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: Nagashima-type palmoplantar keratosis (NPPK) is a distinct autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by diffuse transgressive palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK). Very recently, putative loss-of-function mutations in SERPINB7, which encodes a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily and is abundantly expressed in the epidermis, have been identified as a cause of NPPK.', 'To confirm further the role of SERPINB7 mutations in the pathogenesis of NPPK.', 'We analysed 10 Japanese families with NPPK using Sanger and/or whole-exome sequencing.', 'We identified one novel and three recurrent null mutations in SERPINB7. In all the families, the NPPK trait was inherited in an autosomal recessive manner; in one of the families, there was pseudodominant inheritance, which had not been described in NPPK.
Answer: These data clearly provide further evidence that NPPK is caused by loss-of-function mutations in SERPINB7.

SOLUTION: Does highly prevalent SERPINB7 founder mutation cause pseudodominant inheritance pattern in Nagashima-type palmoplantar keratosis?

PROBLEM: Context: We assessed the expression of natural killer (NK) receptors in recurrent aborters before and after immunotherapy using their husbands' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).", 'Using stored PBMCs from recurrent aborters before and after the immunotherapy, the expression of NK receptors, CD158a, CD158b, CD159 and CD94, were analyzed using monoclonal antibodies for respective receptors. The diversity of killer activatory receptors (KARs) and killer inhibitory receptors (KIRs) was also examined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method.', 'In recurrent aborters, no apparent changes in NK receptor expression and the balance between KARs and KIRs were found before and after the immunotherapy.
Answer: The allo-human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-stimulation caused by the immunotherapy for recurrent aborters did not affect the expression of NK receptors and the ratio of KARs to KIRs regardless of the outcome of subsequent pregnancies, suggesting that recurrent aborters may benefit from the immunotherapy through mechanisms unrelated to alteration in NK receptor status.

SOLUTION: Does immunotherapy prevent recurrent abortion without influencing natural killer receptor status?

PROBLEM: Context: To study the prevalence of hand abnormalities in diabetic patients and to evaluate associations between the hand abnormalities and diabetic variables, ergonomic factors and smoking habits.', 'Cross-sectional study of 100 patients selected at random. Setting. Out-patient clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Orebro Medical Centre Hospital in Sweden.', "Presence and extent of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), Dupuytren's contracture (DC), flexor tenosynovitis (FTS), and limited joint mobility (LJM). Duration of diabetes, metabolic control, chronic diabetic complications, blood pressure, ergonomic factors and smoking habits.", 'Carpal tunnel syndrome, DC, FTS and LJM were each present in about 20% of the patients. Hand abnormalities were observed in 50 patients and more than one abnormality was found in 26 of the patients. The hand abnormalities were associated with the duration of diabetes but not with the metabolic control or with other diabetic complications. However, the diabetic complications were associated with bad metabolic control and with the duration of diabetes. Hand abnormalities correlated with heavy manual work but not with smoking habits. Twenty-five of the 50 patients with hand syndromes were disabled to such an extent that surgery was recommended.
Answer: The prevalence of hand abnormalities in diabetic patients is high and increases with the duration of diabetes. In many cases patients with hand abnormalities can be helped by surgery.

SOLUTION:
Are hand abnormalities strongly associated with the duration of diabetes mellitus?