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.
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Question: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an effective immunosuppressant developed for use in organ transplantation. It specifically targets lymphocyte purine biosynthesis. However, side effects do occur. Understanding how the active metabolite of MMF, mycophenolic acid (MPA) affects the normally integrated interaction between intracellular purine and pyrimidine pathways might aid the development of improved therapeutic regimes.', 'We used a primary human T-lymphocyte model to study how preincubation with MPA (0.1-50 microM) affected normal ribonucleotide pool responses to phytohemagglutinin using radiolabeled precursors.', 'MPA not only restricted the mitogen-induced expansion of GTP pools, but actually induced a severe drop in both GTP (10% of unstimulated cells) and GDP-sugar pools, with a concomitant fall in ATP (up to 50%). These effects were concentration dependent. By contrast, uridine pools expanded whereas CTP pools remained at resting levels. These changes were confirmed by the altered incorporation of [14C]-bicarbonate and [14C]-glycine into nucleotides. Restriction of [14C]-hypoxanthine incorporation and reduction of [14C]-uridine uptake comparable to that of unstimulated cells indicated that MPA also inhibited both salvage routes of nucleotide synthesis.

Answer: Does mycophenolic acid-induced GTP depletion also affect ATP and pyrimidine synthesis in mitogen-stimulated primary human T-lymphocytes?


Question: In advanced gastric cancer (tumor stages T2-T4), associations with polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene cluster have been made. In early-stage gastric cancer, which we defined as adenocarcinoma confined to the mucosa or submucosa (stage T1), the role of host genetic susceptibility remains to be determined.', "Eighty-eight patients with early-stage gastric cancer (stage T1, 77 positive for Helicobacter pylori) and 145 controls were genotyped for polymorphisms in the IL-1 gene cluster and the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-A) gene. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi2 test and the Fisher's exact test, respectively.", 'The homozygous genotype IL-1RN*2/2 of the IL-RN gene was strongly associated with early-stage gastric cancer (P < .0001), whereas further associations with the IL-1 gene cluster were not observed. A weak association of the TNF-A-308A allele with the diffuse type of early-stage gastric cancer, and an association with a composite of two or three proinflammatory polymorphisms, which predispose to increased production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, could also be demonstrated.

Answer: Is allele 2 of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene associated with early gastric cancer?


Question: The donkey (Equus asinus) is an important domestic animal that provides a reliable source of protein and method of transportation for many human populations. However, the process of domestication and the dispersal routes of the Chinese donkey are still unclear, as donkey remains are sparse in the archaeological record and often confused with horse remains. To explore the maternal origins and dispersal route of Chinese donkeys, both mitochondrial DNA D-loop and cytochrome b gene fragments of 21 suspected donkey remains from four archaeological sites in China were amplified and sequenced.', 'Molecular methods of species identification show that 17 specimens were donkeys and three samples had the maternal genetic signature of horses. One sample that dates to about 20,000 years before present failed to amplify. In this study, the phylogenetic analysis reveals that ancient Chinese donkeys have high mitochondrial DNA diversity and two distinct mitochondrial maternal lineages, known as the Somali and Nubian lineages. These results indicate that the maternal origin of Chinese domestic donkeys was probably related to the African wild ass, which includes the Nubian wild ass (Equus africanus africanus) and the Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis). Combined with historical records, the results of this study implied that domestic donkeys spread into west and north China before the emergence of the Han dynasty. The number of Chinese domestic donkeys had increased primarily to meet demand for the expansion of trade, and they were likely used as commodities or for shipping goods along the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty, when the Silk Road reached its golden age.

Answer:
Does ancient DNA provide new insight into the maternal lineages and domestication of Chinese donkeys?