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: Extracellular histones exert part of their prothrombotic activity through the stimulation of blood cells. Besides platelets, histones can bind to red blood cells (RBCs), which are important contributors to thrombogenesis, but little is known about the functional consequences of this interaction.', 'To evaluate the effect of histones on the procoagulant potential of human RBCs with particular regard to the expression of surface phosphatidylserine (PS).', 'PS exposure on human RBCs treated with a natural mixture of histones or recombinant individual histones was evaluated with fluorescein isothiocyanate-annexin-V binding and measured with flow cytometry. Calcium influx in RBCs loaded with the calcium-sensitive fluorophore Fluo-4\xa0AM was assessed with flow cytometry. The procoagulant potential of histone-treated RBCs was evaluated with a purified prothrombinase assay and a one-stage plasma recalcification clotting test.', 'Natural histones induced PS exposure on RBCs in a dose-dependent manner, and neutralization or cleavage of histones by heparin or activated protein\xa0C, respectively, abolished PS externalization. H4 was mainly responsible for the stimulating activity of histones, whereas the other subtypes were almost ineffective. Similarly, natural histones and H4 induced influx of calcium into RBCs, whereas the other individual histones did not. Histone-induced exposure of PS on RBCs translated into increased prothrombinase complex-mediated prothrombin activation and accelerated fibrin formation in plasma.\Question: Do histones induce phosphatidylserine exposure and a procoagulant phenotype in human red blood cells?

SOLUTION: Histones induce RBCs to express a procoagulant phenotype through the externalization of PS. This finding provides new insights into the prothrombotic activity of extracellular histones.

PROBLEM: Context: Emphysema, especially in the upper lobes, is frequently observed in association with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the combination of emphysema plus IPF has received little attention.', 'To investigate the additional functional impairment from emphysema in IPF patients.', 'Twenty-one patients (mean age 66 y, 20 men) (Group I) who had both IPF (mean 35% of total lung volume) and emphysema (mean 14% of total lung volume) were compared to a group of 21 subjects who had IPF but no emphysema (Group II). The groups were matched for (among other criteria) the total extent of disease. Pulmonary function tests, Medical Research Council dyspnea score, 6-min walk test, and radiographic extents of both IPF and emphysema were obtained for each patient. The Composite Physiologic Index was calculated. In the total population (n = 42), the independent contributions of IPF and emphysema to several physiologic variables were investigated by using stepwise multiple regression analysis.', 'Despite the limited extent of emphysema, Groups I and II had similar physiologic impairment. Only residual volume and total lung capacity were significantly higher in Group I. According to stepwise multiple regression analysis, the extent of IPF and either the presence or the extent of emphysema in the total population were independent and significant predictors of dyspnea score, 6-min walk test, P(aO2), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity adjusted for alveolar volume (gas-transfer coefficient), and residual volume. The Composite Physiologic Index was closely related to the extent of IPF (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001) and to the dyspnea score (rho = 0.59, p < 0.0001).\Question: Does the presence of emphysema further impair physiologic function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

SOLUTION: In former smokers with IPF, the presence and the extent of emphysema have a profound influence on physiologic function in terms of both further impairment and confounding effects.

PROBLEM: Context: To determine if central sympathetic blockade by dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha(2) adrenergic receptor agonist, prevents cardiac dysfunction associated with intracranial hypertension (ICH) in a rat model.', 'Following intracisternal administration of dexmedetomidine (1 microg.microL(-1), 10 microL volume) or the stereoisomer levomedetomidine (1 microg.microL(-l), 10 microL volume) in halothane-anesthetized rats, a subdural balloon catheter was inflated for 60 sec to produce ICH. Intracranial pressure, hemodynamic, left ventricular (LV) pressures and electrocardiographic (ECG) changes were recorded. Plasma and myocardial catecholamines and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured.', 'After levomedetomidine administration, subdural balloon inflation precipitated an increase in mean arterial pressure (149 +/- 33% of baseline), heart rate (122 +/- 19% of baseline), LV systolic pressure (LVP), LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), LV developed pressure (LVDP), LV dP/dtmax and rate pressure product (RPP) (132 +/- 19%, 260 +/- 142%, 119 +/- 15%, 126 +/- 24% and 146 +/- 33% of baseline value, respectively). ICH decelerated LVP fall (tau), as tau increased from 7.75 +/- 1.1 to 14.37 +/- 4.5 msec. Moreover, plasma norepinephrine levels were elevated (169 +/- 50% of baseline) and there was the appearance of cardiac dysrhythmias and other ECG abnormalities. This response was transient and cardiac function deteriorated in a temporal manner. Intracisternal dexmedetomidine prevented the rise in plasma norepinephrine, blocked the ECG abnormalities, and preserved cardiac function. Moreover, dexmedetomidine attenuated the rise in MDA levels.\Question: Does central dexmedetomidine attenuate cardiac dysfunction in a rodent model of intracranial hypertension?

SOLUTION:
The results demonstrate that dexmedetomidine attenuates cardiac dysfunction associated with ICH. Our results provide evidence for the role of central sympathetic hyperactivity in the development of cardiac dysfunction associated with ICH.