TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage with a context and an answer, 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: Context: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is common in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Although insulin resistance contributes to cardiac hypertrophy, the relationship between insulin resistance and LVH in patients with ADPKD has not been previously studied.', 'We performed M-mode and color Doppler echocardiography on 176 family members (106 patients and 70 healthy relatives) from 16 families with polycystic kidney disease type 1 (PKD1). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated using the Penn equation and corrected for body surface area. Fasting insulin and glucose concentrations were measured and insulin resistance was evaluated by means of the homeostasis model assessment.', 'In multivariate regression analysis, insulin resistance was significantly associated with LVMI in healthy relatives (P < 0.01) and patients with PKD1 (P < 0.05) independent of age, weight, systolic blood pressure, and albuminuria.
Answer: Insulin resistance is associated with LVMI in patients with PKD1 independently of other factors known to increase LVMI.

SOLUTION: Is insulin resistance related to left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with polycystic kidney disease type 1?

PROBLEM: Context: Surfactant protein (SP) D shares target cells with the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, an important autocrine stimulator of dendritic cells and macrophages in the airways.', 'We sought to study the mechanisms by which TNF-alpha and SP-D can affect cellular components of the pulmonary innate immune system.', 'Cytokine and SP-D protein and mRNA expression was assessed by means of ELISA, Western blotting, and real-time PCR, respectively, by using in vivo models of allergic airway sensitization. Macrophage and dendritic cell phenotypes were analyzed by means of FACS analysis. Maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells was investigated in vitro.', 'TNF-alpha, elicited either by allergen exposure or pulmonary overexpression, induced SP-D, IL-13, and mononuclear cell influx in the lung. Recombinant IL-13 by itself was also capable of enhancing SP-D in vivo and in vitro, and the SP-D response to allergen challenge was impaired in IL-13-deficient mice. Allergen-induced increase of SP-D in the airways coincided with resolution of TNF-alpha release and cell influx. SP-D-deficient mice had constitutively high numbers of alveolar mononuclear cells expressing TNF-alpha, MHC class II, CD86, and CD11b, characteristics of proinflammatory, myeloid dendritic cells. Recombinant SP-D significantly suppressed all of these molecules in bone marrow-derived dendritic cell cultures.
Answer: TNF-alpha can contribute to enhanced SP-D production in the lung indirectly through inducing IL-13. SP-D, on the other hand, can antagonize the proinflammatory effects of TNF-alpha on macrophages and dendritic cells, at least partly, by inhibiting production of this cytokine.

SOLUTION: Does surfactant protein D inhibit TNF-alpha production by macrophages and dendritic cells in mice?

PROBLEM: Context: Knowledge concerning hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is rapidly changing.', 'We sought to understand the factors that influence how residents assimilate this knowledge.', 'We conducted an anonymous survey of residents in an internal medicine residency. Questions included personal demographic information and aspects of training (didactic and experiential) regarding and knowledge about HRT. Data were analyzed using univariable and multivariable linear regression.', "Sixty-nine of 92 residents (75%) completed the survey. The gender and race of respondents did not differ significantly from the overall group. Knowledge scores were higher among residents in nontraditional (Women's Health, Primary Care, and Internal Medicine-Pediatrics) training tracks (p = .04) and among residents with patient population of < or = 30% postmenopausal women (p = .049). Demographic characteristics and didactic training about HRT did not influence knowledge.
Answer: Nontraditional residency track and higher proportion of postmenopausal women in a practice (experiential learning) improve knowledge about HRT. Didactic training has no effect.

SOLUTION:
Does experiential learning influence residents knowledge about hormone replacement therapy?