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: We measured the effect of two weight adjusted i.v. doses (0.2 mg per 70 kg and 0.4 mg per 70 kg) of the potent opioid buprenorphine on analgesia and respiratory depression in healthy volunteers. The aim of the study was to compare buprenorphine's behaviour with respect to the occurrence of ceiling (or apparent maximum) in these typical micro-opioid protein-(MOP) receptor effects.", 'Ten subjects (5 males) received 0.2 mg per 70 kg, 10 others (5 males) 0.4 mg per 70 kg i.v. buprenorphine. Steady-state inspired minute ventilation at a fixed end-tidal Pco(2) of 7 kPa was measured before drug infusion and at regular intervals after drug infusion. Experimental pain was induced using transcutaneous electrical stimulation and a gradually increasing current. Pain tolerance was measured at regular intervals before and after drug infusion. The studies lasted 8 h.', 'After infusion of the drug ventilation showed a rapid decline and reached peak depression between 150 and 180 min after drug administration. This effect was dose-independent with respect to timing and magnitude. At peak respiratory depression minute ventilation was 13.1 (sd 1.8) litre min(-1) in the 0.2 mg group vs 12.0 (sd 1.3) litre min(-1) in the 0.4 mg group (n.s.). At buprenorphine 0.2 mg a small short-lived analgesic effect was observed with a maximum increase in pain tolerance current of 6.7 (sd 2.8) mA occurring at 75 min after drug administration. Peak analgesic effect was 29% above baseline current. In contrast, buprenorphine 0.4 mg caused a large and long-lived analgesic effect with a maximum increase in pain tolerance current of 23.8 (sd 7.4) mA occurring at 130 min after drug administration. Peak analgesic effect was 160% above baseline current (0.4 vs 0.2 mg, P<0.01).\Question: Does buprenorphine induce ceiling in respiratory depression but not in analgesia?

SOLUTION: While buprenorphine's analgesic effect increased significantly, respiratory depression was similar in magnitude and timing for the two doses tested. We conclude that over the dose range tested buprenorphine displays ceiling in respiratory effect but none in analgesic effect.

PROBLEM: Context: Ascent to high altitude leads to a reduction in ambient pressure and a subsequent fall in available oxygen. The resulting hypoxia can lead to elevated pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, capillary stress, and an increase in interstitial fluid. This fluid can be assessed on lung ultrasound (LUS) by the presence of B-lines. We undertook a chamber and field study to assess the impact of high-intensity exercise in hypoxia on the development of pulmonary interstitial edema in healthy lowlanders.', 'Thirteen volunteers completed a high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) test at sea level, in acute normobaric hypoxia (12% O2, approximately 4090 m equivalent altitude), and in hypobaric hypoxia during a field study at 4090 m after 6 days of acclimatization. Pulmonary interstitial edema was assessed by the evaluation of LUS B-lines.', 'After HIIE, no increase in B-lines was seen in normoxia, and a small increase was seen in acute normobaric hypoxia (2 2; P < .05). During the field study at 4090 m, 12 participants (92%) demonstrated 7 4 B-lines at rest, which increased to 17 5 immediately after the exercise test (P < .001). An increase was evident in all participants. There was a reciprocal fall in peripheral arterial oxygen saturations (Spo2) after exercise from 88% 4% to 80% 8% (P < .01). B-lines and Spo2 in all participants returned to baseline levels within 4 hours.\Question: Does high-intensity intermittent exercise increase pulmonary interstitial edema at altitude but not at simulated altitude?

SOLUTION: HIIE led to an increase in B-lines at altitude after subacute exposure but not during acute exposure at equivalent simulated altitude. This may indicate pulmonary interstitial edema.

PROBLEM: Context: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disease. It is necessary to find out new effective drugs for UC. In our study epicatechin extracted from grape seed by our institute for the first time could treat UC effectively. Then anti-UC mechanisms of epicatechin were elucidated in vivo and in vitro.', 'Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute UC mice model was used to evaluate the activity of epicatechin and its properties against UC. Then its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects were evaluated as follows: the concentrations of TNF- and IL-6 in the colon supernatants were determined by ELISA. NO and MPO were assayed by Griess method and commercial kit respectively. NF-B were determined by NF-B-Dependent Reporter Gene Expression Assay and Western Blotting respectively. Antioxidant factors such as SOD, MDA, GSH-Px and CAT were also measured in colon tissues and cell supernatant stimulated by LPS respectively.', 'In C57BL/6J mice model with DSS-induced UC, epicatechin was able to decrease the disease activity index and colon macroscopic damage index scores, reduce body weight loss, and significantly relieve colon contracture and crypt damage. TNF-, IL-6, NO, MPO and MDA were reduced in the mice administered epicatechin, whereas antioxidant enzymes showed increased activity in epicatechin-treated mice and cell line respectively. Furthermore, inhibition effect on NF-B activation by epicatechin were demonstrated in vivo and in vitro.\Question: Is the protective effect of epicatechin on experimental ulcerative colitis in mice mediated by increasing antioxidation and by the inhibition of NF-B pathway?

SOLUTION:
Epicatechin has inhibitory effect on DSS-induced acute UC. This effect is mainly due to its antioxidant effect and the inhibition of inflammatory molecules related to NF-B pathway.