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: The aim of this study was to develop an assay system that can quantify the amount of biomass in biofilms formed by different isogenic mutants of an Escherichia coli K-12 strain.', 'The reported assay, which is based on the BacTiter-Glo assay from Promega, uses bioluminescence to detect the intracellular concentration of ATP, which correlates with viable bacterial cell numbers. The quantitative data obtained with this ATP assay were compared to those obtained with the conventional crystal violet assay. As a qualitative control, scanning electron microscopy was performed.

SOLUTION: Does a combination of assays reveal biomass differences in biofilms formed by Escherichia coli mutants?

PROBLEM: Prevention of intraabdominal abscess formation constitutes an important goal in treatment of secondary peritonitis. Fibrinolytic therapy may be effective in this respect. The efficacy of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and urokinase is compared in a preclinical model for surgical treatment of peritonitis.', 'Peritonitis was induced by intraperitoneal bacterial challenge in male Wistar rats. After 1 hour, surgery was performed. Four groups (n = 20) were treated with one of the following: rtPA, urokinase, streptokinase (a negative protein control), or saline. Blood cultures were taken at 6 and 24 hours; cell counts and cytokine measurements were performed in peritoneal fluid at 1, 3 and 5 days. After 5 days, animals were killed and intraperitoneal abscess formation was analyzed.', 'Both rtPA and urokinase strongly (> 75%) and significantly (P < .05) reduced abscess formation without negative side effects. No bleeding complications were observed. Fibrinolytic therapy altered the intraperitoneal cellular distribution (less neutrophils and more macrophages) but did not essentially alter the courses of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 (decreasing in time) or tumor necrosis factor-* (increasing in time) levels.

SOLUTION: Do both tissue-type plasminogen activator and urokinase prevent intraabdominal abscess formation after surgical treatment of peritonitis in the rat?

PROBLEM: Sedum sarmentosum Bunge, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has a wide range of clinical effects, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer properties. In this study, we determined whether S. sarmentosum Bunge Extract (SSBE) has anti-fibrotic effects on renal tissues.', 'We investigated the effects of SSBE on aristolochic acid (AA)-induced injury to renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) in vitro and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis in vivo by evaluating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Furthermore, we examined the expression levels of TGF-β1 and its receptor.', 'In cultured RTECs (NRK-52E), AA promoted renal EMT and ECM accumulation by up-regulating the expression of mesenchymal markers and ECM components and by down-regulating the expression of epithelial markers. In addition, AA induced an imbalance between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 and enhanced expression of TGF-β1 and its receptor. SSBE treatment significantly inhibited AA-induced TGF-β1 expression and prevented the induction of EMT and deposition of ECM. In the UUO rats, tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis were obviously increased. SSBE administration protected renal function, as indicated by reduced serum creatinine levels, and alleviated renal interstitial fibrosis. These anti-fibrotic effects were associated with a reduction in TGF-β1 expression and inhibition of EMT and ECM accumulation.

SOLUTION:
Does sedum sarmentosum Bunge extract exert renal anti-fibrotic effects in vivo and in vitro?