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: Recent studies have implicated central nicotinic cholinergic receptor systems in the reinforcing properties of alcohol. In laboratory animals, mecamylamine, a central nicotinic receptor antagonist, reduces the consumption of and preference for alcohol. This study investigated the effect of mecamylamine on the subjective responses to alcohol in humans. It was hypothesized that mecamylamine (7.5 and 15 mg) would attenuate the stimulant-like subjective effects of alcohol (0.8 g/kg) and decrease the self-reported desire to consume additional alcohol beverages.', 'Fourteen male and 13 female nonsmokers participated in 6 laboratory sessions. During each session, subjects received, in randomized order under double-blinded conditions, a capsule containing mecamylamine (7.5 or 15 mg) or placebo followed by a beverage containing alcohol (0.8 g/kg) or placebo. Physiologic and subjective-effect measures were taken at 30-min intervals for 2 hr after beverage consumption.', 'Mecamylamine attenuated the stimulant and euphoric effects of alcohol and reduced the self-reported desire to consume additional alcohol beverages. This effect was most pronounced in men, even though women exhibited greater physiologic reactions to mecamylamine.\Question: Does mecamylamine attenuate the subjective stimulant-like effects of alcohol in social drinkers?

SOLUTION: These findings suggest that nicotinic cholinergic receptors are involved in mediating some of the stimulant-like effects of alcohol.

PROBLEM: Context: Due to increased use of imaging techniques, adrenal incidentalomas are frequently detected. The majority are non-hyperfunctioning adrenocortical tumors. We have previously shown that expression of the gene CYP17, coding for the enzyme in the cortisol pathway, correlates with cortisol release from adrenocortical tumors in vitro. The aim of this study was to compare clinical data with mRNA expression of CYP17 and CYP11B1 in adrenocortical tumors from patients with and without Cushing's syndrome and to identify adrenal tumors that may cause subclinical Cushing's syndrome.", 'A retrospective study of 34 patients undergoing adrenalectomy due to an adrenal tumor.', 'Clinical data were collected. In the adrenal gland the mRNA expression of the genes CYP17 and CYP11B1 was studied with in situ hybridisation technique.', "The median ratio of CYP17/CYP11B1 expression in tumors from patients with Cushing's syndrome was significantly higher than the median ratio in the non-hyperfunctioning tumors. Tumors from 2 patients with subclinical Cushing's syndrome had ratios within the upper range for non-hyperfunctioning tumors.\Question: Does increased ratio of mRNA expression of the genes CYP17 and CYP11B1 indicate autonomous cortisol production in adrenocortical tumors?

SOLUTION: The ratio between the expression of the genes CYP17 and CYP11B1 in tumors from patients with Cushing's syndrome is significantly higher than in the non-hyperfunctioning tumors. This indicates that 17alpha-hydroxylase is a major determinant of cortisol overproduction. The patients with subclinical Cushing's syndrome in this study are too few to draw any firm conclusions although the results suggest that subclinical Cushing's syndrome may be identified post-operatively with this method.

PROBLEM: Context: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an agent that provides symptomatic relief in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) works via an unknown mechanism. We investigated whether DMSO acts as a chemical stimulant of mast cell degranulation.', 'A radioimmunoassay (RIA) specific for histamine was used to test this hypothesis. Twelve women with strictly diagnosed IC were treated with intravesical instillations of DMSO. Treatments were repeated at varying intervals, and each patient received three to six treatments. Urine histamine levels were measured before and after each intravesical instillation of DMSO. Dilutional effects of DMSO were corrected for by conversion of urine histamine concentration to urine histamine:creatinine ratio.', 'The RIA was unaffected by the addition of DMSO to urine. No consistent change in the urine histamine:creatinine ratio following DMSO instillation was found. Trend analysis revealed no trend in the histamine:creatinine ratio with time.\Question: Does dimethyl sulfoxide trigger urine histamine release in interstitial cystitis?

SOLUTION:
The relief of symptoms reported in 50% to 77% of patients treated with intravesical DMSO is not related to detectable mast cell release of histamine. Other mechanisms of action must be investigated to explain the beneficial effect of this agent.