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['We sought to investigate whether pseudonormal (PN) filling was associated with death or hospital admission in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).', 'The high mortality rate associated with CHF is related to many clinical and echocardiographic variables. In particular, a short mitral deceleration time and restrictive diastolic filling predict death and/or hospital admission. We hypothesized that differentiating patients with nonrestrictive filling might identify an intermediate PN group that may be associated with intermediate risk.', 'A total of 115 patients admitted to the hospital for exacerbation of CHF symptoms underwent pre-discharge Doppler echocardiography to determine mitral inflow (before and after preload reduction) and pulmonary venous return. Patients were followed up for one year, and all-cause mortality and re-admission data were analyzed.', 'The classification of filling patterns was: abnormal relaxation (AR) in 46 (40%) patients, pseudonormal (PN) filling in 42 (36.5%) patients and restrictive filling pattern (RFP) in 27 (23.4%) patients. When comparing the RFP group with the AR group, all-cause mortality was higher (38.4% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.033), hospital admission was higher (70.3% vs. 54.3%, p = 0.073), death/hospital admission was higher (77.8% vs. 56.5%, p = 0.02), CHF hospital admission was higher (40.7% vs. 15.2%, p = 0.01) and death/CHF hospital admission was higher (62.9% vs. 26.1%, p = 0.0005). Mortality in the PN group was not significantly different from that in the two other groups, but re-admissions were higher than the AR group (76.2% vs. 54.3%, p = 0.006), as was death/re-admission (78.6% vs. 56.5%, p = 0.004) and death/CHF re-admission (47.6% vs. 26.1%, p = 0.03). Re-admissions in the PN and RFP groups were comparable.'] Does pseudonormal mitral filling pattern predict hospital re-admission in patients with congestive heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4035125970840454,
-1.563201904296875,
1.942312479019165
] |
['This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between anemia and heart failure (HF) prognosis.', 'Although it is known that chronic diseases, including HF, may be associated with anemia, the impact of hemoglobin (Hb) level on symptoms and survival in HF has not been fully defined. We analyzed a cohort of 1,061 patients with advanced HF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class III or IV and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <40%) referred to a single center for evaluation and management. The Hb level was drawn at time of initial evaluation. Patients were divided into quartiles of Hb: Hb <12.3; Hb 12.3 to 13.6; Hb 13.7 to 14.8; Hb >14.8 g/dl.', 'Mean Hb was 13.6, and values ranged from 7.1 to 19.0 g/dl. The Hb groups were similar in age, medication profile, LVEF, hypertension, diabetes, smoking status and serum sodium. Lower Hb was associated with an impaired hemodynamic profile, higher blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, and lower albumin, total cholesterol and body mass index. Patients in the lower Hb quartiles were more likely to be NYHA functional class IV (p < 0.0001) and have lower peak oxygen consumption (PKVO(2)) (p < 0.0001). Survival at one year was higher with increased Hb quartile (55.6%, 63.9%, 71.4% and 74.4% for quartiles 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). On multivariate analysis adjusting for known HF prognostic factors, low Hb proved to be an independent predictor of mortality (relative risk 1.131, confidence interval 1.045 to 1.224 for each decrease of 1 g/dl).'] Is anemia associated with worse symptoms , greater impairment in functional capacity and a significant increase in mortality in patients with advanced heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7691494226455688,
-1.5464911460876465,
2.2501635551452637
] |
['We sought to determine whether the relationship between heart rate (HR) and QT interval (QT) differs as HR increases in response to exercise, atropine and isoproterenol.', 'Autonomic nervous system influences on repolarization are poorly understood and may complicate the interpretation of QT measurements.', 'Twenty-five normal subjects sequentially underwent graded-intensity bicycle exercise, atropine injection and isoproterenol infusion. Serial 12-lead electrocardiograms were recorded at steady state during each condition and analyzed using interactive computer software. The HR-QT data were modeled linearly and the slopes (quantifying QT adaptation to HR) as well as the QT intervals at 100 beats/min for each intervention were compared by repeated-measures analysis of variance.', 'As HR increased, QT was longer for isoproterenol in comparison to exercise or atropine, which were similar. The HR-QT slope (ms/beats/min) was less steep for isoproterenol (-0.83 +/- 0.53) than for atropine (-1.45 +/- 0.21) or exercise (-1.37 +/- 0.23) (p < 0.0001). In comparison to men, women had more negative HR-QT slopes during all interventions. At 100 beats/min, the QT was 364 ms during isoproterenol, which was significantly longer than that during exercise (330 ms) or atropine (339 ms) (p < 0.0001). Isoproterenol produced a dose-dependent increase in U-wave amplitude that was not observed during exercise or atropine.'] Does autonomic nervous system influence on QT interval in normal subjects? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.368411660194397,
-1.572469711303711,
1.946735143661499
] |
['Human vascular endothelial cells express the estrogen receptor-beta (ER-beta), which can be modulated by the opiate alkaloid morphine.', 'To determine if morphine is capable of down regulating the ER-beta receptor in a similar fashion as the mu opiate receptor since they are both coupled to constitutive nitric oxide synthase derived nitric oxide release.', 'Endothelial cells obtain from human vascular tissues (saphenous vein, atria and primary saphenous vein cells) were treated with 1 uM morphine plus or minus the mu opiate receptor antagonist naloxone or CTOP (10 uM) for 24 h at 37 degrees C. Total RNA was isolated from treated and untreated primary endothelial cells, and specific primers and a probe were used to determine the ER-beta gene expression by real-time RT-PCR. Cells treated with morphine exhibited a down-regulation of ER-beta, whereas naloxone and CTOP were able to partially block the morphine effect. In addition, the 266 bp fragment generated by RT-PCR using the same primers as in the real-time PCR was sequenced and revealed a 100% sequence identity as the authentic ER-beta gene sequence.'] Does morphine down regulate human vascular tissue estrogen receptor expression determined by real-time RT-PCR? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.420382261276245,
-1.3057785034179688,
2.780540943145752
] |
['Unpredictability has been postulated to be fundamental to anxiety and mood disorders. The origin of this unpredictability remains obscure. Because classical conditioning promotes predictability, this study investigated whether failure to learn conditioned stimulus (CS)-unconditioned stimulus (US) relationship during fear conditioning increased anxiety and avoidance.', "Healthy subjects participated in two similar differential fear conditioning sessions separated by 1 week (n = 72) or a month (n = 61) in which one of two conditioned stimuli was associated with a shock/US. Following initial acquisition, subjects' awareness of CS-US relationship was assessed. Conditioned responses (CR) to the CS and to the experimental context were examined using the startle reflex and the skin conductance. Avoidance was operationally defined as failure to return for the second session.", 'Only aware subjects showed differential CR. In the unaware subjects, the deficit in differential conditioning was associated with increased signs of anxiety during the first and second sessions. In addition, there was greater avoidance in the unaware subjects.'] Do associative learning deficits increase symptoms of anxiety in humans? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5874993801116943,
0.67453533411026,
0.9684932231903076
] |
['Extensive studies on anesthetic mechanisms have focused on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and to a lesser extent on the muscarinic receptor. We designed the present study to test the hypothesis that cholinergic receptors mediate some of the depressant actions of a volatile anesthetic in rat spinal cord. The cord was removed from 2- to 7-day-old rats and superfused in vitro; ventral root potentials were evoked by stimulating a lumbar dorsal root and recording from the corresponding ipsilateral ventral root. Both nicotine and muscarine depressed the nociceptive-related slow ventral root potential (sVRP). The nicotinic antagonists mecamylamine, methyllycaconitine, dihydro-beta-erythroidine, and the muscarinic antagonist atropine blocked the depressant effects of the respective agonists. Isoflurane 0.3 mini- mum alveolar anesthetic concentration depressed the sVRP area to approximately 40% of control. None of the antagonists changed the extent of isoflurane depression of the sVRP. The depressant actions of cholinergic agonists suggest that cholinergic receptors are important in spinal neurotransmission, but the lack of interaction between antagonists and isoflurane suggests that cholinergic receptors have little part in mediating the actions of this anesthetic in spinal cord. Because minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration is determined primarily in spinal cord, cholinergic receptors may be eliminated as molecular targets for this anesthetic end-point.'] Do acetylcholine receptors mediate isoflurane 's actions on spinal cord in vitro? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5171587467193604,
-1.1849565505981445,
2.7299368381500244
] |
['To establish the prevalence of sarcopenia in older Americans and to test the hypothesis that sarcopenia is related to functional impairment and physical disability in older persons.', 'Cross-sectional survey.', 'Nationally representative cross-sectional survey using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).', 'Fourteen thousand eight hundred eighteen adult NHANES III participants aged 18 and older.', 'The presence of sarcopenia and the relationship between sarcopenia and functional impairment and disability were examined in 4,504 adults aged 60 and older. Skeletal muscle mass was estimated from bioimpedance analysis measurements and expressed as skeletal muscle mass index (SMI = skeletal muscle mass/body mass x 100). Subjects were considered to have a normal SMI if their SMI was greater than -one standard deviation above the sex-specific mean for young adults (aged 18-39). Class I sarcopenia was considered present in subjects whose SMI was within -one to -two standard deviations of young adult values, and class II sarcopenia was present in subjects whose SMI was below -two standard deviations of young adult values.', 'The prevalence of class I and class II sarcopenia increased from the third to sixth decades but remained relatively constant thereafter. The prevalence of class I (59% vs 45%) and class II (10% vs 7%) sarcopenia was greater in the older (> or = 60 years) women than in the older men (P <.001). The likelihood of functional impairment and disability was approximately two times greater in the older men and three times greater in the older women with class II sarcopenia than in the older men and women with a normal SMI, respectively. Some of the associations between class II sarcopenia and functional impairment remained significant after adjustment for age, race, body mass index, health behaviors, and comorbidity.'] Is low relative skeletal muscle mass ( sarcopenia ) in older persons associated with functional impairment and physical disability? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.3074169456958771,
-1.3889325857162476,
0.7811909914016724
] |
['We tested the hypothesis that apoptotic trophoblasts from pregnancies associated with fetal growth restriction caused by preeclampsia or cigarette use exhibit enhanced expression of the proapoptotic proteins p53 and Bax and diminished expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2.', 'Placentas were obtained from women with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 4) or from women with pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction associated with preeclampsia, cigarette use, or both (n = 7). Placental sections were examined by means of hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, as well as by detection of cytokeratin 18 cleavage products indicative of apoptosis. The expression of p53 was examined by means of Western immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Bak, and Bcl-X(L) was analyzed by immunoblotting.', 'More apoptosis was found in the trophoblast layer of villi from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction than in the trophoblast layer of villi from control pregnancies. The enhanced apoptosis correlated with up-regulation of p53, primarily in cytotrophoblast nuclei. There was no difference between the two groups in expression of the proteins from the Bcl-2 family.'] Is trophoblast apoptosis from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction associated with enhanced p53 expression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.37884783744812,
-1.3107599020004272,
2.772747039794922
] |
['Leucocyte adhesion to the diabetic retinal vasculature has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. We evaluated the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in leucocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules and diabetic retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.', 'We determined ICAM-1, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), and leucocyte endothelial adhesion molecule-1 (LECAM-1) genotypes in 81 patients with and 50 without diabetic retinopathy.', 'The frequency of ICAM-1 469KK genotype and K allele were significantly higher in the patients with diabetic retinopathy than in those without retinopathy (genotype 42% vs. 20%, chi2 = 6.70, P = 0.035; allele 66% vs. 50%, chi2 = 6.49, P = 0.011). With regard to the PECAM-1 V125L and LECAM-1 P213S polymorphisms, there were no significant associations between the distribution of genotypes or allele frequencies and the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Independent of other risk factors, the ICAM-1 469KK genotype was associated with a 3.51-fold increased risk for retinopathy.'] Is intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( ICAM-1 ) polymorphism associated with diabetic retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.219036340713501,
-1.3953607082366943,
2.646949291229248
] |
['Intraductal papillary mucinous tumours (IPMT) of the pancreas constitute a unique pathological entity with an overall incidence of associated invasive malignancy of 20%. The malignant potential of an individual IPMT cannot be accurately predicted. Preoperative estimation of the risk of associated invasive malignancy with IPMT would be of significant clinical benefit. As aberrations in cell cycle regulatory genes are associated with the progression of precursor pancreatic ductal lesions to invasive adenocarcinoma, we examined expression of key cell cycle regulatory genes in the cyclin D1/retinoblastoma pathway and the transforming growth factor beta/Smad4 signalling pathway in a cohort of patients with surgically resected IPMT.', "Sections of formalin fixed paraffin embedded pancreatic tissue from a cohort of 18 patients with IPMT were examined using immunohistochemistry for protein expression of cell cycle regulatory genes p16(INK4A), p21(CIP1), p27(KIP1), cyclin D1, pRb, and p53, as well as the cell signalling molecule Smad4. A comparison of expression levels was made between adenoma/borderline IPMT (10 patients) and intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC) (eight patients, four of whom harboured invasive carcinoma). Statistical analysis was performed using the chi(2) and Fisher's exact tests.", 'Aberrant expression of the proteins examined increased in frequency from adenoma/borderline IPMT to IPMC. Specifically, there was a significantly greater incidence of loss of p16(INK4A) expression in IPMC: 8/8 lesions (100%) compared with 1/10 (10%) adenoma/borderline IPMT (p<0.001). Similarly, loss of Smad4 expression was associated with IPMC: 3/8 (38%) versus adenoma/borderline IPMT 0/10 (p<0.03). Loss of Smad4 expression within the IPMT was the best marker for the presence of invasive carcinoma (p<0.001).'] Is aberrant p16 ( INK4A ) and DPC4/Smad4 expression in intraductal papillary mucinous tumours of the pancreas associated with invasive ductal adenocarcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1668035984039307,
-1.5179760456085205,
2.7279622554779053
] |
['To investigate whether presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS) in The Netherlands is associated with HLA-DR2 and HLA-B7, as previously shown in the United States.', 'Twenty-four Dutch patients with POHS were included in this study. DNA isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes was typed for HLA by a sequence-based method. Associations were statistically determined. The frequencies of HLA alleles in bone marrow of donors listed on the European donor registry was used to represent the distribution in the normal population. Patients were included in the study only when no cells were present in the vitreous at any time and when fundus photographs fit the diagnosis made according to the following criteria: presence of peripapillary atrophy, presence of punched out chorioretinal lesions (histospots), and presence of a submacular scar. After the fundus photographs were judged, the patients were divided into two groups. Group1 contained patients who met all three diagnostic criteria (complete POHS), and group 2 contained patients who met one or two of the criteria (incomplete POHS).', 'Group 1 consisted of 14 patients and group 2 of 10 patients. An association between POHS and HLA-DR2 and -B7 was present, compared with the normal Dutch control subjects. Although significant, the association between the frequency of HLA-DR2 and -B7 of all patients with POHS was less striking than the findings in patients with POHS in the United States. The association with DR2 in patients with incomplete POHS (group 2) was significantly different from that in the group with complete POHS (group 1). According to the defined criteria the association of POHS with HLA-B7 and -DR2 was confined to the incomplete POHS group and was not found in the complete POHS group. Furthermore, analysis of DR at the amino acid level, rather than at the allele level (DR2) showed that amino acid 67 of the DRB1 alleles had the most significant HLA association with POHS, independent of the two groups.'] Is amino acid residue 67 ( isoleucine ) of HLA-DRB associated with POHS? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7149111032485962,
-1.4494223594665527,
2.2441463470458984
] |
['Regular fish consumption is associated with low cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Fish oils modify cardiac membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition with potent antiarrhythmic effects. We tested the effects of dietary fish oil on ventricular hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2).', 'Male Wistar rats were fed for 16 weeks on a reference diet rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), a diet rich in saturated animal fat (SAT), or a diet rich in n-3 PUFA from fish oil. Isolated working hearts were perfused with porcine erythrocytes (40% hematocrit) at 75 mm Hg afterload with variable preload (5 to 20 mm Hg) or with low coronary flow ischemia with maintained afterload, preload, and heart rate, then reperfused. MVO2 was low and coronary perfusion reserve high in n-3 PUFA hearts, and cardiac output increased with workload. The n-3 PUFA reduced ischemic markers-acidosis, K+, lactate, and creatine kinase-and increased contractile recovery during reperfusion. SAT hearts had high MVO2, low coronary perfusion reserve, and poor contractile function and recovery. Dietary differences in MVO2 were abolished by KCl arrest (basal metabolism) or ruthenium red (3.4 micromol/L) but not by ryanodine (1 nmol/L). Fish oil or ryanodine, but not ruthenium red, prevented ventricular fibrillation in reperfusion.'] Does cardiac membrane fatty acid composition modulate myocardial oxygen consumption and postischemic recovery of contractile function? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3959691524505615,
-1.27266526222229,
2.757211208343506
] |
['Some transplant-related complications, such as the engraftment syndrome, are thought to be mediated by cytokines released during expansion of hematopoietic progenitors at the time of neutrophil recovery. Since there is an inverse correlation between CD34(+) cell dose and time to neutrophil recovery, we sought to determine if peritransplant toxicity and early mortality were adversely affected by high CD34(+) cell doses.', 'The study group included 186 women with breast cancer who received high-dose cyclophosphamide, carmustine, thiotepa and an autologous PBSC transplant. The median CD34(+) cell dose was 5.9 x 10(6)/kg (1.0-154.7 x 10(6)/kg). Patients were categorized by CD34(+) cell dose (1.0-3.5, 3.6-5.9, 6.0-19.9, and 20.0-154.7 x 10(6)/kg) for assessment of outcomes.', 'Grades 2-4 mucositis occurred in 49%, cardiac toxicity in 7%, pulmonary toxicity in 5%, cystitis in 4%, diarrhea in 3%, renal toxicity in 1%, and central nervous system toxicity in 1%. A Grade 2-4 regimen-related toxicity occurred in 109 patients (59%) and Grade 3-4 in eight patients (4%). Overall survival was 100% at Day 30, 96% at Day 90, and 89% at 1 year. Treatment-related mortality was 3.8%. In multivariate analyses that included prior chemotherapy, disease status, visceral metastases, prior chest radiation and age, CD34(+) cell dose group was not an independent risk factor for Grade 2-4 mucositis, Grade 2-4 maximum toxicity, Grade > or =3 cumulative toxicity, 90 day survival or 1 year survival.'] Do high CD34 cell doses worsen regimen-related toxicity or early mortality after autologous blood stem cell transplantation for breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7634505033493042,
-1.48545503616333,
2.2521443367004395
] |
['Mast cells are involved in early- and late-phase reactions by releasing vasoactive molecules, proteases, and cytokines. Certain histamine-1 receptor antagonists and other antiallergic drugs seem to inhibit the release of mediators from rat and human mast cells.', 'Azelastine and olopatadine are antiallergic agents present in the ophthalmic solutions azelastine hydrochloride (Optivar, Asta Medica/Muro Pharmaceuticals, Tewksbury, MA), and olopatadine hydrochloride (Patanol, Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX), respectively. We investigated the effect of these drugs on interleukin-6 (IL-6), tryptase, and histamine release from cultured human mast cells (CHMCs).', 'CHMCs were grown from human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells in the presence of stem cell factor and IL-6 for 14 to 16 weeks. Sensitized CHMCs were pretreated with various concentrations of azelastine or olopatadine for 5 minutes. CHMCs were then challenged with anti-immunoglobulin E, and the released mediators were quantitated.', 'The greatest inhibition of mediator release was seen with 24 microM azelastine; this level of inhibition was matched with the use of 133 microM olopatadine. At this concentration, these drugs inhibited IL-6 release by 83% and 74%, tryptase release by 55% and 79%, and histamine release by 41% and 45%, respectively. Activated CHMCs were characterized by numerous filopodia that were inhibited by both drugs as shown by electron microscopy.'] Is azelastine more potent than olopatadine n inhibiting interleukin-6 and tryptase release from human umbilical cord blood-derived cultured mast cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2530438899993896,
-1.3758015632629395,
2.6724815368652344
] |
['Beta2-adrenoceptor agonists, used widely as bronchodilator in treating bronchial asthma, may have anti-inflammatory activity.', 'We examined whether various widely prescribed beta2-adrenoceptor agonists differ in anti-inflammatory mechanisms.', 'We investigated effects of these drugs on superoxide anion generation by stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro using chemiluminescence.', 'At high concentrations, fenoterol significantly inhibited both N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine- and phorbol myristate acetate-induced superoxide generation by neutrophils. In contrast, salbutamol or procaterol partially inhibited generation with the former stimulus but not the latter. Inhibition by salbutamol or procaterol was completely reversed by either propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, or ICI-118551, a beta2-adrenoceptor-selective antagonist. In contrast, the effect of fenoterol at concentrations exceeding 10(-6) M against superoxide generation with the former stimulus was only partially reversed by antagonists, and the effect of high concentrations of fenoterol against generation with the latter stimulus was not reversed. No drugs scavenged superoxide at the highest concentration used (10(-5) M).'] Does fenoterol inhibit superoxide anion generation by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes via beta-adrenoceptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3405869007110596,
-1.2482894659042358,
2.6262047290802
] |
['The effects of proton pump inhibitors and Helicobacter pylori infection on the distribution of drugs used for the eradication of the bacteria are poorly understood.', 'The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 7-day administration of 20 mg of omeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin and ampicillin in the plasma, saliva and gastric juice of individuals with and without H. pylori infection.', 'Fifty-four healthy volunteers without endoscopic lesions were enrolled. Twenty-six volunteers were included in the amoxicillin study and 28 individuals in the ampicillin study. Each study had an open randomized two-period crossover design and a 21-day washout period between phases. Plasma, saliva and gastric juice concentrations of amoxicillin and ampicillin in subjects with and without omeprazole pre-treatment were measured by reversed-phase HPLC using UV detection.', 'Neither pre-treatment with omeprazole nor H. pylori infection interfered with the plasma bioavailability of amoxicillin or ampicillin, as assessed by the AUC0-2 h. Neither ampicillin nor amoxicillin were detected in saliva or gastric juice in any study phase.'] Are amoxicillin and ampicillin transferred to gastric juice irrespective of Helicobacter pylori status or acid blockade by omeprazole? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4306399822235107,
-1.3489128351211548,
2.8557610511779785
] |
["Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by functional impairment, cerebral atrophy, and degeneration of specific neuronal populations, especially pyramidal neurones of the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation. Although patients with subcortical vascular dementia have been shown to have similar metabolic and volumetric deficits to those with AD, the underlying pathogenesis of these changes is poorly understood.", 'To determine whether pyramidal cell loss occurs in small vessel disease (SVD) dementia by quantifying hippocampal volume and CA1 neurone number.', 'Fifty four prospectively studied patients with dementia were screened, and four patients fulfilling criteria for SVD with no other significant neuropathological abnormality were identified. These were compared with five patients fulfilling criteria for AD and seven controls matched for age and sex. The hippocampal formation was serially sectioned, and the number of CA1 pyramidal neurones estimated using the optical dissector technique. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate group differences.', 'Patients in both the AD and SVD groups showed a substantial loss of pyramidal neurones from the CA1 region. The pattern of hippocampal atrophy and the degree of CA1 neuronal loss were similar in the two dementia groups.'] Do patients with vascular dementia due to microvascular pathology have significant hippocampal neuronal loss? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.672544240951538,
-0.22336220741271973,
1.9528281688690186
] |
['Non-selective beta-adrenergic blockers may cause hyperkalemia in patients with end-stage renal failure. In contrast, alpha-adrenergic blockade has been found to decrease the hyperkalemic effect of physical exercise in healthy subjects, although we were unable to confirm this effect in hemodialysis patients. In a crossover design, we studied the effect of carvedilol, a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker with an additional alpha1-blocking activity, on exercise-induced hyperkalemia in 17 anuric hemodialysis patients.', 'All subjects were given either carvedilol (25 mg/day) or placebo for 2 weeks in a random order with a 2-week wash-out period. At the end of each treatment period they underwent a 30-minute exercise test on a bicycle ergometer with a fixed load of 20 W.', 'The treatment with carvedilol caused a significant decrease in blood pressure. Serum potassium before exercise tests was similar (5.37 +/- 0.2 and 5.24 +/- 0.2 mmol/l on carvedilol and placebo, respectively; mean +/- SE). During the exercise, serum potassium increased significantly (p < 0.001 in both tests) and subsequently decreased during 30 minutes of recovery (p < 0.05). The mean rate of potassium increment during the exercise was similar (23.3 +/- 3.3 micromol/l/min on carvedilol and 20.0 +/- 3.6 micromol/l/min on placebo). During recovery, the mean rate of potassium decrement was 5.0 +/- 3.0 micromol/l/min and 6.7 +/- 2.7 micromol/l/min, respectively. Serum sodium, ionized calcium, insulin and plasma renin activity were similar before the exercise tests and did not change during the exercise.'] Does carvedilol modulate moderate exercise-induced hyperkalemia in hemodialysis patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4460476636886597,
-1.6732572317123413,
2.066190242767334
] |
['High neuraxial drug infusion has been advocated for the treatment of intractable cranial and facial pain in humans. Currently, parallel animal models have not been characterized to support this methodology. We combined an accepted animal model of pain of cranial origin with a novel technique of cervico-medullary drug delivery to determine the antinociceptive potential of gabapentin. Gabapentin was chosen because of its reported efficacy in a wide array of complex cranial pain syndromes.', 'Male Wistar rats were implanted with intrathecal catheters that were advanced cephalad through a lumbar guide cannula to terminate in the high cervical spinal cord (C1-C4). Antinociception was assessed by the orofacial formalin test. Vehicle or gabapentin (3, 10, 30, 100 microg) was injected intrathecally followed 10 minutes later by injection of 2.5% formalin solution into the vibrissal pad. Motor assessment was evaluated in a separate group of animals.', 'Intrathecal gabapentin (10, 30, 100 microg) produced a dose-dependent decrease in the second phase of the behavioral response to formalin (P <.05). First-phase responses were unaffected by all doses of gabapentin. The ED50 (95% confidence limit) value for the second phase was 8.27 microg (3.50 to 14.5). No overt motor dysfunction or behavioral impairment was observed.'] Does gabapentin produce dose-dependent antinociception in the orofacial formalin test in the rat? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.312901020050049,
-1.3571982383728027,
2.7358851432800293
] |
['To evaluate the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) mRNA in stromal cells in response to injury in the presence of either TGF-beta1 or FGF-2. It has been shown previously that heparan sulfate proteoglycans and FGF-2 are present transiently during wound repair in vivo and that an increase in TGF-beta1 mRNA is detected rapidly after injury.', 'Primary corneal fibroblasts were cultured to confluency, serum starved, and linear wound(s) were made in medium containing TGF-beta1 or FGF-2. TGF-beta1 and FGF-2 mRNA expression were evaluated using both northern blot analysis and in situ hybridisation. Both dose dependent and time course experiments were performed. Whole eye organ culture experiments were also carried out and growth factor expression was assessed.', 'Injury and exogenous TGF-beta1 increased TGF-beta1 mRNA values. The increase in expression of FGF-2 mRNA was not detected until wound closure. In contrast, FGF-2 inhibited the expression of TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1 increased TGF-beta1 mRNA stability but did not alter that of FGF-2. Migration assay data demonstrated that unstimulated stromal cells could be activated to migrate to specific growth factors.'] Does tGF-beta1 regulate TGF-beta1 and FGF-2 mRNA expression during fibroblast wound healing? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5621707439422607,
-1.0154423713684082,
2.605654239654541
] |
['Mutations in the erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate-synthase gene (ALAS2) have been identified in many cases of X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA).', 'A polymerase chain reaction-mediated restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay was used.', 'A G527T point mutation was identified. This resulted in a substitution of tyrosine for asparagine at residue 159 (D159Y). This mutation was also identified in the mother of the two probands. Mutations in all three individuals were confirmed by DNA sequencing analysis.'] Does a novel mutation in exon 5 of the ALAS2 gene result in X-linked sideroblastic anemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3997180461883545,
-1.2568219900131226,
2.7147908210754395
] |
['Cyclo-oxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) are key enzymes in prostaglandin biosynthesis. COX-2 is induced by a wide variety of stimuli, and present during inflammation. COX-2 overexpression has been observed in colon, head and neck, lung, prostate, stomach, and breast cancer. In colon and gastric cancer, COX-2 expression was associated with angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between COX-2 expression and angiogenesis in breast cancer, and to correlate the expression of this enzyme with classic clinicopathological parameters.', 'COX-2 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis. The expression of COX-2 was then related to age, histological grade, nodal status, oestrogen receptor status, p53 expression,c-erb-B2 overexpression, mitotic counts, MIB-1 labelling index, apoptotic index, sialyl-Tn expression, transforming growth factor alpha expression, microvessel density, and disease free survival in 46 patients with invasive ductal breast carcinoma.', 'By means of immunohistochemistry, COX-2 expression was detected in eight of the 46 carcinomas studied. Western blotting showed COX-2 protein expression in the same breast tumours, but not in normal adjacent tissues. The density of microvessels immunostained with anti-F-VIII related antigen was significantly higher in patients with COX-2 expression than in those without expression (p = 0.03). In addition, COX-2 was significantly associated with the presence of sialyl-Tn expression (p = 0.02), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.03), a high apoptotic index (p = 0.03), and a short disease free survival (p = 0.03) in univariate analyses.'] Is cyclo-oxygenase 2 expression associated with angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in human breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.21396803855896,
-1.3901112079620361,
2.6291921138763428
] |
['Self sampling is considered an adjuvant tool to facilitate the participation of women in cervical cancer screening programmes. This study aimed to evaluate whether cervicovaginal lavage could be an alternative for the cervical smear in cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and to assess the acceptance of the self sampling device by women.', 'Fifty six women with abnormal cervical cytology (very mild dyskaryosis or worse) and 15 women with normal cervical cytology obtained a self collected cervicovaginal lavage at home and filled in a questionnaire on the use of the device. At the colposcopy clinic the gynaecologist performed the same procedure followed by a cervical smear for cytology and HPV DNA testing.', 'The self sampling device was acceptable to 88% of the women. The concordance between the cytology results in the smear and the lavage by the doctor and the patient was 54% and 41%, respectively (kappa = 0.28 and 0.14). The concordance between high risk HPV detection in the smear and the lavage by the doctor and the patient was 93% and 78%, respectively (kappa = 0.82 and 0.53). Ninety one per cent of the women with high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) had a high risk HPV positive test in the smear, compared with 91% and 81% in the lavages taken by the doctor and the patient, respectively.'] Is primary screening for high risk HPV by home obtained cervicovaginal lavage an alternative screening tool for unscreened women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.074963331222534,
-1.186942219734192,
2.377758264541626
] |
['The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the usefulness of the new beta2-adrenergic stimulant KUR-1246 as a tocolytic agent and (2) to clarify the mechanisms that underlie the diverse inhibitory effects of beta2-stimulants that are seen in human myometria in vitro.', 'The displacement of tritiated ([3H]) (-)CGP 12177 (0.4 nmol/L) by KUR-1246 and other beta2-stimulants was examined with human beta(1)- and beta2-receptors present on membrane fractions. The inhibitory effects of these beta2-stimulants on the term-pregnant human myometrium were compared with the use of isometric tension recording and microelectrode methods. Finally, the relationship between [3H]dihydroaloprenolol binding and the magnitude of the tocolytic effect of isoproterenol was examined.', 'KUR-1246 was approximately 80 times and 7 times more selective for beta2-receptors than isoproterenol and ritodrine, respectively. The inhibitory effect of KUR-1246 was as strong as the inhibitory effect of the conventional beta2-adrenergic stimulants. A wide range of inhibitory effects was observed, even when high concentrations of isoproterenol or KUR-1246 were applied. There was a correlation between the degree to which isoproterenol suppressed contractions and the number of [3H]dihydroaloprenolol binding sites on the membrane in each muscle strip.'] Is diversity of inhibitory responses to beta2-stimulants shown by term-pregnant human myometria in vitro partly due to differences in receptor density? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2626636028289795,
-1.3756825923919678,
2.631740093231201
] |
['Multiple modalities are available for treating acne scars, one of which is chemical peeling.', 'To evaluate the efficacy of medium-depth peels in the treatment of acne scars.', "A total of 15 patients (14 women and 1 man) were seen between November 1998 and March 2000. A medium-depth chemical peel was performed. The peel was performed using a combination of Jessner's solution followed by the application of 35% trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The mean age of patients who entered the study was 28 years. A total of 42 peeling sessions were performed: 13 patients had the full three-session regiment, 1 patient had two sessions, and 1 had only one session.", 'Patients in our study had two forms of acne scars, the atrophic saucer or crater-like form and the pitted (ice-pick) form. Improvement occurred in all except one of our patients. Significant improvement (greater than 75% clearance of lesions) occurred in 1 patient (6.6%), moderate improvement (51-75% clearance) in 8 patients (53.3%), mild improvement (26-50% clearance) in 4 patients (26.6%), minimal improvement (1-25% clearance) in 1 patient (6.6%), and no response in 1 patient (6.6%). All patients had different combinations of the above two forms. Four patients (26.6%) had mainly pitted scars and deep atrophic scars. The clinical response in those patients was moderate, mild, minimal, and no response, respectively. The remainder of our patients had mainly atrophic scars of moderate depth. Nine patients (73.4%) suffered from transient postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. In two of them it was preceded by erythema that lasted for more than 1 month. All patients were free of noticeable pigmentation 3 months after the final peel. Patients in whom hyperpigmentation did not develop were of light brown complexion.'] Does medium-depth chemical peel in the treatment of acne scars in dark-skinned individuals? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7118052244186401,
-1.399362325668335,
2.0791776180267334
] |
['The objective of the current study was to determine whether therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) results in long-lasting neurologic signs or electrophysiologic injuries within the motor tracts.', 'Twenty-seven children who were treated for ALL were studied clinically 5 years after the cessation of therapy by means of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by magnetic stimulation transcranially and peripherally. An equal number of healthy children matched with regard to age, gender, and height served as the control group.', 'The MEP latencies to the hands and legs elicited by stimulation at the cortex were prolonged significantly in the children treated for ALL compared with the control group, with the differences being 2.2 milliseconds [ms] (P < 0.001) from the cortex to the thenar on the right side and 2.0 ms (P < 0.001) on the left, and 1.4 ms (P = 0.004) from the cortex to the leg on the right side and 1.3 ms (P = 0.004) on the left. Correspondingly, the MEP latency from the fifth lumbar vertebrae (LV) level to the leg also was prolonged, by 1.0 ms (P = 0.005) on the right side and 0.8 ms (P = 0.005) on the left side. The calculated latency between the cortex and the LV level was not found to be significantly longer in those patients treated for ALL compared with the healthy controls. Neurologic signs, in the form of depressed deep tendon reflexes, were observed in 8% of the patients, whereas approximately 33% of the patients were found to have fine or gross motor difficulties and dysdiadochokinesia.'] Does motor nervous system impairment persist in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8149548768997192,
-1.3858613967895508,
2.1482224464416504
] |
["In chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis an aberrant mucosal immune regulation is observed accompanied by upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Lamina propria T cells of inflamed mucosa have an activated phenotype characterized by increased expression of surface markers such as CD25. We therefore determined the anti-inflammatory effect of a recombinant immunotoxin consisting of an anti-CD25 single chain variable fragment (scFv) fused to a deletion mutant of Pseudomonas exotoxin A [RFT5(scFv)ETA'] on isolated lamina propria lymphocytes of patients with IBD and in the murine model of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis. PATIENTS AND/METHODS: Lamina propria lymphocytes of 25 patients with IBD and 19 control patients were stimulated in absence or presence of RFT5(scFv)ETA'. Interferon-gamma production was determined in the supernatant by ELISA and the induction of apoptosis by flow cytometry after propidium iodide staining. BALB/c mice received TNBS intrarectally and were treated with RFT5(scFv)ETA'.", "In vitro the administration of RFT5(scFv)ETA' significantly reduced interferon-gamma production and increased apoptosis in lamina propria lymphocytes isolated of inflamed mucosa. However, this contrainflammatory regulation did not result in gain of weight or increased life span in experimental colitis in vivo."] Are the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of recombinant anti-CD25 immunotoxin on lamina propria T cells of patients with inflammatory bowel disease sufficient to cure experimental colitis in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4214677810668945,
-1.4227131605148315,
2.8871819972991943
] |
['Optimization of the culture environment for the ex vivo expansion of T cells is crucial for obtaining the large doses of cells needed for cellular immunotherapy. O2 tension is a key parameter that impacts the proliferation and quality of the expanded T cells.', 'Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with either PHA or an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody under 5% (low) or 20% (high) O2 atmospheres. After stimulation, cells were cultured in the presence of IL-2 under either low or high O2 conditions.', 'T cells stimulated and grown under 5% O2 exhibited higher proliferation rates and a mean (n = 11) of 5.8-fold greater total expansion over T cells grown under 20% O2. Stimulation under 5% O2 produced a lasting proliferative effect even after a switch to 20% O2. Examination of apoptosis by the flow cytometry-based TUNEL assay showed a mean (n = 9) of 2.9-fold greater percentage of apoptotic cells under 20% O(2). Flow-cytometric analysis of the IL-2 receptor (CD25) showed that the normal downregulation kinetics - following stimulation-induced CD25 upregulation - were slowed under 5% O(2), such that the 5% O2 cultures had a greater number of CD25+ cells, and those CD25+ cells expressed an average (n = 6) of 41% higher levels of CD25 receptor per cell. No significant O2 tension effects were observed on other surface antigens (CD3, CD28, and CD62L) examined. The key metabolic parameters, specific glucose uptake rate, q(glu), and specific lactate production rate, q(lac), were both increased by a mean (n = 5) of 47% under 5% O2.'] Does low oxygen tension enhance the stimulation and proliferation of human T lymphocytes in the presence of IL-2? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.157520055770874,
-1.4087879657745361,
2.6002230644226074
] |
['ECG diagnosis of myocardial infarction after cardiac surgery is associated with major pitfalls and enzyme diagnosis is interfered by unspecific elevation unrelated to permanent myocardial injury. Sustained release of troponin-T is a marker of permanent myocardial injury if renal function is maintained. However, early identification of perioperative myocardial infarction is desirable and therefore the usefulness of creatine kinase monobasic (CK-MB) kinetics to detect myocardial injury early after coronary surgery was investigated.', 'Two hundred and eighty-six patients undergoing coronary surgery were studied with respect to release of enzymes and troponin-T preoperatively and postoperatively 3 and 8 h after unclamping the aorta, and every morning postoperative days 1-4.', 'CK-MB peak was found at 3 h (n = 145), 8 h (n = 103) and 16-20 h after unclamping (n = 38). Depending on when the CK-MB peak was recorded different demographic and perioperative characteristics were found. A sustained release of troponin-T was characteristic for the group with the CK-MB peak at 16-20 h after unclamping.'] Is early identification of permanent myocardial damage after coronary surgery aided by repeated measurements of CK-MB? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0241682529449463,
-1.5144762992858887,
2.6105170249938965
] |
['The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of NMMA on the mechanism of leptin and NPY action in in vivo and in vitro on pituitary hormone release by female rats in diestrus.', 'In vivo experiments based on four-day ip injections of: 1) murine recombinant leptin (mrLep); 2) human NPY; 3) saline; 4) NMMA (50 microg) was applied prior to administration of mrLep; 5) NMMA (50 microg) was applied prior to administration of NPY; 6) NMMA (50 microg); 7) NMMA (350 microg) was applied prior to administration of mrLep; 8) NMMA (350 microg). The blood samples for LH and FSH were collected after decapitation of animals on the fifth day of study. In vitro experiments studied the effects of these peptides on LH release from pituitary cell culture.', 'In vivo: Leptin+ NMMA (50 microg) stimulated LH. NPY+ NMMA (50 microg) increased LH. NMMA (350 microg) stimulated FSH release. In vitro: The stimulatory effect of leptin on LH release in vitro was observed after 120 min of incubation, but after 60 mins of incubation the inhibitory effect of leptin on LH release was increased by NMMA. Leptin +NMMA (vs NMMA) decreased LH release with highest statistical significance. NPY 10 nM 60 min after incubation decreased LH release. There was no effect of NMMA on LH release.'] Do effects of leptin and neuropeptide Y ( NPY ) on hormones release in female rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6540740728378296,
-1.5805696249008179,
2.1953485012054443
] |
['Pigmentary glaucoma is a common form of glaucoma affecting young adults. Previous studies have suggested that multiple factors, including multiple genetic factors, may be responsible for this condition. Recently, a form of glaucoma associated with pigment dispersion and iris atrophy was identified in the DBA/2J mouse. Abnormalities in the mouse Tyrp1 gene contribute to this condition. The purpose of this study was to determine if DNA sequence variants in the human TYRP1 gene are associated with pigmentary glaucoma in humans.', 'The protein coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of the human TYRP1 gene were sequenced using genomic DNA samples from probands from pedigrees affected by pigment dispersion syndrome and pigmentary glaucoma.', 'Three novel synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in two affected individuals. However, these polymorphisms did not define a haplotype that segregated with the disease in the families. DNA sequence variants that altered the amino acid sequence of TYRP1 were not found.'] Are dNA sequence variants in the tyrosinase-related protein 1 ( TYRP1 ) gene associated with human pigmentary glaucoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4592394828796387,
-1.0205224752426147,
2.519113063812256
] |
['Activation of the gastrin-cholecystokinin(B) (CCK(B)) receptor stimulates cell proliferation and increases production of ligands for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R).', 'To determine the role of gastrin-CCK(B) activation in stimulation of cell proliferation via paracrine activation of EGF-R.', 'AGS cells were transfected with the gastrin-CCK(B) receptor (AGS-G(R) cells) or with green fluorescent protein (AGS-GFP cells). Proliferation was determined by [(3)H] thymidine incorporation, flow cytometry, and cell counting.', 'Gastrin inhibited proliferation of AGS-G(R) cells by delaying entry into S phase. However, when AGS-G(R) cells were cocultured with AGS-GFP cells, gastrin stimulated proliferation of the latter. Immunoneutralisation and pharmacological studies using metalloproteinase and kinase inhibitors indicated that the proliferative response was mediated by paracrine stimulation of EGF-R and activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase pathway through release of heparin binding EGF.'] Is gastrin-cholecystokinin ( B ) receptor expression in AGS cells associated with direct inhibition and indirect stimulation of cell proliferation via paracrine activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4985833168029785,
-1.2432944774627686,
2.813308000564575
] |
['p53 mutations are frequently observed in colorectal carcinomas but they have also been found in colorectal adenomas, although considerably less frequently.', 'To explore p53 mutations in benign tumours, we have screened 70 colorectal adenomas for allelic loss at, and point mutations in, TP53 by analysis of selected microdissected cell populations.', 'Sixteen (22.8%) adenomas were found to have allelic loss, of which 11 (15.7%) had p53 mutations. In adenomas with mild, moderate, or severe dysplasia, mutation or allelic loss occurred in 4.8%, 16.7%, and 52.6%, respectively (p<0.001). Seven different mutations were found, all missense changes or inframe deletions: one (Thr150Arg) has not been found before while three (Gln144His, Gly245Arg, and Glu285Gln) have not been described previously in colorectal tumours. The other three mutations (Arg175Gly, DeltaPro190, and Gly245Ser) have been found in colorectal carcinomas, the last commonly. Adenomas harboured a spectrum of p53 mutations which was significantly different from cancers as regards the position in the gene and a higher frequency of G-->C/C-->G changes.'] Does the spectrum of p53 mutations in colorectal adenomas differ from that in colorectal carcinomas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7341015338897705,
-1.143202781677246,
1.8245816230773926
] |
['To compare the characteristics of sevoflurane induction with and without the addition of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) using tidal breathing inhalation induction without priming of the breathing circuit.', 'Randomized, double-blind study.', 'Operating rooms of an ambulatory surgery suite at a university hospital.', '60 ASA physical status I and II adult patients undergoing elective surgery.', 'Patients were randomized into two groups. During induction, Group 1 received 8% sevoflurane in N(2)O 4L/min and oxygen (O(2)) 2L/min; Group 2 received 8% sevoflurane in O(2) 6L/min. The time to cessation of finger tapping was used as the main index for induction time. Any adverse effects such as coughing, apnea, excessive oral secretions, laryngospasm, excitatory movements, and hemodynamic changes were also noted.', 'There were no significant differences in the induction times (Group 1: 62.0 vs. Group 2: 60.0 sec), number of breaths taken to this time (15.0 vs. 14.0), expired sevoflurane concentration at this time (3.4 vs. 3.2%), and time to Laryngeal Mask Airway insertion (160.0 vs. 195.0 sec). The frequencies of induction-related adverse events were similar in both study groups.'] Does nitrous oxide improve sevoflurane induction of anesthesia in adults? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.279202699661255,
-1.2317452430725098,
2.5463109016418457
] |
['A population-based study on early neurotoxic effects of environmental exposure to manganese (Mn) enabled us to investigate the relation between blood Mn levels (MnB), alcohol consumption, and risk for alcohol use disorders (AUD) on mental health.', 'Participants were selected using a random stratified sampling procedure. Self-administered questionnaires provided data on alcohol consumption, sociodemographics, medical history, and lifestyle. Mood states were assessed with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and risk for AUD was surveyed using a behavioral screening questionnaire and categorized into no, low, and high risk. Of 297 participants, 253 current drinkers who had responded to all questions on alcohol use were retained.', 'Psychologic distress increased with risk for AUD and alcohol consumption > or = 420 g/week. Higher MnB levels (> or =7.5 microg/L) intensified the relation between risk for AUD and BSI scale scores. The Prevalence odd ratios for positive cases of psychologic distress with risk for AUD, 1.98 [1.13-3.46], differed when divided by MnB strata: lower MnB: 1.34 [0.64-2.85]; higher MnB: 4.22 [1.65-10.77].'] Does manganese accentuate adverse mental health effects associated with alcohol use disorders? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.216499924659729,
-1.4414668083190918,
1.6576478481292725
] |
['The sensitivity of coronary calcification by electron beam tomography (EBT) for the detection of coronary atherosclerosis is well-established. Combining the anatomic information of EBT with the functional information of stress testing might reduce the high false-positive result rate seen with treadmill stress test (TMST) alone. No studies have reported the additive value of a negative EBT result (no coronary calcium) for excluding obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD) in patients with a positive TMST result. This study evaluated the negative predictive value and potential clinical utility of EBT to identify patients with a falsely abnormal TMST.', 'A coronary calcium score was determined by EBT for 153 symptomatic patients who underwent coronary angiography because of a positive TMST. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of EBT were determined. A multiple logistic regression analysis compared conventional cardiac risk factors with coronary calcification by EBT for predicting OCAD. A receiver operating characteristic curve was generated plotting sensitivity versus false-positive rate.', 'The false-positive rate of the TMST compared with angiography was 27% (41 of 153). The sensitivity of a nonzero coronary calcium score for OCAD was 98% (110 of 112), with a negative predictive value of 93%. According to multiple logistic regression, coronary calcification by EBT was a stronger predictor of OCAD than any conventional cardiac risk factor. EBT calcium added incremental value to the results of the TMST. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis found an area under the curve of 0.91 (P <.001).'] Does coronary calcium scanning add incremental value to patients with positive stress tests? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7531553506851196,
-1.5830795764923096,
2.346802234649658
] |
['The clinical determinants of increased cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema are not well defined, and the ability of this marker to predict long-term mortality has not yet been documented.', 'Eighty-four patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema without acute myocardial infarction were prospectively enrolled. cTnT was measured in samples obtained 6 and 12 hours after admission.', 'cTnT levels of 0.1 ng/mL or greater were found in 46 patients (55%). Thirty-two patients (38%) died during follow-up. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for cTnT was 0.70 and 0.69 at 6 and 12 hours (P =.47), and the cTnT cutoff value of 0.1 ng/mL was 66% and 69% sensitive and 63% and 71% specific, respectively, in predicting subsequent mortality. Patients were assigned to group 1 if they had cTnT lower than 0.1 ng/mL and to group 2 if they had cTnT levels of 0.1 ng/mL or greater. A history of coronary artery disease was present in 72% of group 2 versus 50% of group 1 patients (P =.04). Patients in group 2 were also older than those in group 1 (mean age, 68 years vs 61 years; P =.021). The 3-year survival in group 1 was 76% compared with 29% in group 2 (log-rank test, P <.001). In a Cox proportional hazards model, elevated cTnT emerged as the only prognostic marker of long-term mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 2.31; 95% CI, 1.011-5.280; P =.047).'] Are cardiac troponin T levels associated with poor short- and long-term prognosis in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2057603597640991,
-1.7135566473007202,
1.9524003267288208
] |
['Noninvasive methods are needed for the identification of women at highest risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) who might benefit most from aggressive preventive therapy. Identification of brachial artery atherosclerosis, which correlates with coronary artery atherosclerosis, may be useful to estimate or stratify CAD risk. Because atherosclerosis disrupts the arterial architecture that regulates vessel size, we hypothesized that noninvasively measured large brachial artery diameter is a manifestation of atherosclerosis that is associated with angiographic CAD in women with chest pain.', "We examined 376 women (mean age, 57.1 years) with chest pain in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation study who underwent B-mode ultrasound scan measurement of brachial artery diameter at rest and during hyperemic stress (to quantify flow-mediated dilation), quantitative coronary angiography, and risk factor assessment.", 'Large resting brachial artery diameter was associated with significant angiographic CAD (3.90 +/- 0.79 mm vs 3.52 +/- 0.59 mm in women with CAD vs no CAD; P <.001). Impaired flow-mediated dilation, which correlated with resting diameter (r = -0.17; P =.001), was weakly associated with significant CAD (2.74% +/- 7.11% vs 4.48% +/- 9.52% in CAD vs no CAD; P =.046). After adjustment for age, body size, and CAD risk factors, women with large resting brachial artery diameters (>4.1 mm) had 3.6-fold increased odds (95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 7.1; P <.001) of significant angiographic CAD compared with those with small brachial arteries (</=3.6 mm).'] Is large brachial artery diameter associated with angiographic coronary artery disease in women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7574373483657837,
-1.5412306785583496,
2.3266186714172363
] |
['CD44 is an adhesion molecule expressed by neutrophils, lymphocytes and epithelial cells. CD44 is involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix binding. In addition to lymphocyte trafficking, CD44 also plays a crucial role in the maintenance of intestinal villus integrity. We hypothesize that obstructive jaundice may alter CD44 expression in the rat small intestine and oral glutamine intake can restore the altered CD44 expression in the small intestine of the rat undergoing obstructive jaundice.', 'In a prospective animal model study at a university hospital, 41 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to 4 groups. Group A (n = 13, control) underwent a sham operation. Group B (n = 12, obstructive jaundice for 1 week) underwent common bile duct ligation. Group C (n = 8, obstructive jaundice for 2 weeks) underwent common bile duct ligation. Group D (n = 8, obstructive jaundice for 2 weeks) underwent common bile duct ligation with oral glutamine intake daily. After 1 and 2 weeks, segments of the proximal jejunum and distal ileum were harvested from groups A and B and groups C and D, respectively. Immunohistochemical expression of CD44 on the cell surface was then evaluated and recorded. Comparisons among the 4 groups were performed.', 'In the 1-week obstructive jaundice group, 173.8 +/- 24.0 cells/1,000 enterocytes of the proximal jejunum expressed surface CD44, while 137.0 +/- 13.8 cells were stained in the control group (p < 0.001). In the 1-week obstructive jaundice group, 169.8 +/- 20.7 cells/1,000 enterocytes of the distal ileum expressed surface CD44, while 119.5 +/- 20.8 cells were stained in the control group (p < 0.001). In the 2-week obstructive jaundice group, the number of cells expressing surface CD44 were significantly decreased both in jejunum (112.1 +/- 17.0, p = 0.002) and ileum (100.1 +/- 12.5, p = 0.028) when compared with those of the control group. With daily oral glutamine intake in group D, the number of cells expressing surface CD44 in the jejunum (149.3 +/- 29.7) was restored to that of the control group (p = 0.302) and the number of cells expressing surface CD44 in the ileum (140.4 +/- 23.0) was even higher than that of the control group (p = 0.045).'] Does obstructive jaundice alter CD44 expression in rat small intestine? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6489959955215454,
-1.598078966140747,
2.183931827545166
] |
['Autosomal dominant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is caused by inherited defects of sarcomeric proteins. We tested the hypothesis that homozygosity for a sarcomeric protein defect can cause recessive HCM.', 'We studied a family with early-onset cardiomyopathy in 3 siblings, characterized by mid-cavitary hypertrophy and restrictive physiology. Genotyping of DNA markers spanning 8 genes for autosomal dominant HCM revealed inheritance of an identical paternal and maternal haplotype at the essential light chain of myosin locus by the affected children. Sequencing showed that these individuals were homozygous for a Glu143Lys substitution of a highly conserved amino acid that was absent in 150 controls. Family members with one Glu143Lys allele had normal echocardiograms and ECGs, even in late adulthood, whereas those with two mutant alleles developed severe cardiomyopathy in childhood. These findings, coupled with previous studies of myosin light chain structure and function in the heart, suggest a loss-of-function disease mechanism.'] Does myosin light chain mutation cause autosomal recessive cardiomyopathy with mid-cavitary hypertrophy and restrictive physiology? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.497300624847412,
-1.0248843431472778,
2.55619478225708
] |
['Ovarian reserve significantly influences IVF outcome. Low response to ovarian stimulation due to reduction of ovarian reserve is occasionally encountered in young women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of IVF treatment in young patients with reduced ovarian reserve.', 'Between January 1993-2001, 762 consecutive patients satisfied the definition of reduced ovarian reserve (raised early follicular phase FSH or gonadotrophin stimulation cycles where three or fewer oocytes were retrieved after routine FSH stimulation) and were included in the study. They were classified into three age groups: young (< or = 30 years), intermediate (31-38 years) and older (>38 years). The three age groups were similar with respect to basal (day 3) serum FSH and estradiol concentrations, cause of infertility and number of previous treatment cycles. Implantation (13, 9.6 and 9.8%), clinical pregnancy (11.8, 10.2 and 10%) and live birth (7.4, 7.3 and 6.8%) rates were not significantly different in the three age groups respectively (P > 0.05).'] Does young age protect against the adverse effects of reduced ovarian reserve -- an eight year study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7872326374053955,
-0.8282150626182556,
1.6079816818237305
] |
['Day 5 serum inhibin B during IVF treatment has been investigated as a predictor of outcome.', 'A total of 54 women (< or = 39 years, normal menses and endocrine profiles) were treated with urinary gonadotrophins or recombinant FSH following pituitary down-regulation. Serum day 3 FSH in a preceding cycle was <8.5 IU/l. Plasma inhibin B, inhibin A and estradiol were determined after 4 days of gonadotrophin administration (day 5).', 'Day 5 inhibin B was the most highly correlated with the number of mature follicles (>14 mm), oocytes retrieved and fertilized. Receiver operating characteristic analysis gave high accuracy for day 5 inhibin B in predicting ovarian response and indicated that a threshold of 400 pg/ml may be helpful in the decision as to whether to continue treatment. Women with <400 pg/ml (n = 16) had lower numbers of follicles, mature follicles, oocytes retrieved, fertilized and cleaved compared with those >400 pg/ml (n = 36) and this threshold gave a positive likelihood ratio of 30, 92.9% sensitivity, 95.0% specificity and 86.7% positive predictive value to detect poor ovarian response. Day 5 inhibin B was the best predictor of pregnancy (no live births and four cycles cancelled, low inhibin group; nine live births and no cancelled cycles, high inhibin group).'] Are day 5 inhibin B levels in a treatment cycle predictive of IVF outcome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.7614747285842896,
-1.6967895030975342,
1.487117052078247
] |
['Glucocorticoids have been used in conjunction with zona dissection to improve pregnancy and implantation rates in IVF patients. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose prednisolone in addition to the standard protocol, on pregnancy and implantation rates in routine ICSI patients before and after embryo replacement.', 'A total of 313 patients in 360 consecutive cycles (patients <39 years old and with three or less than three ICSI attempts) performed at our centre were randomly assigned by computer-generated list to receive either prednisolone (10 mg/day in two divided doses), starting on the first day of ovarian stimulation and continuing for 4 weeks (group A), or no treatment (group B).', 'The mean age, number of previously failed IVF attempts, basal FSH levels and the mean rank of trials were comparable between groups A and B. The mean (+/- SD) number of metaphase II oocytes retrieved (11.9 +/- 5.5 versus 12.0 +/- 5.1), 2-pronuclei fertilization rate (67.2 versus 65.8%), the pregnancy and the implantation rates were not different between the study and control groups (49.0 and 23.6% versus 50.0 and 23.3% respectively).'] Does low dose prednisolone administration in routine ICSI patients improve pregnancy and implantation rates? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9296530485153198,
-1.4125758409500122,
2.4484481811523438
] |
["Emerging evidence suggests that gap junction-mediated intercellular transmission of ions, metabolites and/or second messengers may serve as important determinants of myocyte viability. Our aim was to determine, using isolated buffer-perfused mouse hearts, whether the cardioprotection achieved with ischemic preconditioning (PC) is due in part to: (i) disruption of cell-cell coupling (manifest as a loss in the primary gap junction protein, connexin 43 [Cx43]) and resultant impaired transmission of a 'death' messenger, or conversely, (ii) transfer of a humoral 'survival' factor via existing gap junctions.", 'To explore the first possibility, we employed immunostaining to visualize and quantify Cx43 in hearts subjected to 212 min of PC ischemia or a matched control period. To test the converse corollary, we assessed the effect of heptanol-an agent well recognized to rapidly and reversibly uncouple gap junctions--on the reduction of infarct size (delineated by tetrazolium staining) achieved with PC.', 'We found no evidence of a deficit in Cx43 immunoreactive signal in response to the PC stimulus. Area of necrosis (AN) was, as expected, reduced in hearts that received PC ischemia vs. controls (31+/-3% vs. 40+/-3% of the left ventricle [LV]; P<.01). However, treatment with heptanol rendered PC ineffective in eliciting protection (AN/LV: 42+/-1%).'] Does the gap junction uncoupler heptanol abrogate infarct size reduction with preconditioning in mouse hearts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.262064218521118,
-1.435079574584961,
2.7763731479644775
] |
['The T-cell costimulatory molecule OX-40 (CD134) is expressed on activated CD4(+) ("helper") T cells. Such cells have been detected in human cancers, and engagement of OX-40 improves colon cancer immunity in an animal model.', 'Sections of primary colon cancers, normal margins, mesenteric lymph nodes, and metastases were stained for OX-40 by immunohistochemistry. Cancer registry data were reviewed.', 'High levels of OX-40 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were found in 15 of 72 primary tumors. Thirty-one cases had prominent lymphocytic infiltrates expressing OX-40 at the invasive margin of the tumor. Overall, 50% of primary tumors showed high expression of OX-40. Nearly all mesenteric lymph nodes expressed OX-40, whether tumor was present or not. Normal margins of colon did not show high levels of OX-40. High OX-40 expression in the primary tumor correlated with better survival (mean survival high OX-40, 47 months, low OX-40, 35 months, P <0.05), although this correlation was not stage-independent.'] Does survival in human colorectal cancer correlate with expression of the T-cell costimulatory molecule OX-40 ( CD134 )? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2208285331726074,
-1.2628700733184814,
2.501237392425537
] |
['To assess the fertility of patients treated conservatively for a Stage II or III borderline ovarian tumour.', 'A retrospective study.', 'Gynaecological oncology department in a French anti-cancer centre.', 'Seventeen patients treated with conservative management for a Stage II (n = 6) or III (n = 11) borderline ovarian tumour were followed up. Fifteen patients underwent a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (with contralateral cystectomy in six patients), one had unilateral cystectomy and one a bilateral cystectomy. Fourteen patients had non-invasive implants and three had invasive implants.', 'Pregnancy rates and outcome.', 'Eight pregnancies were observed in seven patients in a median delay of eight months following the surgical procedure. Six pregnancies were observed spontaneously, one occurred after an ovarian stimulation and one after an IVF procedure. None of these patients recurred under the form of invasive ovarian carcinoma on the spared ovary. Two patients (one with a non-invasive disease and one with an invasive one) had recurrence in the form of evolutive invasive implants, but neither woman died.'] Does fertility result after conservative treatment of advanced stage serous borderline tumour of the ovary? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3516199588775635,
-0.5103329420089722,
1.9432110786437988
] |
['Secondary to the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the albuterol (Ventolin, GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom) pressurized metered-dose inhaler (MDI) has been formulated in a non-ozone-depleting propellant, hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) 134a.', 'To compare the efficacy of albuterol HFA to albuterol CFC and placebo HFA in protecting patients from exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB).', 'Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover study in patients with documented EIB. Patients (n = 24) aged 18 to 45 years old received albuterol HFA or albuterol CFC, (total dose of 180 microg ex-actuator), or placebo HFA via an MDI, 30 minutes before a standardized exercise challenge. Serial forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) measurements were made 5 minutes before exercise and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 60 minutes postexercise. The primary outcome measure was the maximum percentage fall in FEV1 over the 60 minutes after exercise.', 'The adjusted mean maximum percentage falls in FEV1 postexercise for albuterol HFA and CFC groups were 15.4% and 14.9%, respectively. The two formulations were comparable with a treatment difference of -0.5% (P = 0.848; 95% confidence interval, -5.3 to 4.4%). When compared with the fall in FEV1 for placebo (33.7%), both active treatments demonstrated a significantly smaller fall in FEV1 postexercise (P < 0.001). Safety profiles were similar among the three treatment groups.'] Is albuterol HFA as effective as albuterol CFC in preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7379289865493774,
-1.5682148933410645,
2.3425583839416504
] |
['A subset of drug-allergic patients show a marked propensity to react against several, chemically unrelated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The pathogenesis of such multiple drug reactions is unclear. Approximately 30% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, a condition frequently characterized by autoreactivity on autologous serum skin test (ASST), experience flares of hives after taking chemically unrelated NSAIDs.', 'To detect whether a clinically unapparent autoreactivity may represent the nonspecific mechanism facilitating drug-induced histamine release in patients with a history of urticaria/angioedema induced by several, chemically unrelated NSAIDs.', 'Thirty-six adults with a history of acute NSAID-induced urticaria (22 with multiple NSAID sensitivity [MNS]; 14 with single NSAID sensitivity [SNS]; and 20 atopic controls without a history of drug allergy) underwent ASST. Sera from 14 MNS and 4 SNS subjects (all ASST-positive) underwent histamine release assay with basophils from normal donors. Sera from five MNS patients were tested on autologous basophils as well.', 'Twenty of 22 (91%) MNS subjects versus 5 of 14 (36%) SNS subjects were positive on ASST (P < 0.01). No atopic control was ASST-positive. Sera from 4 of 14 (29%) MNS patients versus 0/4 SNS subjects (P = NS) induced significant histamine release from basophils of normal donors. The use of autologous basophils did not significantly change these results.'] Is autoreactivity highly prevalent in patients with multiple intolerances to NSAIDs? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8949570655822754,
-1.462717056274414,
2.3252522945404053
] |
['Our aim was to determine whether the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) -344 C/T polymorphism was associated with the blood pressure (BP)-lowering response to antihypertensive treatment.', 'Patients with mild-to-moderate primary hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were randomized in a double-blind study to receive treatment with either the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist irbesartan (n = 43), or the beta1-adrenergic receptor blocker atenolol (n = 43). The aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) -344 C/T polymorphism was analyzed using solid-phase minisequencing and related to BP reduction after 3 months treatment. Serum aldosterone levels were measured.', 'After 3 months treatment the mean reductions in BP were similar for both treatment groups. When assessing the systolic BP reduction in the irbesartan group, patients with the TT variant had a more pronounced reduction (-21 +/- 19 SD mm Hg, n = 17) than both the TC (-14 +/- 18 mm Hg, n= 18) and CC (0 +/- 17 mm Hg, n = 8) genotypes (P = .04). There was no association between this polymorphism and the diastolic BP response. The -344 C/T polymorphism was not associated with the BP response to atenolol. Nor was it related to the baseline serum aldosterone level.'] Is aldosterone synthase ( CYP11B2 ) -344 C/T polymorphism related to antihypertensive response : result from the Swedish Irbesartan Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Investigation versus Atenolol ( SILVHIA ) trial? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.232637643814087,
-1.493178367614746,
2.752612590789795
] |
['The cell adhesion molecule CEACAM1 is involved in intercellular adhesion and subsequent signal transduction events in a number of epithelia. CEACAM1 downregulation has been demonstrated in colorectal and prostate carcinomas. This study sought to analyze whether its expression in malignant melanoma is associated with metastasis.', 'CEACAM1 expression was immunohistochemically evaluated in 100 primary cutaneous malignant melanomas and correlated with metastasis in a 10-year follow-up. Furthermore, CEACAM1 expression was analyzed in metastatic lesions (11 distant metastases and six sentinel lymph node metastases). Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis adjusted for standard prognostic indicators were performed to assess the prognostic relevance of CEACAM1 expression.', 'A total of 28 of 40 patients with CEACAM1-positive primary melanomas developed metastatic disease, compared with only six of 60 patients with CEACAM1-negative melanomas. Often, the strongest CEACAM1 expression was observed at the invading front. In addition, CEACAM1 expression was preserved in the metastatic lesions. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a highly significant association between CEACAM1 expression and metastasis (P <.0001); multivariate Cox regression analysis, including CEACAM1 expression status adjusted for tumor thickness, presence of ulceration, and mitotic rate, confirmed that CEACAM1 is an independent factor for the risk of metastasis and demonstrated that the predictive value of CEACAM1 expression is superior to that of tumor thickness.'] Does cEACAM1 expression in cutaneous malignant melanoma predict the development of metastatic disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1504056453704834,
-1.3649544715881348,
2.5622172355651855
] |
['To define the influence of morning physical activity levels on the magnitude of the morning surge in blood pressure and heart rate.', 'Blood pressure and physical activity were simultaneously recorded in 420 patients by 24-h monitor and actigraphy. The morning surge was defined as the difference between mean blood pressure and heart rate values in the 4-h periods before and after waking; the trough-to-peak surge in blood pressure was also calculated. These values were regressed on the difference in mean (log transformed) physical activity for the same two periods. The analysis was adjusted for covariates, including age, sex, clinic blood pressure and use of antihypertensive medication, in a multiple linear regression.', 'The mean morning surges in blood pressure and heart rate were 23/15(+/- 13/10) mmHg and 17(+/- 10) beats/min, respectively. The geometric mean increase in physical activity after waking was 33(+/- 1.5) units. The magnitudes of the morning surge in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were all significantly and positively correlated with the difference in mean physical activity before and after waking (P < 0.005). Greater clinic blood pressure was significantly associated with a greater morning surge in blood pressure on physical activity (P < 0.0005).'] Is the morning surge in blood pressure and heart rate dependent on levels of physical activity after waking? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5774790048599243,
-1.3842731714248657,
1.147740125656128
] |
['To evaluate the clinical significance of the grey zone range (50-59%) of the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) on sperm samples.', 'Clinical and viable pregnancy rates and implantantion rates following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were determined in couples where the male partner scored between 50-59% on the HOST. The data were further evaluated according to the discrepancy between viability and HOST. Finally, the study assigned whether treating sperm with the protein digestive enzyme chymotrypsin had any effect on pregnancy outcome.', 'Pregnancy and implantation rates were comparable for couples with grey zone HOST scores with the normal IVF rate for the center. Having a large discrepancy between viability and HOST scores had no clinical significance nor did treatment with chymotrypsin.'] Is grey zone score for hypo-osmotic swelling test ( HOST ) associated with embryo implantation defects? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1543772220611572,
-0.9144853949546814,
2.1864583492279053
] |
['Both adrenomedullin (AM) and pro-adrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP), processed from the same precursor of prepro-adrenomedullin (preproAM), have differential biological properties; AM dilates blood vessels and presumably affects the vascular remodeling, while PAMP inhibits catecholamine secretion. Since aldosterone has been shown to be involved in vascular remodeling, we examined the effects of aldosterone on AM and PAMP secretion and preproAM gene expression in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).', 'AM and PAMP secreted from human VSMC incubated with aldosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay, and preproAM gene expression was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.', 'Cultured human VSMC secreted both AM and PAMP into the media, while the secretion rate of AM was much higher than that of PAMP. Aldosterone increased preproAM gene expression in the cultured VSMC in a dose-dependent fashion following incubation for 48 h, with a concomitant increase in AM secretion from the cells, but PAMP secretion remained unchanged. Aldosterone-stimulated AM secretion was significantly reduced by spironolactone. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analyses showed that immunoreactive AM secreted from the VSMC untreated or treated with aldosterone emerged at the point of human AM(1-52)-NH2.'] Does aldosterone augment adrenomedullin production without stimulating pro-adrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide secretion in vascular smooth muscle cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.359813690185547,
-1.3600845336914062,
2.776801347732544
] |
['A reduced cardiac output in chronic heart failure (CHF) evokes renal NaCl and water retention, and, therefore, activates mechanisms promoting natriuresis. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is one such factor. We hypothesized that another NaCl sensitive endogenous natriuretic factor, i.e., marinobufagenin (MBG), a specific ligand of the alpha-1 subunit of Na/K ATPase (the main kidney isoform) and also a vasoconstrictor and cardiotonic substance, would be elevated in CHF patients in a graded manner with the severity of CHF.', 'We measured the plasma levels of MBG, alpha-hANP, ouabain-like compound (OLC) and left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction in 23 consecutive hypertensive male patients with CHF. Plasma MBG levels exhibited progressive increases (0.59 +/- 0.15, 1.08 +/- 0.20, 1.35 +/- 0.17 and 1.88 +/- 0.05 nmol/l NYHA 1-4, respectively) and paralleled the changes of alpha-hANP. Conversely, plasma OLC did not exhibit such increases. Plasma MBG correlated with alpha-hANP (r = 0.82; P < 0.0001). Both MBG and alpha-hANP correlated with LV systolic (r = 0.55 and r = 0.47; P < 0.01) diameter and inversely with ejection fraction (r = -0.73 and r = -0.60; P < 0.01). OLC did not exhibit correlations with alpha-hANP or LV volumes, but positively correlated with systolic brachial blood pressure and with pulse pressure.'] Is marinobufagenin , an endogenous ligand of alpha-1 sodium pump , a marker of congestive heart failure severity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8983749151229858,
-1.5782849788665771,
2.5128095149993896
] |
['Epidemiologic studies have shown the association between alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer, especially for rectal cancer. The alcohol related enzyme encoding gene ALDH2 has polymorphism Glu487Lys, and 487Lys allele is closely linked with phenotypic loss of enzyme activity.', 'A hospital-based case-control study was conducted with 72 colon and 70 rectal cancer cases and 241 non-cancer controls to evaluate the alcohol consumption and ALDH2 Glu487Lys polymorphism. The logistic regression model was applied to estimate the odds ratios (ORs).', 'The crude ORs for Glu/Lys and Lys/Lys genotype relative to Glu/Glu for colon and rectal cancer were not statistically significant. However, with the rectal cancer analysis, the ORs for high alcohol consumption were greater with 487Glu/Lys genotype compared with Glu/Glu, albeit not.'] Does aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 ( ALDH2 ) genotype affect rectal cancer susceptibility due to alcohol consumption? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2696242332458496,
-1.2601808309555054,
2.5770275592803955
] |
['We hypothesized that early changes in S-100B levels after cardiac surgery are nonspecific and mostly reflect damage to tissues outside the brain rather than ischemic brain damage.', 'We measured serum levels of S-100B at several times perioperatively in 21 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In addition, we measured levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), creatine kinase (CK), the cardiac isoenzyme of CK (CK-MB), and myoglobin (MB) in these patients.', 'Early increases in serum S-100B concentration were significantly (p<0.01) correlated with increases in markers of tissue injury outside the brain: S-100B/CK: r(2)=0.69; S-100B/CK-MB: r(2)=0.64; S-100B/myoglobin: r(2)=0.60; S-100B/NSE: r(2)=0.51; CK/NSE: r(2)=0.60; CK-MB/NSE: r(2)=0.59; and myoglobin/NSE: r(2)=0.54.'] Is early elevation of S-100B protein in blood after cardiac surgery a predictor of ischemic cerebral injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3460544347763062,
-1.5558433532714844,
1.8684723377227783
] |
['The effect of Mg++SO4 on myocardial hemodynamics was investigated in this study.', 'Twelve dogs were entered in this research. Six dogs received Mg++SO4 and the remaining dogs were considered as controls. The amount of Mg++SO4 that was administered to the animals was 0.15 mmol/kg/hr each. The left anterior descending artery was occluded for a period of 1 hour and the drug was administered during reperfusion.', 'Two hours after reperfusion, cardiac output was 1275+/-50 ml/min in the control group and 1475+/-25 ml/min in the Mg++SO4 group (p<0.05), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was 18+/-3 mmHg in the control group and 12+/-2 mmHg in the Mg++SO4 group.'] Does mg++SO4 treatment improves the hemodynamics follow the acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9488551616668701,
-1.607147216796875,
1.606925368309021
] |
['As one of the future strategies of advanced pulmonary hypertension, intrinsic prostacyclin drug delivery using gene therapy may be useful. We investigated whether transfer of the prostacyclin synthase gene into the liver could ameliorate monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.', 'The human prostacyclin synthase gene was transfected into the liver of rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. Hemodynamic indices, blood samples, lung tissues, and survival curves were evaluated between rats receiving the gene and control rats.', 'High levels of prostacyclin synthase gene expression were found in the hepatocytes of the prostacyclin synthase group. The level of 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha) was significantly higher in the prostacyclin synthase group (prostacyclin synthase, 35.4 +/- 4.4 ng/mL; control, 22.3 +/- 3.3 ng/mL; P =.0436). The right ventricular/femoral artery pressure ratio was significantly lower in the prostacyclin synthase group than in the control group (prostacyclin synthase, 0.60 +/- 0.039; control, 0.88 +/- 0.051; P =.0036). The endothelin-1 levels in the lung tissues were significantly lower in the prostacyclin synthase group than in the control group (prostacyclin synthase, 10.42 +/- 2.01 pg/mg protein; control, 19.94 +/- 2.82 pg/mg protein; P =.0176). The survival ratio was significantly higher in the prostacyclin synthase group than the control group (P =.0375).'] Is gene transfer of human prostacyclin synthase into the liver effective for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0181846618652344,
-1.5129115581512451,
2.4797067642211914
] |
['Endometrial carcinomas seem to carry a different prognosis depending on the presence or absence of concomitant complex atypical hyperplasia (hyperplasia). The molecular genetic profile of these two pathogenetic types, based on the genes reportedly mutated in these cancers, remains to be defined. Although microsatellite inability is reported in approximately 25% of endometrial carcinomas, its relation with the 2 pathogenetic types is not investigated.', 'To elucidate their underlying genetic changes, we analyzed 53 sporadic endometrial tumors, including 19 with and 34 without hyperplasia, for microsatellite instability (MSI), DNA ploidy (by flow cytometry), and for mutations in different genes.', 'Microsatellite instability was present in 21%, DNA nondiploidy in 15%, and mutations in the PTEN, KRAS, CTNNB1/beta-catenin, TP53, and CDKN2A genes were detected in 32, 11, 13, 17, and 0% of the tumors, respectively. Microsatellite instability and mutations in these genes were present in tumors both with and without complex atypical hyperplasia. All cases with complex atypical hyperplasia were early stage (I-II) endometrioid tumors and associated with long progression free disease (P = 0.0004). Furthermore, most tumors with hyperplasia had low World Health Organization or International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics grade, had less myometrial invasion, and showed expression of estrogen receptors. All MSI tumors were diploid and had a significantly higher rate of PTEN mutations, but similar rates of KRAS, beta-catenin, and TP53 mutations compared with microsatellite stable tumors. TP53 mutations more often were found in nondiploid tumors but never in tumors with PTEN, KRAS, or beta-catenin mutations, and all PTEN mutations occurred in diploid tumors.'] Do distinct sets of gene alterations in endometrial carcinoma implicate alternate modes of tumorigenesis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3438971042633057,
-1.2393360137939453,
2.632960081100464
] |
['Autonomic dysreflexia is a common and potentially dangerous response in patients with spinal cord injury at T6 or above. Acute blood pressure elevation may be precipitated by rectosigmoid distention and anal manipulation. Topical anesthetics are widely recommended to minimize the incidence and severity of autonomic dysreflexia, although no scientific evidence supports or refutes this practice. This study tested whether topical lidocaine would prevent or limit anorectal procedure-associated autonomic dysreflexia.', 'We enrolled patients with chronic, complete spinal cord injury scheduled for anoscopy and/or flexible sigmoidoscopy. In a double-blind fashion they were randomized to receive either 2% lidocaine jelly (n = 18) or nonmedicated lubricant (control; n = 32) just prior to the procedure. We measured blood pressure before, during, and after procedures.', 'Mean maximal systolic blood pressure increased 35 +/- 25 mmHg in the lidocaine group vs. 45 +/- 30 mmHg in the control group (NS). However, there was a significant difference between anoscopic procedures and flexible sigmoidoscopies without anoscopy (49 +/- 29 vs. 25 +/- 20 mmHg).'] Does topical lidocaine limit autonomic dysreflexia during anorectal procedures in spinal cord injury : a prospective , double-blind study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3867461681365967,
-1.2817294597625732,
2.7530722618103027
] |
['Embolization before surgical resection of tumors has been demonstrated to reduce intraoperative blood loss, but the optimal time that should elapse between embolization and tumor resection has not been established. We evaluated whether immediate surgical resection (< or =24 h) after embolization or delayed surgical resection (>24 h) was more effective in minimizing intraoperative blood loss.', 'We retrospectively analyzed the records for 50 patients with meningiomas who underwent preoperative embolization between 1993 and 1999. We divided the patients into two groups, i.e., those who underwent surgical resection of their meningiomas < or =24 hours after embolization and those who underwent surgery more than 24 hours after embolization. The extent of embolization, intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, and length of the hospital stay were compared for the two groups. Postoperative pathological specimens were examined for assessment of the extent of vascularity and necrosis caused by embolization.', 'Intraoperative blood loss was greater for the immediate group than for the delayed group (29% with blood loss of >1000 ml [median, 475 ml] versus 0% with blood loss of >700 ml [median, 337.5 ml]; P = 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to tumor volume, extent of embolization, degree of devascularization, necrosis, duration of surgery, or length of the hospital stay.'] Does delayed surgical resection reduce intraoperative blood loss for embolized meningiomas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4554671049118042,
-1.1617095470428467,
1.630645990371704
] |
['This study was conducted to investigate the effect of low-frequency electric cortical stimulation on epileptic focus in humans.', 'We stimulated the epileptic focus in a patient with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) by means of subdural electrodes and evaluated the change in the number of interictal epileptiform discharges. We used biphasic electric current of 0.3-ms duration presented at 0.9-Hz frequency for 250 s, comparing stimulus intensity of 7.5, 2, and 0.5 mA.', 'Interictal epileptiform discharges at the ictal focus occurred less frequently after the stimulation with the intensity of 0.5 mA. With the intensity of 7.5 mA and 2.0 mA, however, habitual auras were elicited by the stimulation, and afterdischarges were seen on the cortical EEG.'] Does low-frequency electric cortical stimulation have an inhibitory effect on epileptic focus in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.474802255630493,
-1.0005196332931519,
2.4997339248657227
] |
["Sulthiame is a carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor with an anticonvulsant effect in the treatment of benign and symptomatic focal epilepsy in children. The aim of the study was to elucidate the mode of action of sulthiame with respect to possible changes of intracellular pH (pHi) that might develop along with sulthiame's anticonvulsant properties.", "The effects of sulthiame (a) on pHi of 2',7-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein-acetoxymetyl ester (BCECF-AM) loaded CA3 neurones as well as (b) on epileptiform activity (induced by 50 microM 4-aminopyridine) were compared with those of the CA inhibitors acetazolamide and benzolamide.", 'In the majority of neurons, sulthiame (1.0-1.5 mM; n = 8) as well as the membrane permeant acetazolamide (0.5-1.0 mM; n = 6) reversibly decreased pHi by 0.18 +/- 0.05 (SD) and 0.17 +/- 0.10 (SD) pH units, respectively, within 10 min. The poor membrane permeant benzolamide (1.0-2.0 mM) had no influence on pHi (n = 8). Sulthiame (1.0-2.5 mM) and acetazolamide (1.0-2.0 mM) reversibly reduced the frequency of action potentials and epileptiform bursts after 10-15 min (n = 9, n = 7), whereas benzolamide (1.0-2.0 mM) had no effect (n = 6).'] Does carbonic anhydrase inhibitor sulthiame reduce intracellular pH and epileptiform activity of hippocampal CA3 neurons? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9136017560958862,
-1.399804949760437,
2.363473892211914
] |
['The release of a tourniquet produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause ischemia-reperfusion injury. We investigated the effects on ROS production in 22 adult ASA physical status I-II patients sedated with small-dose propofol infusion and IV midazolam undergoing elective total knee replacement under intrathecal anesthesia, allocated randomly to one of two groups. In the Propofol group, sedation was performed with propofol 0.2 mg/kg followed by infusion at a rate of 2 mg. kg(-1). h(-1). In the Control group, IV midazolam 5 mg was given. ROS production was measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence analysis. Blood samples were obtained from the radial artery after spinal anesthesia, 1 min before release of the tourniquet and 5 and 20 min after reperfusion. The ischemic time was approximately 70 min. ROS production decreased nonsignificantly before reperfusion in both groups but increased significantly 5 and 20 min after reperfusion in the Midazolam group. In the Propofol group, no significant increase of ROS production was found. We conclude that small-dose propofol infusion attenuates ROS production in tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury.'] Does small-dose propofol sedation attenuate the formation of reactive oxygen species in tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury under spinal anesthesia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2816200256347656,
-1.3993300199508667,
2.7097420692443848
] |
['The value of multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) in the detection of localized retinal dysfunction in vascular branch disease at the posterior pole of the eye is investigated, and mfERG is compared with visual field defects.', "10 eyes of 7 patients were tested, of which 8 eyes had a branch retinal vein occlusion and 2 eyes a branch artery occlusion. First order mfERG's were performed with the VERIS (TM) system, using 61 and 103 hexagons, and visual fields with the OCTOPUS M1 macular program. The number of hexagons with a response density loss (nV/deg (2)) of more than -2.0 standard deviations or of more than - 1.5 StDev, respectively, found in the normal population was compared with the number of disturbed test locations or total sensitivity loss (dB) of M1.", 'Local perimetric defects of various extent correlated well concerning localization and sensitivity loss with mfERG response density loss (nV/deg (2)). The best correlation was the total loss of M1 (dB) versus the number of hexagons out of 103, if the criterion of - 1.5 StDev was applied (p </= 0.001). In most cases, a diffuse but less severe response density loss of mfERG was also found at retinal places outside visual field defects and corresponding visible fundus changes.'] Do local visual field defects correlate with the multifocal electroretinogram ( mfERG ) in retinal vascular branch occlusion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7963693141937256,
-1.5640251636505127,
2.384305477142334
] |
['To develop a fast automated procedure to measure kappa and the Hirschberg ratio for immediate use in a video gaze tracker.', 'Using the hardware platform of the PowerRefractor and a 200 mm lens, the pupil was imaged with a resolution of 57 pixels/mm, at a camera distance of 90 cm. Both the positions of the first Purkinje image and the edges of the pupil were located at 25 Hz sampling rate with subpixel resolution using video image processing software developed under Borland C++. Subjects fixated on a red spot on the left side of the monitor. If their fixation was stable (standard deviation <0.2 degrees in 25 subsequent measurements evaluated in 1 s), the fixation spot appeared automatically on the right side, and the procedure was repeated. Data on the angular position of the optical axis for both targets were stored and provided kappa and the Hirschberg ratio with a standard deviation of about 0.2 degrees or better. This enabled the system to track fixation with a resolution of about 0.2 degrees.', '(1) Kappa was +3.91+/-2.73 degrees (right eyes), -3.93+/-2.68 degrees (left eyes, mean +/- SD from 24 young adults). Kappa was highly correlated in both eyes (r = 0.8996), but there were significant asymmetries between both eyes in three subjects (delta up to 3 degrees). (2) The Hirschberg ratios were 12.93+/-1.23 degrees/mm = 22.56 delta/mm (right eyes) and 12.82+/-1.49 degrees/mm = 22.38 delta/mm (left eyes). They were also highly correlated in both eyes (r = 0.931). (3) Neither kappa nor the Hirschberg ratios were correlated to refractive errors (range +0.50 to -7.75 D, mean -1.73+/-2.29 D [spherical equivalents]).'] Do kappa and Hirschberg ratio measured with an automated video gaze tracker? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.9604147672653198,
-1.6921026706695557,
-0.10522843897342682
] |
['Effective hormonal male contraception requires a high prevalence of spermatogenic suppression, which has proved particularly difficult in Caucasian populations. We have investigated the combination of oral desogestrel with depot testosterone in Caucasian and Chinese men.', 'Thirty men in Edinburgh and 36 men in Shanghai received 150 or 300 microg desogestrel p.o. daily for 24 weeks with 400 mg testosterone pellets s.c. on day 1 and at 12 weeks.', 'Eight men withdrew before completing 24 weeks treatment. Testosterone concentrations remained within the normal range. Spermatogenesis was profoundly suppressed in all men. Azoospermia was achieved by a higher proportion of men in the 300 microg desogestrel group: 28/28 men versus 22/31 men (P < 0.05). All Caucasian men in the 150 microg group achieved sperm concentrations of < 1 x 10(6)/ml whereas three men in the Shanghai group maintained sperm concentrations of > 3 x 10(6)/ml. Fifteen men continued on this regimen for a subsequent 24 weeks: all remained azoospermic for the duration of treatment. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol fell by 15% in Caucasian men, but was unchanged in the Chinese men; both groups showed some weight gain.'] Does oral desogestrel with testosterone pellets induce consistent suppression of spermatogenesis to azoospermia in both Caucasian and Chinese men? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8708752393722534,
-1.2076152563095093,
2.087217330932617
] |
['Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is an aggressive soft tissue malignancy of children and adolescents. Most ARMS patients express PAX3-FKHR or PAX7-FKHR gene fusions resulting from t(2;13) or t(1;13) translocations, respectively. We wished to confirm the diagnostic specificity of gene fusion detection in a large cohort of RMS patients and to evaluate whether these alterations influence clinical outcome in ARMS.', 'We determined PAX3-FKHR or PAX7-FKHR fusion status in 171 childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) patients entered onto the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study IV, including 78 ARMS patients, using established reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. All patients received central pathologic review and were treated using uniform protocols, allowing for meaningful outcome analysis. We examined the relationship between gene fusion status and clinical outcome in the ARMS cohort.', 'PAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR fusion transcripts were detected in 55% and 22% of ARMS patients, respectively; 23% were fusion-negative. All other RMS patients lacked transcripts, confirming the specificity of these alterations for ARMS. Fusion status was not associated with outcome differences in patients with locoregional ARMS. However, in patients presenting with metastatic disease, there was a striking difference in outcome between PAX7-FKHR and PAX3-FKHR patient groups (estimated 4-year overall survival rate of 75% for PAX7-FKHR v 8% for PAX3-FKHR; P =.0015). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significantly increased risk of failure (P =.025) and death (P =.019) in patients with metastatic disease if their tumors expressed PAX3-FKHR. Among metastatic ARMS, bone marrow involvement was significantly higher in PAX3-FKHR-positive patients.'] Are pAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR gene fusions prognostic indicators in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma : a report from the children 's oncology group? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0023224353790283,
-1.53963303565979,
2.5299715995788574
] |
['This aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of topotecan in the presence and absence of preceding amifostine to reduce the risk of side effects in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.', 'Ten patients with advanced ovarian cancer received topotecan, 1.5 mg/m(2) for 5 days, as second-line therapy in an open phase-II study after previous platinum-containing first-line therapy. Patients were randomised to receive intravenous (IV) amifostine at a daily dose of 300 mg/m(2) prior to topotecan in the first cycle and topotecan alone in the second cycle or vice versa. Thereafter all patients were given amifostine and topotecan for additional four cycles. Topotecan was given as a 30-min IV infusion. On day 1 of the first and second treatment cycles, venous blood samples were collected up to 24 h after the start of topotecan infusion. Plasma concentrations of total topotecan and its active lactone form were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.', 'There was a rapid decline in total topotecan plasma concentrations after the end of the infusion followed by a slower decay. The initial decline was even faster for the lactone form. The inter-individual variability was pronounced and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) of the total topotecan plasma concentration ranged from 182 nmol/l h to 725 nmol/l h for topotecan alone and from 188 nmol/l h to 574 nmol/l h for topotecan and amifostine. The geometric mean of AUC(0-infinity) values were 326 nmol/l h and 297 nmol/l h, respectively ( P=0.41). In the cycles when the patients received topotecan alone, the plasma AUC of the lactone averaged 40% of the AUC of the total concentration compared with 39% in the cycles when topotecan was given after amifostine. The peak plasma concentration (C(max)) of the lactone averaged 72% of the C(max) of the total topotecan concentration in the topotecan-only group. The corresponding figure after topotecan and amifostine was 80% ( P=0.11). A large intra-individual pharmacokinetic of topotecan between cycles 1 and 2 was also observed.'] Does no evidence that amifostine influence the plasma pharmacokinetics of topotecan in ovarian cancer patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0392240285873413,
-1.8137309551239014,
1.80721116065979
] |
['To research the clinical efficiency in the treatment of the torture survivors in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the therapeutic treatment.', 'There are 51 clients with the experience of the war torture included in the multidisciplinary treatment. All the clients were questioned with SCL 90-R questionnaire at the beginning of the treatment. At the end of the treatment, 6 months later, all were retested with SCL 90-R. All clients received general medical treatment, psychological-psychiatric help included individual and group psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.', 'According to the results of t-test reduction of the psychopathological response after six months of the therapy is significant for the subscales of somatization p = 0.005, obsessive-compulsive symptoms p = 0.041, depression p = 0, anxiety p = 0, hostility p = 0.041.'] Do [ Effectiveness of clinical treatment of survivors of torture ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.188572645187378,
0.3875308036804199,
0.9722061157226562
] |
['This study was conducted to determine whether high dietary iron will negate the protective effect of unsaturated fat against hyperlipidemia.', 'Forty-eight weanling, male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to eight dietary groups differing in the levels of copper and iron and type of dietary fat (saturated or unsaturated). The diets were either deficient (0.6 microg Cu/g) or adequate (6.8 microg Cu/g) copper and either adequate (53 microg Fe/g) or high (506 microg Fe/g) iron. All diets contained starch as the sole source of dietary carbohydrate.', 'Regardless of the type of dietary fat, three copper-deficient rats fed the high levels of dietary iron died prematurely due to ruptured hearts. Surviving rats belonging to the copper deficiency and high-dietary iron regimen developed severe anemia, enlarged hearts and livers, and exhibited the highest levels of liver iron. These rats also developed hypercholesterolemia. Triglycerides were elevated by the consumption of high iron diets.'] Is level of dietary iron , not type of dietary fat , hyperlipidemic in copper-deficient rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9819780588150024,
0.46074989438056946,
0.7028070688247681
] |
['Excessive fruit juice consumption in young children has been associated with nonorganic failure to thrive and short stature in some children and with obesity in others.', 'To evaluate, in a sample of healthy young children, whether the associations between fruit juice intakes and growth parameters differ by the type of fruit juice consumed.', 'Cross-sectional study.', 'General primary care health center in upstate New York.', 'One hundred sixteen two-year-old children and one hundred seven five-year-old children, who were scheduled for a nonacute visit, and their primary care-takers or parents were recruited over a two-year period.', 'For 163 children (73% of total), 14 days of dietary records were available. The dietary records were entered and analyzed using the Nutrition Data System (NDS). Type of fruit juice was classified according to Nutrition Coordinating Center food codes. Height was measured using a Harpenden Stadiometer. Weight was measured using a standard balance beam scale.', "The children consumed, on average, 5.5 fluid oz/day of fruit juices, which were classified by the NDS software as 35% apple juice, 31% orange juice, 25% grape juice and 9% other types and/or mixtures of fruit juice. Children with higher fruit juice intakes had lower total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol intakes. Child height was inversely related to apple juice intake (p=0.007) and grape juice intake (p=0.02), after adjustment for child age, gender and energy intake (excluding fruit juice) and maternal height. Apple juice intake was correlated with child body mass index (p<0.05) and ponderal index (p<0.005), after adjustment for the above covariates. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and lipoprotein(a) levels were not related to intakes of any of the fruit juices examined. The children's ratios of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol were correlated with grape juice intakes, while HDL-cholesterol levels were inversely related to grape juice intakes. There were no significant relationships between fruit juice intake and measures of anemia (hematocrit or mean corpuscular volume)."] Do children 's growth parameters vary by type of fruit juice consumed? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.412082314491272,
-0.8679750561714172,
1.3328495025634766
] |
['To determine the prevalence of the anti-U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) antibody in patients with systemic sclerosis.', 'Sera from 281 patients with systemic sclerosis, including 10 patients with overlapping polymyositis, were assayed using RNA immunoprecipitation and protein immunoprecipitation.', 'Only one serum sample showed precipitation of U5 snRNA with scarce precipitation of U2, U1, U4 and U6 snRNAs. In addition, the serum precipitated a 200 kDa protein. The serum was from a 35-yr-old Japanese male patient with overlapping systemic sclerosis and polymyositis accompanied by large-cell lung carcinoma. The clinical appearance was similar to that of a case reported previously.'] Do anti-U5 snRNP antibody as a possible serological marker for scleroderma-polymyositis overlap? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1895973682403564,
-1.369352102279663,
2.686875343322754
] |
['To determine if younger women with increased day 2 or 3 serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels have a better prognosis than older women with similar FSH elevations.', 'Retrospective comparison of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome from cycles from 1/1/97 to 9/30/99 according to serum FSH < or = 12 vs > 12 and age < or = 38 or > 38. Only cycles where follicular phase leuprolide acetate was used were included.', 'Age group < or = 38 - clinical pregnancy rate (PR)/transfer was 32% with lower FSH vs 28.6% with higher FSH. The respective PRs for the older group were 30.3% and 5.5%.'] Is prognosis following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer ( IVF-ET ) in patients with elevated day 2 or 3 serum follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ) better in younger vs older patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.696595311164856,
-1.2090280055999756,
2.053009510040283
] |
['Few investigations on the potential role of IGF-I in human breast cancer have used morphological criteria, and the data presented on the localisation of IGF-I are controversial. Moreover, little information exists on a potential correlation between local IGF-I and the grade of malignancy or prognostic factors. Therefore, we investigated the immunohistochemical localisation of IGF-I in specimens of human breast cancer tumours of the ductal type, graded as G1/G2 (well-/moderately differentiated, n=115) and G3 (poorly differentiated, n=28).', 'IGF-I immunoreactivity was quantified using a scaling from no (-) to numerous (+++) IGF-I-immunoreactive cells. From 29 of the G1/G2 and 17 of the G3 tumours IGF-I was also measured by RIA. Cytosolic oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) levels, and S-phase fraction were established and related to the number of IGF-I-immunoreactive cells.', 'IGF-I immunoreactivity occurred predominantly in ductal epithelial cells. Of G3 tumours, 57% exhibited IGF-I immunoreactivity as compared with 84% of G1/G2 tumours. Correspondingly, the amount of IGF-I measured by RIA was significantly lower in G3 tumours (6.9+/-0.9 ng/g wet weight) than in G1/G2 tumours (10.5+/-1.1 ng/g wet weight) (P=0.031). G1/G2 tumours exhibited a higher percentage of IGF-I-immunoreactive cells (16% -, 23% +, 41% ++, 20% +++) than G3 tumours (43% -, 37% +, 12% ++, 8% +++). When comparing the - with the +++ G1/G2 tumours, the frequency of IGF-I-immunoreactive cells was related significantly to the ER (P<0.016) and the PR (P<0.008) levels. In G1/G2 and G3 tumours, the ER and PR levels increased with the amount of IGF immunoreactivity while the S-phase fraction increased with decreasing IGF-I content. In 25% of the specimens, IGF-I immunoreactivity occurred in stromal cells, but there was no obvious difference between the different types of tumours. The survival of the G1/G2 tumour patients increased with increasing numbers of IGF-I-immunoreactive cells.'] Is iGF-I in human breast cancer : low differentiation stage associated with decreased IGF-I content? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1945993900299072,
-1.704988718032837,
1.8074860572814941
] |
['To evaluate sound localization ability in patients with unilateral cochlear implant, who do not wear a hearing aid on the contralateral ear, and to try to improve this ability by training.', 'Tertiary academic referral center.', 'In the initial test, patients were exposed to sound stimuli from different directions and were asked to localize them. Following a training period the patients were re-evaluated by the same test. For each test, the percentage of correct answers and the final test score were calculated.', 'In the initial test, the mean score of the study group of four cochlear implant users was 42.8 (out of a maximal score of 100), the mean rate of correct responses was 27.5%. Following a training period (6.5 sessions on the average), on the final test the mean score of the group was 74.3, while the mean rate of correct responses was 66.5%.'] Do sound localization in patients with cochlear implant -- preliminary results? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.168337106704712,
0.27123376727104187,
1.07232666015625
] |
["Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory vasculitis of young adults with unknown aetiology, characterised by endothelial dysfunction and occlusion in both deep venous and retinal circulation. Ocular involvement occurs in 70% of cases and is characterised by periphlebitis, periarteritis, vascular occlusion, and thrombosis leading to blindness despite vigorous treatment. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a vasoconstricting peptide while nitric oxide (NO) is a relaxing molecule and both are released by endothelium for blood flow regulation. Homocysteinaemia is a newly defined term connected to the increased risk of atherothrombotic and atherosclerotic systemic and retinal vascular occlusive diseases, and its role in the course of BD has not been previously described. The authors aimed to detect serum total homocysteine (tHcy), ET-1, and NO in BD and to assess if tHcy, ET-1, and NO are associated with ocular BD or disease activity.", '43 consecutive patients with ocular (n = 27) or non-ocular (n = 16) BD (36.95 (SD 9.80) years, 22 male, 21 female) satisfying international criteria, and 25 age and sex matched healthy control subjects (37.88 (8.73) years, 13 male, 12 female) without a history of systemic or retinal venous thrombosis were included in this study. Patients were examined by two ophthalmologists with an interest in BD. Serum tHcy, ET-1, and NO concentrations were measured in both groups. Hyperhomocysteinaemia was defined as a tHcy level above the 95th percentile in the control group. Patients were divided into active and inactive period by acute phase reactants including alpha(1) antitrypsin, alpha(2) macroglobulin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and neutrophil count.', 'The overall mean serum tHcy, ET-1, and NO levels were significantly higher in patients with BD than in control subjects (tHcy = 15.83 (4.44) v 7.96 (2.66) ng/ml, p <0.001; ET-1 = 17.47 (4.33) v 5.74 (2.34) micromol/ml, p <0.001; NO = 37.60 (10.31) v 27.08 (7.76) micromol/l, p <0.001). Serum tHcy, ET-1, and NO levels were significantly higher in active patients than in inactive patients and control subjects. In addition, among patients with ocular BD, the mean tHcy levels were significantly increased and correlated with ET-1 and NO levels when compared with non-ocular disease and control subjects. All acute phase reactant levels were significantly higher in active period than in inactive stage and controls.'] Is serum homocysteine level increased and correlated with endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in Behçet 's disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.128117799758911,
-1.4850183725357056,
2.6848626136779785
] |
['The cause of axonal loss, an important contributor to disability in MS, is poorly understood. This study investigated whether progression in MS is associated with CSF antibodies to the 68-kd light neurofilament subunit (NF-L), an axonal cytoskeletal protein, and compared this with antibodies against tubulin and the heavy neurofilament subunit (NF-H).', 'IgG to NF-L, tubulin, and NF-H was measured by immunoassay in matched CSF and serum samples from patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n = 39), primary progressive MS (PPMS; n = 10), and secondary progressive MS (SPMS; n = 18); patients with other inflammatory (n = 21) and noninflammatory (n = 40) neurologic diseases; and healthy controls (n = 12). Immunocytochemistry was performed to assess antibody binding to human brain sections, and isoelectric focusing with immunoblotting was performed to assess oligoclonal anti-NF-L production.', 'Intrathecal production of anti-NF-L antibodies was significantly elevated in PPMS and SPMS. In contrast, there were no significant differences in CSF levels of antibodies to tubulin or NF-H between the groups. Anti-NF-L, antitubulin, and anti-NF-H levels correlated with the duration of disease before lumbar puncture and Expanded Disability Status Scale levels. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated binding of CSF or serum antibodies to axonal or neuronal components in six of seven RRMS patients, seven of seven PPMS patients, and eight of 10 SPMS patients tested. Isoelectric focusing demonstrated independent CSF oligoclonal bands reactive with NF-L in six of 13 specimens tested.'] Do patients with progressive multiple sclerosis have elevated antibodies to neurofilament subunit? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.300185441970825,
-1.4063047170639038,
2.7501308917999268
] |
['Enteral fluconazole, a triazole antifungal agent with an excellent oral bioavailability, has not been widely studied in critically ill surgical patients.', 'During a randomized placebo-controlled trial of enteral fluconazole (N = 130) versus placebo (N = 130) for the prevention of fungal infections in critically ill surgical patients, trough fluconazole levels were measured after the loading dose and 3 times weekly during intensive care unit stay. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for fluconazole were measured on all infecting Candida isolates.', 'Four hundred sixty-seven serum samples were assayed for fluconazole levels in 121 patients. The most common infecting fungal species was Candida albicans, isolated in 14 of 31 infections (45%). Other infecting species were C glabrata, C tropicalis, and C parapsilosis. Mean fluconazole levels were above the highest MIC for C albicans and C parapsilosis in all but 5 patients (4%). Mean fluconazole levels were below the median MIC for C glabrata in 93 of 121 patients (77%). No significant relationship was seen between fluconazole levels and risk for fungal infection.'] Is enteral fluconazole well absorbed in critically ill surgical patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9656919240951538,
-1.3991074562072754,
2.481653928756714
] |
['Glycated albumin has been causally linked to the pathobiology of diabetic renal disease through its ability to stimulate the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), activate protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and promote production of extracellular matrix proteins in cultured glomerular cells. Whether glycated albumin modulates glomerular TGF-beta1 expression in vivo is not known. To address this issue, we assessed glomerular TGF-beta1 expression and pathology in response to reducing the burden of glycated albumin in vivo.', 'We measured serum glycated albumin, urine protein, glomerular TGF-beta1 expression and morphometry, and collagen IV and fibronectin mRNA in db/m and db/db controls and in db/db mice treated for eight weeks with a synthetic compound that inhibits the condensation of glucose with albumin.', 'In situ hybridization studies showed markedly increased glomerular TGF-beta1 mRNA in control db/db mice, which was significantly reduced in db/db mice treated for eight weeks with test compound. The treatment protocol, which normalized serum glycated albumin, concomitantly reduced the elevated protein excretion and the renal overexpression of mRNAs encoding fibronectin and collagen IV, and significantly decreased the mesangial matrix expansion, observed in db/db control animals.'] Does inhibiting albumin glycation in vivo ameliorate glomerular overexpression of TGF-beta1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4778268337249756,
-1.2628283500671387,
2.7682945728302
] |
['In proteinuric nephropathies with increasingly severe defects of the glomerular filtering barrier, interstitial fibrogenesis is a major effector of scarring. An early event in this process is the peritubular accumulation of myofibroblasts that express alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and contribute to abnormal matrix production. Common trigger factors are poorly understood. Enhanced protein trafficking may play a role by up-regulating inflammatory and fibrogenic genes in proximal tubular cells.', 'The remnant kidney model in rats was used to (1) analyze interactions between activated proximal tubular cells, peritubular cells expressing the myofibroblast marker, and inflammatory cells at time intervals (days 7, 14, and 30) after surgery, and (2) evaluate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) on protein trafficking, fibrogenic signaling, and alpha-SMA expression.', 'Abnormal uptake of ultrafiltered proteins by proximal tubular cells (IgG staining) occurred at an early stage (day 7) and was subsequently associated with macrophage and alpha-SMA+ cell accumulation into the peritubular interstitium. alpha-SMA+ cells clustered with macrophages into the interstitium. These changes were associated with appearance of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA in proximal tubular cells and in the infiltrating cells with time. At day 30, focal alpha-SMA staining also was found in the tubular cells and in peritubular endothelial cells on semithin ultracryosections. ACEi prevented both proteinuria and abnormal protein accumulation in tubular cells, as well as the inflammatory and fibrogenic reaction with peritubular alpha-SMA expression.'] Do proximal tubular cells promote fibrogenesis by TGF-beta1-mediated induction of peritubular myofibroblasts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5077292919158936,
-1.2816810607910156,
2.859078884124756
] |
['Interstitial expansion is important in the progression of a variety of kidney diseases, including diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the interstitial elements that constitute interstitial expansion in DN are unknown and are the subject of this report.', 'Interstitial composition was analyzed in 15 long-standing type 1 diabetic patients, 8 with mild ( congruent with 1.5 x normal) and 7 with moderate ( congruent with 2 x normal) increases in cortical interstitial fractional volume [Vv(Int/cortex]. The mild group was 29 +/- 5 (mean +/- SD) years old with diabetes duration of 17 +/- 5 years. The moderate group was older (41 +/- 7 years; P < 0.03), had longer diabetes duration (28 +/- 7 years; P = 0.002), lower creatinine clearance (90 +/- 14 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 109 +/- 18 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.05) and used antihypertensive medications more frequently (0/8 vs. 4/7; P < 0.03) compared to the mild group. Age- and gender-matched normal controls (N = 9) also were studied. Interstitial composition was evaluated by morphometric analysis of electron microscopic (EM) micrographs systematically obtained without bias at high (x 7500) and low (x 1500) magnification.', 'Mild interstitial expansion was associated with an congruent with 50% increase in fractional volume of interstitial cells (P < 0.001) and congruent with 70% increase in fractional volume of interstitial nuclei (P < 0.01). Numerical density of interstitial nuclei was normal in these patients, suggesting that the interstitial cells might be larger rather than simply more numerous. An increase over normal in the interstitial fractional volume of fibrillary collagen of congruent with 50% was seen only with moderate expansion (P < 0.001), when creatinine clearance was already decreased. Interstitial expansion was associated with a decrease in volume and surface of peritubular capillaries as well as with a reduction in surface ratio of capillaries to tubules.'] Does an increase in the cell component of the cortical interstitium antedate interstitial fibrosis in type 1 diabetic patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9635353088378906,
-1.4993879795074463,
2.5631155967712402
] |
['Emerging evidence suggests that endothelial turnover occurs in several glomerular diseases and correlates with resolution or progression of glomerular lesions. We hypothesized that the growth factors modulating embryonic kidney endothelial cell survival and capillary morphogenesis may be implicated in capillary loss that occurs in immune-mediated glomerulonephritis (GN).', 'GN was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intravenous administration of sheep anti-mouse glomerular basement membrane (GBM) globulin and assessed with markers of vascularity in glomerular lesions, correlating these with expression of specific vascular growth factors.', 'As assessed by periodic acid Schiff staining, 14 +/- 4% (mean +/- SD) glomeruli were affected by sclerosis at 14 days after globulin administration, and 33 +/- 5% were affected at 21 days. By 21 days, a significant increase of plasma creatinine and urinary protein occurred. P-selectin expression was increased in glomerular capillaries 14 days after disease induction, and capillary loss, as assessed by immunohistochemistry for platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 and the angiopoietin (Ang) receptor Tie-2, was recorded at 14 and 21 days in glomeruli affected by proliferative crescents and/or sclerosis. VEGF-A immunostaining, evident in control glomeruli, was qualitatively diminished in glomeruli with lesions. Ang-1 immunostaining was detected in control glomeruli and was diminished at 14 days after administration of anti-mouse GBM globulin; instead, Ang-1 was immunolocalized to distal tubules. In contrast, Ang-2 immunostaining was barely detectable in control glomeruli but was prominent in disease glomeruli. In GN mice, rare apoptotic glomerular endothelia were detected by electron microscopy and in situ end-labeling, but such cells were not seen in controls.'] Does angiopoietin correlate with glomerular capillary loss in anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.364328384399414,
-1.4184825420379639,
2.8359715938568115
] |
['To determine if docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) supplementation influences growth or visual acuity of formula-fed premature infants.', 'Double-blind, multi-center study of 194 premature infants given preterm formula with no DHA or ARA (control), 0.15% energy DHA, or 0.14% DHA + 0.27% ARA from single-cell triglycerides for at least 28 days and then fed term formula (no DHA or ARA) to 57 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), with 90 breast-fed term infants as reference.', 'Infants fed DHA+ARA formula gained weight significantly faster (post-hoc analysis) during preterm formula feeding than control infants (34.7 vs. 30.7 g/d) and had weights and weight:length ratios not different from term breast-fed infants at 48 and 57 weeks PMA. Infants fed control or DHA formula had lower body weights than term infants. Red blood cell phosphatidylethanolamine ARA was significantly correlated to weight gain during preterm formula feeding and to weight and length at 40, 48, and 57 weeks PMA (r = 0.19 to 0.24, P =.004-.02). Providing DHA or DHA+ARA during the preterm period had no effect on subsequent visual acuity or incidence of adverse events.'] Do docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid enhance growth with no adverse effects in preterm infants fed formula? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1203088760375977,
-1.1089191436767578,
2.369312047958374
] |
['This study investigated whether a minimal approach to typical atrial flutter ablation using an 8 mm tip catheter with a 150 W generator with only the documentation of clockwise block by means of local criteria predicts a good long-term outcome.', 'Seventy patients underwent typical atrial flutter ablation. A multipolar catheter was inserted into the coronary sinus (CS) and an 8 mm tip ablation catheter was used to ablate and map the isthmus. The ablation line was performed in the posteroseptal region. The clockwise block was confirmed by recording a corridor of double potentials along the line and by counterclockwise activation of the portion of the isthmus just beyond the lesion line as demonstrated by measuring the conduction times during CS pacing.', 'In case of block, the mean distance between the two split atrial electrograms was 129 +/- 31 ms. Acute isthmus block was achieved in all 70 patients. The median of the radiofrequency pulses was 10 (range 1-36). No immediate or late complications were noted. The long-term follow-up (19.5 +/- 4 months) revealed recurrence of typical atrial flutter in 2 cases (2.8%).'] Is local electrogram assessment of unidirectional isthmus block sufficient to predict the acute and long-term success of cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.226945400238037,
-1.4432836771011353,
2.75628399848938
] |
['Concern has been raised that serial non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (NB-BAL) may constantly remove surfactant which may result in localised radiological changes. Radiological scores for the lavaged right lower lobe (RLL) were compared with (1) the scores for the unlavaged contra-lateral left lower lobe (LLL) in the NB-BAL group and (2) with the scores of the RLL of control infants not undergoing any formal lavage procedure. NB-BAL was performed daily for 2 weeks and twice weekly thereafter until 28 days of age or until extubation. Two paediatric radiologists obtained chest radiological scores at 1 (pre-lavage radiograph), 7 and 28 days of age. A total of 28 infants in the NB-BAL group (mean birth weight 1350 g and gestation 28.6 weeks) and 26 control infants (1450 g, 29.9 weeks) were studied. Radiological scores for the lavaged RLL and the unlavaged LLL in the NB-BAL group were similar at all time points studied. Although the RLL score in the NB-BAL group was higher on day 1 prior to NB-BAL when compared to control infants (3.2 versus 2.5, P<0.05), the subsequent scores at day 7 (2.6 versus 2.9) and 28 (2.7 versus 2.8) were similar in both groups. No differences were found between the two groups for any clinical parameter including ventilation, oxygen dependency, retinopathy of prematurity or intracranial haemorrhage.'] Is serial bronchoalveolar lavage of preterm infants associated with chest radiological changes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0024631023406982,
-1.3710012435913086,
2.44271183013916
] |
['Supplementation of postmenopausal women with calcium alone or calcium-vitamin D association was suggested to have positive effects on bone turnover and bone density, as well as to lower fracture incidence. The beneficial effect appears to be mediated by a reduction in parathyroid hormone secretion. Our aim was to compare the respective efficacy of calcium and calcium-vitamin D supplements in reducing serum parathyroid hormone levels in postmenopausal women with prevalent low 25(OH)vitamin D levels.', 'One hundred consecutive ambulatory postmenopausal women with serum 25(OH)vitamin D levels below 18 ng/mL were included in a randomized, prospective, open label study. For a duration of 90 days, the women were randomly assigned to a daily supplementation of either one tablet of calcium gluconolactate and carbonate (500 mg calcium), or one powder-pack of an association of calcium carbonate (500 mg calcium), citric acid (2.175 gr) and cholecalciferol (200 IU). Changes observed during the 90 days of the study in circulating PTH levels were the primary endpoint, while changes in serum 25(OH)D levels were assessed as secondary endpoint.', 'A significant difference was observed between the calcium-vitamin D (CaD) and the calcium (Ca) only groups for changes occurring during the 90 days of the study in PTH (-14.5+/-40% and +2.5+/-46%) (p=0.009) and 25(OH)D (+67+/-77% and +18+/-55%) (p<0.001) circulating levels. PTH changes between baseline and day 90 were significant in the CaD group, but not in the Ca group. The odds ratio for a patient in group Ca to experience an absolute (<12 ng/mL) deficiency in circulating 25(OH)vitamin D levels, compared to a group CaD patient was statistically increased (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.33-7.80).'] Is administration of a supplement containing both calcium and vitamin D more effective than calcium alone to reduce secondary hyperparathyroidism in postmenopausal women with low 25 ( OH ) vitamin D circulating levels? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7477773427963257,
-1.5332754850387573,
2.274254322052002
] |
['To determine whether serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) predict accelerated decline in muscular strength or onset of new disability in mobility and upper extremity functioning over a 3-year follow-up.', 'A community-based prospective cohort study.', 'Six hundred twenty-eight moderately to severely disabled women aged 65 and older living in the community.', 'Subjects were divided into three groups of baseline 25(OH)D serum levels (deficiency: <25 nmol/L; low normal: 25-52 nmol/L; high normal: > or =53 nmol/L) and into tertiles of PTH levels. Objective performance measures (hip flexor, knee extensor, and grip strengths; walking speed; and time for repeated chair stands) and disability in activities involving mobility and upper extremity function were assessed at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years. Decline in performance measures and onset of new disability were compared between 25(OH)D and PTH groups using random effects models and proportional hazards models, respectively, while adjusting for age, race, education, body mass index, baseline performance, and chronic conditions.', 'The annual rate of decline over 3 years in muscular strength, walking speed, and time to perform repeated chair stands was similar across 25(OH)D groups. We observed a nonsignificantly faster decline in proximal muscle strength and walking speed with increasing PTH levels. There was no association for either measure between serum levels and the risk of incident disability in activities relating to mobility and upper extremity function.'] Does low serum vitamin d predict new disability or loss of muscle strength in older women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9227373600006104,
-1.213779091835022,
2.2164878845214844
] |
['This investigation sought to examine potential gender differences in the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and functional decline.', 'Cohort study.', 'Rural Pennsylvania.', 'Medicare managed-risk program participants (aged > or =65) in the Geisinger Health Plan. Mean age at study baseline was 71. Final analyzable sample was 2,634 participants.', 'Self-reported weight, weight change, living and eating habits, alcohol and medication use, depression, dentition, and functional status were obtained upon enrollment and again between 3 and 4 years later. Measured height and weight were also recorded at enrollment. Functional decline was defined as any increase in reported limitations in activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living over the study period. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between BMI, as defined by current National Institutes of Health categories, and risk of functional decline while controlling for age, depression, and polypharmacy. The referent category was BMI 18.5 to 24.9.', 'Women had a higher prevalence of reported functional decline than men at the upper range of BMI categories (31.4% vs 14.3% for BMI > or =40). Women (odds ratio (OR) = 2.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.39-4.95) and men (OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.29-8.46) exhibited increased risk for any functional decline at BMI of 35 or greater. Weight loss of 10 pounds and weight gain of 20 pounds were also risk factors for any functional decline.'] Is obesity associated with functional decline in community-dwelling rural older persons? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6402249336242676,
-0.6211664080619812,
1.3486552238464355
] |
['The interactions of CD44 with hyaluronan are thought to be crucial for tumor cell attachment to the extracellular matrix, migration, and invasion. For migration to occur, however, the interactions between hyaluronan and cell surface receptors need to be transient. Hyaluronidases may facilitate the degradation of hyaluronan bound to the cell surface and thus reduce the interactions of the cells with the matrix, whereas the overproduction of hyaluronan in the absence of hyaluronidase activity may prevent cells from proliferating or invading normal surrounding tissue.', 'We analyzed the effects in vitro and in vivo of hyaluronan synthase-2 (HAS2) overexpression on a murine glioma cell line that is deficient in hyaluronidase activity. In addition, we evaluated the expression levels of HAS and hyaluronidase genes in human glioma cell lines and in glioma specimens.', 'Increased hyaluronan synthesis had no effect on the in vitro proliferation of the cells but diminished their in vivo growth rate. Several human glioma cell lines were found to overexpress hyaluronan synthases, but they did so in conjunction with hyaluronidase Hyal2 and MGEA5 expression. Similarly, all glioblastomas multiforme expressed hyaluronidases MGEA5 and Hyal2.'] Does overexpression of hyaluronan synthase-2 reduce the tumorigenic potential of glioma cells lacking hyaluronidase activity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5633175373077393,
-0.8711020946502686,
2.494821071624756
] |
['This study was designed to determine whether therapy with vasodilators and diuretics, designed to normalize loading conditions in decompensated heart failure (HF), reduces neurohormonal activation in the short term. BACKGROUND; Elevated vasoactive neurohormone levels in chronic HF have adverse prognostic impact and may be targeted by specific therapies.', 'Endothelin-1, catecholamines, renin, aldosterone, angiotensin and atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP, N-ANP and BNP) were measured in 34 patients with advanced HF before and after hemodynamically guided therapy with vasodilators and diuretics. The therapy was designed to reduce filling pressures and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) without inotropic therapy. Blood was drawn before therapy (A), after initial diuretic and nitroprusside therapy to optimize hemodynamics (B, mean 1.4 days) and after transition to an oral regimen designed to maintain improved hemodynamics (C, mean 3.4 days).', 'Mean pulmonary wedge pressure fell from 31 to 18 mm Hg, right atrial pressure from 15 to 8 mm Hg, and SVR from 1,780 to 1,109 dynes/s/cm(-5). Cardiac index increased from 1.7 to 2.6 l/min/m(2) without intravenous inotropic agents (all p < or = 0.05). Average endothelin levels declined by 30%, from 7.7 to 5.5 pg/ml, and remained low at time point C, 5.2 pg/ml (p < 0.01). Norepinephrine was 858 at time A, 817 at time B, and fell by time C to 608 pg/ml (p < or = 0.05). The mean plasma BNP level fell by 26% after only 1.4 days and by 53% at time C (p < 0.001).'] Does neurohormonal activation rapidly decrease after intravenous therapy with diuretics and vasodilators for class IV heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9442483186721802,
-1.559564232826233,
2.537184238433838
] |
['TGF-beta(1) mediates effects on fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in the myocardium. The extracellular matrix remodeling depends on the fibrillar collagen degrading matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs). The in vivo effects of TGF-beta(1) on the MMP/TIMP system in TGF-beta(1) overexpressing transgenic mice were studied.', 'Male Alb/TGF-beta(1)(cys(223,225)ser) transgenic mice (TG) and nontransgenic controls (C; 8 weeks) were examined. Protein expression of collagen type I, -III, interstitial collagenase (Int Coll), MMP-2, -9, TIMP-1, -2, -4 and TGF-beta(1) as well as enzyme activity (MMP-2, -9) were measured (Western blots, zymographic assays). mRNA expression of the interstitial collagenase and MMP-9 was studied with the Light-Cycler based real-time PCR.', 'Overexpression of TGF-beta(1) resulted in a 10-fold increase in plasma and a seven-fold increase in myocardial TGF-beta(1) concentrations. Relative heart weights increased (mg g(-1): 7.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 4.8 +/- 0.6, n = 6; P < 0.01) in TG compared to C. Collagen type I and III increased in TG (1.9-fold and 1.7-fold) compared to controls. Interstitial collagenase protein activity (- 91%) and mRNA expression (-75%) in TG were reduced (P < 0.05-P < 0.001). Gelatinase (MMP-2, MMP-9) expression and activity were not significantly alterated. MMP-inhibitors were increased 2.5-fold (TIMP-1, -4) and 6-fold (TIMP-2) in TG.'] Is myocardial fibrosis in transforming growth factor-beta ( 1 ) ( TGF-beta ( 1 ) ) transgenic mice associated with inhibition of interstitial collagenase? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7825690507888794,
-1.6311564445495605,
2.352674961090088
] |
['Recent evidence suggests that angiotensin II (Ang II) induces a variety of proinflammatory mediators including chemokines. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation plays an important role in Ang II-mediated inflammation. The present study investigated which Ang II receptor subtype is involved in NF-kappaB activation. We focused particularly on the Ang II subtype 2 (AT2) receptor because we previously observed that Ang II-induction of the chemokine RANTES in vitro and in vivo is mediated through AT2 receptors.', 'AT1 or AT2 receptors were selectively overexpressed in COS7 cells that normally do not express Ang II receptors. In addition, rat glomerular endothelial cells (GER) that express AT1 and AT2 receptors and PC12 cells that exclusively exhibit AT2 receptors were studied also. Ang II-receptor expression was confirmed by Western blots of membrane lysates. NF-kappaB DNA binding in vitro was detected by electrophoretic shift assays. In addition, in vivo transactivation of a reporter gene construct with kappa enhancer coupled to luciferase also was investigated. Expression of the inhibitor of kappaB alpha (IkappaB-alpha) was detected by Western blots.', 'In AT1 or AT2 receptor transfected cells, but not untransfected COS7 cells, 10-7 mol/L Ang II induced NF-kappaB DNA binding in vitro, as detected by electrophoretic shift assays and in vivo transactivation of a reporter gene construct. The AT2 receptor antagonist PD 123319 but not losartan attenuated Ang II-mediated NF-kappaB activation in COS7 cells transfected with AT2 receptors. While Ang II also induced NF-kappaB activation in PC12 cells, this activation was blocked by PD 123319. Finally, stimulation of GERs with Ang II led to the activation of NF-kappaB through both subtypes of Ang II receptors. Nuclear extracts from COS7 cells transfected with AT2 receptors and PC12 cells with NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity consisted of p50/p65 complexes. There was no difference in subunit composition of nuclear proteins from Ang II-stimulated AT1 receptor transfected COS7 cells. An artificial peptide (p-Amino-Phe6-Ang II) with a high affinity for the AT2 receptor also activated NF-kappaB. Ang II-induced activation of NF-kappaB was associated with degradation of IkappaB-alpha in all studied cell lines.'] Does angiotensin II activate nuclear transcription factor-kappaB through AT1 and AT2 receptors? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3330018520355225,
-1.3711590766906738,
2.736665725708008
] |
['To examine the collagens in cruciate ligaments of young Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs, to determine whether a change in specific collagen types is an early feature of the spontaneous osteoarthritis (OA), which consistently develops in the medial compartment of the knee in this strain.', 'Collagen types I, II, III, IX, and XI were detected by immunofluorescence microscopy in the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments of animals at 3, 4-5 and 12 weeks of age. Type II collagen in PCL was further analysed by confocal microscopy or biochemical assay after cyanogen bromide digestion, SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Interfibrillar proteoglycans were visualized by transmission electron microscopy.', 'Collagen types I and III formed the bulk of fibrous mid-ligament tissue in all animals. Typical cartilage collagens, types II, IX and XI, were identified by immunolabeling where ligaments attached to tibial bone. Type II collagen, normally restricted to the fibrocartilage attachment sites, was also found at separate foci in anterior fiber bundles of the posterior cruciate ligament in 12-week-old animals. Biochemical data confirmed these observations which, together with electron microscopy showing large atypical proteoglycan structures, suggested the deposition of fibrocartilage within the fibrous mid-ligament.'] Does type II collagen deposition in cruciate ligament precede osteoarthritis in the guinea pig knee? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4775450229644775,
-1.2363409996032715,
2.8347082138061523
] |
['It has been suggested that patients with an inguinal hernia harbour an increased risk for colorectal cancer.', 'In a prospective clinical trial, we compared the prevalence of colonic neoplasms in 100 cases with inguinal hernia and 100 controls without inguinal hernia. The number, size, histology type, and the location of all colorectal lesions found during a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy were recorded.', 'Not a single case of colorectal cancer was detected in the patients with inguinal hernia pending surgical repair. In the asymptomatic control subjects, one Dukes A and one Dukes B1 colon cancer were detected. Polypectomy was performed in 15% and 17% of the case and control subjects, respectively. During a 5-year period following the initial screening procedure, none of the case or control subjects was diagnosed with colon cancer.'] Is inguinal hernia a sign of colon cancer : results of a prospective screening trial? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5305163860321045,
-0.8235413432121277,
2.470517635345459
] |
['Intravenous methylprednisolone hemisuccinate is administered to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during exacerbations to improve the rate of recovery. Corticosteroids could be beneficial in MS exacerbations also by decreasing transmigration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) through the blood-brain barrier.', 'To evaluate how in vivo intravenous methylprednisolone treatment in patients with MS could influence transmigration of PBMNCs in an in vitro model; to perform transmigration experiments through a methylprednisolone-treated endothelium with PBMNCs from untreated healthy control subjects to evaluate putative selective effects of corticosteroids on endothelium; concomitantly, to quantify the concentration of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in supernatants of PBMNCs and in serum samples from methylprednisolone-treated patients with MS; to evaluate monokine induced by interferon-gamma release in the supernatants of human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with interferon-gamma alone or interferon-gamma and methylprednisolone; and to perform gene expression studies of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and PBMNCs from methylprednisolone-treated patients with MS.', 'Eight patients with MS in exacerbation were studied before and 3 and 24 hours after intravenous methylprednisolone treatment, 1 g.', 'The absolute number of transmigrated PBMNCs from methylprednisolone-treated patients with MS significantly (P<.01) decreased at 3 hours and increased again at 24 hours, reaching values higher than those before treatment onset. Methylprednisolone was also able to significantly (P<.03) reduce the number of PBMNCs from healthy controls migrating through interferon-gamma-stimulated or unstimulated endothelium. In vitro methylprednisolone treatment decreased monokine induced by interferon-gamma production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.'] Does methylprednisolone act on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and endothelium in inhibiting migration phenomena in patients with multiple sclerosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2910263538360596,
-1.353219985961914,
2.692056179046631
] |
['Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells normally reside in the bone marrow but can be mobilized into the peripheral blood following treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Although the number of transplants performed with mobilized blood currently exceeds those performed with bone marrow, little is known of the molecular mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon. We sought to determine whether mobilization induced by G-CSF or chemotherapy was triggered by common or distinct mechanisms.', 'Balb/c mice were mobilized with either G-CSF alone, cyclophosphamide alone, or the combination of both agents. Spleens, peripheral blood, bone marrow extracellular fluids, and cells were taken at different time points and analyzed for the expression of VCAM-1, the number of peripheral blood progenitor cells, concentration of neutrophil proteases, and number of granulocytes.', 'Administration of either G-CSF or the myelosuppressive agent cyclophosphamide results in a sharp reduction of VCAM-1/CD106 expression in the bone marrow that coincides with the accumulation of granulocytic precursors and release of active neutrophil proteases neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G that directly cleave VCAM-1/CD106 in vitro. These events follow precisely the kinetics of hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization into the peripheral blood.'] Does mobilization by either cyclophosphamide or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor transform the bone marrow into a highly proteolytic environment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6153109073638916,
-1.114793062210083,
2.7990989685058594
] |
['Increased amniotic fluid tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a marker of infection when associated with preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the amniochorionic membranes (PROM). We have noted increased apoptosis in membranes derived from women with PROM. This study examines the role of TNF in promoting fetal membrane apoptosis.', 'Amniochorion (n = 8), collected at the time of elective repeat cesarean section prior to labor from normal term gestation, were placed in an organ explant system. After 48 h in culture, the membranes were stimulated with recombinant TNF-alpha (20 ng/mL) for 24 h. Tissue frozen after stimulation was subjected to RT-PCR to study the expression of TNF-induced caspase genes. ELISA assayed the levels of proapoptotic p53 in tissues and cell death related nuclear matrix protein (NMP) in tissue culture supernatants. The activity of caspases in tissue homogenates was measured using substrates specific for caspase 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9. Results were analyzed by using the Wilcoxon nonparametric test for paired samples. A p < 0.05 was considered significant.', 'RT-PCR showed induction of caspases 2, 8, and 9 (caspase cascade initiators) in human fetal membranes after TNF stimulation. Caspases 3 and 6 (effector caspases) expression was constitutive in both TNF stimulated- and control membranes. Caspases, 2, 3, 8, and 9 activity was significantly higher in TNF-stimulated tissues compared with control, whereas, no significant change in caspase 6 activity was noticed. TNF-stimulated tissues released increased levels of NMP (24.03 U/mL) compared with control (13.5U/mL) (p = 0.03). TNF also increased p53 levels in the tissues (0.05 ng/mL) compared with control cultures (0.03 ng/mL; p = 0.02).'] Does tNF-alpha promote caspase activation and apoptosis in human fetal membranes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0828306674957275,
-1.4804835319519043,
2.567483425140381
] |
['To assess the effectiveness of outpatient treatment of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome associated with ascites.', 'Forty-eight patients diagnosed with ovarian hyperstimulation and ascites from 2,246 consecutive in vitro fertilization cycles were retrospectively studied. Patients were treated with outpatient transvaginal culdocentesis and rehydration with intravenous crystalloids and albumin every 1-3 days until resolution of symptoms or hospitalization was required. Outcomes measured included incidences of hospitalization, pregnancy outcomes, cycle characteristics, and oocyte donors versus nondonors comparisons.', 'No complications occurred from outpatient treatments, and 91.6% of patients avoided hospitalization. The pregnancy rate in patients undergoing transfer was 84.7%, and the spontaneous loss rate was 16%. Overall, the estradiol on day of hCG was 4331 pg/mL (range 2,211-8,167), ascites removed was 1910 cm3 (122-4,000), and number of outpatient treatments was 3.4 (1-14). Nondonors averaged more outpatient treatments than donors (3.97 vs. 1.85), but similar rates of hospitalization (3/35 vs. 1/13).'] Does aggressive outpatient treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome with ascites using transvaginal culdocentesis and intravenous albumin minimize hospitalization? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.399199366569519,
-1.3874703645706177,
1.7507518529891968
] |
['This study was to examine the serum leptin levels in the prediction of pregnancy outcomes in women receiving ovarian hyperstimulation. Effect of leptin on the steroidogenesis was evaluated for granulosa cell (GC) culture in vitro.', 'Serum levels of leptin and estradiol were measured on Day 2, the time of hCG administration and oocyte retrieval in 50 women undergoing long-course GnRH agonist ovarian hyperstimulation. The production of estrogen and progesterone in granulosa cell culture were detected after administration of leptin at the absence or presence of FSH 1 mIU.', 'Leptin levels at the time of hCG injection were significantly lower in the pregnant women than in those without pregnancy. Estradiol concentrations were not correlated with leptin levels during the time of hCG injection and oocyte retrieval. High leptin concentration suppressed both basal estradiol and progesterone productions in GC. Leptin in high doses suppressed estradiol production, but did not alter progesterone production of GC in the presence of FSH.'] Does leptin affect pregnancy outcome of in vitro fertilization and steroidogenesis of human granulosa cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.446988105773926,
-1.105780839920044,
2.5960967540740967
] |
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