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: Central giant cell lesion (CGCL) and giant cell tumour (GCT) are bone lesions that share similar microscopic features. Recently, it was reported that 90% of bone GCT exhibit either p.Gly34 Trp or p.Gly34 Leu in H3F3A, one of two genes for histone H3.3 located on chromosome 1. We aimed to test whether sporadic CGCL of the jaws share the H3F3A mutations reported in GCT of other bones.', 'Nine samples of CGCL of the jaws were included in the study, and mutations were assessed by direct sequencing.', 'None of the CGCL samples presented the recurrent p.Gly34 Trp or p.Gly34 Leu mutations in the H3F3A gene.
Answer: On the basis of our findings, H3F3A p.Gly34 Trp or p.Gly34 Leu mutations are not a frequent event in CGCL. If these alterations are confirmed to be exclusive of GCT, the assessment of H3F3A mutations may help in the differential diagnosis of GCT and CGCL of the jaws.

SOLUTION: Is the highly prevalent H3F3A mutation in giant cell tumours of bone shared by sporadic central giant cell lesion of the jaws?

PROBLEM: Context: Pathological evidence supports a potential role of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine network in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Moreover, associated studies suggest a possible involvement of cytokine-related genes in IBD susceptibility. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL10) gene on ulcerative colitis (UC).', 'Two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (-1082 G/A, -819 T/C) in the IL10 promoter in 203 Italian sporadic UC patients and 391 controls were determined using high-resolution melting analysis.', 'The frequency of the -1082A allele was significantly higher in the UC patients than in controls (p=0.00003); -1082 genotype frequencies were also significantly different between UC patients and controls (p=0.0001). Allele and genotype frequencies of -819 T/C were not significantly associated with UC. Furthermore, the frequencies of haplotypes -1082A/-819C and -1082A/-819T, which have been reported to have a lower promoter activity, were significantly higher in UC patients than in controls (p=0.0004). After gender stratification, we found a significant difference in the -1082A allele (p=0.00004) and genotype (p=0.0002) frequencies only between female UC patients and controls; the same result was obtained for the -1082A/-819C and -1082A/-819T haplotypes (p=0.0006).
Answer: A gender effect is observed, with women of AG/AA IL10 genotypes and AC/AT haplotypes having a higher risk of developing UC at a younger age. This finding could be related to the previously documented lower IL10 production associated with the -1082A allele and to the IL10 down-regulating effect of estrogens.

SOLUTION:
Do interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms influence susceptibility to ulcerative colitis in a gender-specific manner?