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.

Ex Input:
Context: Mice deficient in apolipoprotein E (apoE(-/-)) develop atherosclerosis. The possible linkage between expression of adhesion molecules/cofactors and atherosclerosis was probed at the level of mRNA and protein expression. The hypothesis of a linkage between changes of adhesion molecules/cofactors and atherosclerosis was tested further by suppression of aortic lesion formation in apoE(-/-) mice by expression of very low levels of transgenic apolipoprotein E.', 'We show that at 8.5 months of age, the apoE(-/-) mice display elevated expression of mRNA for LFA-1, MAC-1, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and for CD44, as well as MCP-1, cathepsin B, and COX-2 (but not that for eNOS) in atherosclerotic aortic arches. At earlier age, (10-13 week old) apoE(-/-) mice already display elevated expression of mRNA of CD44, LFA-1, MAC-1, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, cathepsin, and of COX-2 in lesioned aortic arches. Expressing very low levels of transgenic apolipoprotein E suppresses both aortic lesions and the expression of mRNA of LFA-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, cathepsin B, and of ICAM-1 in ApoE(-/-) mice. We tested at the level of protein, the observations obtained for mRNA expression. CD11a (a component of LFA-1), VCAM-1 and cathepsin B expression was found to be elevated in apoE(-/-) aortas at 8-9 months; low level expression of transgenic apolipoprotein E rectifies these changes.\Question: Is altered gene expression in early atherosclerosis blocked by low level apolipoprotein E?

Ex Output:
Atherosclerotic lesions in apoE(-/-) mice are detected as early as 4 weeks of age. Expression of low levels of apoE is shown to be both atheroprotective and to suppress these changes in key adhesion and inflammatory molecules observed in early atherosclerotic lesions.


Ex Input:
Context: Strontium ranelate reduces fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Evidence from non-clinical studies and analyses of bone markers in phase III trials indicate that this is due to an increase in osteoblast formation and a decrease of osteoclastic resorption. The aim of this work was to investigate, in human cells, the mechanisms by which strontium ranelate is able to influence the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.', 'Human primary osteoblasts were used to examine effects of strontium ranelate on replication (thymidine incorporation), differentiation (Runx2 and alkaline phosphatase) and cell survival (cell counts and caspase activity). Osteoprotegerin (OPG) was measured by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and elisa and receptor activator of NFkappaB ligand (RANKL) by qRT-PCR and Western blot. As strontium ranelate has been proposed as an agonist of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), the involvement of CaSR in the effects of strontium ranelate on OPG and RANKL expression, and cell replication was examined using siRNA.', 'Strontium ranelate increased mRNA and protein levels of OPG and suppressed those of RANKL. Strontium ranelate also stimulated osteoblast replication and differentiation and increased cell survival under stress. Knocking down CaSR suppressed strontium ranelate-induced stimulation of OPG mRNA, reduction of RANKL mRNA, and increase in replication, indicating the involvement of CaSR in these responses.\Question: Do osteoblasts play key roles in the mechanisms of action of strontium ranelate?

Ex Output:
Our results demonstrate that osteoblasts play a key role in the mechanism of action of the anti-fracture agent, strontium ranelate by mediating both its anabolic and anti-resorptive actions, at least in part, via activation of CaSR.


Ex Input:
Context: The greater omentum has been found to be immunologically competent in protecting abdominal organs from inflammation. Anastomotic omentoplasty has been used and proven effective in preventing anastomotic leaks after an esophagectomy. However, pulmonary complications are still a substantial problem after an esophagectomy. This study investigated the benefits of mediastinal transposition of the omentum, a modification of the conventional omental wrapping technique, in controlling overall postoperative intrathoracic complications.', "From January 2010 to March 2015, 208 consecutive patients receiving an open Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred twenty-one patients with omentum mediastinal transposition were assigned to the transposition group and 87 patients without omental transposition were placed in the non-transposition group. The patients' demographics, postoperative short-term outcomes, and in-hospital cost were documented and analyzed.", 'Mediastinal transposition of the omentum led to a shorter postoperative hospital stay (14 vs. 16 d, P=0.038) and a lower intrathoracic infection rate (30.6% vs. 48.3%, P=0.009). Intrathoracic infection was milder in the transposition group (P=0.005), though a non-significant was found in overall complications (P=0.071). The multivariate logistic regression analyses identified omentum mediastinal transposition (P=0.007, OR=0.415) as an independent protective factor for postoperative intrathoracic infection. The total in-hospital cost was comparable in both groups (P>0.05), whereas the pharmacy cost was lower in the transposition group than in the non-transposition group (¥21,668 vs. ¥27,012, P=0.010).\Question: Does mediastinal transposition of the omentum reduce infection severity and pharmacy cost for patients undergoing esophagectomy?

Ex Output:

Mediastinal transposition of the omentum decreases the rate and severity of postoperative intrathoracic infection following an open Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. This result in decreased pharmacy costs, rather than resulting in an increased economic burden sustained by surgical patients.