TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage with a context and an answer, 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: Context: Inflammatory risk factors in childhood, e.g. obesity, impact on carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT), an early indicator of atherosclerosis. Little is known on potential infectious origins in childhood. We investigated the association between number of reported different childhood infectious diseases and CIMT in adolescence.', "288 SAPALDIA offspring (8-21years) underwent a clinical examination in 2010-2011: anthropometry, blood pressure, CIMT, blood draw (cardiovascular biomarkers, cotinine). Offspring and parents gave information on individuals' and family health, child's vaccination status, infectious diseases and other early life factors. Life-time prevalence of bronchitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, otitis, mononucleosis, meningitis, appendicitis, and scarlet fever were investigated, separately, and as cumulative infectious disease score. Multilevel adjusted linear regression analysis on the association between subjects' CIMT average and infectious diseases score was performed, stratifying by sex.", 'Youth (mean age 14.8\xa0yrs; 53% female) reported on average 1.3 of the listed infectious diseases; 22% boys and 15% girls reported ≥3 infectious diseases (p\xa0=\xa00.136). Two-thirds were vaccinated according to recommendations (boys 56%, girls 61.5%, p\xa0=\xa00.567). Sex-stratified analyses yielded significantly increased CIMT in boys with ≥3 infectious diseases vs. none (0.046\xa0mm, 95%CI 0.024; 0.068). In girls, the effect was of same direction but statistically non-significant (0.011\xa0mm, 95%CI\xa0-0.015; 0.036).
Answer: The SAPALDIA Youth study complements current evidence on infectious origins of atherosclerosis in adults. The larger effects observed in boys may relate to a higher vulnerability of the vasculature and/or to infectious pathogens. Our data are suggestive of an early impact of childhood infectious diseases on vascular health.

SOLUTION: Are infectious diseases associated with carotid intima media thickness in adolescence?

PROBLEM: Context: Invasive species can have devastating effects on native ecosystems and therefore impose a significant threat to human welfare. The introduction rate of invasive species has accelerated dramatically in recent times due to human activity (anthropogenic effects), with a steadily growing pool of widespread tramp species. We present an in-depth analysis of four pantropical species of Xyleborus ambrosia beetles (Xyleborus volvulus, Xyleborus perforans, Xyleborus ferrugineus, and Xyleborus affinis) with similar ecology (fungus cultivation in dead wood), reproductive biology (permanent inbreeding) and genetic system (haplodiploidy). The unique combination of reproductive traits and broad host plant usage pre-adapts these beetles for colonizing of new areas.', 'We found that all four species were broadly distributed long before human-assisted dispersal became common, and that the impact of anthropogenic effects varied among the species. For X. volvulus, X. perforans, and X. affinis there was evidence of ancient establishment in numerous regions, but also of abundant recent introductions into previously colonized areas. For X. ferrugineus, we found clear biogeographical structuring of old clades, but little evidence for recent successful introductions.
Answer: Our results indicate that current human-aided transoceanic dispersal has strongly affected the genetic makeup of three of the species in this study. However, current biogeographical patterns of all four species are equally, if not more strongly, influenced by ancient establishment on different continents.

SOLUTION: Do globally distributed Xyleborus species reveal recurrent intercontinental dispersal in a landscape of ancient worldwide distributions?

PROBLEM: Context: It was recently reported that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) stimulates factor X (FX) activation by factor VIIa (FVIIa) bound to soluble tissue factor (sTF) in a purified system and that PDI may be responsible for activating cellular tissue factor (TF) and switching it between its roles in blood coagulation and cellular signalling. This study further investigates the former effect of PDI.', 'FX activations by FVIIa-sTF(1-219) were carried out in the presence of different forms of PDI, with annexin V or detergent present in the system and using various forms of FVIIa and FX. In addition, FVIIa-lipidated TF was used as the FX activator.', 'Recombinant human PDI did not influence FX activation by FVIIa-sTF(1-219), whereas PDI purified from bovine liver enhanced the activation rate in a dose-dependent manner. The inclusion of annexin V or detergent abolished the stimulatory effect. Removal of the phospholipid-interactive gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)-containing domain from either FVIIa or FX obliterated the bovine PDI-induced enhancement of FX activation, as did the introduction of F4A or L8A mutation in FVIIa. The presence of 25 nM bovine PDI lowered the apparent K(m) for FX from far above 10 microM to 1-2 microM. No PDI effect was seen when FVIIa-lipidated TF was the FX activator.
Answer: FX activation is insensitive to PDI per se and a phospholipid contaminant in the bovine PDI preparation acts stimulatory when sTF, but not lipidated TF, is the cofactor. Strong support is provided by the lacking effect of bovine PDI after removal or modification of the Gla domain in either FVIIa or FX as well as by the effects of annexin V and detergents and the decreased K(m) value.

SOLUTION:
Does protein disulfide isomerase have no stimulatory chaperone effect on factor X activation by factor VIIa-soluble tissue factor?