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.

Ex Input:
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.

Ex Output:
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?


Ex Input:
Corticosteroid treatment affects muscle protein and glutamine metabolism. In the present study we aimed to clarify to what extent anorexia, weight loss and corticosteroids determine protein and glutamine metabolism in muscle.', 'The study was performed in Wistar rats (300-350 g, n = 40) given triamcinolone (0.25 mg/kg/day i.m.) treatment (CS group) for 14 days, sham treated free fed (FF group), sham treated pair fed (PF group) and sham treated pair weight (PW group). In vivo protein and glutamine turnover were measured using L-[2,6-3H]phenylalanine and L-[3,4-3H]glurtamine as tracer in a three compartment model across the hindquarter.', 'Corticosteroid treatment decreased total body weight to a greater extent than can be explained by decreased food intake only, justifying the need for pair weight controls. Muscle weight loss was relatively greater in the corticosteroid treated rats than in the pair weight controls indicating specific corticosteroid induced changes in muscle protein metabolism. Pair weight rats increased muscle net protein breakdown rates from -5 +/- 3 nmol x 100 g body weight(-1) x min(-1) to -15 +/- 3 nmol x 100 g body weight(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.05 vs FF). In the corticosteroid treated rats net protein breakdown rates increased to -22 +/- 4 nmol x 100 g body weight(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.01 CS vs FF/PF) Net protein breakdown in corticosteroid treated rats was accompanied by increased glutamine efflux from the hindquarter (P < 0.05, CS vs FF/PF/PW). The latter could predominantly be explained by de novo synthesis. Furthermore, corticosteroid treatment induced a loss of plasma to free muscle glutamine gradient indicating down regulation of glutamine membrane transport rates into muscle. This effect was, however, similar in the pair weight control group and can thus be fully accounted for by the muscle weight loss.

Ex Output:
Is de novo glutamine synthesis induced by corticosteroids in vivo in rats secondary to weight loss?


Ex Input:
Comparison of the efficacy of tropicamide eyedrops to the combination of 0.5% tropicamide and 5% phenylephrine eyedrops in order to achieve a proper dilation in premature infants undergoing screening for retinopathy of prematurity.', 'A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted to compare the efficacy of two mydriatic regimens: one regimen consisting of three drops of 0.5% tropicamide (TTT regimen), the other regimen consisting of one drop of 5% phenylephrine and two drops of 0.5% tropicamide (PTT regimen). Thirty premature infants were enrolled and received both mydriatic regimens: one regimen in each eye. Outcomes were pupil dilation evaluated by the percentage of pupil diameter over cornea diameter, the percentage of pupil surface over cornea surface and the quality of the eye fundus examination.', 'The percentage of pupil diameter over cornea diameter was 47.3% (±8.7) with the TTT regimen and 65.9% (±8.8) with the PTT regimen (p\xa0<\xa00.0001). The percentage of pupil surface over cornea surface was 23.1% (±8.3) with the TTT regimen and 43.8% (±7.3) with the PTT regimen (p\xa0<\xa00.0001). Thus, the pupil surface area was 1.9 times greater with the PTT than with the TTT regimen. Visualization of the retinal periphery was possible for 30 of 30 eyes dilated with the PTT regimen and for 16 of 30 eyes dilated with the TTT regimen (p\xa0<\xa00.0001).

Ex Output:

Is combination of 5 % phenylephrine and 0.5 % tropicamide eyedrops for pupil dilation in neonates twice as effective as 0.5 % tropicamide eyedrops alone?