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: A distinct velocity pattern represented by a "notch" is observed during the time interval between the end of the systolic and the onset of the early diastolic velocity wave on longitudinal myocardial velocity curve. The origin of the post-systolic velocity notch (PSN) has not been resolved.', 'The high frame rate color tissue Doppler imaging of the apical longitudinal axis was performed in 32 healthy subjects.', 'The time delays of the PSN onset at the posterior aortic wall (AW), the mid anteroseptal wall (MAS) and the posterior mitral annulus (MA) relatively to the anterior aortic annulus (AA) were found to be significantly longer than zero (5.1 2.2, 6.0 2.3, 6.8 2.8 ms; p < 0.001). The amplitude was the highest at the AA when compared to the AW, the MAS and the MA (4.77 1.28 vs. 2.88 1.11, 2.15 0.73, 2.44 1.17 cm/s; p < 0.001). A second PSN spike was identifiable in 10/32 (31%) of the studied subjects at the AA. Of these, 9 (28%) exhibited a second PSN spike at the AW, 3 (9%) at the MAS and no one at the MA.

SOLUTION: Does the tissue Doppler imaging derived post-systolic velocity notch originate at the aortic annulus?

PROBLEM: To examine the effect of TRIB3 on endoplasmic reticulum stress induced -cell apoptosis and to investigate the mechanism with a specific emphasis on the role of NF-B pathway.', 'We investigated the effect of TRIB3 on ER stress-induced -cell apoptosis in INS-1 cells and primary rodent islets. The potential role of TRIB3 in ER stress inducer thapsigargin (Tg)-induced -cell apoptosis was assessed using overexpression and siRNA knockdown approaches. Inducible TRIB3 -cells, regulated by the tet-on system, were used for sub-renal capsule transplantation in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice, to study the effect of TRIB3 on ER stress-induced -cell apoptosis in vivo. Apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining both in vivo and in vitro, while the molecular mechanisms of NF-B activation were investigated.', 'TRIB3 was induced in ER-stressed INS-1 cells and rodent islets, and its overexpression was accompanied by increased -cell apoptosis. Specifically, TRIB3 overexpression enhanced Tg-induced INS-1 derived -cell apoptosis both in vitro and in sub-renal capsular transplantation animal model. Additionally, knockdown of Trib3 blocked Tg-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, the induction of TRIB3 during ER stress resulted in the activation of NF-B and aggravated INS-1 derived -cell apoptosis, while inhibiting the NF-B pathway significantly abrogated this response and prevented -cell apoptosis, both in vitro and in sub-renal capsular transplantation animal model.

SOLUTION: Does tRIB3 alter endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced -cell apoptosis via the NF-B pathway?

PROBLEM: Deficiency of the antiprotease alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) contribute to the development of early onset emphysema. CS-induced apoptosis of alveolar cells including endothelial cells plays critical role in the lung destruction. AAT deficiency is associated with increased lung tissue destruction as well. We hypothesize that AAT protects lung alveoli from noxious environmental stimuli such as CS-induced apoptosis.', 'Porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) were exposed to CS in the presence or absence of AAT (20 microM). AAT internalization and markers for apoptosis were assessed by confocal microscopy. Flow cytometry was performed in parallel to quantify the number of AAT-loaded and apoptotic cells.', 'We demonstrated that exogenous AAT accumulated in PAEC and protected cells from CS-induced apoptosis. AAT-loaded CS-exposed cells exhibited increased amounts of chaperone HSP-70 in their cytosol and less apoptosis inducing factor in their nuclei compared to AAT-untreated, CS-exposed cells.

SOLUTION:
Does endothelial alpha-1-antitrypsin attenuate cigarette smoke induced apoptosis in vitro?