TASK DEFINITION: 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.
PROBLEM: Context: Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with a gradual reduction in the interstitial osmotic pressure within articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of sudden and gradual hypo-osmotic challenge on chondrocyte morphology and biomechanics.', 'Bovine articular chondrocytes were exposed to a reduction in extracellular osmolality from 327 to 153 mOsmol/kg applied either suddenly (<5 s) or gradually (over 180 min). Temporal changes in cell diameter and the existence of regulatory volume decrease (RVD) were quantified along with changes in cortical actin and chromatin condensation. The cellular viscoelastic mechanical properties were determined by micropipette aspiration.', 'In response to a sudden hypo-osmotic stress, 66% of chondrocytes exhibited an increase in diameter followed by RVD, whilst 25% showed no RVD. By contrast, cells exposed to gradual hypo-osmotic stress exhibited reduced cell swelling without subsequent RVD. There was an increase in the equilibrium modulus for cells exposed to sudden hypo-osmotic stress. However, gradual hypo-osmotic challenge had no effect on cell mechanical properties. This cell stiffening response to sudden hypo-osmotic challenge was abolished when actin organization was disrupted with cytochalasin D or RVD inhibited with REV5901. Both sudden and gradual hypo-osmotic challenge reduced cortical F-actin distribution and caused chromatin decondensation.
Answer: Sudden hypo-osmotic challenge increases chondrocyte mechanics by activation of RVD and interaction with the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, the rate of hypo-osmotic challenge is shown to have a profound effect on chondrocyte morphology and biomechanics. This important phenomenon needs to be considered when studying the response of chondrocytes to pathological hypo-osmotic stress.

SOLUTION: Does the rate of hypo-osmotic challenge influence regulatory volume decrease ( RVD ) and mechanical properties of articular chondrocytes?

PROBLEM: Context: FGF receptor (FGFR) family can be activated by FGFs and play important roles in regulating cell growth, differentiation, migration and angiogenesis. Recent studies suggested that FGFR4 could regulate several processes including tumor progression. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy with a high occurrence in Southeast Asia and Southern China. However, the molecule mechanism and the potential roles of FGFR4 in NPC remain unknown Methods: Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to investigate the expression of FGFR4 in NPC samples. Then we used statistical analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value and the associations of FGFR4 expression with clinical parameters. In vitro studies, the effects of FGFR4 on proliferation and migration of NPC cell line CNE2 were measured by the starvation-refeeding experiment, CCK8 assay, wounding healing assay and transwell migration assay. The changes of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in CNE2 cells after knocking down the expression of FGFR4 were measured by Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis.', 'FGFR4 was overexpressed in NPC as compared with the inflammatory tissues. High expression of FGFR4 was correlated with Ki67 expression, clinical stages and prognosis in NPC patients (P<0.05).While in vitro, the upregulation of FGFR4 was accompanied with CNE2 cells released from serum starvation. Moreover, it could increase cell proliferation and migration by regulating EMT markers in CNE2 cells.
Answer: Our data suggested that FGFR4 might induce NPC progression and act as a potential therapeutic target in NPC.

SOLUTION: Does high Expression of FGFR4 enhance Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma?

PROBLEM: Context: The pre-treatment presence of at least six efferent patent vessels (EPV) from the AAA sac and/or AAA thrombus volume ratio (VR%) <40% are considered to be positive predictive factors for persistent type II endoleak (ELIIp). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sac embolization during EVAR in patients with pre-operative morphological risk factors (p-MRF) for ELIIp.', 'Patients undergoing EVAR and intra-procedural AAA sac embolization (Group A, 2012-2013) were retrospectively selected and compared with a control group of patients with the same p-MRF, who underwent EVAR without intra-procedural sac embolization (Group B, 2008-2010). The presence of ELIIp was evaluated by duplex ultrasound at 0 and 6 months, and by contrast enhanced ultrasound at 12 months. The association between AAA diameter, age, COPD, smoking, anticoagulant therapy, and AAA sac embolization with ELIIp was evaluated using multiple logistic regression. The primary endpoint was the effectiveness of the intra-procedural AAA sac embolization for ELIIp prevention. Secondary endpoints were AAA sac evolution and freedom from ELIIp and embolization related re-interventions at 6-12 months.', 'Seventy patients were analyzed: 26 Group A and 44 Group B; the groups were homogeneous for clinical/morphological characteristics. In Group A the median number of coils positioned in AAA sac was 4.1 (IQR 1). There were no complications related to the embolization procedures. A significantly lower number of ELIIp was detected in Group A than in Group B (8/26 vs. 33/44, respectively, p\xa0<\xa0.001) at discharge, and this was confirmed at 6-12 months (7/26 vs. 30/44 respectively, p\xa0=\xa0.001, and 5/25 vs. 32/44, respectively, p\xa0<\xa0.001). On multivariate analysis, intra-procedural AAA sac embolization was the only factor independently associated with freedom from ELIIp at 6 (OR 0.196, 95% CI 0.06-0.63; p\xa0=\xa0.007) and 12 months (OR 0.098, 95% CI 0.02-0.35; p\xa0<\xa0.001). No differences in median AAA sac diameter shrinkage were detected between the two groups at 6-12 months (p\xa0=\xa0.42 and p\xa0=\xa0.58, respectively). Freedom from ELIIp related and embolization related re-interventions was 100% in both groups, at 6 and 12 months.
Answer: Selective intra-procedural AAA sac embolization in patients with p-MRF is safe and could be an effective method to reduce ELIIp. Further studies are mandatory to support these results at long-term follow up.

SOLUTION:
Does selective Intra-procedural AAA sac Embolization During EVAR reduce the Rate of Type II Endoleak?