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: Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) has been used widely in research, but rarely in clinical practice because data acquisition and analysis are time-consuming. By reducing the acquisition and analysis time, 3-dimensional STE may improve clinical impact. We investigated the feasibility of 3DSTE myocardial deformation, with comparison to 2DSTE.', 'Transthoracic 3DSTE and 2DSTE were performed in 230 adults (138 men, 51 14 years, and 142 hypertension, 10 heart failure and 78 normotensive subjects). The variables of LV deformation were analyzed using EchoPAC software.', 'The 3D LV longitudinal (LS) analysis was feasible in 84.9% of the study subjects, which was lower than the 2D analysis (97.2%). The success rates for circumferential strain (CS) and radial strain (RS) were similar between the 2D and 3D techniques. All magnitude of strains measured by 2DSTE and 3DSTE were significantly correlated. The magnitude of 3D LS and CS was lower, but the 3D RS is higher than that of 2DSTE (-18.5 2.8 vs. -21.2 3.5; 20.8 4.1 vs. 21.7; and 50.0 11.2 vs. 37.7 12.6, respectively). Strains measured by 3DSTE exhibited stronger correlation with LV ejection fraction (EF) than that by 2DSTE. In inter- and intra-observer reproducibility for 3D LS, CS, RS and AS were acceptable. The mean time of analysis for LV volume, EF and strains was 116s by 3DSTE, which was significantly shorter than that by 2DSTE (5 min, P<0.0001).

SOLUTION: Is three-dimensional speckle strain echocardiography more accurate and efficient than 2D strain in the evaluation of left ventricular function?

PROBLEM: The human endometrium is an important site for contact between the host and pathogens ascending the reproductive tract, and thus plays an important role in female reproductive tract immunity. Previous work in our laboratory has suggested that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in endometrial epithelial recognition of pathogens and that ligation of endometrial TLRs results in the production of cytokines and chemokines important for both immune and reproductive functions of the endometrium. We have also demonstrated cyclic regulation of TLR3 mRNA and protein expression in human endometrium, suggesting that steroid hormones might play a role in the expression and function of TLR3. In this study, the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) on TLR3 expression and function in endometrial cell lines were investigated.', 'Endometrial epithelial cell lines were cultured and examined for the presence of TLR3 and hormone receptors by endpoint RT-PCR. For hormonal studies, cells were pre-treated with ethanol vehicle, 10(-8) M E2, and/or 10(-7) M P. For antagonist assays, cells were treated with the ER antagonist, ICI 182, 780, or the PR antagonist, RU486, for two hours prior to treatment with hormones. Following hormone or hormone/antagonist pre-treatment, cells were stimulated with vehicle, the synthetic TLR3 ligand, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), a negative dsDNA control, or a positive control. Cytokine and chemokine production post-stimulation was measured by ELISA. The effects of E2 and P on TLR3 mRNA and protein expression were measured using Real Time RT-PCR and FACS analysis, respectively.', 'Stimulation of TLR3-expressing cells with the synthetic TLR3 ligand, Poly I:C, resulted in the production of cytokines and chemokines important for endometrial function and regulation. Suppression of Poly I:C-induced cytokine and chemokine production by cells treated with 10(-8) M E2, but not cells treated with 10(-7) M P, was observed in endometrial epithelial cell lines expressing TLR3 and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). The effects of E2 were not observed on cells which did not express ERalpha or in cells pre-treated with the ER antagonist, ICI 182, 780. Treatment with E2 did not affect TLR3 mRNA or protein expression. However, treatment with E2 did suppress cytokine and chemokine production resulting from TLR3 stimulation with Poly I:C, suggesting that E2 modulates TLR3 function.

SOLUTION: Does 17Beta-estradiol suppress TLR3-induced cytokine and chemokine production in endometrial epithelial cells?

PROBLEM: Given the role of microRNA in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, we explored the association between microRNA (miRNA) expression and CRC-related prognosis.', 'Three types of tissue samples (primary CRC lesions without liver metastasis, primary lesions with liver metastasis, and liver metastatic tissues) were used for miRNA profiling to identify differentially expressed miRNA. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to examine miRNA expression in CRC cells and in tumor tissues.', 'MiR-132 was significantly down-regulated in primary CRC tissues with liver metastasis and liver metastatic lesions compared to primary lesions without liver metastasis. Multivariate analysis for overall survival indicated that low miR-132 expression was an independent prognostic factor for CRC patients (overall survival P=0.040, disease-free survival P=0.015). Ectopic expression of miR-132 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cell invasion. The luciferase reporter assay revealed that anoctamin 1 (ANO1) was a direct target of miR-132. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that high ANO1 expression was a significant prognostic factor for overall survival of patients with CRC (P=0.0344).

SOLUTION:
Is down-Regulation of microRNA-132 Associated with Poor Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer?