Given a passage with a context and an answer, construct a question on the basis of the information present in the passage. Construct the question in such a way that (i) it is unambiguous, (ii) it is answerable from the passage, (iii) its answer is unique (iv) it answer uses text phrases from the passage. Avoid creating questions that (i) can't be answered correctly without actually understanding the passage and (ii) uses the same words or phrases given in the passage.

Q: Context: To conduct clinical and genetic studies in a European family with autosomal dominant Stargardt-like macular dystrophy (adSTGD-like MD) and to investigate the functional consequences of a novel ELOVL4 mutation.', 'Ophthalmic examination and mutation screening by direct sequencing of the ELOVL4 gene was performed in two affected individuals. Wild-type and mutant ELOVL4 genes were expressed as enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion proteins in transient transfection in NIH-3T3 and HEK293 cells. To determine the subcellular localization of ELOVL4, an endoplasmic-reticulum (ER)-specific marker for pDsRed2-ER was cotransfected with ELOVL4 constructs. Transfected cells were viewed by confocal microscopy. Western blot analysis was performed to assess protein expression using an anti-GFP antibody.', 'Affected patients exhibited macular atrophy with surrounding flecks characteristic of adSTGD-like MD. A novel ELOVL4 p.Tyr270X mutation was detected in affected individuals. In cell-transfection studies, wild-type ELOVL4 localized preferentially to the ER. In contrast, the mutant protein appeared to be mislocalized within transfected cells.
Answer: In a European family with adSTGD-like MD, a novel ELOVL4 mutation was found to underlie the disorder. Transfection studies indicated that, unlike wild-type ELOVL4, the mutant protein does not localize to the ER but rather appears to be sequestered elsewhere in an aggregated pattern in the cytoplasm. Further analysis of the function of normal and mutant ELOVL4 will provide insight into the mechanism of macular degeneration.

A: Does a novel mutation in the ELOVL4 gene cause autosomal dominant Stargardt-like macular dystrophy?
****
Q: Context: Cilostazol, a potent type 3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor, is found to reduce neointimal formation by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the inhibitory effect of cilostazol on VSMC proliferation is operated via heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).', 'In rat carotid arteries, cilostazol up-regulated HO-1 in the neointima of balloon-injured arteries. Treatment of human VSMCs with cilostazol enhanced the expression of HO-1, which was mainly regulated at the transcriptional level. Small interfering RNA knock-down of HO-1 attenuated the inhibitory effect of cilostazol on VSMC proliferation, suggesting the critical role of HO-1 in cilostazol effect. The transcriptional responsiveness of HO-1 to cilostazol was inversely correlated with the length of GT-repeat in human HO-1 promoter. Deletion and mutational analysis of HO-1 promoter along with chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) participated in cilostazol-induced HO-1 transcription. Furthermore, cilostazol triggered a linkage between the CRE and GT-repeat regions in the HO-1 promoter. The promoting effect of cilostazol on HO-1 expression, proliferation inhibition, and chromatin conformation in the HO-1 promoter was greater in VSMCs from subjects with shorter GT-repeat alleles than those with longer alleles.
Answer: Cilostazol inhibits VSMC proliferation involving an association between CREB and HO-1. The length polymorphism of GT-repeat in human HO-1 promoter determines the effect of cilostazol.

A: Does gT-repeat length polymorphism in heme oxygenase-1 promoter determine the effect of cilostazol on vascular smooth muscle cells?
****
Q: Context: Several reports have indicated the benefits of the acute care surgery (ACS) model in surgical outcomes. We tried to delineate the impact of the ACS model on surgical efficiency and quality.', 'Before the ACS model was implemented, abdominal surgical emergencies were evaluated by an on-call nontrauma general surgeon (pre-ACS model). An in-house trauma surgeon treated all patients with trauma or nontrauma abdominal surgical emergencies after the ACS model. Patients with acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomies were included. We conducted a pre- and poststudy to compare the time patients were in the emergency department and surgical qualities.', 'There were 146 and 159 patients enrolled in the pre-ACS model and ACS model, respectively. The overall ED length of stay in the ACS model was significantly shorter than that in the pre-ACS model (300.3 ± 61.7 vs 719.1 ± 339.0 minutes, P < .001). Hospital LOS was also significantly shorter in the ACS model than in the pre-ACS model (2.44 ± 1.39 vs 3.83 ± 2.21 days, P = .022).
Answer: The ACS model may improve abdominal surgical efficiency and quality. Our study results echoed the benefits of the implementation of the ACS model shown in North America.

A:
Does implementation of the acute care surgery model provide benefits in the surgical treatment of the acute appendicitis?
****