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: Gastric lipase is an important enzyme for dietary triglyceride digestion in normal subjects. Its regulation is unknown, as is the relation between the quantity and activity of the enzyme.', 'In a dose-response study we investigated the effect of low doses of pentagastrin (less than 1000 ng/kg/h) on the output of gastric lipase measured by a kinetic assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).', 'In five healthy volunteers stepwise intravenous pentagastrin infusions of 0, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 ng/kg/h resulted in a stepwise increase in the lipase output, as measured with ELISA. However, the lipolytic activity, measured with a kinetic assay, decreased as the pH of the gastric contents decreased.
Answer: We conclude that secretion of the gastric lipase is stimulated by pentagastrin, but the simultaneous secretion of acid counteracts the lipolytic activity of the enzyme when food is not present.

SOLUTION: Do low doses of pentagastrin stimulate gastric lipase secretion in man?

PROBLEM: Context: Patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have an increased risk of developing a second cancer. There is not a definitive explanation for this phenomenon, although some hypotheses have been postulated. The aim of the present work was to assess the presence of second cancer in untreated patients with CLL who were cytogenetically characterized, and secondly to investigate if there is a correlation between the genetics of CLL and the emergence of second cancer.', 'We performed conventional cytogenetics and Fluorescent in situ hybridization analyses in a series of 106 patients.', 'We observed that nearly 8% of cases developed second cancer, mostly epithelial tumors. The majority of them presented two common features, del(13)(q14.3) and the presence of at least two genetic alterations.
Answer: We suggest that the genetic background of CLL, particularly the presence of several genetic alterations, influences the emergence of second cancer in patients affected by CLL.

SOLUTION: Does genetics of lymphocytes influence the emergence of second cancer in chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

PROBLEM: Context: The precise pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) remains unknown. However, an important association between CSU and autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's disease (HD) has been reported. We investigated the frequency of HD as a comorbidity of CSU and the prevalence rate of autoreactivity among CSU patients with HD.", 'The presence of thyroid autoantibodies and the levels of thyroid hormones were examined in 40 CSU patients who showed urticaria symptoms for >4 weeks. Patients who were diagnosed with HD, including subclinical ones, and were in need of treatment received thyroid therapy, and the changes in their urticarial symptoms were observed. An autologous serum skin test (ASST) was also performed to examine the relation of CSU with autoreactivity.', 'Eleven of the 40 CSU patients were diagnosed with HD, and 4 of the 5 patients who received and completed thyroid therapy showed considerable remission of urticarial symptoms during and after treatment. In addition, the rate of positive ASST results tended to be higher in CSU patients with HD (5 of 7) than in those without HD (2 of 6).
Answer: The comorbidity rate of HD in CSU patients was high, and such patients tended to have a positive ASST. Thyroid therapy in CSU patients with HD can lead to a considerable remission of urticarial symptoms, which may suggest that HD is possibly involved in the aetiology of CSU, or is at least a potential exacerbating factor for CSU.

SOLUTION:
Is hashimoto 's disease a frequent comorbidity and an exacerbating factor of chronic spontaneous urticaria?