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['Resistance to acidic stress contributes to bacterial persistence in the host and is thought to promote their passage through the human gastric barrier. The aim of this study was to examine whether nucleosides have a role in the survival under acidic conditions in Escherichia coli.', 'We found that adenosine has a function to survive against extremely acidic stress. The deletion of add encoding adenosine deaminase that converts adenosine into inosine and NH(3) attenuated the survival in the presence of adenosine. The addition of adenosine increased intracellular pH of E. coli cells in pH 2·5 medium. Addition of inosine or adenine did not increase the resistance to acidic conditions.'] Does adenosine deamination increase the survival under acidic conditions in Escherichia coli? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.830660581588745,
0.0883176177740097,
1.809347152709961
] |
['Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a serious clinical problem lacking effective treatment. Urocortin (UCN), a novel anti-inflammatory neuropeptide, protects injured cardiomyocytes and dopaminergic neurons. Our preliminary studies indicate UCN alleviates ICH-induced brain injury when administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV). The present study examines the therapeutic effect of UCN on ICH-induced neurological deficits and neuroinflammation when administered by the more convenient intraperitoneal (i.p.) route.', "ICH was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intrastriatal infusion of bacterial collagenase VII-S or autologous blood. UCN (2.5 or 25 μg/kg) was administered i.p. at 60 minutes post-ICH. Penetration of i.p. administered fluorescently labeled UCN into the striatum was examined by fluorescence microscopy. Neurological deficits were evaluated by modified neurological severity score (mNSS). Brain edema was assessed using the dry/wet method. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption was assessed using the Evans blue assay. Hemorrhagic volume and lesion volume were assessed by Drabkin's method and morphometric assay, respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) expression was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Microglial activation and neuronal loss were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.", 'Administration of UCN reduced neurological deficits from 1 to 7 days post-ICH. Surprisingly, although a higher dose (25 μg/kg, i.p.) also reduced the functional deficits associated with ICH, it is significantly less effective than the lower dose (2.5 μg/kg, i.p.). Beneficial results with the low dose of UCN included a reduction in neurological deficits from 1 to 7 days post-ICH, as well as a reduction in brain edema, BBB disruption, lesion volume, microglial activation and neuronal loss 3 days post-ICH, and suppression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production 1, 3 and 7 days post-ICH.'] Does systemic administration of urocortin after intracerebral hemorrhage reduce neurological deficits and neuroinflammation in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.343210458755493,
-1.4192466735839844,
2.809046745300293
] |
['Deregulated Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways are found in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to test the inhibitory effects of PKI-587 and sorafenib as single agents or in combination on HCC (Huh7 cell line) proliferation.', '(3)H-thymidine incorporation and MTT assay were used to assess Huh7 cell proliferation. Phosphorylation of the key enzymes in the Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways was detected by Western blot.', 'We found that PKI-587 is a more potent PI3K/mTOR inhibitor than PI-103. Combination of PKI-587 and sorafenib was a more effective inhibitor of Huh7 proliferation than the combination of PI-103 and sorafenib. Combination of PKI-587 and sorafenib synergistically inhibited epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated Huh7 proliferation compared with monodrug therapy. EGF increased phosphorylation of Ras/Raf downstream signaling proteins MEK and ERK; EGF-stimulated activation was inhibited by sorafenib. However, sorafenib, as a single agent, increased AKT (Ser473) phosphorylation. EGF-stimulated AKT (ser473) activation was inhibited by PKI-587. PKI-587 is a potent inhibitor of AKT (Ser473), mTOR (Ser2448), and S6K (Thr389) phosphorylation; in contrast, rapamycin stimulated mTOR complex 2 substrate AKT(Ser473) phosphorylation although it inhibited mTOR complex 1 substrate S6K phosphorylation. PKI-587, as a single agent, stimulated MEK and ERK phosphorylation. However, when PKI-587 and sorafenib were used in combination, they inhibited all the tested kinases in the Ras/Raf /MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways.'] Do pKI-587 and sorafenib targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Ras/Raf/MAPK pathways synergistically inhibit HCC cell proliferation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.18339467048645,
-1.3949577808380127,
2.5727319717407227
] |
['Cancer cells that are exfoliated into the peritoneal cavity during surgery are viable and have the potential to produce peritoneal recurrence. Although peritoneal lavage with distilled water is applied in some cancer surgeries to kill tumor cells, there is no consensus regarding the optimal methodology and its effects.', 'Three human gastric cancer cell lines, MKN28, MKN45, and Kato-III, were exposed to distilled water, and the resultant morphologic changes were observed using a microscope. Analysis of cell volume changes was performed using a flow cytometer. To investigate the cytocidal effects of the water, re-incubation of the cells was performed after exposing them to hypotonic solution. Additionally, the effects of 5-nitro-2-3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB), a Cl(-) channel blocker, and R(+)-[(dihydroindenyl)oxy] alkanoic acid (DIOA), a blocker of the K(+)/Cl(-) co-transporter, on the cells during their exposure to hypotonic solution were analyzed.', 'After the cells had been exposed to the distilled water, a rapid increase in cell volume occurred followed by cell rupture. In the MKN45 and Kato-III cells, treatment with NPPB increased cell volume by inhibiting regulatory volume decrease and enhanced the cytocidal effects of the hypotonic solution, whereas no such effects were observed in the MKN28 cells. On the other hand, treatment of the MKN28 cells with DIOA inhibited RVD and enhanced the cytocidal effects of hypotonic shock.'] Does blockade of chloride ion transport enhance the cytocidal effect of hypotonic solution in gastric cancer cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5700385570526123,
-1.2236554622650146,
2.852212429046631
] |
["Baseball requires an incredible amount of visual acuity and eye-hand coordination, especially for the batters. The learning objective of this work is to observe that traditional vision training as part of injury prevention or conditioning can be added to a team's training schedule to improve some performance parameters such as batting and hitting.", 'All players for the 2010 to 2011 season underwent normal preseason physicals and baseline testing that is standard for the University of Cincinnati Athletics Department. Standard vision training exercises were implemented 6 weeks before the start of the season. Results are reported as compared to the 2009 to 2010 season. Pre season conditioning was followed by a maintenance program during the season of vision training.', "The University of Cincinnati team batting average increased from 0.251 in 2010 to 0.285 in 2011 and the slugging percentage increased by 0.033. The rest of the Big East's slugging percentage fell over that same time frame 0.082. This produces a difference of 0.115 with 95% confidence interval (0.024, 0.206). As with the batting average, the change for University of Cincinnati is significantly different from the rest of the Big East (p\u200a=\u200a0.02). Essentially all batting parameters improved by 10% or more. Similar differences were seen when restricting the analysis to games within the Big East conference."] Does high-performance vision training improve batting statistics for University of Cincinnati baseball players? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-0.6361644864082336,
2.199681043624878,
-2.152029514312744
] |
['Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH)-3 is a neuropeptide that plays a major role in the regulation of reproduction and feeding in mammals.', 'We measured endocrine and behavioural parameters of reproduction in sheep, and sexual behaviour in sheep, mice and cynomolgus monkeys. In addition, GnIH gene expression (in situ hybridization) was examined in ewes, and effects of GnIH-3 on food intake and energy expenditure were measured in various species. GnIH-3 was infused (i.v.) into ewes after an i.m. injection of estradiol benzoate to determine whether the peptide blocks the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion.', 'GnIH gene expression was reduced in the preovulatory period in ewes. Infusion (i.v.) of GnIH-3 blocked the estrogen-induced LH surge (in ewes). Intracerebroventricular infusion had no effect on female or male sexual behaviour in each of the three species, but increased food intake. There were no effects on energy expenditure in sheep or rats. GnIH increased fos protein (immunohistochemistry) was seen in orexigenic neurons (in sheep and rats), but also in anorexigenic neurons (in sheep).'] Is gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone a hypothalamic peptide that provides a molecular switch between reproduction and feeding? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.534214973449707,
-1.0999269485473633,
2.6957974433898926
] |
['Acute kidney injury (AKI) morbidity and mortality rates remain high. Variable AKI outcomes have been reported in association with aminophylline treatment. This study evaluated AKI outcome in a group of Nigerian children treated with aminophylline.', 'This is a retrospective study of AKI in children treated with (N=9) and without (N=8) aminophylline. Studied outcome indices comprised urine flow rate (UFR), duration of oliguria/anuria, progression through AKI stages, number of patients requiring dialysis and mortality.', 'Mean ages for the control and aminophylline arms were 4.6±2.7 and 4.9±2.1 years (P=0.7), respectively. All patients progressed to stage-3 AKI. Baseline median UFRs in the aminophylline and control arms were similar (0.13 Vs 0.04 ml/kg/hour respectively, P=0.5). The median UFR was significantly higher on day-5 (0.8 Vs 0.1; P=0.03), day-6 (1.0 Vs 0.2; P=0.02), and day-7 (1.2 Vs 0.2; P=0.03) in the aminophylline than the control arm, respectively. Short duration of oliguria/anuria (≤ 6 days) was more frequently observed in aminophylline- treated patients compared to controls (77.8% Vs 25.0%; odds ratio 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01-0.89; P=0.04). Only the aminophylline group maintained steady serum creatinine levels. Four out of five patients in the control group were dialyzed compared to only one out of eight patients in the aminophylline group (odds ratio 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04-0.71; P=0.03). Mortality rates were similar in aminophylline- treated and control patients (33% Vs 25%; hazard ratio 0.8; 95% CI: 0.1-5.5; P=0.8).'] Does aminophylline improve urine flow rates but not survival in childhood oliguric/anuric acute kidney injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1791683435440063,
-1.6640442609786987,
1.778494119644165
] |
['Previous studies showed that insulin stimulated directly calcitonin (Ct) secretion in the pig thyroid, while dexamethasone stimulated the production of Ct and Ct mRNA in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cell lines. The objective of this study was to investigate if hyperinsulinemia during the oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) stimulates Ct secretion in normal subjects as well as to examine the relationship between serum cortisol and Ct.', 'In 26 normal subjects (9 men and 17 women) with detectable basal serum Ct, aged 22-70 yr [51.5±14.6 (mean±SD), median 55.5], we measured serum or plasma Ct, cortisol, ACTH, insulin, and blood glucose before (0 min) and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after ingestion of 75 g glucose.', 'During GTT mean serum cortisol increased slightly by 9.3% at 30 min, whereas mean serum insulin increased 9.4-fold, reaching a peak value at 60 min. Median serum Ct increased by 51% (p<0.001) in normal subjects (by 27% in men, p=0.004, and by 44% in women, p<0.001) at 30 min and remained significantly higher thereafter (up to 120 min) when compared to median baseline level. Regression analysis showed that basal serum cortisol, but not basal serum insulin, was correlated with basal serum Ct (p=0.01). Peak concentrations of Ct were also correlated with peak concentrations of cortisol at 30 min (p<0.001) but not at later time points. Serum insulin was correlated with serum Ct at the serum insulin peak level (60 min), and at later time points (90 and 120 min) (p=0.001). Multiple and simple regression analysis showed that calcitonin-AUC (Area Under Curve) values correlated with insulin-AUC (p=0.003), and also with cortisol-AUC (p=0.02) values, the standardized effect of insulin-AUC on Calcitonin-AUC being greater than that of cortisol-AUC.'] Are hyperinsulinemia during oral glucose tolerance test and high normal serum cortisol associated with increased secretion of calcitonin in normal subjects? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.297610878944397,
-1.5821092128753662,
1.8767285346984863
] |
['To study the effect of aerobic interval training (AIT) on myocardial function in sedentary seniors compared to master athletes (MA) and young controls.', 'Sixteen seniors (72 ± 1 years, 10 men) performed AIT (4 × 4 minutes) at ≈ 90% of maximal heart rate three times per week for 12 weeks. Results were compared with 11 male MA (74 ± 2 years) and 10 young males (23 ± 2 years).', "Seniors had an impaired diastolic function compared to the young at rest. AIT improved resting diastolic parameters, increased E/A ratio (44%, p <0.01), early diastolic tissue Doppler velocity (e') (11%, p <0.05) and e' during exercise (11%, p <0.01), shortened isovolumic relaxation rate (IVRT) (13%, p <0.01). Left ventricle (LV) systolic function (S') was unaffected at rest, whereas S' during stress echo increased by 29% (p <0.01). Right ventricle (RV) S' and RV fractional area change (RFAC) increased (9%, p <0.01, 12%, p =0.01, respectively), but not RV e'. MA had the highest end-diastolic volume, stroke volume, diastolic reserve and RV S'."] Does aerobic interval training compensate age related decline in cardiac function? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9130529165267944,
-0.5840567946434021,
1.5785846710205078
] |
['Whereas sudden death, most often associated with cardiovascular collapse, occurs in abusers of the psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH), the underlying mechanism is much less understood. The demonstration that successful resuscitation of an arrested heart depends on maintained functionality of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), which is responsible for the maintenance of stable blood pressure, suggests that failure of brain stem cardiovascular regulation, rather than the heart, holds the key to cardiovascular collapse. We tested the hypothesis that cessation of brain stem cardiovascular regulation because of a loss of functionality in RVLM mediated by bioenergetics failure and oxidative stress underlies the cardiovascular collapse elicited by lethal doses of METH.', 'Survival rate, cardiovascular responses and biochemical or morphological changes in RVLM induced by intravenous administration of METH in Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated. High doses of METH induced significant mortality within 20 min that paralleled concomitant the collapse of arterial pressure or heart rate and loss of functionality in RVLM. There were concurrent increases in the concentration of METH in serum and ventrolateral medulla, along with tissue anoxia, cessation of microvascular perfusion and necrotic cell death in RVLM. Furthermore, mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activity or electron transport capacity and ATP production in RVLM were reduced, and mitochondria-derived superoxide anion level was augmented. All those detrimental physiological and biochemical events were reversed on microinjection into RVLM of a mobile electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, coenzyme Q10; a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant and superoxide anion scavenger, Mito-TEMPO; or an oxidative stress-induced necrotic cell death inhibitor, IM-54.'] Does bioenergetics failure and oxidative stress in brain stem mediate cardiovascular collapse associated with fatal methamphetamine intoxication? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6080691814422607,
-1.197204351425171,
2.8855807781219482
] |
['Long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) migrate from the fetal liver (FL) to the fetal bone marrow (FBM) during development. Various adhesion and chemotactic receptor genes have been implicated in the migration of adult LT-HSCs. However, their role in the migration of fetal LT-HSCs is not clearly understood due, in part, to the rare number of these cells in fetal tissues, which preclude classical gene expression analysis. The aim of this study is to characterize the expression of migration related genes in fetal LT-HSC across different anatomical locations during development.', 'We isolated fetal LT-HSC from different developmental stages, as well as different anatomical locations, and performed single-cell multiplex RT-qPCR and flow cytometry analysis of eight molecules involved in adult LT-HSC migration. Our results show that the gene expression of the chemokine receptor Cxcr4 in LT-HSC varies across developmental microenvironments and times, while the cadherin Cdh2 (Ncad) and the calcium receptor Casr show higher gene expression and variability only in FBM at 17.5 days post coitum (dpc). The cadherin Cdh5 (Vecad) maintains high expression variability only during fetal development, while the integrin subunit Itga5 (α5) increases its variability after 14.5 dpc. The integrin subunits Itga4 (α4) and Itgal (Lfa1), as well as the selectin ligand Selplg (Psgl1), did not show differences in their expression in single LT-HSCs irrespective of the developmental times or anatomical microenvironments studied.'] Does single-cell analysis of murine long-term hematopoietic stem cells reveal distinct patterns of gene expression during fetal migration? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.344804048538208,
-1.1942644119262695,
2.613527536392212
] |
['Crypts can be found with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) mutation carriers without hypertrophy (carriers) using a modified two-chamber view through the inferoseptum, but also in other patients and healthy individuals with standard long-axis views. Since it is currently unknown if carriers display a specific crypt morphology, we compared crypts in carriers with other cardiac pathologies (controls). Besides, we aimed to determine the optimal imaging plane for the detection of crypts by comparing modified two-chamber views with standard long-axis views. Finally, we evaluated the accuracy of crypts to identify carriers in HCM family screening.', 'Standard CMR long-axis views with additional modified two-chamber views were prospectively performed in carriers (n= 43), consecutive CMR control patients (n= 252), and mutation-negative family members (n= 15). Crypts were found in 70% (30/43) of carriers and in 12% (31/252) of controls (P< 0.001). Crypts in carriers showed deeper penetrance into the myocardium compared with controls (74 ± 21% vs. 59 ± 22%, P< 0.01). Detection of two or more crypts had a sensitivity of 51% and specificity of 94% for carriership. Modified two-chamber views doubled the sensitivity to detect crypts compared with standard long-axis views. In family screening, ≥2 crypts had a 100% positive predictive value to identify carriers.'] Are multiple myocardial crypts on modified long-axis view a specific finding in pre-hypertrophic HCM mutation carriers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6346089839935303,
-1.41519033908844,
2.0319571495056152
] |
['Preterm infants show reduced retinal sensitivity at term corrected age compared with newborn term infants. We tested the hypothesis that retinal sensitivity in preterm infants is improved by early, high-dose vitamin A.', "We report a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of infants <32 weeks' gestation and/or <1501 g birth weight. Supplemented infants received additional intramuscular vitamin A 10\xa0000 IU 3 times weekly from day 2 for a minimum of 2 weeks or until establishment of oral feeding. Hepatic stores were assessed by relative dose response (RDR). The primary outcome measure was cone-corrected dark-adapted retinal rod sensitivity measured by electroretinogram at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA).", "Eighty-nine infants (42 supplemented and 47 controls) were recruited. Plasma retinol was higher in supplemented infants at 7 and 28 days (median, 1.0 vs 0.5 μmol/L and 0.7 vs 0.6 μmol/L; P < .001 and .03, respectively). Neither plasma retinol nor RDR differed between groups at 36 weeks' PMA. Retinal sensitivity was greater in supplemented infants (-0.81 vs -0.61 log cd • s • m(-2); P < .03) and was not related to RDR."] Does vitamin A supplementation improve retinal function in infants at risk of retinopathy of prematurity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6934090852737427,
-1.4882457256317139,
2.1921274662017822
] |
['There are myriad symptoms and signs of gastrojejunal leak; prompt recognition is essential. Many surgeons use clinical predictors to guide selective use of upper gastrointestinal imaging (UGI). The appropriate practice remains undefined.', 'A review of patients who underwent primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between January 2002 and December 2008 was conducted. All underwent routine UGI studies on postoperative day 1. Actual gastrojejunal leak within 7 days of surgery (actual leak [AL], radiologic leaks), operative reports, patient charts, and postoperative vital signs were retrospectively reviewed.', 'There were 2,099 operations. Eight ALs (0.43%) occurred without associated mortality. UGI was positive in 7 AL patients and falsely positive in 6 patients. The AL patients underwent laparoscopy on postoperative days 1 and 3 (n = 5 and n = 1, respectively), laparotomy on postoperative day 3 (n = 1), and peritoneal drainage (n = 1). False-positive UGIs prompted laparoscopy (n = 3) and close observation (n = 3). Pulse was 100 to 120 beats per minute in 2 patients and fever (>38.5°C) was present in 0 AL patients. AL patients had osteogenesis imperfecta (n = 1), macronodular cirrhosis (n = 1), positive bubble test (n = 3), and concomitant splenectomy (n = 1). No jejunojejunostomy leaks were identified.'] Is routine upper gastrointestinal imaging superior to clinical signs for detecting gastrojejunal leak after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2032155990600586,
-1.4239000082015991,
2.7008795738220215
] |
['It cannot be excluded that supplementation with L-arginine, by improving function of endothelium and hypotensive effect, can be advantegeous in prevention of cardiovascular diseases in healthy people. However, reports about hypotensive effect of L-arginine in healthy people are unclear. Moreover, no research including ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) has been conducted so far. Therefore, the aim of our study was to show if 4-week supplementation of healthy people with L-arginine influences blood pressure measured with ABPM.', 'The study was carried out on 19 healthy people randomized to 6 g/24-hour, 12 g/24-hours of L-arginine or placebo. ABPM was carried out 4 times: before randomization, after 2 and 4 weeks of supplementation and 2 weeks after finishing supplementation.', 'It was found that 4 weeks of supplementation of healthy people with L-arginine (6 or 12 g/24-hour) led to nonsignificant decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure; the decrease was greater during night.'] Does supplementation with L-arginine influence arterial blood pressure in healthy people : a randomized , double blind , trial? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3055355548858643,
-1.0359814167022705,
2.436056137084961
] |
['Serum samples taken before the onset of RA suggest that one of the first features of RA is BMD loss. We determined the ability of radiographic BMD loss to predict RA development and arthritis persistency in patients with early undifferentiated arthritis (UA).', 'Five hundred and seventeen patients with early UA, included in the Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic, were assessed. Of these, 101 had hand radiographs made at first visit as well as after 6 months. BMD loss was measured using digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) online. The outcome measures fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria for RA after 1 year and arthritis persistency during a mean follow-up of 7 years. Additionally, it was assessed whether BMD measurements improved predictions compared with a validated prediction rule.', 'A total of 53.8% of UA patients developed RA and 67.5% had persistent disease after 7 years follow-up. Highly elevated BMD loss (≥2.5\u2009mg/cm2/month) was present in 16.3% of patients and associated with RA development [odds ratio (OR) 6.1, 95% CI 1.2, 29.2, positive predictive value (PPV) 85%, negative predictive value (NPV) 52%, sensitivity 26%, specificity 95%]. BMD loss may have an independent effect of anti-CCP when tested in a logistic regression analysis (OR 4.1, 95% CI 0.8, 21.2), although the CI is large. All UA patients that were unclassified with the prediction rule and had highly elevated BMD loss progressed to RA. BMD loss was not significantly associated with arthritis persistency (HR\u2009=\u20090.56, 95% CI 0.14, 2.29).'] Does loss of metacarpal bone density predict RA development in recent-onset arthritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0770314931869507,
-1.7378339767456055,
1.8162872791290283
] |
['Plant photoreceptors, phytochromes and cryptochromes, regulate many aspects of development and growth, such as seed germination, stem elongation, seedling de-etiolation, cotyledon opening, flower induction and circadian rhythms. There are several pieces of evidence of interaction between photoreceptors and phyto-hormones in all of these physiological processes, but little is known about molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying hormone-photoreceptor crosstalk.', 'In this work, we investigated the molecular effects of exogenous phyto-hormones to photoreceptor gene transcripts of tomato wt, as well as transgenic and mutant lines with altered cryptochromes, by monitoring day/night transcript oscillations. GA and auxin alter the diurnal expression level of different photoreceptor genes in tomato, especially in mutants that lack a working form of cryptochrome 1a: in those mutants the expression of some (IAA) or most (GA) photoreceptor genes is down regulated by these hormones.'] Do gibberellin and auxin influence the diurnal transcription pattern of photoreceptor genes via CRY1a in tomato? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.772329092025757,
-0.45629873871803284,
2.2695565223693848
] |
['Diet and regular soft drinks have been associated with diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, and regular soft drinks with coronary heart disease.', 'To determine the association between soft drinks and combined vascular events, including stroke.', 'A population-based cohort study of stroke incidence and risk factors. PARTICANTS: Participants (N=\u20092564, 36% men, mean age 69\u2009±\u200910, 20% white, 23% black, 53% Hispanic) were from the Northern Manhattan Study.', 'We assessed diet and regular soft drink consumption using a food frequency questionnaire at baseline, and categorized: none (<1/month, N\u2009=\u20091948 diet, N\u2009=\u20091333 regular), light (1/month-6/week, N\u2009=\u2009453 diet, N\u2009=\u2009995 regular), daily (≥1/day, N\u2009=\u2009163 diet, N\u2009=\u2009338 regular). Over a mean follow-up of 10 years, we examined the association between soft drink consumption and 591 incident vascular events (stroke, myocardial infarction, vascular death) using Cox models.', 'Controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, BMI, daily calories, consumption of protein, carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium, those who drank diet soft drinks daily (vs. none) had an increased risk of vascular events, and this persisted after controlling further for the metabolic syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, cardiac disease, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia (HR\u2009=\u20091.43, 95% CI\u2009=\u20091.06-1.94). There was no increased risk of vascular events associated with regular soft drinks or light diet soft drink consumption.'] Is diet soft drink consumption associated with an increased risk of vascular events in the Northern Manhattan Study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1885786056518555,
-1.0758137702941895,
2.358402729034424
] |
['Mutations in the gene encoding transglutaminase 1 (TG1) are responsible for various types of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI), such as lamellar ichthyosis (LI), congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE) and some minor variants of ARCI. A point mutation of R143C in the β-sandwich domain of TG1 has been often identified in patients with LI or CIE.', 'To elucidate the effect of that point mutation on skin barrier structures and functions, we generated mice with a point mutation of R142C, which corresponds to the R143C mutation in human TG1.', 'A mouse line with the R142C point mutation in TG1 was established using a gene targeting technique and the Cre-loxP system. The skin phenotypes were analyzed in homozygous mutant Tgm1(R142C/R142C) mice.', 'In the skin of Tgm1(R142C/R142C) mice, expression of the mutant transcripts was comparable with wild-type or Tgm1(+/R142C) mice. However, the amount of mutated protein in the skin was markedly decreased in Tgm1(R142C/R142C) mice, and the TG1 activity of Tgm1(R142C/R142C) keratinocytes was almost lost. Tgm1(R142C/R142C) mice exhibited morphological and functional skin barrier defects and neonatal lethality. The stratum corneum of those mice lacked cornified envelopes, and loricrin, the major structural component, failed to assemble at the corneocyte cell periphery. Tgm1(R142C/R142C) mice showed a marked increase in transepidermal water loss and their skin was easily permeable to toluidine blue dye. The intercellular lipid lamellar structures of the stratum corneum were irregular and the 13-nm periodic X-ray diffractions from the stratum corneum lipid molecules were lost in vivo.'] Does knocking-in the R142C mutation in transglutaminase 1 disrupt the stratum corneum barrier and postnatal survival of mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2960331439971924,
-1.3530583381652832,
2.6453442573547363
] |
['To assess clinical response after switching between anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) agents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).', 'This study included 99 patients diagnosed with RA American College of Rheumatology, 1987), on anti-TNF-alpha therapy, to assess the therapeutic response after 24 weeks. Switching was performed if, after 12 to 24 weeks, a severe adverse event was reported (toxicity: T) or if no reduction greater than 0.6 in the initial Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) occurred (inadequate response: IR). In case of IR, the patient was considered as primary failure (PF). Secondary failure (SF) was defined as loss of response after initial improvement. Remission (DAS28 < 2.6), low disease activity (between 2.61 and 3.2), and functional improvement [increase in the initial Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) > 0.2] were assessed by use of linear regression analysis. The significance level adopted was P < 0.05.', 'Switching was performed in 39 (39.4%) patients, especially due to PF (24.3%), SF (35.1%) and T (40.5%). The retention rate of the first agent was 60.1%, and the mean time for switching was 14.2 ± 10.9 months. After switching, a tendency towards a decrease in DAS28 was observed (4.7 ± 1.4; P = 0.08), but not in the HAQ (1.2 ± 0.77; P = 0.11). Around 43% of the patients achieved good/moderate EULAR response. The major determinant of switching was a higher initial DAS28, independent of age, duration of disease, and functional capacity.'] Does switching between anti-TNF-alpha agents improve functional capacity in patients with long-standing and active rheumatoid arthritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4046986103057861,
-1.6230177879333496,
2.00759220123291
] |
['To evaluate the results of controlled ovarian stimulation before chemotherapy for oocyte vitrification to preserve fertility in women diagnosed with cancer and compare them with a historical control group.', 'A retrospective, multicenter, observational study performed between March 2007 and January 2011.', 'University-affiliated infertility clinics.', 'Of 272 patients affected by cancer in our Fertility Preservation Program, 223 women underwent a stimulated cycle for oocyte vitrification according to our protocols before cancer treatment. Their results were compared with a historical control group of 98 patients diagnosed with male factor infertility who were stimulated for a conventional IVF cycle.', 'Controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval.', 'Days of stimulation, total dose of gonadotropins, estrogen levels, and number of oocytes retrieved and vitrified.', 'No differences were found in days of stimulation, but significant differences in E(2) levels and the number of retrieved oocytes were measured, especially in the hormone-dependent cancer group.'] Is ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in cancer patients diminished even before oncological treatment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.763417959213257,
-0.4544075131416321,
2.273179054260254
] |
['Haemostatic alterations are commonly detected in human and canine cancer patients. Previous studies have described haemostatic dysfunction in canine patients with haemangiosarcomas and carcinomas, and haemostasis has been assessed in dogs with various malignant and benign neoplasias. Few studies have addressed the effect of cancer type and progression of disease on the presence of haemostatic alterations in canine patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate haemostatic variables of coagulation and fibrinolysis in a group of canine cancer patients, and to compare haemostatic changes to the cancer type and progression of disease.', 'The study population consisted of 71 dogs with malignant neoplasia presented to the University Hospital for Companion Animals, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The study was designed as a prospective observational study evaluating the haemostatic function in canine cancer patients stratified according to type of cancer disease and disease progression. The coagulation response was evaluated by thromboelastrography (TEG), platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothombin time (PT), fibrinogen and antithrombin (AT); and fibrinolysis by d-dimer and plasminogen.', 'Hypercoagulability was the most common haemostatic dysfunction found. Non mammary carcinomas had increased clot strength (TEG G), aPTT and fibrinogen compared to the other groups. When stratifying the patients according to disease progression dogs with distant metastatic disease exhibited significantly increased fibrinogen, and d-dimer compared to dogs with local invasive and local non-invasive cancers.'] Are haemostatic alterations in a group of canine cancer patients associated with cancer type and disease progression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4624764919281006,
-1.239102840423584,
2.7142269611358643
] |
['Our aim was to assess the predictive value of liver stiffness (LS), measured by transient elastography (TE), for clinical outcome in human immunodeficiency virus / hepatitis C virus (HIV/HCV)-coinfected patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. This was a prospective cohort study of 239 consecutive HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with a new diagnosis of cirrhosis, done by TE, and no previous decompensation of liver disease. The time from diagnosis to the first liver decompensation and death from liver disease, as well as the predictors of these outcomes, were evaluated. After a median (Q1-Q3) follow-up of 20 (9-34) months, 31 (13%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9%-17%) patients developed a decompensation. The incidence of decompensation was 6.7 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI, 4.7-9-6). Fourteen (8%) out of 181 patients with a baseline LS < 40 kPa developed a decompensation versus 17 (29%) out of 58 with LS ≥ 40 kPa (P = 0.001). Factors independently associated with decompensation were Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class B versus A (hazard ratio [HR] 7.7; 95% CI 3.3-18.5; P < 0.0001), log-plasma HCV RNA load (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.6; P = 0.01), hepatitis B virus coinfection (HR, 10.3; 95% CI, 2.1-50.4; P = 0.004) and baseline LS (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05; P = 0.02). Fifteen (6%, 95% CI: 3.5%-9.9%) patients died, 10 of them due to liver disease, and one underwent liver transplantation. CTP class B (HR 16.5; 95% CI 3.4-68.2; P < 0.0001) and previous exposure to HCV therapy (HR 7.4; 95% CI 1.7-32.4, P = 0.007) were independently associated with liver-related death; baseline LS (HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.98-1.07; P = 0.08) was of borderline significance.'] Does liver stiffness predict clinical outcome in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients with compensated liver cirrhosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3771249055862427,
-1.7260125875473022,
2.117387533187866
] |
["Increased global industrial activity has exposed humans to a wide variety of chemical substances some of which, called 'endocrine-disrupting chemicals' (EDCs) or 'endocrine disruptors', can disrupt the endocrine system in the body. The ovarian follicle is a very fragile micro-environment where interactions between hormones, growth factors, the oocyte and its surrounding somatic cells are essential to generate a fully competent oocyte. In vitro experiments suggest that EDCs can disturb this finely tuned balance, but very scarse in vivo data are available to confirm this assumption. Therefore, we have investigated if the presence of EDCs in human follicular fluid is a risk factor for the developmental competence of an in vivo exposed oocyte. Furthermore, because of the limited access to human follicular fluid, we verified if follicular fluid contamination can be predicted based on EDC levels in serum.", 'Follicular fluid (n = 40) and serum (n = 20) samples from women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) were analyzed by means of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry to examine the presence of different EDCs, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organochlorine pesticides. Statistical models were used to investigate the relation between the characteristics and ART results of the patients and the contamination status of their follicular fluid and to assess the capacity of serum samples to predict follicular fluid contamination.', "Chlorinated biphenyl 153 (72 ± 44 and 201 ± 106 pg/ml) and p,p'-DDE (392 ± 348 and 622 ± 406 pg/ml) were the compounds found in the highest concentrations in follicular fluid and serum samples, respectively. A new variable principal component 1, representing the overall contamination status of the follicular fluid samples, is strongly associated with fertilization rate (P < 0.00001) and the proportion of high-quality embryos relative to the amount of retrieved oocytes (P < 0.05), even when the analysis is adjusted for age, estradiol concentration, BMI, fertilization procedure and male subfertility as explanatory variables. The strong correlations between the EDC concentrations in serum and follicular fluid (r ≥ 0.93) allowed us to build regression models, which accurately predict EDC concentrations in the follicular fluid based on serum samples."] Do endocrine-disrupting chemicals in human follicular fluid impair in vitro oocyte developmental competence? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.079071283340454,
-1.3913006782531738,
2.5238537788391113
] |
['Remnant lipoproteins (RLPs) are products of partially catabolized chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoprotein, from which some triglycerides have been removed. These particles are smaller and denser than the parent particles and are believed to be strongly atherogenic. We explored the association between RLP cholesterol (RLP-C) and ischemic stroke, including stroke subtypes.', 'A cohort of 142 ischemic stroke patients (90 men and 52 women; age, 65.2±12.8 years, mean±SD) was enrolled; all had acute infarcts confirmed by diffusion-weighted MRI, and had fasting lipograms. A full stroke-related evaluation was conducted on each patient. An outpatient population of 88 subjects without a history of cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease served as a control group. Serum RLP fractions were isolated using an immunoaffinity gel containing specific antiapolipoprotein (anti-apo)B-100 and anti-apoA-I antibodies. RLP-C values were considered to be high when they were in the highest quartile of all values in the study.', 'High RLP-C values were more common in stroke patients than in control patients (31.0% vs. 14.8%, p=0.01), when 5.6 mg/dL (>75th percentile) was used as the cutoff value. Multivariable analyses indicated that RLP-C was a risk factor for stroke, with an odds ratio of 2.54 (p=0.045). The RLP-C level was higher in the large artery atherosclerosis subgroup (5.7±3.9 mg/dL) than in any other stroke subgroup (small vessel occlusion, 4.9±5.9 mg/dL; cardioembolism, 1.8±2.3 mg/dL; stroke of undetermined etiology, 3.1±2.9 mg/dL).'] Is high levels of remnant lipoprotein cholesterol a risk factor for large artery atherosclerotic stroke? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7478317022323608,
-1.642709493637085,
2.3940558433532715
] |
["Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the primary treatment for advanced prostate cancer (CaP). There is growing evidence that ADT negatively affects men's psychosocial well-being (e.g., causing sexual dysfunction, bodily feminization) and physical health (e.g., increasing the risk of osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome). Although strategies for managing the majority of side effects exist, it is not clear that patients are benefiting from this knowledge.", 'Seventy-nine newly prescribed ADT patients and 54 of their partners were given a checklist of various common and uncommon ADT side effects. They were asked to indicate the drug side effects that they had heard of or anticipated.', 'Both patients and their partners were poorly informed about the side effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists used for ADT. More than 70% did not know that anemia, memory problems, loss of body hair, and depression can occur following treatment. Over 50% were unaware of significant potential side effects such as reduced muscle mass, osteoporosis, increased fracture risk, weight gain, genital shrinkage, and gynecomastia. Concurrently, more than 20% mistakenly anticipated dizziness and itching.'] Do patients and partners lack knowledge of androgen deprivation therapy side effects? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.103131055831909,
-1.090667486190796,
2.1756200790405273
] |
['Infection is a risk factor for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm newborns. Our objective was to characterize the association of postnatal infection with adverse microstructural and metabolic brain development in premature newborns.', 'In 34/117 newborns studied, clinical signs were accompanied by positive cultures whereas 17 had clinical signs of sepsis alone. White matter injury (WMI) was identified in 34 newborns. In multivariate regression models, infected newborns had brain imaging measures indicative of delayed brain development: lower N-acetylaspartate/choline, elevated average diffusivity (D(AV)), and decreased white matter fractional anisotropy. These widespread brain abnormalities were found in both newborns with positive-culture infection and in those with clinical infection.'] Is postnatal infection associated with widespread abnormalities of brain development in premature newborns? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3989577293395996,
-1.0114861726760864,
2.5856990814208984
] |
['Massive frozen stocked allogeneic bone grafts are often used to reconstruct large bone defects caused by trauma or tumor resections. However, the long-term failure rate of such massive allografts was reported to be 25% because of infection, fracture, and nonunion. In this study, we evaluated the ability of a recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2-retaining paste to promote the osteogenic potential of frozen stocked allogeneic bone grafts to repair intercalated femoral shaft defects in a rat model.', 'After confirming the transplantation intolerance between two rat strains (Wistar and Lewis) by skin transplantation from Lewis rats to Wistar rats, an 8-mm-long bone segment was removed from the Wistar rats, and a frozen stocked allograft coated with the rhBMP-2-retaining paste from the Lewis rats was placed into the defect and subjected to intramedullary fixation with an 18-gauge injection needle pin. The allografted femurs were evaluated by radiographic, histologic, and biomechanical examinations at specified time points.', 'The results revealed successful repair of critical-size cortical bone defects by implanting frozen stocked allografts coated with the rhBMP-2-retaining synthetic biodegradable carrier paste from an immunologically intolerant host.'] Do repair of critical long bone defects using frozen bone allografts coated with an rhBMP-2-retaining paste? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4714772701263428,
-1.2487319707870483,
2.831712484359741
] |
['Superimposed infection and/or inflammation precipitate renal failure in cirrhosis. This study aimed at testing the hypothesis that increased gut bacterial translocation in cirrhosis primes the kidney to the effect of superimposed inflammation by upregulating expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), NFκB, and cytokines. A well-characterized bile-duct ligated (BDL) model of cirrhosis, which develops renal failure following superimposed inflammatory insult with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was used and selective gut decontamination was performed using norfloxacin.', 'Sprague-Dawley rats were studied: Sham, Sham+LPS; BDL, BDL+LPS; an additional BDL and BDL+LPS groups were selectively decontaminated with norfloxacin. Plasma biochemistry, plasma renin activity (PRA) and cytokines and, protein expression of TLR4, NFκB, and cytokines were measured in the kidney homogenate. The kidneys were stained for TLR4, TLR2, and caspase-3. Endotoxemia was measured using neutrophil burst and Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assays.', 'The groups treated with norfloxacin showed significant attenuation of the increase in plasma creatinine, plasma and renal TNF-α and renal tubular injury on histology. The increased renal protein expression of TLR4, NFκB, and caspase-3 in the untreated animals was significantly attenuated in the norfloxacin treated animals. PRA was reduced in the treated animals and severity of endotoxemia was also reduced.'] Is prevention of acute kidney injury in a rodent model of cirrhosis following selective gut decontamination associated with reduced renal TLR4 expression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4678590297698975,
-1.3702912330627441,
2.8667004108428955
] |
['At present hepatocyte transplantation is a promising option for cellular therapy of end-stage liver diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms need to be better defined in order to translate this technique into clinical use. This study investigated the cursiv relevance of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met signalling for hepatocyte repopulation after transplantion.', 'Wild-type mice (c-Met(loxP/loxP)) and hepatocyte-specific conditional c-Met (HGF receptor) knockout (c-Met(Δhepa)) mice were used as donors and recipients for hepatocyte transplantation.', 'Transplantation experiments revealed two major findings. First it was demonstrated that c-Met is indispensable in donor cells, as c-Met(Δhepa) cells did not repopulate recipient livers after transplantation. Second, genetic deletion of c-Met in recipient hepatocytes resulted in enhanced expansion of unmodified donor cells in host livers (up to 250-fold after 12 weeks). The relevant mechanisms for this observation in c-Met(Δhepa) host hepatocytes could be defined. c-Met(Δhepa) hepatocytes showed enhanced apoptosis, reduced cellular proliferation and a lack of AKT-kinase and STAT3 activation. In addition, tissue remodelling was changed in c-Met(Δhepa) recipient livers. Therefore, the lack of pro-proliferative transcription factors, increased apoptosis and changes in matrix-remodelling inhibit host cell proliferation in c-Met(Δhepa) recipient livers and thus favour repopulation of transplanted hepatocytes. Therapeutically liver repopulation could be increased through adenoviral expression of NK-4--an inhibitor of HGF signalling--in host hepatocytes.'] Is hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met signalling important for the selection of transplanted hepatocytes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.431204319000244,
-1.2752485275268555,
2.745713710784912
] |
['Wnt signalling is critical for normal intestinal development and homeostasis. Wnt dysregulation occurs in almost all human and murine intestinal tumours and an optimal but not excessive level of Wnt activation is considered favourable for tumourigenesis. The authors assessed effects of pan-intestinal Wnt activation on tissue homeostasis, taking into account underlying physiological Wnt activity and stem-cell number in each region of the bowel.', 'The authors generated mice that expressed temporally controlled, stabilised β-catenin along the crypt-villus axis throughout the intestines. Physiological Wnt target gene activity was assessed in different regions of normal mouse and human tissue. Human intestinal tumour mutation spectra were analysed.', 'In the mouse, β-catenin stabilisation resulted in a graduated neoplastic response, ranging from dysplastic transformation of the entire epithelium in the proximal small bowel to slightly enlarged crypts of non-dysplastic morphology in the colorectum. In contrast, stem and proliferating cell numbers were increased in all intestinal regions. In the normal mouse and human intestines, stem-cell and Wnt gradients were non-identical, but higher in the small bowel than large bowel in both species. There was also variation in the expression of some Wnt modulators. Human tumour analysis confirmed that different APC mutation spectra are selected in different regions of the bowel.'] Does a basal gradient of Wnt and stem-cell number influence regional tumour distribution in human and mouse intestinal tracts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4275424480438232,
-1.0795189142227173,
2.597261667251587
] |
[': To investigate whether alexithymia is linked to the disease process or to psychopathology, particularly depression, in Parkinson disease (PD) patients.', ': Cross-sectional study.', ': Neuropsychiatry outpatient clinic.', ': One hundred PD patients and 100 comparison subjects (CS).', ': PD patients and CS underwent a clinical and neuropsychiatric evaluation. Alexithymia was assessed with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Severity of depressive symptoms was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory. A structured psychiatric interview was used to diagnose major and minor depression. Logistic regression analyses with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the association between alexithymia and PD.', ': Alexithymia occurred twice as often in PD patients (22%) as in CS (11%) and major depressive disorder occurred twice as often in CS (30%) than in PD (16%). The frequency of minor depression was almost identical (about 40%) in the 2 groups. Alexithymia was also associated with PD independently from depression. Indeed, after adjustment for sociodemographic factors, antidepressant use and depression severity, PD patients had an almost fourfold higher risk of having alexithymia (OR: 3.9, 95% CI: 1.5-10.0) and 24 times increased odds of having high scores on the TAS-20 items assessing difficulty in identifying emotions than CS (OR: 23.7, 95% CI: 10.1-55.6).'] Is alexithymia a non-motor symptom of Parkinson disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.712410807609558,
-1.2201814651489258,
1.9222723245620728
] |
['Functional communication in the UV range has been reported in Invertebrates and all major groups of Vertebrates but Amphibians. Although perception in this wavelength range has been shown in a few species, UV signalling has not been demonstrated in this group. One reason may be that in lentic freshwater habitats, litter decomposition generates dissolved organic carbon that absorbs UV radiation and thus hinders its use for visual signalling. We tested the effect of male UV characteristics on female sexual preference in two newt species that experience contrasting levels of UV water transmission when breeding.', 'We analysed water spectral characteristics of a sample of breeding ponds in both species. We quantified male ventral coloration and measured male attractiveness under two lighting conditions (UV present, UV absent) using a no-choice female preference design. UV transmission was higher in Lissotriton vulgaris breeding sites. Male UV patterns also differed between experimental males of the two species. We observed a first common peak around 333 nm, higher in L. vulgaris, and a second peak around 397 nm, more frequent and higher in L. helveticus. Male attractiveness was significantly reduced in L. vulgaris when UV was not available but not in L. helveticus. Male attractiveness depended on the hue of the first UV peak in L. vulgaris.'] Is male attractiveness influenced by UV wavelengths in a newt species but not in its close relative? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.6338180303573608,
0.5637817978858948,
0.14780965447425842
] |
['Visceral obesity is associated with the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Low-grade chronic inflammation and oxidative stress synergize in obesity and obesity-induced disorders.', 'We searched a cluster of molecules that support interactions between these stress conditions in monocytes.', 'RNA expressions in blood monocytes of two independent cohorts comprising 21 and 102 obese persons and 46 age-matched controls were determined by microarray and independently validated by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. The effect of three-month weight loss after bariatric surgery was determined. The effect of RNA silencing on inflammation and oxidative stress was studied in human monocytic THP-1 cells.', 'Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-3 (IRAK3), key inhibitor of IRAK/NFκB-mediated chronic inflammation, is downregulated in monocytes of obese persons. Low IRAK3 was associated with high superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2), a marker of mitochondrial oxidative stress. A comparable expression profile was also detected in visceral adipose tissue of the same obese subjects. Low IRAK3 and high SOD2 was associated with a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio: 9.3; sensitivity: 91%; specificity: 77%). By comparison, the odds ratio of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a widely used marker of systemic inflammation, was 4.3 (sensitivity: 69%; specificity: 66%). Weight loss was associated with an increase in IRAK3 and a decrease in SOD2, in association with a lowering of systemic inflammation and a decreasing number of metabolic syndrome components. We identified the increase in reactive oxygen species in combination with obesity-associated low adiponectin and high glucose and interleukin-6 as cause of the decrease in IRAK3 in THP-1 cells in vitro.'] Is interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-3 a key inhibitor of inflammation in obesity and metabolic syndrome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2570748329162598,
-1.347211480140686,
2.658858299255371
] |
['Tau protein, the main component of neurofibrillary tangles, could be found in the extracellular space upon neuronal death or, as it has recently been suggested, could be secreted from cells through membrane vesicles.', 'The purpose of this communication is to confirm that upon neuronal death, tau protein can be found, indeed, in the extracellular space and to analyze if tau could be secreted outside the cell in an alternative way.', 'We have tested not only the extracellular release of tau, but also the toxicity of this extracellular tau. To do these studies, we have used neuronal cell cultures and tau-overexpressing non-neuronal cells. Membrane vesicles were isolated from culture medium from tau-overexpressing non-neuronal cells.', 'Our results indicate that extracellular tau, arising after neuron death, could be a toxic agent for neighboring neurons. On the other hand, we have found that an overexpression of tau protein could result in its secretion through membrane vesicles. However, the presence of this secreted tau does not result in cell death.'] Does tau overexpression result in its secretion via membrane vesicles? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.871670961380005,
0.3987598121166229,
1.5060184001922607
] |
['Two active compounds, baicalein and its glycoside baicalin were found in the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and reported to be neuroprotective in vitro and in vivo. This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of baicalein on the rotenone-induced apoptosis in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells related to parkinsonism.', 'Cell viability and cytotoxicity were determined by MTT assay. The degree of nuclear apoptosis was evaluated with a fluorescent DNA-binding probe Hoechst 33258. The production of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were determined by fluorescent staining with DCFH-DA and Rhodanmine 123, respectively. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 was determined by the Western blots.', 'Baicalein significantly increased viability and decreased rotenone-induced death of SH-SY5Y cells in a dose-dependent manner. Pre- and subsequent co-treatment with baicalein preserved the cell morphology and attenuated the nuclear apoptotic characteristics triggered by rotenone. Baicalein antagonized rotenone-induced overproduction of ROS, loss of ΔΨm, the increased expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 and the decreased expression of Bcl-2.'] Does baicalein antagonize rotenone-induced apoptosis in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells related to Parkinsonism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4294142723083496,
-1.3399646282196045,
2.78964900970459
] |
['The present study evaluated whether elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) was predictive of an increased risk for death or amputation in patients with acute lower limb ischemia (ALI). ALI is one of the most frequent causes of amputation, with mortality rates for ALI ranging from 15% to 20%.', 'This study included 254 consecutive ALI patients (155 men, 99 women; mean age, 71.6 ± 13.2 years) presenting with Rutherford categories I, IIA, or IIB according to the classification for ALI.', 'ALI was caused by thromboembolism (29.5%), local arterial thrombosis (53.1%), or bypass graft occlusion (16.9%). Restoration of arterial blood flow was obtained by an endovascular approach, with a primary success rate of 98.4%. Rates were low for in-hospital mortality (3.9%) and amputation (5.1%). Patients who died or required amputation more frequently presented with elevated cTnT ≥0.01 ng/mL (52.2% vs 25.5%, P = .01) and impaired renal function (chronic kidney disease stage 3-5; 60.9% vs 38.1%; P = .04). After controlling for age, sex, C-reactive protein, renal function, presence or absence of coronary artery disease, and traditional vascular risk factors, as well as the interval between symptom onset and revascularization, the relationship between cTnT and a worse in-hospital outcome remained significant (hazard ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-8.5; P = .010).'] Does elevated cardiac troponin T contribute to prediction of worse in-hospital outcomes after endovascular therapy for acute limb ischemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8815304040908813,
-1.5421358346939087,
2.4323692321777344
] |
['To examine the migratory properties of cytokine-activated T (Tck) cells.', 'Tck cells were generated by culture of peripheral blood T cells in the presence of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α, and IL-2. Changes in cell surface phenotype were analyzed by flow cytometry. Chemotactic responsiveness was measured using in vitro chemotaxis assays and transendothelial migration through human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers. Levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.', 'Cytokine stimulation up-regulated the expression of chemokine receptors and integrins on Tck cells, including CXCR4, very late activation antigen 4 (VLA-4), and lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1. Increased expression of CXCR4 and VLA-4 integrin resulted in concentration-dependent chemotaxis to their ligands, stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and VCAM-1, which could be selectively blocked using a specific CXCR4 inhibitor and antibodies against VLA-4. Increased expression of VLA-4 also resulted in increased transendothelial migration of Tck cells, which could be abrogated using blocking antibodies against VLA-4. Tck cells also showed an increased chemotactic response to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes cultured in vitro, which could be blocked using inhibitors against VLA-4 and CXCR4.'] Are cXCR4 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 key chemokine/adhesion receptors in the migration of cytokine-activated T cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4514968395233154,
-1.3359248638153076,
2.832735300064087
] |
['Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may protect bone against oxidative stress-induced osteoporosis. This in vitro study was conducted to determine the protective effects of a-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol on osteoblasts, the bone forming cells, against oxidative stress.', 'Toxicity tests were carried out on hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol and their inhibitory concentration 50 (IC(50)) on osteoblasts were determined if any. Osteoblast cultures were then pretreated with different concentrations of a-tocopherol or γ-tocotrienol for 24 hours before incubated with the IC50 of H(2)O(2) for 2 hours. Cell viability was determined by using MTS assay to compare the protective effects of both vitamin E on osteoblast exposed to H(2)O(2).', 'The IC(50) after 2 hours and 24 hours incubation time for H(2)O(2) were 490 µM and 280 µM respectively. γ-Tocotrienol was found to be toxic to osteoblasts with the IC(50) of 290 µM after 24 hours incubation time while a-tocopherol was not toxic to osteoblasts at any doses. However, γ-tocotrienol was able to protect osteoblasts from H(2)O(2) toxicity at low concentration (1 µM), whereras a-tocopherol was not able to offer protection against H2O2 toxicity.'] Does low dose of tocotrienols protect osteoblasts against oxidative stress? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.935613989830017,
-1.3800321817398071,
2.345174789428711
] |
['Most non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy though clinical response is restricted to a subset of patients. DNA repair protein levels are possible surrogates for cisplatin-induced DNA adduct (and subsequent cell death) repair efficiency and thus molecular determinants of therapeutic efficacy. The International Adjuvant Lung Trial (IALT)-Bio study previously suggested ERCC1 and MSH2 as predictive of cisplatin-based therapeutic benefit.', 'DNA repair protein expression (XPF, BRCA1, ERCC1, MSH2, p53, PARP1, and ATM) was assessed by immunohistochemistry on a large subset of patients (N = 769) from the IALT trial. Tissue Microarray slides were digitally scanned and signal quantified by user-defined macros. Statistical analyses (univariate and multivariate) of 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 5-year overall survival used binary cut-offs (H score low/high expression).', 'In patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), ATM, p53, PARP1, ERCC1, and MSH2 displayed significant (borderline) predictive values, mainly on DFS with chemotherapy efficacy limited to low marker levels. Adenocarcinoma (ADC) results were not significant. BRCA1 and XPF were not significant for predictive modeling in either SCC or ADCs.'] Is cisplatin benefit predicted by immunohistochemical analysis of DNA repair proteins in squamous cell carcinoma but not adenocarcinoma : theranostic modeling by NSCLC constituent histological subclasses? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.37756085395813,
-1.4037997722625732,
2.868813991546631
] |
['The current study investigated the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) cluster profiles of children with ADHD to examine the association between IQ profiles and diagnostic frequency, symptomatology, and outcome in this population.', 'Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted on 189 children with a diagnosis of ADHD-inattentive (ADHD-I) and ADHD-combined (ADHD-C) subtypes. Clusters were then compared across symptom rating scale factor scores, behavioral rating scales, and achievement scores.', 'A five-cluster solution was extracted. One cluster was identified to have reduced processing speed relative to other WISC-IV indexes and significantly higher ratings of inattention and incidence of ADHD-I diagnosis. A second cluster had impairments in processing speed and working memory and was associated with impaired behavioral functioning.'] Are wISC-IV profiles associated with differences in symptomatology and outcome in children with ADHD? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2630324363708496,
-0.6158055663108826,
1.9600803852081299
] |
["Intestinal fibrosis is a challenging clinical condition in several fibrostenosing enteropathies, particularly Crohn's disease. Currently, no effective preventive measures or medical therapies are available for intestinal fibrosis. Fibrosis, due to an abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, is a chronic and progressive process mediated by cell⁄matrix⁄cytokine and growth factor interactions, but may be a reversible phenomenon. Of the several molecules regulating fibrogenesis, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-b1) appears to play a pivotal role; it is strongly induced by the local activation of angiotensin II. The levels of both TGF-b1 and angiotensin II are elevated in fibrostenosing Crohn's disease.", 'To evaluate the in vivo effect of losartan - an angiotensin II receptor antagonist - on the course of chronic colitis-associated fibrosis and on TGF-b1 expression.', 'Colitis was induced by intrarectal instillation of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) (15 mg⁄mL) while losartan was administered orally daily by gavage (7 mg⁄kg⁄day) for 21 days. Three groups of rats were evaluated: control (n=10); TNBS treated (n=10); and TNBS + losartan treated (n=10). Inflammation and fibrosis of the colon were evaluated by macro- and microscopic score analysis. Colonic TGF-b1 levels was measured using ELISA.', 'Twenty-one days after induction, losartan significantly improved the macro- and microscopic scores of fibrosis in the colonic wall and reduced TGF-b1 concentration.'] Does losartan reduce trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced colorectal fibrosis in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2727866172790527,
-1.443886399269104,
2.7366995811462402
] |
['This study was undertaken to identify new biomarkers of osteoarthritis (OA) by proteomics analysis and to develop specific immunoassays to detect and quantify them.', 'Proteomics analysis was performed in urine samples from 10 women (mean±SD age 76.0±5.0 years) undergoing knee replacement surgery due to severe OA and 5 healthy women (mean±SD age 25.6±2.6 years). Protein content was analyzed by 2-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis. Protein spots that exhibited an OA:control abundance ratio of ≥1.5 were identified by mass spectrometry. Specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were developed and validated in serum obtained from 236 healthy subjects ages 20-64 years and from 76 patients with severe radiologic knee OA (mean±SD age 68.8±11.9 years). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on articular cartilage from tibial plateaus.', 'Thirteen proteins within spots that were significantly modified between groups were identified. Two peptides of fibulin 3, named Fib3-1 and Fib3-2, were of particular interest. Two antisera directed against these peptides were used to develop immunoassays. Compared with age-matched healthy subjects, median levels of serum Fib3-1 and Fib3-2 were elevated in OA patients (54.6 pM versus 85.1 pM [P<0.0001] and 144.4 pM versus 191.4 pM [P<0.0001], respectively). Using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, we demonstrated that Fib3-1 and Fib3-2 levels discriminate between OA and normal populations. Immunostaining revealed the presence of Fib3-1 and Fib3-2 in chondrocytes and in the extracellular matrix of the superficial layer of the fibrillated cartilage.'] Are fibulin 3 peptides Fib3-1 and Fib3-2 potential biomarkers of osteoarthritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8692116737365723,
-1.5773413181304932,
2.4600837230682373
] |
['Elucidating the selective and neutral forces underlying molecular evolution is fundamental to understanding the genetic basis of adaptation. Plants have evolved a suite of adaptive responses to cope with variable environmental conditions, but relatively little is known about which genes are involved in such responses. Here we studied molecular evolution on a genome-wide scale in two species of Cardamine with distinct habitat preferences: C. resedifolia, found at high altitudes, and C. impatiens, found at low altitudes. Our analyses focussed on genes that are involved in stress responses to two factors that differentiate the high- and low-altitude habitats, namely temperature and irradiation.', 'High-throughput sequencing was used to obtain gene sequences from C. resedifolia and C. impatiens. Using the available A. thaliana gene sequences and annotation, we identified nearly 3,000 triplets of putative orthologues, including genes involved in cold response, photosynthesis or in general stress responses. By comparing estimated rates of molecular substitution, codon usage, and gene expression in these species with those of Arabidopsis, we were able to evaluate the role of positive and relaxed selection in driving the evolution of Cardamine genes. Our analyses revealed a statistically significant higher rate of molecular substitution in C. resedifolia than in C. impatiens, compatible with more efficient positive selection in the former. Conversely, the genome-wide level of selective pressure is compatible with more relaxed selection in C. impatiens. Moreover, levels of selective pressure were heterogeneous between functional classes and between species, with cold responsive genes evolving particularly fast in C. resedifolia, but not in C. impatiens.'] Are rates of evolution in stress-related genes associated with habitat preference in two Cardamine lineages? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.212514638900757,
-0.4800889790058136,
1.7251098155975342
] |
['Although diabetic nephropathy is attributable to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) overproduction in glomer-ular mesangial cells, the biological role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in controlling high glucose-induced TGF-β1 has not yet been elucidated.', 'This study found that sustained Wnt/β-catenin signaling was required to protect glomerular mesangial cells from high glucose induction of TGF-β1-mediated fibrosis using in vitro and in vivo diabetic models.', "High glucose down-regulated the Wnt signaling associated with increased TGF-β1 and fibronectin messenger RNA expression in glomerular mesangial cells. Restoring Wnt4, Wnt5a and cytosolic β-catenin levels by transfecting Wnt4, Wnt5a and stable β-catenin alleviated the stimulatory effect of high glucose on c-Jun mediated TGF-β1 fibrosis. Transfection of kinase-active glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) also abrogated high glucose promotion of nuclear c-Jun levels, TGF-β1 and fibronectin messenger RNA expression in mesangial cells. Pharmacological modulation of GSK-3ββ and ββ-catenin signaling by recombinant Wnt5a or GSK-3β inhibitor (BIO or LiCl) suppressed high glucose promotion of TGF-β1-mediated fibrosis. Exogenous BIO and SB216763 alleviated TGF-β1-mediated fibrogenic expression in the kidneys of diabetic rats. Immunohistochemistry showed that GSK-3β inhibitor significantly reversed the diabetic attenuation of TGF-β1 and c-Jun coinciding with fibronectin immunoreactivity within glomeruli. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that cells within the glomeruli restored β-catenin expression after BIO and SB216763 treatment in cells within diabetic glomeruli colocalized with fragmented nuclei by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining."] Does sustained Wnt/β-catenin signaling rescue high glucose induction of transforming growth factor-β1-mediated renal fibrosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.433828592300415,
-1.3190573453903198,
2.772374153137207
] |
['Arterial stiffness may contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This study was conducted to evaluate the independent factor of LVH and the quantification of LVH by electrocardiogram (ECG) to predict the degree of aortic stiffness using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in subjects with hypertension.', 'A total of 984 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having essential hypertension were entered into the study. baPWV determination, ECG and blood sampling were performed after a 12-hour overnight fast. LVH was diagnosed using electrocardiography; Romhilt-Estes point score was subsequently calculated. Participants were separated into LVH and non-LVH groups. Additional factors associated with LVH were examined using multivariate analyses.', 'The non-LVH groups were younger (P = 0.001), had less men (P = 0.001), lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (P < 0.001 for each) and lower baPWV (P < 0.001). Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that sex, age, systolic blood pressure and baPWV are independent factors. Using a baPWV value of 1825 cm/sec, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.644 and the highest discriminating sensitivity and specificity were 60% and 65%, respectively.'] Is arterial stiffness the independent factor of left ventricular hypertrophy determined by electrocardiogram? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.830802321434021,
-1.5067435503005981,
2.4100844860076904
] |
['The objective is to investigate the influence of ghrelin administration on both the insulin secretion and the expression of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels in islet.', 'Ghrelin and [D-Lys] growth hormone releasing peptide-6 were administered via intraperitoneal injection in Wistar rats at the doses 10 and 10 μmol/kg/d for 2 weeks, respectively. Then glucose tolerance tests were performed and plasma insulin concentrations were measured. Islets were isolated for insulin release experiments. Single β cells were isolated for electrophysiological experiments. Determination of the Kir6.2 and SUR1 mRNA and protein expression levels in islets was performed by polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.', 'Intraperitoneal administration of exogenous ghrelin significantly (P < 0.05) increased blood glucose concentrations, attenuated insulin responses during glucose tolerance tests, reduced insulin release from the isolated islets induced by 11.1 and 16.7 mmol/L glucose, hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential and increased the Kir6.2 mRNA and protein expression levels. In contrast, counteraction of ghrelin by intraperitoneal injection of [D-Lys(3)] growth hormone releasing peptide-6 significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated the aforementioned changes. SUR1 expression levels were not altered in this study.'] Does ghrelin inhibit insulin release by regulating the expression of inwardly rectifying potassium channel 6.2 in islets? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.342996835708618,
-1.2894110679626465,
2.687028169631958
] |
['Previously, we showed a good correlation between pathology and an automatically generated PET-contour in rectal cancer. This study analyzed the effect of the use of PET-CT scan on the interobserver variation in GTV definition in rectal cancer and the influence of PET-CT on treatment volumes.', 'Forty two patients diagnosed with rectal cancer underwent an FDG-PET-CT for radiotherapy planning. An automatic contour was created on PET-scan using the source-to-background ratio. The GTV was delineated by 5 observers in 3 rounds: using CT and MRI, using CT, MRI and PET and using CT, MRI and PET auto-contour. GTV volumes were compared and concordance indices (CI) were calculated. Since the GTV is only a small portion of the treatment volume in rectal cancer, a separate analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of PET on the definition of the CTV used in daily clinical practice and the caudal extension of the treatment volumes.', 'GTV volumes based on PET were significantly smaller. CIs increased significantly using PET and the best interobserver agreement was observed using PET auto-contours. Furthermore, we found that in up to 29% of patients the CTV based on PET extended outside the CTV used in clinical practice. The caudal border of the treatment volume can be tailored using PET-scan in low seated tumors. Influence of PET on the position of the caudal border was most pronounced in high seated tumors.'] Does fDG-PET-CT reduce the interobserver variability in rectal tumor delineation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8482576608657837,
-1.3723150491714478,
2.2810535430908203
] |
['The optimal treatment regimen or protocol for managing a persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants has not been well established. This study was aimed at evaluating the failure rate of a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor (COI) for PDA closure and to determine the incidence of a PDA requiring ligation in ELBW infants. We examined the clinical characteristics and risk factors that may predict the clinical consequences of failure of PDA closure by COI.', 'Medical information on 138 infants with birth weight (BW) < 1000 gm who survived for > 48 hours was retrieved. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients whose PDAs closed with COI were compared with those who did not close.', 'Of the 138 patients, 112 survived to discharge. Eighty (71.4%) of those who survived received 1-3 courses of COI treatment for a symptomatic PDA. A total of 32 (40%) failed COI treatment and underwent PDA ligation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis suggests that the observed differences in the outcomes in infants with or without symptomatic PDA can be explained by the babies with symptomatic PDA being more immature and sicker. No significant difference was seen in the incidence of chronic lung disease (CLD) in infants whose PDA was treated medically versus those who failed medical treatment and then underwent ligation. However, after adjusting for disease severity and other known risk factors, the odds ratio of developing CLD for surviving babies with a persistent PDA compared to those whose PDA was successfully closed with 1-2 courses of COI is 3.24 (1.07-9.81; p = 0.038).'] Is failure of a repeat course of cyclooxygenase inhibitor to close a PDA a risk factor for developing chronic lung disease in ELBW infants? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7886120080947876,
-1.4612773656845093,
2.2447612285614014
] |
['It has been recommended that urinary albumin be measured in sterile urine for the proper diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy. However, the association between bacteriuria and urinary albumin is controversial.', 'A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association of albuminuria and bacteriuria in patients with diabetes. Medline and Embase were searched (beginning in 1950 until November 2010). Data were extracted independently by two investigators. The pooled OR estimates were calculated using the random effects model.', 'We identified 305 studies in the database searches. A total of seven studies were included, providing data from 1,552 patients (mean age 56.4 years). The OR of bacteriuria for the presence of micro- and/or macroalbuminuria was 1.60 (95% CI: 0.97-2.66, I(2) = 66.6%) as compared to patients without bacteriuria. Funnel plots and the Egger regression test suggested no significant asymmetry in the analysis (p = 0.21). In a sensitivity analysis including the five studies (1,197 participants) that evaluated microalbuminuria as the outcome, the OR of bacteriuria for microalbuminuria was 1.22 (95% CI: 0.68-2.19).'] Is albuminuria associated with bacteriuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus : a meta-analysis of observational studies? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1496224403381348,
-1.2303370237350464,
2.462637424468994
] |
['The effective therapies for oral cancer patients of stage III and IV are generally surgical excision and radiation combined with adjuvant chemotherapy using 5-Fu and Cisplatin. However, the five-year survival rate is still less than 30% in Taiwan. Therefore, evaluation of effective drugs for oral cancer treatment is an important issue. Many studies indicated that aurora kinases (A, B and C) were potential targets for cancer therapies. Reversine was proved to be a novel aurora kinases inhibitor with lower toxicity recently. In this study, the potentiality for reversine as an anticancer agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was evaluated.', 'Effects of reversine on cell growth, cell cycle progress, apoptosis, and autophagy were evaluated mainly by cell counting, flow cytometry, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence.', 'The results demonstrated that reversine significantly suppressed the proliferation of two OSCC cell lines (OC2 and OCSL) and markedly rendered cell cycle arrest at G2/M stage. Reversine also induced cell death via both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis. In addition, reversine could inhibit Akt/mTORC1 signaling pathway, accounting for its ability to induce autophagy.'] Does reversine suppress oral squamous cell carcinoma via cell cycle arrest and concomitantly apoptosis and autophagy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.478734254837036,
-1.1812063455581665,
2.711700916290283
] |
['To evaluate the impact of CETP inhibition on the capacity of individual postprandial HDL subspecies to promote key steps of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway.', 'The capacity of HDL particles to mediate cellular free cholesterol efflux and selective hepatic uptake of cholesteryl esters was evaluated throughout postprandial phase (0-8 h) following consumption of a standardised mixed meal before and after treatment for 6 weeks with atorvastatin alone (10 mg/d) and subsequently with combination torcetrapib/atorvastatin (60/10 mg/d) in 16 patients displaying low HDL-C levels (<40 mg/dl).', 'The larger HDL2b and HDL2a subfraction displayed a superior capacity to mediate cellular free cholesterol efflux via both SR-BI and ABCG1-dependent pathways than smaller HDL3 subspecies. CETP inhibition specifically enhanced the capacity of HDL2b subfraction for both SR-BI and ABCG1 dependent efflux. However, only the SR-BI-dependent efflux to HDL2b subspecies can be further enhanced during postprandial lipemia following CETP inhibition. Concomitantly, postprandial lipemia was associated with a reduced capacity of total HDL particles to deliver cholesteryl esters to hepatic cells in a drug independent manner.'] Is functionality of postprandial larger HDL2 particles enhanced following CETP inhibition therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5063703060150146,
-1.2626938819885254,
2.816849946975708
] |
['Nasal polyps are abnormal lesions that cause airway obstruction and can occur along with other respiratory diseases. On account of its association with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), the human discoidin, CUB and LCCL domain containing 2 (DCBLD2) is hypothesized to be a candidate gene for the development of nasal polyps in asthma patients.', 'A total of 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 467 Korean asthma patients who were stratified further into 108 AERD and 353 aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) subgroups. Five major haplotypes were inferred from pairwise comparison of the polymorphisms. The patients were matched to control for confounds, and differences in the frequency distribution of DCBLD2 SNPs and haplotypes were analyzed using logistic models via various modes of genetic inheritance.', 'Results reveal significant association of rs828618 and DCBLD2_ht1 with nasal polyposis in the overall asthma patients group (P = 0.006, P(corr) = 0.05). Interestingly, the strength of association were maintained in the ATA subgroup (P = 0.007, P(corr) = 0.06), and moderate correlation was detected in the AERD subgroup (P = 0.04-0.05, P(corr) > 0.05).'] Do dCBLD2 gene variations correlate with nasal polyposis in Korean asthma patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9064557552337646,
-1.3813170194625854,
2.314159870147705
] |
['Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in children. Metabolic failure is an integral component of the pathological aftermath of TBI. The oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) is a valuable parameter for characterization and description of metabolic abnormalities; however, OEF measurement has required either invasive procedures or the use of ionizing radiation, which significantly limits its use in pediatric research.', 'Patients with TBI had depressed OEF levels that correlated with the severity of injury. In addition, the OEF measured within 2 weeks of injury was predictive of patient outcome at 3 mo after injury. In pediatric TBI patients, low OEF-a marker of metabolic dysfunction-correlates with the severity of injury and outcome.'] Is depression of whole-brain oxygen extraction fraction associated with poor outcome in pediatric traumatic brain injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.330402135848999,
-0.8732792735099792,
2.3623838424682617
] |
['Cerebral white-matter (WM) abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlate with neurodevelopmental disability in infants born prematurely.', 'Quantitative histological measures of WM and ventricular volumes correlated with qualitative MRI scores of WM volume loss and ventriculomegaly. Diffuse astrocytosis was associated with signal abnormality on T(2)-weighted imaging and higher apparent diffusion coefficient in WM. Loss of oligodendrocytes was associated with lower relative anisotropy characterized by higher radial diffusivity values. The relationship between histopathology and MRI abnormalities was more pronounced in animals in the 28 d model, equivalent to the term human infant.'] Does mR imaging correlate of white-matter pathology in a preterm baboon model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.503441572189331,
-1.2089874744415283,
2.793900489807129
] |
['The present study investigated whether or not calcitriol, an active form of vitamin D, protects against renovascular dysfunction in hypertension and, if so, whether or not such protection alters the expression of key proteins involved in that dysfunction.', 'Changes in isometric tension showed that the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations in renal arteries of hypertensive patients were enhanced by 12 h in vitro treatment with calcitriol. Dihydroethidium fluorescence revealed an elevated level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these arteries which was reduced by calcitriol. Immunofluorescence showed that calcitriol treatment reduced the expression of AT(1)R, NOX-2, NOX-4, and p67(phox) and increased that of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1. Twelve-hour exposure to calcitriol prevented angiotensin (Ang) II-induced increases in ROS and the over-expression of NOX-2, NOX-4, and p67(phox) in renal arteries from normotensive patients. A specific antagonist of the human vitamin D receptor (VDR), TEI-9647, abolished these effects of calcitriol. Both in vitro exposure to and chronic in vivo administration of calcitriol enhanced relaxations to acetylcholine and abolished exaggerated endothelium-dependent contractions in renal arteries of normotensive rats pre-exposed to Ang II or harvested from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Reactive oxygen species levels and expressions of AT(1)R, NAD(P)H oxidase subunits, SOD-1, and SOD-2 in SHR arteries were normalized by the chronic treatment with calcitriol.'] Does calcitriol protect renovascular function in hypertension by down-regulating angiotensin II type 1 receptors and reducing oxidative stress? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.49589467048645,
-1.3061351776123047,
2.849954128265381
] |
['Bivalirudin is used as an alternative to heparin in cardiac surgery, and may be superior to heparin with regard to platelet function. Bivalirudin however, is prone to cleavage by thrombin resulting in coagulation in areas of stasis.', 'We compared the preservation of platelet function and the quality of anticoagulation in autologous blood of 26 cardiac surgical patients collected intraoperatively and anticoagulated ex vivo with either bivalirudin or heparin, with supplementation of bivalirudin over time and prevention of stasis.', 'We found in both preservatives a reduction in ADP-induced platelet aggregation response over a period of 105 minutes (median, IQR: 73-141) as measured by Multiplate®. Supplementation of additional bivalirudin (23 ± 1.1 μg/ml/hr) and prevention of stasis was not able to prevent thrombin generation. We found a 5-fold increase in levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 in bivalirudin preserved autologous blood as compared to heparin preserved blood (F(1+2) levels median 8.9 nM [quartile percentiles 4.2-12.4] vs 1.3 nM [0.6-2.1], P=0.001 Mann-Whitney, n=10).'] Is bivalirudin inferior to heparin in preservation of intraoperative autologous blood? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8804161548614502,
-1.5876812934875488,
2.5102899074554443
] |
['Thrombin is a key component in the coagulation cascade, and impaired thrombin generation has been linked to increased bleeding after surgical procedures. The aim was to evaluate postoperative thrombin generation capacity in plasma after cardiac surgery, and its potential associations to activity of individual coagulation factors and heparin.', 'Forty-eight coronary artery bypass grafting patients were included in a prospective observational cohort study. Thrombin generation capacity was analysed in plasma with calibrated automated thrombogram with tissue factor as activator before (baseline), and 2 h and 24 h after surgery. In addition, plasma activity of coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XIII, were determined. Heparin effect was assessed by anti-Xa activity, APTT and thrombin time.', 'Thrombin generation was markedly reduced 2h after surgery compared to baseline. Peak levels decreased with median 74% (interquartile range 52-90), p<0.001, and endogenous thrombin generation potential decreased with 65% (43-86), p<0.001. Postoperative changes in endogenous thrombin generation potential correlated inversely to changes in anti-Xa activity (r=-0.51, p=0.010) and to changes in thrombin time (r=-0.51, p=0.009), but there were no correlations to changes in individual coagulation factor activity.'] Does sustained heparin effect contribute to reduced plasma thrombin generation capacity early after cardiac surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.167126417160034,
-1.4170035123825073,
2.6115007400512695
] |
['Pyruvate is known to be cytoprotective through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. We tested the hypothesis that pyruvate protects the brain against ischemia-reperfusion injury by inducing endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) expression.', "Pyruvate's protective effect was evaluated in C6 glioma cells and HT22 neuronal cells subjected to transient oxygen glucose deprivation. Cell viability (calcein AM assay) and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, EPO, Akt and Erk (immunoblot), and EPO receptor (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) were analyzed. Transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats was induced by 2 hours middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Pyruvate or saline was infused from 60 minutes occlusion until 30 minutes reperfusion. Lesion volume and DNA fragmentation were assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay, respectively. Immunoblots were conducted to determine cerebral EPO contents.", 'Pyruvate increased cell viability, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, EPO, and Akt phosphorylation. Small interfering RNA suppression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and EPO abolished pyruvate-induced cytoprotection. In the rat stroke model, pyruvate reduced lesion volume by 84% and DNA fragmentation by 77% versus controls; increased EPO content paralleled these cerebroprotective actions of pyruvate.'] Does pyruvate protect the brain against ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating the erythropoietin signaling pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3727900981903076,
-1.4138647317886353,
2.8111162185668945
] |
['The origin and pathogenesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) are closely aligned with inflammation. MPM tumors express interleukin-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα), the principal subunit of the IL-4 receptor. We set out to determine the biologic function and clinical relevance of IL-4Rα in human MPM.', 'Expression of IL-4Rα by human MPM tumors was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (n = 37) and immunohistochemistry (n = 52). Intracellular cytokine analysis of T-cell-derived IL-4 was carried out on matched tumor and blood samples from eight patients with MPM. Four human MPM cell lines were used to determine the direct effects of IL-4 on MPM tumor cells.', 'High tumor mRNA expression of IL-4Rα was an independent predictor of poor survival in patients with epithelial MPM [HR, 3.13, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.68-7.15; P = <0.0001]. Ninety-seven percent of epithelial MPM tumors and 95% of nonepithelial MPM tumors expressed IL-4Rα protein by immunohistochemistry, and strong IL-4Rα staining correlated with worse survival in patients with epithelial histology (P = 0.04). A greater percentage of tumor-infiltrating T cells produced IL-4 compared with matched blood T cells (21% ± 7% vs. 4% ± 2%, P = 0.0002). In response to IL-4, human MPM cells showed increased STAT-6 phosphorylation and increased production of IL-6, IL-8, and VEGF, without effect on proliferation or apoptosis.'] Is expression of interleukin-4 receptor alpha in human pleural mesothelioma associated with poor survival and promotion of tumor inflammation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9326640367507935,
-1.5573070049285889,
2.474613666534424
] |
['Epidemiologic studies suggested complicated associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus and breast cancer. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is inversely associated with the risk and mortality of breast cancer. Our study is to determine the different effects of normal and diabetic HDL on breast cancer cell metastasis.', 'MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells were treated with N-HDL, D-HDL, G-HDL, and Ox-HDL. Cell metastasis potency was examined using a tail-vein injection model, and cell adhesion abilities to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and extracellular matrix (ECM) were determined in vitro. Integrin expression and protein kinase C (PKC) activity were evaluated, and PKC inhibitor was applied.', 'D-HDL dramatically promoted cell pulmonary metastasis (103.6% increase at P < 0.001 for MDA-MB-231 with 1 × 10(5) cell injection; 157.1% increase at P < 0.05 for MCF7 with 4 × 10(5) cell injection) and hepatic metastasis (18.1-fold increase at P < 0.001 for MCF7 with 4 × 10(5) cell injection), and stimulated higher TC-HUVECs adhesion (21.9% increase at P < 0.001 for MDA-MB-231; 23.6% increase at P < 0.05 for MCF7) and TC-ECM attachment (59.9% and 47.9% increase, respectively, for MDA-MB-231 and MCF7, both at P < 0.01) compared with N-HDL. D-HDL stimulated higher integrin (β1, β2, β3, and αν) expression on cell surface and induced higher PKC activity. Increased TC-HUVECs and TC-ECM adhesion induced by D-HDL, G-HDL, and Ox-HDL could be inhibited by staurosporine.'] Does hDL of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus elevate the capability of promoting breast cancer metastasis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0597646236419678,
-1.5157670974731445,
2.5333943367004395
] |
['Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) comprise multiple distinct biologic groups with different prognoses. For example, patients with epithelial-like tumors have a better prognosis and exhibit greater sensitivity to inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway than patients with mesenchymal-like tumors. Here, we test the hypothesis that epithelial-like NSCLCs can be distinguished from mesenchymal-like NSCLCs on the basis of global DNA methylation patterns.', 'To determine whether phenotypic subsets of NSCLCs can be defined on the basis of their DNA methylation patterns, we combined microfluidics-based gene expression analysis and genome-wide methylation profiling. We derived robust classifiers for both gene expression and methylation in cell lines and tested these classifiers in surgically resected NSCLC tumors. We validate our approach using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and methylation-specific PCR in formalin-fixed biopsies from patients with NSCLC who went on to fail front-line chemotherapy.', 'We show that patterns of methylation divide NSCLCs into epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like subsets as defined by gene expression and that these signatures are similarly correlated in NSCLC cell lines and tumors. We identify multiple differentially methylated regions, including one in ERBB2 and one in ZEB2, whose methylation status is strongly associated with an epithelial phenotype in NSCLC cell lines, surgically resected tumors, and formalin-fixed biopsies from patients with NSCLC who went on to fail front-line chemotherapy.'] Does dNA methylation profiling define clinically relevant biological subsets of non-small cell lung cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.499258279800415,
-1.1209194660186768,
2.7384560108184814
] |
['Protein citrullination is present in the rheumatoid synovium, presumably contributing to the perpetuation of chronic inflammation, in the presence of specific autoimmunity. As a result, the present study examined the possibility that effective antirheumatic treatment will decrease the level of synovial citrullination.', 'Synovial biopsies were obtained from 11 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients before and after 8 weeks of treatment with 20 mg methotrexate weekly, 15 RA patients before and 2 weeks after an intraarticular glucocorticoid injection, and eight healthy volunteers. Synovial inflammation was assessed with double-blind semiquantitative analysis of lining thickness, cell infiltration, and vascularity by using a 4-point scale. Expression of citrullinated proteins (CPs) with the monoclonal antibody F95 and peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) 2 and 4 was assessed immunohistochemically with double-blind semiquantitative analysis. In vitro synovial fluid (SF), peripheral blood (PB), mononuclear cells (MCs), and synovial explants obtained from RA patients were incubated with dexamethasone and analyzed with immunohistochemistry for expression of CP as well as PAD2 and PAD4 enzymes.', 'The presence of synovial CP was almost exclusive in RA compared with healthy synovium and correlated with the degree of local inflammation. Treatment with glucocorticoids but not methotrexate alters expression of synovial CP and PAD enzymes, in parallel with a decrease of synovial inflammation. Ex vivo and in vitro studies suggest also a direct effect of glucocorticoids on citrullination, as demonstrated by the decrease in the level of citrullination and PAD expression after incubation of SFMC and synovial explants with dexamethasone.'] Does local administration of glucocorticoids decrease synovial citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4139230251312256,
-1.40110445022583,
2.8779706954956055
] |
['Inosine triphosphatase (ITPase) is encoded by the polymorphic gene ITPA and maintains low intracellular levels of the inosine nucleotides ITP and dITP. The most frequently reported polymorphisms are ITPA c.94C>A (rs 1127354) and ITPA c. 124+21 A>C (rs7270101). Some nucleoside-analogues used in the treatment of HIV-seropositive (HIV+) patients are potential substrates for ITPase. Therefore, the frequency of ITPA SNPs and ITPase activity were studied in a population of HIV+-patients.', 'The study population consisted of 222 patients, predominantly Caucasian males, >95% using HAART. Erythrocyte ITPase activity was determined by measuring the formation of IMP from ITP. ITPA genotype was determined by sequencing genomic DNA. Distribution of ITPase activity, genotype-phenotype correlation and allele frequencies were compared to 198 control subjects. The effect of nucleoside analogues on ITPase activity was studied using lymphoblastic T-cell cultures and human recombinant ITPase. Enzyme kinetic experiments were performed on erythrocyte ITPase from HIV+ patients and controls.', 'No difference was observed in the allele frequencies between the HIV+-cohort (± HAART) and the control population. HIV+ carriers of the wild type and ITPA c.94C>A had significantly lower ITPase activities than control subjects with the same genotype (p<0.005). This was not observed in ITPA c. 124+21 A>C carriers. Nucleoside analogues did not affect ITPase activity in cell culture and human recombinant ITPase.'] Is erythrocyte inosine triphosphatase activity decreased in HIV-seropositive individuals? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0410847663879395,
-1.5175331830978394,
2.5165607929229736
] |
['No Australian study has reported the association between selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery morbidity and mortality.', '4136 patients underwent CABG surgery between January 1996 and December 2008 and 105 (2.5%) were SSRI/SNRI users. Bleeding events included platelet, fresh frozen plasma and packed red blood cell transfusion, reoperation for bleeding and gastrointestinal bleeding. In-hospital morbidity included renal failure, stroke, ventilation >24h, deep sternal wound infection, reoperation (any cause), myocardial infarction and mortality.', 'Median follow-up was 4.7 years (interquartile range, 2.3-7.9 years) and there were 727 deaths (17.6% of total). Use of SSRI/SNRI was associated with new requirement for renal dialysis (adjusted OR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.06-4.45, p = .03) and ventilation >24h (adjusted OR = 1.69; 95% CI, 1.03-2.78, p = .04). Neither SSRI/SNRI use nor SSRI/SNRI and concomitant anti-platelet medication increased the odds for any bleeding events (all p>.20). No association was evident with all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.60; 95% CI .59-4.35, p = .36), or cardiac mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = .31; 95% CI, .04-2.26, p = .25).'] Are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , venlafaxine and duloxetine associated with in hospital morbidity but not bleeding or late mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.600277304649353,
-1.649493932723999,
2.1743273735046387
] |
['Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may progress to joint damage. Determining clinical predictors of joint damage assessed by radiography is important. The aim of this study was to determine clinical factors as possible predictors for radiological damage in hands and feet of PsA patients with a 12-month follow-up.', "We conducted a retrospective study on 53 PsA patients who were taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-blockers at a fixed dosage. The patients were observed in 118 follow-up visits (intervals of 12 months ± 3 months), according to a clinical and radiological protocol which included the documentation of the number of swollen and tender joints in hands and feet, the applied therapy, psoriasis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and global health assessment. Outcome was defined as radiographic damage of hands and feet (Ratingen score). For the statistical analysis the Chi-Square test for 2x2 crosstables (with Fisher's correction, as required) was used.", 'Progressive radiological damage was more frequent among patients with an increasing swollen joint count (8 of 26 visits; 30.8%) than among those with a stable or decreased number of swollen joints (5 of 89 visits; 5.6%; p=0.001). The analysis of the patients stratified into the different treatment modalities resulted in a significant higher rate of radiological progress (20.8%) in patients on DMARD therapy compared with TNF-alpha blocking agents (0%) (p=0.009).'] Is swollen joint count in psoriatic arthritis associated with progressive radiological damage in hands and feet? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0721044540405273,
-1.4801541566848755,
2.598968505859375
] |
['Airway eosinophilia is typical of asthma, and many controller treatments target eosinophilic disease. Asthma is clinically heterogeneous, however, and a subgroup of people with asthma do not have airway eosinophilia. The size of this subgroup is uncertain because prior studies have not examined repeated measures of sputum cytology to determine when people with asthma have intermittent versus persistent sputum eosinophila and when they are persistently noneosinophilic.', 'To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of the noneosinophilic asthma phenotype.', 'We analyzed sputum cytology data from 995 subjects with asthma enrolled in clinical trials in the Asthma Clinical Research Network where they had undergone sputum induction and measures of sputum cytology, often repeatedly, and assessment of responses to standardized asthma treatments.', 'In cross-sectional analyses, sputum eosinophilia (≥2% eosinophils) was found in only 36% of subjects with asthma not taking an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and 17% of ICS-treated subjects with asthma; an absence of eosinophilia was noted frequently, even in subjects with asthma whose disease was suboptimally controlled. In repeated measures analyses of people with asthma not taking an ICS, 22% of subjects had sputum eosinophilia on every occasion (persistent eosinophilia); 31% had eosinophilia on at least one occasion (intermittent eosinophilia); and 47% had no eosinophilia on every occasion (persistently noneosinophilic). Two weeks of combined antiinflammatory therapy caused significant improvements in airflow obstruction in eosinophilic asthma, but not in persistently noneosinophilic asthma. In contrast, bronchodilator responses to albuterol were similar in eosinophilic and noneosinophilic asthma.'] Is a large subgroup of mild-to-moderate asthma persistently noneosinophilic? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.017632007598877,
-1.302640676498413,
2.337188482284546
] |
['To investigate the hepato-protective properties and underlying mechanisms of SAMC in a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model.', 'Female rats were fed with a diet comprising highly unsaturated fat diet (30% fish oil) for 8 weeks to develop NAFLD with or without an intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg SAMC three times per week. After euthanasia, blood and liver samples of rats were collected for histological and biochemical analyses.', 'Co-treatment of SAMC attenuated NAFLD-induced liver injury, fat accumulation, collagen formation and free fatty acids (FFAs). At the molecular level, SAMC decreased the lipogenesis marker and restored the lipolysis marker. SAMC also reduced the expression levels of pro-fibrogenic factors and diminished liver oxidative stress partly through the inhibition in the activity of cytochrome P450 2E1-dependent pathway. NAFLD-induced inflammation was also partially mitigated by SAMC treatment via reduction in the pro-inflammatory mediators, chemokines and suppressor of cytokine signaling. The protective effect of SAMC is also shown partly through the restoration of altered phosphorylation status of FFAs-dependent MAP kinase pathways and diminished in the nuclear transcription factors (NF-κB and AP-1) activity during NAFLD development.'] Is garlic-derived S-allylmercaptocysteine a hepato-protective agent in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in vivo animal model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.501960039138794,
-1.2768093347549438,
2.8581976890563965
] |
['To investigate the association of the 2 intracellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) gene polymorphisms [thymidine/cytidine (T/C) 469 and guanosine/adenosine (G/A) 241] in Behcet`s disease in Lebanon.', 'We initiated the study in July 2003, and carried out the work in the research laboratory of Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon. We extracted the DNA by glass fiber matrix mini column. We amplified the ICAM gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and tested the PCR products for the presence of the polymorphisms using a restriction enzyme specific for each polymorphism. We analyzed the results by agarose electrophoresis.', 'We demonstrated the association of only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (K469) with Behcet`s disease, while we could not detect the other SNP (G241A) in either controls or patients in the Lebanese population.'] Is the ICAM-1 ( 469 T/C ) gene polymorphism but not ( 241 G/A ) associated with Behcet ` s disease in the Lebanese population? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.071944236755371,
-1.1887106895446777,
2.3522002696990967
] |
['Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) predisposed to recurrent coronary events have an expansion of a distinctive T-cell subset, the CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells. These cells are highly inflammatory and cytotoxic in spite of lacking the costimulatory receptor CD28, which is crucial for optimal T cell function. The mechanisms that govern CD4(+)CD28(null) T cell function are unknown.', 'Our aim was to investigate the expression and role of alternative costimulatory receptors in CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells in ACS.', 'Expression of alternative costimulatory receptors (inducible costimulator, OX40, 4-1BB, cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4, programmed death-1) was quantified in CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells from circulation of ACS and stable angina patients. Strikingly, in ACS, levels of OX40 and 4-1BB were significantly higher in circulating CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells compared to classical CD4(+)CD28(+) T lymphocytes. This was not observed in stable angina patients. Furthermore, CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells constituted an important proportion of CD4(+) T lymphocytes in human atherosclerotic plaques and exhibited high levels of OX40 and 4-1BB. In addition, the ligands for OX40 and 4-1BB were present in plaques and also expressed on monocytes in circulation. Importantly, blockade of OX40 and 4-1BB reduced the ability of CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells to produce interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α and release perforin.'] Do high levels of costimulatory receptors OX40 and 4-1BB characterize CD4+CD28null T cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.324566602706909,
-1.3239636421203613,
2.666898012161255
] |
['Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are efficacious in models of hypertension-induced left ventricular heart failure. The consequences of HDAC inhibition in the context of pulmonary hypertension with associated right ventricular cardiac remodeling are poorly understood.', 'This study was performed to assess the utility of selective small-molecule inhibitors of class I HDACs in a preclinical model of pulmonary hypertension.', 'Rats were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 3 weeks in the absence or presence of a benzamide HDAC inhibitor, MGCD0103, which selectively inhibits class I HDACs 1, 2, and 3. The compound reduced pulmonary arterial pressure more dramatically than tadalafil, a standard-of-care therapy for human pulmonary hypertension that functions as a vasodilator. MGCD0103 improved pulmonary artery acceleration time and reduced systolic notching of the pulmonary artery flow envelope, which suggests a positive impact of the HDAC inhibitor on pulmonary vascular remodeling and stiffening. Similar results were obtained with an independent class I HDAC-selective inhibitor, MS-275. Reduced pulmonary arterial pressure in MGCD0103-treated animals was associated with blunted pulmonary arterial wall thickening because of suppression of smooth muscle cell proliferation. Right ventricular function was maintained in MGCD0103-treated animals. Although the class I HDAC inhibitor only modestly reduced right ventricular hypertrophy, it had multiple beneficial effects on the right ventricle, which included suppression of pathological gene expression, inhibition of proapoptotic caspase activity, and repression of proinflammatory protein expression.'] Does selective class I histone deacetylase inhibition suppress hypoxia-induced cardiopulmonary remodeling through an antiproliferative mechanism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.444810152053833,
-1.3138904571533203,
2.7766125202178955
] |
['In developing blood vessels, single endothelial cells (ECs) specialize into tip cells that sense vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and contribute to vessel sprouting and branch formation. Tip cell differentiation is inhibited through lateral Notch signaling between ECs, which is controlled by Notch ligands expressed in vessel sprouts. The contribution of the Notch ligand Delta-like (Dll) 1 herein is unknown.', 'To investigate the role of Dll1 in vascular morphogenesis and tip cell formation in the mouse retina.', 'Mice with heterozygous deletion of Dll1 had fewer tip cells during angiogenic sprouting of the superficial vascular plexus but also showed impaired vessel branching into deeper retinal layers and impaired deep plexus angiogenesis. Interestingly, the formation of vertical branches was also guided by filopodia-extending ECs located at the tip of branches, consistent with tip cells, which emerged from established vessels to form a secondary plexus within the deeper neuronal cell layers. During both phases of vascular patterning, Dll1 was not expressed in ECs but in the superficial neuronal layer in close contact with expanding vessels, where Dll1 expression coincided with tip cell formation in a spatiotemporal manner. In vitro, culture of ECs on DLL1 induced essential tip cell genes, including Dll4, VEGF receptor 3, and ephrin-B2, and stimulated VEGF responsiveness and vascular network formation.'] Does extrinsic Notch ligand Delta-like 1 regulate tip cell selection and vascular branching morphogenesis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5561611652374268,
-1.1209404468536377,
2.7385497093200684
] |
['To investigate whether estrogen may attenuate neointima formation in hyperhomocysteinemic rat carotid endarterectomy.', 'Rats were divided into 6 groups: ovariectomized estradiol-treated homocysteine or chow; ovariectomized placebo-treated homocysteine or chow; intact placebo-treated homocysteine or chow. Chow served as controls while homocysteine served as exaggerated intimal hyperplasia. Prior to endarterectomy, rats were implanted with estradiol mini-pump or placebo, diets given 2 weeks before and after surgery. Homocysteine, estrogen, and neointimal hyperplasia were determined.', 'Homocysteine was elevated in homocysteine groups versus controls except in estradiol-treated group. Intimal hyperplasia increased in placebo-treated ovariectomized homocysteine versus intact group. Exaggerated intimal hyperplasia in placebo-treated ovariectomized homocysteine was reduced by estrogen and so was homocysteine. Estrogen replacement in ovariectomized homocysteine group reduced intimal hyperplasia to that of intact or ovariectomized controls.'] Does estrogen replacement attenuate exaggerated neointimal hyperplasia following carotid endarterectomy in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.347226858139038,
-1.213815450668335,
2.5762081146240234
] |
['To elucidate the mechanisms involved in cartilage damage in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by specifically addressing the time course of extracellular matrix degradation and the contribution of cell-matrix interactions for initiation and perpetuation of this process.', 'The human tumour necrosis factor (TNF) transgenic (hTNFtg) mouse model of RA was used to analyse the time course of pannus attachment to the cartilage and cartilage destruction, respectively, and crossed hTNFtg mice with interleukin (IL)-1(-/-) animals were used to investigate the role of IL-1 on these TNF-induced mechanisms in vivo. In addition, an in vitro attachment assay using synovial fibroblasts (SFs) from hTNFtg mice and freshly isolated articular cartilage was used to determine the role of proteoglycan loss in attachment of SFs and the role of the transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-4.', 'In vivo analyses of hTNFtg mice showed that proteoglycan loss induced by IL-1 precedes and constitutes an important prerequisite for these processes as, in hTNFtg mice, IL-1 deficiency protected from the loss of cartilage proteoglycans and almost completely prevented the attachment and subsequent invasion of inflamed synovial tissue into cartilage. In vitro studies confirmed that loss of cartilage proteoglycans is required for attachment of SFs and that syndecan-4 is prominently involved in SF attachment and activation.'] Are early structural changes in cartilage and bone required for the attachment and invasion of inflamed synovial tissue during destructive inflammatory arthritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5119738578796387,
-1.2113468647003174,
2.762022018432617
] |
['The study was aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β(1)) expression and the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).', 'Five hundred and seventy-one patients with HCC were subjected. Plasma TGF-β(1) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at diagnosis and compared in accordance with clinical and radiological characteristics.', 'Plasma TGF-β(1) levels were significantly higher in the diffuse infiltrative type (n = 159) than in the nodular type of HCC (n = 412; 3.94 ± 0.34 vs. 3.79 ± 0.29 log(10) pg/ml; p < 0.001). They were much higher in patients with portal vein thrombosis or extrahepatic metastasis than in those without (3.88 ± 0.34 vs. 3.81 ± 0.29 log(10) pg/ml, p = 0.008; 3.94 ± 0.35 vs. 3.82 ± 0.30 log(10) pg/ml, p = 0.013, respectively). Also, plasma TGF-β(1) levels showed a positive correlation with the size of HCC (r = 0.014, p < 0.001). Additionally, plasma TGF-β(1) levels were inversely related to the survival periods (p < 0.001).'] Is transforming growth factor beta 1 overexpression closely related to invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8920711278915405,
-1.4808509349822998,
2.411729335784912
] |
['Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental contaminant most known for its severe neurotoxic effects. Although accumulation of MeHg tends to be several folds higher in kidney compared to other tissues, studies on nephrotoxic effects are almost non-existing. In this study we aim to investigate the toxicity of dietary MeHg in kidney of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).', 'Atlantic salmon were exposed to dietary MeHg for a period of 8 weeks, before the fish were euthanized and kidney was sampled for proteomic and real time RT-PCR analysis, as well as for mercury determination. Protein separation was done with 2-D PAGE, and differentially regulated spots were picked for analysis using liquid chromatography MS/MS analysis. Moreover, whole blood and liver tissue were sampled for mercury determination and real time RT-PCR (liver).', 'MeHg exposed fish accumulated significantly more mercury (Hg) than control fish. The proteomic analysis revealed differential abundance of 26 spots in the kidney, and 14 of these protein spots were successfully identified. The proteins identified indicated effects of MeHg on; metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, protein-folding, and cell-structural components. Gene expression analysis of selected markers revealed few differentially regulated transcripts in kidney and liver in the exposed fish compared to the control fish. However, the affected transcripts indicated a disruption in the expression of two metabolic markers due to MeHg exposure in liver.'] Does dietary methylmercury alter the proteome in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) kidney? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3876094818115234,
-1.140287160873413,
2.6313021183013916
] |
['Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease that in some patients leads to exocrine and endocrine dysfunction. In industrialized countries the most common aetiology is chronic alcohol abuse. Descriptions of associated genetic alterations in alcoholic CP are rare. However, a common PNPLA3 variant (p.I148M) is associated with the development of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Since, alcoholic CP and ALC share the same aetiology PNPLA3 variant (p.I148M) possibly influences the development of alcoholic CP.', 'Using melting curve analysis we genotyped the variant in 1510 patients with pancreatitis or liver disease (961 German and Dutch alcoholic CP patients, 414 German patients with idiopathic or hereditary CP, and 135 patients with ALC). In addition, we included in total 2781 healthy controls in the study.', 'The previously published overrepresentation of GG-genotype was replicated in our cohort of ALC (p-value <0.0001, OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.3). Distributions of genotype and allele frequencies of the p.I148M variant were comparable in patients with alcoholic CP, idiopathic and hereditary CP and in healthy controls.'] Is a common variant of PNPLA3 ( p.I148M ) associated with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.632245659828186,
-1.3239715099334717,
2.033972978591919
] |
['To establish HSV2 VP16 targeting shRNA-expressing cell lines and investigate the antiviral effect of shRNA targeting HSV2 VP16.', 'The cell lines Vero-shRNAs and negative-control Vero-shCON were established. Their inhibition effects on VP16 mRNA expression were tested by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and their antiviral effects were evaluated by yield reduction assay. The influence of passage numbers on the inhibition ability of cell lines was researched.', 'Vero-shRNA24 targeting the upper stream, Vero-shRNA642 targeting the lower stream and Vero-shCON were established. Vero-shRNA24, Vero-shRNA642 and Vero-shRNA24 + 642 could reduce the VP16 mRNA significantly. Vero-shRNA24 was the most efficient. The HSV2 titers in Vero and Vero-shCON were the highest at 72 h after infection, and started decreasing thereafter. The viral titers of the Vero-shRNA groups reached a peak after 84 h and the highest titers were lower than in the Vero group. The inhibiting effect on VP16 mRNA expression and viral replication of Vero-shRNA24 cell lines of passages 10 and 20 were not significantly different from the primary cell line. Although of no statistical significance, the passage 50 cell line showed decreased inhibiting ability.'] Do recombinant cell lines expressing shRNA targeting herpes simplex virus 2 VP16 inhibit virus replication? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.161046028137207,
-1.0453097820281982,
2.2613933086395264
] |
['The glenohumeral joint is the most mobile articulation in the body and the most commonly dislocated diarthrodial joint with peaks in the incidence of dislocation occurring during the second and sixth decades. Age at the time of the initial dislocation is inversely related to the recurrence rate. Traumatic anterior instability is often associated with intraarticular injuries. The frequency of injuries may increase with dislocation or subluxation episodes.', 'We compared the frequency of lesions associated with traumatic anterior instability in patients with primary and recurrent instability.', 'We retrospectively reviewed 96 selected patients with traumatic anterior instability treated arthroscopically between 2005 and 2008. Forty-five had arthroscopy after a first episode of dislocation (Group I) and 51 had two or more episodes of instability (Group II). We compared the frequencies and percentage of intraarticular lesions in both groups.', 'We observed a Bankart lesion in all patients of both groups. The posterior Bankart lesion was observed more frequently in Group II than in Group I: 47% versus 28%. SLAP lesions were observed in 12% in Group I and 24% in Group II. In 10 patients in Group II, there was an associated rotator cuff tear.'] Does arthroscopically determined degree of injury after shoulder dislocation relate to recurrence rate? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9414088726043701,
-1.0970178842544556,
2.0957517623901367
] |
['A prospective follow-up study to detect the early neurological improvement after decompression surgery and to clarify its correlation with the late neurological outcome in patients with cervical compression myelopathy.', 'To reveal the suitability of a simple performance, 15-second grip-and-release test for postoperative neurological recovery in patients with cervical myelopathy.', 'Although various parameters have been advocated as prognostic factors, there still remain arguments against them. Furthermore, neurological status after decompression surgery has been evaluated weekly or monthly in previous studies, but not hourly or daily. To follow the postoperative neurological recovery, we used our original performance test.', 'Forty-eight patients who were admitted to undergo decompressive laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy were enrolled in the study. Twenty-five patients who were admitted for lumbar spine surgery were used as controls. Subjects were asked to fully grip and release with their right (or left) hand fingers as fast as possible for 15 seconds, which was recorded by a digital camera. And the number of grip-and-release cycles was counted (15-second test) in the recorded video files.', 'In the myelopathy group, the number of grip-and-release cycles before surgery and 4 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks after surgery was 26.7 ± 10.0, 29.7 ± 9.9, 35.0 ± 11.3, 35.1 ± 9.8, 36.2 ± 9.6, and 37.2 ± 10.2, respectively. The number increased steeply after surgery until 24 hours, and the number was 94% after 24 hours of the number recorded 2 weeks after surgery. In the control group, the number of grip-and-release cycles at each time point was 37.9 ± 9.7, 34.7 ± 9.1, 39.2 ± 9.0, 38.5 ± 8.9, 38.9 ± 9.7, and 38.0 ± 9.3, respectively. There was a transient reduction 4 hours after surgery.'] Does postoperative 24-hour result of 15-second grip-and-release test correlate with surgical outcome of cervical compression myelopathy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.20313560962677,
-1.4253922700881958,
1.6056416034698486
] |
['Optimal therapeutic strategies for subclinical hyperthyroidism are undecided. Overt disease develops in a minority of cases, but the risk factors for progression remain unclear. We examined whether a baseline thyrotrophin (TSH) predicted progression to overt hyperthyroidism in asymptomatic individuals with subclinical hyperthyroidism.', 'This was a retrospective study of 323 patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism seen in our institution from 2003 to 2010 (mean age 71 years, males 26·9%, females 73·1%, mean follow-up duration 32 months, range 6-93 months). Serum TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) were documented at baseline and during follow-up. After excluding individuals with nonthyroid causes of low TSH, patients were grouped according to initial TSH as: TSH 0·10-0·39 mU/l (grade I) and TSH < 0·10 mU/l (grade II).', 'Only 38 patients (11·8%) developed overt hyperthyroidism with annual progression rates of 0·6-3·7%. Most patients reverted to normal thyroid status (31·6%) or remained subclinically hyperthyroid (56·7%). Progression to frank hyperthyroidism was higher in grade II than in grade I patients (20·3% vs 6·8%, P < 0·001, Chi square test). Kaplan-Meier curves showed faster progression rates in grade II than grade I (P < 0·001, log rank test). In stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis, TSH < 0·1 mU/l was associated with overt hyperthyroidism (hazard ratio 3·4, confidence interval 1·6-7·0), whereas age, gender, FT4 and aetiological diagnosis were not associated with hyperthyroidism.'] Does serum thyrotrophin at baseline predict the natural course of subclinical hyperthyroidism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.254988193511963,
-1.5594606399536133,
1.8646278381347656
] |
['Epithelial cells of the urinary tract recognize pathogenic bacteria through pattern recognition receptors on their surface, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), and mount an immune response through the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway. Some uropathogenic bacteria can subvert these cellular responses, creating problems with how the host eliminates pathogens. Lactobacillus is a genus of lactic acid bacteria that are part of the microbiota and consist of many probiotic strains, some specifically for urogenital infections. Immunomodulation has emerged as an important mode of action of probiotic and commensal lactobacilli and given the importance of epithelial cells, we evaluated the effect of the urogenital probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 on epithelial immune activation.', 'Immune activation through the NF-kappaB pathway was initiated by stimulation of T24 urothelial cells with heat-killed Escherichia coli and this was further potentiated when cells were co-cultured with live L. rhamnosus GR-1. Heat-killed lactobacilli were poor activators of NF-kappaB. Concomitant stimulation of bladder cells with E. coli and L. rhamnosus GR-1 increased the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF, whereas IL-6 and CXCL8 levels were reduced. Another probiotic, L. rhamnosus GG, was also able to potentiate NF-kappaB in these cells although at a significantly reduced level compared to the GR-1 strain. The transcript numbers and protein levels of the lipopolysaccharide receptor TLR4 were significantly increased after co-stimulation with E. coli and lactobacilli compared to controls. Furthermore, inhibition of TLR4 activation by polymixin B completely blocked the lactobacilli potentiation of NF-kappaB.'] Does lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 enhance NF-kappaB activation in Escherichia coli-stimulated urinary bladder cells through TLR4? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4306304454803467,
-1.2924799919128418,
2.742786407470703
] |
['Hypertension is both a cause and a consequence of kidney disease. Whether there is an association between the earliest stages of elevated blood pressure and variations in kidney function within the normal range in the general population has not been investigated using accurate methodology.', 'Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by iohexol clearance and 24-h blood pressure were measured in a cross-sectional sample (n\u200a=\u200a1627) from the general population aged from 50 to 62 years. None of the participants had known cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes.', 'In multiple linear regression analyses with multivariate adjustment, GFR was associated with both ambulatory SBP and DBP and their interaction in separate models for daytime and night-time (P\u200a<\u200a0.05). For blood pressure in the normotensive range, GFR increased with higher daytime SBP and with night-time SBP and DBP. In the daytime, higher DBP was associated with a slight decrease in GFR.'] Is ambulatory blood pressure associated with measured glomerular filtration rate in the general middle-aged population? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0341529846191406,
-1.328656792640686,
2.446887254714966
] |
['To determine the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) status on quality of life (QOL) in patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Since OSCC that are associated with high-risk HPV have an improved response to treatment and survival, we hypothesized that patients with these tumors would have better QOL trajectories.', 'Prospective cohort study.', 'Tertiary care academic medical center and 2 affiliated hospitals.', 'Head and neck-specific QOL was determined using the University of Washington Quality of Life scale version 4 in patients with newly diagnosed invasive OSSC (N = 228).', 'Pretreatment QOL was higher in patients with high-risk HPV-associated tumors compared with patients with HPV-negative or low-risk HPV-associated tumors (P = .015). Patients with high-risk HPV-associated tumors had larger decreases in QOL from pretreatment to immediate posttreatment compared with patients with HPV-negative or low-risk HPV-associated tumors (P = .041). There was no association between HPV status and 1-year posttreatment QOL.'] Do human papillomavirus-positive oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer patients have better quality-of-life trajectories? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1222057342529297,
-1.1252923011779785,
2.3000829219818115
] |
['Digit patterning integrates signaling by the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathways. GLI3, a component of the SHH pathway, is a major regulator of digit number and identity. Neogenin (encoded by Neo1) is a cell surface protein that serves to transduce signals from several ligands, including BMPs, in various developmental contexts. Although neogenin is implicated in BMP signaling, it has not been linked to SHH signaling and its role in digit patterning is unknown.', 'We report that Neo1 mutant mice have preaxial polydactyly with low penetrance. Expression of SHH target genes, but not BMP target genes, is altered in Neo1 mutant limb buds. Analysis of mice carrying mutations in both Neo1 and Gli3 reveals that, although neogenin plays a role in constraint of digit numbers, suppressing polydactyly, it is also required for the severe polydactyly caused by loss of GLI3. Furthermore, embryo fibroblasts from Neo1 mutant mice are sensitized to SHH pathway activation in vitro.'] Does neogenin regulate Sonic Hedgehog pathway activity during digit patterning? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5523810386657715,
-0.6388290524482727,
2.2521939277648926
] |
['Preoperative proteinuria is associated with post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI), but whether it is also associated with increased long-term mortality and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is unknown.', 'We studied 925 consecutive patients undergoing CABG. Demographic and clinical data were collected prospectively, and patients were followed for a median of 4.71 years after surgery. Proteinuria, according to dipstick tests, was defined as mild (trace to 1+) or heavy (2+ to 4+) according to the results of the dipstick test. A total of 276 (29.8%) patients had mild proteinuria before surgery and 119 (12.9%) patients had heavy proteinuria. During the follow-up, the Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that heavy proteinuria (hazard ratio [HR], 27.17) was an independent predictor of long-term ESRD. There was a progressive increased risk for mild proteinuria ([HR], 1.88) and heavy proteinuria ([HR], 2.28) to predict all-cause mortality compared to no proteinuria. Mild ([HR], 2.57) and heavy proteinuria ([HR], 2.70) exhibited a stepwise increased ratio compared to patients without proteinuria for long-term composite catastrophic outcomes (mortality and ESRD), which were independent of the baseline GFR and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI).'] Is preoperative proteinuria associated with long-term progression to chronic dialysis and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1613049507141113,
-1.3430607318878174,
2.609750509262085
] |
['In the violaxanthin (V) cycle, V is de-epoxidized to zeaxanthin (Z) when strong light or light combined with other stressors lead to an overexcitation of photosystems. However, plants can also suffer stress in darkness and recent reports have shown that dehydration triggers V-de-epoxidation in the absence of light. In this study, we used the highly stress-tolerant brown alga Pelvetia canaliculata as a model organism, due to its lack of lutein and its non-photochemical quenching independent of the transthylakoidal-ΔpH, to study the triggering of the V-cycle in darkness induced by abiotic stressors.', 'We have shown that besides desiccation, other factors such as immersion, anoxia and high temperature also induced V-de-epoxidation in darkness. This process was reversible once the treatments had ceased (with the exception of heat, which caused lethal damage). Irrespective of the stressor applied, the resulting de-epoxidised xanthophylls correlated with a decrease in Fv/Fm, suggesting a common function in the down-regulation of photosynthetical efficiency. The implication of the redox-state of the plastoquinone-pool and of the differential activity of V-cycle enzymes on V-de-epoxidation in darkness was also examined. Current results suggest that both violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE) and zeaxanthin-epoxidase (ZE) have a basal constitutive activity even in darkness, being ZE inhibited under stress. This inhibition leads to Z accumulation.'] Is activation of violaxanthin cycle in darkness a common response to different abiotic stresses : a case study in Pelvetia canaliculata? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.579772710800171,
-1.1358275413513184,
2.766853094100952
] |
['The aim of this study was to assess the malignancy rate in patients with Hürthle cell metaplasia (HCM) on fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).', 'The pathology results of patients with benign colloid (BC) and HCM on FNAB were compared using a prospective database.', 'One hundred fifty-three (65%) patients had BC on FNAB, and 82 (35%) had HCM. The mean nodule size was similar in both groups (25 ± 2 mm vs 26 mm ± 2 mm, P = .83). Malignancy was identified on the final pathology report in 21 (14%) versus 13 (16%) patients in the BC and HCM groups, respectively (P = .66). Of the patients with malignancy, the tumor was determined as microcarcinoma in 76% in the BC groups versus 85% in the HCM group (P = .48) and as incidental in 71% versus 85% (P = .39).'] Is hürthle cell metaplasia on fine-needle aspiration biopsy by itself an indication for thyroid surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6316920518875122,
-1.4645402431488037,
2.2090611457824707
] |
['Type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease affecting several million people all over the world. The correlation between DM and malignancies is well established due to the findings of several large population-based studies. However, for endometrial, breast, colorectal, and liver cancers it has also been reported that DM could exert a negative impact on prognosis, causing a significant reduction in cancer-specific survival. A significant correlation with DM has also been demonstrated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but the possible prognostic role of DM in this setting has been poorly investigated and remains controversial. This study provides a retrospective analysis of a single-center surgical series with the aim of assessing the features and prognosis of RCC in DM patients.', 'Since 1987 a prospectively compiled database at our institute has collected the data of 1,761 patients who underwent surgery for RCC. All the patients are followed in a specially dedicated out-patient ambulatory. For this study, patients who were taking insulin or oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs before surgery for RCC were considered as DM cases. Their clinical and pathologic features were compared with those of patients without DM. Then, limiting the analysis to non-metastatic patients, the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival functions and univariable and multivariable Cox regression models addressed time to RCC-related and non RCC-related mortality.', 'The data of 1,604 patients without DM and 157 with DM (prevalence 8.9%) have been analyzed; the latter were more frequently males, older, and with higher co-morbidity and with more asymptomatic, smaller, and low stage neoplasms, though with a higher grading. After a median follow-up time of 53.4 months (IQR 20-97 months), the factors that influenced RCC-related mortality were the presence of symptoms at diagnosis, tumor size, TMN staging, and grading, while those that influenced non-RCC-related mortality were age, gender, and co-morbidities, whereas the presence of DM showed no influence at all. Moreover, in patients without and with DM, progression rate (19.8% vs. 15.1%, P = 0.195) and RCC-related mortality rate (9.6% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.102) were also statistically equivalent.'] Is pre-existing type-2 diabetes an adverse prognostic factor in patients with renal cell carcinoma : a single-center retrospective study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.934895634651184,
-1.3208523988723755,
2.260554790496826
] |
['To evaluate the effects of aldosterone with or without high sodium intake on blood pressure, myocardial structure and left ventricular function in rats, and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects.', "Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) control (CON) group fed a normal sodium diet, (2) aldosterone (ALD) group receiving aldosterone infusion and a normal sodium diet, and (3) high sodium plus aldosterone (HS-ALD) group receiving 1% NaCl diet in conjunction with aldosterone infusion. Aldosterone was administered through continuously subcutaneous infusion with osmotic minipump at the rate of 0.75 μg/h for 8 weeks. The myocardium structure was observed using transthoracic echocardiography and transmission electron microscopy. The collagen deposition in left ventricle was evaluated with Masson's trichrome staining. The expression of IL-18, p22phox, and p47phox proteins was examined using Western blot analysis.", 'The systolic blood pressure in the ALD and HS-ALD groups was significantly higher than that in the CON group after 2-week treatment. But the blood pressure showed no significant difference between the HS-ALD and ALD groups. The left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial collagen deposition and oxidative stress were predominantly found in the HS-ALD and ALD group. Furthermore, the breakdown of myocardial structure and oxidative stress were more apparent in the HS-ALD group as compared with those in the ALD group.'] Does high-sodium intake aggravate myocardial injuries induced by aldosterone via oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.385291814804077,
-1.3829443454742432,
2.8099632263183594
] |
['While it is suggested that more than 15 lymph nodes (LNs) should be evaluated for accurate staging of gastric cancer, LN yield in western countries is generally low. The effect of preoperative chemotherapy on LN yield in gastric cancer is unknown. The aim of the present study is to determine whether preoperative chemotherapy is associated with any difference in the number of LNs obtained from specimens of patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric adenocarcinoma.', 'In 1205 patients from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and 1220 patients from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) who underwent a gastrectomy with curative intent for gastric adenocarcinoma without receiving preoperative radiotherapy, LN yield was analyzed, comparing patients who received preoperative chemotherapy and patients who received no preoperative therapy.', 'Of the 2425 patients who underwent a gastrectomy, 14% received preoperative chemotherapy. Median LN yields were 23 at MSKCC and 10 in the NCR. Despite this twofold difference in LN yield between the two populations, with multivariate Poisson regression, chemotherapy was not associated with LN yield of either population. Variables associated with increased LN yield were institution, female sex, lower age, total (versus distal) gastrectomy and increasing T-stage.'] Does preoperative chemotherapy influence the number of evaluable lymph nodes in resected gastric cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.017061948776245,
-0.9930884838104248,
2.0667946338653564
] |
['To investigate the effects of rapamycin on glutamate uptake in cultured rat astrocytes expressing N-terminal 552 residues of mutant huntingtin (Htt-552).', "Primary astrocyte cultures were prepared from the cortex of postnatal rat pups. An astrocytes model of Huntington's disease was established using the astrocytes infected with adenovirus carrying coden gene of N-terminal 552 residues of Huntingtin. The protein levels of glutamate transporters GLT-1 and GLAST, the autophagic marker microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) and the autophagy substrate p62 in the astrocytes were examined using Western blotting. The mRNA expression levels of GLT-1 and GLAST in the astrocytes were determined using Real-time PCR. [(3)H]glutamate uptake by the astrocytes was measured with liquid scintillation counting.", 'The expression of mutant Htt-552 in the astrocytes significantly decreased both the mRNA and protein levels of GLT-1 but not those of GLAST. Furthermore, Htt-552 significantly reduced [(3)H]glutamate uptake by the astrocytes. Treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA (10 mmol/L) significantly increased the accumulation of mutant Htt-552, and reduced the expression of GLT-1 and [(3)H]glutamate uptake in the astrocytes. Treatment with the autophagy stimulator rapamycin (0.2 mg/mL) significantly reduced the accumulation of mutant Htt-552, and reversed the changes in GLT-1 expression and [(3)H]glutamate uptake in the astrocytes.'] Does rapamycin prevent the mutant huntingtin-suppressed GLT-1 expression in cultured astrocytes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.358654737472534,
-1.3037821054458618,
2.6525866985321045
] |
['There are a limited number of appropriate cadaver liver donors. One possible solution is the use of marginal liver grafts from cadaver donors for liver transplantation.', 'Rats with liver steatosis were divided into four containing seven animals each: I-a: steatotic liver grafts; +S-adenosylmethionine; I-b: steatotic liver grafts were transplanted; no S-adenosylmethionine; II-a: normal liver grafts, +S-adenosylmethionine; II-b: normal liver grafts. Blood samples were taken at days -1, 3 and 14.', 'ALT values at day 14: 1.75 ± 1.10µkat/L (in group I-a), 1.91 ± 1.41µkat/L (in group I-b), 2.13±1.85µkat/L (in group II-a) and 2.08 ± 1.35µkat/L (in group II-b). There were no significant differences between these values. GSH values at day 14 post-transplantation were: 44.90 ± 8.61µM/mg (in group I-a), 43.82±8.58µM/mg (in group I-b), 41.65 ± 4.87µM/mg (in group II-a) and 42.71 ± 4.17µM/mg (in control group II-b).'] Does s-adenosylmethionine reduce ischaemia-reperfusion injury to a marginal liver graft in an in vivo experiment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6247965097427368,
-1.769147515296936,
1.4809614419937134
] |
['To examine in cognitively normal elderly adults whether vascular factors predict cognitive decline and whether these associations are mediated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of subclinical vascular brain injury.', 'Prospective multisite longitudinal study of subcortical ischemic vascular diseases.', 'Memory and aging centers in California.', 'Seventy-four participants who were cognitively normal at entry and underwent at least two neuropsychological evaluations and two MRI examinations over an average follow-up of 6.9 years.', 'Item response theory was used to create composite scores of global, verbal memory, and executive functioning. Volumetric MRI measures included white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), silent brain infarcts (SBIs), hippocampus, and cortical gray matter (CGM). Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the associations between vascular factors, MRI measures, and cognitive scores.', 'History of coronary artery disease (CAD) was associated with greater declines in global cognition, verbal memory, and executive function. The CAD associations remained after controlling for changes in WMHs, SBIs, and hippocampal and CGM volumes.'] Is coronary artery disease associated with cognitive decline independent of changes on magnetic resonance imaging in cognitively normal elderly adults? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7876245975494385,
-0.6051074862480164,
2.4763193130493164
] |
['Amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1) is a transcriptional coactivator of nuclear receptors and other transcription factors. It is required for animal growth and reproductive development, and has also been implicated in breast carcinogenesis. Although AIB1 is known to be covalently modified by SUMO-1, which serves to regulate its stability and transcriptional activity, the exact SUMO E3 ligase involved in its sumoylation has not been determined. In order to resolve this question, we investigated the interaction between AIB1 and different members of PIAS proteins (all are SUMO E3 ligases) through immunoprecipiation.', 'Among the five different PIAS proteins, only PIAS1 co-immunoprecipitated with AIB1 in extract prepared from breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Over-expression of PIAS1 together with AIB1 in MCF-7 cells led to increased sumoylation of AIB1, resulting in repression of its transcriptional activity. In contrast, the PIAS1 mutant (C350S) lacking E3 ligase activity appeared to have no effect on the sumoylation of AIB1. Through sumoylation of AIB1, PIAS1 also promoted the stability of AIB1 and attenuated its interaction with estrogen receptor α (ERα), resulting in repression of the transactivation activity of ERα. In addition, MCF-7 cells co-transfected with wild-type PIAS1 and AIB1 showed about 40% reduction in cell growth, while cells co-transfected with wild-type PIAS1 and mutant AIB1 resistant to sumoylation showed about 34% increase in cell growth compared to cells transformed with wild-type AIB1 only.'] Is the transcriptional activity of co-activator AIB1 regulated by the SUMO E3 ligase PIAS1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.162668466567993,
-1.1290318965911865,
2.220174789428711
] |
['Circulating angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was identified as a predictor of weight loss maintenance in overweight/obese women of the Diogenes project.', 'To investigate whether ACE acted also as a predictor in men of the Diogenes study and to compare it with that in women.', 'Subjects, who lost ≥ 8% of body weight induced by low-caloric diet in an 8-week weight loss period, were assigned to weight loss maintenance with dietary intervention for 6 months.', '125 overweight/obese healthy men from eight European countries who completed whole intervention.', 'Concentrations and activity of serum ACE at baseline and after the 8-week weight loss, in addition to anthropometric and physiological parameters.', 'Serum ACE concentration decreased by 11.3 ± 10.6% during the weight loss period in men. A greater reduction is associated with less body weight regain during the maintenance period (r=0.227, P=0.012). ACE change was able to predict a weight regain ≤ 20% after 6 months, with an odds ratio of 1.59 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-2.33, P=0.016) for every 10% reduction, which was independent of body mass index and weight loss. The prediction power was weaker in men than in women, but without a significant sex difference (P=0.137). In pooled subjects (N=218), the odds ratio was 1.96 (95% CI: 1.46-2.64, P<0.001).'] Is circulating ACE a predictor of weight loss maintenance not only in overweight and obese women , but also in men? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.2707315683364868,
-1.546141266822815,
0.9385371804237366
] |
["Sickness presenteeism, defined as 'going to work despite judging that one should have reported in sick', is usually considered to be a complementary alternative to sickness absence. Nonetheless, several studies have reported a positive association between sickness absence and sickness presenteeism. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the contemporaneous positive association between sickness absence and sickness presenteeism can be explained by illness, work incapacity, and/or work environment.", 'A cross-sectional study based on answers to a comprehensive questionnaire from 8,304 working women and men, those in the second wave of the nationally representative Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between sickness presenteeism and sickness absence.', 'Sickness absence was strongly associated with sickness presenteeism. Sickness absence of 1-7 days during a 12-month period more than doubled the odds of also having sickness presenteeism of more than 8 days during the same 12-month period (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.79-2.49). Adjusting for age and sex did not attenuate the association; further adjustment for work environment, self-rated health, chronic diseases, and work capacity reduced the odds somewhat, but they remained highly significant (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.56-2.25).'] Is sickness presenteeism more than an alternative to sickness absence : results from the population-based SLOSH study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7513715028762817,
-0.033818602561950684,
1.0035697221755981
] |
['Furunculosis, caused by Aeromonas salmonicida, continues to be a major health problem for the growing salmonid aquaculture. Despite effective vaccination programs regular outbreaks occur at the fish farms calling for repeated antibiotic treatment. We hypothesized that a difference in natural susceptibility to this disease might exist between Baltic salmon and the widely used rainbow trout.', 'A cohabitation challenge model was applied to investigate the relative susceptibility to infection with A. salmonicida in rainbow trout and Baltic salmon. The course of infection was monitored daily over a 30-day period post challenge and the results were summarized in mortality curves.', 'A. salmonicida was recovered from mortalities during the entire test period. At day 30 the survival was 6.2% and 34.0% for rainbow trout and Baltic salmon, respectively. Significant differences in susceptibility to A. salmonicida were demonstrated between the two salmonids and hazard ratio estimation between rainbow trout and Baltic salmon showed a 3.36 higher risk of dying from the infection in the former.'] Is baltic salmon , Salmo salar , from Swedish river Lule älv more resistant to furunculosis compared to rainbow trout? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.39280366897583,
-0.29449373483657837,
1.730039119720459
] |
['Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is increasingly being utilized for staging of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). The purpose of this study was to define how pretreatment PET/CT studies affected postmastectomy radiation treatment (PMRT) planning decisions for IBC.', 'We performed a retrospective analysis of 62 patients diagnosed with IBC between 2004 and 2009, who were treated with PMRT in our institution and who had a staging PET/CT within 3 months of diagnosis. Patients received a baseline physical examination, staging mammography, ultrasonographic examination of breast and draining lymphatics, and chest radiography; most patients also had a bone scan (55 patients), liver imaging (52 patients), breast MRI (46 patients), and chest CT (25 patients). We compared how PET/CT findings affected PMRT, assuming that standard PMRT would target the chest wall, level III axilla, supraclavicular fossa, and internal mammary chain (IMC). Any modification of target volumes, field borders, or dose prescriptions was considered a change.', 'PET/CT detected new areas of disease in 27 of the 62 patients (44%). The areas of additional disease included the breast (1 patient), ipsilateral axilla (1 patient), ipsilateral supraclavicular (4 patients), ipsilateral infraclavicular (1 patient), ipsilateral IMC (5 patients), ipsilateral subpectoral (3 patients), mediastinal (8 patients), other distant/contralateral lymph nodes (15 patients), or bone (6 patients). One patient was found to have a non-breast second primary tumor. The findings of the PET/CT led to changes in PMRT in 11 of 62 patients (17.7%). These changes included additional fields in 5 patients, adjustment of fields in 2 patients, and higher doses to the supraclavicular fossa (2 patients) and IMC (5 patients).'] Does pretreatment staging positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with inflammatory breast cancer influence radiation treatment field designs? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.216749906539917,
-1.3304619789123535,
2.622119426727295
] |
['Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) occurs in 50-70% of patients after oxaliplatin treatment for hepatic colorectal metastasis. SOS is associated with portal hypertension and is caused by oxidative damage to endothelial cells and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) induction. We studied the effect of a flavonoid (monoHER) on SOS prevention.', 'A monocrotaline (MTC) SOS model was used in rats, with pre-treatment of monoHER. We studied hepatocellular damage and MMP expression. The potential inhibition of oxaliplatin cytotoxicity by monoHER was tested in vitro in colorectal cancer cell lines.', 'MonoHER ameliorated the increase in portal pressure after MCT (72 hr: 7.3\u2009±\u20092.7 mmHg vs. 11.4\u2009±\u20093.0\u2009mmHg, P\u2009=\u20090.016 MCT\u2009+\u2009monoHER vs. MCT, P\u2009<\u20090.01). MonoHER prevented hepatocellular damage (ALT: 48\u2009hr 42.2\u2009±\u20093.1\u2009IU/L vs. 253.4\u2009±\u2009171.7\u2009IU/L, P\u2009=\u20090.034; 72 hr: 46.2\u2009±\u20094.3\u2009IU/L vs. 311.9\u2009±\u2009163.6\u2009IU/L, MCT\u2009+\u2009monoHER vs. MCT, P\u2009<\u20090.01). The liver damage score was lower in the monoHER group (72 hr: 4.8\u2009±\u20093.6 vs. 10.3\u2009±\u20090.5, MCT-monoHER vs. MCT, P\u2009<\u20090.01) associated with less inflammatory cell infiltration. Livers of MCT treated rats had higher expression of MMP-9 when compared to monoHER pairs at 24 hr (P\u2009=\u20090.016) and 72 hr (P\u2009<\u20090.001). MonoHER had no effect on in vitro proliferation of colorectal cancer cells when used either alone or in combination with oxaliplatin.'] Does the flavonoid monoHER prevent monocrotaline-induced hepatic sinusoidal injury in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.916650652885437,
-1.6578400135040283,
2.5371274948120117
] |
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