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.
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Question: The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene is a candidate gene in therapeutic responses to antidepressants. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of BDNF allelic variability on responses to escitalopram treatment at 3\xa0weeks after treatment initiation and at a 6-week endpoint.', 'We included 187 Caucasian subjects with depression; 153 completed the 6-week study. Clinical evaluation was performed using the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) before and after 3-6 weeks of treatment.', 'After 3\xa0weeks of treatment, we saw significantly better treatment responses in the Met carriers and greater antidepressant resistance among the Val/Val homozygotes. Relative to Val/Val homozygous (59.78\xa0%), a significantly greater proportion of subjects Met-carriers (77.94\xa0%) responded to escitalopram treatment (χ (2)\u2009=\u20095.88, p\u2009=\u20090.015). After 6\xa0weeks, we found the same pattern of results but this effect did not reach statistical significance (χ (2)\u2009=\u20092.07, p\u2009=\u20090.15).

Answer: Is the BDNF Val ( 66 ) Met polymorphism associated with escitalopram response in depressed patients?


Question: Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) controls the main cell-cycle checkpoints, suggesting utility of its inhibition for cancer treatment, including of highly proliferative pediatric cancer. This preclinical study explored the selective PLK1 inhibitor volasertib (BI 6727) alone and combined with chemotherapy in pediatric malignancies.', 'Inhibition of proliferation was explored in vitro using dimethylthiazol carboxymethoxyphenyl sulfophenyl tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Mice bearing human xenografts were treated with weekly intravenous injections of volasertib.', 'Volasertib inhibited proliferation in all 40 cell lines tested, with a mean half-maximal growth inhibitory concentration of 313 nmol/l (range: 4-5000 nmol/l). Volasertib was highly active against RMS-1 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts, resulting in 100% tumor regression. Activity was associated with complete and prolonged G2/M arrest and subsequent apoptotic cell death. Volasertib showed synergistic activity with vincristine but antagonistic effects with etoposide.

Answer: Does polo-like Kinase Inhibitor Volasertib exhibit Antitumor Activity and Synergy with Vincristine in Pediatric Malignancies?


Question: Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) transfers phospholipids between lipoproteins and plays an important role in HDL metabolism. PLTP exists as a high-activity and a low-activity form in the circulation. In vitro studies have shown that apolipoprotein (apo) E is involved in maintaining PLTP in the active form, while the low-activity form is associated with apo AI. We have therefore investigated whether plasma apo AI, B and E concentrations are important determinants of plasma PLTP activity in type 2 diabetes, a condition associated with increased plasma PLTP activity.', 'Plasma PLTP activity was assayed by measuring the transfer of radiolabelled phosphatidylcholine from liposomes to HDL; apo AI and B by rate nephelometry and apo E by a 2-point turbidimetric assay.', 'Type 2 diabetic patients (n = 230) had higher PLTP activity than controls (n = 97) (2374 +/- 628 nmol/mL/h versus 1862 +/- 585 respectively, p < 0.01). They also had increased fasting triglyceride and low HDL. Plasma apo B (p < 0.01) and apo E (p < 0.05) were increased, whereas apo AI was reduced (p < 0.01). Univariate analysis showed that plasma PLTP activity correlated mainly with apolipoproteins AI and E. Stepwise regression analysis showed that apo E was the main determinant of plasma PLTP activity, accounting for 23% of its variability in the diabetic subjects and 8% in the controls respectively.

Answer:
Is plasma apolipoprotein E concentration an important determinant of phospholipid transfer protein activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus?