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['To determine impediments to the effective reduction of maternal-infant transmission of HIV in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.', 'This is a cohort study, with medical follow-up, of pregnant women with confirmed diagnosis of HIV infection, and their infant children, assisted at the Municipal Specialized Service of Sexually Transmitted Diseases/AIDS from January 2004 to April 2007. Information regarding exposure and outcome variables was collected from their medical records. Frequencies of variables were determined and bivariate analysis performed for exposure factors and transmission of HIV. Relative risks of HIV transmission associated with exposure variables were calculated using 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance of risk associations was evaluated.', 'Seventy-eight mother-child pairs were studied; the rate of maternal-infant transmission of HIV was 7.7%. Variables showing significant association with maternal-infant transmission of HIV were the non-utilization of antiretrovirals for prophylaxis or treatment during pregnancy (RR = 21.00; 95%CI 2.64-166.74, p = 0.001) and diagnosis of maternal disease after pregnancy (RR = 6.80; 95%CI 1.59-29.17, p = 0.025). New pregnancies in women with other children also exposed to HIV occurred in 19.12% (15/78) of cases.'] Do persistent operational challenges lead to non-reduction in maternal-infant transmission of HIV? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3209712505340576,
-0.5125288963317871,
2.0216009616851807
] |
['Motor cortex excitability can be measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using different coil types, but paired-TMS was originally devised with a figure-of-eight coil. We asked whether the most popular, circular coil was suited to the every-day assessment of cortical excitability, particularly paired-TMS indexes, and if it reduced the measurement error.', 'We studied 12 right-handed, healthy subjects (34±7.6 years). Resting motor threshold (MT), cortical silent period (CSP), short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) at the 2, 3, 4 and 5 ms interstimulus intervals (ISIs) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) at the 14 and 16 ms ISIs were measured. Intrinsic variability of these indexes was evaluated in terms of Coefficients of Variation, to estimate the measurement error. This sequence was carried out both using a figure-of-eight coil over the hand motor area and a circular coil centred at the vertex. Testing was repeated 8-13 months later.', 'On average, MT, SICI and ICF did not show any statistically significant difference (p>0.05) when studied with the figure-of-eight as compared with the circular coil. CSP was significantly shorter (p=0.007) with the figure-of-eight coil. Using either coil did not affect measurement variability. There was no significant session-to-session group difference at any of the variables using either coil type.'] Is the routine circular coil reliable in paired-TMS studies? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3685340881347656,
-1.4373656511306763,
1.8866673707962036
] |
['The anti-cancer effect of β-lapachone (β-lap) is positively related to the cellular activity of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1). Heat shock has been reported to elevate cellular NQO1. The effect of heating on the NQO1 expression in human osteosarcoma cells (HOS) and the response of the cells to the combined treatment with β-lap and hyperthermia was investigated.', 'The effects of β-lap alone, hyperthermia alone and in combination to cause clonogenic death and apoptosis in HOS cells were elucidated. The effect of heating on the NQO1 expression was evaluated with western blot analysis. The effect of β-lap on the cell cycle distribution was elucidated with flow cytometry and to cause DNA damage was determined by assessing the γH2AX foci formation.', 'Treatment of HOS cells with β-lap at 42°C was markedly more effective than that at 37°C in causing clonogenic cell death. Heating caused a long-lasting up-regulation of NQO1 in the cells, and sensitised the cells to β-lap. The γH2AX foci formation was increased immediately after β-lap treatment and preheating increased the β-lap-induced γH2AX foci formation.'] Does hyperthermia enhance the effect of β-lapachone to cause γH2AX formations and cell death in human osteosarcoma cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5015060901641846,
-1.237645149230957,
2.7256996631622314
] |
['Recent studies suggest that large (>1 cm) diameter circular cutaneous wounds induce follicular neogenesis in mice. However, the effects of non-circular wounds or smaller circular wounds on the hair follicle cycle remain poorly understood.', 'We investigated whether non-circular wounds or smaller (≤1 cm) circular wounds could induce early entry of hair follicle stem cells into anagen.', 'We created different shaped and sized full-thickness incisional wounds on the dorsal skin of 6-wk old mice (BALB/c, C57BL/6, and CD1), and then assessed for hair growth, wound contraction rates, and growth factor and/or immunomodulatory cytokine involvement.', 'By day 16 and through day 26 post-wounding, we observed hair growth in the skin around the wound, but not in distant unwounded skin of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, CD1 mice showed hair growth in both the wounded and unwounded skin. In all mice, the hair growth pattern was independent of wound type. The area of hair growth induced by a 2 cm linear wound was roughly 2-fold that induced by a 1 cm linear wound and 4-fold that of a 0.5 cm linear wound. Increased γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity was observed in hair follicles growing in the wounded area as well as an up to 8-fold upregulation of Wnt- and Shh-dependent signaling, consistent with anagen growth.'] Do small cutaneous wounds induce telogen to anagen transition of murine hair follicle stem cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2729909420013428,
-1.313692569732666,
2.647787570953369
] |
['Pilot study to examine if the addition of a structured framework improved the quality of clinical reasoning demonstrated within clinically based online discussions by occupational therapy students undertaking fieldwork.', "Cognitive elements of the clinical reasoning process present within students' discussions were compared before (2005 cohort) and after (2007 cohort) the introduction of a structured framework to guide discussions. Students' self reports (2007 cohort) of clinical reasoning skills were also analysed before and after two consecutive fieldwork placements.", "The structured framework increased the proportion of postings containing the advanced 'evaluate' element of clinical reasoning and decreased the proportion of postings containing only the basic 'understand' elements. Self-reported clinical reasoning skills improved following the first fieldwork placement and this improvement was sustained following the second placement."] Do online discussions develop students ' clinical reasoning skills during fieldwork? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.1321465969085693,
2.482036828994751,
-1.0191521644592285
] |
["Individual and workplace barriers affect uptake of evidence-based practice (EBP). This study evaluated the effects of a 1-day workshop with workplace supports on allied health professionals' EBP knowledge and behaviour.", 'A prospective longitudinal pre-post design was used. A total of 88 allied health professionals participated. Knowledge was measured using the Adapted Fresno Test (AFT), behaviour was measured using frequency counts of presentations using EBP methodologies and critically appraised topics (CATs) were produced. Mean differences were analysed using paired t-tests.', 'EBP knowledge significantly improved immediately after education on the AFT (from 36.67 to 46.84/156) a mean change of 10.17 points (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.19-13.50) (P <0.001). Behaviour also changed over 18 months. EBP content in presentations increased from 3 to 100% (t =\u200324.39, P <0.001, 95%CI: 0.86-1.03). CATs produced significantly increased by 0.26 per head (t =5.55, P <0.001, 95% CI: 0.17-0.35).'] Does the effect of education with workplace support on practitioners ' evidence-based practice knowledge and implementation behaviours? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.036155343055725,
-0.4524867832660675,
0.6368664503097534
] |
['Studies conducted in the USA have demonstrated that micronutrients such as folate and vitamin B12 play a significant role in modifying the natural history of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs), the causative agent for developing invasive cervical cancer (CC) and its precursor lesions.', 'The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether these micronutrients have similar effects on HR-HPV infections in Indian women.', 'The associations between serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 and HR-HPV infections were evaluated in 724 women who participated in a CC screening study in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were measured by using a competitive radio-binding assay. Digene hybrid capture 2 (HC2) assay results were used to categorize women into two groups, positive or negative for HR-HPVs. Unconditional logistic regression models specified a binary indicator of HC2 (positive/negative) as the dependent variable and serum folate concentrations combined with serum vitamin B12 concentrations as the independent predictor of primary interest. Models were fitted, adjusting for age, education, marital status, parity, type of fuel used for cooking and smoking status.', 'Women with higher concentrations of serum folate (>6 ng/mL) and vitamin B12 (>356 pg/mL) were at lower risk of being positive for HR-HPVs compared to those with serum folate ≤6 ng/mL and serum vitamin B12 ≤ 356 pg/mL (odds ratio = 0.26; 95% confidence interval: 0.08-0.89; P = 0.03).'] Are indian women with higher serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 significantly less likely to be infected with carcinogenic or high-risk ( HR ) types of human papillomaviruses ( HPVs )? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8904714584350586,
-1.287527084350586,
2.1983816623687744
] |
['Administration of caffeine or caffeinated coffee in laboratory and ambulatory settings results in small to moderate acute increases in blood pressure (BP). However, habitual coffee intake has not been linked conclusively to long-term increases in basal BP, and findings are inconsistent by sex. This study examined longitudinal relations of habitual coffee use to resting BP and pulse pressure.', 'In a sample of 2,442 participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), coffee consumption was used to predict resting systolic and diastolic BP and pulse pressure using longitudinal mixed-effects regression models adjusted for age, education, antihypertensive, and antihyperlipidemic use, smoking, and body mass index (BMI). Analyses were stratified by sex (865 women and 1,577 men), and age and BMI were examined as possible effect modifiers.', 'In men, we identified a significant three-way interaction among coffee intake (nonlinear), baseline age, and length of follow-up for systolic BP (SBP) and pulse pressure. A significant interaction of coffee intake and BMI (nonlinear) was also noted for SBP in men. There were no significant relations of coffee intake to BP or pulse pressure in women.'] Is greater coffee intake in men associated with steeper age-related increases in blood pressure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.371567487716675,
-0.8078744411468506,
2.2638392448425293
] |
['Polyphenols in red wine are supposed to improve endothelial function. We investigated whether daily red wine consumption improves in-vivo vascular function by reducing endothelin-1 (ET-1). Additional pathways mediating this effect were studied using porcine coronary arteries (PCAs).', 'Eighteen young healthy women drank red wine daily for 3 weeks. Vascular function was evaluated by determining forearm blood flow (FBF) responses to endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine (ACh)) and endothelium-independent (sodium nitroprusside (SNP)) vasodilators. PCAs were suspended in organ baths and exposed to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator bradykinin, the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-L,L-penicillamine (SNAP) and/or red wine extract (RWE).', "ACh-induced and SNP-induced FBF increases were equally enhanced after 3 weeks of red wine consumption, but an immediate enhancement (i.e., after drinking the first glass) was not observed. Vice versa, plasma ET-1 levels were not decreased after 3 weeks, but we observed an acute drop after drinking one glass of wine. RWE relaxed preconstricted PCAs in an endothelium-, NO-, and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)/guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent manner. Short RWE exposure reduced the response to bradykinin and SNAP by inactivating sGC. This effect disappeared upon prolonged RWE exposure."] Does daily red wine consumption improve vascular function by a soluble guanylyl cyclase-dependent pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.501065492630005,
-1.2668907642364502,
2.8029377460479736
] |
['Internal hernia (IH) is one of the more acute and potentially devastating complications after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB). Currently, there is no way to predict which patients will develop IH. We propose that patients who undergo periods of rapid excess weight loss (EWL) following LGB are more likely to develop IH.', 'A retrospective review of a prospectively collected laparoscopic gastric bypass database from our bariatric center was performed. Patient data between 2002 and 2009 was reviewed. Demographics, initial body mass index (BMI), detailed weight loss curves, and morbidity, specifically IH, were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to obtain an adjusted odds ratio for rapid weight loss and hernia development.', "We reviewed all 934 LGB procedures performed. The average initial BMI was 49.1 kg/m2 (range=34-91 kg/m2). EWL based on our current averages at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively were 20, 40, 60, 75, and 85%. We statistically defined rapid EWL as greater than the 90th percentile for weight loss. Rapid EWL was noted in 33.2% (310/934) of patients. Fifty-eight (6.2%) patients were identified with IH. Of these, 27(46.5%) had periods of rapid EWL (odds ratio [OR]=1.83; 95% CI=1.07, 3.02). Bivariate analysis of patient factors that led to rapid EWL identified initial BMI (49.3 vs. 46.6 kg/m2) and rapid EWL as increasing the likelihood of developing IH (p=0.026). A multivariate logistic model for IH identified only rapid EWL as a predictive factor. Locations of IH were the jejunojejunostomy (24), Pedersen's defect (23), adhesions (9), and colonic mesentery (1). There were five patients with combined JJ and Pederson's hernias."] Does rapid excess weight loss following laparoscopic gastric bypass lead to increased risk of internal hernia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.427407145500183,
-1.6751161813735962,
2.0624938011169434
] |
['Statins exert regression of left ventricular hypertrophy independent of their plasma cholesterol-lowering actions. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear.', 'We tested the hypothesis that the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) signaling pathway could be a target of simvastatin (SIM) and involved in SIM-induced LVH regression in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Fourteen 14-week old-SHR males were randomly divided into a SHR SIM group (n = 7) or a SHR control group (n = 7). The SHR SIM group was given SIM 40 mg/kg · d via injection ig, while the SHR control group was routinely given only vehicle (0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose ig). Seven Wistar Kyoto rats served as normal controls.', 'Ten weeks of treatment with SIM in SHR had no influence on blood pressure. The ratio of left ventricle weight to body weight in the SHR SIM group was decreased significantly compared to that in the SHR control group (p < 0.05). Among the three groups there was no significant difference in total ERK expression (p > 0.05). SIM treatment caused a significant reduction in the expression of phosphorylated-ERK, the kinase activity of ERK, the levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 protein and its mRNA (p <0.01 for all).'] Does simvastatin prevent ERK activation in myocardial hypertrophy of spontaneously hypertensive rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.085340738296509,
-1.4352248907089233,
2.5059103965759277
] |
['Outer hair cells are the specialized sensory cells that empower the mammalian hearing organ, the cochlea, with its remarkable sensitivity and frequency selectivity. Sound-evoked receptor potentials in outer hair cells are shaped by both voltage-gated K(+) channels that control the membrane potential and also ligand-gated K(+) channels involved in the cholinergic efferent modulation of the membrane potential. The objectives of this study were to investigate the tonotopic contribution of BK channels to voltage- and ligand-gated currents in mature outer hair cells from the rat cochlea.', 'Findings In this work we used patch clamp electrophysiology and immunofluorescence in tonotopically defined segments of the rat cochlea to determine the contribution of BK channels to voltage- and ligand-gated currents in outer hair cells. Although voltage and ligand-gated currents have been investigated previously in hair cells from the rat cochlea, little is known about their tonotopic distribution or potential contribution to efferent inhibition. We found that apical (low frequency) outer hair cells had no BK channel immunoreactivity and little or no BK current. In marked contrast, basal (high frequency) outer hair cells had abundant BK channel immunoreactivity and BK currents contributed significantly to both voltage-gated and ACh-evoked K(+) currents.'] Do bK channels mediate cholinergic inhibition of high frequency cochlear hair cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.631852388381958,
-0.9682915806770325,
2.6334075927734375
] |
['We undertook to improve an industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain by derepressing it for maltose utilization in the presence of high glucose concentrations.', 'A mutant was obtained from an industrial S. cerevisiae strain following random UV mutagenesis and selection on maltose/5-thioglucose medium. The mutant acquired the ability to utilize glucose simultaneously with maltose and possibly also sucrose and galactose. Aerobic sugar metabolism was still largely fermentative, but an enhanced respirative metabolism resulted in a 31% higher biomass yield on glucose. Kinetic characterization of glucose transport in the mutant revealed the predominance of the high-affinity component. Northern blot analysis showed that the mutant strain expresses only the HXT6/7 gene irrespective of the glucose concentration in the medium, indicating a severe deregulation in the induction/repression pathways modulating HXT gene expression. Interestingly, maltose-grown cells of the mutant display inverse diauxy in a glucose/maltose mixture, preferring maltose to glucose.'] Is derepression of a baker 's yeast strain for maltose utilization associated with severe deregulation of HXT gene expression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.585371255874634,
-0.9691968560218811,
2.6349904537200928
] |
['Gold nanoparticles are of interest as potential in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic agents, as X-ray contrast agents, drug delivery vehicles and radiation enhancers. The aim of this study was to quantitatively determine their targeting and microlocalisation in mouse tumour models after intravenous injection by using micro-CT.', 'Gold nanoparticles (15 nm) were coated with polyethylene glycol and covalently coupled to anti-Her2 antibodies (Herceptin). In vitro, conjugates incubated with Her2+ (BT-474) and Her2- (MCF7) human breast cancer cells showed specific targeted binding with a Her2+ to Her2- gold ratio of 39.4±2.7:1. Nude mice, simultaneously bearing subcutaneous Her2+ and Her2- human breast tumours in opposite thighs were prepared. Gold nanoparticles alone, conjugated to Herceptin or to a non-specific antibody were compared. After intravenous injection of the gold nanoparticles, gold concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Microlocalisation of gold was carried out by calibrated micro-CT, giving both the radiodensities and gold concentrations in tumour and non-tumour tissue.', 'All gold nanoparticle constructs showed accumulation, predominantly at tumour peripheries. However, the Herceptin-gold nanoparticles showed the best specific uptake in their periphery (15.8±1.7% injected dose per gram), 1.6-fold higher than Her2- tumours and 22-fold higher than surrounding muscle. Imaging readily enabled detection of small, 1.5 mm-thick tumours.'] Does micro-CT enable microlocalisation and quantification of Her2-targeted gold nanoparticles within tumour regions? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9206820726394653,
-1.5414679050445557,
2.490267276763916
] |
['The decline of proteasomal activity is known to be associated with the age-related disorders but the early events involved in this process are not apparent. To address this, we investigated the early-age-related (pediatric vs. adult) mechanisms that augment immunopathogenesis of sepsis and acute lung injury.', 'The 3-weeks (pediatric) and 6-months (adult) old C57BL/6 mice were selected as the study groups. Mice were subjected to 1×20 cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mediated sepsis or intratracheal Psuedomonas aeruginosa (Pa)-LPS induced acute lung injury (ALI).We observed a significant increase in basal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-6 and neutrophil activity marker, myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the adult mice compared to the pediatric indicating the age-related constitutive increase in inflammatory response. Next, we found that age-related decrease in PSMB6 (proteasomal subunit) expression in adult mice results in accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins that triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR). We identified that Pa-LPS induced activation of UPR modifier, p97/VCP (valosin-containing protein) in the adult mice lungs correlates with increase in Pa-LPS induced NFκB levels. Moreover, we observed a constitutive increase in p-eIF2α indicating a protective ER stress response to accumulation of ubiquitinated-proteins. We used MG-132 treatment of HBE cells as an in vitro model to standardize the efficacy of salubrinal (inhibitor of eIF2α de-phosphorylation) in controlling the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and the NFκB levels. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of salubrinal to correct proteostasis-imbalance in the adult mice based on its ability to control CLP induced IL-6 secretion or recruitment of pro-inflammatory cells.'] Do early-age-related changes in proteostasis augment immunopathogenesis of sepsis and acute lung injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4577982425689697,
-1.2847464084625244,
2.8065264225006104
] |
['Low-dose aspirin reduces cardiovascular risk; however, monitoring over-the-counter medication use relies on the time-consuming and costly manual review of medical records. Our objective is to validate natural language processing (NLP) of the electronic medical record (EMR) for extracting medication exposure and contraindication information.', 'The text of EMRs for 499 patients with type 2 diabetes was searched using NLP for evidence of aspirin use and its contraindications. The results were compared to a standardised manual records review.', 'Of the 499 patients, 351 (70%) were using aspirin and 148 (30%) were not, according to manual review. NLP correctly identified 346 of the 351 aspirin-positive and 134 of the 148 aspirin-negative patients, indicating a sensitivity of 99% (95% CI 97-100) and specificity of 91% (95% CI 88-97). Of the 148 aspirin-negative patients, 66 (45%) had contraindications and 82 (55%) did not, according to manual review. NLP search for contraindications correctly identified 61 of the 66 patients with contraindications and 58 of the 82 patients without, yielding a sensitivity of 92% (95% CI 84-97) and a specificity of 71% (95% CI 60-80).'] Is automated processing of electronic medical records a reliable method of determining aspirin use in populations at risk for cardiovascular events? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6634494066238403,
-1.144293189048767,
1.9326553344726562
] |
['Suicidal behaviour aggregates in families and HPA-axis dysregulation may help explain part of this familial aggregation. Nevertheless, exogenous manipulation of the HPA-axis has yielded mixed results. Naturalistic and non-pharmacological inductions of the HPA-axis do not suggest hyper-responsiveness, yet suggest greater cognitive consequences of stress in individuals at risk for suicide. In this study, we aimed to characterize the relationship between plasma cortisol and an increased risk for suicide, as defined by family history.', 'Patients (N=148) with depressive disorders underwent psychopathological assessment, including structured investigation of past suicidal behaviour and underwent laboratory blood testing of cortisol. They also completed a family history interview investigating family psychopathology and suicidal behaviour, representing data on 848 first degree relatives. The relationship between plasma cortisol, past suicidal behaviour and suicidal behaviour among first degree relatives was examined.', 'Lower levels of plasma cortisol were associated with a personal and family history of suicidal behaviour, as well as a family history of depression among first degree relatives. Multivariate analyses controlling for significant psychopathology replicated the association between lower levels of plasma cortisol, a family history of suicidal behaviour and personal history of suicide attempts, but not a family history of depression. Controlling for personal history of suicide attempts revealed an independent association between plasma cortisol and family history of suicidal behaviour, with an additional contribution by family history of depression in predicting the latter.'] Is personal and family history of suicidal behaviour associated with lower peripheral cortisol in depressed outpatients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.443073034286499,
-0.851405918598175,
2.3790841102600098
] |
['In order to investigate the diversity of oil-degrading bacteria in the surface seawater across the India Ocean, and to obtain new oil-degrading bacteria.', 'Potential oil-degrading bacteria were selected out via 1:1 mixture of diesel and crude oil as sole carbon source. Meanwhile, the community structure of 13 enrichments was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE).', 'We obtained 51 unique strains of 29 genera after screening via morphological, physiological, biochemical and 16S rRNA analyses. They mainly belonged to a and gamma-Proteobacteria. The four genera Alcanivorax (accounting for 18%), Novosphingobium (10%), Marinobacter (6%) and Thalassospira (6%) were the most predominant bacteria. Ecological analyses showed that the bacteria had high diversity with Shannon-Winner index (H) of 4.57968, and distributed even with Evenness index (E) as 0.8664771. Then Further experiments revealed oil-degrading capability of 49 strains. In addition, our investigation revealed oil-degrading ability of genera Sinomonas, Knoellia and Mesoflavibacter for the first time. DGGE fingerprint patterns indicated that the genus Alcanivorax was an important oil-degrading bacteria in the surface seawater across the India Ocean.'] Do [ Diversity of oil-degrading bacteria isolated form the Indian Ocean sea surface ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.557440996170044,
0.6848896145820618,
1.1115329265594482
] |
['To compare the predictive values of axillary ultrasound (US) combined with fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology with tumour size (T stage) and grade in the preoperative staging of breast cancer. More precise definition of axillary FNA reporting nomenclature is also presented.', '314 patients: 119 patients had suspicious US investigated by FNA, 195 patients had normal US not investigated further preoperatively. This study examined the node-positive and node-negative cases in these two groups, calculating predictive values for cytology, US, T stage and tumour grade, and tested comparisons for significance.', 'Axillary FNA has a positive predictive value of 84.8% compared with US (66.7%). The difference is significant (p=0.008). Negative US has a negative predictive value of 81.0% compared with a negative predictive value for cytology of 66.7%, but the difference is not significant (p=0.08). 43% of patients with unsatisfactory cytology were node positive. Of 195 patients with negative axillary US, 37 (19%) had metastatic nodal disease. Fewer than 20% of these patients had micrometastases alone. Tumour size and grade influenced node status in US-suspicious cases only.'] Is fine needle aspiration cytology a valuable adjunct to axillary ultrasound in the preoperative staging of breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.826226830482483,
-1.239020824432373,
2.140845775604248
] |
['In human epidermal keratinocytes the expression of hsp27 is closely related to differentiation in vitro and in situ.', 'We aimed to gain further insight into the role of hsp27 in epidermal differentiation by specific inhibition through siRNA and inhibition of p38-MAPK, the key enzyme of hsp27 phosphorylation.', 'Normal human keratinocytes (KC) and organotypic skin cultures (SE-skin equivalents) were used. Expression and phosphorylation of hsp27 was inhibited in these models by siRNA and SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38-MAPK, respectively. Modification of morphology and expression of hsp27 and other differentiation associated proteins was investigated by immunofluorescence, western blot, and RT-PCR.', 'Inhibition of p38-MAPK resulted in a downregulation of hsp27 in KC and SE. Additionally, in the presence of SB203580 Ca(2+) induced expression of pro-filaggrin and loricrin was inhibited at the protein level and expression of filaggrin, keratin 10, and transglutaminase 1 at the mRNA level. Addition of SB203580 to SE, as well as hsp27 knockdown in this model resulted in identical patterns of irregular differentiation, disturbance of epidermal layers, and delayed expression of K10.'] Are the hsp27kD heat shock protein and p38-MAPK signaling required for regular epidermal differentiation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.455869197845459,
-1.183990240097046,
2.6723971366882324
] |
['Advanced biliary tract carcinomas (BTCs) have poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Therefore, it is crucial to combine standard therapies with molecular targeting. In this study EGFR, HER2, and their molecular transducers were analysed in terms of mutations, amplifications and over-expression in a BTC case series. Furthermore, we tested the efficacy of drugs targeting these molecules, as single agents or in combination with gemcitabine, the standard therapeutic agent against BTC.', 'Immunohistochemistry, FISH and mutational analysis were performed on 49 BTC samples of intrahepatic (ICCs), extrahepatic (ECCs), and gallbladder (GBCs) origin. The effect on cell proliferation of different EGFR/HER2 pathway inhibitors as single agents or in combination with gemcitabine was investigated on BTC cell lines. Western blot analyses were performed to investigate molecular mechanisms of targeted drugs.', 'EGFR is expressed in 100% of ICCs, 52.6% of ECCs, and in 38.5% of GBCs. P-MAPK and p-Akt are highly expressed in ICCs (>58% of samples), and to a lower extent in ECCs and GBCs (<46%), indicating EGFR pathway activation. HER2 is overexpressed in 10% of GBCs (with genomic amplification), and 26.3% of ECCs (half of which has genomic amplification). EGFR or its signal transducers are mutated in 26.5% of cases: 4 samples bear mutations of PI3K (8.2%), 3 cases (6.1%) in K-RAS, 4 (8.2%) in B-RAF, and 2 cases (4.1%) in PTEN, but no loss of PTEN expression is detected. EGI-1 cell line is highly sensitive to gemcitabine, TFK1 and TGBC1-TKB cell lines are responsive and HuH28 cell line is resistant. In EGI-1 cells, combination with gefitinib further increases the antiproliferative effect of gemcitabine. In TFK1 and TGBC1-TKB cells, the efficacy of gemcitabine is increased with addiction of sorafenib and everolimus. In TGBC1-TKB cells, lapatinib also has a synergic effect with gemcitabine. HuH28 becomes responsive if treated in combination with erlotinib. Moreover, HuH28 cells are sensitive to lapatinib as a single agent. Molecular mechanisms were confirmed by western blot analysis.'] Does targeting EGFR/HER2 pathways enhance the antiproliferative effect of gemcitabine in biliary tract and gallbladder carcinomas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9745032787322998,
-1.5310630798339844,
2.5221447944641113
] |
['Sigma-2 receptors are over-expressed in proliferating cancer cells, making an attractive target for the targeted treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of the novel sigma-2 receptor ligand SW43 to induce apoptosis and augment standard chemotherapy.', 'The binding affinity for sigma-2 ligands is high in pancreas cancer, and they induce apoptosis with a rank order of SV119 < SW43 < SRM in vitro. Combining these compounds with gemcitabine further increased apoptosis and decreased viability. Our in vivo model showed that sigma-2 ligand treatment decreased tumor volume to the same extent as gemcitabine. However, SW43 combination treatment with gemcitabine was superior to the other compounds and resulted in stabilization of tumor volume during treatment, with minimal toxicities.'] Does the novel sigma-2 receptor ligand SW43 stabilize pancreas cancer progression in combination with gemcitabine? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3012983798980713,
-1.0863059759140015,
2.42718768119812
] |
['Oxidative injury can cause renal function impairment and failure. Glutathione, a free radical scavenger, plays in the kidney a central role in oxidant-related events. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential beneficial effect of glutamine, a precursor of glutathione in the form of alanine-glutamine dipeptide (AGD) on small intestine ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R)-induced oxidant renal damage in rats.', 'Wistar rats were subjected to intestinal I/R for 30 min, induced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, followed by 60 min reperfusion. AGD pretreatment was given 48 and 24 hours before I/R. At the end of the experimental procedure the left kidney was excised and a thin tissue slice was obtained for electron microscopy study. Kidney biopsies were obtained for malonyl dialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, and glutathione assays.', 'Intestinal I/R caused significant oxidative injury in rat renal parenchyma consisted of severe alterations observed in subcellular renal structures associated with a significant increase in renal malonyl dialdehyde levels and a significant decrease in renal glutathione levels. Changes regarding subcellular renal structures were ameliorated in AGD pre-treated animals in which renal glutathione levels did not decreased significantly.'] Does alanine-glutamine dipeptide pretreatment protect rat renal function from small intestine ischemia-reperfusion injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.584087371826172,
-1.1699833869934082,
2.841614246368408
] |
['Evolution of toxicity testing is predicated upon using in vitro cell based systems to rapidly screen and predict how a chemical might cause toxicity to an organ in vivo. However, the degree to which we can extend in vitro results to in vivo activity and possible mechanisms of action remains to be fully addressed.', 'Here we use the nitroaromatic 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) as a model chemical to compare and determine how we might extrapolate from in vitro data to in vivo effects. We found 341 transcripts differentially expressed in common among in vitro and in vivo assays in response to TNT. The major functional term corresponding to these transcripts was cell cycle. Similarly modulated common pathways were identified between in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we uncovered the conserved common transcriptional gene regulatory networks between in vitro and in vivo cellular liver systems that responded to TNT exposure, which mainly contain 2 subnetwork modules: PTTG1 and PIR centered networks. Interestingly, all 7 genes in the PTTG1 module were involved in cell cycle and downregulated by TNT both in vitro and in vivo.'] Do in vitro gene regulatory networks predict in vivo function of liver? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5248544216156006,
-0.6350082159042358,
2.2469940185546875
] |
['The prognostic role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in acute heart failure (HF) is not fully understood, and the impact of an infectious process in its risk-stratification power was not previously evaluated.', 'As CRP is an inflammatory marker, its prognostic value in acute HF is probably different in patients with and without concurrent infection.', 'We recruited patients admitted to our hospital due to acute HF from October 2006 to October 2007. All patients were given treatment at the discretion of the attending physician. Serum CRP was measured at discharge in 225 patients. We followed patients for 3 months after discharge to assess occurrence of all-cause death or readmission due to HF. Infection was defined according to diagnoses registered on the discharge record. Patients were classified according to CRP tertiles, in the entire sample and in groups according to infection occurrence.', ': An infectious condition occurred in 109 patients (first and second CRP tertiles: 8.8 and 27.4 mg/L, respectively). No infection was detected in 116 patients (5.0 and 12.3 mg/L, respectively). In the group with infection, CRP was not a good predictor of adverse outcome. In the noninfected group, the hazard ratio of those with CRP > 12.3 mg/L was 2.46 (95% confidence interval: 1.29-4.70) in comparison with those with lower CRP. Adjusted hazard ratio for ischemic heart disease and diabetes was 2.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.06-3.91).'] Does higher C-reactive protein predict worse prognosis in acute heart failure only in noninfected patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0993605852127075,
-1.5386098623275757,
1.6593478918075562
] |
['This study was aimed at understanding the clinicopathological significance of cystatin M loss, and investigating possible factors responsible for cystatin M loss in breast cancer.', 'The expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, HER4, and cystatin M was retrospectively analyzed using immunohistochemistry in 117 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and in 175 patients with invasive breast cancer (IBC). The methylation status of CST6 gene encoding cystatin M was evaluated using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 292 participants and using pyrosequencing in fresh-frozen tumor and matched normal tissues from 51 IBC patients.', 'Cystatin M loss was found in 9 (8%) of 117 patients with DCIS and in 99 (57%) of 175 with invasive breast cancer (IBC) (P < 0.0001). Cystatin M loss was found in 58 (57%) of 101 HER2-negative IBCs and in 41 (55%) of 74 HER2-positive IBCs, and this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.97). However, cystatin M loss was significantly associated with the loss of ER (P = 0.01), PR (P = 0.002), and HER4 (P = 0.003) in IBCs. Cystatin M loss occurred in 34 (76%) of the 45 HER4-negative IBCs and in 65 (50%) of the 130 HER4-positive IBCs. Multivariate analysis showed that cystatin M loss occurred at a 3.57 times (95% CI = 1.28 to 9.98; P = 0.01) higher prevalence in the triple-negative IBCs of ER, PR, and HER4 than in other subtypes, after adjusting for age. The quantity of CST6 methylation was associated with ER loss (P = 0.0002) in IBCs but not with the loss of PR (P = 0.64) or HER4 (P = 0.87).'] Is cystatin M loss associated with the losses of estrogen receptor , progesterone receptor , and HER4 in invasive breast cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7366126775741577,
-1.601792812347412,
2.3047690391540527
] |
['To investigate the role of recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11) on in vivo mobilization of CD34(+)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2(+) mononuclear cells and collateral vessel remodeling in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia.', 'We observed that treatment of Sv129 mice with continuous infusion of 200-μg/kg rhIL-11 per day led to in vivo mobilization of CD34(+)/VEGFR2(+) cells that peaked at 72 hours. Sv129 mice pretreated with rhIL-11 for 72 hours before femoral artery ligation showed a 3-fold increase in plantar vessel perfusion, leading to faster blood flow recovery; and a 20-fold increase in circulating CD34(+)/VEGFR2(+) cells after 8 days of rhIL-11 treatment. Histologically, experimental mice had a 3-fold increase in collateral vessel luminal diameter after 21 days of rhIL-11 treatment and a 4.4-fold influx of perivascular CD34(+)/VEGFR2(+) cells after 8 days of therapy. Functionally, rhIL-11-treated mice showed better hindlimb appearance and use scores when compared with syngeneic mice treated with PBS under the same experimental conditions.'] Does recombinant human interleukin-11 treatment enhance collateral vessel growth after femoral artery ligation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2842485904693604,
-1.3609097003936768,
2.645275354385376
] |
['Activating KRAS mutations are important for cancer initiation and progression; and have recently been shown to cause primary resistance to therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor. Therefore, strategies are currently in development to overcome treatment resistance due to oncogenic KRAS. The hypoxia-inducible factors-1α and -2α (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) are activated in cancer due to dysregulated ras signaling.', 'To understand the individual and combined roles of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in cancer metabolism and oncogenic KRAS signaling, we used targeted homologous recombination to disrupt the oncogenic KRAS, HIF-1α, and HIF-2α gene loci in HCT116 colon cancer cells to generate isogenic HCT116WT KRAS, HCT116HIF-1α-/-, HCT116HIF-2α-/-, and HCT116HIF-1α-/-HIF-2α-/- cell lines.', 'Global gene expression analyses of these cell lines reveal that HIF-1α and HIF-2α work together to modulate cancer metabolism and regulate genes signature overlapping with oncogenic KRAS. Cancer cells with disruption of both HIF-1α and HIF-2α or oncogenic KRAS showed decreased aerobic respiration and ATP production, with increased ROS generation.'] Does oncogenic KRAS modulate mitochondrial metabolism in human colon cancer cells by inducing HIF-1α and HIF-2α target genes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5629918575286865,
-0.9567703008651733,
2.590674638748169
] |
['Gallstones are common and contribute to morbidity and health care costs, but their effects on mortality are unclear. We examined whether gallstone disease was associated with overall and cause-specific mortalities in a prospective national population-based sample.', 'We analyzed data from 14,228 participants in the third US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (20-74 years old) who underwent gallbladder ultrasonography from 1988 to 1994. Gallstone disease was defined as ultrasound-documented gallstones or evidence of cholecystectomy. The underlying cause of death was identified from death certificates collected through 2006 (mean follow-up, 14.3 years). Mortality hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to adjust for multiple demographic and cardiovascular disease risk factors.', 'The prevalence of gallstones was 7.1% and of cholecystectomy was 5.3%. During a follow-up period of 18 years or more, the cumulative mortality was 16.5% from all causes (2389 deaths), 6.7% from cardiovascular disease (886 deaths), and 4.9% from cancer (651 deaths). Participants with gallstone disease had higher all-cause mortality in age-adjusted (HR = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-1.5) and multivariate-adjusted analysis (HR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.5). A similar increase was observed for cardiovascular disease mortality (multivariate-adjusted HR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.7), and cancer mortality (multivariate-adjusted HR = 1.3; 95% CI: 0.98-1.8). Individuals with gallstones had a similar increase in risk of death as those with cholecystectomy (multivariate-adjusted HR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.92-1.4).'] Is gallstone disease associated with increased mortality in the United States? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9266377091407776,
-1.4119666814804077,
1.3674380779266357
] |
['Despite advancements in the provision of burn care, there is still a significant cohort of patients who fail to respond to therapy or for whom treatment is deemed futile. The decision to withdraw support from, or to implement a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNAR) order in, such patients can be challenging. Our aims were to review the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, issuing of DNAR orders and end of life care in burn patient deaths.', 'A retrospective case notes review was undertaken, for all burn in-patient deaths from 1st April 2001 to 31st December 2007.', "Following exclusions, 63 patients were included in our study, with a median age of 56 years (21-94). End of life decisions in younger patients (under 65 years) were more often due to burn severity. In those over 65 years, reasons were due to co-morbidities, and these decisions were made late in the patient's admission. In 34% of patients, end of life care was not comprehensively documented."] Do end of life decisions and care of the adult burn patient? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.8376165628433228,
0.6250334978103638,
0.38217881321907043
] |
['Based on a report for one species (Scylla serrata), it is widely believed that mud crabs are relatively resistant to disease caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). We tested this hypothesis by determining the degree of susceptibility in two species of mud crabs, Scylla olivacea and Scylla paramamosain, both of which were identified by mitochondrial 16 S ribosomal gene analysis. We compared single-dose and serial-dose WSSV challenges on S. olivacea and S. paramamosain.', 'In a preliminary test using S. olivacea alone, a dose of 1 × 106 WSSV copies/g gave 100% mortality within 7 days. In a subsequent test, 17 S. olivacea and 13 S. paramamosain were divided into test and control groups for challenge with WSSV at 5 incremental, biweekly doses starting from 1 × 104 and ending at 5 × 106 copies/g. For 11 S. olivacea challenged, 3 specimens died at doses between 1 × 105 and 5 × 105 copies/g and none died for 2 weeks after the subsequent dose (1 × 106 copies/g) that was lethal within 7 days in the preliminary test. However, after the final challenge on day 56 (5 × 106 copies/g), the remaining 7 of 11 S. olivacea (63.64%) died within 2 weeks. There was no mortality in the buffer-injected control crabs. For 9 S. paramamosain challenged in the same way, 5 (55.56%) died after challenge doses between 1 × 104 and 5 × 105 copies/g, and none died for 2 weeks after the challenge dose of 1 × 106 copies/g. After the final challenge (5 × 106 copies/g) on day 56, no S. paramamosain died during 2 weeks after the challenge, and 2 of 9 WSSV-infected S. paramamosain (22.22%) remained alive together with the control crabs until the end of the test on day 106. Viral loads in these survivors were low when compared to those in the moribund crabs.'] Is mud crab susceptibility to disease from white spot syndrome virus species-dependent? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.2837020754814148,
-1.276307463645935,
0.609645426273346
] |
['Influenza A virus (IAV) infection markedly up-regulates ectopic trypsins in various organs, viral envelope glycoprotein processing proteases, which are pre-requisites for virus entry and multiplication. We investigated the pathological roles of trypsin up-regulation in the progression of IAV-induced myocarditis, cytokine induction, and viral replication in the hearts, and also investigated the protective effects of trypsin inhibitor on cardiac dysfunction in vivo and selective knockdown of trypsin on IAV-induced cellular damage in cardiomyoblasts.', 'The relationship of the expression among IAV RNA, trypsins, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, MMP-2, pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumour necrosis factor-α was analysed in mice hearts and cardiomyoblasts after IAV infection. The severity of myocarditis was most noticeable during Day 6-9 post-infection, along with peak expression of viral RNA, trypsins, particularly trypsin₂, MMPs, and cytokines. Cardiac ATP levels were the lowest at Day 9. Up-regulated trypsins, viral protein, and tissue-injured loci in the myocardium were closely localized. Trypsin inhibitor aprotinin treatment in vivo and selective trypsin₁- and trypsin₂-knockdown, particularly the latter, in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts significantly suppressed viral replication, up-regulation of MMPs, and production of active MMP-9 and cytokines, resulting in marked protection against cellular damage, ATP depletion, and apoptosis. IAV infection-induced cardiac dysfunction monitored by echocardiography was improved significantly by aprotinin treatment.'] Does up-regulation of ectopic trypsins in the myocardium by influenza A virus infection trigger acute myocarditis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5494418144226074,
-1.2270042896270752,
2.8604044914245605
] |
['PKA is a ubiquitous, multi-subunit cellular kinase that regulates a number of different physiological responses in response to cAMP, including metabolism, cell division, and cardiac function. Numerous studies have implicated altered PKA signaling in cardiac dysfunction. Recently, it has been shown that mice lacking the catalytic β subunit of PKA (PKA Cβ) are protected from age-related problems such as weight gain and enlarged livers, and we hypothesized that these mice might also be resistant to cardiomyopathy.', 'Angiotensin II (ang II) induced hypertension in both PKA Cβ null mice and their WT littermates. However, PKA Cβ null mice were resistant to a number of ang II-induced, cardiopathological effects observed in the WT mice, including hypertrophy, decreased diastolic performance, and enlarged left atria.'] Are mice lacking the Cβ subunit of PKA resistant to angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5535359382629395,
-0.7755433320999146,
2.279395341873169
] |
["Numerous studies have reported that increased expression of S100B, an intracellular Ca2+ receptor protein and secreted neuropeptide, exacerbates Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, the ability of S100B inhibitors to prevent/reverse AD histopathology remains controversial. This study examines the effect of S100B ablation on in vivo plaque load, gliosis and dystrophic neurons.", 'Because S100B-specific inhibitors are not available, genetic ablation was used to inhibit S100B function in the PSAPP AD mouse model. The PSAPP/S100B-/- line was generated by crossing PSAPP double transgenic males with S100B-/- females and maintained as PSAPP/S100B+/- crosses. Congo red staining was used to quantify plaque load, plaque number and plaque size in 6 month old PSAPP and PSAPP/S100B-/- littermates. The microglial marker Iba1 and astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were used to quantify gliosis. Dystrophic neurons were detected with the phospho-tau antibody AT8. S100B immunohistochemistry was used to assess the spatial distribution of S100B in the PSAPP line.', 'PSAPP/S100B-/- mice exhibited a regionally selective decrease in cortical but not hippocampal plaque load when compared to PSAPP littermates. This regionally selective reduction in plaque load was accompanied by decreases in plaque number, GFAP-positive astrocytes, Iba1-positive microglia and phospho-tau positive dystrophic neurons. These effects were not attributable to regional variability in the distribution of S100B. Hippocampal and cortical S100B immunoreactivity in PSAPP mice was associated with plaques and co-localized with astrocytes and microglia.'] Do pSAPP mice exhibit regionally selective reductions in gliosis and plaque deposition in response to S100B ablation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2790868282318115,
-1.3803895711898804,
2.6405930519104004
] |
['In HIV-positive individuals, complex multifactorial mechanisms control viral infection. In addition to viral and immunological factors, the host genetic background also plays an important role. Our objective was to evaluate how various genetic factors associated with delayed AIDS onset.', "Thirty HIV+ long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs) and 30 known progressors were analyzed. Host genes were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells DNA: CCR5 and HLA were polymerase chain reaction typed. HLA-C5', HCP5 polymorphisms, and CCL3L1 copy number were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction.", "The CCL3L1high-copy-CCR5 deletion genetic risk groups was overrepresented in LTNPs. However, separately, neither CCL3L1 nor CCR5 were significantly associated with clinical outcome. HLA seemed as a strong nonprogression determinant, mainly HLA-B and the less-studied HLA-C. HLA-Cw0102 and HLA-C5' had an impact on LTNP phenotype along with HLA-B5701 and B2705. The presence of allele combinations like HLA- B*5701-Cw0602, HLA-B*2705-Cw0102, or HLA-B*3801-Cw1203 had the strongest effect in non-progression. As for HCP5, no independent effect was observed. The studied factors had additive effects, and although the number of patients was small, it seemed that carrying a high number of protective alleles associated with progression delay."] Does an additive effect of protective host genetic factors correlate with HIV nonprogression status? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1449501514434814,
-1.4029450416564941,
2.5889346599578857
] |
['Ropivacaine has an optimal toxicity profile for epidural anesthesia in adults, but there are currently no studies concerning its pharmacokinetics during continuous infusion. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety of ropivacaine in adults during a 48-h continuous epidural infusion.', 'We enrolled 43 adults (ASA I-II) scheduled for major abdominal or urologic surgery with postoperative continuous epidural analgesia with ropivacaine 0.2% (5 mL/h) and sufentanil 0.75 μg/mL for 48 h. Ropivacaine blood samples were collected during continuous epidural infusion before the bolus and 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 54, 60 h after the bolus; plasma concentrations were measured on HPLC-UV. The concentration-time relationship of ropivacaine levels was analyzed using a population pharmacokinetic method based on a mixed-effect-model approach (P-PHARM software).', 'Mean plasma concentration of ropivacaine at the end of epidural infusion (C(48 h)) was 1.69 μg/mL (0.21-3.8 μg/mL). Mean (range) C(max) was 1.82 μg/mL (0.61-4.0 μg/mL); the area under the plasma concentration curve, AUC ((0-60)), was 67.48 ± 30.60 μg·h/mL. Total plasma ropivacaine concentrations fell mainly within (84%) or below (12%) the range reported to be safe in adults (1.0-3.0 μg/mL). Only two patients (5%) reached ropivacaine plasma levels higher than 3 μg/mL, namely 3.8 and 4.0 μg/mL at 48 and 54 h, respectively. Total ropivacaine concentrations up to 4.0 μg/mL were tolerated during long-term epidural ropivacaine infusion. Mean clearance for total ropivacaine was 5.33 L/h. Age was the only covariable to significantly reduce clearance variability: CL (L/h)=15.04-0.148 × age (years). The volume of distribution (Vd) was 92.15 L. The infusion dosing period half-life (t(1/2,DP)=0.693 × Vd/CL) was 10.8 h.'] Does flip-flop kinetics of ropivacaine during continuous epidural infusion influence its accumulation rate? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1569864749908447,
-1.765613079071045,
1.9133167266845703
] |
['The SERPINA1, SERPINA3, and SERPINE2 genes, which encode antiproteases, have been proposed to be susceptible genes for of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and related phenotypes. Whether they are associated with emphysema is not known.', 'Twelve previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SERPINA1 (rs8004738, rs17751769, rs709932, rs11832, rs1303, rs28929474, and rs17580), SERPINA3 (rs4934, rs17473, and rs1800463), and SERPINE2 (rs840088 and rs975278) were genotyped in samples obtained from 1,335 consecutive autopsies of elderly Japanese people. The association between these SNPs and the severity of emphysema, as assessed using macroscopic scores, was determined.', 'Emphysema of more than moderate degree was detected in 189 subjects (14.1%) and showed a significant gender difference (males, 20.5% and females, 7.0%; p < 0.0001). Among the 12 examined SNPs, only rs975278 in the SERPINE2 gene was positively associated with emphysema. Unlike the major alleles, homozygous minor alleles of rs975278 were associated with emphysema (odds ratio (OR) = 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-2.30; p = 0.037) and the association was very prominent in smokers (OR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.29-3.15; p = 0.002).'] Is polymorphism of SERPINE2 gene associated with pulmonary emphysema in consecutive autopsy cases? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3942934274673462,
-1.5422863960266113,
1.9299345016479492
] |
['Understanding organizational principles of cellular networks is one of the central goals of systems biology. Although much has been learnt about gene expression programs under specific conditions, global patterns of expressional variation (EV) of genes and their relationship to cellular functions and physiological responses is poorly understood.', 'To understand global principles of relationship between transcriptional regulation of human genes and their functions, we have leveraged large-scale datasets of human gene expression measurements across a wide spectrum of cell conditions. We report that human genes are highly diverse in terms of their EV; while some genes have highly variable expression pattern, some seem to be relatively ubiquitously expressed across a wide range of conditions. The wide spectrum of gene EV strongly correlates with the positioning of proteins within the signaling network hierarchy, such that, secreted extracellular receptor ligands and membrane receptors have the highest EV, and intracellular signaling proteins have the lowest EV in the genome. Our analysis shows that this pattern of EV reflects functional centrality: proteins with highly specific signaling functions are modulated more frequently than those with highly central functions in the network, which is also consistent with previous studies on tissue-specific gene expression. Interestingly, these patterns of EV along the signaling network hierarchy have significant correlations with promoter architectures of respective genes.'] Do patterns of human gene expression variance show strong associations with signaling network hierarchy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5612258911132812,
0.7202811241149902,
0.9909743070602417
] |
['The tumor suppressor genes p15(INK)⁴(b) and p16(INK)⁴(a) as well as the estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) gene are abnormally methylated and expressed in colon cancer. The cancer-preventative abilities of several bioactive food components have been linked to their estrogenic and epigenetic activities.', 'The effect of folic acid, zebularine, resveratrol, genistein and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on tumor cell growth, promoter methylation of ESR1, p15(INK)⁴(b) and p16(INK)⁴(a) and gene expression of ESR1 and ESR2 was analyzed in Caco-2 cells. Gene expression was measured using real-time PCR, and promoter CpG methylation was assessed using bisulfite conversion and methylation-specific PCR.', 'After exposure to a high concentration of folic acid (20 μmol/l), enhanced cancer cell growth and concomitant increased methylation of the ESR1 (3.6-fold), p16(INK)⁴(a) and p15(INK)⁴(b) promoters was observed. A lower concentration of folic acid (2 μmol/l) decreased cell growth. The phytoestrogens genistein and resveratrol enhanced expression of ESR1 (genistein 200 μmol/l: 2.1-fold; resveratrol 50 μmol/l: 6.3-fold) and ESR2 (2.6- and 3.6-fold, respectively). Genistein and resveratrol treatment increased promoter methylation of ESR1 (genistein 200 μmol/l: 2.9-fold; resveratrol 50 μmol/l: 1.4-fold). For p16(INK)⁴(a), increased methylation was found after exposure to 10 μmol/l resveratrol, but for p15(INK)⁴(b), decreased methylation was found. Both components showed growth-inhibitory activities. For EGCG, growth inhibition at 100 μmol/l and suppressed promoter methylation of tumor suppressor genes (p16(INK)⁴(a): 0.9-fold; p15(INK)⁴(b): 0.6-fold) was seen.'] Is epigenetic control of estrogen receptor expression and tumor suppressor genes modulated by bioactive food compounds? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1030147075653076,
-1.509408712387085,
2.6146152019500732
] |
["Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease that occurs upon exposure to a variety of inhaled organic antigens. The presence of small non-caseating granulomas and isolated giant cells is not specific, but is considered a relevant histological feature for HP. The detection of granulomas is widely considered as easy on standard histological stains, but microgranuloma detection can be difficult and/or time consuming, especially in chronic HP cases. Cathepsin K (Cath-K) is a potent cysteine protease expressed at high levels in activated macrophages (osteoclasts, and epithelioid cells in granulomas), but is not expressed in resident macrophages thus representing a promising marker to rapidly detect and quantitatively evaluate microgranulomas in interstitial lung diseases. We analyzed the expression of Cath-K by immunohistochemistry in 22 subacute and chronic HP cases, using semi-quantitative scores. Control samples included normal lung tissue, and a variety of interstitial lung diseases: 3 Wegener's granulomatosis, 3 sarcoidosis, 3 tuberculosis, 1 berylliosis, 20 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 2 Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, 5 nonspecific-interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), 5 cryptogenic organising-pneumonia (COP), 2 Airway-Centered Interstitial Fibrosis (ACIF), 5 desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), 3 respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD). Intense expression of Cath-K was demonstrated in epithelioid and giant cells in all cases containing granulomas (HP, sarcoidosis, Wegener's granulomatosis, berylliosis, tuberculosis). Among HP cases 19/22 (86.3%) contained granulomas that could be semiquantitatively evaluated. In all HP and control cases alveolar macrophages did not express Cath-K, including cases characterised by large collections of alveolar macrophages such as DIP and RB-ILD."] Is cathepsin-K a sensitive immunohistochemical marker for detection of micro-granulomas in hypersensitivity pneumonitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3421123027801514,
-1.4429349899291992,
2.8685779571533203
] |
['CD24 proteins are expressed on several inflammatory cells, and play an important role for the T-cell activation.', 'The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of a CD24 gene polymorphism to disease susceptibility or clinical findings including bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell profiles in Japanese sarcoidosis patients.', 'A previously reported functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of CD24 gene exon 2 was examined in 186 Japanese sarcoidosis patients and 146 sex and age-matched healthy controls using restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The distribution of genotypes was compared between the two groups. The association between genotypes or alleles and clinical features or BAL cell profiles was also examined.', 'There were no significant differences in the distribution of genotypes or allele frequencies between sarcoidosis and controls. There were also no significant differences in clinical features or BAL cell profiles among patients with different genotypes of CD24.'] Does cD24 gene exon 2 dimorphism affect disease susceptibility in Japanese sarcoidosis patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.406566619873047,
-0.959653377532959,
2.3684256076812744
] |
['To assess the relationship between the degree of symptoms and defects caused by spina bifida and the quality of life (QoL) of children with spina bifida in Kenya.', 'Children with spina bifida at BethanyKids at Kijabe Hospital, at mobile clinics throughout Kenya and a control group of healthy children were interviewed regarding their QoL. The SEIQoL-DW was used as an instrument to measure the QoL. This instrument can transfer well across cultures by using open questions clustered in six domains chosen based on the study group responses. Symptoms and impairment caused by spina bifida were obtained from the medical files.', "Sixty-nine per cent of 102 patients with spina bifida had a myelomeningocele, 59% had hydrocephalus, and of 49 incontinent children older than 2.5 years, 67% used clean intermittent catheterization. Quality of life of children was 65.1 on a scale from 0 to 100, compared to 78.0 in the healthy control group. Not one single determinant made a significant difference in the overall QoL. The most important domains were 'development' and 'self-actualization'. The lowest scores were found in the domain 'health and disease'."] Is quality of life of children with spina bifida in Kenya related to the degree of the spinal defects? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.9203664064407349,
0.546047568321228,
0.521653413772583
] |
['Delayed graft function (DGF) and slow graft function (SGF) due to ischemic and reperfusion injury (IRI) are common complications of deceased donor kidney transplantation. We tested whether a panel of serum and urine cytokines represent early biomarkers for DGF and SGF.', 'We collected serum and urine samples from 61 patients 48 hours posttransplantation and used a multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique to measure levels of 23 cytokines. Fourteen patients developed poor graft function (PGF), with 6 having DGF and 8 with SGF.', 'Area under receiver operation characteristics curve (AUC) demonstrated the following: serum levels of SCF (0.88) and interleukin (IL) 16 (0.74).'] Are stem cell factor , interleukin-16 , and interleukin-2 receptor alpha predictive biomarkers for delayed and slow graft function? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.286478281021118,
-1.4143314361572266,
2.8105483055114746
] |
['To compare the cationic antimicrobial peptide gene expression profiles and urinary cationic antimicrobial activities of patients after urinary diversion according to their urinary tract infection (UTI) status. Ileal conduit urinary diversion joins the bacterial-tolerant ileal epithelium and intolerant urothelium. After this procedure, one quarter of patients develop repeated symptomatic UTIs. Such development might reflect the altered innate immune mechanisms centered on epithelial expression and urinary activity of cationic antimicrobial peptides, such as defensins.', 'Ileal and ureteral biopsy specimens from ileal conduit subjects with (n = 18) and without (n = 18) recurrent symptomatic UTIs were assessed for cationic antimicrobial peptide gene expression using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Overnight urine collections were analyzed for antimicrobial activity against a laboratory Escherichia coli strain, and infecting organisms were isolated from individual subjects.', 'Overall, the ureteral epithelium showed increased expression of human α-defensin 5 and decreased expression of the human β-defensin 1 after urinary diversion (P < .05). No significant changes were seen for the ileal epithelium. The expression levels of both defensins also did not differ significantly according to UTI status. Urinary cationic activity against infecting bacterial isolates from the individual subjects was significantly greater in those with symptomatic UTI (P < .001), and the activities against the laboratory E. coli strain were similar.'] Is tolerance of bacteriuria after urinary diversion linked to antimicrobial peptide activity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.445208787918091,
-1.337131142616272,
2.8365869522094727
] |
['To evaluate the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Greek patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under medical followup, and to assess the contribution of traditional CVD and RA-specific factors associated with CVD development.', "This is a historic cohort study; information was collected from medical records of patients who had > 2 years' followup. Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic variables were evaluated for association with development of CVD.", 'A total of 325 RA patients were studied: 250 women, mean age at RA onset 44 ± 15 years, and 75 men, mean age at RA onset 51 ± 15 years; median followup was 10 years. Fourteen women (5.6%) and 12 men (16%) developed CVD (p = 0.004). Multi-adjusted analysis revealed that hypertension (hazard ratio 3.76, 95% CI 0.99-15.06) was associated with incidence of CVD; late age at disease onset (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04-1.11), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level 1 year after start of followup (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.05), and leflunomide treatment (HR per 1 year of treatment = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.05) were also positively associated with CVD development.'] Is cardiovascular disease related to hypertension in patients with rheumatoid arthritis : a greek cohort study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.330031156539917,
-0.7513910531997681,
2.2508201599121094
] |
['Loss-of-function mutations in human hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) are associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young and lipid disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying the lipid disorders are poorly understood. In this study, we determined the effect of acute loss or augmentation of hepatic HNF4α function on lipid homeostasis.', 'We generated an adenovirus expressing LacZ (Ad-shLacZ) or short hairpin RNA of Hnf4α (Ad-shHnf4α). Tail vain injection of C57BL/6J mice with Ad-shHnf4α reduced hepatic Hnf4α expression and resulted in striking phenotypes, including the development of fatty liver and a >80% decrease in plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These latter changes were associated with reduced hepatic lipogenesis and impaired very-low-density lipoprotein secretion. Deficiency in hepatic Hnf4α did not affect intestinal cholesterol absorption despite decreased expression of genes involved in bile acid synthesis. Consistent with the loss-of-function data, overexpression of Hnf4α induced numerous genes involved in lipid metabolism in isolated primary hepatocytes. Interestingly, many of these HNF4α-regulated genes were not induced in wild-type mice that overexpressed hepatic Hnf4α. Because of selective gene regulation, mice overexpressing hepatic Hnf4α had unchanged plasma triglyceride levels and decreased plasma cholesterol levels.'] Is hepatic hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α essential for maintaining triglyceride and cholesterol homeostasis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4490747451782227,
-1.3174099922180176,
2.7413792610168457
] |
['Aberrant activation of the RAS pathway is ubiquitous in human hepatocarcinogenesis, but the molecular mechanisms leading to RAS induction in the absence of RAS mutations remain under-investigated. We defined the role of Ras GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) in the constitutive activity of Ras signaling during human hepatocarcinogenesis.', 'The mutation status of RAS genes and RAS effectors was assessed in a collection of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Levels of RAS GAPs (RASA1-4, RASAL1, nGAP, SYNGAP1, DAB2IP, and NF1) and the RASAL1 upstream inducer PITX1 were determined by real-time RT-PCR and immunoblotting. The promoter and genomic status of RASAL1, DAB2IP, NF1, and PITX1 were assessed by methylation assays and microsatellite analysis. Effects of RASAL1, DAB2IP, and PITX1 on HCC growth were evaluated by transfection and siRNA analyses of HCC cell lines.', 'In the absence of Ras mutations, downregulation of at least one RAS GAP (RASAL1, DAB2IP, or NF1) was found in all HCC samples. Low levels of DAB2IP and PITX1 were detected mostly in a HCC subclass from patients with poor survival, indicating that these proteins control tumor aggressiveness. In HCC cells, reactivation of RASAL1, DAB2IP, and PITX1 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis, whereas their silencing increased proliferation and resistance to apoptosis.'] Does inactivation of Ras GTPase-activating proteins promote unrestrained activity of wild-type Ras in human liver cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.384599208831787,
-1.2841620445251465,
2.6899209022521973
] |
['Titanium is widely used in contemporary endosseous implantology and there is considerable thrust to further promote osseointegration by implant surface modifications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a titanium-nitride-oxide (TiNOx) coating on commercially pure microroughened titanium by assessing the proliferation and differentiation of human primary osteoblasts.', 'Cell proliferation, gene expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteoprotegerin and osteocalcin secretion were analyzed for a time course of 3 weeks, with or without additional stimulation by 1.25(OH)(2) vitamin D(3) 100 nM.', "A 1.5-fold increase in the proliferation rate of cells grown on TiNOx-coated titanium as compared with uncoated surfaces was observed. SEM views indicated that the cells' normal morphology with their numerous extensions was maintained. The differentiation process on the TiNOx surface was only affected to a minor degree and translated into a slight delay in osteoblast maturation when compared to uncoated titanium."] Does titanium nitride oxide coating on rough titanium stimulate the proliferation of human primary osteoblasts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.423649311065674,
-1.1400530338287354,
2.668145179748535
] |
['Reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) has been implicated in the attenuation of tumor metastasis by negatively regulating metalloproteinase (MMP) levels. RECK gene expression is downregulated in many solid tumors, with this downregulation being associated with poor prognosis. This study evaluated the role of RECK in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).', 'The expression of RECK, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in paraffin sections of hamster and human CCA specimens was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Functional analysis of RECK was performed in RECK small interfering (si) RNA knockdown CCA cell lines. The effect of aspirin on RECK status and function was evaluated using Western blotting, gelatin zymography, invasion and proliferation assays, and PhosphoELISArray analysis of Ras downstream mediators.', 'Hamster tissues showed high RECK expression in hyperplastic biliary duct epithelia, low RECK expression in precancerous lesions, and no RECK expression in CCA. In human specimens, RECK was highly expressed in normal biliary cells, whereas intrahepatic CCA showed low levels of expression. Downregulation of RECK was correlated with tumor metastasis (P < 0.01) and shorter patient survival (P < 0.02). RECK expression levels were inversely correlated with MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression (P < 0.05). SiRNA RECK-depleted M139 CCA cells exhibited increased MMP-2/-9 gelatinase activities and invasiveness. Aspirin (500 μM) demonstrated myriad effects in human CCA cell lines, including growth suppression, reduced phosphorylation of Akt/Erk/c-Jun, elevation of RECK expression, inhibition of MMP-2/MMP-9 activity, and enhanced invasiveness.'] Is downregulation of reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs ( RECK ) associated with enhanced expression of matrix metalloproteinases and cholangiocarcinoma metastases? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3089404106140137,
-1.4288561344146729,
2.7486932277679443
] |
['to investigate the effect of glycosylation modification on secretion of intein spliced B-domain-deleted FVIII (BDD-FVIII).', 'a total of 226 amino acid residues of FVIII B domain with six potential asparagines-linked glycosylation sites (N6) were incorporated into heavy chain of BDD-FVIII. By dual-vector co-transfer of heavy and light chain genes with fused intein (N6HCIntN and IntCLC) into cultured 293 cells, the amounts of spliced BDD-FVIII protein and coagulation activity in culture supernatant were observed by ELISA and Coatest method respectively.', 'the amounts of spliced BDD-FVIII protein and activity were up to (123 ± 18) ng/ml and (0.94 ± 0.11) U/ml in supernatant from cells co-transfected with N6HCIntN and IntCLC genes. And they were higher than those of cells co-transfected with intein-fused heavy (HCIntN) and light chain (IntCLC) genes [(86 ± 12) ng/ml and (0.65 ± 0.07) U/ml, both P < 0.05]. Spliced BDD-FVIII protein and activity could also be detected in the supernatant from mixed cells individually transfected with N6HCIntN and IntCLC genes [(18 ± 6) ng/ml and (0.15 ± 0.05) U/ml].'] Do [ Glycosylation modifications improve secretion and activity of intein spliced coagulation factor VIII ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5781992673873901,
-1.5675733089447021,
2.1757421493530273
] |
['microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins (MBPs) are transcription repressors through binding to methylated gene promoters. Recent studies have shown that the effect of miRNAs on DNA methylation by targeting DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs) and/or MBPs plays an important role in various human cancers.', 'This study focuses on the regulation of MBPs by miR-373 and its downstream effect in hilar cholangiocarcinoma.', "miR-373 was investigated by TaqMan miRNA Assay; mRNA and protein of MBD1, MBD2, and Mecp2 were determined by QuantiTect(®) Primer Assays and Western blotting, respectively; RASSF1A mRNA was measured by SYBR-Green real-time PCR; The targeting at MBD2-3'UTR by miR-373 was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.", "miR-373 decreased and closely associated with poor cell differentiation, advanced clinical stage, and shorter survival in hilar cholangiocarcinoma; MBD2 exclusively over-expressed and reciprocally related to miR-373; precursor miR-373 inhibited the luciferase activity of MBD2-3'UTR construct; exogenous miR-373 suppressed the expression of MBD2 and enhanced RASSF1A mRNA in QBC(939) cells; anti-miR-373 inhibitor up-regulated the expression of MBD2 and reduced RASSF1A mRNA in HIBEpic cells."] Does miR-373 negatively regulate methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 2 ( MBD2 ) in hilar cholangiocarcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3319756984710693,
-1.1956512928009033,
2.522355079650879
] |
['Volatiles emitted by herbivore-infested plants are highly attractive to parasitoids and therefore have been proposed to be part of an indirect plant defense strategy. However, this proposed function of the plant-provided signals remains controversial, and it is unclear how specific and reliable the signals are under natural conditions with simultaneous feeding by multiple herbivores. Phloem feeders in particular are assumed to interfere with plant defense responses. Therefore, we investigated how attack by the piercing-sucking cicadellid Euscelidius variegatus influences signaling by maize plants in response to the chewing herbivore Spodoptera littoralis.', 'The parasitoid Cotesia marginiventris strongly preferred volatiles of plants infested with its host S. littoralis. Overall, the volatile emissions induced by S. littoralis and E. variegatus were similar, but higher levels of certain wound-released compounds may have allowed the wasps to specifically recognize plants infested by hosts. Expression levels of defense marker genes and further behavioral bioassays with the parasitoid showed that neither the physiological defense responses nor the attractiveness of S. littoralis infested plants were altered by simultaneous E. variegatus attack.'] Does a tritrophic signal that attract parasitoids to host-damaged plants withstands disruption by non-host herbivores? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.785386323928833,
0.10709376633167267,
1.6877415180206299
] |
['microsatellite instability (MSI) is commonly screened using a panel of two mononucleotide and three dinucleotide repeats as recommended by a consensus meeting on MSI tumours held at the National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, MD, USA). According to these recommendations, tumours are classified as MSI-H when at least two of the five microsatellite markers show instability, MSI-L when only one marker shows instability and MSS when none of the markers show instability. Almost all MSI-H tumours are characterised by alterations in one of the four major proteins of the mismatch repair (MMR) system (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 or PMS2) that renders them MMR deficient, whereas MSI-L and MSS tumours are generally MMR proficient. However, tumours from patients with a pathogenic germline mutation in MSH6 can sometimes present an MSI-L phenotype with the NCI panel. The MSH6 protein is not involved in the repair of mismatches of two nucleotides in length and consequently the three dinucleotide repeats of the NCI panel often show stability in MSH6-deficient tumours.', 'a pentaplex panel comprising five mononucleotide repeats has been recommended as an alternative to the NCI panel to determine tumour MSI status. Several studies have confirmed the sensitivity, specificity and ease of use of the pentaplex panel; however, its sensitivity for the detection of MSH6-deficient tumours is so far unknown. Here, we used the pentaplex panel to evaluate MSI status in 29 tumours known to harbour an MSH6 defect.', 'MSI-H status was confirmed in 15 out of 15 (100%) cases where matching normal DNA was available and in 28 out of 29 (97%) cases where matching DNA was not available or was not analysed.'] Are tumours with loss of MSH6 expression MSI-H when screened with a pentaplex of five mononucleotide repeats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2581379413604736,
-1.213097333908081,
2.5728554725646973
] |
['The powerful emotion inducing properties of music are well-known, yet music may convey differing emotional responses depending on environmental factors. We hypothesized that neural mechanisms involved in listening to music may differ when presented together with visual stimuli that conveyed the same emotion as the music when compared to visual stimuli with incongruent emotional content.', 'We designed this study to determine the effect of auditory (happy and sad instrumental music) and visual stimuli (happy and sad faces) congruent or incongruent for emotional content on audiovisual processing using fMRI blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal contrast. The experiment was conducted in the context of a conventional block-design experiment. A block consisted of three emotional ON periods, music alone (happy or sad music), face alone (happy or sad faces), and music combined with faces where the music excerpt was played while presenting either congruent emotional faces or incongruent emotional faces.', 'We found activity in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and fusiform gyrus (FG) to be differentially modulated by music and faces depending on the congruence of emotional content. There was a greater BOLD response in STG when the emotion signaled by the music and faces was congruent. Furthermore, the magnitude of these changes differed for happy congruence and sad congruence, i.e., the activation of STG when happy music was presented with happy faces was greater than the activation seen when sad music was presented with sad faces. In contrast, incongruent stimuli diminished the BOLD response in STG and elicited greater signal change in bilateral FG. Behavioral testing supplemented these findings by showing that subject ratings of emotion in faces were influenced by emotion in music. When presented with happy music, happy faces were rated as more happy (p=0.051) and sad faces were rated as less sad (p=0.030). When presented with sad music, happy faces were rated as less happy (p=0.008) and sad faces were rated as sadder (p=0.002).'] Does congruence of happy and sad emotion in music and face modifies cortical audiovisual activation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.04535174369812,
-0.847311794757843,
1.9137496948242188
] |
["The aim of this study was to test a new method for continuous monitoring of the Danish contact person concept and to evaluate the impact of the concept on the mothers' perception of nursing care and on their self-efficacy.", 'This is a descriptive study, carried out at a neonatal unit forming part of a department of paediatrics. Using an electronic questionnaire, the mothers were asked if they had been given a contact nurse and how they assessed the quality of the care and their own self-efficacy. The correlation between their experience of being given a contact person and having high scores of nursing care and of self-efficacy was analyzed by logistic regression.', "A total of 300 (81%) of the mothers answered the questionnaire. Among the mothers who acknowledged having had a contact nurse compared with those who did not, odds ratios were > 1 in 10/11 questions concerning assessment of nursing care. Concerning the mothers' assessment of their self-efficacy, the odds ratios were > 1 in 7/11 questions. None of these were statistically significant."] Does [ A contact person lead to increased satisfaction among new mothers ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-1.2844061851501465,
0.4017588198184967,
0.10581884533166885
] |
['Heart rate (HR) recovery (HRR), defined as the rate of decline in the HR immediately following the cessation of exercise, is influenced by autonomic function. Heart rate recovery in heart failure (HF) has been shown to correlate with severity of HF. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves cardiac autonomic functions in HF. We aimed to evaluate the effects of CRT on cardiac autonomic function assessed by HRR.', "Forty-eight patients [62.3 ± 10.7 years; 37 men; left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 24.8 ± 4.1%] with HF were enrolled. A treadmill exercise testing was conducted in all patients by using a modified Naughton protocol before and 6 months after CRT. Heart rate recovery indices were calculated by subtracting first, second, and third minute HR from the maximal HR and designated as HRR1, HRR2, and HRR3, respectively. Standard echocardiography was performed before and 6 months after CRT. Left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRM) was quantified as the percentage of decline in the LV end-systolic volume after CRT. Mean HRR1 (13.0 ± 5.9 vs. 17.9 ± 8.9 b.p.m., P = 0.001), HRR2 (20.5 ± 9.3 vs. 23.8 ± 11.3 b.p.m., P = 0.001), and HRR3 (25.7 ± 11.1 vs. 29.2 ± 12.0 b.p.m., P = 0.001) values improved 6 months after CRT. Pearson's analyses revealed a good positive correlation between LVRM and ΔHRR1 (r = 0.642, P = 0.001) and a moderate correlation between reduction LVRM and ΔHRR2 (r = 0.591, P = 0.033) and ΔHRR3 (r = 0.436, P = 0.001)."] Does cardiac resynchronization therapy improve exercise heart rate recovery in patients with heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1376301050186157,
-1.6732982397079468,
1.8473349809646606
] |
['TWO CROWDING METRICS ARE OFTEN USED TO MEASURE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED) CROWDING: the occupancy rate and the emergency department work index (EDWIN) score. To evaluate these metrics for applicability in our community ED, we sought to measure their correlation with the number of patients who left without being seen (LWBS) and determine if either, or both, correlated with our daily LWBS rate. We hypothesized a statistically significant positive correlation between the number of patients who LWBS and both crowding metrics.', "We performed a retrospective observational study by reviewing data on all patients who LWBS from December 1, 2007, to February 29, 2008. Occupancy rates and EDWIN scores were obtained through our electronic patient tracking board. We identified LWBS status by searching the final disposition entered into our electronic medical record. We measured the correlation between each crowding metric averaged over each 24-hour day and the number of patients who LWBS per 24-hour day using Spearman's rank correlation, and created receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves to quantify the discriminatory power of occupancy rate and EDWIN score for predicting more than two patients per day who LWBS.", "We identified 1,193 patients who LWBS during the study period, including patients who registered but then left the waiting room (733), as well as those who left before: registration (71), triage (75), seeing a physician (260), or final disposition (54). The number of patients who LWBS per day ranged from one to 30, with a mean of 13 and median of 11 (IQR 6 to 19). The daily number of patients who LWBS showed a positive correlation with the average daily occupancy rate (Spearman's rho = 0.771, p = 0.01) and with average daily EDWIN score (Spearman's rho = 0.67, p< .001). Area under the ROC curve for occupancy rate was .97 (95% CI .93 to 1.0) and for EDWIN score was .94 (95% CI .89 to 1.0)."] Do occupancy rates and emergency department work index scores correlate with leaving without being seen? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.42339402437210083,
-1.5351684093475342,
0.2359723150730133
] |
['Previous diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have shown white matter compromise in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which may relate to reduced connectivity and impaired function of distributed networks. However, tract-specific evidence remains limited in ASD. We applied tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) for an unbiased whole-brain quantitative estimation of the fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusion (MD) and axial and radial diffusion of the white matter tracts in children and adolescents with ASD.', "DTI was performed in 26 ASD and 24 typically developing (TD) participants, aged 9-20 years. Groups were matched for age and IQ. Each participant's aligned FA, MD and axial and radial diffusion data were projected onto the mean FA skeleton representing the centers of all tracts and the resulting data fed into voxelwise group statistics.", 'TBSS revealed decreased FA and increased MD and radial diffusion in the ASD group compared to the TD group in the corpus callosum, anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, cingulum, anterior thalamic radiation, and corticospinal tract. No single site with inverse effects (increased FA, reduced MD or radial diffusion in the ASD group) was detected. In clusters of significant group difference, age was positively correlated with FA and negatively correlated with MD and radial diffusion in the TD, but not the ASD group.'] Do tract-specific analyses of diffusion tensor imaging show widespread white matter compromise in autism spectrum disorder? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.39457631111145,
-1.1600220203399658,
2.6570606231689453
] |
['To evaluate the factors that influence the oral hygiene and the periodontal treatment needs of children and adolescents with coeliac disease (CD) in Greece.', 'The sample consisted of 35 children and adolescents, aged 4-18 years. The evaluation included consideration of the detailed medical history, the duration of CD and of gluten-free diet, the history of oral mucosal findings and a dental questionnaire that included information about oral hygiene habits, symptoms of periodontal disease and dental attendance. The clinical dental examination consisted of the simplified gingival index, the oral hygiene index and the periodontal screening and recording index.', 'The chi square and logistic regression analysis were performed in order to determine the factors or parameters that had a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on oral hygiene and periodontal treatment needs of children and adolescents with CD.', 'The periodontal treatment need of children and adolescents with CD were high and most of them needed treatment of gingivitis (60.01%) and only a few subjects had a healthy periodontium (34.29%). The periodontal treatment need index, the simplified gingival index and the hygiene index correlated statistically significantly with the presence of a coexisting disease, frequency of tooth brushing, bleeding upon brushing and oral malodor.'] Does oral hygiene and periodontal treatment need in children and adolescents with coeliac disease in Greece? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3345868587493896,
-0.40657520294189453,
1.9083738327026367
] |
['To examine the influence of intracoronary autologous bone marrow cell transplantation after acute myocardial infarction on circulating growth factors and their relationship to left ventricular function.', 'Circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stromal derived factor-1-alpha (SDF-1α), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were measured in patients randomized to cell treatment or control, in the ASTAMI study. Autologous cells were injected intracoronary on day 6; blood was sampled on days 5, 9, and at three months. Left ventricular ejection fraction was recorded by electrocardiogram-gated single photon emission computed tomography at six months.', 'Only change in IGF-1 from baseline to three months differed between groups (p = 0.024). A weak but significant correlation was found between left ventricular ejection fraction and the averaged IGF-1 concentrations of all patients (r = 0.24, p = 0.02). Patients with IGF-1 above or below median (102 ng/ml) had a left ventricular ejection fraction of 52.3% (±11.4) versus 46.4% (±12.2) respectively (p = 0.017).'] Does cell treatment after acute myocardial infarction prevent early decline in circulating IGF-1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0546000003814697,
-1.4629216194152832,
2.5297651290893555
] |
['The availability of larger-scale SNP data sets in the chicken genome allows to achieve a higher resolution of the pattern of linkage disequilibrium (LD). In this study, 36 k and 57 k genotypes from two independent genotyping chips were used to systematically characterize genome-wide extent and structure of LD in the genome of four chicken populations. In total, we analyzed genotypes of 454 animals from two commercial and two experimental populations of white and brown layers which allows to some extent a generalization of the results.', 'The number of usable SNPs in this study was 19 k to 37 k in brown layers and 8 k to 19 k in white layers. Our analyzes showed a large difference of LD between the lines of white and brown layers. A mean value of r2 = 0.73 ± 0.36 was observed in pair-wise distances of < 25 Kb for commercial white layers, and it dropped to 0.60 ± 0.38 with distances of 75 to 120 Kb, the interval which includes the average inter-marker space in this line. In contrast, an overall mean value of r2= 0.32 ± 0.33 was observed for SNPs less than 25 Kb apart from each other and dropped to 0.21 ± 0.26 at a distance of 100 kb in commercial brown layers. There was a remarkable similarity of the LD patterns among the two populations of white layers. The same was true for the two populations of brown layers, while the LD pattern between white and brown layers was clearly different. Inferring the population demographic history from LD data resulted in a larger effective population size in brown than white populations, reflecting less inbreeding among brown compared to white egg layers.'] Does linkage disequilibrium reveal different demographic history in egg laying chickens? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.34479546546936035,
-0.8561504483222961,
-0.40194207429885864
] |
['In recent years, the use of higher risk donor organs and steroid avoidance regimens with potential increased acute rejection risk have increased. We hypothesized that these patterns adversely affect changes in posttransplant renal function.', 'By using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data and multivariable generalized linear models, we examined factors associated with slopes of estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR; modification of diet in renal disease) from 6 to 12 months and 6 to 24 months posttransplant in solitary adult renal transplant recipients transplanted between 2003 and 2008 (n=91,241). We estimated GFR at each interval, analyzed changes within patients between follow-up intervals, and evaluated changes in 1-year graft and patient survival during the study period.', 'GFR intercept at 6 months averaged 54.3 mL/min/1.73 m² (standard deviation [SD] 18.2 mL/min/1.73 m²). Decline in GFR between 6 and 12 months posttransplant averaged 0.69 mL/min/1.73 m² (SD 10.9 mL/min/1.73 m²) and between 6 and 24 months averaged 2.45 mL/min/1.73 m² (SD 15.7 mL/min/1.73 m²). However, the GFR decline was significantly attenuated during the study period among both deceased and living donor transplant recipients. Factors significantly associated with steeper GFR decline were increased pretransplant dialysis time, older donor age, diabetes as a primary diagnosis, low body mass index, African American race, retransplants, nonprivate insurance, and increased panel reactive antibody percent. Baseline or slope in renal function did not differ substantially by immunosuppressive regimen. One-year overall graft survival increased during the study period from 92.3% to 93.9%.'] Do glomerular filtration rate slopes have significantly improved among renal transplants in the United States? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7745190858840942,
-1.4326517581939697,
2.2100167274475098
] |
['A 3-month course of prophylaxis is usually recommended for cytomegalovirus (CMV) D+/R- renal transplant recipients. Based on recent data, up to 6 months of prophylaxis may be used. A subanalysis was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir after valganciclovir administration and to perform an exploratory pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis.', 'In Improved Protection Against Cytomegalovirus in Transplant, a phase III, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 318 CMV D+/R- kidney transplant recipients received valganciclovir prophylaxis (900 mg once daily) for 200 or 100 days. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted on a subgroup of patients (n=120). The relationships between ganciclovir exposure (AUC0-24 hr) and clinical outcomes were explored.', 'The final population parameter estimates (95% confidence interval) were as follows: apparent clearance of ganciclovir, 12 L/hr (11.3-12.7 L/hr); volume of distribution, 18.5 L (14.4-22.6 L); and peripheral volume, 44.4 L (40.2-48.6 L). No differences were apparent between the two treatment groups and these estimates. These results are consistent with previously published pharmacokinetic models. There were no direct correlations between the likelihood of developing hematologic adverse events and ganciclovir exposure at the time of the event. The incidence of CMV disease was not correlated with ganciclovir exposure.'] Do ganciclovir pharmacokinetic parameters change when extending valganciclovir cytomegalovirus prophylaxis from 100 to 200 days? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1314351558685303,
-1.5057318210601807,
2.7066421508789062
] |
['Significant relationships have been reported between the uptake of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and the risk of acute rejection. In a prospective study after renal transplantation, we assessed the value of measuring inosine-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity as a predictive indicator of an acute rejection episode in the initial postoperative period.', 'Fifty-two patients received 360 mg enteric-coated mycophenolate-sodium two times per day with concomitant tacrolimus/cyclosporine A, providing a total of 122 pharmacodynamic profiles. IMPDH activity was measured by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method in four plasma samples collected at predose, 30 and 60 min, 2 and 4 hr, and preoperative, during weeks 1 and 2 and 3 months after transplantation. MPA concentrations were measured by mass spectrometry. Inhibition of IMPDH was correlated to the MPA values, MPA area under the curves, and predose levels of the different calcineurin inhibitors.', 'Comparing the two groups (group I: rejection; n=17; mean age 51±15 years vs. group II: no rejection; n=35; mean age 51±14 years), we found a significantly (P<0.001) lower inhibition of IMPDH in group I (26.5%±11% vs. 56.7%±18%) already in the first week after transplantation. There was no correlation of MPA values (6.85±4 vs. 4.1±3 mg/L; first week) nor with the calcineurin inhibitor trough blood levels. Area under the curves for MPA did not differ significantly. Furthermore, IMPDH activity was a reliable predictor of rejection episodes and inflammation.'] Does customized mycophenolate dosing based on measuring inosine-monophosphate dehydrogenase activity significantly improve patients ' outcomes after renal transplantation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8995006084442139,
-1.5698277950286865,
2.4639973640441895
] |
['Acteoside, an active phenylethanoid glycoside found in bitter tea and many medicinal plants, displays chemopreventive properties. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of acteoside on tumor invasion and migration; the possible mechanisms involved in this inhibition were investigated in human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells.', 'We employed invasion, migration and gelatin zymography assays to characterize the effect of acteoside on HT-1080 cells. Transient transfection assays were performed to investigate gene promoter activities, and immunoblot analysis to study its molecular mechanisms of action. We found that acteoside suppresses phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-enhanced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression at the protein, mRNA, and transcriptional levels through the suppression of NF-κB activation. In addition, acteoside repressed the PMA-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (ERK, extracellular regulated kinase) and JNK1/2. Further, we found that acteoside decreased the PMA-induced influx of Ca(2+) and repressed PMA-induced calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, treatment with BAPTA/AM, W7, or capsazepine markedly decreased PMA-induced MMP-9 secretion and cell migration, as well as ERK and JNK/NF-κB activation.'] Does acteoside inhibit PMA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression via CaMK/ERK- and JNK/NF-κB-dependent signaling? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4383487701416016,
-1.2878096103668213,
2.765839099884033
] |
['The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, on monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) expression in rat skeletal muscle and a prototypic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).', 'We examined the alteration in Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and MCT4 mRNA levels by quantitative real-time PCR. Alteration in GLUT4 and MCT4 protein levels was examined by Western blotting.', 'In an in vivo study, AICAR increased MCT4 mRNA and protein levels in a fiber-type specific manner. In an in vitro study, AICAR increased MCT4 mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, AICAR-induced MCT4 expression was blocked by Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor.'] Does aMP-activated protein kinase regulate the expression of monocarboxylate transporter 4 in skeletal muscle? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5004780292510986,
-1.0805450677871704,
2.6296937465667725
] |
['Comparative gene expression is commonly determined with reference to the expression of a housekeeping gene (HKG), the level of which is assumed to be unregulated. There are little data to date on the effect of disease on the expression of classic HKGs in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected human liver.', 'To identity HKGs stable across a wide spectrum of disease in human HCV-infected liver.', "β-Actin, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 (HPRT1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), splicing factor arginine/serine-rich 4, β-glucuronidase and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in liver biopsy tissue. Samples were categorised for inflammation, fibrosis and steatosis, and allocated into groups with mild or severe liver disease. Values were analysed using Spearman's rank correlation, NormFinder, BestKeeper and geNorm programs.", 'All genes performed well in the samples of patients with low disease activity, but HPRT1, β-actin, GAPDH and 18S rRNA ranked poorly in samples with severe fibrosis or inflammation.'] Is expression of common housekeeping genes affected by disease in human hepatitis C virus-infected liver? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4360954761505127,
-1.1534316539764404,
2.69693922996521
] |
['Current assays and tests that are used to determine the degree of immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients are suboptimal. The ImmuKnow assay (Cylex), a measure of intracellular CD4+ T cell ATP release proposed as a means to quantify cell-mediated immunity in transplant recipients, could be considered as a potential tool to identify patients at risk for opportunistic infections (OI) or acute rejection (AR).', 'We retrospectively analyzed 1330 ImmuKnow assay values in 583 renal transplant recipients at a single center from 2004 to 2009 and correlated these values with episodes of OI and AR in the subsequent 90 days. Assay values were compared with a control population matched for age, gender, and time post-transplantation.', 'In patients with OI (n=94), there were no differences in prior mean assay values compared with matched controls (386 versus 417 ng/ml, P=0.24). In 47 patients with AR, again no differences were detected in prior assay results (390 versus 432 ng/ml, P=0.25) when compared with controls. "Low" values (≤225 ng/ml) lacked sensitivity and specificity as a predictive test for subsequent OI, as did "strong" (≥525 ng/ml) values as a predictive test for subsequent AR.'] Does single time point immune function assay ( ImmuKnow ) testing aid in the prediction of future opportunistic infections or acute rejection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5462347269058228,
-1.5161936283111572,
2.1066274642944336
] |
['The efflux of cellular cholesterol mediated by apolipoprotein (apo)A-I and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a major pathway of reverse cholesterol transport. We investigated the effect of aspirin on this process.', 'The expression levels of ABCA1 in RAW264.7 cells were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. ³H-cholesterol efflux was measured by scintillation counting.', '0.5 mmol/l aspirin increased apoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux and increased the expression of ABCA1. By increasing the dose of aspirin higher than 0.5 mmol/l, ABCA1 expression and function were significantly decreased. In cells transfected with a specific peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α small interfering RNA, the induction of ABCA1 expression and apoA-I-mediated ³H-cholesterol efflux by aspirin were substantially suppressed.'] Does aspirin increase apolipoprotein-A-I-mediated cholesterol efflux via enhancing expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.213468313217163,
-1.2714259624481201,
2.425973415374756
] |
["Identification of high-risk malaria foci can help enhance surveillance or control activities in regions where they are most needed. Associations between malaria risk and land-use/land-cover are well-recognized, but these environmental characteristics are closely interrelated with the land's topography (e.g., hills, valleys, elevation), which also influences malaria risk strongly. Parsing the individual contributions of land-cover/land-use variables to malaria risk requires examining these associations in the context of their topographic landscape. This study examined whether environmental factors like land-cover, land-use, and urban density improved malaria risk prediction based solely on the topographically-determined context, as measured by the topographic wetness index.", 'The topographic wetness index, an estimate of predicted water accumulation in a defined area, was generated from a digital terrain model of the landscape surrounding households in two neighbouring western Kenyan highland communities. Variables determined to best encompass the variance in this topographic wetness surface were calculated at a household level. Land-cover/land-use information was extracted from a high-resolution satellite image using an object-based classification method. Topographic and land-cover variables were used individually and in combination to predict household-level malaria in the communities through an iterative split-sample model fitting and testing procedure. Models with only topographic variables were compared to those with additional predictive factors related to land-cover/land-use to investigate whether these environmental factors improved prediction of malaria based on the shape of the land alone.', 'Variables related to topographic wetness proved most useful in predicting the households of individuals contracting malaria in this region of rugged terrain. Other variables related to human modification of the environment also demonstrated clear associations with household malaria. However, these land-cover/land-use variables failed to produce unambiguous improvements in statistical predictive models controlling for important topographic factors, with none improving prediction of household-level malaria more than 75% of the time.'] Do local topographic wetness indices predict household malaria risk better than land-use and land-cover in the western Kenya highlands? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2484066486358643,
0.7238515019416809,
0.7642501592636108
] |
['To better define the nature of the transient neutropenia shortly following granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration.', 'To evaluate the disappearance of neutrophils, we investigated neutrophil trafficking. Ratios of neutrophil number to background cellularity for C57BL/6 LysM-EGFP knock-in mice and rhesus macaques were determined in the lung, liver, spleen, and kidney after G-CSF administration.', 'For the C57BL/6 LysM-EGFP knock-in mice, the enhanced green fluorescent protein expression (EGFP(+)) cells increased in the lung and spleen within 15 minutes of administering 50 μg/kg G-CSF subcutaneously, and continued to increase in the lung and spleen from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. At 240 minutes, the pulmonary infiltrate declined to a level comparable to the level at 15 minutes, while in the spleen EGFP(+) cells continued to increase. For rhesus macaques, CD18(+) cells also significantly increased in the lung 30 minutes after administration of 10 μg/kg G-CSF subcutaneously compared to the control level.'] Is transient neutropenia after granulocyte-colony stimulating factor administration associated with neutrophil accumulation in pulmonary vasculature? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2609639167785645,
-1.2504643201828003,
2.512619733810425
] |
['Congestive heart failure (CHF) has a strong negative prognostic impact in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of myocardial revascularization on prognosis in this setting.', 'We retrospectively studied 648 patients admitted with NSTE-ACS and not presenting cardiogenic shock. The effect of coronary revascularization on the outcome of patients with and without CHF was assessed using a propensity score-adjusted regression model.', 'Congestive heart failure was present in 89 patients (14.5%) on hospital admission. During the index hospitalization, 426 patients received myocardial revascularization, through percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 321 cases, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 105. In a 6-month follow-up, 38 patients (6.2%) died and 42 (6.8%) experienced non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI). CHF was an independent predictor of both 6-month mortality (adjusted HR 3.6; 95% CI 1.86-6.95; p < 0.001) and 6-month death/(re-)MI (adjusted HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.3-3.5; p = 0.003). Revascularization significantly influenced the prognosis of patients presenting CHF (adjusted HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.13-0.73; p = 0.008), but not of those without CHF (adjusted HR 1.37; 95% CI 0.65-2.89; p = 0.4). A significant interaction was found between revascularization and the prognostic impact of CHF at admission (p = 0.021 for the interaction).'] Does myocardial revascularization reverse adverse outcome in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes complicated by heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2664471864700317,
-1.707619309425354,
1.8712890148162842
] |
['To evaluate digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) synovial fluid cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) concentrations as a molecular marker for intrathecal pathology.', 'Case control study.', 'Horses (n=46) with DFTS tenosynovitis; 23 fresh cadaver horses.', 'DFTS synovial fluid samples were collected from clinical cases with noninfected DFTS tenosynovitis and from control DFTS. Clinical and surgical findings were recorded, and dissection of control limbs was performed to confirm the DFTS to be grossly normal. Synovial fluid COMP was quantified using a homologous competitive inhibition ELISA.', 'Abnormalities were identified tenoscopically: intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing was identified in 37 cases and 9 had other lesions. In control horses, synovial fluid COMP was higher in younger horses. Clinical cases with intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing had higher synovial fluid COMP than either clinical cases with other lesions, or controls. In horses ≥5 years old, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay was high for diagnosing intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing.'] Does increased cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentrations in equine digital flexor tendon sheath synovial fluid predict intrathecal tendon damage? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.384981632232666,
-1.2917745113372803,
2.775759220123291
] |
['We characterized key intercostal anatomical relationships relevant to supracostal percutaneous nephrostolithotomy using anatomical dissection.', 'We performed 20 cadaveric dissections of the 11th intercostal space to characterize key anatomical relationships relevant to percutaneous upper pole renal access. Specific data recorded included intercostal rib distance at the lateral border of the paraspinous muscles, and the mid scapular and posterior axillary lines. We also recorded the distance between the 12th and 11th ribs to the intercostal nerve, artery and vein at the same 3 sites.', 'The average intercostal distance was 21, 23 and 26 mm at the lateral border of the paraspinous muscles, and the mid scapular and posterior axillary lines, respectively. The intercostal nerve was exposed to injury in 85%, 100% and 100% of patients at the 3 sites, respectively. The intercostal artery was exposed below the 11th rib in 30%, 60% and 70% of cadavers, respectively, and it was 6 mm from the rib in 25% of interspaces. The intercostal vein, which was exposed below the 11th rib in 0%, 5% and 10% of cadavers, respectively, was least likely to be injured.'] Are intercostal vessels and nerves at risk for injury during supracostal percutaneous nephrostolithotomy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.155879259109497,
-0.8257840275764465,
2.1054952144622803
] |
['The action of serotonin (5-HT) at the 5-HT(2A) receptor subtype is thought to be involved in cocaine-seeking behavior that is motivated by exposure to drug-associated cues and drug priming. 5-HT(2A) receptors are densely clustered in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), an area that plays a role in mediating cocaine-seeking behavior.', 'This study examined the hypothesis that M100907, a 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist, infused directly in the vmPFC attenuates cue- and cocaine-primed reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior.', 'Rats trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg, i.v.) paired with light and tone cues underwent extinction training during which operant responses produced no consequences. Once behavior extinguished, rats were tested for reinstatement of responding elicited by either response-contingent presentations of the cocaine-paired light/tone cues or by cocaine-priming injections (10 mg/kg, i.p.) within 1 min after pretreatment with microinfusions of M100907 (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, or 1.5 μg/0.2 μl/side) into the vmPFC.', 'Intra-vmPFC M100907 decreased cue-elicited reinstatement at the two highest doses (1.0 and 1.5 μg) but produced only a slight decrease in cocaine-primed reinstatement that was not dose dependent. The decrease in cue reinstatement was not likely due to impaired ability to respond since intra-vmPFC M100907 infusions had minimal effect on cocaine self-administration and no effect on cue-elicited sucrose-seeking behavior, or spontaneous or cocaine-induced locomotion. M100907 infusions into the adjacent anterior cingulate cortex had no effect on cue reinstatement.'] Does blockade of 5-HT2A receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex attenuate reinstatement of cue-elicited cocaine-seeking behavior in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2330448627471924,
-1.223427653312683,
2.449270248413086
] |
["The phosphatase PTEN governs the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway which is arguably the most important pro-survival pathway in neurons. Recently, PTEN has also been implicated in multiple important CNS functions such as neuronal differentiation, plasticity, injury and drug addiction. It has been reported that loss of PTEN protein, accompanied by Akt activation, occurs under excitotoxic conditions (stroke) as well as in Alzheimer's (AD) brains. However the molecular signals and mechanism underlying PTEN loss are unknown.", 'In this study, we investigated redox regulation of PTEN, namely S-nitrosylation, a covalent modification of cysteine residues by nitric oxide (NO), and H2O2-mediated oxidation. We found that S-nitrosylation of PTEN was markedly elevated in brains in the early stages of AD (MCI). Surprisingly, there was no increase in the H2O2-mediated oxidation of PTEN, a modification common in cancer cell types, in the MCI/AD brains as compared to normal aged control. Using several cultured neuronal models, we further demonstrate that S-nitrosylation, in conjunction with NO-mediated enhanced ubiquitination, regulates both the lipid phosphatase activity and protein stability of PTEN. S-nitrosylation and oxidation occur on overlapping and distinct Cys residues of PTEN. The NO signal induces PTEN protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) through NEDD4-1-mediated ubiquitination.'] Do nO signaling and S-nitrosylation regulate PTEN inhibition in neurodegeneration? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5049593448638916,
-1.1267075538635254,
2.657122850418091
] |
['There is worldwide debate about the appropriateness of caesarean sections performed without medical indications. In this analysis, we aim to further investigate the relationship between caesarean section without medical indication and severe maternal outcomes.', "This is a multicountry, facility-based survey that used a stratified multistage cluster sampling design to obtain a sample of countries and health institutions worldwide. A total of 24 countries and 373 health facilities participated in this study. Data collection took place during 2004 and 2005 in Africa and the Americas and during 2007 and 2008 in Asia. All women giving birth at the facility during the study period were included and had their medical records reviewed before discharge from the hospital. Univariate and multilevel analysis were performed to study the association between each group's mode of delivery and the severe maternal and perinatal outcome.", 'A total of 286,565 deliveries were analysed. The overall caesarean section rate was 25.7% and a total of 1.0 percent of all deliveries were caesarean sections without medical indications, either due to maternal request or in the absence of other recorded indications. Compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery, all other modes of delivery presented an association with the increased risk of death, admission to ICU, blood transfusion and hysterectomy, including antepartum caesarean section without medical indications (Adjusted Odds Ratio (Adj OR), 5.93, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI), 3.88 to 9.05) and intrapartum caesarean section without medical indications (Adj OR, 14.29, 95% CI, 10.91 to 18.72). In addition, this association is stronger in Africa, compared to Asia and Latin America.'] Is caesarean section without medical indications associated with an increased risk of adverse short-term maternal outcomes : the 2004-2008 WHO Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8141810894012451,
-1.2180449962615967,
2.150242328643799
] |
['Phenotypic heterogeneity may ensure that a small fraction of a population survives environmental perturbations or may result in lysis in a subpopulation, to increase the survival of siblings. Genes involved in DNA repair and population dynamics play key roles in rapid responses to environmental conditions. In Escherichia coli the transcriptional repressor LexA controls a coordinated cellular response to DNA damage designated the SOS response. Expression of LexA regulated genes, e.g. colicin encoding genes, recA, lexA and umuDC, was examined utilizing transcription fusions with the promoterless gfp at the single cell level.', 'The investigated LexA regulated genes exhibited heterogeneity, as only in a small fraction of the population more intense fluorescence was observed. Unlike recA and lexA, the pore forming and nuclease colicin activity genes as well as umuDC, exhibited no basal level activity. However, in a lexA defective strain high level expression of the gene fusions was observed in the large majority of the cells. All of the investigated genes were expressed in a recA defective strain, albeit at lower levels, revealing expression in the absence of a spontaneous SOS response. In addition, the simultaneous expression of cka, encoding the pore forming colicin K, and lexA, investigated at the single cell level revealed high level expression of only cka in rare individual cells.'] Do genes regulated by the Escherichia coli SOS repressor LexA exhibit heterogeneous expression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5483767986297607,
-0.8204249143600464,
2.4166641235351562
] |
["The loss of noradrenergic neurones of the locus coeruleus is a major feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) catalyses the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline. Interactions have been reported between the low-activity -1021T allele (rs1611115) of DBH and polymorphisms of the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes, IL1A and IL6, contributing to the risk of AD. We therefore examined the associations with AD of the DBH -1021T allele and of the above interactions in the Epistasis Project, with 1757 cases of AD and 6294 elderly controls.", 'We genotyped eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the three genes, DBH, IL1A and IL6. We used logistic regression models and synergy factor analysis to examine potential interactions and associations with AD.', 'We found that the presence of the -1021T allele was associated with AD: odds ratio = 1.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.4, p = 0.005). This association was nearly restricted to men < 75 years old: odds ratio = 2.2 (1.4-3.3, 0.0004). We also found an interaction between the presence of DBH -1021T and the -889TT genotype (rs1800587) of IL1A: synergy factor = 1.9 (1.2-3.1, 0.005). All these results were consistent between North Europe and North Spain.'] Does the dopamine β-hydroxylase -1021C/T polymorphism is associate with the risk of Alzheimer 's disease in the Epistasis Project? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7799428701400757,
-1.5029315948486328,
2.181788444519043
] |
['Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is the pathological protein found in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin positive inclusions and in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In diseased tissue, TDP-43 translocates from its physiological nuclear location into the cytoplasm, where it accumulates. Additionally, C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 accumulate in affected brain regions and are sufficient to cause TDP-43 mislocalization and cytoplasmic accumulation in vitro. TDP-43 also accumulates in 30% of Alzheimer disease (AD) cases, a finding that has been highly reproducible. The role of TDP-43 in AD and its relation with Aβ and tau pathology, the two neuropathological hallmarks of AD, remains to be elucidated.', 'Here we show that levels of TDP-43 and its ~35 kDa C-terminal fragment are significantly increased in the 3×Tg-AD mice, an animal model of AD that develops an age-dependent cognitive decline linked to the accumulation of Aβ and tau. We also report that the levels of TDP-43 and its C-terminal fragment correlate with the levels of soluble Aβ oligomers, which play a key role in AD pathogenesis. Notably, genetically reducing Aβ42 production restores the levels of TDP-43 and its ~35 kDa C-terminal fragment to control levels.'] Are age-dependent changes in TDP-43 levels in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease linked to Aβ oligomers accumulation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5038881301879883,
-1.1152007579803467,
2.5998189449310303
] |
["Dyskinesias associated with involuntary movements and painful muscle contractions are a common and severe complication of standard levodopa (L-DOPA, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) therapy for Parkinson's disease. Pathologic neuroplasticity leading to hyper-responsive dopamine receptor signaling in the sensorimotor striatum is thought to underlie this currently untreatable condition.", "Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to evaluate the molecular changes associated with L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease. With this technique, we determined that thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was greatly increased in the dopamine-depleted striatum of hemi-parkinsonian rats that developed abnormal movements in response to L-DOPA therapy, relative to the levels measured in the contralateral non-dopamine-depleted striatum, and in the striatum of non-dyskinetic control rats. ProTRH immunostaining suggested that TRH peptide levels were almost absent in the dopamine-depleted striatum of control rats that did not develop dyskinesias, but in the dyskinetic rats, proTRH immunostaining was dramatically up-regulated in the striatum, particularly in the sensorimotor striatum. This up-regulation of TRH peptide affected striatal medium spiny neurons of both the direct and indirect pathways, as well as neurons in striosomes."] Is levodopa-induced dyskinesia associated with increased thyrotropin releasing hormone in the dorsal striatum of hemi-parkinsonian rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.467461347579956,
-1.3271833658218384,
2.8399884700775146
] |
['Pathological bolus exposure is defined in the present study as cases in which all reflux percentage times are above 1.4% of the total reflux number, as revealed by impedance-pH monitoring. The role of pathological bolus exposure in the pathogenesis of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is poorly known. We aimed to classify and characterize NCCP using combined impedance-pH monitoring.', 'Seventy-five consecutive patients with NCCP were prospectively enrolled from January 2006 to October 2008. All the patients underwent upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)-pH metering.', 'Sixteen patients (21.3%) had esophageal erosion upon endoscopy. Upon esophageal manometry, 37 patients (49.3%) had esophageal dysmotility. When the patients were classified based on MII-pH metering, 16 (21.3%) showed pathological acid exposure, and 40 (53.3%) showed pathological bolus exposure. The DeMeester score of patients with pathological acid exposure was higher than that of patients with pathological bolus exposure (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in age, sex, typical esophageal symptoms, presence of esophageal erosion, esophageal dysmotility, improvement with proton pump inhibitor medication, symptom index ≥ 50%, percentage of time clearance pH below 4 ≥ 4%, and all reflux time ≥ 1.4% in the fasting period between the two groups. When the patients were divided into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related NCCP and non-GERD-related NCCP groups based on MII-pH metering and upper endoscopy, there was no difference between the two groups.'] Does pathological bolus exposure play a significant role in eliciting non-cardiac chest pain? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7414559125900269,
-1.5651886463165283,
2.29067325592041
] |
['The incidence of gallbladder stones is higher in women during pregnancy than in men. Progesterone can inhibit gallbladder motility and facilitate gallstone formation. However, the ionic mechanisms have not been fully illuminated. This study sought to investigate the effects of progesterone on L-type calcium currents and voltage-dependent potassium currents in gallbladder smooth muscle cells.', 'Gallbladder smooth muscle cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion from adult guinea pigs. Ionic currents were recorded by the whole-cell patch clamp method.', 'Progesterone inhibited L-type calcium currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The characteristic of current-voltage curve was not significantly altered. The amplitude of calcium currents was gradually suppressed, reached a steady-state level within 4-6 min, and restored partly after washout. In the presence of protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, Rp-cAMP, the inhibitory effect induced by progesterone was apparently attenuated, whereas forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, could suppress L-type calcium channel. However, progesterone did not significantly affect voltage-dependent potassium currents.'] Does progesterone inhibit L-type calcium currents in gallbladder smooth muscle cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6399214267730713,
-0.9431307911872864,
2.6119909286499023
] |
['Contemporary medications used in the treatment of gastric ulcers involve the use of novel mucosal protective drugs. The present study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective effect of ginger extract and polaprezinc in a rat model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer.', "'Kissing' ulcers were induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by using 60% acetic acid. Rhizoma Zingiber officinale (ginger) extract (1.5-5 g/kg) or polaprezinc (30 and 60 mg/kg) was orally given to the animals once daily for three consecutive days after ulcer induction. All animals were killed on day 5 by an overdose of ketamine.", 'Both ginger extract and polaprezinc significantly reduce the gastric ulcer area in a dose-dependent manner, with concomitant attenuation of the elevated activities of xanthine oxidase and myeloperoxidase, as well as malondialdehyde level in the ulcerated mucosa. Nevertheless, only polaprezinc could restore the mucosal glutathione level. Polaprezinc also causes the overexpression of basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and ornithine decarboxylase, whereas ginger extract only increases the expression of the two growth factors in the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, polaprezinc could consistently downregulate the protein expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-1β, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2α that have been activated in the ulcerated tissues, whereas ginger extract mainly inhibits the expression of the chemokines and to some extent TNF-α.'] Do ginger extract and polaprezinc exert gastroprotective actions by anti-oxidant and growth factor modulating effects in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.427647829055786,
-1.2385741472244263,
2.6892993450164795
] |
['Human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE (hES-RPE) transplantation is a promising therapy for atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD); however, future therapeutic approaches may consider co-transplantation of hES-RPE with retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) as a replacement source for lost photoreceptors. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of polarization of hES-RPE monolayers on their ability to promote survival of RPCs.', 'The hES-3 cell line was used for derivation of RPE. Polarization of hES-RPE was achieved by prolonged growth on permeable inserts. RPCs were isolated from 16- to 18-week-gestation human fetal eyes. ELISA was performed to measure pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) levels from conditioned media.', 'Pigmented RPE-like cells appeared as early as 4 weeks in culture and were subcultured at 8 weeks. Differentiated hES-RPE had a normal chromosomal karyotype. Phenotypically polarized hES-RPE cells showed expression of RPE-specific genes. Polarized hES-RPE showed prominent expression of PEDF in apical cytoplasm and a marked increase in secretion of PEDF into the medium compared with nonpolarized culture. RPCs grown in the presence of supernatants from polarized hES-RPE showed enhanced survival, which was ablated by the presence of anti-PEDF antibody.'] Does polarized secretion of PEDF from human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE promote retinal progenitor cell survival? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.390549421310425,
-1.3814101219177246,
2.8285329341888428
] |
['A drug eluting stent is often used for high-risk patients with complications such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hemodialysis (HD), however the factors to predict restenosis after paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) placement have not been reported to date.', 'Between May 2007 and August 2009, 165 consecutive patients (231 stents) received PES in our hospital. Stent diameter and length were determined by the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). All patients continued to take 2 types of anti-platelet agents (aspirin and Clopidogrel or Ticlopidine). Ninety percent of the subjects received a follow-up coronary angiogram 6 months later.', 'Underlying diseases were hypertension in 75%, hyperlipidemia in 78% and DM in 60% (15% on insulin), and 14% of the subjects received HD. Eighty-three percent of the patients had orally taken Statin, 85% ACE/ARB and 68% had beta blockers. Mean length and diameter of PES were 21.6 ± 7.2 mm and 2.9 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate 6 months after PES placement was 14.6% overall. In HD patients TLR was 43%, hypertension 15.0%, hyperlipemia 12.4%, DM with oral medication 12.5%, DM with insulin 12.0%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, HD was an independent risk factor for TLR (p=0.0001, OR: 6.61, 95% C.I.: 2.34-18.6).'] Is hemodialysis an independent predictor of coronary in-stent restenosis after paclitaxel eluting stent implantation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.512270450592041,
-1.6779091358184814,
2.195709466934204
] |
['The Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria (PERC) rule is a clinical diagnostic rule designed to exclude pulmonary embolism (PE) without further testing. We sought to externally validate the diagnostic performance of the PERC rule alone and combined with clinical probability assessment based on the revised Geneva score.', 'The PERC rule was applied retrospectively to consecutive patients who presented with a clinical suspicion of PE to six emergency departments, and who were enrolled in a randomized trial of PE diagnosis. Patients who met all eight PERC criteria [PERC((-))] were considered to be at a very low risk for PE. We calculated the prevalence of PE among PERC((-)) patients according to their clinical pretest probability of PE. We estimated the negative likelihood ratio of the PERC rule to predict PE.', 'Among 1675 patients, the prevalence of PE was 21.3%. Overall, 13.2% of patients were PERC((-)). The prevalence of PE was 5.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.1-9.3%] among PERC((-)) patients overall and 6.4% (95% CI: 3.7-10.8%) among those PERC((-)) patients with a low clinical pretest probability of PE. The PERC rule had a negative likelihood ratio of 0.21 (95% CI: 0.12-0.38) [corrected] for predicting PE overall, and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.38-1.06) in low-risk patients.'] Does the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria ( PERC ) rule safely exclude pulmonary embolism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5445376038551331,
-1.420872449874878,
1.1058520078659058
] |
['Studies on the role of neutrophils in Leishmania infection were mainly performed with L. (L) major, whereas less information is available for L. (L) amazonensis. Previous results from our laboratory showed a large infiltrate of neutrophils in the site of infection in a mouse strain resistant to L. (L.) amazonensis (C3H/HePas). In contrast, the susceptible strain (BALB/c) displayed a predominance of macrophages harboring a high number of amastigotes and very few neutrophils. These findings led us to investigate the interaction of inflammatory neutrophils with L. (L.) amazonensis-infected macrophages in vitro.', 'Mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with L. (L.) amazonensis were co-cultured with inflammatory neutrophils, and after four days, the infection was quantified microscopically. Data are representative of three experiments with similar results. The main findings were 1) intracellular parasites were efficiently destroyed in the co-cultures; 2) the leishmanicidal effect was similar when cells were obtained from mouse strains resistant (C3H/HePas) or susceptible (BALB/c) to L. (L.) amazonensis; 3) parasite destruction did not require contact between infected macrophages and neutrophils; 4) tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), neutrophil elastase and platelet activating factor (PAF) were involved with the leishmanicidal activity, and 5) destruction of the parasites did not depend on generation of oxygen or nitrogen radicals, indicating that parasite clearance did not involve the classical pathway of macrophage activation by TNF-α, as reported for other Leishmania species.'] Do neutrophils reduce the parasite burden in Leishmania ( Leishmania ) amazonensis-infected macrophages? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7199783325195312,
-0.7534345984458923,
2.5681166648864746
] |
['The complement-dependent microcytotoxicity crossmatch (CDCXM) is a standard method for evaluating the presence of preformed antibodies before transplantation. The flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) is more sensitive, but there is controversy regarding translation of its increased sensitivity to clinically relevant graft outcomes.', 'We analyzed Organ Procurement and Transplant Network registry data for living and deceased donor kidney transplants performed in 1995 to 2009 after both CDCXM and FCXM testing. Transplants with negative CDCXM (CDCXM(-)) and with T-cell positive (T(+)), T-cell negative/B-cell positive (T(-)B(+)), or T- and B-cell negative (T(-)B(-)) FCXM results were included. Graft survival according to crossmatch results was compared by survival analysis.', 'Among patients transplanted with negative CDCXM (CDCXM(-)), deceased and living donor graft recipients with T(+) FXCM experienced significant absolute reductions in 5-year graft survival of 11.5% and 8.8% compared to those with T(-) FCXM (P < .0001). Compared to patients with FCXM(-)/CDCXM(-) deceased and living donor recipients with T(-)B(+) FCXM/CDCXM(-) had absolute reductions in 5-year graft survival of 9.6% and 7.6%, respectively (P < .0001). Upon multivariate adjustment with Cox regression, T(+) FCXM/CDCXM(-) deceased donor transplantation was associated with 51% higher adjusted relative risk of 1-year graft loss than FCXM(-)/CDCXM(-). Relative risks were more marked at 1 year for the T(+) groups but stronger in the 1- to 5-year interval for the T(-)B(+) groups.'] Do the clinical importance of flow cytometry crossmatch in the context of CDC crossmatch results? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7616523504257202,
-1.5686670541763306,
2.3655664920806885
] |
['Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is linked to the induction of the blood coagulation/fibrinolysis cascade, which is an integral component of inflammation induced by cardiac surgery. We followed the modulation of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor uPAR (CD87) separately for monocytes and granulocytes in blood of cardiac surgery patients.', 'Expression of uPAR, analyzed as Median Fluorescence Intensity (MFI), on blood monocytes and granulocytes was determined by flow cytometry. Changes in uPAR expression in patients undergoing CABG using standard cardiopulmonary bypass ("on-pump") were compared to the changes in uPAR expression in patients undergoing CABG using mini-invasive cardiopulmonary bypass ("mini on-pump").', 'In "on-pump" patients, the median of uPAR expression on granulocytes before surgery was 18.1 (InterQuartile Range (IQR): 15.6-20.4). uPAR expression was significantly decreased after surgery (p<0.001), on the first postoperative day (p<0.001), and on the third postoperative day (p<0.05). In "mini on-pump" patients, the median of uPAR expression on granulocytes before surgery was 15.2 (IRQ: 13.8-19.4). The significantly decreased uPAR expression was found only at the end of surgery (p<0.05). The similar pattern of uPAR expression was also found for monocytes. The preoperative level in "on-pump" patients was 23.3 (IRQ: 18.9-30.2). There was significantly decreased uPAR expression at the end of surgery (p<0.01) and at the first postoperative day (p<0.05). In "mini on-pump" patients, the preoperative uPAR expression was 16.9 (IQR: 14.5-20.2). Expression of uPAR was significantly decreased only after surgery (p<0.05). When comparing "onpump" patients to "mini on-pump" patients, no significant differences in the expression of uPAR were found.'] Is expression of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor on monocytes and granulocytes modulated by cardiac surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.10681414604187,
-1.4931997060775757,
2.6369285583496094
] |
['The goal was to determine the number of breaths required to inhale salbutamol from different spacers/valved holding chambers (VHCs).', 'Breathing patterns were recorded for 2- to 7-year-old children inhaling placebo from 4 different spacers/VHCs and were simulated by a flow generator. Drug delivery with different numbers of tidal breaths and with a single maximal breath was compared.', 'With tidal breathing, mean inhalation volumes were large, ranging from 384 mL to 445 mL. Mean values for drug delivery with an Aerochamber Plus (Trudell, London, Canada) were 40% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34%-46%) and 41% (95% CI: 36%-47%) of the total dose with 2 and 9 tidal breaths, respectively. Mean drug delivery values with these breath numbers with a Funhaler (Visiomed, Perth, Australia) were 39% (95% CI: 34%-43%) and 38% (95% CI: 35%-42%), respectively. With a Volumatic (GlaxoSmithKline, Melbourne, Australia), mean drug delivery values with 2 and 9 tidal breaths were 37% (95% CI: 33%-41%) and 43% (95% CI: 40%-46%), respectively (P = .02); there was no significant difference in drug delivery with 3 versus 9 tidal breaths. With the modified soft drink bottle, drug delivery. Drug delivery was not improved with a single maximal breath with any device.'] Does aerosol inhalation from spacers and valved holding chambers require few tidal breaths for children? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3624387979507446,
-0.9722822308540344,
1.3732142448425293
] |
['To investigate the relation between ponderal index or birth weight and insulin resistance in late childhood.', 'An observational study of 92-term appropriate-for-gestational age infants was carried out. Weight and length were measured at birth and at 9 months and duration of breast feeding was noted at 9 months. Follow-up examinations at 10 years of age included measurement of weight, height, pubertal status, fasting insulin and glucose concentrations.', 'Ponderal index at birth was negatively (B±SE=-0.05±0.02; p=0.025) and current BMI was positively (B±SE=0.14±0.02; p<0.001) associated with insulin resistance measured as homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) at 10 years of age adjusted for gender and pubertal stage. Current BMI and ponderal index at birth were still significant after adjusting for weight at 9 months. Birth weight and weight at 9 months was not correlated with HOMA (p=0.58) adjusted for current BMI, gender and pubertal stage. HOMA was higher in the tertile with the lowest ponderal index than in the two remaining tertiles (p=0.024).'] Are thin newborns more insulin resistant at 10 years of age? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5738471746444702,
-1.366687297821045,
1.081679105758667
] |
['To evaluate the effects of 25-Hz deep brain stimulation of the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontini (PPTg) on brain metabolic activity.', "Six patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who had bilateral stereotactic implantation of PPTg at least 12 months prior to evaluation were included in our study. All underwent, in separate sessions, 18-FDG-PET in core assessment programme for intra-cerebral transplantation as well as motor evaluation [Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS)--Section III] and a battery of cognitive testing.", 'PPTg-ON (low bipolar contacts, 25 Hz) promoted a significant increase of glucose utilization in bilateral prefrontal areas including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, BA9), orbito-frontal cortex (BA47), anterior cingulate (BA 25-32), superior frontal gyrus (BA 10) and supramarginal gyrus (BA40); a significant increase of uptake and consumption of FDG also occurred in the left ventral striatum, left subgyral (BA 46), right insula (BA 13) and right superior temporal gyrus (BA 22). PPTg-ON was associated with a significant decrease of glucose utilization in the left cerebellar anterior lobe (culmen) and right cerebellar posterior lobe (declive). In the same patients, PPTg-ON improved delayed recall (P < 0.05) and executive functions whilst the UPDRS revealed a modest (-21%) and variable treatment effect.'] Does low frequency stimulation of the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontini increase cortical metabolism in parkinsonian patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3083760738372803,
-1.3724561929702759,
2.701091766357422
] |
['To report on the histopathologic findings of affected skin in consecutively collected biopsy specimens from 49 patients with erythromelalgia (EM).', 'Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from the foot arch and analyzed by light microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy.', 'Oslo University Hospital-Gaustad, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.', 'Thirty-one patients had primary EM, 17 patients had secondary EM, and 1 patient had erythromelalgic syndrome.', 'Evidence of microvascular abnormalities in skin biopsy specimens.', 'Light microscopy showed evidence of capillary proliferation in 10 of 31 patients with primary EM and in 1 of 17 patients with secondary EM. The biopsy specimen from the patient with erythromelalgic syndrome showed numerous capillary nests with endothelial cell defects and a slight perivascular inflammatory reaction. Among the 17 secondary EM cases, sparse perivascular lymphocyte infiltrations were observed in the biopsy specimens from 2 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and 1 patient with diabetes mellitus. Eleven patients also had signs of vasculopathy based on findings of immunodeposits of C3 and fibrin. Six of 30 patients with primary EM showed endothelial abnormalities on electron microscopy. All 3 investigations showed unremarkable biopsy results in 16 cases.'] Do nonspecific capillary proliferation and vasculopathy indicate skin hypoxia in erythromelalgia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.364269971847534,
-1.2404701709747314,
2.679779529571533
] |
['Insulin secretion is a complex and highly regulated process. It is well established that cytoplasmic calcium is a key regulator of insulin secretion, but how elevated intracellular calcium triggers insulin granule exocytosis remains unclear, and we have only begun to define the identities of proteins that are responsible for sensing calcium changes and for transmitting the calcium signal to release machineries. Synaptotagmins are primarily expressed in brain and endocrine cells and exhibit diverse calcium binding properties. Synaptotagmin-1, -2 and -9 are calcium sensors for fast neurotransmitter release in respective brain regions, while synaptotagmin-7 is a positive regulator of calcium-dependent insulin release. Unlike the three neuronal calcium sensors, whose deletion abolished fast neurotransmitter release, synaptotagmin-7 deletion resulted in only partial loss of calcium-dependent insulin secretion, thus suggesting that other calcium-sensors must participate in the regulation of insulin secretion. Of the other synaptotagmin isoforms that are present in pancreatic islets, the neuronal calcium sensor synaptotagmin-9 is expressed at the highest level after synaptotagmin-7.', 'In this study we tested whether synaptotagmin-9 participates in the regulation of glucose-stimulated insulin release by using pancreas-specific synaptotagmin-9 knockout (p-S9X) mice. Deletion of synaptotagmin-9 in the pancreas resulted in no changes in glucose homeostasis or body weight. Glucose tolerance, and insulin secretion in vivo and from isolated islets were not affected in the p-S9X mice. Single-cell capacitance measurements showed no difference in insulin granule exocytosis between p-S9X and control mice.'] Is neuronal calcium sensor synaptotagmin-9 involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis or insulin secretion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3757503032684326,
-1.1374081373214722,
2.5412728786468506
] |
["The human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) gene comprises at least 6 different transcription units (TU-1, -1A, -1B, -1C, -1D and -1E), and is regulated by no less than 6 different promoters. The best characterized are TU-1 and TU-1A: TU-1 is responsible for producing plasma SHBG, while TU-1A is transcribed and translated in the testis. Transcription of the recently described TU-1B, -1C, and -1D has been demonstrated in human prostate tissue and prostate cancer cell lines, as well as in other human cell lines such as HeLa, HepG2, HeK 293, CW 9019 and imr 32. However, there are no reported data demonstrating their translation. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether TU-1A and TU-1B are indeed translated in the human prostate and whether 5' UTR exons 1A and 1B differently regulate SHBG translation.", "Cis-regulatory elements that could potentially regulate translation were identified within the 5'UTRs of SHBG TU-1A and TU-1B. Although full-length SHBG TU-1A and TU-1B mRNAs were present in prostate cancer cell lines, the endogenous SHBG protein was not detected by western blot in any of them. LNCaP prostate cancer cells transfected with several SHBG constructs containing exons 2 to 8 but lacking the 5'UTR sequence did show SHBG translation, whereas inclusion of the 5'UTR sequences of either exon 1A or 1B caused a dramatic decrease in SHBG protein levels. The molecular weight of SHBG did not vary between cells transfected with constructs with or without the 5'UTR sequence, thus confirming that the first in-frame ATG of exon 2 is the translation start site of TU-1A and TU-1B."] Is human SHBG mRNA translation modulated by alternative 5'-non-coding exons 1A and 1B? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.033759117126465,
-1.247633695602417,
2.316405773162842
] |
["Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, is one of the most commonly used healing herbs for stroke and chronic debilitating conditions in China. Ginsenosides are the main active principles for ginseng's efficacy, but the mechanisms have not been fully clarified.", 'To test the hypothesis whether or not the administration of Ginseng total saponins (GTS) can enhance neurogenesis after focal cerebral ischemia, and thereby improve neurological deficits.', 'Male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of GTS dissolved at a dose of 25 mg kg(-1) d(-1) or normal saline (NS) of same volume 3 days before the permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model establishment until the animals were killed at the time points of 1d, 3d, 7d and 14d. The neurological function was assessed blindly. BrdU immunostaining and double staining were performed by following the 3-steps method.', '(A) GTS-treated rats have better neurological scores compared with those in NS group at 14d time point (p<0.05); (B) the number of BrdU(+) cells and BrdU(+)/NeuN(+) cells in GTS group were significantly higher than those in NS group in the ipsilateral subventricular zone and in the ipsilateral infarct area after MCAO, respectively (p<0.05 or p<0.01); (C) the increase of the number of BrdU(+)/NeuN(+) cells highly correlated with the decrease of neurological scores. Coefficient correlation r=-0.828 (p<0.01).'] Do ginseng total saponins enhance neurogenesis after focal cerebral ischemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.018336534500122,
-1.4439198970794678,
2.4323065280914307
] |
['MMP-1 is over-expressed in many cancers, with high expression often associated with poor survival. In the present study, we examined the expression of MMP-1 in EOC and its role in EOC invasion. Moreover, we evaluated the role of a newly identified MMP-1-protease activated receptor (PAR)-1 axis in LPA-induced EOC invasion.', 'MMP-1 and PAR1 mRNA expression in EOC cell lines was determined by real time PCR. MMP-1 mRNA expression in 96 normal and carcinoma ovarian tissue specimens was analyzed using a TissueScan real time PCR array. MMP-1 concentration in conditioned medium was measured by MMP-1 ELISA. PAR1 protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Cell invasion was evaluated by in vitro Matrigel invasion assay.', "In ovarian tumor tissues more MMP-1 expression was observed than in normal ovarian tissues (p<0.05), and its expression correlated with tumor grade (grade 3>grade 2>grade 1). Human recombinant MMP-1 as well as serum free conditioned medium containing high levels of MMP-1 from DOV13 and R182 cells significantly promoted DOV13 cell invasion (p<0.05), implicating a direct role of MMP-1 in EOC invasion. Moreover, MMP-1 induced DOV13 invasion was significantly blocked by PAR1 siRNA silencing. Furthermore, MMP-1 and PAR1 were both significantly induced by LPA (20 μM), and siRNA silencing of MMP-1 and PAR1 both significantly reduced LPA's invasion-promoting effect in DOV13 cells (p<0.05)."] Does mMP-1-PAR1 axis mediate LPA-induced epithelial ovarian cancer ( EOC ) invasion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.135232448577881,
-1.453320860862732,
2.604200839996338
] |
['The effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is moderated by negative emotions and clinical factors, but no studies evaluated the role of positive emotions. This study examined whether anhedonia (i.e. the lack of positive affect) moderated the effectiveness of CR on health status and somatic and cognitive symptoms.', 'CAD patients (n\xa0=\xa0368) filled out the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess anhedonia at the start of CR, and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Health Complaints Scale (HCS) at the start of CR and at 3 months to assess health status and somatic and cognitive symptoms, respectively.', 'Adjusting for clinical and demographic factors, health status improved significantly during the follow-up (F(1,357)\xa0=\xa010.84, P\xa0=\xa0.001). Anhedonic patients reported poorer health status compared with non-anhedonic patients, with anhedonia exerting a stable effect over time (F(1,358)\xa0=\xa034.80, P\xa0<\xa0.001). Somatic and cognitive symptoms decreased over time (F(1,358)\xa0=\xa03.85, P\xa0=\xa0.05). Anhedonics experienced more benefits in terms of somatic and cognitive symptoms over time (F(1,358)\xa0=\xa013.00, P\xa0<\xa0.001).'] Is anhedonia associated with poor health status and more somatic and cognitive symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.8932768106460571,
-1.3581894636154175,
1.2835485935211182
] |
['Morin (2′,3,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), a plant-derived flavonoid, has beneficial effects on hyperuricemia and renal dysfunction in animals. Since the decreased renal excretion of uric acid is the hallmark of hyperuricemia, here we studied the effects of oral morin administration on renal organic ion transporters in potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice.', 'Hyperuricemia in mice was induced by potassium oxonate. Uric acid and creatinine concentrations in urine and serum, and fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) were performed to evaluate renal urate handling. Changes in expression levels of renal organic ion transporters were detected by Western blotting and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods.', 'Morin treatment significantly increased urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio and FEUA, resulting in reduction of serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic mice. And kidney conditions were also improved after morin treatment in this model. Protein and mRNA levels of glucose transporter 9 (mGLUT9) and urate transporter 1 (mURAT1) were significantly decreased, and of organic anion transporter 1 (mOAT1) were remarkably increased in the kidney of morin-treated hyperuricemic mice. Morin treatment also blocked down-regulations of renal organic cation and carnitine transporters (mOCT1, mOCT2, mOCTN1 and mOCTN2) in hyperuricemic mice.'] Does morin improve urate excretion and kidney function through regulation of renal organic ion transporters in hyperuricemic mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5210206508636475,
-1.2733560800552368,
2.819676160812378
] |
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