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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: Compared with transfemoral access, transradial access (TRA) for percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with reduced risk of bleeding and vascular complications. Studies suggest that TRA may reduce mortality in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. However, there are few data on the effect of TRA on mortality, specifically, in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. We analyzed 10 095 consecutive patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention between 2005 and 2011 in all 8 tertiary cardiac centers in London, United Kingdom. TRA was a predictor for reduced bleeding (odds ratio=0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08-0.57; P=0.002), access-site complications (odds ratio=0.47; 95% CI: 0.23-0.95; P=0.034), and 1-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR]=0.72; 95% CI: 0.54-0.94; P=0.017). Between 2005 and 2007, TRA did not appear to reduce mortality at 1 year (HR=0.81; 95% CI: 0.51-1.28; P=0.376), whereas between 2008 and 2011, TRA conferred survival benefit at 1 year (HR=0.65; 95% CI: 0.46-0.92; P=0.015). The mortality benefit with TRA at 1 year was not seen at the low-volume centers (HR=0.80; 95% CI: 0.47-1.38; P=0.428) but specifically seen in the high volume radial centers (HR=0.70; 95% CI: 0.51-0.97; P=0.031). In propensity-matched analyses, TRA remained a predictor for survival at 1 year (HR=0.60; 95% CI: 0.42-0.85; P=0.005). Instrumental variable analysis demonstrated that TRA conferred mortality benefit at 1-year with an absolute mortality reduction of 5.8% (P=0.039).
Question: Is radial versus femoral access associated with reduced complications and mortality in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction : an observational cohort study of 10,095 patients? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> In this analysis of patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, TRA appears to be a predictor for survival. Furthermore, the evolving learning curve, experience, and expertise may be important factors contributing to the prognostic benefit conferred with TRA. |
<|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: Androgens are proposed to influence testicular descent through modulating sympathetic tone. An experimental study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of prenatal chemical sympathectomy on testicular location associated with the alterations in contractile properties of cremaster muscles in rats. Time-mated pregnancies were started in 10 rats. Two groups, each receiving saline or 6-hydroxydopamine from day 15 to day 19 of intrauterine life were established. At 2 months of age, localization of testes were evaluated, cremaster muscles were removed, and contractile properties were studied. Twitch and tetanic contractions were recorded isometrically at 37 degrees C. Effects of verapamil, isoprenaline, and L-NNA were investigated. Results were compared through analysis of variance (ANOVA), and P values less than.05 were considered to be significant. Both testes of all male offspring in the control group (n = 19) were in the scrotum. Six offspring among 17 subjected to 6-hydroxydopamine had undescended testes. Treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine had no effect on force-frequency relationship of cremaster muscle strips. Cremaster muscles of rats exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine had lower sensitivity to voltage-sensitive Ca++ channel blockade by verapamil (3 x 10(4) mol/L; P <.05). These muscles displayed greater contractile response to isoprenaline (10(-5) mol/L; P <.05) but not to nitric oxide synthase inhibition by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine. Alterations in contractile properties of the muscles did not differ according to localization of testes among rats subjected to 6-hydroxydopamine.
Question: Does chemical sympathectomy by 6-OH dopamine during fetal life result in inguinal testis through altering cremasteric contractility in rats? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Administration of 6-hydroxydopamine resulted in suprascrotally located testes. This localization has been associated with less exposure at sympathetic tonus. These findings support that sympathetic activity plays an important role in localization of testis. |
<|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 International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) covers all aspects and levels of human functioning. The aim of the study was to find out whether the ICF can be used in everyday prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) clinical practice for description of human functioning, and whether it can demonstrate the influence of a prosthesis or an orthosis on a person's functioning. Prospective clinical study. A short list of ICF codes was compiled from Annex 9 and used for one month for all patients seen at the author's P&O outpatient clinics. One hundred patients (59 men, average age 58 years) with different medical problems were included in the study. From 6 to 27 (14 on average) ICF categories from all four components of ICF were used in these patients. The most frequently used category for body functions was mobility of joint functions, for body structures it was structure of the skin and for activities and participation it was walking. Public and private buildings were the only barriers identified.
Question: Can the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) be used in a prosthetics and orthotics outpatient clinic? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> It can be concluded that the ICF can be used in everyday P&O clinical practice. An ICF list of categories provides quick additional information. To be able to demonstrate the influence of P&O devices on person's functioning, at least for activities and participation, one has to use qualifiers. |
<|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 determine the incidence and risk factors of postoperative inguinal hernia and to investigate whether the difference of approach could induce postoperative inguinal hernia after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. We reviewed 493 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy from November 2000 to November 2007, and evaluated various preoperative parameters, specifically age, prostate-specific antigen (ng/ml), body mass index (kg/m(2)), prostate volume (ml), previous major abdominal surgery, previous appendectomy, previous inguinal hernia repair and laparoscopic approach as risk factors for postoperative inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia occurred in 4 (4.9%) of the 81 patients in the transperitoneal approach group, and in 37 (9.0%) of the 412 patients in the extraperitoneal approach group. The overall incidence of inguinal hernia was 8.3% (41 of 493 patients). The median inguinal hernia-free survival time was 35 months and 6 months in the transperitoneal approach and extraperitoneal approach groups, respectively. Inguinal hernia developed within 2 years after surgery in 2 (50%) of 4 patients in the transperitoneal approach group, in 34 (91.9%) of 37 patients in the extraperitoneal approach group, for a total of 36 (87.8%) of 41 patients overall. Multivariate analysis showed that the extraperitoneal approach was a significant risk factor (P = 0.043) for inguinal hernia.
Question: Does extraperitoneal approach induce postoperative inguinal hernia compared with transperitoneal approach after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Inguinal hernia is a frequent complication after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and the incidence of inguinal hernia is greater with the extraperitoneal approach than with the transperitoneal approach. |
<|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 formulas predicting optimal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea treatment have been developed and diverse parameters selected as predictive factors in different sleep laboratories using different ethnic groups. This study aimed to validate a constructed predictive formula for the study laboratory and to test the hypothesis that sleep laboratories should have their own predictive formulas. Fifty-seven adult subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were enrolled in the model-building set and underwent two polysomnography (PSG) studies to diagnose OSAS and titrate for optimal CPAP. A predictive formula, derived from anthropometric and polysomnographic variables, was validated together with two other predictive formulas in 30 subjects by comparing the mean predictive CPAP values, rates of successful prediction, and agreements. Regression analysis showed that apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), SaO2nadir (nadir of arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation by pulse oximetry), and body mass index (BMI) strongly correlated with optimal CPAP. The derived predictive formula for the study laboratory was: CPAPpred (predictive CPAP) = 6.380 + 0.033 × AHI - 0.068 × SaO2nadir + 0.171 × BMI (R(2) = 0.335, adjusted R(2) = 0.298). In Taiwan, different predictive formulas used by different sleep laboratories with different independent predictors led to similar mean predictive CPAP values to the mean observed optimal CPAP values, rates of successful prediction, and agreements with the observed optimal CPAP. There were significant differences between the mean predictive CPAP values and mean observed optimal CPAP values, lower rates of successful prediction, and negatively skewed 95% confidence interval (CI) when using a predictive formula derived from different ethnic populations.
Question: Should sleep laboratories have their own predictive formulas for continuous positive airway pressure for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> A sleep laboratory may not need to have its own predictive formula for determining the optimal effective CPAP but should adopt the one derived from the same ethnicity of OSAS patients as the reference formula. |
<|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: Alternative macrophages (M2) express the cluster differentiation (CD) 206 (MCR1) at high levels. Decreased M2 in adipose tissue is known to be associated with obesity and inflammation-related metabolic disturbances. Here we aimed to investigate MCR1 relative to CD68 (total macrophages) gene expression in association with adipogenic and mitochondrial genes, which were measured in human visceral [VWAT, n = 147] and subcutaneous adipose tissue [SWAT, n = 76] and in rectus abdominis muscle (n = 23). The effects of surgery-induced weight loss were also longitudinally evaluated (n = 6). MCR1 and CD68 gene expression levels were similar in VWAT and SWAT. A higher proportion of CD206 relative to total CD68 was present in subjects with less body fat and lower fasting glucose concentrations. The ratio MCR1/CD68was positively associated with IRS1gene expression and with the expression of lipogenic genes such as ACACA, FASN and THRSP, even after adjusting for BMI. The ratio MCR1/CD68 in SWAT increased significantly after the surgery-induced weight loss (+44.7%; p = 0.005) in parallel to the expression of adipogenic genes. In addition, SWAT MCR1/CD68ratio was significantly associated with muscle mitochondrial gene expression (PPARGC1A, TFAM and MT-CO3). AT CD206 was confirmed by immunohistochemistry to be specific of macrophages, especially abundant in crown-like structures.
Question: Is the MRC1/CD68 ratio positively associated with adipose tissue lipogenesis and with muscle mitochondrial gene expression in humans? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> A decreased ratio MCR1/CD68 is linked to adipose tissue and muscle mitochondrial dysfunction at least at the level of expression of adipogenic and mitochondrial genes. |
<|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: Because hospital records rarely exist for a representative sample of the population in developing countries, researchers frequently rely on birthweight data from surveys. Yet, the quality of these data has rarely been evaluated. This study explores the accuracy of birthweight information in six demographic and health surveys in Latin America conducted in the early 1990s: two in Guatemala, and one each in Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Peru. The quality of the birthweight reports is assessed by examining the plausibility of estimates of the proportion of newborns reported to have been weighed and estimates derived from the numerical weights, by characteristics of the delivery and maternal education. The estimates suggest that a substantial proportion of women whose newborns were probably never weighed report a birthweight. For all of the surveys, with the possible exception of Costa Rica, the average birthweights appear to be too high, and the estimates of the prevalence of low birthweight too low. In addition, the data reveal anomalous patterns, such as higher birthweights for home as compared with hospital deliveries.
Question: Can accurate data on birthweight be obtained from health interview surveys? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> These findings suggest that estimates of low birthweight derived from surveys in developing countries are likely to portray an overly optimistic picture of children's and women's health status. More information about the underlying source of these data are needed not only to provide additional insight into the degree of error characterizing existing estimates, but also to improve data collection strategies in future health interview surveys. |
<|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 determine whether the push-out bond strengths between the radicular dentin and fiber reinforced-composite (FRC) posts with various resin cements decreased or not, according to the coronal, middle or apical level of the root. FRC POSTS WERE CEMENTED WITH ONE OF FIVE RESIN CEMENT GROUPS (RELYX UNICEM: Uni, Contax with activator & LuxaCore-Dual: LuA, Contax & LuxaCore-Dual: Lu, Panavia F 2.0: PA, Super-Bond C&B: SB) into extracted human mandibular premolars. The roots were sliced into discs at the coronal, middle and apical levels. Push-out bond strength tests were performed with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, and the failure aspect was analyzed. There were no significant differences (P>.05) in the bond strengths of the different resin cements at the coronal level, but there were significant differences in the bond strengths at the middle and apical levels (P<.05). Only the Uni and LuA cements did not show any significant decrease in their bond strengths at all the root levels (P>.05); all other groups had a significant decrease in bond strength at the middle or apical level (P<.05). The failure aspect was dominantly cohesive at the coronal level of all resin cements (P<.05), whereas it was dominantly adhesive at the apical level.
Question: Does push-out bond strengths of fiber-reinforced composite posts with various resin cement according to the root level? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> All resin cement groups showed decreases in bond strengths at the middle or apical level except LuA and Uni. |
<|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 studies have demonstrated a protective effect of osteocalcin (OCN) on glucose homeostasis and metabolic syndrome. However, its role in vascular function remains unknown. This study investigated the contribution of OCN to the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in the thoracic aorta of apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-KO) mice. Eight-week-old ApoE-KO mice were given chow or high fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks with or without daily intraperitoneal injection of OCN. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT),measurement of serum lipid profiles and blood pressure were carried out. Endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) was measured by wire myography. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to study the role of OCN on eNOS levels in vitro. PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) and Akt inhibitor V were used ex-vivo to determine whether PI3K/Akt/eNOS contributes to the beneficial effect of OCN for the vascular or not. Daily injections of OCN can significantly improve lipid metabolism, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in ApoE-KO mice. In ApoE-KO mice fed with HFD, the OCN-treated mice displayed an improved acetylcholine-stimulated EDR compared to the vehicle-treated group. In addition, compared to vehicle-treated HUVECs, OCN-treated HUVECs displayed increased activation of the Akt-eNOS signaling pathway, as evidenced by significantly higher levels of phosphorylated Akt and eNOS. Furthermore, a similar beneficial effect of OCN on thoracic aorta was observed using ex vivo organ culture of isolated mouse aortic segment. However, this effect was attenuated upon co-incubation with PI3K inhibitor or Akt inhibitor V.
Question: Does osteocalcin attenuate high fat diet-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation through Akt/eNOS-dependent pathway? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our study demonstrates that OCN has an endothelial-protective effect in atherosclerosis through mediating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS 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: MiR-125b has critical role in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell migration, and its target genes have not been elucidated. Kinesin-1 light chain (KLC)-2 was predicted as one of miR-125b's targets by bioinformatics analysis. This study is to identify the function of KLC2 and its interaction with miR-125b in NSCLC. Kinesin-1 light chain-2 protein expression and its clinical relevance were analysed in 140 matched NSCLC and adjacent non-neoplastic lung tissues. Both KLC2 gain- and loss-of-function analyses were performed in NSCLC cell lines by transient transfection. The direct interaction between KLC2 and miR-125b was confirmed by a luciferase reporter assay and a transient co-transfection assay as well as an analysis of eight matched clinical samples. KLC2 protein was upregulated in NSCLC cell lines and tissues, and was an independent predictor of poor prognosis for elderly NSCLC patients. Kinesin-1 light chain-2 remarkably enhanced the invasive and migratory ability of NSCLC cells. MiR-125b inhibited KLC2 3'-untranslated region luciferase activity and protein expression, and inversely correlated with KLC2 expression in clinical samples. Kinesin-1 light chain-2 almost completely reversed miR-125b-induced inhibition on migration and invasion.
Question: Is high expression of kinesin light chain-2 , a novel target of miR-125b , associated with poor clinical outcome of elderly non-small-cell lung cancer patients? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Kinesin-1 light chain-2 protein overexpression predicts poor survival in elderly NSCLC patients. Kinesin-1 light chain-2 acts as a proto-oncogene and a functional target of miR-125b in NSCLC cells. |
<|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: With the increased use of minimally invasive surgery, the urethral diverticulum after anorectal surgery has become an issue. The few cases reported have been managed by surgical excision. We hereby report a case of urethral diverticulum after a laparoscopically-assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP)procedure with a successful outcome after a period of active surveillance. A full-term boy who displayed a high anorectal malformation (ARM) and a rectoprostatic fistula underwent colostomy on the first day. He also showed associated malformations: bilateral low-grade reflux, horseshoe kidney and thoracic hemivertebrae; however, there were no signs of spinal cord tethering. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was started. At the age of 3 months, he underwent a LAARP with a 3 abdominal-port approach. After complete dissection of the distal bowel, the recto-prostatic fistula was identified and tied with metallic clips. A 10 mm trocar was inserted through the centre of the sphincteric complex, which had been previously identified under laparoscopic view during perineal electrical stimulation. The anorectal pull-through was accomplished without tension. The bladder remained stented for 14 days. On the 18th postoperative day, a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) showed a 15 X 5 mm image of the diverticulum at the level of the membranous urethra. After 6 months, a new VCUG showed a normal urethra with neither signs of the diverticulum nor strictures; persistence of grade 2 reflux on the right side and resolution of the reflux on the left. When the boy was one year old his colostomy was closed uneventfully. Six months later he had not come into the emergency since the operation and voided with a normal flow.
Question: Urethral diverticulum after laparoscopically-assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) for anorectal malformation: is resection of the diverticulum always necessary? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> This report suggests that LAARP is a feasible approach for ARM, although urethral diverticulum is a major concern. It may evolve without complications, and eventually resolve spontaneously. Active surveillance might be an option in selected asymptomatic patients; however a longer follow-up is advised to constitute better evidence supporting that policy. |
<|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: Our aim was to determine whether the intrapartum use of fetal scalp electrodes or fetal scalp pH sampling increases the rate of perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. The rate of perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus in 31 monitored pregnancies was determined, and those pregnancies were compared with a control group of 117 pregnancies. The monitored group was comparable to the control group with respect to maternal age, race, human immunodeficiency virus risk behavior, CD4+ cell count, p24 antigen status, and stage of human immunodeficiency virus disease. The mean gestational age at delivery and the mean birth weight were similar in the monitored group and the control group. The perinatal transmission rate for the monitored group (29.0%) was not statistically different from that of the control group (25.6%).
Question: Is the risk of perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus increased by the intrapartum use of spiral electrodes or fetal scalp pH sampling? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> If confirmed by larger studies, our findings suggest that the intrapartum use of fetal scalp electrodes or fetal scalp pH sampling does not appear to increase the perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. |
<|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 the present study was to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) continuous infusion on blood flow in rabbit oral tissues during sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia. A total of 24 male tracheotomized Japanese white rabbits were anesthetized with sevoflurane or propofol under mechanical ventilation. An initial loading dose of 6.0 μg/kg/hr DEX was administered for 10 minutes. DEX was then maintained at 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 μg/kg/hr for 1 hour, respectively. The observed variables were systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, common carotid artery blood flow, tongue mucosal blood flow (TBF), mandibular bone marrow blood flow (BBF), masseter muscle blood flow (MBF), upper alveolar tissue blood flow (UBF), lower alveolar tissue blood flow (LBF), and vascular resistance for each tissue (tongue mucosal vascular resistance, mandibular bone marrow vascular resistance, masseter muscle vascular resistance, upper alveolar tissue vascular resistance, and lower alveolar tissue vascular resistance). The heart rate, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, common carotid artery blood flow, TBF, BBF, MBF, UBF, and LBF showed dose-dependent decreases during DEX infusion during both sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia. The decreasing ratios in TBF, BBF, MBF, UBF, and LBF were greater than those in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and common carotid artery blood flow. The vascular resistance of the oral tissues was increased in a dose-dependent manner during DEX infusion in both sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia.
Question: Does dexmedetomidine dose dependently decrease oral tissue blood flow during sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia in rabbits? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our findings suggest that infusion of DEX decreases TBF, BBF, MBF, UBF, and LBF in a dose-dependent manner without significant changes in systemic hemodynamic variables during sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia. |
<|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 have previously reported that serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) concentration predicted the clinical outcome of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP). When rituximab (R) was added to this regimen, the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was markedly improved. In this study, we re-evaluated the prognostic significance of serum IL-18 in 227 DLBCL patients. Seventy-three patients received CHOP before R-era, and 154 patients received rituximab-cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) recently. Four-year overall survival (4-yr OS) rates for patients in CHOP group with IL-18 ≥720 pg/mL and <720 pg/mL were 8.2% and 67.3% (P<0.0001), respectively, and 4-yr OS rates with IL-18 ≥590 and <590 pg/mL in R-CHOP group were 53.4% and 77.8% (P=0.0008), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum IL-18 correlated most significantly with OS and progression-free survival (PFS) in both groups (OS: P<0.0001, PFS: P<0.0001, in CHOP group; OS: P=0.0147, PFS: P=0.0084 in R-CHOP group). The high serum IL-18 patients with poor prognostic group in revised IPI or with non-germinal center B-cell phenotype had a very poor prognosis.
Question: Is serum interleukin-18 level associated with the outcome of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with CHOP or R-CHOP regimens? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Serum IL-18 might be a powerful prognostic factor for DLBCL in R-era. |
<|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 the effects continuous infusions of hypertonic saline (3% NaCl) on intracranial pressure (ICP) control and describe the physiologic effects of hypertonic saline administered to closed head injury children. Retrospective chart review. Pediatric intensive care unit of a children's hospital. Sixty-eight children with closed head injury. Intravenous infusion of 3% hypertonic saline to increase serum sodium to levels necessary to reduce ICP < or =20 mm Hg. The patients enrolled had similar Injury Severity Scores. Treatment effectively lowered ICP in these patients and ICP was under good control a majority of the time. Only three patients (4%) died of uncontrolled elevation of ICP. No adverse effects of supraphysiologic hyperosmolarity such as renal failure, pulmonary edema, or central pontine demyelination, were noted.
Question: Does prolonged hypernatremia control elevated intracranial pressure in head-injured pediatric patients? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Hypertonic saline administration to children with closed head injury appears to be a promising therapy for control of cerebral edema. Further controlled trials are required to determine the optimal duration of treatment before widespread use is advocated. |
<|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 undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) often have spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) observed in the left atrium (LA). Mid-term prognosis of patients with SEC following TAVR is not well studied. We assessed the impact of SEC on outcomes after TAVR. Medical records of 93 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR at a single center were reviewed retrospectively. The primary endpoint was defined as the composite of a cardioembolic event, death from any cause, and admission for decompensated heart failure within 3 months of TAVR. After excluding 3 patients who had procedural complications, 90 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 81 ± 8 years old and 50% were male. There were 12 patients with SEC in the LA (group 1) and 78 patients without SEC in the LA (group 2) during the TAVR procedure. Atrial fibrillation was more common in group 1 (50% vs 13%, respectively; P=.01) and diabetes was more common in group 2 (17% vs 53%, respectively; P=.03). The primary endpoint occurred in 22 patients (24%) and occurred more in group 1 (58% vs 19%, respectively; P<.01). On regression analysis, after adjusting for sex and STS score, SEC had a hazard ratio (HR) of 5.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-12.9; P<.001) and STS ≥15 had an HR of 6.37 (95% CI, 2.02-20.1; P=.01). On survival analysis, group 1 had lower event-free survival compared with group 2 (log-rank P=.01).
Question: Is spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast in the Left Atrium During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Associated With Worse Outcomes? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> SEC during TAVR procedure is a negative prognostic marker for death, cardioembolic events, or admission for decompensated heart failure in the first 3 months post procedure. |
<|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 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have accelerated atherosclerosis, but there is limited information about the genetic contribution to atherosclerosis in this population. Therefore, we examined the association between selected genetic polymorphisms and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with RA. Genotypes for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 152 candidate genes linked with autoimmune or cardiovascular risk were measured in 140 patients with RA. The association between the presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) and SNP allele frequency was assessed by logistic regression with adjustment for age, sex, and race. To adjust for multiple comparisons, a false discovery rate (FDR) threshold was set at 20%. Patients with RA were 54±11 years old and predominantly Caucasian (89%) and female (69%). CAC was present in 70 patients (50%). A variant in rs2073618 that encodes an Asn3Lys missense substitution in the osteoprotegerin gene (OPG, TNFRSF11B) was significantly associated with the presence of CAC (OR=4.09, p<0.00026) and withstands FDR correction.
Question: Is a variant in the osteoprotegerin gene associated with coronary atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis : results from a candidate gene study? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> Our results suggest that a polymorphism of the TNFRSF11B gene, which encodes osteoprotegerin, is associated with the presence of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with RA. Replication of this finding in independent validation cohorts will be of interest. |
<|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 serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor has been implicated in neural-processing of emotionally salient information. To elucidate its role in processing of fear and anger, healthy individuals were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) after 5-HT2A receptor blockade, while judging the gender of neutral, fearful and angry faces. 5-HT2A receptors were blocked with ketanserin to a variable degree across subjects by adjusting the time between ketanserin-infusion and onset of the fMRI protocol. Neocortical 5-HT2A receptor binding in terms of the binding potential (BPp ) was assessed prior to fMRI with (18)F-altanserin positron emission tomography (PET) and subsequently integrated in the fMRI data analysis. Also functional connectivity analysis was employed to evaluate the effect of ketanserin blocking on connectivity. Compared to a control session, 5-HT2A receptor blockade reduced the neural response to fearful faces in the medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), independently of 5-HT2A receptor occupancy or neocortical 5-HT2A receptor BPp . The medial OFC also showed increased functional coupling with the left amygdala during processing of fearful faces depending on the amount of blocked 5-HT2A receptors.
Question: Does acute serotonin 2A receptor blocking alter the processing of fearful faces in the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala? <|endoftext|> <|assistant|> 5-HT2A receptor mediated signaling increases the sensitivity of the OFC to fearful facial expressions and regulates the strength of a negative feedback signal from the OFC to amygdala during processing of fearful faces. |