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### Instruction:
Is liver regeneration suppressed in small-for-size liver grafts after transplantation : involvement of c-Jun N-terminal kinase , cyclin D1 , and defective energy supply?
### Response:
| Liver regeneration is stimulated in half-size grafts but suppressed in quarter-size grafts. Defective liver regeneration in small grafts is associated with an inhibition of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/c-Jun and CyD1 pathways and compromised energy production. |
### Instruction:
Does dexmedetomidine decrease emergence agitation in pediatric patients after sevoflurane anesthesia without surgery?
### Response:
| We concluded that a 1 microg x kg(-1) dose of i.v. dexmedetomidine reduces EA after sevoflurane anesthesia in children undergoing MRI. |
### Instruction:
Are pancreatic regenerating protein ( reg I ) and reg I receptor mRNA upregulated in rat pancreas after induction of acute pancreatitis?
### Response:
| Acute pancreatitis results in increased tissue reg I protein levels localized to the acinar and ductal cells, and a parallel threefold induction of reg I receptor in the ductal cells, islets, and acinar cells. These changes suggest that induction of reg I and its receptor may be important for recovery from acute pancreatitis. |
### Instruction:
Does coenzyme Q10 supplementation reduce corticosteroids dosage in patients with bronchial asthma?
### Response:
| Data show that patients with corticosteroid-dependent bronchial asthma have low plasma CoQ(10) concentrations that may contribute to their antioxidant imbalance and oxidative stress. A reduction in the dosage of corticosteroids required by the patients following antioxidant supplementation was observed, indicating lower incidence of potential adverse effects of the drugs, decreased oxidative stress. This study also demonstrates the significant uptake of CoQ(10) by lung tissue in a rat model using hydrosoluble CoQ(10) (Q-Gel). |
### Instruction:
Is the inhibitory effect of leptin on angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction blunted in spontaneously hypertensive rats?
### Response:
| The lack of effect of leptin on angiotensin II-induced contraction in the aorta of SHR is due to an impaired handling of [Ca2+]i in VSMCs. Hyperleptinemia and overexpression of OB-R in VSMCs could be compensatory mechanisms against VSMC leptin resistance in genetically hypertensive rats. |
### Instruction:
Does irbesartan restore the in-vivo insulin signaling pathway leading to Akt activation in obese Zucker rats?
### Response:
| The present study provides substantial information that demonstrates that long-term selective AII blockade by irbesartan improves insulin signaling and is associated with decreased insulin receptor Ser994 phosphorylation in the liver of a representative animal model of the human metabolic syndrome. |
### Instruction:
Does the 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism influence the endothelial response to IL-1 and the modulatory effect of pravastatin?
### Response:
| The endothelial 4G/5G PAI-1 genotype influences the PAI-1 response to IL-1alpha and the modulatory effect of pravastatin. As increased PAI-1 levels have been linked to cardiovascular disease the observed endothelial modulation by pravastatin may have potential clinical implications. |
### Instruction:
Does poly ( ADP-ribose ) polymerase inhibition reverse vascular dysfunction after gamma-irradiation?
### Response:
| Vascular dysfunction was observed 1 and 7 days after irradiation, as evidenced by reduced vasoconstriction, coupled with endothelium-dependent and -independent hyperrelaxation. PARP inhibition restored vascular function and may, therefore, be suitable to reverse vascular dysfunction after irradiation. |
### Instruction:
Does endothelial-monocyte-activating polypeptide II induce migration of endothelial progenitor cells via the chemokine receptor CXCR3?
### Response:
| These data suggests a novel function for EMAP II and a hitherto undescribed role of the CXCR3 chemokine receptor in EPC recruitment. |
### Instruction:
Is human papilloma virus DNA exposure and embryo survival stage-specific?
### Response:
| The study demonstrated embryo stage-specific effects of HPV on early development. The results suggested HPV exposure was linked to two-cell embryo demise and delaying the exposure of HPV until later embryo stages permitted embryo development. HPV 16 was shown to decrease blastocyst formation while HPV 18 inhibited the blastocyst hatching process. |
### Instruction:
Does blocking ET-1 receptors correct subnormal retinal oxygenation response in experimental diabetic retinopathy?
### Response:
| Because subnormal retinal DeltaPo(2) after drug treatment is a biomarker of subsequent vascular histopathology, the present data raise the possibility that retinal ET-1 does not play a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. |
### Instruction:
Does human blue-opsin promoter preferentially target reporter gene expression to rat s-cone photoreceptors?
### Response:
| AAV5.HB.GFP vector injected into the subretinal space of Sprague-Dawley rats targeted gene expression to photoreceptor cells with an efficiency approximately 20-fold higher than that for AAV2.HB.GFP. Transgene expression regulated by the human blue cone-promoter persisted at least for 20 months. Cones coexpressing S-opsin and the GFP transgene appeared to prevail, confirming that in addition to having properties of the AAV serotype, the promoter choice is key to fine-tuning transgene delivery and expression in specific retinal cells. The system described here may be effective in a therapeutic setting in which strong S-cone transgene expression is required. |
### Instruction:
Is cD105 expression an independent predictor of survival in patients with endometrial cancer?
### Response:
| The current study showed that CD105 is an independent predictor of survival in patients with endometrial cancer. We recommend the use of this highly specific and prognosis-related antigen in further investigations. |
### Instruction:
Does fasting ghrelin predict food intake after short-term energy restriction?
### Response:
| Fasting ghrelin concentrations did not rise after a 2-day energy restriction regimen. Moreover, changes in ghrelin concentrations during energy restriction were not associated with subsequent ad libitum food intake, suggesting that fasting ghrelin does not act as a hunger signal to the brain. The data did not support our hypothesis that leptin suppresses ghrelin levels. |
### Instruction:
Does intracerebral infusion of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor promote striatal neurogenesis after stroke in adult rats?
### Response:
| Intrastriatal infusion of GDNF in the postischemic period promotes several steps of striatal neurogenesis after stroke, partly through direct action on SVZ progenitors. Because delivery of GDNF has biological effects in the human brain, our data suggest that administration of this factor may promote neuroregenerative responses in stroke patients. |
### Instruction:
Do fine scale structural variants distinguish the genomes of Drosophila melanogaster and D. pseudoobscura?
### Response:
| Drosophila has long been known as a genus harboring a variety of large inversions that disrupt chromosome colinearity. Here we demonstrate that microinversions, many of which are below 1 kb in length, located in/near genes may also be an important source of genetic variation in Drosophila. Further examination of other Drosophila genome sequences will likely identify an array of novel microinversion events. |
### Instruction:
Does pravastatin prolong graft survival in an allogeneic rat model of orthotopic single lung transplantation?
### Response:
| Pravastatin prolongs graft survival in our allogeneic rat model of orthotopic lung transplantation. We assume that the underlying mechanism for this effect is the inhibition of upregulation of MHC class II molecule synthesis, thus blocking downstream effector mechanisms of the immune system. |
### Instruction:
Is exercise the primary factor associated with Hsp70 induction in muscle of treadmill running rats?
### Response:
| These data suggest that exercise per se, rather than environmental conditions or noxious stimuli, are responsible for the induction of Hsp70 in rat muscle during treadmill running. |
### Instruction:
Does postoperative infusion of amino acids induce a positive protein balance independently of the type of analgesia used?
### Response:
| Infusion of amino acids decreased the endogenous glucose production and induced a positive protein balance independent of the type of anesthesia provided, although such effects were greater in the PCA group. |
### Instruction:
Does pexelizumab reduce death and myocardial infarction in higher risk cardiac surgical patients?
### Response:
| The C5 complement inhibitor, pexelizumab, reduced morbidity and mortality among high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. |
### Instruction:
Is prosthesis-patient mismatch clinically relevant in aortic valve replacement using the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount valve?
### Response:
| The incidence of severe PPM is virtually nonexistent after aortic valve replacement using the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount valve. Moderate PPM is found in 20% of cases and is clinically irrelevant in this population. |
### Instruction:
Does tRAIL induce apoptosis in human colorectal adenoma cell lines and human colorectal adenomas?
### Response:
| Colorectal adenoma cell lines and adenomas with high-grade dysplasia are sensitive to rhTRAIL-induced apoptosis, whereas normal colon epithelium is not. This suggests the potential application of rhTRAIL in the treatment of adenomas with high-grade dysplasia. |
### Instruction:
Is expression of WT1 down-regulated in eutopic endometrium obtained during the midsecretory phase from patients with endometriosis?
### Response:
| During the midsecretory phase, PI in endometrial stromal cells is down-regulated in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis, ovarian endometriosis, and superficial peritoneal endometriosis compared with endometrium from healthy control subjects. |
### Instruction:
Is shuffling of cis-regulatory elements a pervasive feature of the vertebrate lineage?
### Response:
| Our work elucidates the importance of shuffling in the detection of cis-regulatory elements. It also elucidates how similarities across the vertebrate lineage, which go well beyond development, can be explained not only within the realm of coding genes but also in that of the sequences that ultimately govern their expression. |
### Instruction:
Does coenzyme Q10 improve contractility of dysfunctional myocardium in chronic heart failure?
### Response:
| Oral CoQ(10) improves LV contractility in CHF without any side effects. This improvement is associated with an enhanced functional capacity. |
### Instruction:
Are the ratio of apoB/apoAI , apoB and lipoprotein ( a ) the best predictors of stable coronary artery disease?
### Response:
| The results indicate that the apoB/apoAI ratio, apoB and Lp(a) are independent risk factors for CAD and are superior to any of the cholesterol ratios. We suggest using the apoB/apoAI ratio as the best marker of CAD in clinical practice. |
### Instruction:
Does the early luteal phase administration of estrogen and progesterone induce premature luteolysis in normo-ovulatory women?
### Response:
| The present intervention of high-dose steroid administration shortly after the LH surge failed to induce a premature luteolysis regularly in cyclic women. It seems that the induced transient suppression in LH allowed for a timely recovery of corpus luteum function. Other additional factors may be held responsible for the distinct reduction in luteal phase length observed after ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF. |
### Instruction:
Are maternal testosterone levels during pregnancy associated with offspring size at birth?
### Response:
| Elevated maternal testosterone levels during human pregnancy are associated with growth restriction in utero. Our results support animal studies, which have indicated that maternal androgen levels influence intrauterine offspring environment and development. |
### Instruction:
Does high-level visual-spatial ability for novices correlate with performance in a visual-spatial complex surgical simulator task?
### Response:
| High-level visual-spatial ability is important for surgical novices to possess in the early training phase of a visual-spatial complex task in KSA. |
### Instruction:
Do neonatal intensive care unit characteristics affect the incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage?
### Response:
| The incidence of severe IVH is affected by NICU characteristics, suggesting important new strategies to reduce this important adverse outcome. |
### Instruction:
Does phosphocitrate block calcification-induced articular joint degeneration in a guinea pig model?
### Response:
| CaNaPC diminishes mineralization in a cutaneous calcergy model and a model of OA in which intraarticular mineralization is a prominent feature. In the OA guinea pig model, inhibition of calcification is accompanied by diminished cartilage degeneration. CaNaPC has no therapeutic effect in the hemi-meniscectomy model. We conclude that pathologic calcification may initiate or amplify processes leading to cartilage degeneration and that CaNaPC may interrupt such a pathway. |
### Instruction:
Does antireflux surgery normalize cyclooxygenase-2 expression in squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus?
### Response:
| Cox-2 gene expression is increased in the distal esophageal squamous mucosa of most patients with GERD, and the elevation was similar whether there was mucosal injury in the form of esophagitis or Barrett's or no visible mucosal injury. This suggests that increased Cox-2 expression may serve as a molecular marker of reflux disease. The increased Cox-2 expression in patients with reflux was usually normalized following antireflux surgery. These findings demonstrate for the first time that gene expression can be altered by surgical correction of reflux. Thus, in addition to symptom control and improvement in the quality of life, perhaps future studies assessing the efficacy of antireflux therapy should also focus on the impact of the therapy on gene expression in the esophageal squamous mucosa. |
### Instruction:
Is stepwise radical endoscopic resection effective for complete removal of Barrett 's esophagus with early neoplasia : a prospective study?
### Response:
| Stepwise radical ER is effective for selected patients with early neoplasia in BE; provides optimal histopathological diagnosis; and may reduce recurrence rate, since all mucosa at risk is effectively removed. Use of APC should be limited to prevent buried Barrett's mucosa. Methods for prevention of stenosis should be developed. |
### Instruction:
Are dickkopf homologs in squamous mucosa of esophagitis patients overexpressed compared with Barrett 's patients and healthy controls?
### Response:
| Dkk-1 and Dkk-4 may potentially be involved in the development of different injuries in response to pathological gastroesophageal acid reflux. |
### Instruction:
Do base excision repair of both uracil and oxidatively damaged bases contribute to thymidine deprivation-induced radiosensitization?
### Response:
| These data suggest radiosensitization during thymidine depletion is the result of BER activities directed at both uracil and oxidatively damaged bases. |
### Instruction:
Does [ Overexpression of PEMT2 inhibit the phosphorylation and translocation of PLC gamma 1 ]?
### Response:
| Transfection of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase 2 gene can inhibit the phosphorylation and translocation from cytosol to plasma membrane of PLC gamma 1 in cells. At the same time, the autophosphorylation of c-Met was decreased, which suggests that transfection of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase 2 gene can downregulate the c-Met/PLC gamma 1 signaling pathway in CBRH-7919 cells. |
### Instruction:
Are erosive vitreoretinopathy and wagner disease caused by intronic mutations in CSPG2/Versican that result in an imbalance of splice variants?
### Response:
| Wagner disease and ERVR are allelic disorders. Seven of the eight families exhibit a variant in intron 7 of CSPG2/Versican. The conspicuous clustering of sequence variants in the splice acceptor site of intron 7 and the consistent upregulation of the V2 and V3 isoforms strongly suggest that Wagner disease and ERVR may belong to a largely overlooked group of diseases that are caused by mRNA isoform balance shifts, representing a novel disease mechanism. |
### Instruction:
Do confluent monolayers of cultured human fetal retinal pigment epithelium exhibit morphology and physiology of native tissue?
### Response:
| A new cell culture procedure has been developed that produces confluent primary hfRPE cultures with morphological and physiological characteristics of the native tissue. Epithelial polarity and function of these easily reproducible primary cultures closely resemble previously studied native human fetal and bovine RPE-choroid explants. |
### Instruction:
Do residual hearing conservation and electroacoustic stimulation with the nucleus 24 contour advance cochlear implant?
### Response:
| Hearing was conserved for conventional candidates for cochlear implantation where the recommended soft-surgery protocol was strictly adhered. Combined ipsilateral electrical and acoustic stimulation provided considerable benefits for speech recognition in noise, equivalent to between 3 and 5 dB SNR, compared with CI alone. |
### Instruction:
Is anti-heat shock protein 90 increased in acute mania?
### Response:
| The data of this study suggest that increased anti-HSP90 might be a state marker for acute mania in patients with bipolar disorder. |
### Instruction:
Does [ Main cause of the emergence delay from balanced anesthesia ]?
### Response:
| When the anesthesiologists keep in mind early emergence and become accustomed to this balanced anesthesia, the emergence time will be shorter, and the extubated cases in the operating room will increase. |
### Instruction:
Do secondary chromosomal abnormalities predict outcome in pediatric and adult high-stage Burkitt lymphoma?
### Response:
| The current findings suggest that karyotypic information can be used for refining risk stratification in patients with BL. |
### Instruction:
Do german cockroach proteases regulate matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human bronchial epithelial cells?
### Response:
| These data suggest that German cockroach frass contains active serine proteases which augment TNFalpha-induced MMP-9 expression by a mechanism involving PAR-2, ERK and AP-1. |
### Instruction:
Is 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 mRNA increased in both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese patients?
### Response:
| Our results demonstrate for the first time that 11beta-HSD-1 mRNA expression is increased in VAT from obese patients. They strengthen the importance of 11beta-HSD-1 in human obesity and its associated complications and suggest the need of clinical studies with specific 11beta-HSD-1 inhibitors. |
### Instruction:
Does endothelin-1 regulate parathyroid hormone expression of human parathyroid cells?
### Response:
| Our results demonstrate that ET-1 attenuates PTH mRNA expression in freshly isolated human parathyroid cells, and PTH release is also decreased. This result is consistent with our previously reported in vitro and in vivo experiments. |
### Instruction:
Are genetic and acquired inflammatory conditions synergistically associated with early carotid atherosclerosis?
### Response:
| These results provide support for a causal role of inflammation in carotid atherosclerosis, and emphasize the importance of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in this pathogenic pathway. This may help to explain the substantial variability of disease expression in subjects with proinflammatory risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and chronic infection. |
### Instruction:
Is rheumatoid factor seropositivity inversely associated with oral contraceptive use in women without rheumatoid arthritis?
### Response:
| Our results suggest that oral contraceptive use, and possibly cigarette smoking, act early in the development of the immune dysregulation that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis. |
### Instruction:
Do genetic polymorphisms in monoamine neurotransmitter systems show only weak association with acute post-surgical pain in humans?
### Response:
| These results suggest that the previously reported associations between genetic polymorphisms in the monoamine neurotransmitter systems and the interindividual variability in pain responses cannot be replicated in a clinically relevant pain phenotype. |
### Instruction:
Is iL-12p40 required for islet allograft rejection?
### Response:
| The results suggested that, although islet allograft rejection is believed to be Th1-cell predominant, the Th1 response inducer, IL-12 and IL-23 are not essential to induce islet allograft rejection. |
### Instruction:
Is the new definition of metabolic syndrome by the international diabetes federation less likely to identify metabolically abnormal but non-obese individuals than the definition by the revised national cholesterol education program : the Korea NHANES study?
### Response:
| The IDF criteria were inferior to the revised NCEP criteria in identifying the metabolically abnormal but nonobese groups known to be predisposed to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Further research regarding the appropriateness of central obesity as an obligatory criterion proposed by the IDF seems to be warranted. |
### Instruction:
Does high thoracic epidural blockade increase myocardial oxygen availability in coronary surgery patients?
### Response:
| High thoracic epidural blockade with 5-10 ml of 0.3% ropivacaine increases myocardial oxygen availability in coronary diseased patients prior to surgical revascularization without deleterious hemodynamic disturbances. |
### Instruction:
Does heparanase expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma inversely correlate with patient survival?
### Response:
| Heparanase expression is inversely correlated with survival of NPC patients, clearly indicating that heparanase is a reliable prognostic factor for this malignancy, and further supports the notion that heparanase is a valid target for the development of anti-cancer drugs. |
### Instruction:
Does human opioid receptor A118G polymorphism affect intravenous patient-controlled analgesia morphine consumption after total abdominal hysterectomy?
### Response:
| Genetic variation of the mu-opioid receptor may contribute to interindividual differences in postoperative morphine consumption. In the future, identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms of patients may provide information to modulate the analgesic dosage of opioid for better pain control. |
### Instruction:
Does gabapentin increase a tonic inhibitory conductance in hippocampal pyramidal neurons?
### Response:
| Gabapentin increases a tonic inhibitory conductance in mammalian neurons. High-affinity GABAA receptors that generate the tonic conductance may detect small increases in the ambient concentration of neurotransmitter caused by gabapentin. |
### Instruction:
Does a novel zinc compound ( zinc monocysteine ) enhance the antioxidant capacity of human retinal pigment epithelial cells?
### Response:
| Our results demonstrate that zinc treatment of RPE cells increases antioxidants and protects cultured RPE cells from the cytotoxic effects of H2O2 and t-butyl hydroperoxide. The results show that zinc conjugated to cysteine offers greater benefits than either zinc salts or cysteine alone. |
### Instruction:
Does long-term treatment with interleukin-1beta induce insulin resistance in murine and human adipocytes?
### Response:
| IL1B is upregulated in adipose tissue of obese and insulin-resistant mouse models and may play an important role in the development of insulin resistance in murine and human adipose cells. |
### Instruction:
Does dehydroepiandrosterone improve psychological well-being in male and female hypopituitary patients on maintenance growth hormone replacement?
### Response:
| DHEA replacement leads to modest improvement in psychological well-being in female and minor psychological improvement in male hypopituitary patients on GH replacement. |
### Instruction:
Are variants in the 5alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and the severity of hirsutism in affected women?
### Response:
| This study presents genetic evidence suggesting an important role of both isoforms of 5alpha-reductase in the pathogenesis of PCOS. That only SRD5A1 haplotypes were associated with hirsutism suggests that only this isoform is important in the hair follicle. |
### Instruction:
Does epistasis between loci on chromosomes 2 and 6 influence human height?
### Response:
| By providing the first evidence for genetic interaction underlying human height variation, this study further delineated the genetic architecture of human height and contributed to the genetic dissection of human complex traits in general. |
### Instruction:
Is an orally administered multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor , SU11248 , a novel potent inhibitor of thyroid oncogenic RET/papillary thyroid cancer kinases?
### Response:
| SU11248 is a highly effective tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the RET/PTC oncogenic kinase. |
### Instruction:
Is xmnI polymorphism associated with fetal hemoglobin levels in hypoplastic syndromes?
### Response:
| XmnI polymorphism absence reduction is associated with acquired HbF elevation. Further studies are required to confirm these observations and make treatment, prognosis and survival comparisons. |
### Instruction:
Does prostaglandin E1 increase in vivo and in vitro calcitriol biosynthesis in rabbits?
### Response:
| In vivo and in vitro results demonstrate that PGE(1) stimulates calcitriol synthesis. This study represent a major advancement in knowledge of bone metabolism. |
### Instruction:
Are serum HER2 levels increased in patients with chronic heart failure?
### Response:
| Serum HER2 levels are increased in chronic heart failure patients. Further research is necessary to determine whether HER2 plays a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. |
### Instruction:
Is proximal gastric response to small intestinal nutrients abnormal in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients?
### Response:
| In critical illness, proximal gastric motor responses to small intestinal nutrient stimulation are abnormal. |
### Instruction:
Is a functional variant in the CD209 promoter associated with DQ2-negative celiac disease in the Spanish population?
### Response:
| The -336G CD209 allele seems to be involved in CD susceptibility in HLA-DQ2 (-) patients. Our results might suggest a possible role of pathogens in the onset of a minor group of CD patients. |
### Instruction:
Does topical iontophoresis of valaciclovir hydrochloride improve cutaneous aciclovir delivery?
### Response:
| These delivery rates provide ample room to reduce either current density or the duration of current application. Preliminary in vitro data serve to emphasize the potential of VCV iontophoresis to improve the topical therapy of cutaneous herpes simplex infections and merit further investigation to demonstrate clinical efficacy. |
### Instruction:
Is the ACAA-insertion/deletion polymorphism at the 3 ' UTR of the IGF-II receptor gene associated with type 2 diabetes and surrogate markers of insulin resistance?
### Response:
| The ACAA-insertion/deletion polymorphism at the 3' UTR of IGFIIR is associated with type 2 diabetes and influences surrogate markers of insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects. |
### Instruction:
Do glycosaminoglycans increase levels of free and bioactive IGF-I in vitro?
### Response:
| All tested GAGs stimulated the release of free and bioactive IGF-I in several types of serum, most likely by reversible interaction with the IGFBPs. The effect was most pronounced in pregnancy sera, which are characterized by extensive IGFBP-3 proteolysis. Our findings support the view that GAGs localized in the vessel wall and attached to the extracellular matrix control IGF-I tissue accessibility and bioactivity. |
### Instruction:
Is gln192Arg polymorphism in paraoxonase 1 gene associated with Alzheimer disease in a Chinese Han ethnic population?
### Response:
| Our results indicate that Gln192Arg polymorphism in the PON1 gene is associated with AD, and PON1 R allele might be a protective factor for AD in a Chinese Han ethnic population. |
### Instruction:
Does hyaluronic acid predict hepatic fibrosis in children with hepatic disease?
### Response:
| Hyaluronic Acid is a valid noninvasive predictor of hepatic fibrosis in unselected children with liver disease. An HA level of 200 ng/mL strongly suggests significant fibrosis. Hyaluronic acid level of less than 50 ng/mL accurately identifies those who do not have significant fibrosis. |
### Instruction:
Does a peptide from thrombospondin 1 modulate experimental erosive arthritis by regulating connective tissue growth factor?
### Response:
| These results document a role for TSP-1 in regulating CTGF gene and protein expression in synovial tissue, suggesting a link with the disease course in this model of RA. This TSP-1-derived synthetic peptide may represent an important template for drug development in RA and other inflammatory conditions associated with neutrophil activation. |
### Instruction:
Is diabetes mellitus associated with hepatic encephalopathy in patients with HCV cirrhosis?
### Response:
| Diabetic patients with HCV cirrhosis have more severe HE. Diabetic patients have severe HE at earlier stages of biochemical decompensation and portal hypertension compared with nondiabetic patients. |
### Instruction:
Is chronic periodontitis in hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease associated with elevated serum C-reactive protein concentration and greater intima-media thickness of the carotid artery?
### Response:
| Inflammation of the periodontal tissue in patients with CKD is associated with increased serum CRP concentration and greater IMT. It is possible that periodontitis may induce a systemic process that may exacerbate atherosclerosis. |
### Instruction:
Is chondrocyte death by apoptosis associated with cartilage matrix degradation?
### Response:
| The data presented in this study demonstrate that chondrocyte apoptosis is positively associated with degree of cartilage matrix damage and that the extent of apoptosis varies with cartilage zones and mechanical loading environment of the joint. |
### Instruction:
Is the major allergen of olive pollen Ole e 1 a diagnostic marker for sensitization to Oleaceae?
### Response:
| Ole e 1 is a marker allergen for the diagnosis of olive and ash pollen allergy. |
### Instruction:
Does sustained intraocular rapamycin delivery effectively prevent high-risk corneal allograft rejection and neovascularization in rabbits?
### Response:
| RAPA-PGLC DDS and RAPA eye drops can significantly prolong the survival of allografts at high risk and inhibit corneal neovascularization. However, RAPA-PGLC DDS is far more effective than RAPA eye drops in preventing corneal graft rejection. |
### Instruction:
Do cD8 T cells mediate transient herpes stromal keratitis in CD4-deficient mice?
### Response:
| CD4(+) T cells preferentially mediate HSK, but, in their absence, a high infectious dose of HSV-1 can induce histologically similar but transient HSK that is mediated by CD8(+) T cells. |
### Instruction:
Is surgical excision combined with autologous whole tumor cell vaccination an effective therapy for murine neuroblastoma?
### Response:
| These findings suggest that at least part of the immunosuppressive effects of the cancer can be reversed after surgical excision of the primary tumor. Thus, in the context of minimal residual disease, this dendritic cell-targeted immunotherapeutic approach may prove effective for the treatment of neuroblastoma. |
### Instruction:
Does pigment epithelium-derived factor target endothelial and epithelial cells in Wilms ' tumor?
### Response:
| Renal tubular epithelial cells are a rich source of PEDF in the normal kidney. Reduced levels of PEDF in Wilms' tumor remove a critical endogenous renal barrier to angiogenesis and tumor cell survival. Therapeutic replacement of PEDF may prove to be an effective strategy to combat Wilms' tumor progression. |
### Instruction:
Do alcohol problems and health care services use in human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) -infected and HIV-uninfected veterans?
### Response:
| Alcohol problems are associated with greater outpatient, emergency department, and inpatient health care utilization in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected veterans. However, alcohol does not appear to have a stronger effect on health services use in HIV-infected veterans compared with HIV-uninfected veterans. |
### Instruction:
Does chronic oxaliplatin resistance induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer cell lines?
### Response:
| We hypothesize that induction of EMT may contribute to the decreased efficacy of therapy in chemoresistant CRC, as the tumor cells switch from a proliferative to invasive phenotype. Further understanding of the mechanisms of chemoresistance in CRC will enable improvements in chemotherapy for metastatic disease. |
### Instruction:
Does six Sigma arise from the ashes of TQM with a twist?
### Response:
| On each project, intense study is used to determine root cause analysis; and in the end, a metric known as "sigma level" can be assigned to signify the level of quality. Six Sigma has a "critical to quality" dimension that keeps the quality effort focused on improving only those things that really matter to the customer. |
### Instruction:
Are presence and progression of abdominal obesity predictors of future high blood pressure and hypertension?
### Response:
| Abdominal obesity and its progression are predictors of future BP and hypertension incidence, independent of the effects of general obesity. |
### Instruction:
Are severe extra-articular disease manifestations associated with an increased risk of first ever cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
### Response:
| Severe ExRA manifestations are associated with an increased risk of CVD events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This association is not due to differences in age, sex, smoking, rheumatoid factor or erosive joint damage. It is suggested that systemic extra-articular disease is a major determinant of cardiovascular morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis. |
### Instruction:
Does revaccination with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin ( BCG ) vaccine reduce morbidity from malaria in African children?
### Response:
| We found no evidence that BCG revaccination reduces morbidity from malaria. |
### Instruction:
Does procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide show left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients?
### Response:
| An elevated serum concentration of PIP shows left ventricular hypertrophy and DD in the course of hypertension and may be used to follow up on the efficacy of the antihypertensive treatment used. |
### Instruction:
Is absence of cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression a predictor of tumor regression in rectal cancer treated with preoperative short-term chemoradiotherapy?
### Response:
| Patients with tumor lacking cyclooxygenase-2 expression before chemoradiotherapy are more likely to demonstrate good response to treatment. Cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression may be a marker for response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer. |
### Instruction:
Does the novel mTOR inhibitor RAD001 ( everolimus ) induce antiproliferative effects in human pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cells?
### Response:
| In summary, our data demonstrate antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of RAD001 in NET cells in vitro supporting its clinical use in current phase II trials in NET patients. |
### Instruction:
Does high-density lipoprotein attenuate inflammation and coagulation response on endotoxin challenge in humans?
### Response:
| Low HDL in healthy males is associated with increased sensitivity toward inflammatory stimuli as reflected by enhanced inflammatory and coagulation responses on endotoxin challenge. These antiinflammatory effects of HDL in humans may lend further support to HDL-increasing interventions, particularly in proinflammatory conditions, such as acute coronary syndromes. |
### Instruction:
Is functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue scale valid in patients with psoriatic arthritis?
### Response:
| The FACIT fatigue results were reproducible, and correlated with other fatigue measures as well as with disease activity in patients with PsA. Therefore, the FACIT fatigue is a reliable and valid instrument to measure fatigue in PsA. |
### Instruction:
Does local overexpression of nerve growth factor in rat corneal transplants improve allograft survival?
### Response:
| This is the first report showing the successful application of a neurotrophin gene therapy to prolong corneal graft survival in an experimental rat transplantation model. Moreover, immunomodulatory therapy further improves graft survival and demonstrates that both anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective mechanisms are involved in the prevention of corneal allograft rejection. |
### Instruction:
Is smoking a risk factor for decreased physical performance in elderly women?
### Response:
| The results of this study suggest that current smoking is a risk factor for decreased muscle strength leading to decreased physical performance in elderly women. The effect of smoking on physical performance is in part mediated by its effect on 1,25(OH)(2)D metabolism. Smoking may also have an independent effect on physical performance possibly by a direct effect on muscle or through an effect on vascular function. |
### Instruction:
Is valdecoxib as efficacious as diclofenac in the treatment of acute low back pain?
### Response:
| Valdecoxib 40 mg q.d. (with a second dose on day 1) provides effective relief for acute low back pain, and was at least as efficacious as diclofenac 75 mg b.i.d., with a nonsignificant but numerically lower incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events. |
### Instruction:
Is potentially life-threatening sleep apnea unrecognized without aggressive evaluation?
### Response:
| OSA is grossly underdiagnosed in patients with morbid obesity presenting for bariatric surgery. Clinical evaluation continues to miss a substantial percentage of patients with OSA. Mandatory testing of all patients for OSA with polysomnography before bariatric surgery is recommended. |
### Instruction:
Is an aggressive surgical approach warranted in the management of cystic pancreatic neoplasms?
### Response:
| Given the poor long-term survival of patients with cystic pancreatic neoplasms containing invasive cancer and the current difficulty to preoperatively distinguish among the various types of lesions in a reliable manner, our data support an aggressive surgical approach to the management of cystic pancreatic neoplasms. |
### Instruction:
Are common mitochondrial DNA and POLG1 mutations rare in the Chinese patients with adult-onset ataxia on Taiwan?
### Response:
| The mtDNA mutations A3243G, A8344G, T8993G, T8993C, or POLG1 W748S and A467T are very rare causes of adult-onset ataxia in Taiwan. Routine screening for these mutations in ataxia patients with Chinese origin is of limited clinical value. |
### Instruction:
Does moderate exercise-induced energy expenditure alter leptin levels in sedentary obese men?
### Response:
| These preliminary data suggest that a bout of acute exercise of moderate intensity and duration does not affect leptin concentration. It is possible that a higher level of EE is required to elicit substantial changes. |
### Instruction:
Are glycemia , triglycerides and disease severity best associated with higher platelet activity in patients with stable coronary artery disease?
### Response:
| Higher platelet activity is present in patients with more severe CAD. More aggressive anti-platelet treatment in these patients should be considered, especially when metabolic syndrome is simultaneously present. |
### Instruction:
Does epidermal growth factor stimulate chloride transport in primary cultures of weanling and adult rabbit colonocytes?
### Response:
| EGF stimulates rabbit colonic Cl- transport via a Ca2+-independent, tyrosine kinase- and MAPK-dependent pathway, and its effects are not age dependent. |
### Instruction:
Are why African-American women at greater risk for pregnancy-related death?
### Response:
| We have identified racial differences in severity of disease, comorbidities, and care status among women with pregnancy-related complications that would place African-Americans at disadvantage to survive pregnancy. These differences are potentially modifiable. |
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