sot_question
stringlengths 42
9.8k
| ds_name
stringclasses 8
values | pred_label
int64 0
2
| logits
sequencelengths 3
3
|
|---|---|---|---|
['TEC, a member of the TEC family of non-receptor type protein tyrosine kinases, has recently been suggested to play a role in hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration. This study aims to investigate the putative mechanisms of TEC kinase regulation of hepatocyte differentiation, i.e. to explore which signaling pathway TEC is involved in, and how TEC is activated in hepatocyte after hepatectomy and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulation.', 'We performed immunoprecipitation (IP) and immunoblotting (IB) to examine TEC tyrosine phosphorylation after partial hepatectomy in mice and HGF stimulation in WB F-344 hepatic cells. The TEC kinase activity was determined by in vitro kinase assay. Reporter gene assay, antisense oligonucleotide and TEC dominant negative mutant (TEC(KM)) were used to examine the possible signaling pathways in which TEC is involved. The cell proliferation rate was evaluated by (3)H-TdR incorporation.', 'TEC phosphorylation and kinase activity were increased in 1 h after hepatectomy or HGF treatment. TEC enhanced the activity of Elk and serum response element (SRE). Inhibition of MEK1 suppressed TEC phosphorylation. Blocking TEC activity dramatically decreased the activation of Erk. Reduced TEC kinase activity also suppressed the proliferation of WB F-344 cells. These results suggest TEC is involved in the Ras-MAPK pathway and acts between MEK1 and Erk.'] Is tEC protein tyrosine kinase involved in the Erk signaling pathway induced by HGF? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.390540361404419,
-1.2359377145767212,
2.6710376739501953
] |
['Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a causative agent of sepsis. A relationship has been described between LPS, free radicals, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Here, we investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the effect of LPS on intestinal motility, oxidative stress status, and COX-2 expression.', 'Rabbits were injected with (i) saline, (ii) LPS, (iii) U0126, an ERK MAPK inhibitor, or (iv) U0126+LPS. Duodenal contractility was studied in an organ bath with acetylcholine, prostaglandin E(2), and KCl added. Neuromuscular function was assessed by electrical field stimulation (EFS). Neurotransmitter blockers were used to study the EFS-elicited contractile response. The formation of products of oxidative damage to proteins (carbonyls), lipids, [malondialdehyde (MDA), and 4-hydroxyalkenals (4-HDA)] was quantified in plasma and intestine. The protein expression of phospho-ERK (p-ERK), total ERK, and COX-2 in the intestine was measured by western blot, and p-ERK was localized by immunohistochemistry.', 'Acetylcholine, prostaglandin E(2), and KCl-induced contractions decreased with LPS. Electrical field stimulation induced a neurogenic contraction that was reduced by LPS. Lipopolysaccharide increased p-ERK and COX-2 expression and the levels of carbonyls and MDA+4-HDA. U0126 blocked the effect of LPS on acetylcholine, prostaglandin E(2), KCl, and EFS-induced contractions, the levels of carbonyls and MDA+4-HDA and p-ERK and COX-2 expression. Phospho-ERK was detected mostly in the neurons of the myenteric and submucosal ganglia.'] Is extracellular signal-regulated kinase ( ERK ) involved in LPS-induced disturbances in intestinal motility? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4469635486602783,
-1.3428974151611328,
2.7807793617248535
] |
['The enteric nervous system (ENS) continues its structural and functional growth after birth, with formation of ganglia and the innervation of growing smooth muscle. However, little is known about factors in the postnatal intestine that influence these processes.', 'We examined the presence and potential role of glial cell line-derived nerve growth factor (GDNF) in the rat postnatal ENS using neonatal tissue, primary co-cultures of the myenteric plexus, smooth muscle, and glial cells as well as cell lines of smooth muscle or glial cells.', 'Western blot analysis showed that GDNF and its co-receptors rearranged during transfection (RET) and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 were expressed in the muscle layer of the neonatal and adult rat intestine. Immunohistochemistry localized the receptors for GDNF to myenteric neurons, while GDNF was localized to smooth muscle cells. In a co-culture model, GDNF but not nerve growth factor, brain derived neurotrophic factor or neurotrophin-3 significantly increased neuronal survival and more than doubled the numbers of neurites in vitro. RT-PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry as well as bioassays of neuronal survival and of RET phosphorylation all identified intestinal smooth muscle as the source of GDNF in vitro. GDNF also induced morphological changes in the structure and organization of neurons and axons, causing marked aggregation of neuronal cell bodies and collinear development of axons. As well, GDNF (50-150 ng mL(-1)) significantly increased [(3)H]-choline uptake and stimulated [(3)H]-acetylcholine release.'] Is glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor a key neurotrophin in the postnatal enteric nervous system? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3575446605682373,
-1.3310835361480713,
2.786013126373291
] |
['The predictors for treatment failure of on-demand proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients are unclear. We studied the efficacy and predictors for treatment failure of step-down on-demand PPI therapy in patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and those with low grade erosive esophagitis.', 'Consecutive symptomatic GERD patients who had positive esophageal pH studies and complete symptom resolution with initial treatment of esomeprazole were given step-down on-demand esomeprazole for 26 weeks. Patients with esophagitis of Los Angeles (LA) grade C or above and recent use of PPI were excluded. Treatment failure was defined as an inadequate relief of reflux symptoms using global symptom assessment. Potential predictors of treatment failure were determined using multivariate analysis.', 'One hundred and sixty three NERD and 102 esophagitis patients were studied. The 26-week probability of treatment failure was 36.2% (95% CI: 23.9-46.5%) in NERD group and 20.1% (95% CI: 10.9-28.3%) in esophagitis group, respectively (P = 0.021). Irritable bowel syndrome (adjusted HR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-3.8, P = 0.01), in addition to daily reflux symptom (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.9-4.2, P = 0.001) and concomitant dyspepsia (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.8, P = 0.04), were independent predictors for treatment failure.'] Is concomitant irritable bowel syndrome associated with failure of step-down on-demand proton pump inhibitor treatment in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.742936372756958,
-1.59225332736969,
2.3279030323028564
] |
['Doxorubicin is a widely used chemotherapy drug, but its application is associated with cardiotoxicity. Free radical generation and mitochondrial dysfunction are thought to contribute to doxorubicin-induced cardiac failure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are commonly used as cardioprotective agents and have recently been shown in clinical studies to be efficacious in the prevention of anthracycline-induced heart failure. This study evaluated a mechanism for these protective effects by testing the ability of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril to preserve mitochondrial function in a model of chronic doxorubicin treatment in rats.', 'Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups and followed for a total of 10 weeks: (1) control-untreated, (2) doxorubicin treated, and (3) doxorubicin\xa0+\xa0enalapril treated. Doxorubicin was administered via intraperitoneal injection at weekly intervals from weeks 2 to 7. Enalapril was administered in the drinking water of the doxorubicin\xa0+\xa0enalapril group for the study duration.', 'Doxorubicin treatment produced a significant loss in left ventricular contractility (P\xa0<\xa0.05), decrease in mitochondrial function via impairment of state-3 respiration, decrease in the cytosolic fraction of adenosine triphosphate, and up-regulation of free radical production. Enalapril significantly attenuated the decrease in percent fractional shortening (P < .05) and prevented the doxorubicin-associated reduction in respiratory efficiency and cytosolic adenosine triphosphate content (P < .05). Enalapril also abolished the robust doxorubicin-induced increase in free radical formation.'] Does pretreatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor improve doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy via preservation of mitochondrial function? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3366377353668213,
-1.38790762424469,
2.7527103424072266
] |
['The PFD1235w Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) antigen is associated with severe malaria in children and can be expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IE) adhering to ICAM1. However, the exact three-dimensional structure of this PfEMP1 and its surface-exposed epitopes are unknown. An insect cell and Escherichia coli based system was used to express single and double domains encoded by the pfd1235w var gene. The resulting recombinant proteins have been evaluated for yield and purity and their ability to induce rat antibodies, which react with the native PFD1235w PfEMP1 antigen expressed on 3D7PFD1235w-IE. Their recognition by human anti-malaria antibodies from previously infected Tanzanian donors was also analysed.', 'The recombinant proteins were run on SDS-PAGE and Western blots for quantification and size estimation. Insect cell and E. coli-produced recombinant proteins were coupled to a bead-based Luminex assay to measure the plasma antibody reactivity of 180 samples collected from Tanzanian individuals. The recombinant proteins used for immunization of rats and antisera were also tested by flow cytometry for their ability to surface label 3D7PFD1235w-IE.', 'All seven pAcGP67A constructs were successfully expressed as recombinant protein in baculovirus-infected insect cells and subsequently produced to a purity of 60-97% and a yield of 2-15 mg/L. By comparison, only three of seven pET101/D-TOPO constructs expressed in the E. coli system could be produced at all with purity and yield ranging from 3-95% and 6-11 mg/L. All seven insect cell, but only two of the E. coli produced proteins induced antibodies reactive with native PFD1235w expressed on 3D7PFD1235w-IE. The recombinant proteins were recognized in an age- and transmission intensity-dependent manner by antibodies from 180 Tanzanian individuals in a bead-based Luminex assay.'] Are insect cells superior to Escherichia coli in producing malaria proteins inducing IgG targeting PfEMP1 on infected erythrocytes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.890076756477356,
-1.4932022094726562,
2.4667575359344482
] |
['Organ transplantation is widely accepted as the treatment of choice for native organ failure. Due to required immunosuppression, however, organ recipients are prone to wound infections, incisional hernias, and fascial dehiscence. These complications are especially dangerous in this patient population, as they can compromise the survival of the transplanted organ. Various methods have been employed to repair ventral and incisional hernias in these patients. These include primary repair, synthetic mesh, biologic mesh, tensor fascia lata grafts (TFL), component separation, flaps from the thighs, or a combination of these. The goal of this study was to review the experience at our institution with ventral hernia repair in transplant patients and to compare outcomes of the various repair techniques.', 'Patients with liver, renal, or pancreas transplants requiring immunosuppression who underwent a ventral or incisional hernia repair at the University of Maryland from 2000-2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Factors examined include type and location of hernia, type of repair, post operative infection, hernia recurrence, reoperation, mesh removal, and length of follow up. Complication rates were compared using odds ratio and chi-square.', 'A total of 104 patients met the criteria with a mean length of follow up of 26 months. Of these, 34 patients had repair with human acellular dermal matrix (HADM), 26 had synthetic mesh, 25 had primary repair, and 9 had TFL. Rates of wound infection in these groups were 15, 65, 8, and 11% respectively (χ (2) = 28, P < 0.001). Rates of recurrence were 24, 77, 36, and 11% respectively (χ (2) = 22, P < 0.001). The rate of mesh removal with HADM and synthetic mesh were 12 and 69%, respectively (χ (2) = 14, P < 0.001). When comparing HADM and synthetic mesh, the odds ratio for wound infection is 11 (95% CI 3.2-38) and for mesh removal is 8.7 (95% CI 2.6-28).'] Does human acellular dermal matrix for ventral hernia repair reduce morbidity in transplant patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.58501136302948,
-1.5139350891113281,
2.0865697860717773
] |
['Applications to cardiothoracic training programs have declined dramatically. Increased effort in recruiting trainees is paramount. In this study, we test our hypothesis that mentored instruction on cardiothoracic simulators will enhance the interest of junior medical students in cardiothoracic surgery.', 'First- and second-year medical students were recruited from a "surgery interest group" to receive mentored instruction on high-fidelity cardiothoracic simulators. Before and after simulation assessment tools were used to assess attitudes toward simulation, general surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery.', 'Forty-four medical students participated in the study. Although 80% of the students were interested in pursuing a career in surgery before the course, the majority (64%) indicated they were "neutral" about pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery. After participating in the course, 61% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that they were interested in pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery (p = 0.001). When asked to select a surgical subspecialty for their third-year clerkship rotation, 18% of the students selected thoracic surgery before participating in the simulator course versus 39% after completing the course. This increase was most evident among the female participants, of whom only 3 (12%) selected a thoracic rotation before the simulator course versus 9 (35%) after completion of the course (p < 0.05).'] Does simulation experience enhance medical students ' interest in cardiothoracic surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
0.4023962616920471,
0.5834941267967224,
-1.7433032989501953
] |
['Epigenetic mechanisms, via post-translational histone modifications, have roles in the establishment and maintenance of latency of the HSV-1 genome in the sensory neurons. Considering that many post-translational histone marks are reversible in nature, epigenetic mechanisms may also play a critical role in the process of induced HSV-1 reactivation.', "This study utilized the rabbit ocular model of HSV-1 infection and reactivation, induced by the transcorneal iontophoresis of epinephrine (TCIE), to characterize changes to chromatin that occur between 0.5 and 4 h following the application of the reactivation stimulus. Our goal was to explore the hypothesis that chromatin remodeling is an early and essential step in the process of HSV-1 reactivation. Analysis of the HSV-1 latently infected rabbit trigeminal ganglia (TG) showed that enrichment of the euchromatic marker H3K4me2 significantly decreased in the LAT 5'exon region (∼2.5-fold) and significantly increased in the lytic ICP4 promoter region (∼3-fold) by 1 h post-TCIE in the highly efficient reactivating McKrae strain of HSV-1. In contrast, we observed no significant change in the euchromatic marks of H3K4me2 associated with LAT 5'exon or ICP4 promoter regions of the poorly reactivating KOS strain of HSV-1 following TCIE through 4 h. The implication that these observed epigenetic changes were linked to transcriptional activity was confirmed by qRT-PCR examining both LAT and lytic transcript abundance following TCIE. We found a significant decrease in the abundance of LAT RNA by 2 h post-iontophoresis of epinephrine coupled to an increase in the transcript abundance of ICP4 in the McKrae strain of HSV-1. By comparison, we observed no change in the LAT or ICP4 transcript abundance of the poor reactivator KOS following iontophoresis of epinephrine through 4 h."] Are changes to euchromatin on LAT and ICP4 following reactivation more prevalent in an efficiently reactivating strain of HSV-1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.305638313293457,
-1.2476134300231934,
2.5454013347625732
] |
['Neuroendocrine changes are important processes which accompany critical illness, however, the number of clinical studies concentrating on the role of thyroid gland hormones in stroke pathogenesis is relatively small. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the relation between free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels and the prognosis of patients with stroke.', 'The prospective study included 387 patients with acute (<24 h of symptoms onset) ischemic stroke consecutively admitted to Stroke Units. The subjects with known conditions that could interfere with thyroid gland metabolism were excluded. We analyzed: the routine blood tests, fT3, free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, unenhanced CT scans, initial clinical status (NIH Stroke Scale, NIHSS), 30- and 360- days outcome (modified Rankin Scale-mRS) and calculated the survival rate.', 'A higher NIHSS score was in the 1 (st) fT3 levels tertile, whereas a lower in the 3 (rd) fT3 levels tertile (p=0.006). The 30- and 360-days mRS scores showed that patients in the lowest fT3 tertile had more severe neurological impairment than those in the highest tertile (p=0.001 and p=0.03, respectively). A 1-year mortality of the patients with the first tertile fT3 levels was significantly higher than that of the patients with the third tertile hormone levels (p=0.008). Additionally, subjects with fT3 level in the lowest tertile demonstrated higher WBC counts and the ventricular system on Computed Tomography of head performed on admission to hospital was statistically more frequent compressed than that in the patients with fT3 level in the highest tertile (p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively).'] Are low free triiodothyronine levels related to poor prognosis in acute ischemic stroke? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.906213641166687,
-1.4878137111663818,
2.3743836879730225
] |
['To investigate the correlation between gastric cancer growth and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) expression.', 'We assessed the expressions of STAT3, phosphor-STAT3 (pSTAT3), suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), survivin and Bcl-2 in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy by immunohistochemical method. In addition, in situ hybridization was used to further demonstrate the mRNA expression of STAT3 in gastric cancer.', 'With the univariate analysis, expressions of STAT3, pSTAT3, SOCS-1, survivin and Bcl-2, the size of primary tumor and the lymph node metastasis were found to be associated with the overall survival (OS) of gastric cancer patients. However, only pSTAT3 expression and the lymph node metastasis were identified as the independent factors of OS of gastric cancer with multivariate analysis. STAT3 expression was correlated with the lymph node metastasis. There were positive correlations between expressions of STAT3, survivin, Bcl-2 and pSTAT3 in gastric cancer, whereas there was negative correlation between STAT3 expression and SOCS-1 expression in gastric cancer.'] Does sTAT-3 correlate with lymph node metastasis and cell survival in gastric cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.149914503097534,
-1.2086936235427856,
2.3651223182678223
] |
['To describe patterns of lymph node metastasis in invasive colon and rectal carcinomas.', "Clinical data of 2340 patients with colorectal carcinoma (stage\u2005I\u2005to III) who received radical resection, was retrospectively reviewed. Of the 2340 patients, 1314 patients suffered from rectal carcinoma and 1026 from colon carcinoma. Patients with rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney, χ(2) and Cochran's and Mantel-Haenszel tests (SPSS 15.0). A two-tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.", 'Lymph node retrieval in the rectal carcinoma group was significantly lower than that in the colon carcinoma group (P < 0.001), while positive lymph node retrieval in the rectal carcinoma group was significantly higher than that in the colon carcinoma group (P < 0.001). The proportion of lymph node positive (N+) cases was higher (patients with one or more positive lymph nodes) in the rectal carcinoma group (P = 0.004). The number of N+ cases was compared at different T stages (T1-T4) to eliminate background bias and the results were confirmed (P < 0.001). In addition, the lymph node ratio (the ratio of number of positive lymph nodes over the number of lymph nodes examined) of stage III cases in the rectal carcinoma group was significantly higher than that in the colon carcinoma group (P < 0.001).'] Are patterns of lymph node metastasis different in colon and rectal carcinomas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0862584114074707,
-1.7914113998413086,
1.8067268133163452
] |
['This paper is a report of the development and testing of the Self-Efficacy for Preventing Falls Nurse and Assistant scales.', "Patient falls and fall-related injuries are traumatic ordeals for patients, family members and providers, and carry a toll for hospitals. Self-efficacy is an important factor in determining actions persons take and levels of performance they achieve. Performance of individual caregivers is linked to the overall performance of hospitals. Scales to assess nurses and certified nursing assistants' self-efficacy to prevent patients from falling would allow for targeting resources to increase SE, resulting in improved individual performance and ultimately decreased numbers of patient falls.", "Four phases of instrument development were carried out to (1) generate individual items from eight focus groups (four each nurse and assistant conducted in October 2007), (2) develop prototype scales, (3) determine content validity during a second series of four nurse and assistant focus groups (January 2008) and (4) conduct item analysis, paired t-tests, Student's t-tests and internal consistency reliability to refine and confirm the scales. Data were collected during February-December, 2008.", 'The 11-item Self-Efficacy for Preventing Falls Nurse had an alpha of 0·89 with all items in the range criterion of 0·3-0·7 for item total correlation. The 8-item Self-Efficacy for Preventing Falls Assistant had an alpha of 0·74 and all items had item total correlations in the 0·3-0·7 range.'] Does scales for assessing self-efficacy of nurses and assistants for preventing fall? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.39465105533599854,
-0.34159335494041443,
-0.042404621839523315
] |
['To study the association between preterm birth and adult intellectual performance, with special emphasis on the influence of postnatal growth.', 'A population-based cohort study was performed on 272,046 males, born between 1973 and 1978, of whom 248,447 were conscripted for military service between 1991 and 1997. Birth characteristics were obtained from the Swedish Medical Birth Register and information on intellectual performance, final height and BMI were taken from the Swedish Conscript Register. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.', 'At conscription, males born preterm had lower results at tests of intellectual performance compared to those born at term. Short adult stature among these males enhanced the risk of low intellectual performance, as compared to those with normal adult stature. Moreover, a high adult BMI in the males born preterm was associated with an increased risk of subnormal performance as compared to those with normal BMI.'] Are short adult stature and overweight associated with poor intellectual performance in subjects born preterm? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8641278743743896,
0.46533793210983276,
0.5126716494560242
] |
['Adjuvant interferon based chemoradiation has rendered promising results against pancreatic cancer. This study evaluated the in vivo effect of interferon α on two human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines implanted in nude.', 'MiaPaCa-2 expressed the interferon α/β receptor and Panc-1 cells did not. Regimen I consisted of intraperitoneal single-agent gemcitabine and Regimen II consisted of IFN-α and gemcitabine biweekly for 30 d.', 'Regimen I and II significantly decreased median tumor volume compared with control mice (P < 0.001). However, MiaPaCa-2 showed a more dramatic response to Regimen II compared with Panc-1 implanted mice. MiaPaCa-2 and treated with Regimen II showed less metastasis and less local invasion compared with Panc-1 treated with same regimen. Regimen II was more effective on MiaPaCa-2 compared with Regimen I (P < 0.001). There were no differences between Regimens I and II in the Panc-1 group.'] Is the expression of interferon receptor α/β in human pancreatic cancer in nude mice essential for tumor response to interferon α treatment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1419742107391357,
-1.4424982070922852,
2.584089994430542
] |
['The authors aimed to investigate whether immediate postoperative hypoalbuminemia could be associated with outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) surgery.', 'A retrospective analysis of the medical data.', 'Cardiac operating room and adult cardiovascular intensive care unit at a single institution.', 'Six hundred ninety adult patients underwent elective OPCAB surgery over a 30-month period.', 'None.', 'To evaluate the clinical relevance of immediate postoperative hypoalbuminemia, the lowest serum albumin level measured over the first 12 hours postoperatively was recorded. A cutoff point was calculated by the area under the curve in the receiver operating characteristic plot for 30-day adverse events including death. Patients were classified according to the cutoff value, and outcomes were compared between groups using propensity score-matching analysis. The impact of immediate postoperative hypoalbuminemia on OPCAB outcome was investigated using multivariate analysis. The cutoff value for immediate postoperative albumin concentration for predicting 30-day adverse events was 2.3 g/dL. Immediate postoperative hypoalbuminemia (<2.3 g/dL) was associated independently with postoperative respiratory failure (odds ratio [OR] = 8.85, p = 0.04), wound infection (OR = 4.44, p = 0.04), the need for an intra-aortic balloon pump after the operation (OR = 13.7, p = 0.02), renal failure (OR = 7.98, p = 0.01), reoperation for bleeding (OR = 4.33, p = 0.05), and the need for inotropes in the intensive care unit (OR = 1.79, p = 0.02).'] Is postoperative hypoalbuminemia associated with outcome in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7383474111557007,
-1.5102922916412354,
2.283555507659912
] |
['Autophagy is a dynamic process during which isolation membranes package substrates to form autophagosomes that are fused with lysosomes to form autolysosomes for degradation. Although it is agreed that the LC3II-associated mature autophagosomes move along microtubular tracks, it is still in dispute if the conversion of LC3I to LC3II before autophagosomes are fully mature and subsequent fusion of mature autophagosomes with lysosomes require microtubules.', 'We use biochemical markers of autophagy and a collection of microtubule interfering reagents to test the question. Results show that interruption of microtubules with either microtubule stabilizing paclitaxel or destabilizing nocodazole similarly impairs the conversion of LC3I to LC3II, but does not block the degradation of LC3II-associated autophagosomes. Acetylation of microtubules renders them resistant to nocodazole treatment. Treatment with vinblastine that causes depolymerization of both non-acetylated and acetylated microtubules results in impairment of both LC3I-LC3II conversion and LC3II-associated autophagosome fusion with lysosomes.'] Are acetylated microtubules required for fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6309564113616943,
-1.093775987625122,
2.8449530601501465
] |
['There is limited knowledge on the relationship between diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(L)CO) and quantitative computed tomography (CT) measures of emphysema and airway wall thickness.', 'What is the relationship between D(L)CO and the quantitative CT measures of emphysema and airway wall thickness in subjects with and without COPD?', 'We included 288 COPD subjects (70% men) and 425 non-COPD subjects (54% men). All subjects were current or ex-smokers older than 40 years and all subjects underwent spirometry, diffusing capacity tests and CT examination. Quantitative CT measures included % low attenuation areas < -950 HU (%LAA) and standardized airway wall thickness (AWT-Pi10).', "Multiple linear regression analyses showed significant associations between D(L)CO and both %LAA and AWT-Pi10 in the COPD group. The adjusted regression coefficients (SE) for D(L)CO (mmol min(-1) kPa(-1)) were -1.15 (0.11) per 10% increase in %LAA and 0.08 (0.03) per 0.1 mm increase in AWT-Pi10, and the models' adjusted R(2) was 0.65 and 0.49, respectively."] Are quantitative CT measures of emphysema and airway wall thickness related to D ( L ) CO? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.969007134437561,
-1.5238537788391113,
1.544858694076538
] |
['Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired pediatric cardiac disease and requires a timely diagnosis. Available effective therapy is ideally administered within 10 days of illness diagnosis. Recent reports of several laboratory tests in KD have been published. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of several laboratory tests.', 'We performed a retrospective study of consecutive patients diagnosed with KD from January to December 2008. We studied the sensitivity and specificity of several different tests [T-cell subgroups, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP)] to predict KD using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis.', 'No significant difference was demonstrated in T-cell subgroups between patients with KD and referent patients (P>0.05). However, platelet count, ESR, and CRP were significantly higher in patients with KD than in referent patients (P<0.05). ESR showed a sensitivity of 93.9% and specificity of 83.3% with a cut-off of 15\u2009 mm/hr (area under the curve [AUC], 89.1%; P=0.03). Platelet count showed a sensitivity of 70.6% and specificity of 75% with a cut-off of 336.5×10(9)/l (AUC, 71.2%; P=0.03).'] Are platelet count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate good predictors of Kawasaki disease : ROC analysis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8462257385253906,
-1.508896827697754,
2.4346096515655518
] |
['HIV-specific T-cell-based vaccines have been extensively studied in both prevention and therapeutic settings, with most studies failing to show benefit, and some suggesting harm. We previously performed a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial in which 65 antiretroviral-treated patients were randomized to receive an HIV-1 recombinant canarypox vaccine (vCP1452) or placebo, followed by analytical treatment interruption. Patients exposed to vaccine had higher levels of viral replication and more rapid time to treatment resumption.', 'In the present study we report the results from extensive immunological investigations to test whether the preferential expansion of HIV-specific CD4(+), rather than CD8(+) T cells, could account for these unexpected results.', 'Polychromatic flow cytometry was used to characterize the functional and phenotypic profile of antigen-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells induced by the immunization.', 'We found a significant increase in HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells producing IFN-γ and IL-2 in the 4 injections arm compared to the placebo arm following vaccination. In contrast, no difference was observed following vaccination in the phenotype and functional capacity within the CD8(+) T-cell compartment. Neither HLA biases, nor immune hyper-activation, or Env-specific facilitating antibodies were associated with the enhanced virus rebound observed in vaccinees.'] Does comprehensive analysis of virus-specific T-cells provide clues for the failure of therapeutic immunization with ALVAC-HIV vaccine? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4485840797424316,
-1.2406525611877441,
2.8411009311676025
] |
['To extract corosolic acid from loquat leaves for medical use.', 'Loquat leaves were boiled in water to remove the water-soluble substances followed by 3 cycles of extraction with 25% aqueous methanol for 30 min and then by 95% aqueous methanol for 1 h at 80 degrees celsius;. After cooling at room temperature and filtration, the extract was treated with activated carbon to remove chlorophyll, and the liquid was filtered and concentrated to allow precipitation. The sediment was washed to obtain the total crude triterpene acid, which was further dissolved with methanol and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The fractions including corosolic acid were collected, concentrated with vacuum distillation, and dried to obtain corosolic acid product, which was analyzed with HPLC.', 'HPLC analysis of the extracts showed that the percentages of corosolic acid were 4.66%, 2.42%, and 24.18% in crude corosolic acid extracted with methanol, boiling water, and 95% aqueous methanol, respectively. After purification with HPLC, the purity of corosolic acid in the product exceeded over 80%.'] Does [ An optimized method for extracting corosolic acid from loquat leave ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.031580686569214,
-0.22509914636611938,
1.4591872692108154
] |
['Resveratrol (RV), an antioxidant, inhibits angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertrophy and Ang II- or epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced Akt phosphorylation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Both signalling pathways are reported to utilize reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to show whether RV reduces the ROS level in Ang II- or EGF-activated VSMCs and whether reduction of ROS causes the impeded signalling towards Akt in the presence of RV.', "We show here that RV reduces intracellular ROS and extracellular H₂O₂ release from VSMCs as measured using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein-diacetate and Amplex Red™. Since NADPH oxidases (Nox) 1 and 4 are major ROS sources in VSMCs, we examined their need for Akt phosphorylation in response to Ang II or EGF. Experiments using the blocking peptide gp91ds-tat verified a role for Nox1 in Ang II signalling towards Akt, but excluded a role for Nox1 in the respective EGF signalling. A small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of Nox4 showed that Nox4 was not required for Ang II- or EGF-induced Akt phosphorylation. Use of the flavoprotein inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium, N-acetyl-cysteine, and non-antioxidant RV derivatives revealed that the antioxidant capacity of RV is not required for the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation, in both rat and human VSMCs."] Does resveratrol block Akt activation in angiotensin II- or EGF-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells in a redox-independent manner? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.367952823638916,
-1.329629898071289,
2.6876702308654785
] |
['The cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) is sensitive to lower brainstem lesions affecting the vestibulo-collic pathway. We wished to determine whether the ocular VEMP (oVEMP), a recently-described otolith-ocular reflex, is also abnormal in patients with brainstem lesions. We tested patients with internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO), caused by a brainstem lesion in the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF), to investigate whether the oVEMP is abnormal in patients with a lesion of the otolith-ocular pathway.', 'We describe a patient who developed a right INO during his first episode of demyelination, and report results from 12 additional patients, most of whom had multiple sclerosis. All subjects were stimulated with air-conducted tone bursts. cVEMPs and oVEMPs were measured using surface electrodes placed over the neck and beneath the eyes.', 'Overall, oVEMPs showed significantly more abnormalities (69%) than cVEMPs (8%). Ocular VEMPs were absent with stimulation of 13/26 ears, significantly delayed in 5/26 cases and normal in only 8/26 cases.'] Are ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials abnormal in internuclear ophthalmoplegia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.320230722427368,
-1.0840420722961426,
2.4400835037231445
] |
['Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) show a time-of-night pattern, with most movements at the beginning of the night. Our study aimed to determine whether this pattern is due to an endogenous circadian rhythm, like that in the related movement disorder Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).', 'Four healthy older adults with a screening PLMI>20 were studied in an inpatient forced desynchrony protocol with an imposed sleep-wake cycle of 20 h for 12 "nights," allowing separation of circadian and sleep homeostatic influences on leg movements. We recorded sleep polysomnographically throughout each scheduled episode, including left and right anterior tibialis EMG.', 'PLMS in Stage 2 showed both a significant time-within-sleep pattern and a significant circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm in PLMS peaked at the circadian phases when usual sleep onset occurs, preceding the evening rise in melatonin secretion.'] Do periodic limb movements in sleep exhibit a circadian rhythm that is maximal in the late evening/early night? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6018340587615967,
-0.816419243812561,
2.5072083473205566
] |
['Evolutionary rates of proteins in a protein-protein interaction network are primarily governed by the protein connectivity and/or expression level. A recent study revealed the importance of the features of the interacting protein partners, viz., the coefficient of functionality and clustering coefficient in controlling the protein evolutionary rates in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.', 'By multivariate regression analysis we found that the three parameters: probability of complex formation, expression level and degree of a protein independently guide the evolutionary rates of proteins in the PPI network. The contribution of the complex forming property of a protein and its expression level led to nearly 43% of the total variation as observed from the first principal component. We also found that for complex forming proteins in the network, those which have partners sharing the same functional class evolve faster than those having partners belonging to different functional classes. The proteins in the dense parts of the network evolve faster than their counterparts which are present in the sparse regions of the network. Taking into account the complex forming ability, we found that all the complex forming proteins considered in this study evolve slower than the non-complex forming proteins irrespective of their localization in the network or the affiliation of their partners to same/different functional classes.'] Is protein complex forming ability favored over the features of interacting partners in determining the evolutionary rates of proteins in the yeast protein-protein interaction networks? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3337152004241943,
0.5879401564598083,
0.9967358112335205
] |
['Prenatal ethanol exposure during pregnancy induces a spectrum of mental and physical disorders called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The central nervous system is the main organ influenced by FASD, and neurological symptoms include mental retardation, learning abnormalities, hyperactivity and seizure susceptibility in childhood along with the microcephaly. In this study, we examined whether ethanol exposure adversely affects the proliferation of NPC and de-regulates the normal ratio between glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal differentiation using primary neural progenitor culture (NPC) and in vivo FASD models.', 'Neural progenitor cells were cultured from E14 embryo brain of Sprague-Dawley rat. Pregnant mice and rats were treated with ethanol (2 or 4 g/kg/day) diluted with normal saline from E7 to E16 for in vivo FASD animal models. Expression level of proteins was investigated by western blot analysis and immunocytochemical assays. MTT was used for cell viability. Proliferative activity of NPCs was identified by BrdU incorporation, immunocytochemistry and FACS analysis.', 'Reduced proliferation of NPCs by ethanol was demonstrated using BrdU incorporation, immunocytochemistry and FACS analysis. In addition, ethanol induced the imbalance between glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal differentiation via transient increase in the expression of Pax6, Ngn2 and NeuroD with concomitant decrease in the expression of Mash1. Similar pattern of expression of those transcription factors was observed using an in vivo model of FASD as well as the increased expression of PSD-95 and decreased expression of GAD67.'] Does prenatal exposure of ethanol induce increased glutamatergic neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4208290576934814,
-1.269120693206787,
2.7530903816223145
] |
['Pulmonary function is impaired during pneumoperitoneum mainly as a result of atelectasis formation. We studied the effects of 10 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and PEEP followed by a recruitment maneuver (PEEP+RM) on end-expiratory lung volume (EELV), oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.', 'Sixty consecutive adult patients (30 obese, 30 healthy weight) in reverse Trendelenburg position were prospectively studied. EELV, static elastance of the respiratory system, dead space, and gas exchange were measured before and after pneumoperitoneum insufflation with zero end-expiratory pressure, with PEEP alone, and with PEEP+RM. Results are presented as mean ± SD.', 'Pneumoperitoneum reduced EELV (healthy weight, 1195 ± 405 vs. 1724 ± 774 ml; obese, 751 ± 258 vs. 886 ± 284 ml) and worsened static elastance and dead space in both groups (in all P < 0.01 vs. zero-end expiratory pressure before pneumoperitoneum) whereas oxygenation was unaffected. PEEP increased EELV (healthy weight, 570 ml, P < 0.01; obese, 364 ml, P < 0.01) with no effect on oxygenation. Compared with PEEP alone, EELV and static elastance were further improved after RM in both groups (P < 0.05), as was oxygenation (P < 0.01). In all patients, RM-induced change in EELV was 16% (P = 0.04). These improvements were maintained 30 min after RM. RM-induced changes in EELV correlated with change in oxygenation (r = 0.42, P < 0.01).'] Does intraoperative recruitment maneuver reverse detrimental pneumoperitoneum-induced respiratory effects in healthy weight and obese patients undergoing laparoscopy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1243621110916138,
-1.8122179508209229,
1.9167333841323853
] |
['The underlying mechanism for the increased alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference resulting from almost all forms of general anesthesia is unknown. We hypothesized that inhalation anesthesia influences the intrapulmonary distribution of ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q), leading to less advantageous V/Q matching.', 'Ten healthy volunteers were studied in supine position on two separate occasions, once awake and once during mild anesthesia (sevoflurane inhalation) with maintained spontaneous breathing. On both occasions, the distribution of V and Q were simultaneously imaged using single photon emission computed tomography. V was tagged with [Tc]-labeled carbon particle aerosol and Q with [In]-labeled macroaggregates of human albumin. Atelectasis formation during anesthesia was prevented using low concentrations of oxygen in inhaled air.', 'Mean V and Q distributions in the ventral-to-dorsal direction, measured in 20 equally spaced volumes of interest and in three regions of interest of equal volume, did not differ between conditions. Anesthesia, when compared with the awake state, significantly decreased the total heterogeneity of the Q distribution (P = 0.002, effect size 1.16) but did not alter V (P = 0.37, effect size 0.41). The corresponding V/Q total heterogeneity was higher under anesthesia (P = 0.002, effect size 2.64). Compared to the awake state, the V/Q frequency distribution under anesthesia became wider (P = 0.009, 1.76 effect size) with a tendency toward low V/Q ratios.'] Does inhalation anesthesia increase V/Q regional heterogeneity during spontaneous breathing in healthy subjects? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4083640575408936,
-1.709193229675293,
2.0367484092712402
] |
['The pathophysiology of heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) is still under discussion. Here we report the influence of cardiac inflammation on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in patients with HFNEF.', 'We investigated left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in 20 patients with HFNEF and 8 control patients by conductance catheter methods and echocardiography. Endomyocardial biopsy samples were also obtained, and ECM proteins as well as cardiac inflammatory cells were investigated. Primary human cardiac fibroblasts were outgrown from the endomyocardial biopsy samples to investigate the gene expression of ECM proteins after stimulation with transforming growth factor-β. Diastolic dysfunction was present in the HFNEF patients compared with the control patients. In endomyocardial biopsy samples from HFNEF patients, we found an accumulation of cardiac collagen, which was accompanied by a decrease in the major collagenase system (matrix metalloproteinase-1) in the heart. Moreover, a subset of inflammatory cells, which expressed the profibrotic growth factor transforming growth factor-β, could be documented in the HFNEF patients. Stimulation of primary human cardiac fibroblasts from HFNEF patients with transforming growth factor-β resulted in transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, which produced more collagen and decreased the amount of matrix metalloproteinase-1, the major collagenase in the human heart. A positive correlation between cardiac collagen, as well as the amount of inflammatory cells, and diastolic dysfunction was evident and suggests a direct influence of inflammation on fibrosis triggering diastolic dysfunction.'] Does cardiac inflammation contribute to changes in the extracellular matrix in patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.517540216445923,
-1.2566360235214233,
2.821061611175537
] |
['Individuals with high spinal cord injury (SCI) are prone to significant fluctuation in blood pressure with episodes of very high and low blood pressure during autonomic dysreflexia (AD) and orthostatic hypotension, respectively. We do not know how such blood pressure lability affects the vasculature.', 'We used a well-characterized animal model of AD to determine whether increasing the frequency of AD during recovery from SCI would exacerbate injury-induced dysfunction in resistance vessels.', 'Experimental animal study. International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Canada.', 'Complete transection of the T3 spinal cord was performed in male Wistar rats. For 14 days after injury, AD was induced via colorectal distension (CRD; 30 minutes per day) in the experimental group (SCI-CRD). One month after SCI, baseline cardiovascular parameters and severity of CRD-induced AD were assessed in SCI-CRD animals and SCI-only controls. Mesenteric arteries were harvested for in vitro myography to characterize vasoactive responses to phenylephrine (PE) and acetylcholine (ACh).', 'Mesenteric arteries from SCI-CRD animals exhibited larger maximal responses to PE than arteries from SCI-only controls. Hyperresponsiveness to PE was not a product of endothelial dysfunction because mesenteric arteries from both groups had similar vasodilator responses to ACh. Both SCI-only controls and SCI-CRD animals exhibited CRD-evoked AD 1 month after SCI; however, CRD-induced hypertension was less pronounced in animals that were previously exposed to CRD.'] Does recurrent autonomic dysreflexia exacerbate vascular dysfunction after spinal cord injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5154824256896973,
-1.2316374778747559,
2.7490012645721436
] |
['To determine if the longer length of time that embryos donated to an anonymous couple have been frozen has a negative effect of subsequent successful pregnancy following thawing and transfer to the recipients.', 'Retrospective determination of pregnancy rates according to the length of cryopreservation time has on pregnancy outcome following transfer of embryos designated for donation.', 'Longer time of freezing did not adversely affect subsequent pregnancy rates following frozen embryo transfer.'] Are effect of the length of time that donated embryos frozen on pregnancy outcome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6148439645767212,
-0.1476377248764038,
0.8959040641784668
] |
['The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate in a historical series of patients whether morphological changes of the urinary tract imaged on intravenous urography (IVU) are associated with clinical or urodynamic data.', 'During a 1-year period, every man 45 years or older with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia was systematically evaluated with multi-channel computer-urodynamic investigation and IVU. Men with urinary retention, known bladder stones or diverticula, severely impaired renal function, or allergy to iodine contrast media were excluded. Structural alterations of the urinary tract were correlated with clinical and urodynamic data using logistic regression analysis.', 'Data on 203 consecutive patients were available for analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the "fish-hook" configuration of the distal ureter (also known as "hockey-stick", or "J-shaped" ureter) was the only sign significantly associated with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) (odds-ratio 3.64; 95% confidence interval 1.69-7.83; P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the "fish-hook" ureter configuration sign to detect BPO was 53, 76, 61 and 70%, respectively. Bladder trabeculation, upper urinary tract dilatation, or bladder base elevation were not associated with BPO, detrusor overactivity, detrusor underactivity, bladder low-compliance or any clinical data.'] Does the fish-hook configuration of the distal ureter indicate bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.332151174545288,
-1.3450899124145508,
2.8039660453796387
] |
["Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma is characterized by a minority of neoplastic cells surrounded by a heterogeneous background population of non-neoplastic cells including lymphoma-associated macrophages. High levels of expression of both the monocyte/macrophage lineage-associated antigens CD68 and CD163 have been suggested to have pro-tumor effects. The aim of our study was to correlate expression of CD68 and CD163 with the clinico-pathological features and prognosis of a cohort of patients with previously untreated Hodgkin's lymphoma.", "A tissue microarray was constructed from paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from 288 cases of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma. CD68 and CD163 expression was assessed immunohistochemically and the degree of macrophage infiltration within the tumor was scored using point grid counting. Clinical data were obtained from clinical records.", "The patients' median age was 37 years (range, 6-86 years). The male to female ratio was 1.2. In classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 288) high CD68 and CD163 expression correlated, at the univariate level, with poorer overall survival (P=0.002 and P=0.03, respectively) and event-free survival (P=0.03 and P=0.04, respectively). At the multivariate level, high CD68 expression remained significantly predictive of overall survival (P=0.004). In addition, we demonstrated that both high CD68 and CD163 expression were associated with the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in the neoplastic cells (P=0.001 and P=0.0002, respectively)."] Do tumor-infiltrating macrophages correlate with adverse prognosis and Epstein-Barr virus status in classical Hodgkin 's lymphoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9487055540084839,
-1.482911229133606,
2.4548377990722656
] |
['Adrenomedullin, a vasodilatory peptide, facilitates the differentiation of pre-adipocytes, and affects lipolysis and glucose uptake. We investigated the association of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding adrenomedullin (ADM) with dysglycemia in the Hong Kong Chinese population.', 'Four SNPs were genotyped in 1391 subjects without dysglycemia at baseline from the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study-2, which had a median follow-up time of 6.4 years. Dysglycemia included impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes according to the WHO 1998 criteria. At follow-up, 382 subjects had developed dysglycemia.', 'In stepwise logistic regression, the SNP rs11042725 was a significant independent predictor of the development of dysglycemia (OR=1.31, P=0.012), together with baseline age (P<0.001), plasma triglycerides (P<0.001), body mass index (P=0.004), 2-h glucose after oral glucose tolerance test (P<0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (P=0.045), and follow-up duration (P=0.009). The association was more significant in women (P=0.002) and in subjects without regular exercise (P=0.001).'] Does a genetic variant in the gene encoding adrenomedullin predict the development of dysglycemia over 6.4 years in Chinese? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9619672298431396,
-1.380380392074585,
2.407423496246338
] |
['Allergic reactions to tree nuts are often severe and are outgrown in less than 10% of diagnosed patients.', 'To determine whether treatment of underlying tree nut sensitization will prevent allergic reactions to cross-reacting tree nuts and to determine the effects of single-tree nut immunotherapy on true multi-tree nut sensitization.', 'Cross-reactivity model: Cashew-sensitized mice underwent immunotherapy with cashew and were subsequently challenged with cashew and pistachio. Multisensitization model: Cashew plus walnut-sensitized mice were treated with cashew alone, walnut alone, or both cashew and walnut and then underwent challenges to cashew and walnut. Challenges were assessed on the basis of symptoms, changes in body temperature, and mouse mast cell protease-1 release.', 'In the cross-reactivity model, cashew immunotherapy completely prevented allergic reactions on challenges with cashew or the cross-reactive pistachio. In the multisensitization model, mice with cashew plus walnut allergy were significantly protected from anaphylactic reactions on cashew challenge in both the cashew-alone and walnut-alone immunotherapy groups. Results from the walnut challenge demonstrated significantly decreased allergic responses in the walnut immunotherapy group, whereas mice in the cashew immunotherapy group experienced significantly lower symptoms. In the cross-reactivity model, immunotherapy effectively decreased IL-4 and IL-5 production and increased IL-12 relative to placebo while also inducing a 5-fold increase in specific IgG(1).'] Does single-tree nut immunotherapy attenuate allergic reactions in mice with hypersensitivity to multiple tree nuts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.331191301345825,
-0.9120534062385559,
2.2527384757995605
] |
['To investigate the relationship between male involvement in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services and infant HIV acquisition and mortality, a prospective cohort study was undertaken between 1999 and 2005 in Nairobi, Kenya.', 'HIV-infected pregnant women were enrolled and followed with their infants for 1 year with infant HIV DNA testing at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postpartum. Women were encouraged to invite male partners for prevention counseling and HIV testing.', 'Among 456 female participants, 140 partners (31%) attended the antenatal clinic. Eighty-two (19%) of 441 infants tested were HIV infected by 1 year of age. Adjusting for maternal viral load, vertical transmission risk was lower among women with partner attendance compared with those without [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33 to 0.98; P = 0.042] and among women reporting versus not reporting previous partner HIV testing (aHR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.84; P = 0.008). The combined risk of HIV acquisition or infant mortality was lower with male attendance (aHR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.88; P = 0.012) and report of prior male HIV testing (aHR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.88; P = 0.01) when adjusting for maternal viral load and breastfeeding.'] Are male antenatal attendance and HIV testing associated with decreased infant HIV infection and increased HIV-free survival? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.8816056251525879,
-0.36235514283180237,
0.385939359664917
] |
['To model the effect of health systems performance on rates of mother-to-child HIV transmission.', 'We modeled the effect of variation in performance of the multiple steps of different prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) protocols using hypothetical and reported data.', 'Data from a PMTCT program in a large province in South Africa was used to compare model predictions with reported outcomes for mother-to-child HIV transmission.', 'Perinatal HIV transmission was predicted for infants of 6 weeks of age.', 'HIV-infected pregnant women who fulfill eligibility criteria are initiated on lifelong antiretroviral treatment, whereas noneligible HIV-infected women and their infants receive single-dose nevirapine in a health system functioning at reported performance levels, and the overall vertical transmission rate would be 19.5%. Adding azidothymidine for women not eligible for lifelong treatment would further decrease the overall transmission rates only marginally to 17%. If the same steps were accomplished at 95% reliability, then the overall transmission rates would be 9.4% and 4.1%, respectively.'] Are antiretroviral drugs in the cupboard enough : the impact of health systems ' performance on mother-to-child transmission of HIV? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6416802406311035,
0.5717824101448059,
1.1247831583023071
] |
["T2' values reflect the presence of deoxyhaemoglobin related to high local oxygen extraction. We assessed the feasibility of T2' imaging to display regions with high metabolic activity in brain gliomas.", "MRI was performed in 25 patients (12 female; median age 46 years; range 2-69) with brain gliomas with additional T2 and T2* sequences. T2' maps were derived from T2 and T2*. Dynamic susceptibility weighted contrast (DSC) perfusion was performed in 12/25 patients. Images were visually assessed by two readers and five ROIs were evaluated for each patient. Pearson correlation, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied for statistical analysis.", "Three patients were not further evaluated because of artefacts. Mean values of high-grade (III-IV) gliomas showed significantly lower T2' values than low-grade (II) gliomas (p < 0.001). An inverse relationship was observed between rCBV and sqr (T2') (r =\u2009-0.463, p < 0.001). No correlation was observed between T2' and rCBV for grade II tumours (r = 0.038; p = 0.875)."] Is signal intensity in T2 ' magnetic resonance imaging related to brain glioma grade? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6455415487289429,
-1.6121342182159424,
2.2847673892974854
] |
['The many available choices for testing for coronary artery disease (CAD) brought about several questions regarding suitability of certain tests for different groups of patients and the prognostic value of obtained results in predicting events and mortality. The aim of this study is to describe the prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) results in predicting cardiac events and mortality in > or = 60-year-old females.', '49 women (> or = 60 years old) who were referred for DSE were included in the study. Data including CAD risk factors, and results of tests and a follow-up of events (MI, unstable angina, progression of CHF) and death.', 'Eleven patients were considered to have a positive DSE result. There was no difference between DSE (+) and DSE (-) patients in cardiac events and cardiac death. However when interventions were included to events, analysis showed DSE (+) to have more overall events. Non-cardiac deaths and "all deaths" were 11 and 8 times more common among DSE (+) patients compared with DSE (-) patients p < 0.01. Multivariable logistic regression showed that diabetics and DSE (+) patients were 32 (p = 0.01) and 23 (p = 0.02) times more likely to have an event compared with non-diabetics and DSE (-) patients, respectively.'] Does diabetes supersede dobutamine stress echocardiography in predicting cardiac events in female patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4452152252197266,
-1.1522060632705688,
1.663590908050537
] |
['Pancreatitis represents a life-threatening inflammatory condition where leucocytes, cytokines and vascular endothelium contribute to the development of the inflammatory disease. The glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family-related protein (GITR) is a costimulatory molecule for T lymphocytes, modulates innate and adaptive immune system and has been found to participate in a variety of immune responses and inflammatory processes. Our purpose was to verify whether inhibition of GITR triggering results in a better outcome in experimental pancreatitis.', 'In male GITR knock-out (GITR(-/-)) and GITR(+/+) mice on Sv129 background, acute pancreatitis was induced after i.p. administration of cerulein. Other experimental groups of GITR(+/+) mice were also treated with different doses of Fc-GITR fusion protein (up to 6.25 µg·mouse⁻¹), given by implanted mini-osmotic pump. Clinical score and pro-inflammatory parameters were evaluated.', 'A less acute pancreatitis was found in GITR(-/-) mice than in GITR(+/+) mice, with marked differences in oedema, neutrophil infiltration, pancreatic dysfunction and injury. Co-treatment of GITR(+/+) mice with cerulein and Fc-GITR fusion protein (6.25 µg·mouse⁻¹) decreased the inflammatory response and tissue injury, compared with treatment with cerulein alone. Inhibition of GITR triggering was found to modulate activation of nuclear factor κB as well as the production of TNF-α, interleukin-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitrotyrosine, poly-ADP-ribose, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and P-selectin.'] Is the glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor family-related protein ( GITR ) critical to the development of acute pancreatitis in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.365318775177002,
-1.4179880619049072,
2.808265447616577
] |
['Melatonin is involved in the regulation of colonic motility, and sensation, but little is known about the influence of melatonin on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release from colonic mucosa. A tachykinin NK₂ receptor-selective agonist, [β-Ala⁸]-neurokinin A(4-10) [βAla-NKA-(4-10)] can induce 5-HT release from guinea pig colonic mucosa via NK₂ receptors on the mucosal layer. The present study was designed to determine the influence of melatonin on 5-HT release from guinea pig colonic mucosa, evoked by the NK₂ receptor agonist, βAla-NKA-(4-10).', 'The effect of melatonin was investigated on the outflow of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) from muscle layer-free mucosal preparations of guinea pig colon, using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.', 'Melatonin caused a sustained decline in the βAla-NKA-(4-10)-evoked 5-HT outflow from the muscle layer-free mucosal preparations, but failed to affect its metabolite 5-HIAA outflow. The specific MT₃ receptor agonist, 5-methoxycarbonylamino-N-acetyltryptamine mimicked the inhibitory effect of melatonin on βAla-NKA-(4-10)-evoked 5-HT outflow. A MT₃ receptor antagonist prazosin shifted the concentration-response curve of melatonin to the right in a concentration-dependent manner and depressed the maximum effect, but neither a combined MT₁/MT₂ receptor antagonist luzindole, nor a MT₂ receptor antagonist N-pentanoyl-2-benzyltryptamine modified the concentration-response curve to melatonin.'] Does melatonin inhibit tachykinin NK₂ receptor-triggered 5-HT release from guinea pig isolated colonic mucosa? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.378758192062378,
-1.2968083620071411,
2.724656105041504
] |
['Naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Treg) are essential for the prevention of autoimmunity and overshooting immune responses to pathogens; however, the involvement of Treg in mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, a major cause of chronic kidney disease, remains unclear. Superagonistic CD28-specific monoclonal antibodies (CD28SA) are highly effective activators of Treg in rats.', 'To confirm our hypothesis that CD28SA reduces the severity of experimental glomerulonephritis, anti-Thy1 nephritis model rats were treated with CD28SA or saline.', 'CD28SA significantly suppressed the increase in proteinuria and serum creatinine levels. CD28SA-treated nephritic rats exhibited an increase in the infiltration of Treg in the glomeruli accompanied by infiltration of CD163-positive macrophages ("alternatively activated" macrophages). In addition, CD28SA significantly induced interleukin-10 mRNA expression in glomeruli, thereby ameliorating mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion.'] Does cD28 superagonist-induced regulatory T cell expansion ameliorate mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.435347557067871,
-1.271362066268921,
2.7493982315063477
] |
['The current treatment for femoral fractures in children is mostly operative, which contrasts with treatment of other long bone fractures in children. We analyzed treatment injuries in such patients in Finland in order to identify avoidable injuries. Our other aims were to calculate the incidence of these fractures and to describe the treatment method used.', 'The Patient Insurance Centre (PIC) provides financial compensation of patients who have sustained an injury in connection with medical care. We retrospectively analyzed incidence, treatment methods, and all compensation claims concerning treatment of femoral fractures in children who were 0-16 years of age during the 8-year period 1997-2004.', 'The incidence of childhood femoral fractures in Finland was 0.27 per 1,000 children aged < 17 years, and two-thirds of the patients were treated operatively during the study period. 30 compensation claims were submitted to PIC during the 8-year study period. The compensation claims mainly concerned pain, insufficient diagnosis or treatment, extra expenses, permanent disability, or inappropriate behavior of medical personnel. Of the claims, 16 of 30 were granted compensation. Compensation was granted for delay in treatment, unnecessary surgery, and for inappropriate surgical technique. The mean amount of compensation was 2,300 euros. Of the injuries that led to compensation, 11 of 16 were regarded as being avoidable in retrospect.'] Are treatment injuries rare in children 's femoral fractures? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.3566732108592987,
-0.5300490260124207,
-0.7644414901733398
] |
['A central tenet in biochemistry for over 50 years has held that microorganisms, plants and, more recently, certain apicomplexan parasites synthesize essential aromatic compounds via elaboration of a complete shikimic acid pathway, whereas metazoans lacking this pathway require a dietary source of these compounds. The large number of sequenced bacterial and archaean genomes now available for comparative genomic analyses allows the fundamentals of this contention to be tested in prokaryotes. Using Hidden Markov Model profiles (HMM profiles) to identify all known enzymes of the pathway, we report the presence of genes encoding shikimate pathway enzymes in the hypothetical proteomes constructed from the genomes of 488 sequenced prokaryotes.', "Amongst free-living prokaryotes most Bacteria possess, as expected, genes encoding a complete shikimic acid pathway, whereas of the culturable Archaea, only one was found to have a complete complement of recognisable enzymes in its predicted proteome. It may be that in the Archaea, the primary amino-acid sequences of enzymes of the pathway are highly divergent and so are not detected by HMM profiles. Alternatively, structurally unrelated (non-orthologous) proteins might be performing the same biochemical functions as those encoding recognized genes of the shikimate pathway. Most surprisingly, 30% of host-associated (mutualistic, commensal and pathogenic) bacteria likewise do not possess a complete shikimic acid pathway. Many of these microbes show some degree of genome reduction, suggesting that these host-associated bacteria might sequester essential aromatic compounds from a parasitised host, as a 'shared metabolic adaptation' in mutualistic symbiosis, or obtain them from other consorts having the complete biosynthetic pathway. The HMM results gave 84% agreement when compared against data in the highly curated BioCyc reference database of genomes and metabolic pathways."] Does global genome analysis of the shikimic acid pathway reveal greater gene loss in host-associated than in free-living bacteria? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4886276721954346,
-0.3145116865634918,
1.9070501327514648
] |
['In 1996 Sgarbossa reviewed 17 ventricular-paced electrocardiograms (ECGs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) for signs of ischemia. Several characteristics of the paced ECG were predictive of AMI. We sought to evaluate the criteria in ventricular-paced ECGs in an emergency department (ED) cohort.', 'Ventricular-paced ECGs in patients with elevated cardiac markers within 12 hours of the ED ECG and a diagnosis of AMI were identified retrospectively (n=57) and compared with a control group of patients with ventricular-paced ECGs and negative cardiac markers (n=99). A blinded board certified cardiologist reviewed all ECGs for Sgarbossa criteria. This study was approved by the institutional review board.', 'Application of Sgarbossa\'s criteria to the paced ECGs revealed the following: The sensitivity of "ST-segment elevation of 1 mm concordant with the QRS complex" was unable to be calculated as no ECG fit this criterion;For "ST-segment depression of 1 mm in lead V1, V2, or V3," the sensitivity was 19% (95% CI 11-31%), specificity 81% (95% CI 72-87%), with a likelihood ratio of 1.06 (0.63-1.64);For "ST-segment elevation >5mm discordant with the QRS complex," the sensitivity was 10% (95% CI 5-21%), specificity 99% (95% CI 93-99%), with a likelihood ratio of 5.2 (1.3 - 21).'] Are sgarbossa Criteria Highly Specific for Acute Myocardial Infarction with Pacemakers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7653685808181763,
-1.654091715812683,
2.437128782272339
] |
["To assess the effect of an oral (O+O), a tactile/kinesthetic (T/K+T/K), and a combined (O+T/K) intervention on preterm infants' weight gain and motor function and to determine whether the combined O+T/K intervention has an additive/synergistic effect on outcomes.", 'Seventy-five preterm infants were randomized into an O+O intervention consisting of oral stimulation, a T/K+T/K intervention involving whole body stimulation, an O+T/K intervention, and a control group. Interventions were administered for 15 minutes, twice a day, for ten days.', 'Weight gain, motor function.', 'The O+O and T/K+T/K groups had greater weight gain during the intervention period than did controls (p ≤.025). The T/K+T/K and O+T/K groups had better motor function than did controls (p ≤.017).'] Do sensorimotor interventions improve growth and motor function in preterm infants? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.571597695350647,
-1.2379766702651978,
1.856069803237915
] |
["Visuomotor integration deficits have been documented in Huntington disease (HD), with disproportionately more impairment when direct visual feedback is unavailable. Visuomotor integration under direct and indirect visual feedback conditions has not been investigated in the stage before clinical onset ('premanifest'). However, given evidence of posterior cortical atrophy in premanifest HD, we predicted visuomotor integration would be adversely affected, with greater impairment under conditions of indirect visual feedback.", '239 subjects with the HD CAG expansion, ranging from more than a decade before predicted clinical onset until early stage disease, and 122 controls, completed a circle-tracing task, which included both direct and indirect visual feedback conditions. Measures included accuracy, speed, and speed of error detection and correction. Using brain images acquired with 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we generated grey and white matter volumes with voxel-based morphometry, and analyzed correlations with circle-tracing performance.', 'Compared with controls, early HD was associated with lower accuracy and slower performance in both circle-tracing conditions. Premanifest HD was associated with lower accuracy in both conditions and fewer rotations in the direct condition. Comparing performance in the indirect condition with the direct condition, HD gene expansion-carriers exhibited a disproportionate increase in errors relative to controls. Premanifest and early HD groups required longer to detect and correct errors, especially in the indirect condition. Slower performance in the indirect condition was associated with lower grey matter volumes in the left somatosensory cortex in VBM analyses.'] Do visuomotor integration deficits precede clinical onset in Huntington 's disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3648698329925537,
-1.2121682167053223,
2.6347217559814453
] |
['Studies devoted to intensive glucose control suggested that the intensive insulin therapy (IIT) approach could effectively reduce complications associated with critical illness. A program of IIT with the goal of achieving a blood glucose of 80-120 mg/dL was, therefore, adopted in this study. To explore the impact of this approach in patients admitted to a neurocritical care unit, we compared the short-term outcomes of patients treated before and after our policy change.', 'Retrospectively extracted data from the electronic medical records of 1913 patients admitted between Feb 1, 2005 and Aug 30, 2006 were included in the standard insulin therapy group (SIT targeted to maintain blood glucose levels less than 150 mg/dL) and 1796 patients admitted between Sept 1, 2006 and March 30, 2008 were included in the IIT group (IIT-targeted to maintain blood glucose levels between 80 and 120 mg/dL).', 'Mean glucose levels were lower in the IIT compared to SIT (136.9 mg/dL, SD 47.6 vs. 143.8 mg/dL, SD 46.4); however, this strategy was also associated with an increased incidence of hypoglycemia (OR: 1.8, and 95% CI: 1.5-2.3). The likelihood of mortality increased proportionally as the severity of hypoglycemia worsened (any blood glucose value <70 mg/dL, OR: 3.26, and 95% CI: 2.52-4.22, any blood glucose <40, OR: 3.65, and 95% CI: 2.21-6.02, any blood glucose <20, OR: 6.25, and 95% CI: 2.41-16.23).'] Is intensive insulin therapy in the neurocritical care setting associated with poor clinical outcomes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.458821177482605,
-1.5633044242858887,
1.0919828414916992
] |
['Duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) has been shown to reverse type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a rodent model of non-obese T2DM. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance is a hallmark decrement in T2DM. The aim of the current work was to investigate the effects of DJB on skeletal muscle insulin signal transduction and glucose disposal. It was hypothesized that DJB would increase skeletal muscle insulin signal transduction and glucose disposal in GK rats.', 'DJB was performed in GK rats. Sham operations were performed in GK and nondiabetic Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. At 2 weeks post-DJB, oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) was measured. At 3 weeks post-DJB, insulin-induced signal transduction and glucose disposal were measured in skeletal muscle.', 'In GK rats and compared to sham operation, DJB did not (1) improve fasting glucose or insulin, (2) improve OGTT, or (3) increase skeletal muscle insulin signal transduction or glucose disposal. Interestingly, skeletal muscle glucose disposal was similar between WKY-Sham, GK-Sham, and GK-DJB.'] Does duodenal-jejunal bypass surgery increase skeletal muscle insulin signal transduction or glucose disposal in Goto-Kakizaki type 2 diabetic rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.143745183944702,
-1.1767116785049438,
2.320002555847168
] |
["Primary tumor xenografts (PTXG) established directly from patients' primary tumors in immunosuppressed animals might represent the spectrum of histologic complexity of lung cancers better than xenografts derived from established cell lines. These models are important in the study of aberrant biological pathways in cancers and as preclinical models for testing new therapeutic agents. However, not all primary tumors engraft when implanted into immunosuppressed mice. We have investigated factors that may influence the ability of primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to form xenografts and their association with clinical outcome.", 'Tumor fragments from patients undergoing curative surgery were implanted into NOD-SCID (nonobese diabetic-severely combined immunodeficient) mice within 24 hours of surgery. Patient characteristics for tumors that engrafted (XG) and did not engraft (no-XG) were compared. Patient tumor DNA was profiled for the presence of 238 known mutations in 19 cancer-associated genes by using the MassARRAY platform.', 'Xenografts were established and passaged successfully from 63 of 157 (40%) implanted NSCLCs. Tumor factors associated with engraftment included squamous histology, poor differentiation, and larger tumor size. Significantly fewer EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-mutated tumors engrafted (P = 0.03); conversely, more K-RAS-mutated tumors engrafted (P = 0.05). In multivariate analysis including age, sex, stage, and mutation, patients with XG tumors had significantly shorter disease-free survival compared with no-XG patients (hazard ratio: 7.0, 95% CI: 3.1-15.81; P < 0.000003).'] Is the ability to form primary tumor xenografts predictive of increased risk of disease recurrence in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0507009029388428,
-1.4411660432815552,
2.526099681854248
] |
['Brain metastases of breast cancer contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality. We have tested pazopanib, a recently approved antiangiogenic drug that targets VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3, PDGFRβ, PDGFRα, and c-kit, for prevention of experimental brain metastases and mechanism of action.', 'In vitro assays included B-Raf enzymatic assays, Western blots, and angiogenesis assays. For in vivo assays, HER2 transfectants of the brain seeking sublines of MDA-MB-231 cells (231-BR-HER2) and MCF7 cells (MCF7-HER2-BR3, derived herein) were injected into the left cardiac ventricle of mice and treated with vehicle or pazopanib beginning on day 3 postinjection. Brain metastases were counted histologically, imaged, and immunostained.', 'Treatment with 100 mg/kg of pazopanib resulted in a 73% decline in large 231-BR-HER2 metastases (P < 0.0001) and a 39% decline in micrometastases (P = 0.004). In vitro, pazopanib was directly antiproliferative to 231-BR-HER2 breast cancer cells and inhibited MEK and ERK activation in vitro despite B-Raf and Ras mutations. Enzymatic assays demonstrated that pazopanib directly inhibited the wild type and exon 11 oncogenic mutant, but not the V600E mutant forms of B-Raf. Activation of the B-Raf targets pERK1/2 and pMEK1/2 was decreased in pazopanib-treated brain metastases whereas blood vessel density was unaltered. In the MCF7-HER2-BR3 experimental brain metastasis model, pazopanib reduced overall brain metastasis volume upon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by 55% (P = 0.067), without affecting brain metastasis vascular density.'] Does pazopanib reveal a role for tumor cell B-Raf in the prevention of HER2+ breast cancer brain metastasis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.191624879837036,
-1.380012035369873,
2.6129117012023926
] |
['The current recommendation in setting up the Neopuff is to use a gas flow of 5-15 L/min. We investigated if the sensitivity of the positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) valve varies at different flow rates within this range.', 'Five Neopuffs were set up to provide a PEEP of 5 cm H(2) O. The number of clockwise revolutions to complete occlusion of the PEEP valve and the mean and range of pressures at each quarter clockwise revolution were recorded at gas flow rates between 5 and 15 L/min.', '\u2002 At 5, 10 and 15 L/min, 0.5, 1.7 and 3.4 full clockwise rotations were required to completely occlude the PEEP valve, and pressures rose from 5 to 11.4, 18.4 and 21.5 cm H(2) O, respectively. At a flow rate of 5 L/min, half a rotation of the PEEP dial resulted in a rise in PEEP from 5 to 11.4cm H(2) O. At 10 L/min, half a rotation resulted in a rise from 5 to 7.7cm H(2) O, and at 15 L/min PEEP rose from 5 to 6.8cm H(2) O.'] Is the Neopuff 's PEEP valve flow sensitive? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
1.326363205909729,
-1.540058970451355,
-0.40880870819091797
] |
['Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial thrombus are at high risk of thromboembolic events. We investigated whether BNP levels can serve as a biological marker of thrombus.', 'We prospectively enrolled patients with AF within 7days of an ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). We measured BNP levels in all patients while they underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and then assigned them to groups based on the presence (positive group) or absence (negative group) of left atrial thrombus. Factors associated with atrial thrombus were investigated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.', 'Of the 67 (male, n = 40; mean age, 76.5 ± 11.1 years) enrolled patients, 17 (25.4%) had left atrial thrombus. The incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in the positive, than in the negative group (88.2% vs. 58.0%, p = 0.020). The BNP level was also significantly higher in the positive, than in the negative group (median (interquartile range) 189.8 (141.4-473.2) vs. 117.9 (70.3-187.1) pg/ml, p=0.012). The optimal cut-off value, sensitivity, and specificity of BNP levels to distinguish the positive, from the negative group were 140.0 pg/ml, 76.5%, and 62.0%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a BNP concentration of>140.0 pg/ml (odds ratio, 5.62; 95% CI, 1.39-22.66, p = 0.015) was an independent factor associated with thrombus.'] Is brain natriuretic peptide a marker associated with thrombus in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4843465089797974,
-1.6762036085128784,
2.198939085006714
] |
["Sand fly saliva contains molecules that modify the host's hemostasis and immune responses. Nevertheless, the role played by this saliva in the induction of key elements of inflammatory responses, such as lipid bodies (LB, also known as lipid droplets) and eicosanoids, has been poorly investigated. LBs are cytoplasmic organelles involved in arachidonic acid metabolism that form eicosanoids in response to inflammatory stimuli. In this study, we assessed the role of salivary gland sonicate (SGS) from Lutzomyia (L.) longipalpis, a Leishmania infantum chagasi vector, in the induction of LBs and eicosanoid production by macrophages in vitro and ex vivo.", 'Different doses of L. longipalpis SGS were injected into peritoneal cavities of C57BL/6 mice. SGS induced increased macrophage and neutrophil recruitment into the peritoneal cavity at different time points. Sand fly saliva enhanced PGE₂ and LTB₄ production by harvested peritoneal leukocytes after ex vivo stimulation with a calcium ionophore. At three and six hours post-injection, L. longipalpis SGS induced more intense LB staining in macrophages, but not in neutrophils, compared with mice injected with saline. Moreover, macrophages harvested by peritoneal lavage and stimulated with SGS in vitro presented a dose- and time-dependent increase in LB numbers, which was correlated with increased PGE₂ production. Furthermore, COX-2 and PGE-synthase co-localized within the LBs induced by L. longipalpis saliva. PGE₂ production by macrophages induced by SGS was abrogated by treatment with NS-398, a COX-2 inhibitor. Strikingly, SGS triggered ERK-1/2 and PKC-α phosphorylation, and blockage of the ERK-1/2 and PKC-α pathways inhibited the SGS effect on PGE₂ production by macrophages.'] Does lutzomyia longipalpis saliva trigger lipid body formation and prostaglandin E₂ production in murine macrophages? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.418783187866211,
-1.3677983283996582,
2.8356823921203613
] |
['An elevated concentration of lipoprotein(a) {Lp(a)} is associated with an increased prevalence and increased severity of coronary artery disease. However, the relationship between Lp(a) levels and outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unclear.', 'Between October 2005 and June 2007, we measured serum Lp(a) levels in 832 consecutive AMI patients (age, 62.8±12.4 years, 600 men) on admission. They were divided into tertiles according to their serum Lp(a) levels {Tertile 1 (n=276), Lp(a)<13.8 mg/dL; Tertile 2 (n=279), Lp(a)=13.8-30.6 mg/dL; Tertile 3 (n=277), Lp(a)>30.6 mg/dL}.', 'There were no differences in baseline clinical characteristics among Tertiles 1, 2, and 3, except for proportions of Killip class III-IV patients (5.8% vs. 10.0% vs. 18.8%, respectively, p<0.001). There were significant differences in left ventricular ejection fractions (57.3±11.4% vs. 55.9±12.3% vs. 53.1±13.1%, p<0.001). Among the laboratory findings, there were significant differences in total cholesterol (173.3±37.2 vs. 183.5±38.9 vs. 185.3±43.8 mg/dL, p=0.001), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (111.3±34.3 vs. 122.9±34.7 vs. 123.3±39.4 mg/dL, p<0.001), apolipoprotein B (92.8±25.4 vs. 100.8±26.0 vs. 101.9±28.8 mg/dL, p<0.001), and amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (1805.2±4343.3 vs. 2607.9±5216.3 vs. 3981.5±7689.7 pg/mL, p<0.001). After adjusting for multiple variables in the high Killip class (III-IV) subgroup, the risk estimate for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 1-year follow-up was significantly higher in Tertile 3 than in Tertiles 1 or 2 (hazard ratio 6.723, 95% confidence interval 1.037-43.593, p=0.046).'] Are high Lipoprotein ( a ) Levels Associated With Long-Term Adverse Outcomes in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients in High Killip Classes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0900901556015015,
-1.7901945114135742,
1.8455945253372192
] |
['High levels of inflammatory biochemical markers are associated with an increased risk among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) among ACS patients with no clinical or radiological evidence of congestive heart failure (CHF).', 'Consecutive patients with ACS and no clinical or radiological evidence of CHF in the emergency department (ED) were included in the study. The endpoint was hospital mortality. Categorical variables were compared by calculating proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and by using the Fisher Exact test. Continuous variables were compared by using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. The association of the variables with hospital mortality was assessed by using the logistic regression analysis.', 'The study included 196 patients (60 years; female 32.6 %). Six patients (3.1 %) died in hospital and 22 patients (11.2 %) had SIRS on admission to the ED. The following variables were predictors of hospital mortality: age with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.1 (95% CI, 1-1.2) for each one additional year (p <0.01), systolic arterial pressure with an OR 0.9 (95% CI, 0.9-1), diastolic arterial pressure with an OR 0.9 (95% CI, 0.8-1) for each one additional mmHg (p < 0.01), respiratory rate with an OR 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2-1.9) for each one additional breath per minute (p < 0.01), and SIRS with an OR 9 (95% CI, 1.7-47.8) (p 0.02). Because of the small number of events, it was not possible to assess the independence of these risk factors.'] Does systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome predict Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome without Congestive Heart Failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2235852479934692,
-1.5704479217529297,
1.8232707977294922
] |
['Dyslipidemia is influenced by diet and body habitus. The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy lipoprotein subclass profile (NMR-LSP) is associated with diabetes and its vascular complications; and an NMR-LSP featuring large VLDL particles and small LDL and HDL particles is linked with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thus interventions which favourably modify NMR-LSP may reduce risk for diabetes, its complications and CVD. The study aim was to investigate the associations between NMR-LSP, dietary composition and body size measures using data from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS).', 'NMR-LSP was assessed in 313 men and 403 women (median age 54 years) randomly selected from a community-based cohort study. Diet was assessed using a specifically developed food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and body size was assessed by body mass index (BMI) or waist:hips ratio (WHR). To simplify the 15 NMR-LSP variables, factor analysis was used to derive a single factor. Multivariate linear regression with this factor score as the dependent variable demonstrated that in men, total PUFA and n-6 dietary fat intake and BMI were associated with a more atherogenic NMR-LSP pattern; while in women dietary glycemic index and WHR demonstrated positive associations, and n-3 fat intake an inverse association.'] Is nMR-determined lipoprotein subclass profile associated with dietary composition and body size? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1074159145355225,
-1.2773672342300415,
2.474555015563965
] |
['Recent studies demonstrated that alcohol dependence and excessive alcohol consumption are associated with increased rates of obesity. In healthy light-drinkers, we and others have observed associations between elevated body mass index (BMI) and reductions in brain volumes, lower concentrations of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA, marker of neuronal viability) and choline-containing compounds (Cho, involved in membrane turnover), and lower glucose utilization, particularly in frontal lobe-a brain region that is particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol dependence. Here, we evaluated whether BMI in alcohol-dependent individuals was independently associated with regional measures of brain structure, metabolite concentrations, and neocortical blood flow.', 'As part of a study on the effects of alcohol dependence on neurobiology, we analyzed retrospectively data from 54 alcohol-dependent males, abstinent from alcohol for about 1 month and with BMI between 20 and 37 kg/m(2) by structural MRI, perfusion MRI (blood flow), and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging.', 'After correction for age, smoking status, and various measures of alcohol consumption, higher BMI was associated with lower concentrations of NAA, Cho, creatine and phosphocreatine (Cr, involved in high energy metabolism), and myo-inositol (m-Ino, a putative marker of astrocytes) primarily in the frontal lobe, in subcortical nuclei, and cerebellar vermis (p < 0.004). Regional brain volumes and perfusion were not significantly related to BMI. Furthermore, comorbid conditions, clinical laboratory measures, and nutritional assessments were not significant predictors of these MR-based measures.'] Is body mass index associated with brain metabolite levels in alcohol dependence -- a multimodal magnetic resonance study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.512143850326538,
-1.1702011823654175,
2.7850804328918457
] |
['Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) has been used as an analgesic for myofascial pain syndromes, migraine, and other types of headaches. Although an antinociceptive effect of central or peripheral administration of BoNT/A is suggested, the effect at the spinal level is still unclear. In this study, we evaluated the antinociceptive effect of intrathecally administered BoNT/A on the ICR mice during the formalin test.', 'BoNT/A (0.01 U/mouse) was injected intrathecally in ICR mice, and we observed formalin-induced inflammatory pain behaviors at days 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 after the injection. We also examined the level of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), phosphorylated extracellullar signal-regulated kinases (p-ERK), and phosphorylated Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type 2 (p-CaMK-II) using immunoblot or immunohistochemical analyses before and after BoNT/A intrathecal injection.', 'Even a single intrathecal injection of BoNT/A significantly decreased the nociceptive responses in the first phase (10 and 14 days later) and in the second phase of the formalin test at 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days later (P < 0.05) without any locomotor changes. Interestingly, intrathecal BoNT/A attenuated the expression level of CGRP, p-ERK, and p-CaMK-II in the 4th and 5th lumbar spinal dorsal horn at 10 days after injection in comparison with control.'] Does intrathecal administration of botulinum neurotoxin type A attenuate formalin-induced nociceptive responses in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3332626819610596,
-1.3968799114227295,
2.765359401702881
] |
['Nonsyndromic hypodontia or congential absence of one or more permanent teeth is a common anomaly of dental development in humans. This condition may be inherited in an autosomal (dominant/recessive) or X-linked (dominant/recessive) mode. Mutations in three genes, PAX9, MSX1, and AXIN2, have been determined to be associated with autosomal dominant and recessive tooth agenesis. Recent studies in a few families showed that mutations in the ectodysplasin A (EDA) gene result in X-linked nonsyndromic hypodontia.', 'Genotyping of a five-generation Pakistani family with X-linked isolated hypodontia having three affected men was carried out using EDA-linked polymorphic microsatellite markers on chromosome Xq12-q13.1. To screen for a mutation in the EDA gene, all of its coding exons and splice junction sites were PCR amplified from genomic DNA of affected and unaffected individuals of the family and sequenced directly in an ABI Prism 310 automated DNA sequencer.', 'We successfully mapped the affected locus to chromosome Xq12-q13.1, and found a novel missense mutation (c.993G>C) in the EDA gene in the affected men. The mutation causes substitution of glutamine with histidine (p.Q331H) in the tumor necrosis factor homology domain of EDA.'] Does a novel missense mutation in the ectodysplasin-A ( EDA ) gene underlie X-linked recessive nonsyndromic hypodontia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4446170330047607,
-1.286413550376892,
2.7789745330810547
] |
['The role of EUS for detection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) is not clearly defined in institutions that use multidetector CT for pancreatic imaging.', 'The aims of this study were to (1) compare the detection rates of EUS and CT by type and size of PNET and calculate the incremental benefit of EUS over CT, (2) evaluate the CT detection rate for PNETs adjusted for improved CT technology over time, and (3) determine the factors associated with CT-negative PNETs.', 'Retrospective single-center cohort study.', 'Johns Hopkins Hospital.', 'Patients with pathologically proven PNETs with preoperative CT. Incidentally found PNETs (resection specimens) and those without Johns Hopkins Hospital CT imaging were excluded.', 'Detection rates of CT and EUS were compared by using pathology as the reference standard.', 'In 217 patients (with 231 PNETs) studied, CT detected 84% of tumors (54.3% of insulinomas). The sensitivity of CT for the detection of PNETs significantly increased with improvement in CT technology (P = .02; χ(2) for trend). CT was more likely to miss lesions <2 cm (P = .005) and insulinomas (P < .0001). In 56 patients who had both CT and EUS, the sensitivity of EUS was greater than CT (91.7% vs 63.3%; P = .0002), particularly for insulinomas (84.2% vs 31.6%; P = .001). EUS detected 20 of 22 CT-negative tumors (91%).'] Is eUS still superior to multidetector computerized tomography for detection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1856001615524292,
-1.6878628730773926,
1.879234790802002
] |
['Macrophages are the dominant phagocyte at sites of wound healing and inflammation, and the cellular and acellular debris encountered by macrophages can have profound effects on their inflammatory profile. Following interaction with apoptotic cells, macrophages are known to switch to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Activated platelets, however, are also a major component of inflammatory lesions and have been proposed to be pro-inflammatory mediators. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that macrophage interaction with activated platelets results in an inflammatory response that differs from the response following phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.', 'Human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDMs) were co-incubated with autologous activated platelets (AAPs) and the platelet-macrophage interaction was examined by electron microscopy and flow cytometry. The cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23 were also measured during LPS-activated hMDM co-incubation with AAPs, which was compared to co-incubation with apoptotic lymphocytes. Cytokine secretion was also compared to platelets pre-treated with the gluococorticoid dexamethasone.', 'Macrophages trapped and phagocytized AAPs utilizing a mechanism that was significantly inhibited by the scavenger receptor ligand fucoidan. LPS-induced macrophage secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23 was inhibited by co-incubation with apoptotic cells, but enhanced by co-incubation with AAPs. The platelet-dependent enhancement of LPS-induced cytokines could be reversed by pre-loading the platelets with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone.'] Is macrophage pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion enhanced following interaction with autologous platelets? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5065717697143555,
-1.3030540943145752,
2.850446939468384
] |
['The dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) is an important pathogen recognition receptor of the innate immune system. DC-SIGN promoter variants play important role in the susceptibility to various infectious diseases. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy that is common in southern China and whether DC-SIGN promoter variants have effects on susceptibility to NPC is still unknown. The aim of this study is to ascertain the potential involvement of DC-SIGN promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NPC susceptibility.', 'We conducted a case control study based on Cantonese population including 444 NPC patients and 464 controls matched on age and sex. The 1041 bp of DC-SIGN promoter region was directly sequenced for all samples. Sequence alignment and SNP search were inspected using DNAStar analysis programs and haplotype frequencies were estimated in Haploview V 4.0. The associations between the SNPs and the risk of NPC were analyzed using chi-square test and non-conditional logistic regression analysis with SPSS 13.0 software.', "A total of six variants were observed in the DC-SIGN promoter region and DC-SIGN -139 GG and -939 AA were significantly associated with NPC risk with adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) of 2.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-3.59; P = 0.006) and 2.52 (1.29-4.93; P = 0.007) respectively and subjects carrying the risk allele DC-SIGN -871 G had 1.47-fold (95% CI = 1.14-1.90) increased risks of developing NPC (P = 0.003). Haplotype analysis revealed that h1 'AAAG' was significantly associated with protection against NPC (OR = 0.69; P = 0.0002) and the association was still significant when using 1000 permutation test runs (P = 0.001)."] Does sequencing of DC-SIGN promoter indicate an association between promoter variation and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in cantonese? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.636008858680725,
-1.587167739868164,
2.2325501441955566
] |
['The multiple sclerosis is an immuno-mediated disorder of the Central Nervous System characterized by inflammatory processes and neurodegenerative changes. It has been shown that the endocannabinoid system is altered in this disease and that the exogenous cannabinoids may play a possible role in its therapeutic management. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of crude extracts of Cannabis sativa on motor symptoms in the chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (CREAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis.', 'CREAE-induced mice were injected by different crude ethanolic extracts from Cannabis sativa, containing Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, or cannabinoid-free, respectively. The effect of the combined treatment with Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol extracts has also been investigated. All extracts were administered in acute and chronic experimental protocols.', 'The chronic administration of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol-rich extract resulted in a significant reduction of neurological deficits that lasted until the end of the observations. The acute and chronic treatments with the cannabidiol-rich extract resulted unable to induce changes of neurological signs. However, during the relapse phase a significant decrease of neurological scores was observed. The combined treatment with Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol extracts was ineffective, whereas the acute administration of the cannabinoid-free extract showed a significant improvement.'] Does acute and chronic cannabinoid extracts administration affect motor function in a CREAE model of multiple sclerosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4590089321136475,
-1.2146220207214355,
2.7309346199035645
] |
['Immunosuppressive agents have been investigated in renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and have frequently demonstrated a beneficial effect. Most studies focused on treatment of the recipient at the time of transplantation. Pre-treatment of these organs before injury (pharmacological pre-conditioning) may particularly protect these organs. This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of donor pre-treatment with cyclosporine (CsA) or the mTOR inhibitor everolimus or their combination against IRI during renal transplantation in a rat model.', 'Donors received vehicle, CsA (5\xa0mg/kg), everolimus (0.5\xa0mg/kg) or CsA\u2009+\u2009everolimus. Two oral doses were administered to the donors at 24\xa0h and again at 6\xa0h prior to donor kidney removal. Syngeneic rat kidneys were preserved in UW solution for 24\xa0h prior to transplantation. After 24\xa0h of reperfusion, blood and tissue samples were collected from recipients for further analysis.', 'Renal functions as determined by creatinine and necrosis scores were not different between the experimental groups. Cleaved caspase-3, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nitrotyrosine protein levels were not statistically different between the four treatment groups at 24\xa0h post-transplantation. Blood NMR analysis on metabolic markers for IRI reveals no beneficial effects of donor pre-treatment on the 24-h outcome in transplantation.'] Does donor pre-treatment with everolimus or cyclosporine reduce ischaemia-reperfusion injury in a rat kidney transplant model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.317049741744995,
-1.4191696643829346,
2.7999839782714844
] |
['To investigate whether the introduction of liquid-based cytology (LBC) in an urban setting decreases the diagnosis of glandular neoplasia (grade 6) and improves the positive predictive value (PPV) of cervical cytological screening.', 'A retrospective database review was conducted identifying women with cervical cytological abnormalities including glandular neoplasia (grade 6) before and after the introduction of LBC.', "Following the introduction of LBC the rate of glandular neoplasia (grade 6) referrals fell from 1.08% to 0.69% of all cervical cytological abnormalities. There was a significant reduction in 'abnormal' cytological samples subsequently found to be associated with no invasive or preinvasive disease but no decrease in the number showing preinvasive or invasive disease. A significant decrease in number of patients having a final diagnosis of normal/inflammatory or wart changes was seen in those patients referred during the LBC period (p < 0.01)."] Does liquid based cytology improve the positive predictive value of glandular smears compared to conventional cytology? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.258552312850952,
-0.9282813668251038,
2.2730002403259277
] |
['Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. A connection between gestational diabetes mellitus and the functional -675 PAI-1 genotype has been reported. Therefore, we examined the role of the PAI-1 gene polymorphism in kidney transplant recipients.', 'A total of 376 kidney transplant recipients were prospectively screened for posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). Eighty-one (21.5%) patients were diagnosed with PTDM and the other 295 patients were non-diabetic following kidney transplantation. DNA samples were isolated from the sera and analyzed for the functional -675 4G/5G promoter polymorphisms of the PAI-1 gene.', 'Kidney transplant recipients with PTDM were significantly associated with tacrolimus use (p=0.03), older age (p=0.036), and higher body mass index (p=0.001). The genotype distribution was significantly different between the patients with PTDM (genotype 4G/4G:4G/5G:5G/5G=33.3%:60.5%:6.2%) and those without PTDM (genotype 4G/4G:4G/5G:5G/5G=36.9%:44.1%:19.0%) (p=0.018). Patients with homozygosity for 5G had a significantly lower rate of PTDM (aOR, 0.286, p=0.022) and higher cumulative event-free probability of time to PTDM (log rank test, p=0.0058).'] Is plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 5G/5G genotype a protecting factor preventing posttransplant diabetes mellitus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6275842189788818,
-1.6527820825576782,
2.201112747192383
] |
['In order to unravel the mechanisms underlying the "sudden" onset of spontaneous absences in genetically prone subjects, we investigated the immediate precursors of spike-wave discharges (SWDs) produced in cortico-thalamo-cortical neuronal networks.', 'A time-frequency analysis of the cortical and thalamic ECoG of WAG/Rij rats was accomplished with a continuous wavelet decomposition of SWDs, 3 s prior to the onset of SWDs (pre-SWD), and in control periods devoid of SWDs.', 'The pre-SWD ECoG consisted of delta and theta components in 80-90% of all SWDs simultaneously in cortex and thalamus, the co-occurrence of delta and theta was rare (7%) during control periods. The occurrence of delta and theta events in pre-SWDs in the cortex preceded that in the thalamus. The frequency of theta component in cortex correlated positively with that in thalamus, this correlation was less strong for delta.'] Are spike-wave discharges in WAG/Rij rats preceded by delta and theta precursor activity in cortex and thalamus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.316554307937622,
-0.6292806267738342,
1.931193232536316
] |
['Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a hematologic disorder in dogs, but studies on prognostic factors and clinical outcome are lacking. In people, several prognostic factors have been identified and currently are used to manage patients and determine therapy.', 'The aim of the study was to determine if the immunophenotype of neoplastic cells predicts survival in canine CLL.', 'Retrospective study.', 'Forty-three dogs with CLL.', 'Records of dogs with a final diagnosis of CLL were reviewed. For each included dog, a CBC, blood smear for microscopic reevaluation, and immunophenotyping data had to be available. Data on signalment, history, clinical findings, therapy, follow-up, as well as date and cause of death were retrieved.', 'Seventeen dogs had B-CLL (CD21+), 19 had T-CLL (CD3+ CD8+), and 7 had atypical CLL (3 CD3- CD8+, 2 CD3+ CD4- CD8-, 1 CD3+ CD4+ CD8+, and 1 CD3+ CD21+). Among the variables considered, only immunophenotype was associated with survival. Dogs with T-CLL had approximately 3-fold and 19-fold higher probability of surviving than dogs with B-CLL and atypical CLL, respectively. Old dogs with B-CLL survived significantly longer than did young dogs, and anemic dogs with T-CLL survived a significantly shorter time than dogs without anemia.'] Does immunophenotype predict survival time in dogs with chronic lymphocytic leukemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.752869725227356,
-1.1926456689834595,
1.950175404548645
] |
['Little is known about the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) factors in the long-term prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection. The objective of the present study was to identify the changing patterns of HBV levels and its effect on outcome after resection.', 'This study recruited 188 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent curative resection. Among the 188 patients, 115 were alive without recurrence at 12 months, and had serial measurements of viral levels.', 'The mean age was 53 years and the mean follow-up period was 48.5 months. With multivariate analysis, tumor size > 5 cm (P = 0.047), Child-Pugh class B (P = 0.017), vascular invasion (P = 0.028), and HBV DNA > 10(4) copies/mL at the time of resection (P = 0.003) were independently predictive of HCC recurrence for the entire population. For the 115 patients with serial measurements of viral levels, tumor size > 5 cm, HBV DNA > 10(4) copies/mL at resection, and the absence of sustained HBV DNA level < 10(4) copies/mL, the presence of cirrhosis, and elevated aminotransferase levels (> 40 IU/L) were marginally or significantly associated with HCC recurrence and overall survival. However, on multivariate analysis, sustained HBV DNA level < 10(4) copies/mL was the only factor for both low recurrence (P = 0.002; odds ratio [OR] 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-6.35) and longer survival (P = 0.002; OR 3.76; 95% CI 1.61-8.78).'] Does sustained low hepatitis B viral load predict good outcome after curative resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1104304790496826,
-1.6722846031188965,
1.7817728519439697
] |
['Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, which may be up-regulated after trauma to the peripheral or central nervous system. Such changes include reactive gliosis and synaptic plasticity that are considered important responses to the proper regenerative response after injury. Also, IFNγ is involved in the upregulation of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I), which has recently been shown to play an important role in the synaptic plasticity process following axotomy. There is also evidence that IFNγ may interfere in the differentiation and survival of neuronal cells. However, little is known about the effects of IFNγ absence on spinal cord neurons after injury.', 'We performed a unilateral sciatic nerve transection injury in C57BL/6J (wild type) and IFNγ-KO (mutant) mice and studied motoneuron morphology using light and electron microscopy. One week after the lesion, mice from both strains were sacrificed and had their lumbar spinal cords processed for histochemistry (n = 5 each group) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM, n = 5 each group). Spinal cord sections from non-lesioned animals were also used to investigate neuronal survival and the presence of apoptosis with TUNEL and immunohistochemistry.', 'We find that presumed motoneurons in the lower lumbar ventral horn exhibited a smaller soma size in the IFNγ-KO series, regardless of nerve lesion. In plastic embedded sections stained with toluidine blue, the IFNγ-KO mice demonstrated a greater proportion of degenerating neurons in the ventral horn when compared to the control series (p < 0.05). Apoptotic death is suggested based on TUNEL and caspase 3 immunostaining. A sciatic nerve axotomy did not further aggravate the neuronal loss. The cellular changes were supported by electron microscopy, which demonstrated ventral horn neurons exhibiting intracellular vacuoles as well as degenerating nuclei and cytoplasm in the IFNγ-KO mice. Adjacent glial cells showed features suggestive of phagocytosis. Additional ultrastructural studies showed a decreased number of pre-synaptic terminals apposing to motoneurons in mutant mice. Nevertheless, no statistical difference regarding the input covering could be detected among the studied strains.'] Does absence of IFNγ expression induce neuronal degeneration in the spinal cord of adult mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3396499156951904,
-1.3786823749542236,
2.7570419311523438
] |
['The aim of this study was to investigate whether physical evaluations could be used for predicting the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in non-obese snoring patients.', 'This is a retrospective study, and a total of 244 non-obese (body mass index, BMI, <27 kg/m(2)) snoring patients (178 men and 66 women; mean age = 43.1 ± 12.1 years) were included. Each patient underwent polysomnography and a thorough physical examination, including flexible nasopharyngoscopy and Müller maneuver. Patients were divided into four groups based on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores: normal (simple snoring), AHI < 5; mild OSA, 5 ≦ AHI < 15; moderate OSA, 15 ≦ AHI < 30; severe OSA, AHI ≧ 30. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for OSA severity.', 'Fifty-nine patients (24%) were simple snorers. The prevalence of sleep apnea (mild, moderate, or severe OSA) for our non-obese snoring patients was 76%. Univariate logistic analyses showed that higher BMI, male gender and retropalatal Müller grades were significantly associated with OSA severity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified male gender and retropalatal Müller grade as risk factors for OSA in non-obese snoring patients.'] Is retropalatal Müller grade associated with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in non-obese Asian patients . Retropalatal Müller grade and OSA in non-obese? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7912882566452026,
-1.4200528860092163,
2.266345739364624
] |
['B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which is activated in heart failure (HF), is processed to an active form by corin. The corin gene is expressed in the human heart and kidney, but corin protein expression in the heart, kidney, and circulation, along with whether proBNP is processed by circulating corin, remains unknown.', 'We examined corin protein expression by immunostaining and Western blot in human heart and kidney, and we assessed the circulating corin concentration by ELISA. We examined histidine-tagged (His-tag) proBNP(1-108) processing in serum and plasma by immunoprecipitation and Western blot and sequenced the processed form.', 'Normal human heart and kidney displayed the presence of corin, especially in cells around the vasculature. Both corin and proBNP(1-108) were present in the plasma of healthy human subjects, with circulating corin significantly higher in men than women (P < 0.0001) and a positive correlation of corin to age (P = 0.0497, r = 0.27). In fresh normal plasma and serum, His-tag proBNP(1-108) was processed to a lower molecular weight form confirmed to be BNP. Processed BNP was higher in men than women (P = 0.041) and was positively correlated to plasma corin concentrations (P = 0.041, r = 0.65).'] Is corin present in the normal human heart , kidney , and blood , with pro-B-type natriuretic peptide processing in the circulation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9457927942276,
-1.401378870010376,
2.468952178955078
] |
['The concept of the tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC) combining a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) with one or more estrogens, aims to provide comparable efficacy to combination estrogen and progestin therapy for symptomatic menopausal women with a uterus without the need for a progestin.', 'Published multi-center randomized blinded clinical trials with bazedoxifene alone and paired in combination with conjugated estrogens show an effect in hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, quality of life measures, sleep, bone density, and breast and uterine safety.', 'A new concept for menopausal women, bazedoxifene with conjugated estrogens (BZA-CE) TSEC, appears to provide the selective benefits of a SERM with additional benefits of estrogen without the need for a progestin. Preclinical studies with bazedoxifene alone showed that it was antagonistic in the uterine and breast tissue while an agonist in the bone. Phase II and III clinical studies of BZA-CE reveal relief from hot flashes and vaginal atrophic changes, and improvement in bone density, quality of life and sleep without breast or uterine stimulation.'] Is bazedoxifene when paired with conjugated estrogens a new paradigm for treatment of postmenopausal women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.489711046218872,
-1.1508506536483765,
2.717301368713379
] |
['Few studies have examined the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on intestinal anastomotic healing. The applied preparation methods and PRP concentrations used in the few studies that have been carried out varied markedly. Therefore, the positive effects of PRP on the anastomotic healing process remain unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of different concentrations of PRP on intestinal anastomotic healing.', 'From SD rat blood, three different concentrations of plasma were prepared: high-concentrated PRP (H-PRP: platelet count 5 × 10(6)/mm(3)), low-concentrated PRP (L-PRP: 2 × 10(6)/mm(3)), and platelet-poor plasma (PPP). Male SD rats underwent proximal jejunal anastomosis and central venous catheterization. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 12 for each group): control, PPP, L-PRP, and H-PRP groups. Two types of PRP and PPP (0.21 mL) were applied to each anastomosis line, with the exception of the control group. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions were administered (151 kcal/kg/d). Five days after surgery, anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP) in situ and hydroxyproline concentration (HYP) in anastomotic tissue were evaluated.', 'The ABP values of control, PPP, L-PRP, and H-PRP groups were 171 ± 20, 174 ± 23, 189 ± 17, and 148 ± 25 mmHg, respectively. The HYP values of each group were 516 ± 130, 495 ± 123, 629 ± 120, and 407 ± 143 μg/g dry tissue. Compared with the other groups, the L-PRP group exhibited a significant increase in both ABP and HYP, while the H-PRP group exhibited a significant decrease in these two variables. As a result, L-PRP was considered to promote anastomotic wound healing, but H-PRP was considered to inhibit it. There was no significant difference between the PPP group and the control group.'] Is effects of platelet-rich plasma on intestinal anastomotic healing in rats : PRP concentration a key factor? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2314382791519165,
-1.7117879390716553,
1.9025251865386963
] |
['Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are known to have high prevalence of acne and elevated androgen levels. The current study aims to determine if dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) level is associated with the presence of acne and reduced risk of abdominal obesity in women with PCOS, after considering the concurrent high testosterone level and insulin resistance (IR).', 'Three hundred and eighteen untreated consecutive Taiwanese women with PCOS were enrolled. Phenotypic hyperandrogenism was recorded, and BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, lipid profiles, fasting glucose and insulin levels and hormone profiles were measured.', 'Women with acne were younger, had higher serum DHEAS levels (6.01 ± 3.45 versus 4.87 ± 2.49 μmol/l, P = 0.002) and a lower BMI (P = 0.0006), but comparable serum testosterone levels, in comparison with women without acne. The aggravating effect of elevated DHEAS on the risk of acne (odds ratio = 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.25-3.68, P = 0.005 for DHEAS cut-off of 6.68 μmol/l) still exited after adjustment for age and BMI. The DHEAS level was positively correlated with the testosterone level, but inversely related to waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, BMI, IR index, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides. Women with PCOS in the highest quartile of DHEAS had the lowest risk of abdominal obesity after adjustment for age, IR, dyslipidemia, testosterone and estradiol levels.'] Is high serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate associated with phenotypic acne and a reduced risk of abdominal obesity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0096068382263184,
-1.4462392330169678,
2.4528815746307373
] |
['Recent genome-wide association (GWA) studies identified 10 chromosomal loci for coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction (MI). However, these loci explain only a small proportion of the genetic variability of these pertinent diseases. We sought to identify additional CAD/MI loci by applying a three-stage approach.', 'We genotyped n = 1157 MI cases and n = 1748 controls from a population-based study population [German MI Family Study (GerMIFS) III (KORA)] with genome-wide SNP arrays. At this first stage, n = 462 SNPs showed association with MI at P<1 × 10(-3) in two-sided logistic regression. In a second stage, 415 of these SNPs were evaluated in silico in two independent GWA samples, the GerMIFS I (875 cases/1644 controls) and GerMIFS II (1222 cases/1298 controls). Nine SNPs, representing three regions, displayed consistent replication in this in silico analysis (P<0.05 for each GWA sample): five SNPs at 9p21.3, a well-known CAD/MI locus, two SNPs at 10p11.21, and two SNPs at 2p24.3. Wet-lab replication, i.e. the third stage, of SNP rs3739998 (representing the novel locus at 10p11.21, p.S1002T in the KIAA1462 gene) in additional 5790 cases and 5302 controls confirmed the association (P=9.54 × 10(-4)), but not for the 2p24.3 locus. The combined P-value across all stages for SNP rs3739998 is P=1.27 × 10(-11) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15 (1.11-1.20)].'] Does genome-wide association study identify a new locus for coronary artery disease on chromosome 10p11.23? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5107455253601074,
-1.6630550622940063,
1.220456600189209
] |
['The G allele of the CD45 77C/G SNP (rs17612648), which has previously been suggested to be associated with autoimmune disorders, was genotyped in 446 Swedish myasthenia gravis (MG) patients and 2303 matched controls.', 'There was no association between the polymorphism and patient group as a whole (p = 0.199), nor with clinical subgroups. Our results add to a growing number of studies unable to find association between the 77C/G polymorphism and autoimmune disorders. One control sample, from an adult blood donor, was homozygous for the G allele, yet negative for a panel of auto-antibodies, representing the first homozygous individual studied in this respect.'] Is the CD45 77C/G allele associated with myasthenia gravis - a reassessment of the potential role of CD45 in autoimmunity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1079354286193848,
-1.2398061752319336,
2.4509634971618652
] |
['Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in populations of European ancestry have identified several loci that confer an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).', 'We studied the generalizability of the associations with 11 risk variants for CRC on 8q23 (rs16892766), 8q24 (rs6983267), 9p24 (rs719725), 10p14 (rs10795668), 11q23 (rs3802842), 14q22 (rs4444235), 15q13 (rs4779584), 16q22 (rs9929218), 18q21 (rs4939827), 19q13 (rs10411210), and 20p12 (rs961253) in a multiethnic sample of 2,472 CRC cases, 839 adenoma cases and 4,466 controls comprised of European American, African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese American, and Latino men and women. Because findings for CRC and adenoma were similar, we combined both groups in the analyses.', 'We confirmed the associations with an increased risk of CRC/adenoma for the 8q24, 11q23 and 15q13 loci in European Americans, and observed significant associations between the 8q24 and 20p12 loci with CRC/adenoma risk in African Americans. Moreover, we found statistically significant cumulative effects of risk alleles on CRC/adenoma risk in all populations (odds ratio [OR] per allele = 1.07-1.09, P ≤ 0.039) except in Japanese Americans (OR = 1.01, P = 0.52). We found heterogeneity in the associations by tumor subsite, age of CRC/adenoma onset, sex, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status for some of the variants.'] Does generalizability and epidemiologic characterization of eleven colorectal cancer GWAS hit in multiple populations? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2697727680206299,
-1.3630858659744263,
1.7125139236450195
] |
['Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease characterized by bullae, in which its chronicity and clinical manifestations generate alterations in the quality of life. In Brazil, the disease prevails in the states of the Midwest and Southeast. The study aimed to evaluate the profile and quality of life of patients with pemphigus in a Brazilian city, for the purposes of physiotherapeutic intervention.', 'The medical records of 15 institutionalized patients were analyzed, though only 7 volunteers underwent the initial and final interviews using the quality of life questionnaire SF-36. Between data collections, physical therapy exercises were applied over a four-month period. After this predetermined period the data were compared and analyzed quantitatively using the Med Calc E and the Student t test.', 'The 15 patients in treatment had a mean age of 40 years-old; 53.3% were melanoderm; 80% were men; 60% had contact with rural areas and 80% were from the southern region. The 7 patients who participated in the intervention showed a tendency for improvement in the areas assessed by the SF-36, except for vitality and social aspects.'] Does [ Physiotherapy intervention promote better quality of life for individuals with pemphigus ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.597360849380493,
-0.09988866746425629,
1.8547292947769165
] |
['The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of studies concerning current treatment of chondral defects of the knee.', 'The relevance for evidence based data and for successful surgical treatment of cartilage defects was evaluated. From 56,098 evaluated studies, 133 studies could be further pursued. These supplied data concerning microfracturing, the osteochondral autograft transplantation system (OATS), the autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and the matrix induced chondrocyte implantation (MACI). The modified Coleman Methodical Score (CMS) and the Level of Evidence (LOE) were applied to evaluate the quality.', 'In these studies, a total of 6,920 patients were reviewed with a median of 32 patients per study and a mean follow-up of 24\xa0months. The mean CMS was 58 of 100 points. No study reached 100 points in the CMS. Three studies reached a level above 90. Ten studies were Level I, five studies reached Level II. Seven studies reached Level III, 111 studies Level IV. MRI scans to verify the clinical data were used by only 72 studies. The means in the modified CMS were for the different procedures as follows: ACI 58 points, MACI 57 points, microfracturing 68 points and OATS 50 points. 24 studies applied the Lysholm Score (LS) for clinical evaluation of cartilage surgery. All operative procedures yielded comparable improvements of the LS (n.s.) meaning that no operative procedure proved superior.'] Do we have evidence based methods for the treatment of cartilage defects in the knee? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0065388679504395,
-1.0510636568069458,
2.1264266967773438
] |
['Cognitive and attentional deficits in schizophrenia include impairment of the sensorimotor filter as measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI). In this way, the study of animals that naturally present low PPI responses could be a useful approach for screening new antipsychotic drugs. Several pieces of evidence suggest that dopamine and nitric oxide (NO) can modulate PPI but their role in those animals is unknown.', 'The aim of this study was to investigate the role of dopamine and NO in Wistar rats with naturally low PPI response.', 'Male Wistar rats with low PPI responses received an i.p. injection of the antipsychotics haloperidol (0.1, 0.3 or 1mg/kg) or clozapine (0.5, 1.5 or 5mg/kg), the anxiolytic diazepam (1 or 3mg/kg) or the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N(G)- nitro-l-arginine (l-NOARG; 40mg/kg, acutely or sub-chronically) or 7-Nitroindazole (7-NI; 3, 10 or 30mg/kg). All animals were submitted to the PPI test 1h after injection. Striatal and cortical dopamine, DOPAC, and noradrenaline levels of rats with low PPI responses were compared to rats with normal PPI responses.', 'We found increased levels of catecholamines on the striatum and prefrontal cortex of Wistar rats with low PPI. In these animals, both antipsychotics, typical and atypical, and NOS inhibitors significantly increased PPI.'] Do nitric oxide synthase inhibitors improve prepulse inhibition responses of Wistar rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.352508306503296,
-1.294054388999939,
2.6389732360839844
] |
['Interatrial septum pacing (IAS-P) decreases atrial conduction delay compared with right atrial appendage pacing (RAA-P). We evaluate the atrial contraction with strain rate of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) during sinus activation or with IAS-P or RAA-P.', 'Fifty-two patients with permanent pacemaker for sinus node disease were enrolled in the study. Twenty-three subjects were with IAS-P and 29 with RAA-P. The time from end-diastole to peak end-diastolic strain rate was measured and corrected with RR interval on electrocardiogram. It was defined as the time from end-diastole to peak end-diastolic strain rate (TSRc), and the balance between maximum and minimum TSRc at three sites (ΔTSRc) was compared during sinus activation and with pacing rhythm in each group.', 'There were no significant differences observed in general characteristics and standard echocardiographic parameters except the duration of pacing P wave between the two groups. The duration was significantly shorter in the IAS-P group compared with the RAA-P group (95 ± 34 vs 138 ± 41; P = 0.001). TSRc was significantly different between sinus activation and pacing rhythm (36.3 ± 35.7 vs 61.6 ± 36.3; P = 0.003) in the RAA-P group, whereas no significant differences were observed in the IAS-P group (25.4 ± 12.1 vs 27.7 ± 14.7; NS). During the follow-up (mean 2.4 ± 0.7 years), the incidence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) conversion to permanent AF was not significantly different between the two groups.'] Does interatrial septum pacing decrease atrial dyssynchrony on strain rate imaging compared with right atrial appendage pacing? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3461648225784302,
-1.7170671224594116,
2.042292594909668
] |
["It has been reported that a dorsal cloacal plate defect is associated with anorectal malformations (ARMs); however, there has been very little information reported about the developmental mechanisms involved with cloacal plate formation. Danforth's short tail (Sd) mutant mice show ARMs. In our previous study, the co-presence of Skt ( Gt ) mutation, in which Skt gene is disrupted by the gene-trap vector (p-U8), increased the incidence of ARMs in Sd mutant to 100%. Our aims in this study are determining the Skt expression around the cloaca during the anorectal development and demonstrating the role of Skt gene in ARMs.", 'Embryos, normal controls [+Skt ( Gt )/+Skt ( Gt )] and ARMs models [Sd Skt ( Gt )/+Skt ( Gt )], from embryonic day (E) 9.5 to E12.5, were evaluated with X-gal staining.', 'In control embryos, Skt expression was detected both in the endoderm and ectoderm of the cloacal plate from E9.5 onward. At E12.5, Skt expression was also detected in the mesenchyme neighboring the dorsal cloacal plates. In [Sd Skt ( Gt )/+Skt ( Gt )] mutant embryos, the cloacal plates failed to extend proximodistally and, consequently, the dorsal part of cloacal plate was defective at E11.5. Skt expressing cells were detected in the shortened cloacal plate and in the thickened mesenchyme dorsal to it.'] Is the Skt gene , required for anorectal development , a candidate for a molecular marker of the cloacal plate? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2323129177093506,
-1.3313572406768799,
2.624540090560913
] |
['The mechanisms underlying adverse electro-mechanical interaction after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair remain unclear. This study investigated biventricular dyssynchrony in children with TOF and its relationship to exercise, QRS duration (QRSd) and ventricular mechanics.', "29 asymptomatic children (5-18 years) with repaired TOF were prospectively evaluated by MRI, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and echocardiography at rest and during bicycle exertion. Their dyssynchrony results were compared with those of 44 resting and 27 exercising, age- and sex-matched controls. An intraventricular dyssynchrony index was calculated from the SD of regional time intervals in 12 left ventricular (LV) 'Ts LV-12SD' and eight right ventricular (RV) 'Ts RV-8SD' segments. Ventricular size, volumes, ejection fractions, pulmonary regurgitant volumes and peak oxygen consumption and N-terminal BNP levels were quantified in the patients.", 'Despite moderate RV dilatation (median indexed RV end-diastolic volume 145.2 ml/m(2)) and right bundle branch block (median QRSd 130 ms) compared with controls, children with TOF demonstrated neither RV nor LV dyssynchrony at rest (Ts RV-8SD, 37.9±10.2 vs 44.3±10.3, 95% CI -11.8 to -0.99, p=0.02; Ts LV-12SD, 38.6±16.8 vs 34.0±10.8, 95% CI -1.8 to 11.0, p=0.16). Exercise stress induced biventricular dyssynchrony in patients with TOF but not in controls (Ts RV-8SD, 59.9±34.4 vs 28.2±10.4, p<0.0001, 95% CI 17.2 to 46.3; Ts LV-12SD, 48.0±18.6 vs 31.9±10.7, 95% CI 7.9 to 24.4, p=0.002). This was unrelated to QRSd, ventricular volumes and function, or peak oxygen consumption.'] Does exercise induce biventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9371553659439087,
-1.5649487972259521,
2.47263240814209
] |
['Gender and ethnicity are powerful predictors of initiation and maintenance of cigarette smoking in adults but less is known about their role in smoking in adolescents. Consistent with human studies, rat models also reveal sex and strain differences in response to nicotine administration.', 'This research examined nicotine withdrawal behaviors in 96 adolescent, male and female, Sprague Dawley (SD) and Long Evans (LE) rats. Rats received seven days continuous subcutaneous infusion of saline or 3.16 mg/kg nicotine via Alzet osmotic minipumps. Behavioral observations were made before, during, and after saline or nicotine administration. Occurrences of six specific behaviors were quantified: abnormal posture or movement, abnormal grooming, whole-body shakes, ptosis, empty-mouth chewing/teeth chattering, and diarrhea.', 'SD male and female rats that received nicotine displayed significantly more withdrawal behaviors 1 and 2 days after cessation of nicotine administration compared with rats that had received saline. LE male rats that received nicotine displayed significantly more withdrawal behaviors 1 day but not 2 days after cessation of nicotine administration compared with males that received saline. LE females showed no significant withdrawal behaviors after cessation of nicotine administration.'] Do behavioral effects of nicotine withdrawal differ by genetic strain in male and female adolescent rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0704948902130127,
-0.5192140936851501,
1.6398093700408936
] |
['• To investigate androgen receptor (AR) expression in a large series of patients with bladder cancer (BC) because data on a limited number of patients showed that loss of AR expression was associated with invasive BC.', '• A total of 472 patients with urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC) from two institutional centres (Toronto and Dallas) were analysed. Tissue microarrays comprising both non-muscle-invasive UBC (n= 167) and muscle-invasive UBC (n= 305) were accrued and immunohistochemical staining for AR was performed. • We used bright-field microscopy imaging coupled with advanced colour detection software to detect, classify and count stained cellular objects and manual scoring. • Results obtained in Dallas were blindly reviewed and validated in Toronto and samples randomly chosen were further analysed in Rochester, NY, USA.', '• The AR were positively expressed in 61/472 (12.9%) bladder tumours. No statistically significant difference in AR expression between men and women was observed. • Only 9.0% of non-muscle-invasive BC expressed the AR compared with 15.1% of muscle-invasive tumours (P= 0.059). The highest percentage of AR positivity (28.9% of cases) was found in T2 tumours. • There was no statistically significant difference in death from BC, time to death, or time to recurrence between AR-positive and AR-negative cases.'] Is loss of androgen receptor expression associated with pathological stage , grade , gender or outcome in bladder cancer : a large multi-institutional study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3100316524505615,
-0.9295173287391663,
2.319003105163574
] |
['• To elucidate the association of progression of advanced renal cell carcinoma with anaemia and investigate factors influencing tumor-associated anaemia.', '• We analyzed different clinical variables to study associations with anaemia in 86 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients. • 45 (52%) of patients had already developed anaemia prior to therapy.', '• Anaemic patients had an increase in the serum markers C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and erythropoietin (EPO). In addition we observed substantial correlation between IL-6 and CRP serum levels (R = 0.639, P < 0.0001). • Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with IL-6 >10 pg/mL had a considerable increase in risk for anaemia (odds ratio 3.86, P= 0.003). • In addition, patients with CRP >0.7 mg/dL had a very strong increase in risk for anaemia (OR = 14.08, P < 0.0001). • Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed CRP >0.7 mg/mL as the only independent predictor for anaemia. Cox-regression modeling selected serum IL-6 as the strongest independent prognostic indicator (hazard ratio 3.58, P < 0.0001).'] Is c-reactive protein a strong predictor for anaemia in renal cell carcinoma : role of IL-6 in overall survival? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.798697829246521,
-1.4162673950195312,
2.243180751800537
] |
['To evaluate the clinical and pathologic features and the prognostic relevance of unclassified RCC with -TFE3 over-expression in our adult series. Recent studies suggest that renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) associated with the newly recognized Xp11.2 translocation (transcription factor E3 [TFE3] gene fusions) can be found among adults with RCC showing a very aggressive disease-course.', 'We evaluated tumour specimens from 25 patients with unclassified RCC morphology out of 298 RCCs in the last 12 years in a tertiary academic centre. Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibody for TFE3 C-terminal section, taking nuclear label into consideration. RT-PCR technique was performed for ASPL-TFE3 gene fusion on two tumours with available frozen tissue.', 'Of the 25 cases analyzed, 8 (32%) showed positivity for TFE3 and 17 were negative for TFE3 staining. Two tumors with ASPL-TFE3 gene fusion also showed TFE3 over-expression. Fifty percent of the positive patients had lymph node metastatic disease, whereas only one TFE3-negative patient (5.8%) showed evidence of lymph node spread and cava thrombus at diagnosis. Of the TFE3-positive patients, three had a vena cava thrombus (37.5%). Seven of the eight positive cases (87.5%) were diagnosed with a high Fuhrman grade (III/IV). In comparison, five of 17 (29.4%) TFE3-negative patients had a high Fuhrman grade. Five of eight TFE3-positive patients relapsed rapidly at 3 month follow-up; conversely none of the negative cases relapsed. At 36-month mean follow-up, 5-year cancer-specific survival was 15.6% for TFE3-positive patients and 87.5% for TFE3-negative patients (P < 0.001).'] Does altered transcription factor E3 expression in unclassified adult renal cell carcinoma indicate adverse pathological features and poor outcome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8139852285385132,
-1.5661654472351074,
2.3687825202941895
] |
['We have previously shown that serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is down-regulated in colorectal cancers (CRC) with respect to normal tissue. As hyper-methylation of promoter regions is a well-known mechanism of gene silencing in cancer, we tested whether the SGK1 promoter region was methylated in colonic tumour samples.', 'We investigated the methylation profile of the two CpG islands present in the promoter region of SGK1 in a panel of 5 colorectal cancer cell lines by sequencing clones of bisulphite-treated DNA samples. We further confirmed our findings in a panel of 10 normal and 10 tumour colonic tissue samples of human origin. We observed CpG methylation only in the smaller and more distal CpG island in the promoter region of SGK1 in both normal and tumour samples of colonic origin. We further identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs1743963) which affects methylation of the corresponding CpG.'] Is down-regulation of serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 in colorectal tumours largely independent of promoter hypermethylation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.294241189956665,
-1.1526378393173218,
2.4970779418945312
] |
['Cancer stem cells/initiating cells (CSC/CIC), are thought to exist as a small population in malignant tissues. They are resistant to conventional cancer treatments and possibly underlie post-treatment relapse. The CIC population can be targeted with capsid modified oncolytic adenoviruses.', 'We studied the mechanisms of innate immunity to oncolytic adenovirus Ad5/3-Delta24 in conventional treatment resistant non-CIC breast cancer cells, breast cancer CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) CIC population and normal breast tissue CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) stem cells. We compared virus recognition by pattern recognition receptors for adenovirus, Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 9 and virus induced type I interferon (IFN) response regulation in these cell types. We show TLR mediated virus recognition in these non-immune cell types. Normal tissue stem cells have intact type I IFN signaling. Furthermore, TLR9 and TLR2 reside constantly in recognition sites, implying constant activation. In contrast, breast cancer CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) CIC have dysregulated innate immune responses featuring dysfunctional virus recognition caused by impaired trafficking of TLR9 and cofactor MyD88 and the absence of TLR2, having a deleterious impact on TLR pattern recognition receptor signaling. Furthermore, the CIC have increased inhibitory signaling via the suppressor of cytokine signaling/Tyro3/Axl/Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (SOCS/TAM) pathway. These defects in contribute to dysfunctional induction of type I IFN response in CIC and therefore permissivity to oncolytic adenovirus.'] Do defects in innate immunity render breast cancer initiating cells permissive to oncolytic adenovirus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4874744415283203,
-1.225214958190918,
2.7657535076141357
] |
['The phenotypic effects of the gr/gr partial azoospermia factor c deletion vary geographically and to our knowledge have not been reported in the American population. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of infertile American men with the gr/gr deletion.', 'We retrospectively reviewed clinical data on 1,410 infertile men tested for the gr/gr deletion. We analyzed sperm concentration and the outcome of microdissection testicular sperm extraction with respect to gr/gr status.', 'We identified 73 men with gr/gr deletions, including 43 of 989 (4.3%) with azoospermia, 18 of 317 (5.7%) with severe oligospermia (less than 5 million sperm per ml), 6 of 61 (9.8%) with oligospermia (5 to less than 20 million sperm per ml) and 6 of 43 (14%) infertile men with normospermia (greater than 20 million sperm per ml). A gr/gr deletion correlated with higher sperm production. The gr/gr deletion rate was higher in men with normospermia than in those with a sperm concentration of less than 20 million and less than 5 million per ml (p = 0.021 and 0.006, respectively). Microdissection testicular sperm extraction was done in 22 azoospermic men with gr/gr deletions and sperm were retrieved in 14 (64%). This retrieval rate was similar to that at our center in men with idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia (p = 0.13).'] Does diagnosis of the gr/gr Y chromosome microdeletion help in the treatment of infertile American men? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.830220103263855,
-1.4552133083343506,
2.2980151176452637
] |
['Ureteral stents result in significant morbidity in many patients. Manufacturers have altered stent design and composition to minimize symptoms. The Polaris™ stent is made of a Percuflex® combination, providing a firm proximal aspect with a softer distal aspect to minimize symptoms. In this prospective, randomized study we compared symptoms and quality of life after stent insertion to determine whether this stent is better tolerated than the InLay® stent.', 'Between September 2002 and September 2006 we randomized 159 patients requiring stent insertion for stone disease to receive the InLay or the Polaris ureteral stent. Patients were asked to complete the validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire 2 weeks after stent insertion and 1 week after removal.', 'A total of 98 patients completed and returned each questionnaire, including 45 with the InLay and 53 with the Polaris. There were no significant differences between the groups on any health domain assessed. In the InLay and Polaris groups 91% and 94% of patients experienced pain with the stent in situ, which decreased to 40% and 43%, respectively, after stent removal. The urinary symptom score with the stent in situ was equal in the 2 groups (32, maximum 55). Of the InLay and Polaris groups 60% and 66% of patients, respectively, would be against receiving a further stent due to symptoms (p = 0.79).'] Does new ureteral stent design improve patient quality of life : a randomized , controlled trial? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9248170852661133,
-1.2244952917099,
2.2219438552856445
] |
['Many inducible transcription factors are regulated through batteries of posttranslational modifications that couple their activity to inducing stimuli. We have studied such regulation of Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1), a key protein in control of the heat shock response, and a participant in carcinogenisis, neurological health and aging. As the mechanisms involved in the intracellular regulation of HSF1 in good health and its dysregulation in disease are still incomplete we are investigating the role of posttranslational modifications in such regulation.', 'In a proteomic study of HSF1 binding partners, we have discovered its association with the pleiotropic protein kinase A (PKA). HSF1 binds avidly to the catalytic subunit of PKA, (PKAcα) and becomes phosphorylated on a novel serine phosphorylation site within its central regulatory domain (serine 320 or S320), both in vitro and in vivo. Intracellular PKAcα levels and phosphorylation of HSF1 at S320 were both required for HSF1 to be localized to the nucleus, bind to response elements in the promoter of an HSF1 target gene (hsp70.1) and activate hsp70.1 after stress. Reduction in PKAcα levels by small hairpin RNA led to HSF1 exclusion from the nucleus, its exodus from the hsp70.1 promoter and decreased hsp70.1 transcription. Likewise, null mutation of HSF1 at S320 by alanine substitution for serine led to an HSF1 species excluded from the nucleus and deficient in hsp70.1 activation.'] Does protein kinase A bound and activates heat shock factor 1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3667995929718018,
-0.9867885112762451,
2.399705410003662
] |
['There is growing evidence for the provision of foot orthoses when treating individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and prescription is frequently based on the assessment of foot posture/function. However, evaluation of the link between abnormal foot posture/function and foot orthoses outcomes has previously been limited to static alignment measures and has produced inconsistent findings. In this study, the ability of baseline foot kinematics associated with pronation to predict marked improvement 12 weeks following foot orthoses prescription in individuals with PFPS was evaluated.', '26 individuals with PFPS were issued with prefabricated foot orthoses, and patient-reported level of improvement was documented at 12 weeks. Potential predictors of marked improvement at 12 weeks were measured during walking at baseline and included forefoot dorsiflexion and abduction, and rearfoot eversion.', 'Of the 25 participants who completed the study, seven (28%) reported marked improvement with the foot orthoses after 12 weeks. Discriminant function analysis revealed a greater peak rearfoot eversion to be the only significant independent predictor of marked improvement.'] Does greater peak rearfoot eversion predict foot orthoses efficacy in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6331045627593994,
-0.9824239611625671,
1.6545438766479492
] |
['It has been shown that elevated levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST) are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, the pattern of this association in diabetic patients with negative or mild steatosis is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the association between elevated liver enzymes and insulin resistance in diabetic subjects without ultrasound signs of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (i.e., with less than 30% steatosis).', 'In a cross-sectional study, a total of 670 diabetic subjects without established causes of liver injury were included. Patients with evidence of NAFLD in ultrasonography were not included. Fasting blood samples were obtained and plasma glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), C-peptide, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lipid profile were measured. Three indices of insulin sensitivity/insensitivity: Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and McAuley were also calculated.', 'Elevated ALT was significantly (p\u2009<\u20090.001) correlated with fasting insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, McAuley, and waist circumference. The same correlations were also observed for AST, which in all cases were weaker than ALT. Multivariate regression analysis showed that, among the above-mentioned variables, only HOMA-IR and fasting insulin were independently correlated with both ALT and AST. This correlation was independent of body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference.'] Is insulin resistance independently associated with liver aminotransferases in diabetic patients without ultrasound signs of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.112078905105591,
-1.4503247737884521,
2.5797767639160156
] |
['Biomarker levels in blood after traumatic brain injury (TBI) may offer diagnostic and prognostic tools in addition to clinical indices. This study aims to validate glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B concentrations in blood as outcome predictors of TBI using cutoff levels of 1.5 μg/L for GFAP and 1.13 μg/L for S100B from a previous study.', 'In 79 patients with TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score [GCS] ≤12), serum, taken at hospital admission, was analyzed for GFAP and S100B. Data collected included injury mechanism, age, gender, mass lesion on CT, GCS, pupillary reactions, Injury Severity Score (ISS), presence of hypoxia, and hypotension. Outcome was assessed, using the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (dichotomized in death vs alive and unfavorable vs favorable), 6 months post injury.', 'In patients who died compared to alive patients, median serum levels were increased: GFAP 33.4-fold and S100B 2.1-fold. In unfavorable compared to favorable outcome, GFAP was increased 19.8-fold and S100B 2.1-fold. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that mass lesion, GFAP, absent pupils, age, and ISS, but not GCS, hypotension, or hypoxia, predicted death and unfavorable outcome. Multivariable analysis showed that models containing mass lesion, pupils, GFAP, and S100B were the strongest in predicting death and unfavorable outcome. S100B was the strongest single predictor of unfavorable outcome with 100% discrimination.'] Are gFAP and S100B biomarkers of traumatic brain injury : an observational cohort study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.843377947807312,
-1.4091957807540894,
2.2904529571533203
] |
['We have previously shown that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have specific handwriting deficits consisting of poor form, and that these deficits are predicted by their motor abilities. It is not known whether the same handwriting impairments persist into adolescence and whether they remain linked to motor deficits.', 'A case-control study of handwriting samples from adolescents with and without ASD was performed using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. Samples were scored on an individual letter basis in 5 categories: legibility, form, alignment, size, and spacing. Subjects were also administered an intelligence test and the Physical and Neurological Examination for Subtle (Motor) Signs (PANESS).', 'We found that adolescents with ASD, like children, show overall worse performance on a handwriting task than do age- and intelligence-matched controls. Also comparable to children, adolescents with ASD showed motor impairments relative to controls. However, adolescents with ASD differ from children in that Perceptual Reasoning Indices were significantly predictive of handwriting performance whereas measures of motor skills were not.'] Does perceptual reasoning predict handwriting impairments in adolescents with autism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.133019208908081,
0.5155350565910339,
0.788829505443573
] |
['Previous studies have not extensively examined the association of hyperuricemia and adverse outcomes in systolic heart failure (HF) in relation to xanthine oxidase inhibitor therapy.', 'The Prospective Randomized Amlodipine Survival Evaluation study included New York Heart Association class IIIB or IV patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <30%. For analysis, the population was divided into uric acid quartiles among nonallopurinol users (2.2-7.1, >7.1-8.6, >8.6-10.4, >10.4 mg/dL) and those using allopurinol. Multivariate Cox regression modeling was performed to identify predictors of mortality. Uric acid quartile and allopurinol groups were referenced to the lowest uric acid quartile.', 'A total of 1,152 patients were included. In general, patients in the allopurinol group and in the highest uric acid quartile had indicators of more severe HF, including worse renal function and greater proportion of New York Heart Association class IV patients, and greater diuretic use. The allopurinol group and highest uric acid quartile had the highest total mortality (41.7 and 42.4 per 100 person-years, respectively) and combined morbidity/mortality (45.6 and 51.0 per 100 person-years, respectively). Allopurinol use and highest uric acid quartile were independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.65, 95% CI 1.22-2.23, P = .001 and HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.07-1.72, P = .01, respectively) and combined morbidity/mortality (uric acid quartile 4 vs 1: HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.06-1.66, P = .02; allopurinol use: HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11-1.99, P = .008).'] Do uric acid level and allopurinol use as risk markers of mortality and morbidity in systolic heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.738261103630066,
-1.6252944469451904,
2.3453152179718018
] |
['Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a component of Gram-positive bacterial cell walls, which has been found to be elevated in cerebrospinal fluid of patients suffering from meningitis. Moreover, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-9 especially, have been observed in patients with brain inflammatory diseases and may contribute to brain disease pathology. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying LTA-induced MMP-9 expression in brain astrocytes remain unclear.', 'The goal of this study was to examine whether LTA-induced cell migration is mediated by calcium/calmodulin (CaM)/CaM kinase II (CaMKII)-dependent transactivation of the PDGFR pathway in rat brain astrocytes (RBA-1 cells).', 'Expression and activity of MMP-9 induced by LTA was evaluated by zymographic, western blotting, and RT-PCR analyses. MMP-9 regulatory signaling pathways were investigated by treatment with pharmacological inhibitors or using dominant negative mutants or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfection, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-PCR and promoter activity reporter assays. Finally, we determined the cell functional changes by cell migration assay.', 'The data show that c-Jun/AP-1 mediates LTA-induced MMP-9 expression in RBA-1 cells. Next, we demonstrated that LTA induces MMP-9 expression via a calcium/CaM/CaMKII-dependent transactivation of PDGFR pathway. Transactivation of PDGFR led to activation of PI3K/Akt and JNK1/2 and then activated c-Jun/AP-1 signaling. Activated-c-Jun bound to the AP-1-binding site of the MMP-9 promoter, and thereby turned on transcription of MMP-9. Eventually, up-regulation of MMP-9 by LTA enhanced cell migration of astrocytes.'] Does calmodulin kinase II-dependent transactivation of PDGF receptors mediate astrocytic MMP-9 expression and cell motility induced by lipoteichoic acid? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.403567314147949,
-1.216135859489441,
2.669879198074341
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.