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.

[Q]: Context: Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a C-type lectin involved in surfactant homeostasis as well as host defense in the lung. We have recently demonstrated that SP-A enhances the killing of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) by rat macrophages through a nitric oxide-dependent pathway. In the current study we have investigated the role of tyrosine kinases and the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, and the transcription factor NFkappaB in mediating the enhanced signaling in response to BCG in the presence of SP-A.', 'Human SP-A was prepared from alveolar proteinosis fluid, and primary macrophages were obtained by maturation of cells from whole rat bone marrow. BCG-SP-A complexes were routinely prepared by incubation of a ratio of 20 microg of SP-A to 5 x 105 BCG for 30 min at 37 degrees C. Cells were incubated with PBS, SP-A, BCG, or SP-A-BCG complexes for the times indicated. BCG killing was assessed using a 3H-uracil incorporation assay. Phosphorylated protein levels, enzyme assays, and secreted mediator assays were conducted using standard immunoblot and biochemical methods as outlined.', 'Involvement of tyrosine kinases was demonstrated by herbimycin A-mediated inhibition of the SP-A-enhanced nitric oxide production and BCG killing. Following infection of macrophages with BCG, the MAPK family members ERK1 and ERK2 were activated as evidence by increased tyrosine phosphorylation and enzymatic activity, and this activation was enhanced when the BCG were opsonized with SP-A. An inhibitor of upstream kinases required for ERK activation inhibited BCG- and SP-A-BCG-enhanced production of nitric oxide by approximately 35%. Macrophages isolated from transgenic mice expressing a NFkappaB-responsive luciferase gene showed increased luciferase activity following infection with BCG, and this activity was enhanced two-fold in the presence of SP-A. Finally, lactacystin, an inhibitor of IkappaB degradation, reduced BCG- and SP-A-BCG-induced nitric oxide production by 60% and 80% respectively.
Answer: These results demonstrate that BCG and SP-A-BCG ingestion by macrophages is accompanied by activation of signaling pathways involving the MAP kinase pathway and NFkappaB.
[A]: Are mitogen-activated protein kinases and NFkappaB involved in SP-A-enhanced responses of macrophages to mycobacteria?


[Q]: Context: Due to increased use of imaging techniques, adrenal incidentalomas are frequently detected. The majority are non-hyperfunctioning adrenocortical tumors. We have previously shown that expression of the gene CYP17, coding for the enzyme in the cortisol pathway, correlates with cortisol release from adrenocortical tumors in vitro. The aim of this study was to compare clinical data with mRNA expression of CYP17 and CYP11B1 in adrenocortical tumors from patients with and without Cushing's syndrome and to identify adrenal tumors that may cause subclinical Cushing's syndrome.", 'A retrospective study of 34 patients undergoing adrenalectomy due to an adrenal tumor.', 'Clinical data were collected. In the adrenal gland the mRNA expression of the genes CYP17 and CYP11B1 was studied with in situ hybridisation technique.', "The median ratio of CYP17/CYP11B1 expression in tumors from patients with Cushing's syndrome was significantly higher than the median ratio in the non-hyperfunctioning tumors. Tumors from 2 patients with subclinical Cushing's syndrome had ratios within the upper range for non-hyperfunctioning tumors.
Answer: The ratio between the expression of the genes CYP17 and CYP11B1 in tumors from patients with Cushing's syndrome is significantly higher than in the non-hyperfunctioning tumors. This indicates that 17alpha-hydroxylase is a major determinant of cortisol overproduction. The patients with subclinical Cushing's syndrome in this study are too few to draw any firm conclusions although the results suggest that subclinical Cushing's syndrome may be identified post-operatively with this method.
[A]: Does increased ratio of mRNA expression of the genes CYP17 and CYP11B1 indicate autonomous cortisol production in adrenocortical tumors?


[Q]: Context: Interindividual variability and drug interaction studies suggest that blood-brain barrier drug transporters mediate human methadone brain biodistribution. In vitro and animal studies suggest that methadone is a substrate for the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, and that P-glycoprotein-mediated transport influences brain access and pharmacologic effect. This investigation tested whether methadone is a transporter substrate in humans [corrected].', 'Healthy volunteers received oral (N=16) or IV (N=12) methadone in different crossover protocols after nothing (control) or the validated P-glycoprotein inhibitor cyclosporine (4.5 mg/kg orally twice daily for 4 days, or 5 mg/kg IV over 2 h). Plasma and urine methadone and metabolite concentrations were measured by mass spectrometry. Methadone effects were measured by miosis and thermal analgesia (maximally tolerated temperature and verbal analog scale rating of discreet temperatures).', 'Cyclosporine marginally but significantly decreased methadone plasma concentrations and apparent oral clearance, but had no effect on methadone renal clearance or on hepatic N-demethylation. Cyclosporine had no effect on miosis or on R-methadone concentration-miosis relationships after either oral or IV methadone. Peak miosis was similar in controls and cyclosporine-treated subjects after oral methadone (1.4±0.4 and 1.3±0.5 mm/mg, respectively) and IV methadone (3.1±1.0 and 3.2±0.8 mm, respectively). Methadone increased maximally tolerated temperature, but analgesia testing was confounded by cyclosporine-related pain.
Answer: Cyclosporine did not affect methadone pharmacodynamics. This result does not support a role for cyclosporine-inhibitable transporters mediating methadone brain access and biodistribution.
[A]:
Does cyclosporine-inhibitable cerebral drug transport influence clinical methadone pharmacodynamics?