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: Downstream effects of muscarinic receptor stimulation in intestinal smooth muscle include contraction and intestinal transit. We thought to determine whether classic transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels integrate the intracellular signaling cascades evoked by the stimulated receptors and thereby contribute to the control of the membrane potential, Ca-influx, and cell responses.', 'We created trpc4-, trpc6-, and trpc4/trpc6-gene-deficient mice and analyzed them for intestinal smooth muscle function in vitro and in vivo.', 'In intestinal smooth muscle cells TRPC4 forms a 55 pS cation channel and underlies more than 80% of the muscarinic receptor-induced cation current (mI(CAT)). The residual mI(CAT) depends on the expression of TRPC6, indicating that TRPC6 and TRPC4 determine mI(CAT) channel activity independent of other channel subunits. In TRPC4-deficient ileal myocytes the carbachol-induced membrane depolarizations are diminished greatly and the atropine-sensitive contraction elicited by acetylcholine release from excitatory motor neurons is reduced greatly. Additional deletion of TRPC6 aggravates these effects. Intestinal transit is slowed down in mice lacking TRPC4 and TRPC6.
Answer: In intestinal smooth muscle cells TRPC4 and TRPC6 channels are gated by muscarinic receptors and are responsible for mI(CAT). They couple muscarinic receptors to depolarization of intestinal smooth muscle cells and voltage-activated Ca(2+)-influx and contraction, and thereby accelerate small intestinal motility in vivo.

SOLUTION: Does deletion of TRPC4 and TRPC6 in mice impair smooth muscle contraction and intestinal motility in vivo?

PROBLEM: Context: Increasing evidence points to the inflammatory character of atherosclerosis and several parameters of inflammation have been proposed as cerebrovascular risk markers. The objective of the research was to examine the connection of serum inflammatory parameters and ultrasound (US) characteristics of the structure and size of carotid plaque. We assumed that the number of leukocytes (Le) was an indicator of carotid plaque instability and an increased risk of stroke.', 'Serum inflammatory parameters: erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the first (ESR I) and second hour (ESR II), the number of Le, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fibrinogen were measured by standard methods. All the subjects (n = 75) were divided into 3 groups (symptomatic, asymptomatic and control). US evaluation of extracranial carotid arteries was performed in a duplex system. Plaques were classified into categories according to stenosis percentage (≥ 50%, < 50%) and pursuant to echomorphological characteristics (Gray-Weale classification). In the subjects with stroke an ischemic lesion was confirmed by computed tomography.', 'The average values of biochemical parameters in the symptomatic group were: ESR I 29.57 ± 29.87 cm, ESR II 51.60 ± 36.87 cm, the number of Le 10.10 ± 3.20 x 10⁹ U/L, hsCRP 8.15 ± 5.50 mg/L and fibrinogen 4.03 ± 0.70 g/L. The average values of all testing biochemical parameters in symptomatic patients were significantly higher than in the asymptomatic ones and the control group: for ESR I (p < 0.05) and ESR II (p < 0.05); for the number of Le (p < 0.001); for hsCRP (p < 0.001) and fibrinogen (p < 0.001). Category I of echomorphological characteristics in the symptomatic group was present in 66.7% of the cases and it was significantly higher than in the asymptomatic (40.0%; p < 0.05) and the control group (20.0%; p < 0.01). Univariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that all testing biochemical parameters are indicators of stroke risk. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant correlation of the number of Le and stroke risk, while the increase in the value by a unit of measurement was associated with the growth of risk by 3.22 times (from 1.67 to 6.22).
Answer: The number of Le is associated with the phenomenon of carotid plaque instability and may be a useful additional marker of increased risk for developing acute cerebral infarction.

SOLUTION: Does leucocyte count indicate carotid plaque instability in stroke patients?

PROBLEM: Context: This evaluation was conducted as part of a protocol entitled Evaluation of the Menicon Z Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens for up to 30 Days Extended Wear. The purpose of the protocol was to compare corneal endothelial morphology changes after wearing rigid gas-permeable (RGP) Menicon Z contact lenses, continuously for up to 30 days, with ACUVUE (Johnson & Johnson Vision Care) hydrogel contact lenses, worn for up to 6 nights of extended wear.', 'Sixty patients, who were adapted to RGP daily wear and soft contact lens daily wear, were recruited at two study sites. The thirty subjects who wore RGP daily wear lenses were fitted with the Menicon Z (tisilfocon A, oxygen permeablility [Dk] = 163) RGP contact lens comprised the test group. The control group subjects (n = 30 former users of daily wear soft contact lenses) were fitted with ACUVUE (etafilcon A, Dk = 28) hydrogel contact lenses. After a 2-week adaptation period of daily wear, subjects began extended wear. Endothelial imaging was performed at the two study sites in this multicenter study (University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University Department of Ophthalmology [CWRU] and The Ohio State University [OSU]). The hydrogel lens group was instructed to wear their lenses for 7 days and 6 nights before discarding the lenses and to sleep with no lenses on the seventh night. The RGP group was permitted to wear the lenses for up to 30 days and 29 consecutive nights before removing the lenses for cleaning and overnight soaking.', "CWRU had 24 patients (12 soft contact lens and 12 rigid contact lens) and OSU had 21 patients (12 soft contact lens and 9 rigid contact lens) who completed the study and were included in the analyses. Patients who were withdrawn from the study at CWRU included one RGP patient dropped out because of pregnancy; one RGP patient developed vascularized limbal keratitis and discomfort; one could not be fitted with a bitoric RGP; two soft lens patients moved from the area, and one dropped out because of dry eyes. At OSU, four patients dropped out due to discomfort (two in each lens type);one moved from the study area; one decided not to participate soon after the consent visit; one had worries of reduced vision at 6 months; one subject's attitude changed prior to the 6 month visit; and one subject was withdrawn for reasons of poor study schedule compliance.
Answer: The Menicon Z lens wearers in this study did not show significant endothelial cell morphology changes after 1 year of nearly continuous contact lens wear. This finding is particularly important considering the RGP wearers in this study were older by a average of 10 years (mean age approximately 40) and had worn their contact lenses an average of almost 10 years longer than the soft contact lens wearers.

SOLUTION:
Does corneal endothelial morphology result in the Menicon Z 30-day continuous-wear contact lens clinical trial?