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: Interferon (IFN)- is a major cytokine produced by immune cells that plays diverse roles in modulating both the immune system and bone metabolism, but its role in autogenous bone grafting remains unknown. Here, we present that local IFN- administration improved the efficacy of autogenous bone graft treatment in an experimental rat model.', 'An autogenous bone graft model was prepared with critically sized rat calvariae defects. Four weeks (w) after bone graft implantation, rats were treated locally with IFN- or were not treated. The effect of IFN- on bone formation was evaluated for up to 8w with micro-computed tomography, quantitative histomorphometry, and Von Kossa staining. Osteoclastogenesis was assessed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Immunohistochemistry staining or quantitative polymerase chain reactions were used to estimate the expression of osteoclast differentiation factor and inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, a well-known stimulant of osteoclastogenesis and an inhibitor of osteoblast activity, in defects.', 'Newly formed bone gradually replaced the autogenous bone grafts within 4w, although severe bone resorption with osteoclastogenesis and TNF- expression occurred after 6w in the absence of IFN- administration. IFN- administration markedly attenuated bone loss, osteoclastogenesis, and TNF- expression, while it enhanced bone formation at 8w.
Answer: Local IFN- administration promoted bone formation in autogenous bone grafts possibly via regulating osteoclastogenesis and TNF- expression. The data provide insights into the potential roles of IFN- in autogenous bone grafting.

SOLUTION: Does interferon- enhance the efficacy of autogenous bone grafts by inhibiting postoperative bone resorption in rat calvarial defects?

PROBLEM: Context: Microvascular alterations contribute to the development of stroke and vascular dementia. The goal of this study was to evaluate age and hypertension related changes of the basal lamina in cerebral microvessels of individuals, who died from non-cerebral causes.', 'We examined 27 human brains: 11 young and 16 old patients. Old patients were divided into two subgroups, those with hypertension (n = 8) and those without hypertension (n = 8). Basal lamina changes of the cerebral microvessels were determined in the putamen using antibodies against collagen type IV and by quantitative analysis of vessel number, total stained area of collagen, thickness of the vessel wall and lumen, and relative staining intensity using immunofluorescence. The total number of collagen positive vessels per microscopic field was reduced in old compared to young subjects (12.0+/-0.6 vs. 15.1+/-1.2, p = 0.02). The relative collagen content per vessel (1.01+/-0.06 vs. 0.76+/-0.05, p = 0.01) and the relative collagen intensity (233.1+/-4.5 vs. 167.8+/-10.6, p < 0.0001) shown by immunofluorescence were higher in the older compared to the younger patients with a consecutive reduction of the lumen / wall ratio (1.29+/-0.05 vs. 3.29+/-0.15, p < 0.0001). No differences were observed for these parameters between old hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients.
Answer: The present data show age-related changes of the cerebral microvessels in sections of human putamen for the first time. Due to the accumulation of collagen, microvessels thicken and show a reduction in their lumen. Besides this, the number of vessels decreases. These findings might represent a precondition for the development of vascular cognitive impairment. However, hypertension was not proven to modulate these changes.

SOLUTION: Is aging associated with increased collagen type IV accumulation in the basal lamina of human cerebral microvessels?

PROBLEM: Context: The mechanisms through which transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 promotes intimal growth, and the pathways through which TGF-beta1 expression is regulated in the artery wall, are incompletely understood. We used a mouse model to investigate mechanisms of TGF-beta1-induced intimal growth.', 'Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of TGF-beta1 in uninjured carotid arteries of wild-type mice induced formation of a cellular and matrix-rich intima. Intimal growth appeared primarily due to cell migration and matrix accumulation, with only a negligible contribution from cell proliferation. Overexpression of TGF-beta1 also stimulated expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor [PAI]-1) in the artery wall. To test the hypothesis that PAI-1 is a critical downstream mediator of TGF-beta1-induced intimal growth, we transduced carotid arteries of PAI-1-deficient (Serpine1(-/-)) mice with the TGF-beta1-expressing vector. Overexpression of TGF-beta1 in Serpine1(-/-) arteries did not increase intimal growth, matrix accumulation, cell migration, or proliferation. Moreover, TGF-beta1-transduced arteries of Serpine1(-/-) mice secreted 6- to 10-fold more TGF-beta1 than did arteries of wild-type mice that were infused with the same concentration of the TGF-beta1-expressing vector.
Answer: PAI-1 is both a critical mediator of TGF-beta1-induced intimal growth and a key negative regulator of TGF-beta1 expression in the artery wall.

SOLUTION:
Does transforming growth factor beta 1 induce neointima formation through plasminogen activator inhibitor-1-dependent pathways?