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.
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Question: Embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) express embryonic stem cell-specific marker genes, such as SSEA-4, Oct-4 and Nanog, and can be induced to differentiate into cells of all 3 germ layers. Our preliminary data showed that ELSCs isolated from human bone marrow express multipotent antigen markers and differentiate into multinucleated myotube-like cells more efficiently than do mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from the same source. We investigated the therapeutic effect of ELSCs in dystrophin/utrophin double knock-out (dko) mice, one of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy animal models, by systemically transplanting them through tail-vein injection.', 'ELSCs and MSCs were both isolated from human bone marrow. Two months after equal amounts of ELSCs or MSCs were injected through tail-vein injection, we evaluated skeletal muscle motor function and serum creatine kinase activity and measured dystrophin expression by means of immunostaining, Western blotting and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.', 'ELSCs positive for Oct-4 and Nanog-3 expressed higher levels of SSEA-4, FZD-9 and CD105 and were induced to differentiate into myotube-like cells more efficiently than did MSCs in vitro. Transplantation of ELSCs through the tail vein improved motor function and decreased serum creatine kinase activity at 2 months after cell transplantation. In addition, dystrophin protein and messenger RNA were upregulated and the skeletal muscle histology was improved in these dko mice transplanted with ELSCs.

Answer: Does systemic delivery of human bone marrow embryonic-like stem cells improve motor function of severely affected dystrophin/utrophin-deficient mice?


Question: Allopregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one) is a neurosteroid which has an inhibitory function through interaction with the GABAA receptor. This progesterone metabolite has strong sedative and anxiolytic properties, and low endogenous levels have been associated with depressed mood. This study aimed to investigate whether the very high serum allopregnanolone levels in late pregnancy covary with concurrent self-rated symptoms of depression and anxiety.', 'Ninety-six women in pregnancy weeks 37-40 rated symptoms of depression and anxiety with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Their serum allopregnanolone was analyzed by Celite chromatography and radioimmunoassay.', "Ten women had elevated depression scores (MADRS-S ≥ 13), and this group had significantly lower allopregnanolone levels compared to women with MADRS-S scores in the normal range (39.0 ± 17.9 vs. 54.6 ± 18.7 nmol/l, p = 0.014). A significant negative correlation was found between self-rated depression scores and allopregnanolone concentrations (Pearson's correlation coefficient = -0.220, p = 0.031). The linear association between self-rated depression scores and allopregnanolone serum concentrations remained significant when adjusted for gestational length, progesterone levels, and parity. Self-rated anxiety, however, was not associated with allopregnanolone serum concentrations during pregnancy.

Answer: Is low serum allopregnanolone associated with symptoms of depression in late pregnancy?


Question: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) ranges from fatty liver to inflammation and cirrhosis. miRNA-155 is an important regulator of inflammation. In this study, we describe the in vivo role of miR-155 in ALD.', 'Wild-type (WT) (C57/BL6J) or miR-155 knockout (KO) and TLR4 KO mice received Lieber DeCarli diet for 5weeks. Some mice received corn oil or CCl4 for 2 or 9weeks.', 'We found that miR-155 KO mice are protected from alcohol-induced steatosis and inflammation. The reduction in alcohol-induced fat accumulation in miR-155 KO mice was associated with increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor response element (PPRE) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)α (miR-155 target) binding and decreased MCP1 production. Treatment with a miR-155 inhibitor increased PPARγ expression in naïve and alcohol treated RAW macrophages. Alcohol increased lipid metabolism gene expression (FABP4, LXRα, ACC1 and LDLR) in WT mice and this was prevented in KO mice. Alcohol diet caused an increase in the number of CD163(+) CD206(+) infiltrating macrophages and neutrophils in WT mice, which was prevented in miR-155 KO mice. Kupffer cells isolated from miR-155 KO mice exhibited predominance of M2 phenotype when exposed to M1 polarized signals and this was due to increased C/EBPβ. Pro-fibrotic genes were attenuated in miR-155 KO mice after alcohol diet or CCl4 treatment. Compared to WT mice, attenuation in CCl4 induced hydroxyproline and α-SMA was observed in KO mice. Finally, we show TLR4 signaling regulates miR-155 as TLR4 KO mice showed no induction of miR-155 after alcohol diet.

Answer:
Do the pro-inflammatory effects of miR-155 promote liver fibrosis and alcohol-induced steatohepatitis?