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: The present study investigated the effects of continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) over primary somatosensory (SI) and motor (M1) cortices on motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI).', 'MEPs and SAI were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle of the right hand following 30Hz cTBS over left-hemisphere SI and M1 delivered to the same participants in separate sessions. Measurements were taken before and up to 60min following cTBS.', 'CTBS over M1 suppressed MEPs and did not alter SAI. In contrast cTBS over SI facilitated MEPs and decreased median and digital nerve evoked SAI.\Question: Does continuous theta-burst stimulation over primary somatosensory cortex modulate short-latency afferent inhibition?

SOLUTION: These findings indicate that SAI amplitude is influenced by cTBS over SI but not M1, suggesting an important role for SI in the modulation of this circuit. These data provide further evidence that cTBS over SI versus M1 has opposite effects on corticospinal excitability.

PROBLEM: Context: With male gender as a strong predictor of cardiovascular instability, we hypothesized that gender-specific differences in circulating carbon monoxide levels contributed to dysregulated microvascular function in preterm male infants.', 'Infants born at 24 to 34 weeks of gestation (N = 84) were studied in a regional tertiary neonatal unit. Carboxyhemoglobin levels were measured through spectrophotometry in umbilical arterial blood and at 24, 72, and 120 hours after birth. Microvascular blood flow was determined through laser Doppler flowmetry.', 'Carboxyhemoglobin levels demonstrated a strong inverse relationship with gestational age (r = -0.636; P < .001) and were higher in boys (P = .032). Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significant decrease in arterial carboxyhemoglobin levels over time (P < .001), with significant between-subjects effects for gestational age (P = .011) and gender (P = .025). Positive correlations with microvascular blood flow at 24 hours of age (r = 0.495; P < .001) and 120 hours of age (r = 0.548; P < .001) were observed. With controlling for gestational age, carboxyhemoglobin levels at 72 hours were greater for infants who died in the first week of life (P = .035).\Question: Is carbon monoxide a significant mediator of cardiovascular status following preterm birth?

SOLUTION: The gestational age- and gender-specific differences in carboxyhemoglobin levels and the relationship with dysregulated microvascular blood flow, a state related to greater illness severity and hypotension, are novel findings not confined solely to sick preterm infants. Both inducible heme oxygenase-dependent and non-heme oxygenase-dependent pathways may initially play a central role in carbon monoxide production, inducing pathophysiologic processes in a gender-specific manner.

PROBLEM: Context: Plasma levels of adrenomedullin, a potent vasodilator peptide, are increased in cirrhotic patients, whereas its role in vascular hyporeactivity in cirrhosis has not been clarified.', 'Adrenomedullin expression was evaluated by radioimmunoassay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Vascular reactivity to phenylephrine, alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, was investigated in the aortic rings from control rats and CCl-induced cirrhotic rats with ascites in the presence of the neutralizing antibody against adrenomedullin, human adrenomedullin and/or N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor.', 'Plasma adrenomedullin levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic rats than in controls (16.3 +/- 2.9 versus 7.4 +/- 1.7 fmol/mL, P < 0.05) and correlated negatively with systemic arterial pressure (r = -0.62, P < 0.05). Gene expression of adrenomedullin in various organs (liver, kidney, lung) and vessels (portal vein, aorta) was enhanced in cirrhotic rats compared with controls. Neutralizing antibody against adrenomedullin ameliorated the blunted contractile response to phenylephrine in cirrhotic aorta (Rmax: 1.5 +/- 0.1 versus 1.0 +/- 0.1 g/mg tissue, P < 0.05), whereas contraction remained unchanged in control aorta (Rmax: 1.9 +/- 0.2 versus 1.9 +/- 0.2 g/mg tissue). Intravenous infusion of human adrenomedullin induced a reduction of mean arterial pressure together with an increase of serum nitrate levels, which was abolished by neutralizing antibody against adrenomedullin. Human adrenomedullin caused a blunted contractile response to phenylephrine in both control and cirrhotic aortas, which was not observed in the presence of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester.\Question: Does adrenomedullin contribute to vascular hyporeactivity in cirrhotic rats with ascites via a release of nitric oxide?

SOLUTION:
These findings indicate that the overproduction of adrenomedullin may contribute to vascular hyporeactivity in cirrhosis via a release of nitric oxide.