instruction:
Given a passage, 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.
question:
To investigate whether leukocyte count, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1) are increased in subjects with the metabolic syndrome as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).', 'Cross-sectional study.', 'A total of 520 overweight and obese subjects: 379 women and 141 men, visiting the weight management clinic of a University Hospital.', 'Waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting glucose were determined, and the presence or absence of the metabolic syndrome according to the NCEP-ATPIII criteria was assessed. In 349 subjects, data on the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and albumin excretion rate were available and the WHO criteria were applied. Insulin resistance was defined using the HOMA-IR index.', 'Subjects with the metabolic syndrome according to the NCEP-ATPIII criteria had significantly higher levels of leukocyte count (P < 0.001) and PAI-1 (P < 0.001), while no significant differences were found for fibrinogen or vWF (P > 0.05). Using the WHO criteria, similar results were found except for vWF, where higher levels were found in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. When subjects were classified according to the number of components of the metabolic syndrome, levels of leukocyte count, vWF and PAI-1 activity were significantly different (P < 0.05). In logistic regression analysis PAI-1, gender and leukocyte count were independent determinants of the metabolic syndrome (P < 0.001).
answer:
Is among inflammation and coagulation markers , PAI-1 a true component of the metabolic syndrome?


question:
Various techniques and devices have been proposed for tricuspid valve (TV) repair in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, residual or recurrent TR is not uncommon occurring in 20% to 30% of patients. This study reports first experiences with a new three-dimensional annuloplasty ring.', 'We retrospectively reviewed 200 consecutive patients who underwent TV repair for functional TR with the Contour 3D annuloplasty ring (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) from December 2010 to February 2013 at our institution. The follow-up is 98% complete (mean 1.0 ±\xa00.7 years; cumulative total 189 patient-years).', 'Mean age was 70.4 ± 9.1 years and the median logistic European system for cardiac operative risk was 7%. Sixty-nine percent of the patients were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. Echocardiography documented moderate or severe TR in 97.5% of the patients, with a mean annulus diameter of 45.1 ± 4.9 mm; 93.5% of the patients underwent a combined procedure, and 20.5% an urgent or emergent operation. The 30-day mortality was 6%. The preoperative TR grade was reduced from 2.45 ± 0.53 to 0.77 ± 0.54 (p < 0.001). At hospital discharge residual II TR or greater was present in 4.3% of the patients. Freedom from recurrent II TR or greater at 2\xa0years was 90.9% ± 4.2% and freedom from TV-related reoperations at 2 years was 98.5% ± 1.0%. No case of\xa0ring dehiscence occurred. Fourteen patients (7%) required a permanent pacemaker implantation for atrioventricular block.
answer:
Does early experience with a new three-dimensional annuloplasty ring for the treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation?


question:
Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) identifies the microvascular hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and may play a pivotal role in the associated vasculopathy. The aim of the present study was to compare NVC alterations with clinical subsets, internal organ involvement, and serum VEGF levels in a cohort of selected SSc cases.', 'We studied 44 patients with SSc who were evaluated within 3\xa0months from enrollment by NVC, skin score, severity index, pulmonary function tests, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO), echocardiography, pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), gastroesophageal (GE) endoscopy or manometry or X-ray, and serum autoantibodies. Serum VEGF-A levels were determined by ELISA in 72 SSc patients and 31 healthy controls.', 'Giant capillaries were inversely correlated with age (p\xa0=\xa00.034, r\xa0=\xa0-0.34) and to the extent of reticular pattern at HRCT (p\xa0=\xa00.04, r\xa0=\xa0-0.5). Avascular areas were directly correlated with capillaroscopy skin ulcer risk index (CSURI) (p\xa0=\xa00.006, r\xa0=\xa0+0.4) and severity index (p\xa0=\xa00.004, r\xa0=\xa0+0.5). The mean capillary density was directly correlated to the ulcer number (p\xa0=\xa00.02, r\xa0=\xa0+0.4) and to DLCO/alveolar volume (p\xa0=\xa00.02, r\xa0=\xa0+0.4) and inversely correlated with severity index (p\xa0=\xa00.01, r\xa0=\xa0-0.4) and skin score (p\xa0=\xa00.02, r\xa0=\xa0-0.4). Serum VEGF levels were higher in the SSc population vs controls (p\xa0=\xa00.03) and inversely correlated with DLCO (p\xa0=\xa00.01, r\xa0=-0.4) and directly with ground-glass and reticular pattern at HRCT (p\xa0=\xa00.04, r\xa0=\xa0+0.4 for both).
answer:

Are nailfold videocapillaroscopy and serum VEGF levels in scleroderma associated with internal organ involvement?