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.

Membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins are important determinants of ion channel organization in the plasma membrane. In the heart, the MAGUK protein SAP97, encoded by the DLG1 gene, interacts with several ion channels via their PDZ domain-binding motif and regulates their function and localization.', 'The purpose of this study was to assess in vivo the role of SAP97 in the heart by generating a genetically modified mouse model in which SAP97 is suppressed exclusively in cardiomyocytes.', 'SAP97(fl/fl) mice were generated by inserting loxP sequences flanking exons 1-3 of the SAP97 gene. SAP97(fl/fl) mice were crossed with αMHC-Cre mice to generate αMHC-Cre/SAP97(fl/fl) mice, thus resulting in a cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of SAP97. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, western blots, and immunostaining were performed to measure mRNA and protein expression levels, and ion channel localization. The patch-clamp technique was used to record ion currents and action potentials. Echocardiography and surface ECGs were performed on anesthetized mice.', 'Action potential duration was greatly prolonged in αMHC-Cre/SAP97(fl/fl) cardiomyocytes compared to SAP97(fl/fl) controls, but maximal upstroke velocity was unchanged. This was consistent with the decreases observed in IK1, Ito, and IKur potassium currents and the absence of effect on the sodium current INa. Surface ECG revealed an increased corrected QT interval in αMHC-Cre/SAP97(fl/fl) mice.
Does cardiac-specific ablation of synapse-associated protein SAP97 in mice decrease potassium currents but not sodium current?

Aggressive periodontitis is characterized by rapid destruction of periodontal tissue caused by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Interleukin (IL)-1β is a proinflammatory cytokine, and its production is tightly regulated by inflammasome activation. Xylitol, an anticaries agent, is anti-inflammatory, but its effect on inflammasome activation has not been researched. This study investigates the effect of xylitol on inflammasome activation induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans.', 'The differentiated THP-1 macrophages were stimulated by A. actinomycetemcomitans with or without xylitol and the expressions of IL-1β and inflammasome components were detected by real time PCR, ELISA, confocal microscopy and Immunoblot analysis. The effects of xylitol on the adhesion and invasion of A. actinomycetemcomitans to cells were measured by viable cell count.', 'A. actinomycetemcomitans increased pro IL-1β synthesis and IL-1β secretion in a multiplicity of infection- and time-dependent manner. A. actinomycetemcomitans also stimulated caspase-1 activation. Among inflammasome components, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) proteins were upregulated by A. actinomycetemcomitans infection. When cells were pretreated with xylitol, proIL-1β and IL-1β production by A. actinomycetemcomitans infection was significantly decreased. Xylitol also inhibited ASC and AIM2 proteins and formation of ASC puncta. Furthermore, xylitol suppressed internalization of A. actinomycetemcomitans into differentiated THP-1 macrophages without affecting viability of A. actinomycetemcomitans within cells.
Does aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-Induced AIM2 Inflammasome Activation be Suppressed by Xylitol in Differentiated THP-1 Macrophages?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of markers of bone remodeling in assessment of rate of bone loss in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) long term treated with low dose glucocorticoids.', 'The study involved 70 patients with MS. Motor function of the patients was evaluated using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (KEDSS). Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined at the lumbar spine and proximal femur at baseline and after 1.8 +/- 0.8 years. Bone remodeling was assessed using circulating concentrations of type 1 collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (beta CTX), aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and N-MID osteocalcin (OC). A control group of 140 age-matched healthy subjects was used to compare bone-turnover markers.', 'The plasma CTX concentration was the most significant parameter of bone remodeling which correlated with the rate of bone loss and with the KEDSS. The rate of bone loss at the proximal femur was not significantly different between tertiles of plasma OC concentrations.

Do markers of bone remodeling predict rate of bone loss in multiple sclerosis patients treated with low dose glucocorticoids?