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: To investigate the expression of scavenger receptor that binds phosphatidylserine and oxidized lipoprotein (SR-PSOX)/CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16) in the human monocyte-derived cell line THP-1, and the effect of lentiviral vectors for the stable delivery of SR-PSOX/CXCL16 short hairpin RNA on foam cell formation.', 'A lentiviral expression vector containing enhanced green fluorescence protein (GFP) and SR-PSOX small interfering RNA (siRNA) (Lenti-SR-PSOXsi), or the control siRNA (Lenti-NC) gene was constructed. A human monocyte-derived cell line THP-1 was transfected with a different multiplicity of infection (MOI) of Lenti-SR-PSOXsi or Lenti-NC, and cultured to obtain stably-transfected THP- 1KD and THP-1NC cells. After incubation with oxidatively-modified, low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), the expression of SR-PSOX/CXCL16 mRNA was determined by real-time PCR. The expression of the SR-PSOX/CXCL16 protein was detected by flow cytometry analysis. The effect of Lenti-SR-PSOXsi on foam cell formation was assessed by Oil red O-stain analysis.', 'Ox-LDL increased the expression of SR-PSOX/CXCL16 mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner in THP-1 cells. Four days after transfection with Lenti-SR-PSOXsi (MOI: 100), the percentage of GFP expression cells was over 89.3%. The expression of the SR-PSOX/ CXCL16 mRNA and protein in THP-1KD cells significantly decreased compared with the parent cells, even the THP-1KD cells stimulated with 40 mg/L Ox-LDL. Ox-LDL uptake experiments in THP-1- and THP-1KD-derived macrophages indicated that SR-PSOX/CXCL16 deficiency decreased the development of macrophage- derived foam cell formation.\Question: Does lentiviral vector-mediated siRNA knockdown of SR-PSOX inhibit foam cell formation in vitro?

SOLUTION: The above data showed that SRPSOX siRNA delivered by using lentiviral vectors in THP-1 cells was a powerful tool for studying the effect of SR-PSOX, and decreased the expression of the SRPSOX gene by inhibiting macrophage-derived foam cell formation.

PROBLEM: Context: To determine the association of statin use with oncological outcomes and risk of pathologic upgrading following radical prostatectomy.', 'Using a prospectively populated database of 3042 men who underwent open radical prostatectomy, patients were grouped according to reported statin use at the time of surgery. The primary outcome was time to biochemical recurrence. The secondary outcome was risk of pathologic upgrading among a subset of 1256 patients with Gleason pattern 3\u2009+\u20093\u2009=\u20096 on biopsy. A multivariable Cox model was used to assess risk of biochemical recurrence, and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess risk of pathologic upgrading.', 'Eight hundred twenty-four men (27%) reported statin use at the time of radical prostatectomy. Statin users were older and had higher body mass index, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, and lower pretreatment prostate-specific antigen values than statin nonusers. Over a median follow-up of 70 months (interquartile range: 36-107), a total of 455 men (15%) experienced biochemical recurrence. Statin use was not associated with biochemical recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% confidence interval: 0.86-1.31). Of those men with biopsy Gleason 3\u2009+\u20093\u2009=\u20096 disease, 647 (52%) were upgraded to higher grade disease following radical prostatectomy; however, statin use was not associated with pathologic upgrading (adjusted odds ratio: 0.78, 95% confidence interval: 0.58-1.04).\Question: Is preoperative Statin Use at the Time of Radical Prostatectomy Associated With Biochemical Recurrence or Pathologic Upgrading?

SOLUTION: Preoperative statin use at the time of radical prostatectomy was not associated with biochemical recurrence or risk of pathologic upgrading in this cohort. These data add to the existing body of literature suggesting that statin use is not associated with more favorable clinical outcomes following radical prostatectomy.

PROBLEM: Context: Since growth and de novo generation of cerebrovascular malformations were demonstrated, a strictly congenital model cannot be further supported as unique factor in the pathogenesis of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has previously been demonstrated to be highly expressed in AVMs by immunohistochemical methods. However, systemic VEGF levels have not been analysed previously. This study aimed to investigate VEGF plasma concentrations as a possible plasma marker for neovascularization in patients with cerebral AVMs compared to healthy controls.', 'The study included 17 patients with cerebral AVMs and 40 healthy controls. VEGF plasma concentrations were measured by a specific enzyme immuno-assay.', 'VEGF plasma concentrations were significantly higher in patients with cerebral AVMs (mean 140.9 pg/ml, SD 148.5 pg/ml and median 63.0 pg/ml) compared to a healthy control group (mean 44.7 pg/ml, SD 36.4 pg/ml and median 35.0 pg/ml), p = 0.0003.\Question: Are vascular endothelial growth factor plasma levels significantly elevated in patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations?

SOLUTION:
Our findings suggest that VEGF plasma concentrations might play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral AVMs. Further studies are necessary and would contribute to an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of cerebral AVMs.