TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage classify if the passage has a definite objective/aim/goal or not. Output '1' if the passage has a defininte objective/aim/goal and output '0' if the passage does not have a definite objective/aim/goal.
PROBLEM: Although allergic sensitization can be generated against various allergens, it is unknown how such a diversity of antigens is able to promote TH2-mediated inflammation leading to atopy. Our previous studies demonstrated that allergen-specific IgG immune complexes (ICs) and house dust mite (HDM) extract both induced dendritic cells (DCs) to drive TH2-mediated inflammation, but the mechanism by which these diverse stimuli produce similar responses is unknown.', 'We sought to identify the DC signaling pathways used by TH2 stimuli to promote TH2-mediated inflammation.', 'C57BL/6, FcγRIII(-/-), FcRγ(-/-), and ST2(-/-) mice were sensitized and challenged with HDM, and inflammation was assessed based on results of flow cytometry and histology and cytokine production. Bone marrow-derived DCs from these strains were used in signaling and adoptive transfer experiments.', 'Our findings indicate that 2 distinct TH2 stimuli, ICs and HDM, use the FcRγ-associated receptors FcγRIII and Dectin-2, respectively, to promote TH2-mediated lung inflammation. In this study we demonstrate that both ICs and HDM induce expression of IL-33, a critical mediator in asthma pathogenesis and the differentiation of TH2 cells, in DCs. Upregulation of IL-33 in DCs is dependent on FcRγ, Toll-like receptor 4, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Exogenous IL-33 is sufficient to restore the development of TH2 responses in FcRγ-deficient mice. Finally, adoptive transfer of allergen-pulsed FcRγ(+/-) bone-marrow derived DCs restores the development of TH2-type inflammation in FcRγ-deficient mice, demonstrating the necessity of this signaling pathway in DCs for allergen-induced inflammation.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: The lowest peak expiratory flow (PEF) over a week, expressed as a percentage of the highest PEF (Min%Max PEF) has been reported to be the index that most closely correlates with airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthmatics. However, both fluctuation of the airway caliber and airflow limitation are regarded as physiological properties of asthma closely related to AHR. An accurate index that shows the degree of AHR may be obtained by combining the index of airway lability with the parameters that represent airway caliber.', 'Ninety-two steroid-naive and twenty-eight steroid-treated asthmatic patients were enrolled. Using the physiological parameters obtained from spirometry and PEF monitoring, we investigated the indices which correlate accurately with airway responsiveness measured by the inhalation challenge test.', 'Although the methacholine threshold was related to all parameters that represent airway caliber and lability, Min%Max PEF had the strongest correlation with AHR. When Min%Max PEF was adjusted by the airway geometric factors, the normalization of Min%Max PEF with forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of the predicted value (%FEV(1)) improved the relationship between Min%Max PEF and AHR.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Although diabetic patients often have gastrointestinal complications, the gastric mucosal function in diabetes has not been well documented.', 'To investigate the effect of fasting on the gastric mucosa in C57BL/KsJ-db +/+ db (db/db) mice, genetically non-insulin-dependent diabetic animals.', 'Blood glucose levels, gastric mucosal morphology, and the amount of gastric mucin were examined before and after 18 h of fasting with free access to water in db/db mice and their non-diabetic littermates (db/m).', 'Although 18 h of fasting reduced the blood glucose levels of both db/db and db/m mice, fasting decreased the amount of gastric adherent mucin and caused haemorrhagic gastric lesions only in db/db mice. After fasting, oral administration of ethanol induced much more severe gastric damage in db/db than in db/m mice. The above fasting-induced gastric damage such as haemorrhagic lesions, loss of the mucin, and the increased sensitivity to ethanol worsened as the duration of diabetes became longer. Glucose ingestion in drinking water during the fasting counteracted the fall in blood glucose and prevented the decrease in the amount of gastric mucin and the formation of gastric mucosal lesions in db/db mice.

SOLUTION:
1