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.

Previous research in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) showed abnormal lymphatic endothelial differentiation characteristics, including increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A expression, and aberrant smooth muscle cells (SMCs) surrounding enlarged jugular lymphatic sacs (JLS). We hypothesized that abnormal Sonic hedgehog (Shh) expression would result in altered VEGF-A signaling in the lymphatic endothelial cells of the JLS and that aberrant acquisition of SMCs could be caused by downregulation of forkhead transcription factor FOXC2 and upregulation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B in the lymphatic endothelial cells of the JLS.', 'Five trisomy 21 fetuses and four controls were investigated using immunohistochemistry for Shh, VEGF-A, FOXC2 and PDGF-B expression in the lymphatic endothelial cells of the JLS.', 'An increased Shh, VEGF-A and PDGF-B expression, and decreased FOXC2 expression were shown in the lymphatic endothelial cells of the JLS of the trisomic fetuses.
Does abnormal Shh and FOXC2 expression correlate with aberrant lymphatic development in human fetuses with increased nuchal translucency?

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with a poor prognosis in diffuse lung disease (DLD). A study was undertaken to compare the prognostic significance of invasive and non-invasive parameters in patients with DLD and suspected PH.', 'Hospital records of consecutive patients with DLD undergoing right heart catheterisation (RHC) were reviewed (n = 66). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and non-invasive variables were examined against early (within 12 months) and overall mortality. A priori thresholds were examined against early mortality. Relationships between mPAP, PVR and non-invasive markers were assessed.', 'Fifty patients had PH on RHC (mean (SD) mPAP 33.5 (11.8) mm Hg, PVR 5.9 (4.3) Wood units (WU)). Raised PVR was strongly associated with early mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11 to 1.52; p = 0.001), with PVR > or = 6.23 WU being the optimal threshold after adjustment for age, gender, composite physiological index (CPI) and diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (OR 11.09; 95% CI 2.54 to 48.36; p = 0.001). Early mortality was linked, albeit less strongly, to right ventricular dilation at echocardiography, but not to other non-invasive variables or mPAP. Overall mortality was most strongly associated with increasing CPI levels. Correlations between PVR and non-invasive variables were moderate (R(2) <0.32), improving little following construction of a multivariate index which did not itself predict mortality.
Does pulmonary vascular resistance predict early mortality in patients with diffuse fibrotic lung disease and suspected pulmonary hypertension?

Basic Fibroblastic Growth Factor (bFGF) is a powerful mitogen for smooth muscle cells and has been implicated in the genesis of Myointimal hyperplasia. The aim of this study was to determine the release of bFGF by veins in different haemodynamic conditions.', 'Laboratory animal study.', 'In 39 Lewis rats, a 1 cm long segment of inferior vena cava was inserted at the level of the abdominal aorta. The segments of inferior vena cava were obtained from syngenic Lewis rats. Arterial Vein Grafts (AVG) were harvested after 4 weeks (AVG 4) and 12 weeks (AVG 12). In 16 animals the arterial vein grafts were explanted 4 weeks after the initial operation and reimplanted (Reimplanted Vein Grafts: RVG) in syngenic Lewis rats as venous-venous bypass grafts at the level of the left iliac vein and harvested after 2 weeks (RVG 2) and 8 weeks (AVG 8).', 'The tissue was studied in organ culture in a serum-free system for (1) release of bFGF (immunoassay) and (2) mitogenic activity of the conditioned media. Scanning electron and light microscopy studies were also performed.', 'bFGF release by veins increased significantly (p < 0.01) when veins were inserted in the arterial circulation, and decreased significantly (p < 0.01) when grafts were reimplanted in the venous system. bFGF release (ng/cm2): [Formula: see text]
Is bFGF release dependent on flow conditions in experimental vein grafts?