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.

Ex Input:
The objective in lung transplantation is to prolong life, but the survival effect in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or alpha1-anti-trypsin deficiency emphysema is still unresolved. This study assesses the impact of diagnosis, single-lung transplantation (SLT) vs bilateral lung transplantation (BLT) and timing of transplantation on survival in a national cohort.', 'In 219 consecutive patients accepted onto the lung transplantation waiting list in Norway, 1990 to 2003, we assessed predictors of death: (1) on the waiting list; (2) <or=90 days after transplantation; and (3) >90 days after transplantation. For each period we used Cox regression, including age, gender, diagnosis, baseline pulmonary function tests, cardiac catheterization data, exercise capacity and transplant type, as potential predictors. Survival benefit was assessed graphically by combining adjusted survival curves after transplantation with the curve for those waiting, modeling transplantation after 6, 12 or 24 months.', 'Mean patient age was 49 years (SD 10), with 55% women. High forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) percentage predicted death on the waiting list. Diagnoses other than COPD/emphysema and receiving SLT were associated with death <or=90 days after transplantation. Only low forced vital capacity (FVC) percentage predicted death >90 days after transplantation. In COPD/emphysema, there was no clear survival benefit from BLT or SLT. For patients in the "Other" group, the data suggest a survival benefit from BLT.

Ex Output:
Is lung transplantation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a national cohort without obvious survival benefit?


Ex Input:
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.

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


Ex Input:
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa (DEB-Pr; OMIM 604129) is a rare manifestation of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), characterized by pruritus, nodular prurigo-like lesions and fragility of the skin mainly in the extremities. Fewer than 40 patients with autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance, or sporadic DEB-Pr, have been described in the literature.', 'To disclose mutations in DEB-Pr and to elucidate the role of other pathogenic factors which may influence the pruriginous phenotype.', 'Seven patients with typical clinical features of DEB-Pr were studied.', 'In all patients, mutations in the gene encoding collagen VII (COL7A1) were disclosed, two of them novel (p.G2623V, p.E2736K). Three mutations were dominant, three recessive and one de novo. In the families with dominant DEB there were one or more members with DEB-Pr, but also at least one affected sibling who did not develop DEB-Pr. In six of seven patients, the clinical history revealed factors that initially induced pruritus, such as atopy, pregnancy, thyroid hormone imbalance, diabetes, infections and contact sensitization. Common filaggrin mutations were ruled out in all patients and normal filaggrin staining was found in the skin samples.

Ex Output:

Is dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa associated with frequent FLG gene mutations?