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<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Cerebral white matter lesions (WML) are regarded as manifestations of small vessel disease, but have also been associated with large vessel atherosclerosis. We investigated whether WML have a predictive value for future ischemic events. Two-hundred-thirty patients with proven atherosclerotic disease, recent ischemic stroke (IS, n=70), recent myocardial infarction (MI, n=71), or peripheral arterial disease (PAD, n=89) were included. The presence of periventricular lesions (PVL) and deep white matter lesions (DWML) on MRI at entry and ischemic events during follow-up were registered. During follow-up with a mean duration of 3.5+/-1.4 years 22 patients had a MI, 21 patients suffered an IS and 2 patients died suddenly. The frequency of ischemic events during follow-up was higher among patients with PVL than in those without PVL (IS: 18% versus 5%, p=0.001; MI: 15% versus 7%, p=0.03; any ischemic event: 36% versus 11%, p<0.001). DWML was associated only with the combined outcome any ischemic event (p=0.04). In multivariate regression analysis the presence of PVL was independently associated with IS (HR 3.2 (95%CI 1.3-8.4) and MI (HR 3.4 (95%CI 1.4-8.0)).
Question: Do cerebral white matter lesions predict both ischemic strokes and myocardial infarctions in patients with established atherosclerotic disease? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> We observed an association between WML, especially PVL, and future ischemic strokes and myocardial infarctions in patients with established atherosclerotic disease. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Cardiac myxomas are generally considered benign, but malignant tumors have been reported. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic factor, plays a role in the growth, progression, and metastasis of solid tumors and it has been reported that VEGF expression is upregulated in cardiac myxomas that have a high microvessel density. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cardiac myxoma cells possess a VEGF-autocrine system that regulates tumor growth. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed the presence of VEGF and its receptors, VEGFR-1 (flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (KDR/flk-1), in the cytoplasm of tumor cells from 18 of 18 myxoma tissue specimens examined. Two different myxoma cell lines were established and constitutively secreted large amounts of VEGF as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 mRNA was detected in both cell lines by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Myxoma cell proliferation, as determined by thymidine incorporation, was enhanced by the addition of VEGF in a dose-dependent manner, and cell proliferation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of a neutralizing VEGF antibody.
Question: Is vascular endothelial growth factor an autocrine growth factor for cardiac myxoma cells? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These results indicate that cardiac myxoma cells possess a VEGF-autocrine system, which could contribute to the malignant potential of histologically benign myxomas through direct stimulation of tumor cell growth as well as through induction of angiogenesis. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are thought to be responsible for pancreatic fibrosis. Although fibrosis is a major characteristic of chronic pancreatitis (CP) induced by pancreatic duct obstruction, it is unclear whether pancreatic duct obstruction itself activates PSCs. To test the hypothesis that pancreatic duct obstruction activates PSCs, clinical and experimental analyses were performed using alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) as a marker of their activation. In clinical analysis, surgical specimens from the patients with pancreatic cancer or cancer of the papilla Vater were classified into two groups with or without duct obstruction. alpha-SMA expression was examined on these specimens, and the difference between two groups was evaluated. In animal experiment, duct ligation-induced pancreatitis was developed in rats by ligating the secondary pancreatic duct in duodenal segment, and the expression of alpha-SMA was examined. In clinical analysis, the specimens from the pancreas with duct obstruction (14 cases) expressed alpha-SMA significantly stronger than those from the pancreas without duct obstruction (7 cases). All specimens in the former expressed alpha-SMA, but 4 specimens from the latter did not at all (P < 0.05). In animal experiment, alpha-SMA expression was detected 7 days after the ligation and was increased on the 10th day.
Question: Does pancreatic duct obstruction itself induce expression of alpha smooth muscle actin in pancreatic stellate cells? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> We can assume that pancreatic duct obstruction itself activates PSCs. This mechanism may play roles in the development of CP from multiple origins. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Media depiction of sufferers of mental illness is a widely viewed source of stigmatization and studies have found stigmatizing depictions of mental illness in Nigerian films. With the recent boom in the Nigerian home video industry, there is a need to know how often Nigerians are exposed to films that contain scenes depicting mental illness and how much premium they place on such portrayals as reflecting reality.AIM: To assess the popularity of Nigerian home videos among Nigerian community dwellers and the frequency of their exposure to scenes depicting mental illness. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to obtain socio-demographic data and to find out how often respondents see scenes depicting 'madness' in home videos, as well as their views about the accuracy of such depictions from the orthodox psychiatry point of view. Current home videos available in video rental shops were selected for viewing and content review. All 676 respondents had seen a Nigerian home video in the preceding 30 days: 528 (78%) reported scenes depicting 'mad persons'; 472 (70%) reported that the scenes they saw agreed with their own initial understanding of the cause and treatment of 'madness'. About 20% of the films depicted mental illness. The most commonly depicted cause was sorcery and enchantment by witches and wizards, while the most commonly depicted treatment was magical and spiritual healing by diviners and religious priests.
Question: The Nigerian home video boom: should Nigerian psychiatrists be worried? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Nigerian home video is a popular electronic media in Nigeria and scenes depicting mental illness are not uncommon. The industry could be harnessed for promoting mental health literacy. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Epidemiological prospective data on cardiovascular (CV) events in elderly subjects from Mediterranean populations are lacking. We aimed to investigate 15-year incidence of CV events and to evaluate the association with CV risk factors in an elderly Mediterranean population. The population of a small Sicilian village were enrolled, visited and a blood sample was drawn at baseline. CV events were recorded in the 15 years of follow-up. From 1351 subjects (75% of the resident population); 315 were in the age range 65-85 years; 266 subjects free from CV disease were analysed. Seventy-seven CV events were recorded in 73 out of 266 subjects, with a 19.7% rate (in 10 years). Hypertension (HTN) (hazards ratio=2.1) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (hazards ratio=1.8) were independently associated with CV events. Subjects with both DM and HTN showed a lower survival free of CV events compared to those with DM or HTN.
Question: Are hypertension and diabetes mellitus associated with cardiovascular events in the elderly without cardiovascular disease . Results of a 15-year follow-up in a Mediterranean population? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> In a 15-year follow-up of an elderly Mediterranean population free from CV disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were related to CV events. The control of risk factors in the elderly needs to be reinforced to achieve better results in terms of CV prevention. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Unsedated transnasal upper endoscopy has a diagnostic yield comparable with that of sedated conventional upper endoscopy. The ability of transnasal upper endoscopy to detect Barrett's metaplasia or dysplastic change has not been systematically evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of transnasal upper endoscopy for surveillance of patients with Barrett's esophagus and to evaluate its histopathologic yield for Barrett's metaplasia and dysplasia. Thirty-two patients with Barrett's esophagus were evaluated with conventional upper endoscopy and transnasal upper endoscopy. An effort was made to recruit patients known to have dysplasia. Quadrantic biopsy specimens were taken with standard (conventional upper endoscopy) and pediatric (transnasal upper endoscopy) biopsy forceps at procedures performed at least 1 week apart. Two blinded pathologists evaluated the specimens. Transnasal upper endoscopy detected Barrett's metaplasia histopathologically in 31 of 32 patients. Level of agreement for presence of dysplasia in biopsy specimens obtained between conventional upper endoscopy and transnasal upper endoscopy was excellent (k = 0.79). Interobserver agreement for dysplasia in specimens obtained by conventional upper endoscopy (k = 0.61) and by transnasal upper endoscopy (k = 0.61) were similar. Intraobserver agreement between conventional upper endoscopy and transnasal upper endoscopy biopsy specimens for dysplasia by pathologist 1 (k = 0.73) and pathologist 2 (k = 0.75) were also similar. No significant adverse effects were noted.
Question: Does unsedated transnasal endoscopy accurately detect Barrett 's metaplasia and dysplasia? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Transnasal upper endoscopy is feasible and accurate for identification and histopathologic confirmation of Barrett's metaplasia with a histopathologic yield for dysplasia comparable with conventional upper endoscopy. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To examine if overall diet quality is associated with cellular and soluble biomarkers of systemic inflammation in middle-aged individuals. A group of 667 individuals, aged 63-68 years, selected from the cardiovascular arm of the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort, participated in this study. Baseline examinations consisted of an extensive socio-demographic questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, blood sampling and detailed dietary data. Mononuclear leukocytes frozen at baseline were thawed and analysed with flow cytometry to quantify monocyte subsets based on CD14 and CD16 expression. Plasma cytokines were measured using multiplexed immune assays. A diet quality index consisting of six components (saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fish and shellfish, dietary fibre, fruit and vegetables, and sucrose) was constructed to measure adherence to the Swedish Nutrition Recommendations/Dietary Guidelines. General linear models were used to investigate associations between index scores and several biomarkers of inflammation. A higher percentage of women reported adherence to the nutritional recommendations and had better overall diet quality than men. Participants with higher diet quality were more likely to have a healthier lifestyle. The levels of high-sensitive CRP, S100A8/A9, TNF-α, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and CD14(+)CD16(++) were lower in participants with higher index scores. The associations remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders.
Question: Is a high quality diet associated with reduced systemic inflammation in middle-aged individuals? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> In this cross-sectional study, we found that a high diet quality is associated with lower systemic inflammation. As the incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer is directly correlated with the levels of inflammation, our findings might indicate a protective role of high-quality diet. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Genetic factors are believed to be important in early-onset lone atrial fibrillation (AF). The gene GJA5 encodes the gap-junction protein Cx40, which together with Cx43 is responsible for the electrical coupling of the atrial cardiomyocytes. The regulatory single nucleotide polymorphism rs10465885 in GJA5 was recently associated with early-onset lone AF (< 60 years) and was also found to be strongly associated with Cx40 messenger RNA levels. We hypothesized that this gene would have a strong effect in patients with a more selected phenotype, and that the findings regarding rs10465885 could be replicated in this group. The coding region and flanking intron sequences of GJA5 were resequenced in 342 patients with onset of lone AF before the age of 50 (mean age at onset 34 ± 9 years), and in 216 controls. The single nucleotide polymorphism rs10465885 was genotyped in 342 patients and 534 control subjects and odds ratios were calculated for different genetic models. Genotyping of rs10465885 showed that the patients with early-onset lone AF were more likely to carry the A allele compared with controls (odds ratio = 1.30; P = 0.011). When resequencing GJA5, we identified the mutation A96S, previously associated with lone AF, which was not present in our control subjects or in any publicly available database or the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Exome Variant Server (NHLBI EVS; 10,758 alleles).
Question: Are rare variants in GJA5 associated with early-onset lone atrial fibrillation? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> We show a highly significant association between the A allele of rs10465885 and onset of lone AF before age 50. This opposes a previous study, wherein the G allele was found to be associated with AF, and makes it impossible to exclude that the associations are coincidental. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: One week following unilateral lung contusion (LC), rat lungs demonstrate full histologic recovery. When animals undergo LC plus the addition of chronic restraint stress (CS), wound healing is significantly delayed. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent cells capable of immunomodulation, which have been the focus of much research in wound healing and tissue regeneration. We hypothesize that the addition of MSCs will improve wound healing in the setting of CS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6-7 per group) were subjected to LC/CS with or without the injection of MSCs. MSCs were given as a single intravenous dose of 5 × 10 cells in 1 mL Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium at the time of LC. Rats were subjected to 2 hours of restraint stress on Days 1 to 6 following LC. Seven days following injury, rats were sacrificed, and the lungs were examined for histologic evidence of wound healing using a well-established histologic lung injury score (LIS) to grade injury. LIS examines inflammatory cells/high-power field (HPF) averaged over 30 fields, interstitial edema, pulmonary edema, and alveolar integrity, with scores ranging from 0 (normal) to 11 (highly damaged). Peripheral blood was analyzed by flow cytometry for the presence of T-regulatory (C4CD25FoxP3) cells. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test, expressed as mean (SD). As previously shown, 7 days following isolated LC, LIS has returned to 0.83 (0.41), with a subscore of zero for inflammatory cells/HPF. The addition of CS results in an LIS of 4.4 (2.2), with a subscore of 1.9 (0.7) for inflammatory cells/HPF. Addition of MSC to LC/CS decreased LIS to 1.7 (0.8), with a subscore of zero for inflammatory cells/HPF. Furthermore, treatment of animals undergoing LC/CS with MSCs increased the %T-regulatory cells by 70% in animals undergoing LC/CS alone (12.9% [2.4]% vs. 6.2% [1.3%]).
Question: Can mesenchymal stem cells reverse chronic stress-induced impairment of lung healing following traumatic injury? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Stress-induced impairment of wound healing is reversed by the addition of MSCs given at the time of injury in this rat LC model. This improvement in lung healing is associated with a decrease in the number of inflammatory cells and an increase in the number of T-regulatory cells. Further study into the mechanisms by which MSCs hasten wound healing is warranted. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Hypermutable Pseudomonas aeruginosa (HPA) with high mutation rate due to defects in the DNA mismatch repair genes are frequently isolated in the sputum of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. These isolates tend to be multidrug resistant and may be better adapted to the CF lung environment. However, the clinical significance of this infection has not been determined. This prospective study enrolled patients with PA infection attending CF clinics in Jerusalem between 2010 and 2011. Mutation frequency of pseudomonas isolates was determined by quantification of colonies resistant to rifampicin. Of the 73 patients enrolled, 22 (30%) were infected with HPA. Average mutation frequency was 2.95×10(-4) in HPA and 1×10(-7) in non-HPA. Pulmonary function tests, number of pulmonary exacerbations and the response to antibiotic therapy were similar between patients infected with HPA and non-HPA isolates. The only predictors for infection with HPA were resistance to multiple antimicrobial categories (OR=4.8, 95% CI: 1.8-12.4) and previous use of inhaled colistin (OR=8.1, 95% CI: 2-30). Resistant mutant subpopulation analysis was a poor screening test for identifying HPA isolates.
Question: Is infection with hypermutable Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinically significant? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Infection with hypermutable strains represents the marked ability of PA to adapt to the lung environment, but was not associated with worse clinical outcome. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the initial process of atherosclerosis, whereas it remains to be determined how atherogenic stimulus causes ROS-mediated proinflammatory reactions. Here, we focused on proline-rich tyrosine kinase (PYK2)-mediated ROS generation and examined how atherogenic stimulus causes early proinflammatory reactions. PYK2-deficient (knockout [KO]) (PYK2-KO) mice were crossbred with apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient (PYK2-KO/ApoE-KO) mice. PYK2-KO/ApoE-KO mice and endothelial cells (EC) were used for the study. Aortic atherogenic lesions in PYK2-KO/ApoE-KO mice were markedly decreased (55% versus ApoE-KO) after 8 weeks of a Western diet. Aortic PYK2 was activated as early as 7 days after the Western diet, when inflammatory cells were not yet activated. Addition of the proatherogenic oxidized phospholipid lysophosphatidylcholine caused activation of endothelial PYK2. Lysophosphatidylcholine-activated PYK2 induced NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS generation and ROS-mediated synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and p21Cip1/Ets-1. Neutralizing anti-TNFα antibody or knockdown of p21Cip1/Ets-1 system blocked the induction of VCAM-1 and MCP-1. PYK2 deficiency abolished these ROS-mediated proinflammatory reactions. Further analysis revealed that PYK2/ROS-mediated p21Cip1/Ets-1 activation upregulated the transcription of the MCP-1 gene in collaboration with p300 transcription coactivator.
Question: Are early inflammatory reactions in atherosclerosis induced by proline-rich tyrosine kinase/reactive oxygen species-mediated release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and subsequent activation of the p21Cip1/Ets-1/p300 system? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> PYK2 is a key tyrosine kinase activated by high cholesterol exposure, which causes ROS-mediated TNFα release and induces TNFα-dependent expression of proinflammatory molecules via the p21Cip1/Ets-1/p300 transcription system. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: LDL-receptor deficiency may provide a mechanism which contributes to atherogenic lipoprotein abnormalities in experimental nephrosis and in humans with glomerular proteinuria. The proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) pathway plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism by promoting LDL-receptor degradation. We tested whether plasma PCSK9 is elevated in proteinuric states, and determined relationships of PCSK9 with lipoprotein responses to proteinuria reduction. Thirty-nine kidney patients (e-GFR 61 ± 29 mL/min/1.73 m(2), proteinuria 1.9 [0.9-3.3] g/day; 19 on statin treatment) were studied during 2 randomized double-blind 6-week periods on either lisinopril (40 mg/day) and a regular sodium diet (194 ± 49 mmol Na+/day; baseline treatment) or lisinopril plus valsartan (320 mg/day) and a low sodium diet (102 ± 52 mmol Na(+)/day; maximal treatment), and compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Maximal treatment decreased proteinuria to 0.5 [0.3-1.1] g/day (P < 0.001). Plasma PCSK9 was increased at baseline in proteinuric subjects (213 [161-314] vs. 143 [113-190] ug/L in controls, P ≤ 0.001), irrespective of statin use, e-GFR and BMI. PCSK9 correlated with proteinuria at baseline (R = 0.399, P = 0.018) and at maximal antiproteinuric treatment (R = 0.525, P = 0.001), but did not decrease during proteinuria reduction (P = 0.84). Individual changes in total cholesterol (R = 0.365, P = 0.024), non-HDL cholesterol (R = 0.333, P = 0.041), and LDL cholesterol (R = 0.346, P = 0.033) were correlated positively with individual PCSK9 responses. PCSK9 at baseline independently predicted the total/HDL cholesterol ratio response to treatment (P = 0.04).
Question: Is proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 elevated in proteinuric subjects : relationship with lipoprotein response to antiproteinuric treatment? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Plasma PCSK9 was elevated in proteinuria, predicted lipoprotein responses to proteinuria reduction but remained unchanged after proteinuria reduction. Inhibition of the PCSK9 pathway may provide a novel treatment strategy in proteinuric subjects. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Differential diagnosis between bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) is often challenging due to some overlap in symptoms and comorbidity of disorders. We investigated correlations in self-reported symptoms of BD and BPD in screening questionnaires at the levels of both total scores and individual items and explored overlapping dimensions. The McLean Screening Instrument (MSI) for BPD and the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) for BD were filled in by patients with unipolar and bipolar mood disorders (n=313) from specialized psychiatric care within a pilot study of the Helsinki University Psychiatric Consortium. Pearson's correlation coefficients between total scores and individual items of the MSI and the MDQ were estimated. Relationships between MDQ and MSI were evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The correlation between total scores of the MDQ and MSI was moderate (r=0.431, P<0.001). Significant correlations were found between the MSI items of "impulsivity" and "mood instability" and all MDQ items (P<0.01). In the EFA, the MSI "impulsivity" and "mood instability" items had significant cross-loadings (0.348 and 0.298, respectively) with the MDQ factor. The MDQ items of "irritability", "flight of thoughts" and "distractibility" (0.280, 0.210 and 0.386, respectively) cross-loaded on the MSI factor.
Question: Do differences and overlap in self-reported symptoms of bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The MDQ and MSI items of "affective instability", "impulsivity", "irritability", "flight of thoughts" and "distractibility" appear to overlap in content. The other scale items are more disorder-specific, and thus, may help to distinguish BD and BPD. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To evaluate possible sex differences in prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of asthma, and influence on lung function associated with asthma severity in a population-based birth cohort (BAMSE) of 4089 children. At 4-y follow-up, 92% responded to a questionnaire on symptoms of asthma, current medication and doctor's diagnosis of asthma. A total of 2965 children participated in clinical testing, including measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF), and were assigned to groups of asthma or no asthma by reported airway symptoms. Children in asthma groups had lower PEF readings compared to healthy children. This effect was most pronounced for both sexes in the persistent group (boys p<0.05, girls p<0.001) and for girls in the transient group (p<0.01). A doctor's diagnosis of asthma did not significantly differ between boys and girls, but significantly more boys than girls had inhaled corticosteroids, even when stratifying by frequency of symptoms.
Question: Does sex influence on lung function and medication in childhood asthma? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These results suggest that when 4-y-old children are stratified according to common diagnostic criteria, girls have a larger effect on PEF of asthma symptoms and are less frequently treated compared to boys. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The early loss of renal function in patients with type 1 diabetes may begin before proteinuria. Only 30% of patients with diabetes manifest overt proteinuria. According to the previous studies, increased urinary albumin excretion, which is considered a classic marker of progression of diabetic kidney disease, can regress to normal urine albumin excretion. The current studies conducted in patients with type 1 diabetes without increased urine albumin excretion showed that the uric acid concentration was an independent factor for the development of diabetic kidney disease. The aim of study was to assess the impact of uric acid concentration and to identify risk factors of the early glomerular filtration loss in patients with type 1 diabetes and normal urinary albumin excretion. 147 patients (61 women and 86 men) with type 1 diabetes without increased urine albumin excretion were analysed. GFR (gromerular filtration rate) was estimated based on the serum cystatin C concentration. Centile charts were used to determine the variation of uric acid concentration depending on GFR and gender. The mean value of the filtration rate for the study group was 117 ml/min/m2. The uric acid level above 90th percentile in relation to GFR was diagnosed in 8.2% of women and 0% of men, between 90th and 50th percentile in 44.3 % of women and 5.8% of men and below 50th percentile in 47.5% of women and 94.2% of men. Contrary to men in women higher serum acid concentration was strongly associated with higher glomerular filtration rate. Hyperfiltraion was diagnosed in 15 of women and 19 of men.
Question: Is serum uric acid concentration associated with early changes of glomerular filtration rate in patients with diabetes type 1 without increased albumin excretion? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The high normal uric acid concentration in women with type 1 diabetes might play a crucial role in development of hyperfiltration. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) has preclinically and clinically shown promise to overcome radio- and chemoresistance of tumor cells. NDACI054 is a novel HDAC inhibitor, which has been evaluated here for its effects on cell survival and radiosensitization of human tumor cell lines from different origins cultured under more physiological three-dimensional (3D), extracellular matrix (ECM)-based conditions. A549 lung, DLD-1 colorectal, MiaPaCa2 pancreatic and UT-SCC15 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells were treated with increasing NDACI054 concentrations (0-50 nM, 24 h) either alone or in combination with X-rays (single dose, 0-6 Gy). Subsequently, 3D clonogenic cell survival, HDAC activity, histone H3 acetylation, apoptosis, residual DNA damage (γH2AX/p53BP1 foci assay 24h post irradiation) and phosphorylation kinetics of Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), Caspase-3 and Poly(ADP-ribose)-Polymerase 1 (PARP 1) cleavage were analyzed. NDACI054 potently decreased HDAC activity with concomitant increase in acetyl-histone H3 levels, mediated significant cytotoxicity and radiosensitization. These effects were accompanied by a significant increase of residual γH2AX/p53BP1-positive foci, slightly elevated levels of Caspase-3 and PARP 1 cleavage but no induction of apoptosis.
Question: Does the novel HDAC inhibitor NDACI054 sensitize human cancer cells to radiotherapy? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our data show potent antisurvival and radiosensitizing effects of the novel HDAC inhibitor NDACI054 encouraging further preclinical examinations on this compound for future clinical use. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: In previous studies cellular prion protein (PrPc) is confirmed to be involved in multidrug resistance (MDR) of gastric cancer. Although octarepeat peptides are important functional domains of PrPc and are closely related to the transport of Cu2+/Zn2+ and antioxidative function, the significance in MDR remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the role of octarepeat peptides in gastric cancer MDR. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against PrPc were transfected into adriamycin-resistant gastric cancer cell lines to inhibit the expression of wild type PrPc, and then constructs encoding PrPc without octarepeat peptides and PrPc without the fifth repeat peptide were transfected, respectively, to establish the cell models. In vitro drug sensitivity, cell apoptosis, measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH), as well as changes in glutathione S-transferase (GST) were detected. In vitro drug sensitivity test showed that octarepeat peptides could modulate the drug resistance of gastric cancer cells, but the deletion of the fifth repeat peptide had no effect. Specifically, the anti-apoptotic capacity of gastric cancer cells decreased significantly when the octarepeat peptides of PrPc was absent. Moreover, the activities of total SOD, Cu2+/Zn2+-SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and GST detected in different stressing periods revealed that cells lacking octarepeat peptides of PrPc exhibited weakened responses to stress. However, absence of the fifth repeat peptide did not exert any effect on stress response.
Question: Are octarepeat peptides of prion essential for multidrug resistance in gastric cancer cells? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The octarepeat peptides of prion is responsible for MDR in gastric cancer cells while the fifth repeat peptide is not. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Historians have suggested that MacArthur had Parkinson disease (PD), and that this may have influenced his military judgment. There is little evidence to support or to refute this suggestion. We aimed in this article to review multiple cinematic images, as well as the personal writings of Douglas MacArthur to determine the likelihood that he had PD. A complete review of the Western literature on Douglas MacArthur, including YouTube, Google Scholar/Google Images/Google Video, PubMed, and HighWirePress was undertaken. Over 200 minutes of film footage was analyzed, including such factors as MacArthur's facial profiles, facial expression, gait, posture, and movement. Handwriting samples from over 6 decades were compared for evidence of micrographia. Videos and handwriting samples were independently reviewed by 3 fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologists. Examination of video footage showed evidence of progression of head tremors, postural action tremors, and voice tremors. There were no clear indications of a masked face, rigidity, bradykinesia, or a resting tremor on film footage recorded from 1906 to 1964. There was no evidence of micrographia in handwriting samples. Oral testimony and letters written by an attending gastroenterologist present at MacArthur's death in 1964 revealed no evidence of parkinsonian features.
Question: Did General Douglas MacArthur have Parkinson disease? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> We conclude that MacArthur had mild essential tremor that was more evident in his postmilitary career. There was no evidence to suggest that he had a clinical diagnosis of progressive PD. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Osteoclastogenesis is primarily activated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) and is inhibited by osteoprotegerin (OPG). A previous study demonstrated that local OPG gene transfer to periodontal tissue inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis and experimental tooth movement. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that local OPG gene transfer to the periodontium can neutralize RANKL activity induced by lipopolysaccharide injection, thereby inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and diminishing alveolar bone resorption in experimental periodontal disease. Seven-week-old male Wistar rats received an injection of lipopolysaccharide or phosphate-buffered saline in the palatal gingiva of the upper first molars on both the right and left sides. An inactivated haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) envelope vector containing a mouse OPG expression plasmid [pcDNA3.1(+)-mOPG] or mock vector was injected periodically into the palatal periodontal tissue of the upper first molars. Lipopolysaccharide injection induced severe periodontal bone resorption. Local OPG gene transfer induced OPG production, and osteoclastogenesis was inhibited. Local OPG gene transfer significantly decreased alveolar bone resorption.
Question: Does local osteoprotegerin gene transfer to periodontal tissue inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced alveolar bone resorption? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Osteoprotegerin gene transfer to periodontal tissue inhibited osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone resorption in lipopolysaccharide-induced experimental periodontal disease. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Oxidative metabolism, resulting in the formation of hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) metabolites, may enhance the neurotoxic potential of brominated flame retardants. Our objective was to investigate the effects of a hydroxylated metabolite of 2,2',4,4'-tetra-bromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47; 6-OH-BDE-47) on changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and vesicular catecholamine release in PC12 cells. We measured vesicular catecholamine release and [Ca2+]i using amperometry and imaging of the fluorescent Ca2+-sensitive dye Fura-2, respectively. Acute exposure of PC12 cells to 6-OH-BDE-47 (5 microM) induced vesicular catecholamine release. Catecholamine release coincided with a transient increase in [Ca2+]i, which was observed shortly after the onset of exposure to 6-OH-BDE-47 (120 microM). An additional late increase in [Ca2+]i was often observed at > or =1 microM 6-OH-BDE-47. The initial transient increase was absent in cells exposed to the parent compound BDE-47, whereas the late increase was observed only at 20 microM. Using the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and thapsigargin to empty intracellular Ca2+ stores, we found that the initial increase originates from emptying of the endoplasmic reticulum and consequent influx of extracellular Ca2+, whereas the late increase originates primarily from mitochondria.
Question: Does hydroxylation increase the neurotoxic potential of BDE-47 to affect exocytosis and calcium homeostasis in PC12 cells? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The hydroxylated metabolite 6-OH-BDE-47 is more potent in disturbing Ca2+ homeostasis and neurotransmitter release than the parent compound BDE-47. The present findings indicate that bioactivation by oxidative metabolism adds considerably to the neurotoxic potential of PBDEs. Additionally, based on the observed mechanism of action, a cumulative neurotoxic effect of PBDEs and ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls on [Ca2+]i cannot be ruled out. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Extravesical ureteral reimplantation and subureteral Deflux injection are used to correct vesicoureteral reflux with success rates of 94% to 99% and up to 89%, respectively. It was reported that unilateral extravesical reimplantation may be performed safely in an outpatient setting. Given that, we analyzed total system reimbursement to compare planned outpatient unilateral extravesical reimplantation to subureteral Deflux injection in patients with unilateral vesicoureteral reflux. Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing outpatient procedures for unilateral vesicoureteral reflux. Assessment of total system reimbursement was made using a payer mix adjusted calculation of surgery plus anesthesia plus hospital reimbursement. This was compared per procedure and in terms of total system reimbursement for each approach to obtain a similar resolution rate. A total of 209 consecutive patients were identified, of whom 26 underwent subureteral Deflux injection and 183 underwent unilateral extravesical reimplantation. Mean operative time was 93 minutes for reimplantation and 45 minutes for injection. The mean volume of dextranomer-hyaluronic acid was 1.2 ml. Total initial system reimbursement per patient was $3,813 for reimplantation and $4,259 for injection. A 3% hospital admission rate for reimplantation increased the total to $3,945. Higher reimbursement for injection depended largely on the material expense for dextranomer-hyaluronic acid.
Question: Is endoscopic subureteral injection less expensive than outpatient open reimplantation for unilateral vesicoureteral reflux? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> In terms of total system reimbursement it is less expensive in our system to treat unilateral vesicoureteral reflux with unilateral extravesical reimplantation than with subureteral Deflux injection using dextranomer-hyaluronic acid. The ability to perform unilateral reimplantation as an outpatient procedure has shifted this relationship. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Facial skeletal asymmetry is commonly found in humans and its main characteristic is menton deviation. The literature suggests that occlusal and masticatory problems arising from tooth absence could be related to the development of such asymmetries. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of mandibular skeletal asymmetries and to investigate its association with posterior tooth absences. Tomographic images of 952 individuals aged from 18 to 75 years old were used. Asymmetry was the analyzed outcome, and it was categorized into three groups according to gnathion displacement in relation to the midsagittal plane (relative symmetry, moderate asymmetry, and severe asymmetry). Patients were sorted by the presence of all posterior teeth, unilateral posterior tooth absence, or bilateral posterior tooth absence. Chi-square test with a significance level of 5% was used to verify the association between posterior tooth absence and asymmetry. Results show relative symmetry present in 55.3% of the sample, as well as the prevalence of 27.3% for moderate mandibular asymmetry and 17.4% for severe asymmetry. Moderate and severe mandibular asymmetries occurred in a higher proportion in patients with unilateral posterior tooth absence. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the analyzed groups (p = 0.691).
Question: Is there an association between skeletal asymmetry and tooth absence? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> In this study, mandibular asymmetries did not present any association with the absence of teeth on the posterior area of the arch. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Recent genome-wide association studies in East Asian populations reported that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in KCNQ1 are associated with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to validate this finding in a Chinese population. We genotyped four SNPs, rs2074196, rs2237892, rs2237895 and rs2237897, in a group of 3,503 Shanghai Chinese individuals, comprising 1,769 type 2 diabetic patients and 1,734 normoglycaemic controls. Both the cases and the controls were extensively phenotyped for anthropometric and biochemical traits related to glucose metabolism. Arginine stimulation tests under fasting conditions were performed in a subgroup of 466 cases. All four of the SNPs were associated with type 2 diabetes, with rs2237892 showing strongest evidence for association (OR 1.532, 95% CI 1.381-1.698, p = 5.0 x 10(-16)). The SNP rs2237897 was associated with both acute insulin and C-peptide response after arginine stimulation in a subgroup of cases (p = 0.0471 and p = 0.0156, respectively). The SNP rs2237895 was associated with both first- and second-phase insulin secretion in the controls (p = 0.0334 and p = 0.0002, respectively).
Question: Are variations in KCNQ1 associated with type 2 diabetes and beta cell function in a Chinese population? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> In this study we found that KCNQ1 was associated with type 2 diabetes susceptibility in a Chinese population, possibly through its effect on beta cell function. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Patient work resumption after sickness absence varies even among patients with similar pathologies and characteristics. Explanations remain uncertain. One newly investigated field is "information asymmetry", a situation in which critical information is not appropriately exchanged between stakeholders in disability management. It is hypothesised that information asymmetry between social insurance physicians and occupational physicians prolongs sickness absence. To assess the influence of enhanced information exchange between these physicians on patient outcome. Non-randomised controlled intervention study. The setting was the work inability assessment consultation of social insurance physicians in Belgium. Inclusion criteria were: employee, age 18-50, and subacute (more than one month) sickness absence. The intervention was a structured information exchange (through the use of a communication form) between the patient's social insurance physician and occupational physician. The intervention started when the patient's sickness absence reached the subacute stage, and ended when the sickness absence benefit was ceased or the duration exceeded one year. The primary outcome measure was the sickness absence benefit status of the patient assessed one year after benefit onset. Of the 1883 patients asked to enroll in the study, 1564 (84%) participated; 505 (32%) of 1564 patients were assigned to the intervention group and 1059 (68%) to the control group; 1553 (99%) of 1564 patients completed the study. In the intervention group, 86% received no sickness absence benefit at the end of the study, versus 84% in the control group (95% CI 0.91-1.15). No significant differences in other outcome parameters were obtained.
Question: Does enhanced information exchange between social insurance physicians and occupational physicians improve patient work resumption? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Information exchange between physicians may not be enough to influence work resumption among patients on sickness absence. Further research on stakeholders' information asymmetry and its effect on the outcome of patients are necessary. The complexity of information asymmetry in disability management cannot be underestimated. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Elevated myocardial energy expenditure (MEE) is related with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and has also been documented as an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality. However, the serum small-molecule metabolite profiles and pathophysiological mechanisms of elevated MEE in heart failure (HF) are still lacking. Herein, we used 1H-NMR-based metabolomics analysis to screen for potential biomarkers of MEE in HF. A total of 61 subjects were enrolled, including 46 patients with heart failure and 15 age-matched controls. Venous serum samples were collected from subjects after an 8-hour fast. An INOVA 600 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer with Carr-Purcell-Melboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence was employed for the metabolomics analysis and MEE was calculated using colored Doppler echocardiography. Metabolomics data were processed using orthogonal signal correction and regression analysis was performed using the partial least squares method. The mean MEE levels of HF patients and controls were 139.61±58.18 cal/min and 61.09±23.54 cal/min, respectively. Serum metabolomics varied with MEE changed, and 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetone and succinate were significantly elevated with the increasing MEE. Importantly, these three metabolites were independent of administration of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, β-receptor blockers, diuretics and statins (P>0.05).
Question: Does 1H-NMR-based metabolic analysis of human serum reveal novel markers of myocardial energy expenditure in heart failure patients? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These results suggested that in patients with heart failure, MEE elevation was associated with significant changes in serum metabolomics profiles, especially the concentration of 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetone and succinate. These compounds could be used as potential serum biomarkers to study myocardial energy mechanism in HF patients. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major agents of chronic hepatitis and liver disease worldwide. Infection with HCV leads to chronic hepatitis in about 80% of the cases. The most used treatment is based on interferon (IFN)-alpha, which is effective in less than 50% of patients; however, a high proportion of responders may relapse after interferon withdrawal. Fatigue is a common complaint in patients with liver disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of carnitine on IFN-induced fatigue in subjects with chronic hepatitis C. We studied 50 patients (30 males and 20 females) with chronic hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis was diagnosed by determination of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (at least 2-fold upper normal values for 1 year). Our study series was divided into two groups and matched as to number, age, sex, as well as grade and duration of disease. Group 1, composed of 25 patients, was treated with leucocytic IFN-alpha at a dosage of 3 million IU thrice a week; group 2 (25 patients) was treated with the same protocol as group 1, but was also administered carnitine 2 g per os daily. Patients' response was evaluated on the basis of serum levels of AST and ALT as well as liver functions; fatigue was evaluated by Wessely and Powell scores. All patients studied were tested before treatment and then 1, 3 and 6 months after the beginning of IFN administration. The difference of physical fatigue between the two groups after 1 month of therapy was significant (p < 0.01) for patients treated with carnitine. This significance continued at the end of month 3 (p < 0.01). With reference to mental fatigue, the comparison between the two groups showed a significant difference for group 2 after 1 month (p < 0.01). Finally, with respect to the fatigue severity, the comparison between the two groups showed that after 1 and 3 months of therapy, fatigue was significantly less severe in group 2 than group 1 (p < 0.0005).
Question: Does l-carnitine decrease severity and type of fatigue induced by interferon-alpha in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> If we take into account baseline values of mental and physical fatigue as well as the severity of this symptom in our study series, one observes that therapy with IFN alone induces fatigue in the majority of cases after 1 and 3 months, while at month 6, the values decrease. In contrast, patients treated with IFN + carnitine show a marked and early significant reduction of fatigue levels. These data suggest that the greater energetic substrate utilised by group 2 patients may in some way provide a better response of the patients to this side-effect. Abnormalities of neurotransmission concerning serotonine seem involved in the genesis of depression and fatigue. In addition, depression and fatigue commonly occur together, and the former is the most commonly observed symptom in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Risk assessment occurs over different temporal and spatial scales and is selected for when individuals show an adaptive response to a threat. Here, we test if birds respond to the threat of brood parasitism using the acoustical cues of brood parasites in the absence of visual stimuli. We broadcast the playback of song of three brood parasites (Chalcites cuckoo species) and a sympatric non-parasite (striated thornbill, Acanthiza lineata) in the territories of superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus) during the peak breeding period and opportunistic breeding period. The three cuckoo species differ in brood parasite prevalence and the probability of detection by the host, which we used to rank the risk of parasitism (high risk, moderate risk, low risk). Host birds showed the strongest response to the threat of cuckoo parasitism in accordance with the risk of parasitism. Resident wrens had many alarm calls and close and rapid approach to the playback speaker that was broadcasting song of the high risk brood parasite (Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo, C. basalis) across the year (peak and opportunistic breeding period), some response to the moderate risk brood parasite (shining bronze-cuckoo, C. lucidus) during the peak breeding period, and the weakest response to the low risk brood parasite (little bronze-cuckoo, C. minutillus). Playback of the familiar control stimulus in wren territories evoked the least response.
Question: Is host response to cuckoo song predicted by the future risk of brood parasitism? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Host response to the threat of cuckoo parasitism was assessed using vocal cues of the cuckoo and was predicted by the risk of future parasitism. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: We sought to define effects of glibenclamide, a sulfonylurea known to block ATP-dependent potassium (KATP) channels, and Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an L-arginine analog known to block nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, on coronary vascular responsiveness to adenosine. The role of adenosine in coronary flow regulation becomes increasingly important when KATP channel function or NO synthesis is impaired. Both variables are potentially altered in patients with coronary artery disease taking a sulfonylurea. Dose-response curves relating coronary conductance to plasma adenosine concentration were obtained by using intracoronary infusions of adenosine (10 to 1,000 microg/min) in chronically instrumented dogs. ED50, the plasma concentration of adenosine needed to produce 50% of the maximal increase in conductance under baseline conditions, increased threefold after either 1 or 10 mg/kg of L-NAME. ED50 also increased in response to glibenclamide in a dose-related fashion (5.7-fold increase per 1 mg/kg body weight of glibenclamide). Effects of combined blockade of KATP channels and NO synthesis were additive, with increases in ED50 as high as 15-fold. Both L-NAME and glibenclamide increased systemic pressure and reduced coronary conductance, confirming the roles of NO and KATP channels in regulating coronary and systemic vascular tone under rest conditions as well as during stress.
Question: Is coronary vascular responsiveness to adenosine impaired additively by blockade of nitric oxide synthesis and a sulfonylurea? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Coronary vascular responsiveness to adenosine is blunted in vivo by both L-NAME and glibenclamide. Effects of the sulfonylurea and blockade of NO synthesis are additive and can limit coronary vasodilation as well as other responses involving KATP channels and NO. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Macroscopic hematuria (MH) may cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in IgA nephropathy. Up to 25% of patients with MH-associated AKI do not recover baseline renal function. Our objective was to identify subjects at high risk for an adverse renal function. We examined macrophages, oxidative stress markers (NADPH-p22 and HO-1) and the hemoglobin scavenger receptor (CD163) in renal biopsy specimens from 33 MH-AKI patients with complete recovery (CR, n = 17) or incomplete recovery (IR, n = 16) of renal function after 6.72 (range 0.5-21.5) years of follow-up. CD163-expressing macrophages, HO-1 and NADPH-p22 expression were located in areas surrounding tubules with iron deposits and filled with erythrocyte casts. CD163-positive macrophages score and HO-1- and p22-positive staining correlated positively with percentage of tubules with erythrocyte casts and tubular necrosis. Macrophage infiltration, CD163-positive macrophage score, NADPH-p22- and HO-1-positive staining areas were significantly greater in IR patients when compared with CR patients. The CD163-positive macrophage score and oxidative stress markers (p22 and HO-1) were negatively correlated with renal function outcome, as determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria, at the end of the follow-up period. In multivariate analysis, the CD163-positive macrophage score remained significantly associated with final eGFR and proteinuria after adjustment by age, gender, duration of MH, initial eGFR and proteinuria.
Question: Are oxidative stress , macrophage infiltration and CD163 expression determinants of long-term renal outcome in macrohematuria-induced acute kidney injury of IgA nephropathy? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Increased macrophage infiltration, CD163 expression and oxidative stress are significant prognostic factors for an IR of renal function in patients with MH-associated AKI. These molecular pathways may be involved in the renal response to injury and could be useful to improve diagnosis and therapeutics. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The molecular and cellular events that regulate inflammatory lung injury, a major cause of morbidity in surgical patients, remain unclear. The authors hypothesize that nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in regulating polymorphonuclear cell (PMN)-induced acute lung injury, and further, that attenuated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and therefore decreased production of NO by lung microvascular endothelial cells (LMVEC), accelerates inflammation and injury. LMVEC and aortic EC (AEC) from rat and human were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines; changes in iNOS mRNA expression and iNOS activity were determined. The role of NO in mediating inflammatory responses was evaluated by determining PMN adherence to LMVEC and lung tissue slices in the presence and absence of NOS inhibitors and NO donors. Human LMVEC and AEC were assessed by FACS analysis for ICAM-1 expression, because this is thought to be a critical determinant of PMN adherence. When stimulated with endotoxin and cytokines, rat AEC monolayers express nearly 3-fold more iNOS mRNA than rat LMVEC. The low levels of LMVEC iNOS expression are associated with a 4-fold lower nitrite and nitrate production. Similar trends are seen in human endothelial cells. When iNOS activity was blocked, PMN adherence to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)/LPS-stimulated LMVEC was markedly increased. In contrast, adding a nitric oxide donor to endotoxin/cytokine-stimulated LMVEC monolayers reduced PMN adherence to near background levels. Similar responses were observed in vivo. Human lung microvascular endothelial cells show a substantially increased level of ICAM-1 upregulation when compared with similarly stimulated human aortic macrovascular endothelial cells.
Question: Is attenuated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in lung microvascular endothelial cells associated with an increase in ICAM-1 expression? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These data indicate that LMVEC express less iNOS and produce less NO than AEC. This lower expression and activity of iNOS in LMVEC may be linked to increased expression of ICAM-1. Because ICAM-1 has been shown to be essential for tight PMN adherence, these data suggest that relatively low iNOS expression in LMVEC may contribute to a propensity for the lung to be injured by activated PMNs. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Empirical studies on the association between self-rated health (SRH) and subsequent mortality are generally lacking in low- and middle-income countries. The evidence on whether socio-economic status and education modify this association is inconsistent. This study aims to fill these gaps using longitudinal data from a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site in Indonesia. In 2010, we assessed the mortality status of 11,753 men and women aged 50+ who lived in Purworejo HDSS and participated in the INDEPTH WHO SAGE baseline in 2007. Information on self-rated health, socio-demographic indicators, disability and chronic disease were collected through face-to-face interview at baseline. We used Cox-proportional hazards regression for mortality and included all variables measured at baseline, including interaction terms between SRH and both education and socio-economic status (SES). During an average of 36 months follow-up, 11% of men and 9.5% of women died, resulting in death rates of 3.1 and 2.6 per 1,000 person-months, respectively. The age-adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR) for mortality was 17% higher in men than women (HR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.04-1.31). After adjustment for covariates, the hazard ratios for mortality in men and women reporting bad health were 3.0 (95% CI = 2.0-4.4) and 4.9 (95% CI = 3.2-7.4), respectively. Education and SES did not modify this association for either sex.
Question: Is self-rated health an independent index for mortality among older people in Indonesia? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> This study supports the predictive power of bad self-rated health for subsequent mortality in rural Indonesian men and women 50 years old and over. In these analyses, education and household socio-economic status do not modify the relationship between SRH and mortality. This means that older people who rate their own health poorly should be an important target group for health service interventions. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of therapeutic modalities on survival of stage I endometrial cancer and also to evaluate the surgical morbidity and the prognostic importance of surgicopathological variables. A hundred and ninety-six stage I endometrial cancer patients treated at Hacettepe University Hospital between 1982 and 1997 were included. After initial diagnosis all patients underwent surgical procedures including peritoneal cytology, infracolic omentectomy, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salphingoopherectomy, and complete pelvic-paraaortic lymphadenectomy. The mean age at initial diagnosis was 56 years (SD = 9.9 years) and the patients were followed 3-18 years (median, 8 years). All patients had endometrioid carcinoma. Stage IC and/or grade 3 tumors were considered high-risk factors and by this definition 147 (75%) patients were low risk and 49 (25%) patients were high risk. Forty-nine percent of high-risk patients received adjuvant radiotherapy compared with 3.5% of patients in the low-risk group. The 10-year disease-free and overall survival rates of the entire group were 97 and 98%, respectively. Ten-year overall survival rate for the low-risk group was 100% compared with 94% for patients with high-risk features (P = 0.002). The 10-year disease-free survival rate in the high-risk group was 96% for 24 patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy versus 92% for 25 patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy (P = 0.53). Only high grade was a significant predictor of poor survival (P = 0.0004). Overall surgical morbidity rate was 8.1% without mortality related to surgery.
Question: Is there a survival benefit to adjuvant radiotherapy in high-risk surgical stage I endometrial cancer? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Surgical staging achieved excellent survival for stage I endometrial cancer patients without incurring untoward morbidity and mortality. No survival advantage of adjuvant radiotherapy was detected even for high-risk patients, so we suggest the use of radiotherapy may be reserved for relapse. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Immunization with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been shown to augment T helper (Th) 1 biased response and hence gives protection against developing allergies. However, results across the studies have been inconclusive and there is no Indian study verifying this association. We explored the link between BCG vaccination and prevalence of allergic diseases among school children of Chandigarh, North India. In a large cross-sectional study, children aged 7-14 years, with and without documentation and/or scar consistent with BCG vaccination, were examined over a period of 2 years and 5 months with the help of a questionnaire-based survey followed by skin-prick test (SPT). A total of 10,028 children were included. The mean age was 11.04 ± 2.8 years and M/F ratio was 1.1:1. Among them, 77.7% had documentation of BCG vaccination, 17% had a BCG-like scar but no documentation and 5.3% had no scar/documentation. SPT was performed on 1614 (16%) children. In the BCG group (vaccination and/or scar) 16.7% were atopic (positive SPT) compared with 21.3% in no BCG (no vaccination/scar). The prevalence of allergic diseases among BCG(+) subjects was 10.1%. Among these, asthma was the commonest one (6.1%), followed by rhinitis (3.5%) and eczema (0.5%). There was significant negative correlation between BCG positivity, atopy (p = 0.037), and allergic diseases as a whole (p = 0.028), but on independent analysis the negative correlation was strongest with allergic rhinitis (p = 0.011).
Question: Is bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination associated with lower prevalence of allergic diseases in Indian children? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> BCG vaccination is associated with lower prevalence of allergic disorders in Indian children. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Aside from rare case reports, only one study, with 12 patients, has addressed the phenotypic presentation of epilepsy in clinically defined amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI, presumed to correspond to the AD prodromal stage): the authors highlighted a pharmacosensitive non-convulsive partial epileptic syndrome most probably related to the temporal or temporo-frontal cortices. The objective of this study was to verify the existence and the syndromic features of epileptic prodromal AD in a tertiary Memory Clinic. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of the electro-radio-clinical features of 13 cases of epileptic prodromal AD patients (3.1% of a cohort of MCI, n = 430 subjects), selected on both clinical criteria and CSF biomarkers. In our patients, a pharmacosensitive temporal lobe epilepsy syndrome, inaugurating prodromal AD, started at a mean age of 63 years (±12.8 years) and preceded MCI diagnosis by 4 to 7 years. At the stage of aMCI, median MMSE score was 26 and imaging showed mild hippocampal atrophy. After almost one year under treatment, cognitive complaints were not relieved but the MMSE score remained stable at 26 for 11 patients (2 patients were excluded from analysis because of the onset of aphasic or neurovisual symptoms altering MMSE scoring).
Question: Epileptic Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease, a Retrospective Study of 13 New Cases: Expanding the Spectrum of Alzheimer's Disease to an Epileptic Variant? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our data, in conjunction with those of the 12 previously described subjects, suggest the existence of a currently unrecognized inaugural epilepsy syndrome of sporadic AD. Such a syndrome could be called the epileptic variant of AD because seizures are its sole feature for more than 2.5 years. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Upper limb trauma occurs frequently in elderly patients for whom peripheral nerve blocks are often preferred for anesthesia. The characteristics of such regional blocks have, however, never been described in an elderly population. Therefore, the authors assessed prospectively the onset and duration of upper extremity peripheral nerve block (the mid-humeral block) in elderly and young patients undergoing emergency upper extremity surgery. Consecutive patients aged > 70 yr or < 70 yr received a mid-humeral block with a small volume of ropivacaine, 0.75%. Five milliliters was injected onto each of the musculocutaneous, radial, ulnar, and median nerves. Time to complete sensory and motor block and durations of complete sensory and motor block were assessed. Results are shown as median and its 95% confidence interval. Median ages were 77 yr (95% CI, 72-81 yr) and 39 yr (95% CI, 27-46 yr) in the two groups. Both groups had similar times to complete sensory blockade. The elderly group had longer durations of complete sensory (390 min [range, 280-435 min] vs.150 min [range, 105-160 min]; P< 0.05) and motor (357 min [range, 270-475 min] vs. 150 min [range, 90-210 min]; P< 0.05) blockade. Duration of complete sensory block was significantly correlated with age (rho = 0.56; P< 0.05).
Question: Does brachial plexus nerve block exhibit prolonged duration in the elderly? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Age is a major determinant of duration of complete motor and sensory blockade with peripheral nerve block, perhaps reflecting increased sensitivity to conduction failure from local anesthetic agents in peripheral nerves in the elderly population. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Segmented 2D-selective radiofrequency excitations can be used to acquire irregularly shaped target regions, e.g., in single-voxel MR spectroscopy, without involving excessive radiofrequency pulse durations. However, segments covering only outer k-space regions nominally use reduced B1 amplitudes (i.e., smaller flip angles) and yield lower signal contributions, which decreases the efficiency of the measurement. The purpose of this study was to show that applying the full flip angle for all segments and scaling down the acquired signal appropriately (signal scaling) retains the desired signal amplitude but reduces the noise level accordingly and, thus, increases the signal-to-noise ratio. The principles and improvements of signal scaling were demonstrated with MR imaging and spectroscopy experiments at 3 T for a single-line segmentation of a blipped-planar trajectory. The observed signal-to-noise ration gain depended on the 2D-selective radiofrequency excitation's resolution, field-of-excitation, and its excitation profile and was between 40 and 500% for typical acquisition parameters.
Question: Does signal scaling improve the signal-to-noise ratio of measurements with segmented 2D-selective radiofrequency excitations? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Signal scaling can further improve the performance of measurements with segmented 2D-selective radiofrequency excitations, e.g., for MR spectroscopy of anatomically defined voxels. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: In the process of sampling blood through an umbilical arterial catheter (UAC), infant blood comes into stagnant contact with infusion solution in the "waste syringe" before being reinfused. We have previously demonstrated in vitro that this process is associated with less hemolysis of red blood cells (RBCs) with use of an isotonic solution compared with a hypotonic 0.25 normal saline (NS) solution. The objective of this study was to compare the in vivo effect on hemolysis of 2 UAC infusion/flush regimens (an isotonic regimen vs a hypotonic regimen) and to assess the early nutritional benefit of an amino acid solution as the isotonic UAC infusion solution. Infants who had a birth weight of<or =1.5 kg and were expected to have a UAC for>or =3 days were enrolled within 24 hours of life into this prospective, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial of 2 UAC infusion solution/flush regimens. Power analysis demonstrated that 40 infants were needed to determine differences in hemolysis quantified by plasma-free hemoglobin (PFH) level. Nutrition from glucose was evaluated by measurement of daily dextrose calories. C-peptide was measured to evaluate endogenous insulin production. Adverse events and protein tolerance were tracked. Twenty-two infants (mean gestational age: 27 weeks; 945 g birth weight) were enrolled in each group, for an average of 4.2 days (range: 2.5-8 days). There were no group differences in demographics. PFH levels were lower for infants who received isotonic amino acid (IAA) in comparison with 0.25 NS (33 +/- 14 mg/dL vs 62 +/- 27 mg/dL, respectively). C-peptide was higher in those who received IAA, as were nonprotein calories received on days 4 to 6 of the study (51 +/- 11 kcal/kg/day vs 44 +/- 12 kcal/kg/day, IAA vs 0.25 NS, respectively).
Question: Can an alternative umbilical arterial catheter solution and flush regimen decrease iatrogenic hemolysis while enhancing nutrition? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Lower PFH levels in IAA versus 0.25 NS group were consistent with our hypothesis of decreased hemolysis with an isotonic infusion/flush regimen. IAA use may also allow greater early glucose nutrition, as indicated by the higher level of endogenous insulin production and improved glucose tolerance. IAA seems to be a superior UAC solution to 0.25 NS in that it is associated with less hemolysis and improved nutrition. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Graft survival in HCV (hepatitis C virus) infected recipients is worse than those transplanted for other liver diseases. We studied whether several donor cardiovascular risk factors (including advanced age, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus) contribute to worse outcomes for HCV positive and HCV negative liver transplant recipients. We obtained data from the United Network for Organ Sharing on all adult liver transplants performed in the United States between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2003. In total, 27,033 transplant cases were evaluated. Independent predictors of graft survival were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis after controlling for factors previously found to be associated with differences in transplant outcomes. Donor diabetes was a strong independent risk factor for graft failure [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.20, p = 0.006] only in HCV positive recipients. Neither donor smoking status nor hypertension predicted graft loss in either cohort. Consistent with previous studies, advanced donor age, donation after cardiac death, height, and African American donor all predicted graft loss amongst both cohorts.
Question: Is donor diabetes mellitus an independent risk factor for graft loss in HCV positive but not HCV negative liver transplant recipients? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Accounting for donor diabetes in relation to recipient HCV status in the selection of liver recipients may result in improved graft survival. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Marathon running is presumed to improve cardiovascular risk, but health benefits of high volume running are unknown. High resolution coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and a cardiac risk factor assessment were completed in women with long term marathon running histories to compare to sedentary women with similar risk factors. Women who had run at least one marathon per year for 10-25 years underwent CCTA, 12-lead ECG, blood pressure and heart rate measurement, lipid panel, and a demographic/health risk factor survey. Sedentary matched controls were derived from a contemporaneous clinical study database. CT scans were analyzed for calcified and non-calcified plaque prevalence, volume, stenosis severity, and calcium score. Women marathon runners (n=26), age 42-82, with combined 1217 marathons (average 47) exhibited significantly lower coronary plaque prevalence and less calcific plaque volume. The marathon runners also had less risk factors (smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia); significantly lower resting heart rate, body weight, body mass index, and triglyceride levels; and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared to controls (n=28). The five women runners with coronary plaque had run marathons for more years and were on average 12 years older (65 vs. 53) than the runners without plaque.
Question: Does long-Term Marathon Running be Associated with Low Coronary Plaque Formation in Women? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Women marathon runners had minimal coronary artery calcium counts, lower coronary artery plaque prevalence, and less calcified plaque volume compared to sedentary women. Developing coronary artery plaque in long term women marathon runners appears related to older age and more cardiac risk factors, although the runners with coronary artery plaque had accumulated significantly more years running marathons. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The mirror neuron network provides a neural mechanism to prime the motor system through action observation in stroke survivors. To examine whether action observation training with immediate physical practice improves upper-limb function in chronic stroke. In a within-subject design, 14 chronic stroke survivors were assessed at baseline, then participated in 2 weeks of relaxation-sham plus physical practice (control) and reassessed. Thereafter, they participated in 2 weeks of action observation training coupled with immediate physical practice (intervention), followed by a final assessment. Duration of each action observation video sequence (priming exposure) was 30 s followed immediately by practice of the observed motor skill. There were significant improvements in control and intervention phases on primary outcome measures--Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) and Functional Test of the Hemiparetic Upper Extremity (FTHUE)--as well as secondary outcome measures of self-perceptions of arm use. Gains in the primary outcomes were greater during the intervention phase (action observation + physical practice; FMA, 10.64; FTHUE level, 0.79, and tasks, 1.57) than during the control phase (relaxation-sham plus physical practice; FMA, 6.64; FTHUE level, 0.43, and tasks, 1.00). Interviews with participants highlighted the added value of watching an actor perform the movement before physically attempting to perform the action.
Question: Does Action Observation Training With Immediate Physical Practice Improve Hemiparetic Upper-Limb Function in Chronic Stroke? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> This study provides preliminary evidence of the additive value of action observation plus physical practice over relaxation-sham plus physical practice. There appears to be capacity for further recovery of upper-limb function in chronic stroke that persists at least in the short term. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Although depression negatively affects individuals' physical functioning and well-being, its association with oral functioning and well-being has not been examined previously. The objective of this study was to examine the association between depressive symptomatology and oral quality of life. We utilized data from two samples of older adults: community-dwelling participants who used community primary care physicians in Los Angeles (n=1,653) and individuals who sought ambulatory care through four Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in the Boston metropolitan area (n=212). Depressive symptomatology was measured with the CES-D scale; Oral Quality of Life was measured with the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Instrument and the Oral Health-related Quality of Life measure. We conducted hierarchical regression analyses to examine the effects of depression on oral quality of life, controlling for self-reported oral health, age, education, income, and marital status. Individuals with more depressive symptoms reported worse oral quality of life, controlling for sociodemographic factors and self-reported oral health. This finding persisted across multiple samples and both sexes, and using two measures of oral quality of life.
Question: Is depressive symptomatology associated with worse oral functioning and well-being among older adults? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These findings further emphasize the importance of treating depression among older adults, and suggest that both dentists and physicians have a role in recognizing and referring patients for such treatment. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To determine whether the intubation conditions created by rocuronium are equivalent to those of succinylcholine during rapid-sequence induction (RSI). Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The search strategy included all generic and trade names for succinylcholine and rocuronium, anesthesia, neuromuscular blockade, and a validated RCT filter. Intubation conditions were a required outcome. Two reviewers assessed studies for eligibility, data extraction, and quality. Intubation conditions were scored with Goldberg's scale (excellent conditions defined as clear vocal cords, easy tube insertion, and no cough). A-priori subgroup analysis was conducted for the sedative, use of opioids, true versus modified RSI, age group, and the dose of rocuronium. Data were analyzed with Metaview 4.1 for relative risk (RR) of achieving excellent intubation conditions. A sample size calculation determined that n = 468 is required for equivalence. Forty articles were identified; ten articles were excluded by the inclusion criteria, two were duplicate publications, and two had insufficient data. Therefore, 26 studies were analyzed. Overall, rocuronium was inferior to succinylcholine, with a RR = 0.87 (95% CI = 0.81 to 0.94) (N = 1,606). However, intubation conditions were similar in the propofol subgroup, with a RR = 0.96 (95% CI = 0.87 to 1.06) (N = 640). Failed intubations (N = 28) were equivalent in the two groups.
Question: Are intubation conditions using rocuronium equivalent to those using succinylcholine? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Overall, succinylcholine creates excellent intubation conditions more reliably than rocuronium. If a second-line agent is required, rocuronium used with propofol creates intubation conditions equivalent to those with succinylcholine. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To investigate the effect of mild manipulations of core and skin temperature on psychomotor vigilance (PVT) in young adults, elderly, and elderly insomniacs. 432 PVTs were obtained during a 2-day semi-constant routine protocol, while differentially manipulating core and skin temperatures within a comfortable thermoneutral range. Sleep laboratory of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience. Groups of 8 sex-matched young adults (27.0 +/- 2.4 years, mean +/- s.e.m.), elderly (65.8 +/- 2.8 years), and insomniacs (59.1 +/-1.9 years). During the 7-minute PVTs, response speed typically declined with increasing time-on-task. Proximal skin warming by only +/- 0.6 degrees C accelerated this decline by 67% (P = 0.05) in young adults and by 50% (P < 0.05) in elderly subjects. In elderly insomniacs, proximal warming slowed down the mean response speed already from the onset of the task (3% level drop, P < 0.001). Response speed tended to decrease with age (P < 0.10), reaching significance only in elderly insomniacs (P < 0.05). Speed decrements occurred mostly towards the end of the time-on-task in young adults; earlier and more gradually in elderly without sleep complaints; and very early and in a pronounced fashion in insomniacs. Interestingly, the worsening by warming followed the time pattern already present within each group.
Question: Is time-on-task impairment of psychomotor vigilance affected by mild skin warming and changes with aging and insomnia? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The results are compatible with the hypothesis that the endogenous circadian variation of skin temperature could modulate vigilance regulating brain areas and thus contribute to the circadian rhythm in vigilance. Minute-by-minute PVT analyses revealed effects of age and insomnia not previously disclosed in studies applying time-point aggregation. Our data indicate that "age-related cognitive slowing" may result, in part, from age-related sleep problems. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The azoxymethane (AOM) model recapitulates many features of human colon cancer, lacking an inflammatory component. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induces colitis and promotes AOM-induced colon cancer in mice. Vitamin D analogues are anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive in models of colon cancer. Our aim was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive efficacy of the vitamin D analogue Ro26-2198 in the AOM/DSS model and in vitro in HCA-7 colon cancer cells. A/J mice received Ro26-2198 (0.01 microg/kg body wt/day x 28 days) or vehicle by mini-osmotic pump. Animals were treated with a single dose of AOM (5 mg/kg body wt) or vehicle 1 week after pump insertion. Mice received 3% DSS or water x 7 days beginning week 3. Animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks and colon segments were fixed in formalin or flash-frozen. Hematoxylin and eosin colonic sections were examined for dysplasia and colonic lysates were assessed for c-Myc, cyclooxygenase 2, and phospho-(active) extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) by Western blotting. For in vitro studies, HCA-7 cells were treated with Ro26-2198 followed by interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Proliferation was measured by WST-1 assay. Ro26-2198 delayed the onset of clinical colitis. Several dysplastic foci were present in the AOM/DSS group; none were found in the Ro26-2198 group. Compared with control, AOM/DSS significantly increased c-Myc (15-fold), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) (2.5-fold), and pERK (10-fold), and Ro26-2198 abolished these increases. In vitro, Ro26-2198 inhibited IL-1beta-induced ERK activation and COX-2 induction and decreased HCA-7 cell proliferation.
Question: Does a vitamin D analogue inhibit colonic carcinogenesis in the AOM/DSS model? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Ro26-2198 inhibited proliferative (ERK, c-Myc) and pro-inflammatory (COX-2) signals and progression to dysplasia, suggesting chemopreventive efficacy in this model of colitis-associated carcinogenesis. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: This study examined psychosocial determinants of walking exercise among individuals with intermittent claudication and explored perceived pain intensity as a moderator of the intention-behavior relationship. Ninety-four participants (n = 61 m/33 f, 70.05 +/- 9.02 years) were recruited from a medical facility and completed baseline measures of attitudes (ie, positive or negative evaluation of walking exercise), subjective norms (ie, perceived social pressure regarding walking exercise), perceived behavioral control (ie, ease or difficulty for engaging in walking exercise), and intentions regarding walking exercise in the upcoming 4 weeks. Participants were contacted weekly by telephone for 4 weeks and asked to recall their walking exercise and associated perceived pain intensity for the preceding 7-day period. Outcome measures were participants' baseline intentions to walk and their reported walking exercise for 4 weeks. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control contributed to a multiple regression model predicting 67% of the variance in walking intentions. Intentions and perceived behavioral control explained 34% of the variance in walking exercise. Perceived pain intensity was not associated with walking exercise and failed to moderate the intention-behavior relationship.
Question: Determinants of walking exercise among individuals with intermittent claudication: does pain play a role? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Findings support the theory of planned behavior for predicting walking intentions and exercise among individuals with intermittent claudication and suggest that pain cognitions as measured in this study do not play a role in determining walking. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The purpose of this study is to estimate the maternal and fetal morbidities associated with asynchronous delivery. A review of maternal and fetal medical records was performed at 2 tertiary care centers over 12 years. Charts were identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes for twin and triplet gestations. Asynchronous delivery was defined as an active attempt (tocolysis and/or emergent cerclage placement) to increase latency between delivery of the first fetus and subsequent fetuses. Fourteen cases of asynchronous delivery were identified out of 96922 deliveries including 1352 pregnancies complicated by multifetal gestation. The occurrence rate of asynchronous delivery was 0.14 per 1000 births. The etiology of preterm birth of the first fetus in 12 (86%) of 14 cases was second-trimester rupture of membranes. The mean gestational age for delivery of the first fetus was 21.+/- 2.0 weeks. All women received tocolysis and intravenous antibiotics. Two of 3 attempts at cerclage placement were successful. Median latency obtained was 2 days (range less than 1-70 days). There was 1 survival of a first born. There were 19 retained fetuses, 2 died in utero, 10 died between birth and day 57 of life, and 7 survived (37%; 95% confidence interval 16%, 62%) until hospital discharge. Six of 7 survivors had major sequelae from prematurity. One of 19 fetuses was discharged without major sequelae (5%; 95% confidence interval 0%, 25%). Maternal morbidity included 2 placental abruptions and 8 cases of infectious morbidity including 1 case of septic shock.
Question: Does second-trimester asynchronous multifetal delivery result in poor perinatal outcome? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Attempts at asynchronous deliveries are uncommon and are associated with a high rate of perinatal death. Most fetal survivors have significant damage from preterm birth. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Interactions between the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib (Bay 43-9006) and the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat were examined in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells sensitive and resistant to imatinib mesylate. K562, LAMA 84, and primary CML patient-derived CD34(+) mononuclear cells were exposed to vorinostat followed by sorafenib, after which effects on cell viability and various survival signaling pathways were monitored by flow cytometry, clonogenic assays, and Western blotting. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR was used to monitor gene expression, and the functional contribution of p21(CIP1) and Mcl-1 down-regulation were determined in cells transfected with corresponding constructs. Pretreatment (24 h) with vorinostat followed by sorafenib optimally induced mitochondrial injury and cell death in Bcr/Abl(+) cells (e.g., K562 and LAMA 84). Similar results were obtained in imatinib mesylate-resistant cells expressing activated Lyn as well as in primary CD34(+) bone marrow cells obtained from CML patients. This regimen also markedly inhibited CML cell colony formation. Combined but not individual treatment of CML cells with vorinostat and sorafenib triggered pronounced mitochondrial dysfunction (i.e., cytochrome c, Smac, and AIF release), caspase activation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, and down-regulation of Mcl-1. Sorafenib also blocked vorinostat-mediated induction of p21(CIP1). Down-regulation of Mcl-1 was caspase and transcription independent, whereas p21(CIP1) down-regulation was partially caspase and transcription dependent. Enforced expression of p21(CIP1) and particularly Mcl-1 significantly attenuated vorinostat/sorafenib-mediated lethality.
Question: Do synergistic interactions between vorinostat and sorafenib in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells involve Mcl-1 and p21CIP1 down-regulation? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These findings suggest that combined treatment with vorinostat and sorafenib synergistically induces apoptosis in CML cells through a process that involves Mcl-1 down-regulation and inhibition of p21(CIP1) induction. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and to determine the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) treatment on BNP levels. Increased sympathetic activity, repetitive rises in blood pressure, and apnea-induced wall stress may contribute as a trigger to release BNP in OSAS. However, there is uncertainty about whether OSAS affects BNP and whether application of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) ventilation affects release of BNP. A prospective study in 69 consecutive patients with suspected sleep disordered breathing referred to our sleep laboratory was conducted. OSAS was confirmed in 26 normotensive and 34 hypertensive patients and ruled out in nine normotensive patients (controls) by polysomnography (PSG). Baseline N-terminal fragment of BNP prohormone (NT-pro-BNP) did not differ significantly between OSAS patients (hypertensive: mean +/-SEM 60.8+/-9.9 pg/ml, normotensive: 43.2+/-6.8 pg/ml) and controls (36.5+/-8.5 pg/ml). Application of CPAP resulted in a significant decrease of NT-pro-BNP in hypertensive (60.8+/-9.9 pg/ml to 47.6+/-7.4 pg/ml, p=0.023) and normotensive OSAS (43.2+/-6.8 pg/ml to 29.6+/-5.3 pg/ml, p=0.0002). In contrast, controls showed no significant differences in NT-pro-BNP after a second PSG (36.5+/-8.5 pg/ml to 40.7+/-12.3 pg/ml, p=0.597).
Question: Is nT-pro-BNP in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome decreased by nasal continuous positive airway pressure? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Normotensive and hypertensive OSAS was not associated with a significant elevation of NT-pro-BNP. Application of nCPAP decreased NT-pro-BNP levels significantly in normotensive and, in particular, hypertensive OSAS. These findings may provide further evidence of the potential for nCPAP to improve cardiovascular comorbidity and co-mortality in OSAS and sleep disordered breathing, in general. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Morbid obesity may be accompanied by diabetes and painful diabetic neuropathy, a poorly understood condition that is manifested by mechanical or thermal allodynia and hyperalgesia. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of T-type calcium channels (T-channels) in peripheral nociception; therefore, our goal was to examine the function of these channels in the pathophysiology and development of painful diabetic neuropathy. In vivo testing of mechanical and thermal sensation, morphometric peripheral nerve studies, and electrophysiological and biochemical measurements were used to characterize the role of T-channels and the development of painful diabetic neuropathy in leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice. We found that ob/ob mice developed significant mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity early in life that coincided with hyperglycemia and was readily reversed with insulin therapy. These disturbances were accompanied by significant biophysical and biochemical modulation of T-channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons as measured by a large increase in the amplitude of T-currents and the expression of mRNA. The most prevalent subtype, alpha1H (Ca(v)3.2), was most strongly affected. Moreover, (3beta,5alpha,17beta)-17-hydroxyestrane-3-carbonitrile (ECN), a novel neuroactive steroid and selective T-channel antagonist, provided dose-dependent alleviation of neuropathic thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity in diabetic ob/ob mice.
Question: Does selective T-type calcium channel blockade alleviate hyperalgesia in ob/ob mice? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our results indicate that pharmacological antagonism of T-channels is potentially an important novel therapeutic approach for the management of painful diabetic neuropathy. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Most adolescents consume ≥1 snack/d; exploring the relevance of snacking patterns for overall diet and weight status is important to guide dietary counseling and public health strategies for obesity prevention. This study examined intake of common energy-dense snack foods, total number of snacks consumed, frequency of consuming snacks prepared away from home, and frequency of snacking while watching television in adolescents and how these behaviors may be linked to diet and weight status. Relations were examined with attention to potential confounders that may help explain the mixed findings of previous research. Survey measures of snacking behavior, a food-frequency questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were completed by 2793 adolescents (53.2% girls, mean age = 14.4 y) in Minneapolis-St. Paul school classrooms in 2009-2010. Linear regression was used to examine associations with adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and other potential confounding factors, such as meal skipping, underreporting energy intake, dieting to lose weight, and physical activity. Adolescents reported consuming a mean of 2.2 energy-dense snack food servings/d and 4.3 snacks/d and purchasing snacks prepared away from home on 3.2 occasions/wk. More than two-thirds of adolescents reported that they sometimes, usually, or always consumed a snack while watching television. The measures of snacking were directly associated (P < 0.01) with higher energy, lower fruit/vegetable, higher sugar-sweetened beverage, and more frequent fast-food intakes in all models except for one: energy-dense snack food servings were not related to sugar-sweetened beverage intake. A direct relation between daily servings of energy-dense snack foods and body mass index (BMI) z score was found; however, the snacking behaviors were inversely related to BMI z score (P < 0.01).
Question: Do adolescent Snacking Behaviors Are Associated with Dietary Intake and Weight Status? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The observed cross-sectional associations suggest that snack consumption is a risk factor for poor diet, but unless energy-dense foods are consumed, snacking does not consistently contribute to overweight in US adolescents. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Both hyperinflammation during sepsis and etomidate can suppress adrenal function. In this study, we explored whether pretreatment with etomidate can relieve adrenal suppression and its impact on outcomes of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic rats. Rats (n = 18 per group) were divided in seven groups, including two control groups and treated with different combinations of a small pretreatment dose (0.6 mg/kg) and a large continuous dose (2 mg/kg/h over 2 h) of etomidate to evaluate the impact of the different administration combinations on the adrenal glands and outcomes in the septic rats. Animals (n = 8 per group) were euthanized at 24 h after CLP and blood samples and adrenal glands were then collected for further measurements. The remaining rats (n = 10 per group) were used to observe the 7-d survival rate post-CLP. The survival rate (30%) was much lower in the group pretreated with a small dose before CLP surgery and followed by a large dose of etomidate than in the other groups. Etomidate decreased serum corticosterone, but not adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in septic rats, and also decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels. In rat pretreated with a small dose of etomidate, the toll-like receptor-4 expression level in the adrenal glands was decreased and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappa B) translocation was inhibited.
Question: Does etomidate increase mortality in septic rats through inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B rather than by causing adrenal insufficiency? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The mortality of septic rats and degree of adrenal injury caused by etomidate are not correlated. The etomidate-induced inhibition of inflammation and NF-kappa B translocation, which was more significant than adrenal suppression, may be responsible for the increased mortality in septic rats. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Atherosclerosis is a progressive chronic disease, in which inflammation plays a key role. The calcium-binding proteins calgranulins including S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 are involved in many cellular activities and pathological processes including inflammation. We therefore hypothesized that calgranulins may be markers of plaque instability in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Plasma levels of S100A8/A9 and S100A10 were measured in 159 consecutive patients with high-grade carotid stenosis and in 22 healthy control subjects. The mRNA levels of calgranulins were also measured within the atherosclerotic carotid plaques, and their regulation was analyzed in vitro in monocytes. Our main findings were: (1) plasma levels of S100A12 were significantly higher in patients with carotid atherosclerosis compared with healthy control subjects with the highest levels in patients with the most recent symptoms (ie, within 2 months); (2) plasma levels of S100A8/S100A9 showed a modest increase in patients with symptoms in the previous 2 to 6 months but not in the other patients; (3) mRNA levels of S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 showed increased expression in atherosclerotic carotid plaques from patients with the most recent symptoms compared with the remaining patients; (4) in THP-1 monocytes, activation of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 increased mRNA levels of S100A8, S100A9, and S10012 and interleukin-1β, interferon γ, and releasate from thrombin-activated platelets significantly enhanced the expression of S100A12.
Question: Are high levels of S100A12 associated with recent plaque symptomatology in patients with carotid atherosclerosis? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our findings support a link between calgranulins and atherogenesis and suggest that these mediators, and in particular S100A12, may be related to plaque instability. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To evaluate whether the polymer microsphere diameter affects the success rate in the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. In our consecutive series, 56 patients underwent subureteral injection with Dexell and 60 patients were treated with Deflux. Patients were evaluated with pediatric lower urinary tract scoring system, uroflowmetry, and a residual urine volume and voiding diary at the time of injection and control. Patients with grade V reflux, duplex systems, paraureteral diverticula, or refractory lower urinary tract symptoms were excluded. The numbers of renal units with grade II-III vesicoureteral reflux were 78 and 73 in the first (Deflux) and second (Dexell) groups, respectively. The numbers of renal units with grade IV reflux were 24 and 17 in the first and second groups, respectively. The resolution rate was determined by voiding cystourethrogram at the third postoperative month. Postoperative febrile urinary tract infections and de novo scars in dimercaptosuccinic acid were noted. Groups were compared by the χ(2) test. Mean follow-up time and mean age of the children were not significantly different. The number of nondilating and dilating renal units was not significantly different. Resolution rates were similar between the groups (79.5 and 78%, respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of resolution rates when dilating and nondilating urinary systems were separately analyzed. The average volumes used per renal unit were 0.9 and 1.6 mL in the first and second groups, respectively (P<.005). Postoperative febrile urinary tract infection and de novo scar formation rates were similar.
Question: Does the diameter of dextranomer microspheres affect the success in endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The diameter of dextranomer microsphere does not affect the short-term success rate in endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Multicentric, randomized and prospective studies are required for long-term clinical results. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Direct (pulmonary) and indirect (extrapulmonary) ARDS are distinct syndromes with important pathophysiologic differences. The goal of this study was to determine whether clinical characteristics and predictors of mortality differ between direct or indirect ARDS. A retrospective observational cohort study of 417 ARDS patients. Each patient was classified as having direct (pneumonia or aspiration, n=250) or indirect ARDS (non-pulmonary sepsis or pancreatitis, n=167). Patients with direct ARDS had higher lung injury scores (LIS, 3.0 vs. 2.8, p<0.001), lower SAPS II scores (51 vs. 62, p<0.001), lower APACHE II scores (27 vs. 30, p<0.001), and fewer non-pulmonary organ failures (1 vs. 2, p<0.001) compared to patients with indirect ARDS. Hospital mortality was similar (28 vs. 31%). In patients with direct ARDS, age (OR 1.29 per 10 yrs, p=0.01, p for interaction=0.03), LIS (OR 2.29 per point, p=0.001, p for interaction=0.058), and number of non-pulmonary organ failures (OR 1.67, p=0.01) were independent risk factors for increased hospital mortality, while pre-existing DM was an independent risk factor for reduced hospital mortality (OR 0.47, p=0.04, p for interaction=0.02). In indirect ARDS, only number of organ failures was an independent predictor of mortality (OR 2.08, p<0.001).
Question: Do clinical predictors of hospital mortality differ between direct and indirect acute respiratory distress syndrome? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Despite lower severity of illness and fewer organ failures, patients with direct ARDS had similar mortality to patients with indirect ARDS. Factors previously associated with mortality during ARDS were only associated with mortality in direct ARDS. These findings suggest that direct and indirect ARDS have distinct features that may differentially affect risk prediction and clinical outcomes. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Treatment options for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are limited and typically are centered on docetaxel-based chemotherapy. We previously reported that elevated miR-375 levels were significantly associated with poor overall survival of mCRPC patients. In this study, we evaluated if miR-375 induced chemo-resistance to docetaxel through regulating target genes associated with drug resistance. We first compared miR-375 expression level between prostate cancer tissues and normal prostate tissues using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). To examine the role of miR-375 in docetaxel resistance, we transfected miR-375 using a pre-miRNA lentiviral vector and examined the effects of exogenously overexpressed miR-375 on cell growth in two prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and PC-3. To determine the effect of overexpressed miR-375 on tumor growth and chemo-resistance in vivo, we injected prostate cancer cells overexpressing miR-375 into nude mice subcutaneously and evaluated tumor growth rate during docetaxel treatment. Lastly, we utilized qRT-PCR and Western blot assay to examine two miR-375 target genes, SEC23A and YAP1, for their expression changes after miR-375 transfection. By examining 495 tumor tissues and 52 normal tissues from TCGA data, we found that compared to normal prostate, miR-375 was significantly overexpressed in prostate cancer tissues (8.45-fold increase, p value = 1.98E-23). Docetaxel treatment induced higher expression of miR-375 with 5.83- and 3.02-fold increases in DU145 and PC-3 cells, respectively. Interestingly, miR-375 appeared to play a dual role in prostate cancer proliferation. While miR-375 overexpression caused cell growth inhibition and cell apoptosis, elevated miR-375 also significantly reduced cell sensitivity to docetaxel treatment in vitro, as evidenced by decreased apoptotic cells. In vivo xenograft mouse study showed that tumors with increased miR-375 expression were more tolerant to docetaxel treatment, demonstrated by greater tumor weight and less apoptotic cells in miR-375 transfected group when compared to empty vector control group. In addition, we examined expression levels of the two miR-375 target genes (SEC23A and YAP1) and observed significant reduction in the expression at both protein and mRNA levels in miR-375 transfected prostate cancer cell lines. TCGA dataset analysis further confirmed the negative correlations between miR-375 and the two target genes (r = -0.62 and -0.56 for SEC23A and YAP1, respectively; p < 0.0001).
Question: Does miR-375 induce docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer by targeting SEC23A and YAP1? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> miR-375 is involved in development of chemo-resistance to docetaxel through regulating SEC23A and YAP1 expression. Our results suggest that miR-375 or its target genes, SEC23A or YAP1, might serve as potential predictive biomarkers to docetaxel-based chemotherapy and/or therapeutic targets to overcome chemo-resistance in mCRPC stage. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The serpin SERPINB3 (SB3) found over-expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma and in regenerating liver in mice has been shown to induce apoptosis resistance, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and increasing cellular invasion. It has also been hypothesised that SB3 may provide a pro-proliferative stimulus for liver cells in vivo. No information is available on SB3 in hepatoblastoma (HB). Aims of the study were to analyse SB3 expression in HB specimens and to investigate its possible correlation with Myc expression and tumour extension at diagnosis as evaluated by the pre-treatment extent of disease evaluation system (PRETEXT). Frozen tumour specimens from 42 children with HB were analysed for SB3 and Myc expression by real-time PCR. SB3 localisation in tumour specimens was assessed by immunohistochemistry. At transcription level SB3 was positive in 79% of the cases. By immunohistochemistry, SB3 expression was found mainly in the embryonic, blastemal, small cell undifferentiated (SCUD) components of HB, while it was not detectable in normal hepatocytes. High SB3 reactivity was also detected in neoplastic cell clusters of portal vein tumour thrombosis. A direct correlation was observed between SB3 gene expression, the up-regulation of Myc (r=0.598, p<0.0001) and tumour extension (PRETEXT III/IV versus I/II, p=0.013).
Question: Over-expression of SERPINB3 in hepatoblastoma: a possible insight into the genesis of this tumour? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> SB3 is over-expressed in HB and its expression is positively correlated with Myc expression and high tumour stage. The role of SB3 in the genesis of HB and in defining the risk profile of children affected by this tumour is hypothesised. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Family violence (FV), spirituality, and social support are salient psychosocial determinants of health. FV is associated with poor health among older African American women. The effect of spirituality and social support levels on the health of older African American women is unknown. To assess the role of spirituality and social support as culturally relevant determinants of health status for older African American women independent of FV levels, we used a cross-sectional observational study. Two hundred twelve African American women, aged ≥ 50, were interviewed in two urban primary care practices. The measures used were (1) Family Violence Against Older Women (FVOW) scale, (2) Physical and Mental Composite Scores of the Short-Form 8® scale, (3) Medical Outcomes of Social Support survey (MOSS), and (4) Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS). Spearman correlation coefficients estimated to test associations among lifetime FV exposure, spirituality, social support, and health status outcomes and multivariate regression models were used to examine the independent effect of spirituality and social support on physical and mental health status, controlling for FV and significant demographic variables. Mean participant age was 63.9 years. Higher spirituality levels were significantly associated with better physical health status after adjusting for FV levels and demographic factors (F = 6.17, p = 0.0001). Similarly, higher levels of spirituality and social support both significantly correlated with better mental health status in the multivariate model (F = 13.45, p<0.0001) that controlled for lifetime FV levels and demographic factors.
Question: Family violence exposure and health outcomes among older African American women: do spirituality and social support play protective roles? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Spirituality and social support are two potentially modifiable determinants of health for older African American women. Culturally appropriate mechanisms to enhance social support and spirituality levels need to be explored as potential inteventions to improve the health of those African American women who have been exposed to FV. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Riverine ecosystems, highly sensitive to climate change and human activities, are characterized by rapid environmental change to fluctuating water levels and siltation, causing stress on their biological components. We have little understanding of mechanisms by which riverine plant species have developed adaptive strategies to cope with stress in dynamic environments while maintaining growth and development. We report that poplar (Populus spp.) has evolved a systems level "stress proteome" in the leaf-stem-root apoplast continuum to counter biotic and abiotic factors. To obtain apoplast proteins from P. deltoides, we developed pressure-chamber and water-displacement methods for leaves and stems, respectively. Analyses of 303 proteins and corresponding transcripts coupled with controlled experiments and bioinformatics demonstrate that poplar depends on constitutive and inducible factors to deal with water, pathogen, and oxidative stress. However, each apoplast possessed a unique set of proteins, indicating that response to stress is partly compartmentalized. Apoplast proteins that are involved in glycolysis, fermentation, and catabolism of sucrose and starch appear to enable poplar to grow normally under water stress. Pathogenesis-related proteins mediating water and pathogen stress in apoplast were particularly abundant and effective in suppressing growth of the most prevalent poplar pathogen Melampsora. Unexpectedly, we found diverse peroxidases that appear to be involved in stress-induced cell wall modification in apoplast, particularly during the growing season. Poplar developed a robust antioxidative system to buffer oxidation in stem apoplast.
Question: Does apoplast proteome reveal that extracellular matrix contributes to multistress response in poplar? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These findings suggest that multistress response in the apoplast constitutes an important adaptive trait for poplar to inhabit dynamic environments and is also a potential mechanism in other riverine plant species. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To explore the association between baseline life-space mobility and nursing home (NH) admission among community-dwelling older adults over 6 years. Using data from a prospective, observational cohort study consisting of a random sample of 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries ≥ 65 years of age stratified by race (African American and non-Hispanic White), sex, and rural/urban residence. Baseline life-space mobility was assessed during in-home interviews. Participants were contacted by telephone every 6 months to ascertain NH admissions, Life-Space Assessment (LSA) scores, and vital status (living or deceased). Using multivariate logistic regression, the significance and independence of the relationship of life-space mobility with NH admission were examined. Over 6 years, the odds of NH admission increased 2% for every one point lower baseline life-space score independent of previously recognized risk factors.
Question: Does life-space mobility predict nursing home admission over 6 years? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The LSA may be a useful tool to identify older adults at risk of NH admission. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To assess the predictive value of glycated albumin (GA) and other risk factors on a progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In this retrospective longitudinal study, we enrolled the subjects with type 2 diabetes who had undergone fundus photography twice with a 5-years gap between January 2006 and December 2012, and had been measured consecutively for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and GA levels every 3 or 6 months. The subjects were divided into two groups with or without a progression of DR. The mean HbA1c and mean GA were calculated separately by the sum of all measured values divided by the numbers of values throughout the study period. Of the 359 subjects, progression group showed significantly higher diabetes duration (8.41±5.72 vs. 6.46±5.77, P<0.01), baseline HbA1c (9.13±2.71 vs. 8.41±2.32, P<0.05), fasting plasma glucose (8.71±2.78 vs. 7.94±2.63, P<0.05), 2h-postprandial glucose (15.12±11.20 vs.13.14±4.72, P<0.05), eGFR (114.81±39.15 vs. 103.23±32.18, P<0.01), mean HbA1c (8.32±1.69 vs. 7.39±1.35, P<0.01) and mean GA (22.66±5.92 vs. 19.83±5.18, P<0.01) than non-progression group. The frequencies of subjects with DR progression increased obviously with the increment of baseline HbA1c, mean HbA1c and mean GA according to quartile stratification of the above three glucose parameters. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis investigated that the factors affected the DR progression were the presence of DR at baseline (OR=0.391, P=0.005), mean HbA1c (OR=1.389, P=0.021), mean GA (OR=1.087, P=0.039) and eGFR (OR=1.008, P=0.045). The optimal cut-off values of mean HbA1c and GA to predict DR progression were 7.27% and 21.85%, respectively.
Question: Does serum glycated albumin predict the progression of diabetic retinopathy -- a five year retrospective longitudinal study? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The presence of DR at baseline, poor glycemic control, glycated albumin, and impaired renal function predicted DR progression in patients with type 2 diabetes. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: In recent years there has been an increasing uptake in the use of barbed sutures, particularly in minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures where they may reduce operating time and improve surgical efficiency. However, little is known about the adverse events associated with these new materials and concerns have arisen regarding their safety in certain procedures. We performed a search of electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database). We reveal up to 15 cases of small bowel obstruction (SBO) complicating laparoscopic pelvic surgery that have been reported to date adding two cases of SBO in our own practice following the use of barbed sutures in laparoscopic operations, both requiring surgical re-intervention in the early post-operative period. Fifteen similar cases of small bowel obstruction were identified, all of which occurred in patients undergoing surgery below the transverse colon . Surgical re-intervention was required in all cases although 60% of these were performed laparoscopically.
Question: Small bowel obstruction due to laparoscopic barbed sutures: an unknown complication? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These cases highlight that although barbed sutures provide an attractive means to allow easier and faster laparoscopic suturing, they should be used carefully in inframesocolic surgery and the suture end cut and buried to avoid inadvertent attachment to the small bowel or its mesentery. Barbed suture entanglement should be considered as an uncommon yet potentially serious differential cause for SBO presenting in the early period after laparoscopic surgery where a barbed suture has been used. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Liver fibrosis, which involves activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), is a major health problem and is the end outcome of all chronic liver diseases. The liver is populated with lymphocytes, among which are natural killer (NK) cells, whose activity is controlled by inhibitory and activating receptors. NKp46, one of the major NK activating receptors expressed by NK cells, is also a specific NK marker that discriminates NK cells from all other lymphocyte subsets. It recognises viral haemagglutinins and unknown cellular ligands. The anti-fibrotic activity of the NKp46 receptor was assessed in vivo and in vitro using NKp46-deficient mice (NCR1(gfp/gfp)), the carbon tetrachloride model and in vitro NK killing assays. Primary murine and human HSC were stained for the expression of the NKp46 ligand using fusion proteins composed of the extracellular portions of the murine and human NKp46 receptors fused to human IgG1. It was shown that murine HSC express a ligand for the murine orthologue of the NKp46 receptor, NCR1. NCR1 inhibited liver fibrosis in vivo; in vitro, murine HSC were killed in an NCR1-dependent manner. In humans it was shown that human HSC also express a ligand for the human NKp46 receptor and that the killing of human HSC is NKp46 dependent.
Question: Does nKp46-mediated killing of human and mouse hepatic stellate cells attenuate liver fibrosis? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> In addition to NKG2D, NKp46/NCR1 play an important role in inhibition of liver fibrosis. This suggests that fibrosis can be better controlled through the manipulation of NKp46 activity. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: In a follow-up to a survey ten years earlier, the authors investigated current administrative relationships between academic departments of psychiatry and state hospitals. A 20-item questionnaire was sent to the chairs of the 110 medical school departments of psychiatry with accredited psychiatric residencies. Eighty-two departments, or 75 percent, responded. Seventy-one percent of the respondents reported that their department had a relationship with a state hospital; 79 percent of these relationships involved the education of psychiatric residents. Most respondents rated the quality of the relationship favorably (4 or 5 on a 5-point scale). Almost all respondents believed that residents can obtain a high-quality education in a state hospital. More than half of the departments responding to a question about the importance of a state hospital rotation rated it of major importance in their residency program.
Question: Do a ten-year update of administrative relationships between state hospitals and academic psychiatry departments? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Many medical school departments of psychiatry remain closely involved with state hospitals and recognize the hospital as an important part of residents' education. Administrators have gained much experience about how to develop and implement mutually beneficial relationships. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To examine whether changes in knee-extension strength and functional performance are related to knee swelling after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Prospective, descriptive, hypothesis-generating study. A fast-track orthopedic arthroplasty unit at a university hospital. Patients (N=24; mean age, 66y; 13 women) scheduled for primary unilateral TKA were investigated 1 week before surgery and on the day of hospital discharge 2.4 days postsurgery. Not applicable. We assessed all patients for knee-joint circumference, knee-extension strength, and functional performance using the Timed Up & Go, 30-second Chair Stand, and 10-m fast speed walking tests, together with knee pain during all active test procedures. All investigated variables changed significantly from pre- to postsurgery independent of knee pain. Importantly, knee circumference increased (knee swelling) and correlated significantly with the decrease in knee-extension strength (r=-.51; P=.01). Reduced fast-speed walking correlated significantly with decreased knee-extension strength (r=.59; P=.003) and decreased knee flexion (r=.52; P=.011). Multiple linear regression showed that knee swelling (P=.023), adjusted for age and sex, could explain 27% of the decrease in knee-extension strength. Another model showed that changes in knee-extension strength (P=.009) and knee flexion (P=.018) were associated independently with decreased performance in fast-speed walking, explaining 57% of the variation in fast-speed walking.
Question: Is loss of knee-extension strength related to knee swelling after total knee arthroplasty? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our results indicate that the well-known finding of decreased knee-extension strength, which decreases functional performance shortly after TKA, is caused in part by postoperative knee swelling. Future studies may look at specific interventions aimed at decreasing knee swelling postsurgery to preserve knee-extension strength and facilitate physical rehabilitation after TKA. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To investigate the cell viability of Bifidobacterium longum 5(1A) in fermented milks and to study its immunostimulating and protective capacity against Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in mice. Bifidobacterium longum 5(1A) was added to milk fermented with different yoghurt starter cultures, before or after fermentation, and viability was monitored during storage (5°C, 28 days). Resistance to simulated gastric acid digestion was assessed. Fermented milks were orally administered to mice for 10 days followed by oral infection with Salmonella Typhimurium. The number of IgA+ cells in the small and large intestine was determined before infection. Survival to infection was monitored for 20 days. Bifidobacterium longum 5(1A) lost viability during storage, but the product containing it was effective for the induction of IgA+ cells proliferation in the gut and for the protection of mice against Salm. Typhimurium infection.
Question: Are cell viability and immunostimulating and protective capacities of Bifidobacterium longum 51A differentially affected by technological variables in fermented milks? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Cell viability of Bif. longum 5(1A) in fermented milks along storage did not condition the capacity of the strain to enhance the number of IgA+ cells in the gut and to protect mice against Salmonella infection. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To explore the clinical effect and possible mechanism of macrolides on otitis media with effusion in children. Children with otitis media with effusion were recruited and prescribed for macrolides according to a designed scheme, and followed up for 8-12 weeks. Middle ear effusion samples were collected from the participants to assess the presence of biofilm. Macrolides were found to have significant effect on the therapy of early stage otitis media with effusion for 88.7-92.5% of participants compared with 50.9-60.3% in control group after 8-12 weeks. Almost 72.1% of chronic otitis media with effusion patients recovered after an 8 weeks' course low dose macrolides prescription. Biofilm occurred in 30.8% (4/13) of middle ear effusion.
Question: Is low dose macrolide administration for long term effective for otitis media with effusion in children? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The results indicate that macrolides are effective for otitis media with effusion in children. Bacterial biofilm may play an important role in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The main impetus for a patient with familial adenomatous polyposis to choose colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis over ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the better functional result. However, does better functional result necessarily translate into better overall quality of life? Previous studies of other diseases have demonstrated no such correlation. This study was performed to determine whether any relationship exists between functional result and quality of life in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis after ileorectal anastomosis and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. All patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who underwent colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis or proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis from 1980 to 1998 were studied. Functional data were obtained by questionnaire. Health-related quality of life was assessed by two validated instruments, the SF-36 Physical and Mental Health Summary Scales and the SF-36 Health Survey, which measure physical and mental functioning and eight separate health-quality dimensions, including health perception, physical and social functioning, physical and emotional role limitations, mental health, bodily pain, and energy or fatigue. Data were obtained in 44 of 68 patients, 14 with ileorectal anastomosis and 30 with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. No differences were demonstrated between the two groups for patient age, mean follow-up time, and mean patient age at operation. Functional results were worse for the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis group vs. the ileorectal anastomosis group in number of bowel movements per day (7.5 vs. 5.2; P<0.05), leakage (43 vs. 0 percent; P<0.01), pad usage (17 vs. 0 percent; P<0.01), perianal skin problems (33 vs. 7 percent; P<0.01), food avoidance (80 vs. 43 percent; P<0.01), and inability to distinguish gas (37 vs. 7 percent; P<0.01). Results of the health-related quality-of-life surveys, however, demonstrated no difference between the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and ileorectal anastomosis groups. The Physical and Mental summary scales for the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and ileorectal anastomosis groups were not significantly different (Physical Health Scale, 50.3 vs. 50.9; Mental Health Scale, 51.7 vs. 49.6), and none of the eight dimensions of the SF-36 health survey demonstrated statistical differences between the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and ileorectal anastomosis groups.
Question: Does better functional result equate with better quality of life? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Better functional results were not equated with better quality of life in this pilot study. Although patients with the ileorectal anastomosis have better functional results than those with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, the measured health-related quality of life as determined by a validated generic health-related quality-of-life instrument is the same for both groups. These results suggest that all patients with familial adenomatous polyposis might be optimally treated with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. More importantly, this study suggests that health-related quality of life should play a greater role in the evaluation of care and treatment in colon rectal surgery. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Hemochromatosis gene (HFE)-associated hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a genetic predisposition to iron overload and subsequent signs and symptoms of disease that potentially affects approximately 80,000 persons in Australia and almost 1 million persons in the United States. Most clinical cases are homozygous for the Cys282Tyr (C282Y) mutation in the HFE gene, with serum ferritin (SF) concentration >1000 microg/L as the strongest predictor of cirrhosis. The optimal treatment regimen for those with SF concentrations above the normal range but <1000 microg/L is unknown. We assessed HFE mutations in a prospective cohort of 31,192 participants of northern European descent, aged 40-69 years. An HFE-stratified random sample of 1438 participants including all C282Y homozygotes with iron studies 12 years apart were examined by physicians blinded to participants' HFE genotype. All previously undiagnosed C282Y homozygotes (35 male, 67 female) and all HFE wild-types (131 male, 160 female) with baseline and follow-up SF concentrations <1000 microg/L were assessed for HH-associated signs and symptoms including abnormal second/third metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP2/3), raised liver enzymes, hepatomegaly, and self-reported liver disease, fatigue, diabetes mellitus, and use of arthritis medication. The prevalence of HH-associated signs and symptoms was similar for C282Y homozygotes and HFE wild-types for both normal and moderately elevated SF concentrations. The maximum prevalence difference between HFE genotype groups with moderately elevated SF was 11% (MCP2/3, 95% confidence interval = -6%, 29%; P = 0.22) and for normal SF was 6% (arthritis medicine use, 95% confidence interval = -3%, 16%; P = 0.11).
Question: Are hFE Cys282Tyr homozygotes with serum ferritin concentrations below 1000 microg/L at low risk of hemochromatosis? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Previously undiagnosed C282Y homozygotes with SF concentrations that remain below 1000 microg/L are at low risk of developing HH-associated signs and symptoms at an age when disease would be expected to have developed. These observations have implications for the management of C282Y homozygotes. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The molecular diagnosis of microsatellite instability (MSI) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is based on the analysis of five microsatellite markers. Among them, the two mononucleotide microsatellite repeats are considered more informative for this analysis than the three dinucleotide ones. The aim of this study is to establish the most relevant markers for MSI analysis in colorectal cancers from Asian patients. The MSI analysis of 143 CRC cases in a routine molecular diagnostic laboratory was reviewed. Analysis by fluorescence-based PCR of the five recommended microsatellites was performed, followed by data interpretation according to internationally accepted guidelines. The results were analyzed to address (1) the rate of success in the analysis of histopathological samples not specifically prepared for molecular analysis; (2) the relative importance of individual markers in the diagnosis of high-MSI (H-MSI). MSI analysis was unsuccessful in 34 cases (24%), but for tissues archived in recent years the unsuccessful rate was 5%. We found the D2S123 marker the most vulnerable to inadequate tissue preservation, failing to amplify in 58 instances. Approximately 30% (32/109) of the cases were H-MSI, while 7/109 (6%) were low-MSI. A detailed analysis of the H-MSI cases revealed that the dinucleotide repeats (and D5S346 in particular) were more relevant than the mononucleotide repeats in assigning the correct MSI status.
Question: Are dinucleotide microsatellite repeats essential for the diagnosis of microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer in Asian patients? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The analysis of dinucleotide repeats is essential for the establishment of MSI status in Asian CRC patients. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: We sought a better understanding of how nonprofit hospitals are fulfilling the community health needs assessment (CHNA) provision of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to conduct CHNAs and develop CHNA and implementation strategies reports. Through an Internet search of an estimated 179 nonprofit hospitals in Texas conducted between December 1, 2013, and January 5, 2014, we identified and reviewed 95 CHNA and implementation strategies reports. We evaluated and scored reports with specific criteria. We analyzed hospital-related and other report characteristics to understand relationships with report quality. There was wide-ranging diversity in CHNA approaches and report quality. Consultant-led CHNA processes and collaboration with local health departments were associated with higher-quality reports.
Question: Does nonprofit hospitals ' approach to community health need assessment? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> At the time of this study, the Internal Revenue Service had not yet issued the final regulations for the CHNA requirement. This provides an opportunity to strengthen the CHNA guidance for the final regulations, clarify the purpose of the assessment and planning process and reports, and better align assessment and planning activities through a public health framework. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematodes of livestock have major socio-economic importance worldwide. In small ruminants, Chabertia spp. are responsible for economic losses to the livestock industries globally. Although much attention has given us insights into epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and control of this parasite, over the years, only one species (C. ovina) has been accepted to infect small ruminants, and it is not clear whether C. erschowi is valid as a separate species. The first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of C. ovina and C. erschowi were amplified and then sequenced. Phylogenetic re-construction of 15 Strongylida species (including C. erschowi) was carried out using Bayesian inference (BI) based on concatenated amino acid sequence datasets. The ITS rDNA sequences of C. ovina China isolates and C. erschowi samples were 852-854 bp and 862 -866 bp in length, respectively. The mt genome sequence of C. erschowi was 13,705 bp in length, which is 12 bp shorter than that of C. ovina China isolate. The sequence difference between the entire mt genome of C. ovina China isolate and that of C. erschowi was 15.33%. In addition, sequence comparison of the most conserved mt small subunit ribosomal (rrnS) and the least conserved nad2 genes among multiple individual nematodes revealed substantial nucleotide differences between these two species but limited sequence variation within each species.
Question: Is chabertia erschowi ( Nematoda ) a distinct species based on nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences and mitochondrial DNA sequences? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The mtDNA and rDNA datasets provide robust genetic evidence that C. erschowi is a valid strongylid nematode species. The mtDNA and rDNA datasets presented in the present study provide useful novel markers for further studies of the taxonomy and systematics of the Chabertia species from different hosts and geographical regions. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: We sought to determine the etiologic mechanism of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and statin as regulators of synthesis of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the physiological fibrinolysis inhibitor and an acute-phase reactant. Transient transfection and luciferase assay in HepG2 human hepatoma-derived cells demonstrated that IL-6 increased PAI-1 promoter activity and mevastatin decreased IL-6-inducible response. Systematic deletion assay of the promoter demonstrated that the region (-239 to -210 bp) containing a putative CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) binding site was necessary. Point mutation in this site abolished the IL-6-inducible response. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that C/EBPalpha, C/EBPbeta, and C/EBPdelta were involved in protein-DNA complex formation in intact cells. Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) I footprinting analysis revealed that 5' flanking region (-232 to -210 bp) is acute-phase response protein-binding site. C/EBPdelta binding activity was increased by IL-6 and attenuated by mevastatin. Mevastatin attenuated IL-6-mediated increase of C/EBPdelta protein in the nuclear extracts. IL-6 also increased PAI-1 and C/EBPdelta mRNA in mouse primary hepatocytes.
Question: Do interleukin-6 and mevastatin regulate plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 through CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-delta? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> IL-6 increases hepatic PAI-1 expression mediated by the -232- to -210-bp region of the promoter containing a C/EBPdelta binding site. Vascular protection by statins may be partly mediated through regulation of CEBPdelta and consequent modulation of PAI-1 expression. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Several studies have shown that bone marrow-derived committed myelomonocytic cells can repopulate diseased livers by fusing with host hepatocytes and can restore normal liver function. These data suggest that myelomonocyte transplantation could be a promising approach for targeted and well-tolerated cell therapy aimed at liver regeneration. We sought to determine whether bone marrow-derived myelomonocytic cells could be effective for liver reconstitution in newborn mice knock-out for glucose-6-phosphatase-α. Bone marrow-derived myelomonocytic cells obtained from adult wild type mice were transplanted in newborn knock-out mice. Tissues of control and treated mice were frozen for histochemical analysis, or paraffin-embedded and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination or analyzed by immunohistochemistry or fluorescent in situ hybridization. Histological sections of livers of treated knock-out mice revealed areas of regenerating tissue consisting of hepatocytes of normal appearance and partial recovery of normal architecture as early as 1 week after myelomonocytic cells transplant. FISH analysis with X and Y chromosome paints indicated fusion between infused cells and host hepatocytes. Glucose-6-phosphatase activity was detected in treated mice with improved profiles of liver functional parameters.
Question: Does treatment of newborn G6pc ( -/- ) mice with bone marrow-derived myelomonocytes induces liver repair? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our data indicate that bone marrow-derived myelomonocytic cell transplant may represent an effective way to achieve liver reconstitution of highly degenerated livers in newborn animals. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To assess prospectively the prognostic value of FDG PET/CT during curative-intent radiotherapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with histological proof of invasive localized NSCLC and evaluable tumour, and who were candidates for curative-intent radiochemotherapy (RCT) or RT were preincluded after providing written informed consent. Definitive inclusion was conditional upon significant FDG uptake before RT (PET₁). All included patients had a FDG PET/CT scan during RT (PET₂, mean dose 43 Gy) and were evaluated by FDG PET/CT at 3 months and 1 year after RT. The main endpoint was death (from whatever cause) or tumour progression at 1 year. Of 77 patients preincluded, 52 were evaluable. Among the evaluable patients, 77% received RT with induction chemotherapy and 73% RT with concomitant chemotherapy. At 1 year, 40 patients (77 %) had died or had tumour progression. No statistically significant association was found between stage (IIIB vs. other), histology (squamous cell carcinoma vs. other), induction or concomitant chemotherapy, and death/tumour progression at 1 year. The SUVmax in the PET2 scan was the single variable predictive of death or tumour progression at 1 year (odds ratio 1.97, 95% CI 1.25 - 3.09, p = 0.003) in multivariate analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.85 (95% CI 0.73 - 0.94, p < 10(-4)). A SUVmax value of 5.3 in the PET₂ scan yielded a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 92% for predicting tumour progression or death at 1 year.
Question: Is fDG PET during radiochemotherapy predictive of outcome at 1 year in non-small-cell lung cancer patients : a prospective multicentre study ( RTEP2 )? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> This prospective multicentre study demonstrated the prognostic value in terms of disease-free survival of SUVmax assessed during the 5th week of curative-intent RT or RCT in NSCLC patients (NCT01261598; RTEP2 study). |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To evaluate the time course of major vessel recanalization under IV thrombolysis in relation to functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke. A total of 99 patients with an acute anterior circulation vessel occlusion who underwent IV thrombolysis were included. All patients had a standardized admission and follow-up procedure. Color-coded duplex sonography was performed on admission, 30 minutes after thrombolysis, and at 6 and 24 hours after onset of symptoms. Recanalization was classified as complete, partial, and absent. Functional outcome was rated with the modified Rankin Scale on day 30. Complete recanalization occurred significantly more frequently in patients with multiple branch occlusions compared to those with mainstem occlusion (OR 5.33; 95% CI, 2.18 to 13.05; p<0.0001) and was associated with lower NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (p<0.001). Not the specific time point of recanalization at 6 or 24 hours after stroke onset, but recanalization per se within 24 hours (OR 7.8; 95% CI 2.2 to 28.2; p = 0.002) was significantly associated with a favorable outcome. Multivariate analysis revealed recanalization at any time within 24 hours and NIHSS scores on days 1 and 7 together explaining 75% of the functional outcome variance 30 days after stroke.
Question: Recanalization after intravenous thrombolysis: does a recanalization time window exist? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Complete recanalization up to 24 hours after stroke onset is significantly associated with the short-term clinical course and functional outcome 30 days after acute stroke. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that plasma markers of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) reflect acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Oxidized LDL contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but its role in ACS is not established. Serial plasma samples were prospectively obtained from patients with an acute myocardial infarction (MI) (n = 8), unstable angina (UA) (n = 15), stable coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 17), angiographically normal coronary arteries (n = 8), and from healthy subjects (n = 18), at entry into the study, hospital discharge (MI group only), and at 30, 120, and 210 days. Chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantitate plasma levels of: 1) immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG OxLDL autoantibody titers (presented as a mean OxLDL autoantibody titer by averaging the results of four distinct epitopes); 2) LDL-autoantibody immune complexes (LDL-IC); and 3) minimally OxLDL measured by antibody E06 (OxLDL-E06), as determined by the content of oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) per apolipoprotein B-100. Baseline OxLDL IgG autoantibody levels were higher in the MI group (p < 0.0001). At 30-day follow-up, the mean IgM OxLDL titers increased by 48% (p < 0.001) and 20% (p < 0.001), and IgM LDL-IC increased by 60% (p < 0.01) and 26% (p < 0.01) in the MI and UA groups, respectively. The OxLDL-E06 levels increased by 54% (p < 0.01) in the MI group at hospital discharge and by 36% at 30 days. No significant changes in any OxLDL markers were noted in the other groups. The OxLDL-E06 levels strongly paralleled the acute rise in lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), in the MI group, suggesting that toxic OxPL are preferentially bound to Lp(a). Oxidized LDL-E06 also correlated extremely well with Lp(a) in the entire cohort of patients (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001).
Question: Do temporal increases in plasma markers of oxidized low-density lipoprotein strongly reflect the presence of acute coronary syndromes? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Circulating OxLDL-specific markers strongly reflect the presence of ACS, implying immune awareness to newly exposed oxidation-specific epitopes and possible release of OxLDL in the circulation. The OxLDL-E06 measurements provide novel insights into plaque rupture and the potential atherogenicity of Lp(a). |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure often co-exist. It is unknown whether the sequence in which AF and heart failure develop is of significance regarding prognosis. We assessed the prognosis of AF patients hospitalized for heart failure based on the timing of AF and heart failure development. Consecutive AF patients hospitalized for heart failure were included. Patients who had developed AF before or consecutively with heart failure ('AF first') were compared with patients who had developed heart failure before AF ('heart failure first'). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular hospitalization or all-cause mortality. The majority of patients hospitalized for AF and heart failure consisted of patients who had developed AF first (137 of 182 patients, 75%, vs. 45 of 182 patients, 25%). The two groups were similar regarding age and gender, but patients with AF first less often had coronary artery disease and had higher ejection fractions than patients with heart failure first (39 ± 14% vs. 32 ± 13%, P = 0.004). During 16 ± 11 months follow-up, the primary composite endpoint occurred less often in patients with AF first than in patients with heart failure first (49.6% vs. 77.7% of patients, P = 0.001). Development of AF first remained beneficial regarding the primary endpoint on multivariable analysis (adjusted hazard ratio 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.86, P = 0.01).
Question: Does the importance of whether atrial fibrillation or heart failure develop first? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The majority of patients hospitalized for AF and heart failure consisted of patients who had developed AF first. Prognosis in these patients was relatively benign as compared with those who had developed heart failure first. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Gestational diabetes affects approximately 7 percent of all pregnancies in the United States; its prevalence may have increased among all ethnic groups since the early 1990 s. Our study examined whether physical activity during pregnancy reduced the risk of gestational diabetes among women who were physically inactive before pregnancy. We used data from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS), a nationally representative sample of mothers with live births. The NMIHS obtained mothers' gestational diabetes diagnoses from care providers and mothers reported their physical activity before and during pregnancy, including the number of months with physical activity and types of physical activity. We developed a physical activity index, the product of the number of months with physical activity, and average metabolic equivalents for specific activities. The analysis included 4,813 women who reported being physically inactive before pregnancy, with singleton births and no previous diabetes diagnosis. Gestational diabetes was diagnosed in 3.5 percent of the weighted sample in 1988. About 11.8 percent of these previously inactive women began physical activity during pregnancy. Women who became physically active had 57 percent lower adjusted odds of developing gestational diabetes than those who remained inactive (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.93). Women who had done brisk walking during pregnancy had a lower adjusted risk of gestational diabetes (OR 0.44, CI 0.19-1.02) and women with a physical activity index score above the median had 62 percent lower odds of developing gestational diabetes than the inactive women (CI 0.15-0.96).
Question: Does physical activity during pregnancy reduce the risk of gestational diabetes among previously inactive women? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Results suggest that physical activity during pregnancy is associated with lower risk for gestational diabetes among previously inactive women. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Conflicting results have been so far reported about baseline lung function, as predicting factor of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) efficacy. To ascertain whether or not baseline lung function could predict a benefit in terms of a significant change in 6-min walk test (6 MWT) after PR. Seventy-five stable moderate-to-severe COPD inpatients with comorbidities (complex COPD), allocated to a three-week PR program, were retrospectively evaluated. Pulmonary function, 6 MWT, dyspnea (BDI/TDI), and quality of life (EQ-VAS) were assessed before and after PR program. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the change in 6 MWT (responders > 30 m and nonresponders ≤ 30 m). Logistic regression analysis was used. Results. After PR, 6 MWT performance all outcome measures significantly improved (P < 0.01). Compared to nonresponders (N = 38), the responders (N = 37) had lower values in baseline lung function (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that FEV1 < 50% pred and TL, CO < 50% pred were independent predictors of PR efficacy.
Question: Is six-minute walking distance improvement after pulmonary rehabilitation associated with baseline lung function in complex COPD patients : a retrospective study? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our study shows that in stable moderate-to-severe complex COPD inpatients, baseline lung function may predict the response to PR in terms of 6 MWT. We also found that complex COPD patients with poor lung function get more benefit from PR. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Repeated exposure to addictive drugs elicits long-lasting cellular and molecular changes. It has been reported that the aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is involved in cocaine and heroin addiction, yet the expression profile of lncRNAs and their potential effects on methamphetamine (METH)-induced locomotor sensitization are largely unknown. Using high-throughput strand-specific complementary DNA sequencing technology (ssRNA-seq), here we examined the alterations in the lncRNAs expression profile in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of METH-sensitized mice. We found that the expression levels of 6246 known lncRNAs (6215 down-regulated, 31 up-regulated) and 8442 novel lncRNA candidates (8408 down-regulated, 34 up-regulated) were significantly altered in the METH-sensitized mice. Based on characterizations of the genomic contexts of the lncRNAs, we further showed that there were 5139 differentially expressed lncRNAs acted via cis mechanisms, including sense intronic (4295 down-regulated and one up-regulated), overlapping (25 down-regulated and one up-regulated), natural antisense transcripts (NATs, 148 down-regulated and eight up-regulated), long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs, 582 down-regulated and five up-regulated), and bidirectional (72 down-regulated and two up-regulated). Moreover, using the program RNAplex, we identified 3994 differentially expressed lncRNAs acted via trans mechanisms. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the predicted cis- and trans- associated genes were significantly enriched during neuronal development, neuronal plasticity, learning and memory, and reward and addiction.
Question: Does methamphetamine induce alterations in the long non-coding RNAs expression profile in the nucleus accumbens of the mouse? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Taken together, our results suggest that METH can elicit global changes in lncRNA expressions in the NAc of sensitized mice that might be involved in METH-induced locomotor sensitization and addiction. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: We previously reported that daily supplementation with alpha-tocopherol reduced prostate cancer risk in a large, randomized trial, the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. One potential mechanism explaining this is that alpha-tocopherol inhibited tumor angiogenesis, an effect demonstrated in animal models. We evaluated whether long-term supplementation with alpha-tocopherol modified serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, a cytokine integrally involved in angiogenesis, in men who were not diagnosed with cancer and had baseline and follow-up blood available. One hundred of these men who received alpha-tocopherol (50 mg daily) were randomly selected and matched on age, study center and time between blood draws to 100 men who received placebo (median follow-up 3.7 years). VEGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of alpha-tocopherol supplementation on serum VEGF was evaluated using a matched-paired t-test for differences in the change in VEGF over the intervention period between groups. There was an 11% reduction in VEGF levels in the alpha-tocopherol group as compared with a 10% increase in the placebo group (p=0.03).
Question: Is long-term alpha-tocopherol supplementation associated with lower serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our findings suggest that one of the mechanisms behind the inhibition of prostate carcinogenesis by alpha-tocopherol in the ATBC Study may have been through reduced VEGF concentrations and the suppression of tumor angiogenesis and therefore growth. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Point-of-care ultrasound is a rapidly evolving component of internal medicine (IM) residency training. The optimal approach for teaching this skill remains unclear. We sought to determine whether the addition of a longitudinal ultrasound curriculum to a stand-alone workshop for ultrasound training improved knowledge retention in IM residents. We conducted an observational cohort study from July to December 2013. All postgraduate year (PGY)-1 IM residents attended an ultrasound workshop during orientation. Ability to identify static images of ascites, kidney, thyroid, pleural fluid, inferior vena cava, and internal jugular vein was assessed immediately after the workshop. An ultrasound curriculum, including morning report and ultrasound rounds, was initiated during the inpatient medicine rotation. PGY-1 residents were randomly assigned to participate in the longitudinal curriculum. Six months later, we conducted a follow-up survey with all PGY-1 residents. Forty-eight PGY-1 residents (67%) completed the postworkshop test and the 6-month follow-up test. Of these, 50% (24 of 48) had participated in the ultrasound curriculum. Residents not exposed to the curriculum showed a decline in the identification of ascites, pleural effusion, and internal jugular vein at 6 months (P < .05), whereas those who participated in the curriculum maintained their performance (P < .05).
Question: Does longitudinal Ultrasound Curriculum improve Long-Term Retention Among Internal Medicine Residents? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Six months after exposure to a longitudinal ultrasound curriculum, residents were more likely to correctly identify ultrasound images of ascites, kidney, and pleural effusion. The addition of a longitudinal ultrasound curriculum may result in improved knowledge retention in IM residents. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: For normal single births with evidence of first trimester twinning, vanishing twin rates of 13% to 78% have been reported. We propose that blighting of a conjoined twin can result in an infant with a variation of cloacal exstrophy. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 26 patients with cloacal exstrophy treated from January 1989 to November 2003, all of whom had prenatal evaluations readily available to determine the presence of twinning. The criterion for establishing the prenatal diagnosis of twins was the documentation of 2 fetal heart tones on Doppler and/or 2 fetal poles on ultrasound. All 26 patients had prenatal care including prenatal fetal Doppler studies and followup ultrasound. Of the patients 15 had classic cloacal exstrophy (58%) with no evidence of twin gestations documented. Of the 26 cloacal exstrophy cases 11 (42%) were cloacal exstrophy variants, including 8 of the 11 (73%) with consistent findings of twin gestation on prenatal studies. All 8 patients had documented 2 fetal heart tones in the first trimester, and 4 had 2 fetal poles in 1 amniotic sac on prenatal ultrasound. Five patients had subsequent ultrasound studies showing a single fetus by the second trimester. Two patients were born conjoined with 1 of the twins lifeless at birth in both cases.
Question: Cloacal exstrophy variants. Can blighted conjoined twinning play a role? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> We propose that blighted conjoined twinning may be a cause of cloacal exstrophy variant cases. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Protein Z (PZ) is a vitamin K-dependent plasma protein that plays a role in both pro-and anticoagulant pathways, but its exact physiological function remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the G79A PZ gene polymorphism in intron F, PZ levels and the occurrence of ischemic stroke. We performed a case-control study in 118 Caucasian patients with first ever ischemic stroke or TIA confirmed by CT, and 113 age-and sex-matched population controls. Venous blood samples for PZ levels were collected 7 to 14 days and 3 months after stroke onset. Estimates of relative risk (odds ratios) were adjusted for vascular risk factors. The adjusted relative risk of ischemic stroke associated with PZ levels in the lowest quartile versus the highest quartile was 3.0 (95% CI: 1.1-8.7) at 7-14 days, and 5.1 (95% CI: 1.2-21.9) at 3 months after the stroke. PZ levels in the convalescent sample were significantly lower than in the acute sample. In the convalescent sample, odds ratios increased with lower quartiles of protein Z level (test for trend p=0.02). Thirty-nine patients (33%) and 32 (28%) controls were heterozygous for the G79A PZ gene polymorphism and 4 (3%) patients and 4 (4%) controls had the AA-genotype. The PZ levels were significantly lower in subjects with the AA-genotype and intermediate in heterozygote subjects. The odds ratio of ischemic stroke associated with A-allele carriers versus GG-homozygotes was 1.2 (95% CI: 0.7-2.1).
Question: Are low protein Z levels but not the protein Z gene G79A polymorphism a risk factor for ischemic stroke? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> No association between the G79A PZ gene polymorphism and the occurrence of stroke was observed. However, low PZ levels are independently associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) often have low serum triiodothyronine (T(3)) concentrations. In a rodent model of myocardial infarction-induced CHF and low serum T(3), we hypothesized that replacing T(3) to euthyroid levels would improve left ventricular function without producing untoward signs of thyrotoxicosis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to left anterior descending coronary artery ligation (myocardial infarction). One week post-myocardial infarction, left ventricular fractional shortening was significantly reduced to 22+/-1% in CHF animals versus 38+/-1% for sham-operated controls (P<0.001). Serum T(3) concentration was also significantly reduced (80+/-3 versus 103+/-6 ng/dL; P<0.001), in CHF animals versus Shams. At 9 weeks post-myocardial infarction, systolic function (+dP/dt max) was significantly attenuated in CHF animals (4773+/-259 versus 6310+/-267 mmHg/s; P<0.001) as well as diastolic function measured by half time to relaxation (15.9+/-1.2 versus 11.1+/-0.3 ms; P<0.001). alpha-myosin heavy chain expression was also significantly reduced by 77% (P<0.001), and beta-myosin heavy chain expression was increased by 21%. Continuous T(3) replacement was initiated 1 week post-myocardial infarction with osmotic mini-pumps (6 microg/kg/d), which returned serum T(3) concentrations to levels similar to Sham controls while resting conscious heart rate, arterial blood pressure and the incidence of arrhythmias were not different. At 9 weeks, systolic function was significantly improved by T(3) replacement (6279+/-347 mmHg/s; P<0.05) and a trend toward improved diastolic function (12.3+/-0.6 ms) was noted. T(3) replacement in CHF animals also significantly increased alpha- and reduced beta-MHC expression, (P<0.05).
Question: Does physiological replacement of T3 improve left ventricular function in an animal model of myocardial infarction-induced congestive heart failure? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These data indicate that T(3) replacement to euthyroid levels improves systolic function and tends to improve diastolic function, potentially through changes in myocardial gene expression. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To evaluate the recommended erectile dysfunction treatment algorithm for men over age 65. Between 2004 and 2006, 334 men were treated for ED at our institution, of whom 64 were greater than 65 years old (19.2%). Medical history, ED treatments and patients' satisfaction were reported. The first line therapy was PDE 5 inhibitors except after radical prostatectomy, followed by intracavernous injections (ICI). When conservative treatments failed, penile prosthesis was proposed. Mean follow up was 23.7 months. Mean age was 69.2 years (65-81). Aetiology of ED was organic in 85.9% (39.1% after radical pelvic surgery) and partially drug induced in 45.8%. With PDE 5 inhibitors, the mean success rate was 26.5 and 7.1% after radical pelvic surgery. Because of cost, 30.8 % of satisfied patients stopped PDE 5 inhibitors. Mean ICI success rate was 60.4% but 34.5% of satisfied men interrupted them. Finally, 14% of patients were successfully treated by PDE 5 inhibitors and 29.7% by ICI. Penile prosthesis was implanted in 12 patients (18.7%) with a mean success rate of 83.3%. No successful ED treatment was found in a third of patients.
Question: Is the recommended treatment for erectile dysfunction effective for men over age 65? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> PDE 5 inhibitors after 65 were found to be less successful as envisaged. This study points out the probable inadequacy between the patients' expectations and the therapeutic options, including socioeconomic terms. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Prehypertension is a risk factor for hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between prehypertension and atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been evaluated. In the present study, we investigated the impact of prehypertension on atherosclerosis in T2DM. Patients (n=930) with T2DM were recruited for the present study from the outpatient clinic of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) was determined using ultrasound and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was determined by volume plethysmography to assess atherosclerosis. Of the 930 patients with T2DM (mean age of 59 years), 167 were categorized as normotensive, 213 were prehypertensive, and 550 were hypertensive. Diabetic subjects with prehypertension had significantly higher CCA-IMT and baPWV than those with normal blood pressure after adjustment for age and gender. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared with normotension, prehypertension was a significant independent determinant of atherosclerosis (for maximum IMT ≥1.1 mm, odds ratio (OR) 2.10 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-3.44; for baPWV ≥1400 cm/s, OR 3.09 and 95% CI 1.78-5.36).
Question: Is prehypertension associated with atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Prehypertension is associated with atherosclerosis independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors in T2DM patients. We speculate that maintenance of systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <80 mmHg may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in T2DM. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Different mouse models of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) demonstrate various aspects of the pathophysiology of IBD. We looked for overlapping gene expression profiles in three different mouse models of experimental colitis and analysed whether these overlapping genes are of help to find new genes that could be used as general markers in human IBD. Using Agilent mouse TOX oligonucleotide microarrays, we analysed the gene expression profiles in three widely used models of experimental colitis: 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid, dextran sodium sulfate and CD4CD45RB transfer and looked for overlapping gene expression in these models. Overlapping genes were analysed using Lightcycler (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) in biopsy materials from human IBD and control tissue. Compared with control mice in dextran sodium sulfate, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid and the CD45RB transfer colitis mice five known genes, extracellular proteinase inhibitor (Expi), glutathione peroxidase 2 (Gpx2), mast cell protease 1 (Mcpt1), resistin-like beta (Retnlb) and sulphatase 2 (Sulf2), and two unknown genes were upregulated and the two genes aquaporin 8 (Aqp8) and kallikrein 5 (Klk5) were downregulated in all three models. In human Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis biopsies, one of the upregulated glutathione peroxidase (Gpx2) and one of the downregulated Aqp8 genes in the mouse models were also differentially expressed in affected colonic tissue of patients with IBD.
Question: Glutathione peroxidase 2 and aquaporin 8 as new markers for colonic inflammation in experimental colitis and inflammatory bowel diseases: an important role for H2O2? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Experimental mouse models are suitable models for the search of new markers for human IBD. As both Gpx2 and Aqp8 are involved in H2O2 metabolism (Gpx2 as a radical scavenger whereas Aqp8 facilitates its diffusion), upregulation of Gpx2 and downregulation of Aqp8 could be a mechanism to defend against severe oxidative stress and indicate that H2O2 is a universal mediator in the inflammatory process in the colon. This provides a focus on homeostasis of the antioxidant pathway and its importance in IBD. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The purpose of the study was to explore if cervical cancer information presented in a non-stigmatizing manner could promote screening in women living in a resource poor environment in Tshwane, South Africa. An exploratory, contextual, quantitative door-to-door survey was conducted. The sampling method was convenience (n = 105). Structured interviews were used to gather self-reported data. Chi-square tests were used for secondary data analyses. The study provided evidence that presenting information on cervical cancer in a non-stigmatizing manner based on the theme of self protection promoted cervical screening. The study further provided evidence that women preferred a cervical cancer message that does not focus on the sexual risk factors of this disease. More than a third of the sample preferring a message introducing cervical cancer as a sexually transmitted infection (n = 32) were of the opinion that this message were stigmatizing, blameful and displayed misunderstanding of their lives.
Question: Cervical cancer: does our message promote screening? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Cervical cancer screening is indeed not simple. The screening rate not only in South Africa but many other countries serves as proof. It can therefore not be afforded to add to the barriers by presenting information on cervical cancer in a way perceived as stigmatizing and blameful. Presenting information in way that women prefer might not only promote cervical screening, but might motivate them in such a way that they are screened. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To consider the long-term survival and outcomes in patients with olfactory neuroblastoma undergoing craniofacial resection. A single-center prospective cohort study. All patients with olfactory neuroblastoma treated in a 23-year period with craniofacial resection (with or without radiotherapy) were analyzed; a multivariate analysis was included. Forty-two patients aged 12 to 70 years were assessed, 83% of whom had received no preceding treatment. Craniofacial resection was used in all cases, combined with radiotherapy in 24 patients (57%). Duration of follow-up ranged from 2 to 206 months (mean follow-up period, 57 mo). The disease-free actuarial survival and overall survival were 77% and 61% at 5 years and 53% and 42% at 10 years, respectively. A Cox regression analysis identified intracranial extension and orbital involvement as independent factors affecting outcome.
Question: Olfactory neuroblastoma: past, present, and future? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Craniofacial resection combined with radiotherapy offers the gold standard of care against which other approaches such as endoscopic resection must be judged. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Abnormal urinary protein loss is a marker associated with a diverse range of renal diseases including preeclampsia. Current measures of urine protein used in the diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of preeclampsia includes urine protein:creatinine ratio and 24-h urine protein. However very little is known about the value of urine albumin:creatinine ratio (uACR) in pregnancy. In this study we examined the prognostic value of microalbuminuria detected antepartum to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes. This is a single-centre retrospective analysis of 84 pregnant women over the age of 16 attending a tertiary 'high-risk' pregnancy outpatient clinic between July 2010 and June 2013. Utilising medical records, antepartum peak uACR level and pregnancy maternal and fetal outcomes were recorded. The primary outcome was a composite of poor maternal and fetal outcomes including preeclampsia, maternal death, eclampsia, stillbirth, neonatal death, IUGR, premature delivery and placental abruption. As the antepartum peak uACR level (in mg/mmol) increased from normoalbuminuria (uACR<3.5) to microalbuminuria (uACR 3.5-35) to macroalbuminuria (>35), the percentage of women with the primary composite outcome increased in a stepwise fashion (13.8% to 24.1% to 62.1% respectively, p<0.001). After adjusting for covariates including history of hypertension, chronic kidney disease and aspirin therapy during pregnancy, micro- and macroalbuminuria remained significant predictors of the primary outcome.
Question: Is microalbuminuria a predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> We have shown that antepartum peak uACR is a useful simple marker to help predict adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Further studies are required to utilise uACR as a prognostic tool in pregnancy before it can be applied in clinical practice. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To investigate whether the PAX6, Lumican, and MYOC genes are related to high myopia in Han Chinese since the association between these genes and high myopia is unclear in this patient population. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected for DNA extraction from 220 subjects with high myopia (refractive error ≤-10.00 D) vs. normal controls among the Han Chinese of Northeastern China. Mass spectrometry was applied to detect 10 SNP loci of the PAX6, Lumican, and MYOC genes. The candidate region was analyzed using case-control correlation analysis. The χ(2) test was used to analyze the allele and genotype frequencies in the myopic group vs. the control group. Haploview software was used for haplotype analysis. The χ(2) test was used to compare the allele and genotype frequencies of SNPs in patients and control subjects and the results showed that ten SNPs of the PAX6, Lumican, and MYOC genes were not significantly associated with high myopia.
Question: Are ten SNPs of PAX6 , Lumican , and MYOC genes associated with high myopia in Han Chinese? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our results confirm that the PAX6, Lumican, and MYOC genes were not associated with high myopia in the Han Chinese in Northeastern China. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a major lipid carrier that supports lipid transport and injury repair in the brain. The APOE ε4 allele is associated with depression, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia; however, the precise molecular mechanism through which ApoE4 influences the risk of disease development remains unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, we investigated the potential effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on ApoE3 and ApoE4 target replacement (ApoE3-TR and ApoE4-TR) mice. All ApoE-TR mice exposed to CUMS at 3 months old recovered from a depression-like state by the age of 12 months. Of note, ApoE4-TR mice, unlike age-matched ApoE3-TR mice, displayed impaired spatial cognitive abilities, loss of GABAergic neurons, decreased expression of Reelin, PSD95, SYN and Fyn, and reduced phosphorylation of NMDAR2B and CREB.
Question: Does early-life stress lead to impaired spatial learning and memory in middle-aged ApoE4-TR mice? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These results suggest that early-life stress may mediate cognitive impairment in middle-age ApoE4-TR mice through sustained reduction of GABAergic neurons and Reelin expression, which might further diminish the activation of the Fyn/NMDAR2B signaling pathway. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The strong angiogenic and mitogenic agents acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF, respectively) share signalling pathways with known vasodilatory agonists. Therefore, we hypothesized the FGF's produce vasoactive responses. We also proposed that heparin would exert a similar action to FGF, because this proteoglycan not only binds to the FGF receptor, but also facilitates the release of FGF from the cardiac extracellular matrix and promotes its binding to a high-affinity receptor. To test these hypotheses, we examined the vasodilatory reactions of coronary arterioles to aFGF, bFGF, and heparin, and the effects of antagonists to nitric oxide synthase (L-NMMA), prostaglandins (indomethacin), ATP-sensitive potassium (K[ATP]) channels (glibenclamide), FGF and FGF receptors on the vasoactive responses. Arterioles (70-110 microns, internal diameter) were dissected from pig hearts and cannulated with micropipettes. Diameter was determined with videomicroscopy in response to bFGF and aFGF in concentrations of 1-100 ng/ml and to heparin (5-200 U/ml). Basic FGF, but not aFGF, caused dose-dependent vasodilation with a maximum of 61 +/- 4%. Relaxation of bFGF was antagonized by pretreatment with L-NMMA, but was not affected by pretreatment with indomethacin or glibenclamide. Heparin caused dose-dependent vasodilation with a maximum of 100 +/- 3% which was partially blocked by either L-NMMA or glibenclamide, but not by indomethacin. Furthermore, the effect of bFGF could be significantly blocked by pretreatment with an FGF receptor antibody as well as with a monoclonal antibody against FGF. Pretreatment with both antibodies significantly inhibited also the effect of heparin.
Question: Do basic fibroblast growth factor and heparin influence coronary arteriolar tone by causing endothelium-dependent dilation? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These results indicate that bFGF and heparin cause vasodilation of coronary arterioles via an increase in NO production and heparin additionally by other mechanisms such as by activating K[ATP] channels. Furthermore, the effect of heparin is partially mediated via FGF and FGF receptors. We therefore speculate that both substances may be involved in the regulation of coronary microvascular tone acting partially through the same signalling mechanisms. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Hallux valgus is a common deformity that is often treated with a fusion of the first tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint. Crossed-screws are currently the accepted standard but advances in plate systems present opportunities for improved clinical outcomes; however, in vitro testing should be performed prior to clinical implementation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a locking plate with surgeon-mediated compression provides similar fusion stability compared to crossed-screws and if bone density or joint size are related to construct success. Ten matched-pair cadaveric specimens received first TMT fusions with either crossed-screws or a compression plate and were loaded for 1000 cycles to assess the amount of joint motion measured as plantar gapping. Bone density was quantified using computed tomography images of each specimen, and joint height was measured with calipers. Crossed-screws provided 3 times greater resistance to plantar gapping compared to compression plates after 1000 cycles. Bone density and joint size did not affect resistance to plantar gapping for either construct.
Question: Do crossed-screws provide greater tarsometatarsal fusion stability compared to compression plates? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Lag screws or a plantarly applied plate are needed to maximize TMT fusion stability prior to osseous union. Dorsomedially applied plates are also effective when paired with a lag screw placed across the TMT joint. These constructs do not appear to depend on bone density or joint size, suggesting that patients with osteoporosis are viable candidates. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) patients usually show concurrent lung injury mainly featured by hyoxemia. To date, no effective treatment method has been established for the AAD complicated with acute lung injury (ALI). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP2 and MMP9, have been considered to be closely related to the onset of aortic disease including AAD. To investigate the roles of MMP in the pathogenesis of AAD complicated with ALI, we determined the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in serum and lung tissues of AAD patients. In addition, a new rat model of AAD complicated with ALI was established to investigate the pathogenesis of such complicated conditions. Angiotensin II (Ang II) and MMP9 were up-regulated in the AAD complicated with ALI patients compared to those of the AAD without ALI patients, normal individuals and the patients with non-ruptured aneurysm. Besides, massive macrophages with MMP9 expression was noticed in the lung tissues in the AAD complicated with ALI patients. On this basis, AAD complicated with ALI rat model was established based on BAPN feeding and infusion of Ang II. Obvious lung injury was observed in the BAPN+Ang II group compared to that of the BAPN group, together with macrophage accumulation in lung tissues, as well as over-expression of MMP9 in lung tissues. After interference of MMP antagonist, a large number of macrophages were still accumulated in the lung tissues, but the lung injury was obviously attenuated. After the interference of AT1 receptor, the number of macrophages in the lung tissues was obviously decreased and the lung injury was obviously relieved.
Question: Is angiotensin II related to the acute aortic dissection complicated with lung injury through mediating the release of MMP9 from macrophages? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Ang II is closely related to the lung injury at the early stage of AAD through mediating the release of MMP9 in the macrophages in the lung tissues. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: We sought to magnetically tag endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) with a clinical agent and target them to a site of arterial injury using a magnetic device positioned outside the body. Circulating EPCs are involved in physiological processes such as vascular re-endothelialization and post-ischemic neovascularization. However, the success of cell therapies depends on the ability to deliver the cells to the site of injury. Human EPCs were labeled with iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Cell viability and differentiation were tested using flow cytometry. Following finite element modeling computer simulations and flow testing in vitro, angioplasty was performed on rat common carotid arteries to denude the endothelium and EPCs were administered with and without the presence of an external magnetic device for 12 min. Computer simulations indicated successful external magnetic cell targeting from a vessel with flow rate similar to a rat common carotid artery; correspondingly there was a 6-fold increase in cell capture in an in vitro flow system. Targeting enhanced cell retention at the site of injury by 5-fold at 24 h after implantation in vivo.
Question: Does magnetic tagging increase delivery of circulating progenitors in vascular injury? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Using an externally applied magnetic device, we have been able to enhance EPC localization at a site of common carotid artery injury. This technology could be more widely adapted to localize cells in other organs and may provide a useful tool for the systemic injection of cell therapies. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: The molecular mechanisms that lead to long-term consequences of infantile spasms (IS) are poorly understood. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is regulated by insults that might be stressful to the brain, and is crucial for early brain development. The aim of the present study was to correlate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of IGF-1 with antecedent insults and cognitive outcome. We studied CSF IGF-1 and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations in infants with idiopathic IS (IIS), symptomatic IS (SIS), and controls. Infants with IIS had CSF IGF-1 concentrations similar to those of the control children, but children with SIS had markedly low CSF IGF-1 concentrations. In addition, CSF ACTH concentrations were significantly lower in the children with SIS than in those with IIS. High CSF IGF-1 concentrations were associated with an idiopathic etiology, absence of early (pre- or perinatal) insults or stress, normal brain imaging studies, good response to ACTH therapy, and favorable cognitive outcome. Low CSF IGF-1 concentrations were associated with low CSF ACTH concentrations, a history of early insults or stress, cerebral atrophy, poor response to therapy, and poor cognitive outcome.
Question: Is insulin-like growth factor-1 associated with cognitive outcome in infantile spasms? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> In children with IS, insults or stress in early life may affect the synthesis of IGF-1, which might play a role in the reduction of certain cognitive functions. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: Multiport epidural catheters are popular; however, the reliability of the air test has not been evaluated with this catheter design. The authors determined the effectiveness of aspirating for blood and the air test in detecting intravascular multiorifice epidural catheters. Three hundred women in labor underwent placement of a blunt-tip, three-hole, 20-gauge, lumbar epidural catheter. If there were no signs of spinal anesthesia, 3 ml lidocaine or bupivacaine was injected and the patient was observed for signs of spinal anesthesia. If there were no signs of spinal anesthesia, the authors injected 1 ml air through the epidural catheter while listening to the maternal precordium using a Doppler fetal heart rate monitor. Catheters through which blood was aspirated were air-tested and replaced. Patients with air-test-positive, blood-aspiration-negative catheters received 100 mg lidocaine through the catheter and were questioned about toxicity symptoms. The authors injected bupivacaine-fentanyl through aspiration-negative,air-test-negative catheters and recorded the sensory analgesic level 20 min later. The authors aspirated cerebrospinal fluid through one catheter and documented intravascular placement in 11 catheters. Results of the air test and blood aspiration were positive for eight catheters. Blood could not be aspirated from one air-test-positive catheter; perioral numbness developed in the patient after lidocaine injection. Blood was freely aspirated from two air-test-negative catheters. In the remaining 288 catheters, bupivacaine-fentanyl injection produced epidural analgesia in 279 patients and no effect in 9 patients.
Question: Multiport epidural catheters: does the air test work? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> The authors obtained false-negative results with both catheter aspiration and the air test. Fractionating the local anesthetic dose is important when using multiorifice epidural catheters. |
<|system|> You are an biomedical AI assistant that follows instruction extremely well, Your task is to answer biomedical questions precisely and truthfully using the given abstract <|endoftext|> <|prompter|> Abstract: To investigate whether respiratory variations in aortic blood flow velocity (DeltaVpeak ao), systolic arterial pressure (DeltaPS) and pulse pressure (DeltaPP) could accurately predict fluid responsiveness in ventilated children. Prospective study in a 18-bed pediatric intensive care unit. Twenty-six children [median age 28.5 (16-44) months] with preserved left ventricular (LV) function. Standardized volume expansion (VE). Analysis of aortic blood flow by transthoracic pulsed-Doppler allowed LV stroke volume measurement and on-line DeltaVpeak ao calculation. The VE-induced increase in LV stroke volume was >15% in 18 patients (responders) and <15% in 8 (non-responders). Before VE, the DeltaVpeak ao in responders was higher than that in non-responders [19% (12.1-26.3) vs. 9% (7.3-11.8), p=0.001], whereas DeltaPP and DeltaPS did not significantly differ between groups. The prediction of fluid responsiveness was higher with DeltaVpeak ao [ROC curve area 0.85 (95% IC 0.99-1.8), p=0.001] than with DeltaPS (0.64) or DeltaPP (0.59). The best cut-off for DeltaVpeak ao was 12%, with sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 81.2%, 85.7%, 93% and 66.6%, respectively. A positive linear correlation was found between baseline DeltaVpeak ao and VE-induced gain in stroke volume (rho=0.68, p=0.001).
Question: Do respiratory variations in aortic blood flow predict fluid responsiveness in ventilated children? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> While respiratory variations in aortic blood flow velocity measured by pulsed Doppler before VE accurately predict the effects of VE, DeltaPS and DeltaPP are of little value in ventilated children. |