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: Differences in mortality are thought to exist between African Americans and Caucasians with heart failure. These differences may be due to a variety of factors, including differences in disease process, socioeconomic status, and access to health care. Additionally, little data exist on racial differences between these two groups after cardiac transplantation. This study examines a single center, urban experience in treating African Americans and Caucasians with heart failure and after cardiac transplantation. We hypothesize that treatment in a specialized, comprehensive heart failure/cardiac transplantation program results in similar survival between African Americans and Caucasians.', 'We retrospectively reviewed the Rush Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Database from July 1994 to August 2000. Variables analyzed in the cardiomyopathy patients included survival (until death, placement of left ventricular assist device or cardiac transplantation), number of hospitalizations per year, length of stay per year, and utilization of outpatient resources. Follow-up period was from initial visit to death, transplantation, or implantation of left ventricular assist device. In those who underwent cardiac transplantation, we examined rejection rates (cellular and humoral), rejection burden, hospitalization data, and 5-year survival. A subgroup bridged to cardiac transplantation with a left ventricular device was also analyzed.', 'Seven hundred thirty-four cardiomyopathy patients were identified: 203 were African Americans and 531 were Caucasians. The etiology of cardiomyopathy was more commonly ischemic in Caucasians as compared to non-ischemic in African Americans (P <.01). African Americans had more admissions to the hospital per year compared with Caucasians, 1.2 +/- 2.1 versus.5 +/- 1.1 (P <.01) with longer length of stay per year, 1.4 +/- 25.2 days versus 4.4 +/- 14.3 days (P <.01). Utilization of outpatient resources was significantly higher in African Americans compared with Caucasians with more use of continuous inotropes (13% versus 6%, P <.01), intermittent inotropes (11% versus 5%, P <.01), and home nursing after hospital discharge (52% versus 32% of hospital discharges, P <.01). Survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis was comparable between the two groups (mean survival 1,470 +/- 72 days in African Americans versus 1521 +/- 46 days in Caucasians, log rank test [P =.6]). During this time, 30 African Americans and 73 Caucasians underwent cardiac transplantation. Fifty-three were bridged to transplantation with a left ventricular assist device (20 African Americans, 33 Caucasians). There were no differences in 5-year survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis despite higher peak preoperative panel reactive antibody levels in African Americans versus Caucasians (12% +/- 30% compared with 5% +/- 15%, P =.04), more overall treated rejection episodes per year in the African Americans (P <.01), as well as more posttransplant hospitalizations (2.2 +/- 1.2 times per year as compared with 1.7 +/- 2.1 times per year, P =.04).
Answer: Delivery of care to heart failure patients in a comprehensive, specialized program results in similar survival regardless of race despite higher utilization of inpatient and outpatient resources. The finding that, after cardiac transplantation, African Americans do not have higher mortality rates, despite having higher rates of rejection overall and more hospitalizations, further supports the hypothesis that optimal care can improve outcomes despite unfavorable baseline clinical characteristics.

SOLUTION: Are influence of race in heart failure and cardiac transplantation : mortality differences eliminated by specialized , comprehensive care?

PROBLEM: Context: Biliary tract obstruction is a common clinical problem. In this study, we attempted to understand the change in intestinal glucose absorption after biliary tract obstruction.', 'Experimental models of murine biliary duct ligation and external biliary drainage were established. Murine intestinal mucosal glucose absorption was examined with Ussing chambers according to the increase in the short-circuit current in\xa0vitro and blood glucose measurement after oral glucose in\xa0vivo. The protein expression of the sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) and the facilitated glucose transporter, member 2 (GLUT2) was analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.', 'The results from Ussing chamber experiments showed that duodenal mucosal glucose absorption levels were significantly higher in biliary duct ligation and biliary drainage mice than those in normal control mice at 1 and 2\xa0weeks after the operation. Gastrointestinal bile acid administration almost reversed the elevated duodenal mucosal glucose absorption to the normal level in biliary drainage mice. The results from the experiments in\xa0vivo further confirmed that the glucose absorption increased in biliary duct ligation and biliary drainage mice. The protein expression levels of SGLT1 in the duodenal mucosae of both biliary duct ligation and biliary drainage mice were markedly higher than those in control mice, and the protein expression of GLUT2 was not significantly altered, compared with control mice.
Answer: Bile deficiency in the intestine upregulates the expression of intestinal mucosal SGLT1 and enhances intestinal mucosal glucose absorption capacity, which contributes to the understanding of intestinal physiologic function for patients with biliary duct obstruction and external biliary drainage.

SOLUTION: Does bile deficiency induce changes in intestinal glucose absorption in mice?

PROBLEM: Context: Receptor down-regulation by the multivesicular body (MVB) pathway is critical for many cellular signaling events. MVB generation is mediated by the highly conserved ESCRT (0, I, II, and III) protein complexes. Chmp1 is an ESCRT-III component and a putative tumor suppressor in humans. However, published data on Chmp1 activity are conflicting and its role during tissue development is not well defined.', 'We investigated the function of Drosophila Chmp1 and found that it is an essential gene. In the wing, loss of Chmp1 activity causes a cell fate change from intervein to vein, and interactions between Chmp1 and Drosophila Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (DER) regulators suggest that Chmp1 negatively regulates DER signaling. Chmp1 knockdown also decreases Blistered expression, which is repressed by DER signaling. We find that Chmp1 protein localizes to the late endosome in Drosophila embryos, which is consistent with its effects on DER signaling resulting from its function in the ESCRT-III complex.
Answer: Drosophila Chmp1 negatively regulates DER signaling, likely through its role in MVB formation. Loss of Chmp1 activity in the Drosophila wing induces a cell fate change from intervein to vein that should provide a useful tool for future studies of ESCRT protein activity.

SOLUTION:
Does the Drosophila Chmp1 protein determine wing cell fate through regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling?