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.

[Q]: Context: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine. Recently, the G-308A polymorphism of the TNF-alpha gene has been associated with modified gene expression and increased TNF-alpha production in the -308A allele. We evaluated its influence on the incidence and clinical course of membranous glomerulonephritis.', 'We studied 53 patients with biopsy-proven primary membranous glomerulonephritis followed up for 5.7 +/- 4.9 years. 100 volunteers were analyzed as controls. According to the slope of the curve of reciprocal serum creatinine against time, group A (slow progressors, n = 35) and group B (fast progressors, n = 18) were defined. TNF-alpha G-308A polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification.', 'The frequency of the A-allele (associated with higher TNF-alpha levels) was significantly higher in patients than control subjects (patients: G-allele: 0.66, A-allele: 0.34; controls: G-allele 0.85, A-allele 0.15, p < 0.001). Similarly, the genotype distribution differed significantly between our study and control populations (patients: GG-genotype: 41.5%, GA: 49.1%, AA 9.4%; controls: GG: 71%, GA: 27%, AA 2%, p = 0.001). Age, renal function, proteinuria and blood pressure were similar at the time of renal biopsy between patients with different genotypes (NS). There was also a tendency towards an overpresentation of the A-allele in group B indicating a possible impact on the progression of membranous nephropathy, but a significance was not reached. Furthermore, no impact on renal survival in the Kaplan- Meier analysis was detected (NS).
Answer: Our results suggest that TNF-alpha gene G-308A polymorphism is a risk factor for the development of membranous glomerulonephritis.
[A]: Is tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene G-308A polymorphism a risk factor for the development of membranous glomerulonephritis?


[Q]: Context: Mutations of the caspase-activating recruitment domain 15 (CARD15) gene on chromosome 16 are associated with chronic inflammatory granulomatous bowel disease (Crohn's disease). Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease with unknown etiology, which shares histological features with Crohn's disease.", 'To evaluate whether ethnic Danes with sarcoidosis have an increased frequency of CARD15 mutations compared to healthy control subjects.', 'Genotyping for CARD15 mutations R702W, G908R, and L1007fsinsC, also designated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) SNP8, SNP12 and SNP13, respectively, were performed by capillary electrophoresis single-strand confirmation polymorphism in 53 patients with histologically verified sarcoidosis and in 103 healthy controls.', 'The frequencies of CARD15 mutations in sarcoidosis patients were: SNP8, 4/106 chromosomes (3.8%); SNP12, 2/106 chromosomes (1.9%); SNP13, 2/106 chromosomes (1.9%); SNP8+SNP12+SNP13, 8/106 chromosomes (7.6%). All 8 patients were heterozygous. The frequencies in controls were: SNP8, 9/206 chromosomes (4.4%); SNP12, 2/206 chromosomes (1.0%); SNP13, 4/206 chromosomes (1.9%); SNP8+SNP12+SNP13, 15/206 chromosomes (7.3%). All controls were heterozygous. The differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Furthermore, the course of disease was not significantly different in the 8 patients with CARD15 mutations and the 45 patients without mutations.
Answer: The frequency of CARD15 mutations is not increased in ethnic Danish patients with sarcoidosis, and heterozygosity for such mutations apparently has no influence on the course of disease.
[A]: Are cARD15 single nucleotide polymorphisms 8 , 12 and 13 increased in ethnic Danes with sarcoidosis?


[Q]: Context: Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells express oestrogen receptors but the functional importance of oestrogen in PDL cells exposed to bacterial endotoxins is not known. Here we investigate if the inflammation promoter lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affects PDL cell production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or normal functional PDL cell characteristics such as collagen synthesis and cell proliferation and if oestrogen modulates the effects of LPS.', 'PDL cells were obtained from periodontal ligament of premolars. PDL cells were treated with Escherichia coli LPS in the absence or presence of oestrogen (17beta-oestradiol, E2). Cellular concentration of IL-6, MCP-1 and CRP was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Collagen synthesis was determined by l-[3H]proline incorporation. Cell proliferation was assessed by DNA synthesis measurement using [3H]thymidine incorporation.', 'Stimulation with LPS (500 ng/ml to 10 microg/ml) increased IL-6 production in a concentration-dependent manner. Lower concentration (100 ng/ml) of LPS had no effect. LPS-induced stimulation of IL-6 was not reversed by a physiologically high concentration (100 nM) of E2. LPS increased also MCP-1 production which was unaffected by E2. Treatment with E2 alone had no effect on either IL-6 or MCP-1. Stimulation with LPS had no effect on CRP. LPS did not affect collagen synthesis and cell proliferation, reflecting normal physiological properties of PDL cells.
Answer: LPS stimulates PDL cell IL-6 and MCP-1 production but has no effect on the normal physiological properties of PDL cells. LPS-induced IL-6 and MCP-1 is not reversed by oestrogen suggesting that oestrogen exerts no anti-inflammatory effect via this mechanism.
[A]:
Is lPS-induced MCP-1 and IL-6 production reversed by oestrogen in human periodontal ligament cells?