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: 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.

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

PROBLEM: Pigs are frequently used as animal models in experimental medicine. To identify processes of vascular development or regression, vascular elements must be recognised and quantified in a three-dimensional (3D) arrangement. Vascular corrosion casts enable the creation of 3D replicas of vascular trees. The aim of our study was to identify suitable casting media and optimise the protocol for porcine liver vascular corrosion casting.', 'Mercox II®️ (Ladd Research, Williston, Vermont, USA) and Biodur E20®️ Plus (Biodur Products, Heidelberg, Germany) were tested in 4 porcine livers. The resins (volume approximately 700 mL) were injected via the portal vein. Corrosion casts were examined by macro-computed tomography, micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy.', 'For hepatectomies, the operating protocol was optimised to avoid gas or blood clot embolisation. We present a protocol for porcine liver vascular bed casting based on corrosion specimens prepared using Biodur E20®️ epoxy resin.

SOLUTION: Does porcine liver vascular bed in Biodur E20 corrosion cast?

PROBLEM: On the basis of our previous work with triheptanoin, which provides key substrates to the Krebs cycle in the brain, we wished to assess its therapeutic effect in patients with glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1-DS) who objected to or did not tolerate ketogenic diets.', 'We performed an open-label pilot study with three phases of 2 months each (baseline, treatment and withdrawal) in eight patients with GLUT1-DS (7-47 years old) with non-epileptic paroxysmal manifestations. We used a comprehensive patient diary to record motor and non-motor paroxysmal events. Functional (31)P-NMR spectroscopy was performed to quantify phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) within the occipital cortex during (activation) and after (recovery) a visual stimulus.', 'Patients with GLUT1-DS experienced a mean of 30.8 ( 27.7) paroxysmal manifestations (52% motor events) at baseline that dropped to 2.8 ( 2.9, 76% motor events) during the treatment phase (p = 0.028). After withdrawal, paroxysmal manifestations recurred with a mean of 24.2 ( 21.9, 52% motor events; p = 0.043). Furthermore, brain energy metabolism normalised with triheptanoin, that is, increased Pi/PCr ratio during brain activation compared to the recovery phase (p = 0.021), and deteriorated when triheptanoin was withdrawn.

SOLUTION:
Does triheptanoin dramatically reduce paroxysmal motor disorder in patients with GLUT1 deficiency?