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: Smoking cessation rapidly reduces cardiovascular risk. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved are still being debated. We measured structural and functional arterial wall properties of the femoral and carotid arteries after smoking cessation to investigate their possible role in cardiovascular risk reduction.', 'Out of 127 smokers, 33 proved to stop smoking for two years. They were compared with 50 nonsmokers and 55 persistent smokers in a prospective study. Cross-sectional compliance and distensibility coefficients as well as intima-media thickness of both carotid arteries and of the right common femoral artery were measured ultrasonographically at baseline and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after smoking cessation. The nonsmoking and persistent smokers group were measured twice at an interval of 24 months.', 'Persistent smoking and two years of smoking cessation did not affect cross-sectional compliance and distensibility coefficients. Although at baseline intimal-medial layers were thicker in smokers, the change over time in intima-media thickness did not differ significantly between all three groups.
Answer: Two years of smoking cessation was not accompanied by a slower progression or a regression in intima-media thickness nor by an improved cross-sectional compliance or distensiblity coefficient. Nevertheless, smoking cessation should be recommended as it reduces cardiovascular risk rapidly after smoking cessation.

SOLUTION: Does two years of smoking cessation reduce arterial wall thickness and stiffness?

PROBLEM: Context: The lung is exposed to airborne fungal spores, and fungi that colonize the oral cavity such as Candida albicans, but does not develop disease to opportunistic fungal pathogens unless the immune system is compromised. The Group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) is activated in response to Candida albicans infection resulting in the release of arachidonic acid for eicosanoid production. Although eicosanoids such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes modulate inflammation and immune responses, the role of cPLA2 and eicosanoids in regulating C. albicans lung infection is not understood.', 'The responses of cPLA2(+/+) and cPLA2(-/-) Balb/c mice to intratracheal instillation of C. albicans were compared. After challenge, we evaluated weight loss, organ fungal burden, and the recruitment of cells and the levels of cytokines and eicosanoids in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The ability of macrophages and neutrophils from cPLA2(+/+) and cPLA2(-/-) mice to recognize and kill C. albicans was also compared.', 'After C. albicans instillation, cPLA2(+/+) mice recovered a modest weight loss by 48h and completely cleared fungi from the lung by 12h with no dissemination to the kidneys. In cPLA2(-/-) mice, weight loss continued for 72h, C. albicans was not completely cleared from the lung and disseminated to the kidneys. cPLA2(-/-) mice exhibited greater signs of inflammation including higher neutrophil influx, and elevated levels of albumin and pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (IL1, IL1, TNF, IL6, CSF2, CXCL1, CCL20) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The amounts of cysteinyl leukotrienes, thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 were significantly lower in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from C. albicans-infected cPLA2(-/-) mice compared to cPLA2(+/+) mice. Alveolar macrophages and neutrophils from uninfected cPLA2(-/-) mice exhibited less killing of C. albicans in vitro than cells from cPLA2(+/+) mice. In addition alveolar macrophages from cPLA2(-/-) mice isolated 6h after instillation of GFP-C. albicans contained fewer internalized fungi than cPLA2(+/+) macrophages.
Answer: The results demonstrate that cPLA2 contributes to immune surveillance and host defense in the lung to prevent infection by the commensal fungus C. albicans and to dampen inflammation.

SOLUTION: Does cytosolic phospholipase A2 contribute to innate immune defense against Candida albicans lung infection?

PROBLEM: Context: Low resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) have been shown in adults to predispose to obesity and diabetes mellitus.', 'To correlate REE and RQ in 73 obese children and young adults (body mass index [BMI] 37 +/- 10 kg/m2) with measures of insulin secretion and resistance (IR) indices, percent carbohydrate and fat oxidation, and prolactin and leptin levels.', 'During a 3-day admission, REE and RQ were determined by indirect calorimetry. Blood chemistries and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were obtained, and intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) modified by tolbutamide was conducted after an overnight fast, permitting calculation of acute insulin response (AIR), insulin resistance (SiIVGTT), and disposition index (DI).', 'Patients fell into two groups according to their SiIVGTT: those with normal insulin sensitivity (NIS) and those with insulin resistance (IR). IR patients were subdivided on the basis of DI (cut-off value 0.13 min(-1)) into compensated (CIR) or decompensated (DIR) groups. CIR patients had higher RQ, REE corrected by BMI, AIR, and carbohydrate oxidation and lower fat oxidation than NIS and DIR patients. REE correlated positively with BMI, leptin, and AIR, and negatively with SiIVGTT.
Answer: Findings in the CIR and DIR groups support the correlation of REE with metabolic changes consistent with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus.

SOLUTION:
Does resting energy expenditure in insulin resistance fall with decompensation of insulin secretion in obese children?