In this task, you are given a passage which has a question and the context. You have to generate an answer to the question based on the information present in the context.

Context: ANGPTL8 (betatrophin) has been recently identified as a regulator of lipid metabolism through its interaction with ANGPTL3. A sequence variant in ANGPTL8 has been shown to associate with lower level of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). The objective of this study is to identify sequence variants in ANGPTL8 gene in Arabs and investigate their association with ANGPTL8 plasma level and clinical parameters.', 'A cross sectional study was designed to examine the level of ANGPTL8 in 283 non-diabetic Arabs, and to identify its sequence variants using Sanger sequencing and their association with various clinical parameters.', 'Using Sanger sequencing, we sequenced the full ANGPTL8 gene in 283 Arabs identifying two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Rs.892066 and Rs.2278426 in the coding region. Our data shows for the first time that Arabs with the heterozygote form of (c.194C > T Rs.2278426) had higher level of Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) compared to the CC homozygotes. LDL and HDL level in these subjects did not show significant difference between the two subgroups. Circulation level of ANGPTL8 did not vary between the two forms. No significant changes were observed between the various forms of Rs.892066 variant and FBG, LDL or HDL.\Question: Is aNGPTL8/Betatrophin R59W variant associated with higher glucose level in non-diabetic Arabs living in Kuwaits?
Our data shows for the first time that heterozygote form of ANGPTL8 Rs.2278426 variant was associated with higher FBG level in Arabs highlighting the importance of these variants in controlling the function of betatrophin.

Context: Stem cell factor (SCF) has well-known proliferative effects on hematopoietic cells. SCF also has effects on differentiation and proliferation in other cell types. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha have proliferative effects in the liver. Recent studies in our laboratory have linked SCF's hepatoproliferative actions to those of IL-6, demonstrating that IL-6-induced hepatocyte proliferation depends, at least in part, on SCF. We now hypothesize that TNF-alpha's hepatoproliferative effects are also dependent on SCF.", 'In vitro studies using primary mouse hepatocytes show that SCF is induced by TNF-alpha; anti-SCF antibody treatment in this system inhibits TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte proliferation, suggesting that TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte proliferation is also SCF dependent. Additional in vivo experiments were performed in which wild type and/or TNF-alpha receptor-1 knockout mice (TNFR1(-/-)) were subjected to 70% hepatectomy or sham laparotomy. TNFR1(-/-) mice are known to have delayed hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Initial experiments demonstrated that the SCF receptor, c-kit, is upregulated after partial hepatectomy in wild-type mice, further emphasizing the importance of this system in the restoration of hepatic mass. SCF administration to TNFR1(-/-) mice in the context of partial hepatectomy restores hepatocyte proliferation to normal. Further, SCF administration to TNFR1(-/-) mice before hepatectomy increases phosphotyrosine signal transducer and activator (p-stat-3) levels, suggesting that SCF-induced increases in hepatocyte proliferation may also be stat-3 mediated.\Question: Are stem cell factor and its receptor , c-kit , important for hepatocyte proliferation in wild-type and tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 knockout mice after 70 % hepatectomy?
These data suggest that TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte proliferation depends, at least in part, on SCF and that SCF and its receptor, c-kit, are important for the liver's regenerative processes.

Context: The modulation of intracortical inhibition is thought to be impaired in older adults, which may contribute to their reduced fine motor control, particularly during lengthening muscle contractions.', 'To quantify the magnitude of intracortical inhibition and movement performance during postural, shortening and lengthening contractions of a hand muscle in young and old adults.', 'In 18 young (23.2 ± 4.2) and 16 old (70.6 ± 6.5) subjects, paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) during a movement task involving the first dorsal interosseous muscle. The task required a constant load (50 g) to be slowly lifted and lowered using the index finger while single- or paired-pulse TMS was delivered during the shortening or lengthening contraction.', 'Relative to postural contractions, SICI during shortening contractions was reduced by 29% in young subjects (P < 0.0001) and 43% in old subjects (P < 0.0001), whereas SICI during lengthening contractions was reduced by 11% in young subjects (P = 0.0004) and 33% in old subjects (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, SICI was significantly less in older adults during lengthening contractions (P-values < 0.01). For LICI, inhibition was not influenced by contraction type in old subjects, but was increased by 11% during shortening contractions (P < 0.0001) and by 9% during lengthening contractions in young subjects (P = 0.0008). In addition, old subjects showed significantly less LICI than young subjects in each movement phase (both P-values < 0.05).\Question: Is intracortical Inhibition Assessed with Paired-Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Modulated during Shortening and Lengthening Contractions in Young and Old Adults?

Shortening and lengthening contractions with a constant load are associated with a modulation of GABAergic inhibition that is altered by healthy ageing.