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: The cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) pathway is now recognized to be important in human cancer development and progression. The gene for cox-2 carries a common single nucleotide polymorphism, T8473C, located within a potential functional region in the 3'-UTR of cox-2 gene was identified. We have investigated the frequencies of cox-2 genotypes in Tunisian population to determine whether that polymorphism was associated with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Tunisian population.", 'One hundred and eighty-nine NPC patients were compared to 237 healthy controls.', 'The cox-2 T8473C polymorphism was significantly associated with NPC (P=0.031). The CC-genotype and C allele were more frequent in control compared to patients group [CC: OR=0.37; P=0.013; 95% CI: 0.17-0.81; C: OR=0.72; P=0.032; 95% CI: 0.53-0.97]. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the CC-genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of NPC (P=0.013). Tumor sizes, histologic grade, presence of primary lymph node metastases, age or sex were not associated with cox-2 genotypes.\Question: Does the CC-genotype of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene associate with decreased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a Tunisian population?

SOLUTION: We conclude that the CC-genotype and C allele of cox-2 T8473C gene polymorphism are associated with decreased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a Tunisian population.

PROBLEM: Context: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterized by elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Guidelines recommend cholesterol-lowering medication from 8 to 10 years of age and dietary recommendations. Little is known about the diet of FH children and the effect of dietary counseling. The aim of the study was to describe the diet of FH children with respect to fat quality, and to investigate if dietary counseling improved lipid profile.', 'Fifty-four FH children (5-18 years) were included in the study and dietary intake was recorded with a pre-coded food diary for four days. Information about plasma lipid levels was obtained.', 'Median intake of total fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) and saturated fat (SFA) was 30.8, 10.4, 5.9 and 12.0\xa0E %, respectively. Among non-statin treated FH children, SFA intake was significantly correlated with TC, LDL-C and apolipoprotein (apo) B (rsp\xa0=\xa00.55; p\xa0=\xa00.004, rsp\xa0=\xa00.46; p\xa0=\xa00.02, and rsp\xa0=\xa00.45; p\xa0=\xa00.02, respectively), and PUFA/SFA ratio significantly inversely correlated with TC (rsp\xa0=\xa0-0.42; p\xa0=\xa00.03). Compared to the first visit, non-statin and non-plant sterol treated FH children (n\xa0=\xa010) had significantly reduced levels of TC (p\xa0<\xa00.01), LDL-C (p\xa0=\xa00.01), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p\xa0=\xa00.02), apo B (p\xa0=\xa00.05) and apo A-1 (p\xa0=\xa00.02) levels at a later visit.\Question: Is dietary counseling associated with an improved lipid profile in children with familial hypercholesterolemia?

SOLUTION: FH children had a higher intake of SFA than recommended and the SFA intake was positively correlated with plasma TC, LDL-C and apo B levels in FH children not using statins. Importantly, the plasma lipid profile was improved in FH children after dietary counseling where focus was on reducing intake of SFA and dietary cholesterol.

PROBLEM: Context: Previous studies have suggested that DNA methylation contributes to coronary artery disease (CAD) risk variability. DNA hypermethylation at the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene, an important modulator of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reverse cholesterol transport, has been previously associated with plasma lipid levels, aging and CAD, but the association with CAD has yet to be replicated.', 'ABCA1 DNA methylation levels were measured in leucocytes of 88 men using bis-pyrosequencing. We first showed that DNA methylation at the ABCA1 gene promoter locus is associated with aging and CAD occurrence in men (P\u2009<\u20090.05). The latter association is stronger among older men with CAD (≥61\xa0years old; n\u2009=\u200919), who showed at least 4.7% higher ABCA1 DNA methylation levels as compared to younger men with CAD (<61\xa0years old; n\u2009=\u200919) or men without CAD (n\u2009=\u200950; P\u2009<\u20090.001). Higher ABCA1 DNA methylation levels in older men were also associated with higher total cholesterol (r\u2009=\u20090.34, P\u2009=\u20090.03), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r\u2009=\u20090.32, P\u2009=\u20090.04) and triglyceride levels (r\u2009=\u20090.26, P\u2009=\u20090.09). Furthermore, we showed that acetylsalicylic acid therapy is associated with 3.6% lower ABCA1 DNA methylation levels (P\u2009=\u20090.006), independent of aging and CAD status of patients.\Question: Are acetylsalicylic acid , aging and coronary artery disease associated with ABCA1 DNA methylation in men?

SOLUTION:
This study provides new evidence that the ABCA1 epigenetic profile is associated with CAD and aging, and highlights that epigenetic modifications might be a significant molecular mechanism involved in the pathophysiological processes associated with CAD. Acetylsalicylic acid treatment for CAD prevention might involve epigenetic mechanisms.