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: In the past years the interaction of GH and 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD) in the pathogenesis of central obesity has been suggested.', 'We studied the effects of 9 months of GH treatment on 11betaHSD activity and its relationship with body composition and insulin sensitivity in 30 men with abdominal obesity, aged 48-66 years, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.', 'Urinary steroid profile was used to estimate 11betaHSD type 1 and 2 (11betaHSD1 and 11betaHSD2) activities. Abdominal s.c. and visceral adipose tissues were measured using computed tomography. Glucose disposal rate (GDR) obtained during a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp was used to assess insulin sensitivity.', 'In the GH-treated group the 11betaHSD1 activity decreased transiently after 6 weeks (P < 0.01) whereas 11betaHSD2 increased after 9 months of treatment (P < 0.05). Between 6 weeks and 9 months, GDR increased and visceral fat mass decreased. Changes in 11betaHSD1 correlated with changes in visceral fat mass between baseline and 6 weeks. There were no significant correlations between 11betaHSD1 and 11betaHSD 2 and changes in GDR.
Answer: The study demonstrates that short- and long-term GH treatment has different effects on 11betaHSD1 and 11betaHSD2 activity. Moreover, the data do not support that long-term metabolic effects of GH are mediated through its action on 11betaHSD.

SOLUTION: Is gH effect on enzyme activity of 11betaHSD in abdominal obesity dependent on treatment duration?

PROBLEM: Context: Alterations in epigenetic processes are frequently noted in human disease. These epigenetic processes involve methylation of DNA and post-translational modifications of histones. It is well established that in particular histone methylation plays a key role in gene transcription. In this study, we have investigated the relationship between triple methylation of lysine 27 in histone H3 (H3K27Me3) modifications and atherosclerotic plaque stage.', '28 peri-renal aortic tissue patches covering the entire spectrum of atherosclerotic plaque development were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for the levels of H3K27Me3, EZH2, JMJD3 and BMI1.', 'The results of our studies are in support of a reduction in global levels of the H3K27Me3 modification in vessels with advanced atherosclerotic plaques. This reduction in H3K27Me3 levels is not accompanied by alterations in global levels of the corresponding histone methyltransferase EZH2, the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Likewise no alterations in global levels of BMI1, a component of the PRC1 complex, which binds to H3K27Me3-modified histones or the global expression levels of the histone demethylase JMJD3, which removes the methyl marks on H3K27, were observed.
Answer: Together, our data show that in atherosclerosis development alterations in global levels of H3K27Me3 occur. The reduction in the number of nuclei in the tunica media that display the repressive H3K27Me3 mark in vessels with advanced atherosclerosis plaques therefore could be a reflection of the dynamic pattern of smooth muscle cell differentiation and proliferation associated with atherosclerotic disease.

SOLUTION: Are global histone H3 lysine 27 triple methylation levels reduced in vessels with advanced atherosclerotic plaques?

PROBLEM: Context: Beta2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) is a highly abundant glycoprotein in plasma. Our previous study demonstrated strong β2GPI expression in hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue and the combination of β2GPI and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was shown to significantly activate the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). To investigate whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhances β2GPI activation of NF-βB and the expression of downstream factors (e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha, TNF-α; interleukin-1 beta, IL-1β; alpha-fetoprotein, AFP) in the human hepatoma cell line, SMMC-7721.', 'Experimental samples were divided into 4 groups as follows: Group A--blank cell group (SMMC-7721); group B--low, medium, and high LPS concentration groups (1 ng/mL; 10 ng/mL; and 100 ng/mL, respectively); group C--β2GPI transfected group; and group D--β2GPI + low, medium, or high concentrations from the LPS affected group. Activation of NF-κB was evaluated using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Expression of downstream factors was measured by ELISA.', 'Degrees of NF-κB activation in groups B, C, and D were varied. NF-κB activation in group D was the most significant, and the expressions of downstream factors, TNF-α and IL-1β, were the highest level of activation among the groups (p < 0.05), showing an LPS dose-dependency.
Answer: LPS enhanced the signal transduction of β2GPI in liver cancer cells leading to activation of NF-κB, which triggered downstream signal transduction and increased the expression of downstream factors. This suggests that LPS enhancement of β2GPI signal transduction may play a role in promoting the development of liver cancer.

SOLUTION:
Does lipopolysaccharide enhance Beta2-Glycoprotein I Activation of Nuclear Factor κB in Liver Cancer Cells?