 32% decrease (p < 0.025) in cardiolipin synthase and a 35% reduction (p < 0.025) in MLCL AT activities. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes or hyperinsulinemia in rats did not affect cardiac cardiolipin content nor MLCL AT and cardiolipin synthase activities. Finally, cardiolipin content, MLCL AT and cardiolipin synthase activities were unaltered during murine P19 teratocarcinoma cell differentiation into cardiac myocytes. In all models, phospholipase A2 activities were unaltered compared with controls.'] Is expression of monolysocardiolipin acyltransferase activity regulated in concert with the level of cardiolipin and cardiolipin biosynthesis in the mammalian heart? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3249948024749756,
-1.3526482582092285,
2.6658732891082764
] |
['External cephalic version (ECV) has been successfully used to decrease the fetal and maternal morbidity and costs of cesarean delivery. As there are limited data regarding the use of central neuraxial blockade in the setting of previously failed ECV attempts, we sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of spinal and epidural anesthesia in this setting. A retrospective review of all ECV attempts performed by a single experienced obstetrician between 1995 and 1999 was conducted. Standardized tocolytic and anesthetic regimens were used. A total of 77 patients underwent ECV attempts; of these, 37 (48%) were unsuccessful, 15 of which consented to further attempts with anesthesia. Neuraxial anesthesia was associated with frequent ECV success in both multiparous 4/4 (100%) and nulliparous 9/11 (82%) parturients. Overall 5/6 (83%) and 8/9 (89%) (P = NS) ECV attempts were successful with spinal and epidural anesthesia, respectively, with 2/5 (40%) and 6/8 (75%) (P = NS) resulting in vaginal deliveries. One successful ECV in the epidural group had an urgent cesarean delivery for persistent fetal bradycardia with good neonatal and maternal outcomes. We conclude central neuraxial anesthesia promotes successful ECV after previously failed ECV attempts.'] Does central neuraxial blockade promote external cephalic version success after a failed attempt? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.277817726135254,
-1.2531757354736328,
2.606217384338379
] |
['In severe forms of cirrhosis reduced liver synthesis of thrombopoietin (Tpo) can contribute to thrombocytopenia. In the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis, portal hypertension is the most evident clinical complication, although a deficiency of protein synthesis may be detected early. Our aim was to determine, for the first time in schistosomiasis, Tpo serum concentrations in patients with chronic forms of the disease.', 'Twenty-four patients with the pure form of schistosomiasis were studied; 13 had the hepatosplenic form (HE, with portal hypertension) and 11 had the hepatointestinal form (HI, without portal hypertension). Patients were HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HCV negative, and reported alcohol ingestion below 160 g/week.', 'The Tpo serum concentration, determined in 10 healthy volunteers, varied from undetectable (< 15 pg/mL) to 489 pg/mL (median 208 pg/mL). The HE and HI groups differed (p = 0.004) in regard to the prothrombin index, thrombocytemia and gamma-glutamyltransferase but not in regard to Tpo (p = 0.622). No significant correlation was found between Tpo and the other parameters (p > 0.05).'] Do thrombopoietin serum levels correlate with thrombocytopenia in hepatic schistosomiasis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1803808212280273,
-1.440346360206604,
2.647420644760132
] |
['In contrast to the normal adult liver, the fetal human and rat livers, and the liver of rats with cholestasis secondary to bile duct resection (BDR) express the preproenkephalin (ppENK) mRNA, which codes for the endogenous opioid peptide Met-enkephalin. In addition, Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity (MEIR) is detected in hepatocytes and in proliferating bile ductules in the cholestatic rat liver. These data suggest that cholestasis is associated with the resurgence of cells that produce Met-enkephalin. To explore further the status of opioids in cholestasis, we studied the expression of MEIR in liver tissue.', 'The MEIR was sought in paraffin-preserved liver tissues from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) (n = 10).', 'The MEIR was detected in all the PBC livers. Its intensity varied from weak to strong on hepatocytes and bile ducts and the strongest expression appeared as coarse granules. The MEIR was either absent or only faintly expressed by some hepatocytes from disease and nondisease control biopsies, but absent from bile ducts.'] Is hepatic Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity enhanced in primary biliary cirrhosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4465835094451904,
-1.3077600002288818,
2.868778705596924
] |
['The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal human immunodeficiency virus infection and adverse perinatal outcomes.', 'A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a population of pregnant women who were delivered in a large inner-city hospital between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 1995. The study population consisted of 563 women who were human immunodeficiency virus seropositive and 2252 control subjects who were human immunodeficiency virus seronegative. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi2 tests, and logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders.', 'Women who were seropositive were more likely than control subjects to deliver low birth weight infants (29.3% vs 16.3%; odds ratio, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.68-2.64), preterm infants (28.9% vs 18.2%; odds ratio, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.45-2.38), and intrauterine growth-restricted infants (16.5% vs 10.6%; odds ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.26-2.19). They were also more likely to have perinatal deaths (11.5% vs 8.3% odds ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.03-1.95). The risk of fetal malformations, fetal distress, and route of delivery were similar between the groups. After race, parity, alcohol use, prenatal care, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, percent ideal body weight, and sexually transmitted diseases were controlled with logistic regression, the increased risk of low birth weight (adjusted odds ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.14-1.86) and preterm delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.70) persisted.'] Is human immunodeficiency virus infection a risk factor for adverse perinatal outcome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0126166343688965,
-1.1213257312774658,
2.1912426948547363
] |
['The response of tumors to chemotherapy (CHT) exhibits wide individual variations.', 'We examined the incidence of polymorphic TNF genes in 61 patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma.', 'During treatment, the patients were divided as responders or non-responders, depending upon the amount of CHT required for a clinical eradication of the tumor. The incidence of TNFa4, a microsatellite allele associated with low TNF production in leukocytes, was significantly higher in responders than in non-responders (25.7% vs 0 %, p=0.04). We also examined the incidence of tumor relapses 2-5 years after treatment. The incidence of TNFa4 was also significantly higher in patients with relapses, than in those without relapses (41.1% vs 9.3%, p=0.007).'] Is polymorphic tumor necrosis factors microsatellite TNFa4 associated with resistance of Hodgkin lymphoma to chemotherapy and with replapses after therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2226736545562744,
-1.1855205297470093,
2.445222854614258
] |
['In this study we evaluated the ability of inducing activation of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) for the development of a new adjuvant therapy of osteosarcomas. The pathway that has described in the literature states that IDO activity is elevated by IFN-gamma. This mechanism is important because the increased IDO activation induces an intracellular degradation of the essential amino acid tryptophan and thereby activates apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells.', 'Four different well-established human osteosarcoma cell lines (MNNG/HOS, KHOS-240, HOS and MG-63) were investigated in vitro. Several cytokines were tested for their ability to induce IDO activity. However special emphasis was placed to evaluate the synergistic effects of Interleukin-12 (IL-12) in combination with Interleukin-18 (IL-18). In the first series of experiments IDO induction was investigated by direct application of the cytokines IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-12 and IL-18 in different concentrations. Secondly, the increase of IDO expression from osteosarcoma cell lines was analysed in the presence of activated lymphocytes with or without cytokine application.', 'Our results demonstrated that the combined application of IL-12 and IL-18 enhanced IDO activity in the human osteosarcoma cell lines HOS and MG-63, in the presence of activated lymphocytes. In the absence of activated lymphocytes, no significant enhancement could be detected. In all our experiments the increase in IDO expression was only partly inhibited by blocking INF-gamma.'] Do interleukin-12 and interleukin-18 induce indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase ( IDO ) activity in human osteosarcoma cell lines independently from interferon-gamma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3654658794403076,
-1.3351973295211792,
2.7288506031036377
] |
['Altered brain phospholipid metabolism may be involved in the pathophysiology of cocaine dependence and mood disorders. Evidence suggests that citicoline, a rate-limiting metabolite for phospholipid synthesis, reduces cocaine craving in human addicts. Because antidepressants can reduce cocaine craving, we explored in rats the possibility that citicoline has antidepressant effects. We also tested the primary metabolites of citicoline, cytidine and choline.', 'We examined if citicoline or metabolites alter immobility in the forced swim test. We used two scoring methods: latency to become immobile, a simple method that identifies antidepressants, and behavioral sampling, a complex method that differentiates antidepressants according to pharmacological mechanisms.', 'Over a range of doses, citicoline did not affect behavior in the forced swim test. At molar equivalent doses, cytidine dramatically decreased immobility, whereas choline tended to increase immobility. The effects of cytidine resemble those of desipramine, a standard tricyclic antidepressant. None of the treatments affected locomotor activity, and cytidine did not establish conditioned place preferences.'] Do antidepressant-like effects of cytidine in the forced swim test in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4584245681762695,
-1.027016520500183,
2.5431084632873535
] |
['This study was designed to investigate whether myocardial collagen content is related to myocardial stiffness in patients with essential hypertension.', 'The study was performed in 34 patients with hypertensive heart disease. Nineteen of these patients were also evaluated after 12 months of treatment with losartan. Transvenous endomyocardial biopsies of the interventricular septum were performed to quantify collagen volume fraction (CVF). Left ventricular (LV) chamber stiffness (K(LV)) was determined from the deceleration time of the early mitral filling wave as measured by Doppler echocardiography. Histological analysis at baseline revealed the presence of 2 subgroups of patients: 8 with severe fibrosis and 26 with nonsevere fibrosis. Values of CVF and K(LV) were significantly higher in the 2 subgroups of hypertensives than in normotensives. In addition, compared with patients with nonsevere fibrosis, patients with severe fibrosis exhibited significantly increased values of CVF and K(LV). After treatment, CVF and K(LV) decreased significantly in patients with severe fibrosis (n=7). None of these parameters changed significantly after treatment in patients with nonsevere fibrosis (n=12). CVF was directly correlated with K(LV) (r=0.415, P<0.02) in all hypertensives.'] Is losartan-dependent regression of myocardial fibrosis associated with reduction of left ventricular chamber stiffness in hypertensive patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.095736503601074,
-1.448418140411377,
2.570798397064209
] |
['Atherosclerotic plaque progression is frequently accompanied by compensatory enlargement to preserve the lumen. These enlarging plaques develop features of vulnerability, however, leading to disruption and lumen obstruction. This complex transition from compensatory expansion to plaque disruption may not derive solely from progressive intimal disease. Concurrent changes at the intimomedial interface and within the tunica media and adventitia may play a role in plaque instability. We tested this hypothesis by investigating whether interface changes, including internal elastic lamina (IEL) rupture, and medial and adventitial changes, including inflammation, fibrosis, and atrophy, more frequently accompany disrupted than nondisrupted atherosclerotic plaques.', 'Computerized planimetry and ocular micrometry were used for systematic quantification of intimal, medial, and adventitial histopathological features in 598 human aortic plaques according to the AHA classification. Disrupted plaques exhibited larger plaque and lipid pool areas (P=0.0001) and a higher incidence of rupture of the IEL (P=0.0001). Medial and adventitial inflammation (P=0.01), medial fibrosis (P=0.0001), and medial atrophy (P=0.0001) were also higher in disrupted plaques. Furthermore, medial thickness was reduced in disrupted plaques (P=0.0001). Logistic regression analysis identified rupture of the IEL as an independent predictor for fibrous cap disruption (P=0.0001).'] Is intimomedial interface damage and adventitial inflammation increased beneath disrupted atherosclerosis in the aorta : implications for plaque vulnerability? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.294862985610962,
-1.3377161026000977,
2.6853818893432617
] |
['Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCL) is more frequently encountered by neurosurgeons given the increasing incidence among both nonimmunocompromised and immunocompromised patients. The most frequent surgery is stereotactic biopsy. Historically, radiation therapy has been the standard treatment modality for this disease and median survival was in the 15-month range. More recently, multi-modality therapy combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy (systemic, intrathecal, and/or intra-arterial) have resulted in longer survivals. We reviewed survival data for our series of patients treated for PCL over the last decade.', 'Thirty-four patients with histologically confirmed PCL were treated at our center. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine which factor(s) (age, gender, HIV status, Karnofsky Performance Scale, chemotherapy, single modality therapy, histology, location, number of lesions, surgical resection) had a significant impact on survival.', 'The overall median survival was 19 months. Patients receiving multi-modality therapy (n=17) (chemotherapy and radiation) had a median survival of 34 months compared to four months for patients receiving single modality therapy (n=17 including seven HIV positive patients). Multi-modality therapy was the only significant factor affecting survival in this multivariate analysis (p<0.0001).'] Does multi-modality therapy lead to longer survival in primary central nervous system lymphoma patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.063403367996216,
-1.2974131107330322,
2.4278650283813477
] |
['Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) has diverse functions within cells, including increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to cytotoxic drugs including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and methotrexate. However, the regulators of TP still remains largely unknown.', 'In this study, we examined whether tamoxifen has specific effects on TP expression in the T47D breast cancer cell line. We studied the TP expression in the T47D cell line before and after tamoxifen treatment using Western blot analysis and ELISA.', 'We found that TP expression is significantly up-regulated in tamoxifen-treated cells compared with control.'] Is thymidine phosphorylase regulated by tamoxifen in T47D breast cancer cell line? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.435617685317993,
-1.0037957429885864,
2.5223069190979004
] |
['To examine how hypoxia influences ionizing irradiation-induced apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells and how a hypoxic cell radiosensitizer sensitizes apoptosis under hypoxic conditions.', 'Two cell lines derived from human lymphocytes, HL60 and MOLT-4, were exposed to 15 Gy X-rays under aerobic and hypoxic conditions. Etanidazole was used as a hypoxic cell radiosensitizer. The apoptotic morphological changes of nuclei and the induction of ladder-like DNA fragmentation were assessed by fluorescence microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively.', 'In HL60 cells, apototic cell death and the activation of caspases 8, 9 and 3 were less induced under the hypoxic conditions than under the aerobic ones. Treatment of hypoxic cells with etanidazole enhanced X-ray-induced apoptosis and caspase activation. However, in MOLT-4 cells, neither hypoxia nor etanidazole influenced X-ray-induced apoptosis and caspase activation. In both cell lines, the frequency of X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) under hypoxia was significantly smaller than that in aerobic conditions. Treatment of hypoxic cells with etanidazole enhanced them.'] Do hypoxia and etanidazole alter radiation-induced apoptosis in HL60 cells but not in MOLT-4 cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5073611736297607,
-1.1541519165039062,
2.689892053604126
] |
['In Gram-positive bacteria, signal peptide-bearing secretory proteins are translocated through the cytoplasmic membrane and fold into their native conformation on the outside of the cell. The products of the Bacillus subtilis wprA and dltB genes separately influence post-translocational stages of the secretion process by mediating proteolytic degradation and folding of secretory proteins. Inactivation of either wprA or dltB in B. subtilis increases the yield of secretory proteins released into the culture medium in an intact and biologically active conformation. The aim of this work was to study the combined influence of these genes.', 'A wprA/dltB double mutant was constructed, but did not have an additive effect on secretion and caused a significant reduction in the yield of alpha-amylase.'] Does simultaneous inactivation of the wprA and dltB genes of Bacillus subtilis reduce the yield of alpha-amylase? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.707244873046875,
-0.5700441002845764,
2.295060396194458
] |
['To investigate the changes in hemodynamic profile during cardiopulmonary bypass, and determine the effect of intravenous (IV) heparin on serum chemistry and acid-base status.', 'Prospective study.', 'Three Canadian hospitals.', '43 consecutive patients undergoing elective aortocoronary bypass.', 'Anesthetic technique was standarized. Hemodynamic profile, blood gases, and serum electrolytes were measured immediately before IV heparin for cardiopulmonary bypass, and 5 minutes after.', 'Mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased by a mean of 11.2 mmHg (12.5%, p = 0.0001) in all patients, of whom 28% were treated with vasoactive drugs to restore MAP. Mean systemic vascular resistance decreased by 418 dyne sec/cm(5) (25%, p = 0.0001), and mean serum potassium increased by 0.14 meq/L (p = 0.0002). The reduction in MAP correlated strongly with the reduction in SVR (p = 0.004), but not with changes in potassium or other variables.'] Is intravenous heparin for cardiopulmonary bypass an acute vasodilator? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2487895488739014,
-1.3917474746704102,
2.7016401290893555
] |
['To assess the safety and efficacy of ondansetron for prevention of pruritus, nausea and vomiting after cesarean delivery with intrathecal sufentanil-morphine.', 'Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.', 'Referral center, institutional practice.', '100 nonbreastfeeding women undergoing elective cesarean delivery with sufentanil-morphine-bupivacaine anesthesia.', 'After the umbilical cord was clamped, patients in Group 1 received ondansetron 8 mg intravenously (IV) and patients in Group 2 received placebo.', 'Frequency and severity of postoperative (24-hour) pruritus, nausea and vomiting, surgical pain, and side effects related to ondansetron were recorded.', 'In the ondansetron group, 38 patients had pruritus (16 mild and 22 severe) and 9 patients had nausea and vomiting (5 mild and 4 severe). In the placebo group, 41 patients had pruritus (21 mild and 20 severe) and 29 patients had nausea and vomiting (9 mild and 15 severe). The frequency and severity of the nausea and vomiting episodes were significantly reduced in the ondansetron group. Pain scores were comparable between groups. No side effects related to ondansetron were reported.'] Is prophylactic ondansetron effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting but not on pruritus after cesarean delivery with intrathecal sufentanil-morphine? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4248268604278564,
-1.1897399425506592,
2.7192137241363525
] |
['Transcranial Doppler sonography measures blood flow velocity in basal cerebral vessels with high accuracy and time resolution. Dynamic blood flow tests were used to investigate functional integrity of the cerebral autoregulation (CA) mechanism. It is known from cortical activation studies that velocity indices differ in their appropriateness to measure changes in blood flow velocity. We aimed to compare the peak systolic, end diastolic and time-averaged mean flow velocity indices for their use in measuring the effectiveness of the CA mechanism.', 'We performed the leg cuff test to induce in 15 healthy volunteers (aged 24.8 +/- 0.4 years, 9 males) CA due to a sudden arterial blood pressure decrease. Data from the middle and posterior cerebral arteries were measured continuously with transcranial Doppler ultrasound, and the arterial blood pressure with a noninvasive photoplethysmographic method. After transforming all variables to relative changes, velocity-pressure diagrams were calculated for each velocity-pressure index. Additionally, we calculated the autoregulation index.', 'The step decrease in arterial blood pressure resulted in an initial drop, which is followed by a rapid recovery of cerebral blood flow velocity. The autoregulation index was 5.5 +/- 1. Efficacy of CA is illustrated more accurately by peak systolic velocity-pressure curves, which lie continuously above a passive velocity-pressure relationship assuming CA to be absent.'] Does peak systolic velocity Doppler index reflect most appropriately the dynamic time course of intact cerebral autoregulation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.060185194015503,
-1.1679757833480835,
2.2982711791992188
] |
['We investigated if dendritic cells (DC), derived from patients suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) could be modified by recombinant replication-defective adenoviruses to express functional interleukin 2 (IL-2). Such modification might confer onto antigen-presenting cells the ability to stimulate expansion of effector cells.', 'To quantify the infection efficiency of CML dendritic cells (CML-DC) by recombinant adenovirus, we measured the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene contained in the virus. In CML-DC infected with an adenovirus containing the IL-2 gene, we evaluated their ability to secrete IL-2 and stimulate proliferation of autologous T cells.', 'Uninfected CML-DC and normal DC secreted similar amounts of IL-12 and stimulated similarly efficient autologous mixed leukocyte reaction. Immature CML-DC infected by an adenovirus containing the gene for IL-2 secreted large amounts of IL-2 and stimulated proliferation of autologous T cells more efficiently than the corresponding CML-DC alone. High levels of interferon eta, but not of IL-4, in cell culture supernates indicated that the proliferating cells were T(H)1. Infected mature CML-DC were more effective than infected immature CML-DC, showing that T cell stimulation by mature DC and by IL-2 was additive.'] Does transgenic interleukin 2 secreted by CML dendritic cells stimulate autologous T ( H ) 1 T cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.408022880554199,
-1.2551653385162354,
2.740675926208496
] |
['Our purpose was to determine which was the most reliable method for differentiating glomerular from non-glomerular (lower urinary tract) hematuria by microscopic examination of urinary red blood cells: dysmorphic red cell count or acanthocyte count. The latter is a special type of dysmorphic red cell specific to glomerular hematuria.', 'Urine samples of 170 patients with hematuria [73 had renal and 97 non-renal (urological) pathology] were analyzed. Urinary sediment phase-contrast microscopy was performed to determine the percentage of dysmorphic red cells and acanthocytes in each patient. Data were correlated with the diagnosis.', 'Glomerular hematuria defined as dysmorphic red cell count > 35% showed a sensitivity and specificity of 69% and 100%, respectively. Glomerular hematuria defined as acanthocytes > 5% showed a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 100%, respectively.'] Is [ Acanthocyturia more efficient in to differentiate glomerular from non-glomerular hematuria then dysmorphic erythrocytes ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3435862064361572,
-1.225612759590149,
2.7095768451690674
] |
['Intracellular sodium concentration ([Na(+)](i)) modulates cardiac contractile and electrical activity through Na/Ca exchange (NCX). Upregulation of NCX in heart failure (HF) may magnify the functional impact of altered [Na(+)](i).', 'We measured [Na(+)](i) by using sodium binding benzofuran isophthalate in control and HF rabbit ventricular myocytes (HF induced by aortic insufficiency and constriction). Resting [Na(+)](i) was 9.7+/-0.7 versus 6.6+/-0.5 mmol/L in HF versus control. In both cases, [Na(+)](i) increased by approximately 2 mmol/L when myocytes were stimulated (0.5 to 3 Hz). To identify the mechanisms responsible for [Na(+)](i) elevation in HF, we measured the [Na(+)](i) dependence of Na/K pump-mediated Na(+) extrusion. There was no difference in V(max) (8.3+/-0.7 versus 8.0+/-0.8 mmol/L/min) or K(m) (9.2+/-1.0 versus 9.9+/-0.8 mmol/L in HF and control, respectively). Therefore, at measured [Na(+)](i) levels, the Na/K pump rate is actually higher in HF. However, resting Na(+) influx was twice as high in HF versus control (2.3+/-0.3 versus 1.1+/-0.2 mmol/L/min), primarily the result of a tetrodotoxin-sensitive pathway.'] Is intracellular Na ( + ) concentration elevated in heart failure but Na/K pump function is unchanged? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0834931135177612,
-1.7576273679733276,
1.8395873308181763
] |
['To investigate the relationship between anthropometry at birth and glucose/insulin metabolism in childhood using the response to an oral glucose challenge.', 'Four hundred mother/child pairs on whom gestational and birth data were available were studied. After an overnight fast, anthropometric measurements were made on the children and an oral glucose tolerance test performed. The plasma concentrations of insulin, pro-insulin and 32-33 split pro-insulin were also measured. Skinfold thicknesses were used to calculate percentage body fat and fat mass was derived from the percentage fat and absolute weight.', 'The mean age of the children was 8 y (range 7.5-10.5), and six exhibited impaired glucose tolerance based on WHO criteria. Insulin concentration 120 min after the oral glucose load (a measure of insulin resistance) was inversely related to length at birth (P<0.005). The children who were in the shortest quartile at birth and were heaviest at 8 y old had the highest insulin concentration.'] Is shortness at birth associated with insulin resistance in pre-pubertal Jamaican children? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8255587816238403,
-0.24966689944267273,
1.15665602684021
] |
['To determine whether healthy males who consumed increased amounts of dietary stearic acid compared with increased dietary palmitic acid through the consumption of commercially available foods, exhibited any changes in plasma lipids, platelet aggregation or platelet activation status.', 'A randomised cross-over dietary intervention.', 'Nine free-living healthy males consumed two experimental diets (stearic acid enriched, diet S, and palmitic acid enriched, diet P) for 3 weeks in a randomised cross-over design separated by a 3 week washout phase. The diets consisted of approximately 30% of energy as fat (30% of which was derived from the treatment diets) providing approximately 13 g/day as stearic acid and 17 g/day as palmitic acid on diet S and approximately 7 g/day as stearic acid and 22 g/day as palmitic acid on diet P. The dietary ratio of stearic to palmitic acids was 0.76 on diet S compared with 0.31 on diet P. Blood samples were collected on days 0 and 21 of each dietary period.', 'LDL cholesterol levels and platelet aggregation response to the agonist ADP were significantly decreased (P<0.025) in subjects on diet S compared with day 0. Apart from that, there were no significant changes in plasma lipids, platelet aggregation, mean platelet volume and platelet reactivity between diets. There were no significant changes in stearic or palmitic acid levels in plasma phospholipid or triacylglycerol. There was a significant difference in palmitic acid levels in platelet phospholipids between the two diets.'] Do short-term diets enriched in stearic or palmitic acids alter plasma lipids , platelet aggregation or platelet activation status? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.386181116104126,
-0.9195870757102966,
2.333077907562256
] |
['Concern has been raised that Helicobacter pylori therapy may lead to the development of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This prospective study was designed to assess reflux-related quality of life and the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in patients undergoing H. pylori therapy.', 'Patients with a primary complaint of dyspepsia (upper abdominal pain or discomfort) and endoscopic biopsy positive for H. pylori received triple therapy for 2 weeks. A validated reflux-related quality of life questionnaire sensitive to change was given at baseline, 1 month and 6 months after therapy; symptoms were also recorded. A urea breath test was performed 1 month after the end of therapy; patients and investigators were blind to the results.', 'H. pylori was eradicated in 48 of 61 patients. The mean scores in cured patients for each of the five domains were comparable at baseline and 6 months after therapy: differences were - 0.23 to 0.13 (P > 0.20) on a scale of 1-7. The proportion of cured patients with a large decrease in quality of life (10-17% in the five domains) was similar to the proportion with a large increase (15-21%). Heartburn was present at baseline in 22 cured patients; at 6 months, it persisted in 13 and resolved in nine, whilst nine patients developed new heartburn.'] Does helicobacter pylori eradication worsen quality of life related to reflux symptoms : a prospective trial? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.511988639831543,
-0.83852618932724,
2.4615907669067383
] |
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