TASK DEFINITION: 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.
PROBLEM: One variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is defined by sporadic tumors of both the parathyroids and pituitary. The prevalence of identified MEN1 mutations in this variant is lower than in familial MEN1 (7% vs. 90%), suggesting different causes. Recently, one case of this variant had a germline mutation of p27(Kip1)/CDKN1B.', 'The objective was to test p27 in germline DNA from cases with tumors of both the parathyroids and pituitary.', 'Medical record review and sequence analysis in DNA were performed.', 'This study involved an inpatient and outpatient referral program for cases of endocrine tumors.', 'Sixteen index cases had sporadic tumors of two organs, both the parathyroids and the pituitary. There were 18 additional index cases with related features of familial tumors. Five subjects were normal controls. No case had an identified MEN1 mutation.', 'Clinical status of endocrine tumors was tabulated. Sequencing of germline DNA from index cases and control cases for the p27 gene was performed by PCR.', 'Endocrine tumor types and their expressions were measured, as were sequence changes in the p27 gene.', 'Tumor features were documented in index cases and families. One p27 germline single nucleotide change was identified. This predicted a silent substitution of Thr142Thr. Furthermore, there was a normal prevalence of heterozygosity for a common p27 polymorphism, making a large p27 deletion unlikely in all or most of these cases.

SOLUTION: Does the parathyroid/pituitary variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 usually have causes other than p27Kip1 mutations?

PROBLEM: Tinnitus can adversely affect patients' quality of life. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may be effective in the management of tinnitus. No study has investigated the efficacy of TENS for the management of tinnitus by means of quality of life measures. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of TENS for the management of tinnitus symptoms by using the visual analogue scale (VAS), tinnitus handicap inventory test, Nottingham health profile (NHP) and short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires.", 'Twenty-two patients were included in this study (male/female, 16/6; mean age, 48.04 +/- 15.57 years). Nine patients had unilateral and 13 patients had bilateral tinnitus.', 'After TENS, improvement measured by VAS was only marginally significant (p = 0.059). However, after TENS, there were statistically significant improvements regarding tinnitus severity scores, tinnitus handicap inventory scores, NHP fatigue, social isolation and emotional problems scores, and many parameters measured by the SF-36 (physical functioning, general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health)(p < 0.05).

SOLUTION: Does treatment of tinnitus with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation improve patients ' quality of life?

PROBLEM: To investigate the mechanism of peplomycin (PEP)-induced apoptosis in liver carcinoma cell line (Bel-7402).', 'Growth inhibition by PEP was analyzed using 3- 4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptotic cells were detected using Hoechest 33258 staining, and confirmed by flow cytometric analysis and DNA fragmentation analysis. The expression of cyclin A and B1 were determined by flow cytometry and Western blot. Annexin V assay was measured by flow cytometric analysis.', 'PEP induced apoptosis and then inhibited cell proliferation in liver carcinoma cell line Bel-7402. Cells treated with PEP 50 mumol/L for 15 h were arrested in G2-phase with dramatical expression of cyclin A and a little change in cyclin B1. Almost all the apoptosis occurred in cells undergoing the G1-phase after treatment for 24 h.

SOLUTION:
Does peplomycin induce G1-phase specific apoptosis in liver carcinoma cell line Bel-7402 involving G2-phase arrest?