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.

Context: The gene(s) encoding for endomorphin precursor(s) is/are still unknown. We have raised the possibility of and did find some evidence for a potential de novo biosynthetic route starting from Tyr-Pro precursor. To pursue further this possibility we measured the generation of immunoreactive endomorphin-2 (E2-IR) in adult rat isolated L4,5 dorsal root ganglia.\Question: Is immunoreactive endomorphin 2 generated extracellularly in rat isolated L4,5 dorsal root ganglia by DPP-IV?
In rat isolated dorsal root ganglia the combination of presumed biosynthetic precursor of endomorphin 2 (E2), Tyr-Pro with the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor Ile-Pro-Ile generated 1.60+/-0.37 pg/mg Wet Tissue Weight_30 min E2-IR in the bathing fluid (n=4) with an 8-fold increase upon depolarization whereas the tissue content was low (0.50+/-0.08 pg/mg_WTW). Substance P, as determined by ELISA in the pilot experiments, was found almost exclusively within the tissues. It is concluded that E2-IR was generated extracellularly by a membrane-bound DPP-IV, which was switched to "synthase" mode by the hydrolase inhibitor Ile-Pro-Ile. DPP-IV was depolarization-sensitive in "synthase" functional mode.

Context: Stem cell factor (SCF) has well-known proliferative effects on hematopoietic cells. SCF also has effects on differentiation and proliferation in other cell types. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha have proliferative effects in the liver. Recent studies in our laboratory have linked SCF's hepatoproliferative actions to those of IL-6, demonstrating that IL-6-induced hepatocyte proliferation depends, at least in part, on SCF. We now hypothesize that TNF-alpha's hepatoproliferative effects are also dependent on SCF.", 'In vitro studies using primary mouse hepatocytes show that SCF is induced by TNF-alpha; anti-SCF antibody treatment in this system inhibits TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte proliferation, suggesting that TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte proliferation is also SCF dependent. Additional in vivo experiments were performed in which wild type and/or TNF-alpha receptor-1 knockout mice (TNFR1(-/-)) were subjected to 70% hepatectomy or sham laparotomy. TNFR1(-/-) mice are known to have delayed hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Initial experiments demonstrated that the SCF receptor, c-kit, is upregulated after partial hepatectomy in wild-type mice, further emphasizing the importance of this system in the restoration of hepatic mass. SCF administration to TNFR1(-/-) mice in the context of partial hepatectomy restores hepatocyte proliferation to normal. Further, SCF administration to TNFR1(-/-) mice before hepatectomy increases phosphotyrosine signal transducer and activator (p-stat-3) levels, suggesting that SCF-induced increases in hepatocyte proliferation may also be stat-3 mediated.\Question: Are stem cell factor and its receptor , c-kit , important for hepatocyte proliferation in wild-type and tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 knockout mice after 70 % hepatectomy?
These data suggest that TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte proliferation depends, at least in part, on SCF and that SCF and its receptor, c-kit, are important for the liver's regenerative processes.

Context: We evaluated the impact of impermeable bed covers on asthma in asthmatics with clinically relevant house dust mite (HDM) sensitization.', 'The study included 32 HDM-sensitized asthmatics in whom HDM allergy was considered as a significant factor in their asthma. They were randomized into either an intervention group whose bedding was encased with impermeable covers, or a control group who received cotton covers. Before and 3 and 6 months after encasement, dust samples were collected from the bedding and assayed for Der p 1. Clinical outcomes included quality of life, lung function, bronchial reactivity to methacholine, symptoms, medications and peak flow rates.', 'Baseline Der p 1 levels in both the active and the placebo groups were comparable and high (19.2 vs 18.9 microg/g of dust). There was a significant reduction in Der p 1 levels in the active group after 6 months, but not in the placebo group (7.3 vs 21.9 microg/g of dust). Quality of life improved significantly in both the intervention and control groups, but there was no significant difference in the improvements between the groups. There was no significant change in lung function, symptoms, and requirements for medications.\Question: Does encasement of bedding improve asthma in atopic adult asthmatics?

Encasement of bedding significantly reduced the Der p 1 levels. However, this was not sufficient to produce worthwhile clinical improvement in those in whom dust mite avoidance might well have been recommended as part of their clinical management.