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Vascular endothelial growth factor expression correlates with matrix metalloproteinases MT1-MMP, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human glioblastomas.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the major endothelial mitogen in central nervous system neoplasms and it is expressed in 64-95% of glioblastomas (GBMs). Tumour cells are the main source of VEGF in GBMs whereas VEGF receptors (VEGFR-1, its soluble form sVEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and neuropilin-1) are expressed predominantly by endothelial cells. Infiltrating tumour cells and newly-formed capillaries progress through the extracellular matrix by local proteolysis involving matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Recent studies have shown that VEGF expression and bioavailability can be modulated by MMPs. We reported previously that the expression of MT1-MMP in human breast cancer cells was associated with an enhanced VEGF expression. We used quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, gelatin zymography and immunohistochemistry to study the expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, sVEGFR-1, neuropilin-1, MT1-MMP, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in 20 human GBMs and 5 normal brains. The expression of these MMPs was markedly increased in most GBMs with excellent correlation between mRNA and protein levels; activated forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were present in 8/18 and 7/18 of GBMs. A majority of GBMs (17/20) also expressed high levels of VEGF, as previously reported, with strong correlation between VEGF and MT1-MMP gene expression levels, and double immunostaining showed that VEGF and MT1-MMP peptides co-localize in tumour and endothelial cells. Our results suggest that the interplay between metalloproteinases and VEGF previously described in experimental tumours may also be operative in human GBMs. Because of its dual ability to activate MMP-2 and to up-regulate VEGF, MT1-MMP might be of central importance in the growth of GBMs and represent an interesting target for anti-cancer treatments.

Adult↗

Significant correlation of matrix metalloproteinase and macrophage colony-stimulating factor serum concentrations in patients with head and neck cancer.

Serum matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) are of potential interest as serum tumor markers in various malignancies. There is still a lack of reliable tumor markers in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Therefore, the tumor marker potential of MMPs and M-CSF was investigated in these malignancies. Serum of 59 patients suffering from SCCHN and of 59 healthy volunteers was obtained. The concentration of MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, and M-CSF was determined by sandwich enzyme immunoassays. The MMP- 3, -8, -9, as well as the M-CSF serum concentrations were significantly elevated in the patient group, compared to the healthy controls (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.001, p=0.002). There was significant correlation between the M-CSF and the MMP-3 serum concentration (p<0.0001), and between the M-CSF and the MMP-8 serum concentration (p=0.005). A significant correlation with the tumor stage was found only for MMP-8. MMP and M-CSF serum concentrations are of potential interest as serum tumor markers in SCCHN.

Adult↗

Elevation of activated protein C in synovial joints in rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with matrix metalloproteinase 2.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the involvement of the anticoagulant serine protease activated protein C (APC) in tissue remodeling in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: PC/APC, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 were detected in synovial fluid by Western blotting, and their antigen levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or RA. Enzymatic activity of MMP-2 was assayed using a specific fluorogenic substrate. We developed an improved assay to measure APC activity in synovial fluid utilizing a chromogenic substrate following immunoprecipitation with a specific PC/APC antibody. PC/APC and MMP-2 were localized by immunohistochemistry in RA, OA, and normal synovial tissues. RESULTS: Synovial fluid analysis demonstrated that APC is present in both RA and OA synovial fluid, with APC activity being markedly higher in RA (mean +/- SEM 462 +/- 112 ng/ml versus 136 +/- 42 ng/ml; P < 0.02). A correlation (r(2) = 0.61) was found between APC and MMP-2 activity levels in RA patients, but not in OA patients. Immunohistochemical studies of synovial sections showed colocalization of APC and MMP-2 in endothelial and synovial lining cells. Additionally, APC and MMP-2 coimmunoprecipitated with an anti-PC/APC antibody. CONCLUSION: Our results show, for the first time, that APC and MMP-2 are coordinately up-regulated and tightly bound in RA synovial fluid and colocalized in synovia. Their association suggests that APC may modulate MMP-2 activity in RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Synovial proinflammatory cytokines and their correlation with matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression in Behçet's disease. Does interleukin-1beta play a major role in Behçet's synovitis?

The objective of this study has been the well established fact that proinflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic arthritis as well as the development of pannus, with the eventual erosive changes. Among the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-18 (IL-18) has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic synovitis by increasing the secretion of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and also stimulating angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the synovial IL-18, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels in patients with Behçet's disease (BD), and compare them with the levels of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). 30 patients with BD, 20 with RA, and 20 with OA were included in the study. The synovial levels of IL-18, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and MMP-3 were detected using the two-step sandwich ELISA method. The synovial IL-18, TNF-alpha and MMP-3 levels were significantly higher in RA patients than patients with BD (P=0.004, 0.019, 0.025, respectively) and with OA (P=0.004, 0.045, 0.032, respectively). There were no differences, with respect to the cytokine levels, when patients with BD were compared with those with OA. Patients with RA and BD had higher IL-1beta levels than patients with OA (P=0.017, 0.013, respectively). However, no such difference was found for IL-1beta between BD and RA patients. Among patients with RA, positive correlations were found between TNF-alpha and MMP-3 (r=0.683, P=0.001). Our results showed that MMP-3 and proinflammatory cytokines, except IL-1beta, were expressed in relatively small quantities in Behçet's synovitis. Detection of the lower levels of these cytokines and metalloproteinases might explain the non-erosive character of Behçet's arthritis. We suggest that IL-1beta may be involved in the pathogenesis of Behçet's synovitis.

Adult↗

Increased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and loss of correlation with matrix metalloproteinase-9 by macrophages in asthma.

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) can mediate tissue destruction and repair by synthesizing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) as well as inflammatory cytokines, which regulate their production. Imbalances between these enzymes and inhibitors may contribute to the tissue damage and remodeling seen in inflammatory diseases. In this study, we examined the role of AMs in chronic asthma. We have previously demonstrated an increased production of MMP-9 by AMs in untreated asthmatic patients as compared with healthy subjects, and in asthmatics treated with inhaled corticosteroids and patients with chronic bronchitis. We now report on the expression of TIMP-1, the inhibitor of MMP-9, and compare the levels and the regulation by cytokines of both MMP-9 and TIMP-1. Enzyme and inhibitor were measured using an enzyme immunoassay and immunoprecipitation. TIMP-1 steady-state mRNA levels were measured using the RNase protection assay. AMs from untreated asthmatics were found to produce more TIMP-1 both at protein and mRNA levels than AMs from other groups. The release of TIMP-1 and MMP-9 from individual AMs was significantly correlated in control populations and the molecules mainly complexed to each other, whereas this was not true for untreated asthmatics, indicating an imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 production. In the latter population, TIMP-1 release was inhibited by an anti-IL-6 antibody and MMP-9 release by anti-TNF-alpha, anti-IL-6, and anti-IL-1/beta antibodies. The imbalance of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 production, via the involvement of different cytokines, suggests that AMs may be involved in the abnormal repair observed in chronic asthma.

Adult↗

Direct correlation of collagen matrix deformation with focal adhesion dynamics in living corneal fibroblasts.

The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a new model for investigating how the organization and movement of cell-matrix adhesion sites correlate with force generation by corneal fibroblasts on a fibrillar collagen extracellular matrix. Primary cultures of rabbit corneal fibroblasts were transfected using a vector encoding GFP-zyxin to allow visualization of adhesion sites. Cells were plated at low density on top of 100 micro m thick fibrillar collagen lattices embedded with 2 micro m diameter red fluorescent beads. Time-lapse imaging was performed at one minute intervals for up to 3 hours. At each time interval, GFP-zyxin, bead and DIC images were acquired in rapid succession using filter wheels. Cells were treated with cytochalasin D and/or Triton X-100 at the end of each experiment. The movements of adhesions and nearby matrix landmarks were measured and correlated from the time-lapse digital images, and the size, intensity and orientation of the adhesions were quantified. GFP-zyxin was detected in adhesions of transfected corneal fibroblasts as confirmed using vinculin counterstaining. Time-lapse imaging revealed extensions and retractions of cell processes and displacements of the fiduciary beads that were similar to control cells. Extending processes exhibited the most complex behavior, with new adhesions continuously forming at the leading edge while existing adhesions moved backward in a retrograde fashion. This process generated tractional forces as indicated by pulling in of the extracellular matrix in front of the cell. Interestingly, during extension, adhesions along the ventral surface of the cell body generally moved toward those at the tip, resulting in contractile-like shortening and matrix compression at the base of lamellipodia. Overall, a high correlation was found between both the magnitude (R=0.87, P<0.001) and direction (R=0.98, P<0.001) of the adhesions and nearby matrix displacements. Cytochalasin D induced rapid and reversible disassembly of adhesions, cell elongation and matrix relaxation, including decompression at the base of the lamellipodia. This new experimental model allows direct, dynamic assessment of cell-matrix interactions on a fibrillar collagen matrix. Our results are consistent with the previously described 'frontal towing' model of cell motility and demonstrate for the first time that this mechanism is employed by cells interacting with a fibrillar extracellular matrix.

Actins↗

Retinoic acid-induced type II collagen degradation does not correlate with matrix metalloproteinase activity in cartilage explant cultures.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in retinoic acid (RetA)-induced degradation of type II collagen in cartilage. METHODS: Bovine nasal cartilage explants were cultured with 1 microM RetA or in 3 nM interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha). Release of proteoglycan and type II collagen into the medium was measured by colorimetric assay and immunoassay, respectively. MMP activity in the medium was determined using a quenched fluorescent substrate assay, while specific collagenases were identified by Western immunoblotting. In some cases the effects of low molecular mass synthetic MMP inhibitors and serum on collagen degradation were studied. RESULTS: RetA promoted maximal breakdown of type II collagen after 4 or 5 weeks in culture, compared with 3 weeks in culture with IL-1alpha. In IL-1alpha-stimulated cultures, collagen degradation was coincident with a large increase in MMP activity in the culture medium, whereas in RetA-stimulated cultures, there was only a small increase. In Western immunoblots of culture media containing RetA, prointerstitial collagenase and active collagenase 3 were sometimes detected, but not in all experiments. In IL-1alpha cultures, active interstitial collagenase was always detected, and active collagenase 3 was detectable in some experiments. Neutrophil collagenase was not detected in any cultures. IL-1alpha-stimulated collagen degradation was effectively inhibited by a potent, broad-spectrum inhibitor of MMPs, whereas it was poorly inhibited by a weak MMP inhibitor. The same 2 compounds were both only weak inhibitors of RetA-induced collagen degradation. When fetal calf serum was included in cartilage cultures, MMP activity in the culture medium was reduced to low levels. This resulted in a marked inhibition of IL-1alpha-induced type II collagen degradation, whereas there was no inhibition of RetA-induced collagen degradation. CONCLUSION: Unlike IL-1alpha, RetA induces degradation of type II collagen in cartilage explants by a mechanism that is mainly independent of those MMPs that can be detected in the culture medium.

Animals↗

Assessment of cadmium-induced osteopenia by measurement of serum bone Gla protein, parathyroid hormone, and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

To assess the osteopenia induced by environmental cadmium (Cd) exposure by measurement of serum bone Gla protein (BGP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1 alpha,25(OH)2D), 29 men and 41 women who lived in a Cd-polluted area and showed renal tubular dysfunction were selected. To evaluate the degree of osteopenia, microdensitometry (MD) was used. Compared with the non-exposed subjects, the levels of serum creatinine and BGP, urinary Cd and beta 2-microglobulin and blood Cd were higher, while the levels of serum inorganic phosphorus and MD indicators were lower in the Cd-exposed group. In simple correlation matrix, BGP showed significant correlations with serum alkaline phosphatase (S-Al-p) and MD indicators in the Cd-exposed men, and also correlations with S-Al-p and 1 alpha-25(OH)2D in the Cd-exposed women. Applying multivariate analysis to the Cd-exposed subjects, BGP, %TRP and base excess were found to show significant associations with the MD indicators in the men. In the women, PTH, age, blood Cd and BGP were associated significantly with the MD indicators. Only serum BGP showed a significant correlation in both sexes of the Cd-exposed subjects, and a sex difference was found in the relationship between bone metabolic markers and osteopenia. These results suggest that serum BGP has a close independent association with the osteopenia induced by Cd exposure and that BGP, which has a different biological function from that of PTH or 1 alpha,25(OH)2D, may be a useful indicator to detect bone damage in Cd-exposed subjects.

Adult↗

Gaussian estimation and joint modeling of dispersions and correlations in longitudinal data.

Analysis of longitudinal, spatial and epidemiological data often requires modelling dispersions and dependence among the measurements. Moreover, data involving counts or proportions usually exhibit greater variation than would be predicted by the Poisson and binomial models. We propose a strategy for the joint modelling of mean, dispersion and correlation matrix of nonnormal multivariate correlated data. The parameter estimation for dispersions and correlations is based on the Whittle's [P. Whittle, Gaussian estimation in stationary time series, Bull Inst. Statist. Inst. 39 (1962) 105-129.] Gaussian likelihood of the partially standardized data which eliminates the mean parameters. The model formulation for the dispersions and correlations relies on a recent unconstrained parameterization of covariance matrices and a graphical method [M. Pourahmadi, Joint mean-covariance models with applications to longitudinal data: unconstrained parameterization, Biometrika 86 (1999) 677-690] similar to the correlogram in time series analysis. We show that the estimating equations for the regression and dependence parameters derived from a modified Gaussian likelihood (involving two distinct covariance matrices) are broad enough to include generalized estimating equations and its many recent extensions and improvements. The results are illustrated using two datasets.

Likelihood Functions↗

What covariance mechanisms underlie green/red equiluminance, luminance contrast sensitivity and chromatic (green/red) contrast sensitivity?

In order to investigate the mechanisms underlying green/red equiluminance matches in human observers and their relationship to mechanisms subserving luminance and/or chromatic (green/red) contrast sensitivity, we tested 21 human subjects along these dimensions at 16 different spatial and temporal frequencies (spatial frequency, 0.25-2 c/deg; temporal frequency, 2-16 Hz) and applied factor analysis to extract mechanisms underlying the data set. The results from our factor analysis revealed separate sources of variability for green/red equiluminance, luminance sensitivity and chromatic sensitivity, thus suggesting separate mechanisms underlying each of the three main conditions. When factor analysis was applied separately to green/red equiluminance data, two temporally-tuned factors were revealed (factor 1, 2-4 Hz; factor 2, 8-16 Hz), suggesting the existence of separate mechanisms underlying equiluminance settings at low versus high temporal frequencies. In addition, although the three main conditions remained separate in our factor analysis of the entire data set, our correlation matrix nonetheless revealed systematic correlations between equiluminance settings and luminance sensitivity at high temporal frequencies, and between equiluminance settings and chromatic sensitivity at low temporal frequencies. Taken together, these data suggest that the high temporal frequency factor underlying green/red equiluminance is governed predominantly by luminance mechanisms, while the low temporal frequency factor receives contribution from chromatic mechanisms.

Color Perception↗

A simple correction for multiple comparisons in interval mapping genome scans.

Several approaches have been proposed to correct point-wise significance thresholds used in interval-mapping genome scans. A method for significance threshold correction based on the Bonferroni test is presented. This test involves calculating the effective number of independent comparisons performed in a genome scan from the variance of the eigenvalues of the observed marker correlation matrix. The more highly correlated the markers, the higher the variance of the eigenvalues and the lower the number of independent tests performed on a chromosome. This approach was evaluated by mapping 1000 normally distributed phenotypes along chromosomes of varying length and marker density in a population size of 500. Experiment-wise significance thresholds obtained from the simulation are compared to those calculated using the Bonferroni criterion and the newly developed measure of the effective number of independent tests in a genome scan. The Bonferroni calculation produced significance thresholds very similar to those obtained by simulation. The threshold levels for both Bonferroni and simulation analysis depended strongly on the marker density and size of chromosomes. There was a slight bias of about 1% in the thresholds obtained at the 5% and 10% point-wise significance levels. The method introduced here provides a relatively simple correction for multiple comparisons that can be easily calculated using standard statistics packages.

Analysis of Variance↗

Causes and consequences of fever complicating critical surgical illness.

BACKGROUND: Fever may have malign consequences in the postoperative period. This study was performed to determine the causes and consequences of fever in critically ill surgical patients. The specific hypothesis tested is that postoperative fever is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including increased organ dysfunction and risk of death. METHODS: Inception-cohort study of critically ill surgical patients who manifested a core temperature of >/=38.2 degrees C for the first time. The episode of fever was monitored until resolution, which was defined as a core temperature of <38.2 degrees C for at least 72 consecutive h. Demographic data collected included age, gender, admission diagnosis, admission status (elective/emergency), severity of illness (APACHE III), the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score, the cumulative multiple organ dysfunction score, cause of fever (infectious/non-infectious), ICU and hospital length of stay, and mortality. The day of onset of fever in the ICU, peak temperature, ICU day of peak temperature, and duration of fever episode were recorded. All diagnostic and therapeutic interventions were recorded, including the type and duration of antibiotic therapy. Univariate results of possible significance (alpha < 0.15) were tested in logistic regression models for independence of effect upon mortality after auto-correlation was excluded by matrix correlations and the Durbin-Watson statistic. Cases where both non-infectious and infectious causes of fever were present were analyzed as part of the infectious group, whereas the cumulative MOD score was dichotomized (< 5, >/=5 points) at a value known to be associated with increased mortality. RESULTS: Among 2,419 screened patients, 626 patients (26%) developed fever. Febrile patients were older, sicker, more likely to have undergone emergency surgery, more likely to develop organ dysfunction, and more likely to die (all, p < 0.0001). The mean day of onset of fever was day 1 and the mean peak temperature for the episode was 39.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C. For most patients, it was their only episode of fever, with a mean of 1.4 +/- 0.1 episodes/patient. Forty-six percent of febrile patients were found to have an infectious cause of fever. Nearly all patients had SIRS, and nearly all developed organ dysfunction to some degree. By logistic regression, the presence of SIRS (as opposed to fever in isolation), emergency status, higher APACHE III score and the peak temperature were associated with increased mortality, with peak temperature being the most powerful predictor in the model (OR 2.20, 95% Cl 1.57-3.19). Gender had no bearing on outcome, and there was a trend toward a protective effect from an infectious etiology of fever. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative fever is deleterious to critically ill patients. The magnitude of fever is a determinant of mortality, whereas an infectious etiology of fever may not be. The impacts of nosocomial infection and suppression of fever on critically surgical patients deserve further study.

APACHE↗

Evaluation of cervical posture following palatal expansion: a 12-month follow-up controlled study.

This study evaluated the effects of rapid palatal expansion (RPE) on nasopharyngeal airway size, head posture, and cervical curvature angle in children with nasal obstruction. The patients were 45 female subjects (8-15 years of age) who had a reduced nasopharyngeal airway size and were subjectively assessed as being mouth breathers and requiring palatal expansion. They were randomly allocated to one of two groups: 23 subjects in the first group were treated with RPE, while the 22 subjects in the other group were monitored for approximately 14 months prior to commencing therapy, and became untreated controls. Lateral skull radiographs, taken in the natural head position, were obtained at the first visit (T0) and 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) months later for all subjects. The differences between the cephalometric variables at baseline and after 6 and 12 months were evaluated with a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Where significant interactions were found, a Bonferroni corrected paired Student's t-test was performed for pairwise comparisons. Changes in cephalometric variables within the experimental groups were tested by paired Student's t-tests as a post hoc procedure. Finally, a correlation matrix, using the Pearson correlation coefficient, was computed in order to evaluate the relationship between the change in airway adequacy and (1) the amount of maxillary expansion, (2) chronological age, (3) the amount of time that the appliance was activated, and (4) morphological and postural measurements of the face. At T1, children under active treatment showed a statistically significant increase in nasopharyngeal airway size, cervical curvature angle, and flexion of the head, together with a significant decrease in craniocervical angulation (all P < 0.05). These changes were all found to be stable at T2. No significant changes were seen in the control group. The correlation coefficients indicated a significant correlation between nasopharyngeal airway size and craniocervical angulation (SN/OPT angle; r = -0.61, P < 0.05). The findings indicate that RPE is capable of increasing nasopharyngeal airway size in young females, which results in a decrease in craniocervical angulation. Clinically, the findings seem to suggest that improvement of respiratory function could result in a change in head posture.

Adolescent↗