TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage, construct a question on the basis of the information present in the passage. Construct the question in such a way that (i) it is unambiguous, (ii) it is answerable from the passage, (iii) its answer is unique (iv) it answer uses text phrases from the passage. Avoid creating questions that (i) can't be answered correctly without actually understanding the passage and (ii) uses the same words or phrases given in the passage.
PROBLEM: A severe complication in the replacement therapy of hemophilia A (HA) patients is the development of alloantibodies (inhibitors) against factor VIII, which neutralizes the substituted factor. The primary genetic risk factors influencing the development of inhibitors are F8 gene mutations. Interleukins and cytokines that are involved in the regulation of B-lymphocyte development are other possible targets as genetic risk factors. This study assesses the possible involvement of 9 selected single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) with interleukins (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in inhibitor development in severely affected HA patients carrying a null mutation in the F8 gene.', 'A total of 173 HA patients were screened for intron 22 inversion and null mutations (nonsense and deletions). Genotyping of a total of 9 SNPs in genes IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, TGF-β1, and IFN-γ in 103 patients and 100 healthy individuals was carried out.', 'An association analysis between 42 inhibitor (+) and 61 inhibitor (-) patients showed a significant association with the T allele of rs2069812 in the IL-5 gene promoter and patients with inhibitors (p=0.0251). The TT genotype was also significantly associated with this group with a p-value of 0.0082, odds ratio of about 7, and confidence interval of over 90%, suggesting that it is the recessive susceptibility allele and that the C allele is the dominant protective allele.

SOLUTION: Is a Polymorphism in the IL-5 Gene Associated with Inhibitor Development in Severe Hemophilia A Patients?

PROBLEM: To evaluate newly diagnosed non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) patients for the existence of an associated sleep apnoea syndrome.', 'Newly identified NAION patient underwent polysomnography. The prevalence of sleep apnoea in NAION patients was compared to the prevalence previously found in the general population. Hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, and atheromatous lesions of carotid vessels as classic risk factors associated with NAION were also identified.', '27 consecutive newly diagnosed NAION patients (18 men and nine women, mean age 65 (SD 8) years, body mass index 27.2 (3.8) kg/m2) were included in the study. 24 of these 27 NAION patients (89%) exhibited a sleep apnoea syndrome (respiratory disturbance index: 37.2/h (SD 18.3/h). Risk ratio for a NAION patient to have sleep apnoea was 4.9 compared to the general population (p < 0.001). Sleep apnoea was 1.5-2-fold more frequent than the rate of the other identified risk factors typically associated with NAION (hypertension, diabetes).

SOLUTION: Is non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy nearly systematically associated with obstructive sleep apnoea?

PROBLEM: Cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin are related gastrointestinal hormones with documented cardiovascular effects of exogenous administration. It is unknown whether measurement of endogenous CCK or gastrin in plasma contains information regarding cardiovascular mortality.', 'Mortality risk was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Elderly patients in a primary care setting with symptoms of cardiac disease, i.e. shortness of breath, peripheral edema, and/or fatigue, were evaluated (n=470). Primary care patients were followed for 13years (from 1999); the 5-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was used as end point.', 'In univariate analysis, patients in the 4th CCK quartile had an increased risk of 5-year cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 3.9, 95% confidence interval: 2.1-7.0, p<0.0001). In multivariate analysis including established factors associated with cardiovascular mortality, CCK concentrations in the 4th quartile were still associated with increased 5-year cardiovascular mortality risk (HR 3.1, 95% C.I.: 1.7-5.7, p=0.0004), even when including 4th quartile NT-proBNP concentrations in the same model. We observed a marked difference between the genders, where CCK concentrations in the 4th quartile were associated with a higher 5-year cardiovascular mortality in female patients (HR 8.99, 95% C.I.: 3.49-102.82, p=0.0007) compared to men (1.47, 95% C.I.: 0.7-3.3, p=0.35). In contrast, no significant information was obtained from 4th quartile gastrin concentrations on 5-year cardiovascular mortality risk.

SOLUTION:
Does cholecystokinin in plasma predict cardiovascular mortality in elderly females?