TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given a passage which has a question and the context. You have to generate an answer to the question based on the information present in the context.
PROBLEM: Context: ANGPTL8 (betatrophin) has been recently identified as a regulator of lipid metabolism through its interaction with ANGPTL3. A sequence variant in ANGPTL8 has been shown to associate with lower level of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). The objective of this study is to identify sequence variants in ANGPTL8 gene in Arabs and investigate their association with ANGPTL8 plasma level and clinical parameters.', 'A cross sectional study was designed to examine the level of ANGPTL8 in 283 non-diabetic Arabs, and to identify its sequence variants using Sanger sequencing and their association with various clinical parameters.', 'Using Sanger sequencing, we sequenced the full ANGPTL8 gene in 283 Arabs identifying two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Rs.892066 and Rs.2278426 in the coding region. Our data shows for the first time that Arabs with the heterozygote form of (c.194C > T Rs.2278426) had higher level of Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) compared to the CC homozygotes. LDL and HDL level in these subjects did not show significant difference between the two subgroups. Circulation level of ANGPTL8 did not vary between the two forms. No significant changes were observed between the various forms of Rs.892066 variant and FBG, LDL or HDL.\Question: Is aNGPTL8/Betatrophin R59W variant associated with higher glucose level in non-diabetic Arabs living in Kuwaits?

SOLUTION: Our data shows for the first time that heterozygote form of ANGPTL8 Rs.2278426 variant was associated with higher FBG level in Arabs highlighting the importance of these variants in controlling the function of betatrophin.

PROBLEM: Context: Intermittent hypoxia (IH)-induced activation of pro-inflammatory pathways is a major contributing factor to the cardiovascular pathophysiology associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obesity is commonly associated with OSA although it remains unknown whether adipose tissue is a major source of inflammatory mediators in response to IH. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that IH leads to augmented inflammatory responses in human adipocytes when compared to cells of non-adipocyte lineages.', 'Human primary subcutaneous and visceral adipocytes, human primary microvascular pulmonary endothelial cells (HUMEC-L) and human primary small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) were exposed to 0, 6 or 12 cycles of IH or stimulated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-. IH led to a robust increase in NF-B DNA-binding activity in adipocytes compared with normoxic controls regardless of whether the source of adipocytes was visceral or subcutaneous. Notably, the NF-B response of adipocytes to both IH and TNF- was significantly greater than that in HUMEC-L and SAEC. Western blotting confirmed enhanced nuclear translocation of p65 in adipocytes in response to IH, accompanied by phosphorylation of I-B. Parallel to p65 activation, we observed a significant increase in secretion of the adipokines interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and TNF- with IH in adipocytes accompanied by significant upregulation of mRNA expression. PCR-array suggested profound influence of IH on pro-inflammatory gene expression in adipocytes.\Question: Are human adipocytes highly sensitive to intermittent hypoxia induced NF-kappaB activity and subsequent inflammatory gene expression?

SOLUTION: Human adipocytes demonstrate strong sensitivity to inflammatory gene expression in response to acute IH and hence, adipose tissue may be a key source of inflammatory mediators in OSA.

PROBLEM: Context: To verify the influence of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ketorolac (topical and oral) on the intraocular pressure reduction induced by 0.005% latanoprost topical administration, both in patients affected by primary open-angle glaucoma and in healthy controls.', 'Two groups of subjects were enrolled for this randomized, prospective, masked clinical study: 16 glaucomatous patients well controlled with 0.005% latanoprost eyedrops (group I) and 16 healthy adult volunteers (group II). Group I subjects were treated at one-week intervals with 10 mg of oral ketorolac, oral placebo, topical ketorolac, and topical placebo, respectively; for each administration modality, the switch between drug and placebo was performed in a randomized, crossover, double-blind fashion. Group II subjects followed the same protocol, with the topical once-daily 0.005% latanoprost treatment starting three days prior to the ketorolac/placebo administration. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was investigated in both groups on the day of oral/topical administration of ketorolac or placebo at baseline (8:00 AM) and at the following intervals: 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours.', 'No significant IOP changes after oral and topical placebo administration were observed in either group. In contrast, when the subjects received ketorolac (either oral or topical), a marked decrease in IOP was recorded, with a noticeable fall at the first hour after the NSAID administration (p = 0.01), which remained still significant 8 hours later (p < 0.05).\Question: Does topical and oral ketorolac administration increase the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of latanoprost?

SOLUTION:
Topical and oral ketorolac strengthens the latanoprost-induced IOP-lowering effect both in glaucomatous patients and in healthy subjects.