TASK DEFINITION: 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.
PROBLEM: Context: A number of risk factors for chronic renal allograft rejection have been identified; in particular the number and severity of acute rejections, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insufficient immunosuppression.', 'In a retrospective case control study, all histologically confirmed cases of chronic rejection (n=45) that occurred between 1985 and 1993 among patients transplanted at Huddinge Hospital were compared with twice as many controls. Determinants such as donor age and sex, HLA-mismatch, cold ischemia time, recipient age and sex, body mass index, cause of renal disease, time undergoing dialysis, condition of blood vessels at surgery, time of onset, number of acute rejection episodes during the first 3 months, area under the serum creatinine versus time curve (AUC(Creatinine)), blood pressure, blood lipids, and cyclosporine concentrations at various times after the transplantation were also compared. Additional data were obtained from a questionnaire, concerning 79% of the cases and controls.', 'Cases and controls were similar with regard to most determinants, that is, blood pressure, blood lipids, and average cyclosporine concentrations. The main outstanding risk factor for chronic rejection was the time-averaged creatinine (AUC(Creatinine)) value between day 22 and 3 months after transplantation. The adjusted odds ratio for chronic rejection increased stepwise from 1.1 to 9.2, when AUC(Creatinine) increased from < 150 to >300 micromol/l. The number of acute rejection episodes and number of HLA-mismatches also had a significant effect on the risk of chronic rejection.
Answer: To reduce the risk of developing chronic rejection after renal transplantation acute rejection episodes during the first 3 months should be avoided as much as possible.

SOLUTION: Is area under the serum creatinine time-curve a strong predictor of chronic renal allograft rejection?

PROBLEM: Context: To investigate the effect of the X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) B cell defect on the response to the cockroach allergen in mice.', 'Two cockroach allergen immunization and challenge protocols were employed to sensitize CBA/J wild-type and CBA/CaHN-btk(-/-)xid/J (Xid) mice. Blood and tissue samples were collected 24 and 48 hrs after the last intratracheal antigen challenge and were analyzed for several parameters of allergic inflammation.', 'Nearly equivalent amounts of serum IgE were detected in Xid and CBA/J mice after short-term antigen challenge despite the B cell deficiency in Xid mice. A decreased concentration of IgE was detected in CBA/J mice after repeated allergen challenges but not in the Xid mice. Correlating with the discrepancy in serum IgE levels, higher levels of IL-13, IL-5, IL-10 and CCL5 were measured in whole lung homogenates from allergen-challenged Xid mice compared to CBA/J mice. In addition, draining lymph node cells from Xid mice expressed elevated levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFNgamma mRNA compared to cells from CBA/J mice after in vitro culture with cockroach antigen. An increase in lung inflammation, interstitial eosinophilia and mucus production was also observed in allergen-challenged Xid mice. CD95L expression increased on B-1a cells following allergen challenge, which was accompanied by an increase in lung CD4(+) Th cell apoptosis in wild-type CBA/J mice. In contrast, Xid mice did not have an increase in CD4(+) T cell apoptosis following allergen challenge.
Answer: These data suggest a regulatory role for B-1a cells in reducing cytokine production, pulmonary inflammation, and CD4(+) T cell survival during cockroach allergen-induced airway inflammation.

SOLUTION: Does deficiency of regulatory B cells increase allergic airway inflammation?

PROBLEM: Context: SULF2 is an extracellular sulfatase that acts on heparan sulfate proteoglycans and modulates multiple signaling pathways. It is normally bound to the cell surface but can be released into the medium of cultured cells. SULF2 is known to be increased in cirrhotic liver compared to healthy liver. We asked whether SULF2 protein was present in the blood of healthy controls and increased in patients with liver cirrhosis.', 'We devised a sandwich ELISA for SULF2 using 2 novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and measured its levels in sera of normal individuals and cirrhosis patients.', 'SULF2 was higher in cirrhosis patients (1460 ± 1160 pg/ml, N=34) than in healthy individuals (728 ± 400 pg/ml, N=37). SULF2 levels increased with age in both healthy and patient groups.
Answer: SULF2 may be a useful serologic biomarker for liver cirrhosis.

SOLUTION:
Is sULF2 , a heparan sulfate endosulfatase , present in the blood of healthy individuals and increases in cirrhosis?