TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage, 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.
PROBLEM: Successful treatment of oesophageal cancer is hampered by recurrent drug resistant disease. We have previously demonstrated the importance of apoptosis and autophagy for the recovery of oesophageal cancer cells following drug treatment. When apoptosis (with autophagy) is induced, these cells are chemosensitive and will not recover following chemotherapy treatment. In contrast, when cancer cells exhibit only autophagy and limited Type II cell death, they are chemoresistant and recover following drug withdrawal.', 'MicroRNA (miRNA) expression profiling of an oesophageal cancer cell line panel was used to identify miRNAs that were important in the regulation of apoptosis and autophagy. The effects of miRNA overexpression on cell death mechanisms and recovery were assessed in the chemoresistant (autophagy inducing) KYSE450 oesophageal cancer cells.', 'MiR-193b was the most differentially expressed miRNA between the chemosensitive and chemoresistant cell lines with higher expression in chemosensitive apoptosis inducing cell lines. Colony formation assays showed that overexpression of miR-193b significantly impedes the ability of KYSE450 cells to recover following 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment. The critical mRNA targets of miR-193b are unknown but target prediction and siRNA data analysis suggest that it may mediate some of its effects through stathmin 1 regulation. Apoptosis was not involved in the enhanced cytotoxicity. Overexpression of miR-193b in these cells induced autophagic flux and non-apoptotic cell death.

SOLUTION: Does miR-193b promote autophagy and non-apoptotic cell death in oesophageal cancer cells?

PROBLEM: The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is associated with inflammatory processes and cancer formation through production of nitric oxide (NO). However, the clinical importance of the expression of iNOS in oral cancer remains unclear. In the present study, we examined whether up-regulation of the iNOS gene can affect growth and metastasis of an oral cancer cell line (B88t cell) in vitro and in vivo.', 'We constructed an expression vector containing sense-oriented murine iNOS cDNA with pcDNA3.1. We transfected B88t cells with the sense expression vector to up-regulate the expression of the iNOS gene in the sense transfectants.', 'The expression of iNOS protein was up-regulated in the sense transfectants and that up-regulation of the iNOS gene exerted a growth inhibitory effect on B88t cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, up-regulation of the iNOS gene markedly inhibited the migration of cancer cells in a Boyden chamber. Furthermore, up-regulation of the iNOS gene dramatically inhibited metastases to the cervical lymph node in vivo.

SOLUTION: Does overexpression of iNOS gene suppress the tumorigenicity and metastasis of oral cancer cells?

PROBLEM: Colorectal resection in cirrhotic patients is associated with high mortality and morbidity related to portal hypertension and liver insufficiency.', 'This retrospective study evaluated the clinical outcomes of cirrhotic patients who underwent transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) placement before colorectal resection for cancer. Main outcomes measures were postoperative morbidity and mortality rates.', 'TIPS placement was successful in all eight patients and significantly decreased the mean hepatic venous pressure gradient from 15.5 ± 2.9 to 7.5 ± 1.9 mmHg (p = 0.02). Surgical procedures included right colectomy (n = 3), left colectomy (n = 2), and proctectomy with total mesorectal excision (n=3). Post-operatively, two patients (25%) died of multiple organ failure. The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 75%, and major complications were seen in 25%.

SOLUTION:
Does transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement increase feasibility of colorectal surgery in cirrhotic patients with severe portal hypertension?