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 aim of this study was to develop an assay system that can quantify the amount of biomass in biofilms formed by different isogenic mutants of an Escherichia coli K-12 strain.', 'The reported assay, which is based on the BacTiter-Glo assay from Promega, uses bioluminescence to detect the intracellular concentration of ATP, which correlates with viable bacterial cell numbers. The quantitative data obtained with this ATP assay were compared to those obtained with the conventional crystal violet assay. As a qualitative control, scanning electron microscopy was performed.\Question: Does a combination of assays reveal biomass differences in biofilms formed by Escherichia coli mutants?

SOLUTION: The ATP assay, the crystal violet assay and scanning electron microscopy yielded similar results for six of the eight strains tested. For the remaining two strains, the images from the scanning electron microscopy confirmed the results from the ATP assay.

PROBLEM: Context: The cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) pathway is now recognized to be important in human cancer development and progression. The gene for cox-2 carries a common single nucleotide polymorphism, T8473C, located within a potential functional region in the 3'-UTR of cox-2 gene was identified. We have investigated the frequencies of cox-2 genotypes in Tunisian population to determine whether that polymorphism was associated with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Tunisian population.", 'One hundred and eighty-nine NPC patients were compared to 237 healthy controls.', 'The cox-2 T8473C polymorphism was significantly associated with NPC (P=0.031). The CC-genotype and C allele were more frequent in control compared to patients group [CC: OR=0.37; P=0.013; 95% CI: 0.17-0.81; C: OR=0.72; P=0.032; 95% CI: 0.53-0.97]. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the CC-genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of NPC (P=0.013). Tumor sizes, histologic grade, presence of primary lymph node metastases, age or sex were not associated with cox-2 genotypes.\Question: Does the CC-genotype of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene associate with decreased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a Tunisian population?

SOLUTION: We conclude that the CC-genotype and C allele of cox-2 T8473C gene polymorphism are associated with decreased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a Tunisian population.

PROBLEM: Context: Azathioprine, an effective therapy for Crohn's disease, is limited by a prolonged time to response. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and utility of a loading dose of azathioprine to decrease the time to response in patients with Crohn's disease.", "Twelve patients were studied: 6 with 13 fistulae and 6 with inflammatory disease. All patients received an intravenous infusion of azathioprine (50 mg/h for 36 hours). Response was determined by physical and radiographic examination for fistulae and by the Crohn's Disease Activity Index for inflammatory disease. Erythrocyte concentrations of azathioprine metabolites were measured by chromatography.", 'Seven of 13 fistulae closed by week 4, and three had a temporary decrease in drainage. One fistula improved at week 16. Two fistulae failed to improve. Four of 6 patients with inflammatory disease achieved remission, and 1 improved temporarily. Improvement was rapid (< or = 4 weeks). Peak concentrations of azathioprine metabolites occurred within 3 days. Clinical response did not correlate with azathioprine metabolite concentrations at the azathioprine dose studied. No adverse events occurred.\Question: Does an intravenous loading dose of azathioprine decrease the time to response in patients with Crohn 's disease?

SOLUTION:
An 1800-mg intravenous loading dose of azathioprine is safe and may decrease the time to response to < or = 4 weeks in patients with Crohn's disease. Correlation between clinical response and azathioprine metabolite concentrations at larger azathioprine doses should be determined.