TASK DEFINITION: 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.
PROBLEM: Context: Specific and effective therapy for prevention or reversal of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is lacking. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene modified mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) on BO.', 'A mouse model of experimental BO was established by subcutaneously transplanting the tracheas from C57BL/6 mice into Balb/C recipients, which were then administered saline, Ad-HGF-modified human umbilical cord-MSCs (MSCs-HGF) or Ad-Null-modified MSCs (MSCs-Null). The therapeutic effects of MSCs-Null and MSCs-HGF were evaluated by using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for lymphocyte immunophenotype of spleen, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) for cytokine expression, and histopathological analysis for the transplanted trachea.', 'The histopathologic recovery of allograft tracheas was improved significantly after MSCs-Null and MSCs-HGF treatment and the beneficial effects were particularly observed in MSCs-HGF-treated mice. Furthermore, the allo-transplantation-induced immunophenotype disorders of the spleen, including regulatory T (Treg), T helper (Th)1, Th2 and Th17, were attenuated in both cell-treated groups. MSCs-HGF treatment reduced expression and secretion of inflammation cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. It also decreased the expression level of the profibrosis factor transforming growth factor (TGF)-β.\Question: Does hepatocyte growth factor enhance the inflammation-alleviating effect of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in a bronchiolitis obliterans model?

SOLUTION: Treatment of BO with HGF gene modified MSCs results in reduction of local inflammation and promotion in recovery of allograft trachea histopathology. These findings might provide an effective therapeutic strategy for BO.

PROBLEM: Context: It has been shown that maternal mental health is associated with poorer skills development in the offspring. However, the evidence evaluating the association between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and cognitive or language development, is scarce.', 'To evaluate the association between maternal SAD and performance in cognitive and language tests in 30-month old children.', 'This was a cohort study involving young women evaluated since pregnancy.', 'We evaluated 520 mother-child dyads who received prenatal medical assistance through the National Public Health System in a southern Brazilian city, from October 2009 to March 2011.', 'We used the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus (MINI Plus) to assess SAD among young mothers. Cognitive and language performance in their offspring was analyzed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development - 3rd Edition.', 'We found an association between maternal SAD and performance in cognitive and language tests. Children of mothers with SAD had in average 4.5 less points in the Bayley scale, when compared to those with mothers without SAD: in the cognitive (β=-4.53 [95% CI -7.8; -1.1] p=0.008) and language subscales (β=-4.54 [95% CI -9.0; -0.5] p=0.047).\Question: Is cognitive and language performance in children associated with maternal social anxiety disorder : A study of young mothers in southern Brazil?

SOLUTION: Our findings suggest that children with mothers suffering from SAD have poorer cognitive abilities and language skills.

PROBLEM: Context: The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) global definition of metabolic syndrome suggests using race- and gender-specific waist circumference (WC) cutoffs. Previously, we have hypothesized that need for gender- and race-specific cutoffs could be obviated by supplanting WC with index of central obesity (ICO). The aim of this study was to test the utility of ICO in defining metabolic syndrome.', 'Data were collected from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for year 2005-2006. Subjects were analyzed for presence of metabolic syndrome using National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. The IDF definition was modified by replacing WC with ICO. Sensitivity and specificity of the IDF definition and modified definition were compared against the NCEP ATP III definition.', 'Using a modified IDF definition, a common cutoff of 0.53 could be obtained for both males and females. The modified IDF definition improved sensitivity from 0.85 to 0.98 and 0.98 to 0.99 among males and females, respectively. This was at the cost of compromised specificity, which reduced from 1.0 to 0.89 and 0.98 for males and females, respectively.\Question: Is index of central obesity better than waist circumference in defining metabolic syndrome?

SOLUTION:
ICO appears better than WC in defining metabolic syndrome in terms of better sensitivity and potential to be used with single cutoff for both genders.