TASK DEFINITION: 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.
PROBLEM: Context: In HIV patients, disorders in glucose metabolism seem to be side effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) which may be favoured by obesity, abdominal fat accumulation and familial disposition for diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of our study was to identify patients at high risk for abnormalities in glucose metabolism taking into account HAART, familial disposition for DM and anthropometric parameters.', 'Plasma glucose, insulin, c-peptide and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment, HOMA) were determined in 44 HIV patients [16 without HAART, 19 with protease inhibitors (PI), 9 without PI (non-PI)] and in 11 healthy subjects. Glucose tolerance was determined by standard procedures. Body mass index (BMI), triceps skin fold thickness and waist circumference were measured and the waist-to-hip-ratio was calculated. Familial disposition for DM was assessed by questionnaire.', 'Impaired fasting glucose was observed in 28% of HAART-treated patients (21% with PI, 7% non-PI), in 13% of HAART-naive but none in healthy controls. 58% of PI, 44% of non-PI, 38% of HAART-naive and none of healthy controls had a HOMA-index > 2.5 which indicates insulin resistance. HAART-treated patients had significantly higher fasting glucose levels (PI: 97 +/- 11 mg/dL, p = 0.048; non-PI: 109 +/- 58 mg/dL, p = 0.009) compared to healthy controls (72 +/- 8 mg/dL). HOMA-Index was higher in PI treated patients (3.74 +/- 3.08) than in HIV negative controls (0.95 +/- 0.28, p = 0.018). The duration of HAART (p = 0.045), overweight and familial disposition for DM (p = 0.017) significantly affected fasting glucose among PI users. Waist circumference affected c-peptide (p = 0.046) concentration in these patients.\Question: Are overweight HIV patients with abdominal fat distribution treated with protease inhibitors at high risk for abnormalities in glucose metabolism - a reason for glycemic control?

SOLUTION: HIV patients on long-term PI therapy with overweight and familial disposition for DM are at high risk to develop abnormalities of glucose metabolism. Thus, measurements of HOMA-Index, BMI and waist circumference should be routinely done especially in PI medicated patients.

PROBLEM: Context: Non-viral gene transfer efficiency is low as compared to viral vector systems. Here we describe the discovery of new drugs that are capable of enhancing non-viral gene transfer into mammalian cells using a novel two-stage screening procedure.', 'First, potential candidates are preselected from a molecular library at various concentrations by a semi-automated yeast transfection screen (YTS). The maximal transfection efficiency of every positive drug is subsequently determined in independent experiments at the optimal concentration and compared to the inhibitory effect of the drug on cell growth (IC50). In a subsequent mammalian cell transfection screen (MTS), the maximal transfection efficiency and the IC50 are determined for all preselected drugs using a human cell line and a luciferase reporter gene construct.', 'Employing our novel system we have been able to identify a new class of transfection enhancers, the tricyclic antidepressants (i.e. doxepin, maprotiline, desipramine and amoxapine). All positive drugs enhanced gene transfer in both yeast and human cell lines, but lower concentrations were sufficient for mammalian cells. With a triple combination of doxepin, amoxapine and chloroquine we obtained a transfection efficiency that exceeded that of chloroquine, one of the best-known transfection enhancers of mammalian cells, by nearly one order of magnitude.\Question: Does novel two-stage screening procedure lead to the identification of a new class of transfection enhancers?

SOLUTION: Non-viral gene transfer efficiency can be increased significantly using new transfection enhancers that are identified by a novel, semi-automated two-stage screening system employing yeast cells in the first and specific human target cells in the second round.

PROBLEM: Context: This magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of 26 subjects with nasal congestion was performed to assess in the complete nasal passage both the anatomical effect of the marketed Breathe Right Nasal Strip (BRNS) relative to placebo and the potential adjunctive effect of using a decongestant in combination with the BRNS.', 'Randomized, crossover study.', 'The study consisted of two parts, the first involving application of either the BRNS or the placebo strip in a randomized, crossover design with evaluator blinding, and repeated MRI scanning; and the second a sequential process of decongestant administration, MRI scanning, application of the BRNS, and repeated MRI. The same anatomical MRI protocol was used throughout. Nasal patency was assessed in the whole nasal passage and eight subregions (by inferior-superior, anterior-posterior division). Numerical response scores representing subjective nasal congestion were also obtained.', 'Results demonstrate significant anatomical enlargement with the BRNS relative to placebo (P < .001), as well as an additive effect of using a decongestant in combination with the BRNS; both supported by a strong and significant negative correlation with the subjective nasal response measures of nasal congestion (r = -0.98, P = .002). Furthermore, analysis of the nasal subregions indicates that this adjunctive effect arises from a partially localized action of the complementary products: the BRNS acting primarily anteriorly in the nose and the decongestant mainly posteriorly.\Question: Does magnetic resonance imaging reveal the complementary effects of decongestant and Breathe Right Nasal Strips on internal nasal anatomy?

SOLUTION:
The BRNS alone significantly increases nasal patency and alleviates perceived nasal congestion, and additional relief of symptoms can be obtained with simultaneous use of a decongestant.