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: The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene is located within the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex region, exhibiting the -308 GA promoter region polymorphism and six microsatellites (TNFa-f) spanning the region nearby the TNF locus.', 'In the present study, we evaluated the frequency of -308 GA and TNFa-e polymorphisms and respective haplotypes (in chromosomal sequence: TNFd-TNFe-308GA-TNFc-TNFa-TNFb), in 222 patients with AIDS, 52 of whom exhibited cytomegalovirus retinitis, and in 202 healthy HIV-negative individuals.', 'TNF microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism typings were performed by PCR followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.', 'The TNF-308A allele and the 4-3-G-2-7-1 haplotype were associated with susceptibility to AIDS, whereas the TNFb4 allele and the 3-3-G-1-11-4 haplotype were associated with protection against AIDS development. The TNFc2 allele and the 4-1-G-2-2-1 haplotype, which contains the TNFc2 allele, were associated with cytomegalovirus retinitis.
Answer: This study highlights that polymorphic sites spanning the region nearby the TNF locus are associated with AIDS per se and with cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients.

SOLUTION: Are tumor necrosis factor region polymorphisms associated with AIDS and with cytomegalovirus retinitis?

PROBLEM: Context: Recent evidence has indicated that members of natural jasmonates, a family of plant stress hormones, exhibit anticancer activity. The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of jasmonates on the in vitro growth of human neuroblastomas, one of the most common solid tumors in children.', 'Cellular proliferation was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetry and colony formation assay. Apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. Western blotting was applied to assay gene expression.', 'The administration of natural jasmonates, methyl jasmonate, cis-jasmone, and jasmonic acid to cultured neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, resulted in a decrease of cell proliferation in a doseand time-dependent manner. However, the in vitro growth of cultured human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell line HEK 293 was not affected by jasmonates. The cell cycles of jasmonate-treated SH-SY5Y cells were arrested at the G2/M phase. The incubation of SH-SY5Y cells with jasmonates resulted in characteristic changes of apoptosis. The anticancer activities of natural jasmonates on SH-SY5Y cells are as follows: methyl jasmonate>cis-jasmone>jasmonic acid. In addition, the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and N-myc were downregulated by methyl jasmonate. Moreover, methyl jasmonate decreased the expression of the Xlinked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and survivin, critical members of inhibitors of the apoptosis protein family, in SH-SY5Y cells.
Answer: Jasmonates suppress the growth of human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y via inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis, which lays the groundwork for further investigation into the anticancer activities and its mechanisms of natural jasmonates on human neuroblastomas.

SOLUTION: Do natural jasmonates of different structures suppress the growth of human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y and its mechanisms?

PROBLEM: Context: Prediction of prognosis after liver transplantation (OLT) remains difficult. The present study determines if standard laboratory parameters measured within the first week after OLT correlate with outcome.', 'Laboratory parameters measured within the first weak after OLT of 328 patients were grouped either graft loss or death within 90 days after (group 1: graft loss; group 2: death; group 3: neither graft loss nor death within 90 days).', 'Peak AST and ALT were significantly lower in group 3 (1867 and 1252 U/L) than in group 1 (4474 and 2077 U/L) or 2 (3121 and 1865 U/L). Bilirubin was significantly lower and gamma-GT significantly higher in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2. In multivariate analysis, high AST peaks were independently associated with death or graft loss within 90 days. An increase in gamma-GT and low bilirubin early after transplantation were found to be independently associated with superior outcome.
Answer: Unexpectedly, a disproportionate rise in gamma-GT was associated with graft and patient survival of more than 90 days. This might be explained by regeneration phenomena in the liver indicative of a well functioning graft.

SOLUTION:
Are an early increase in gamma glutamyltranspeptidase and low aspartate aminotransferase peak values associated with superior outcomes after orthotopic liver transplantation?