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.

We developed a lactoferrin conjugate by modifying bovine lactoferrin (bLF) with a 40-kDa branched poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecule (designated 40 k-PEG-bLf), and we evaluated its in vitro activities and pharmacokinetic properties.', 'We prepared 40k-PEG-bLf by amino conjugation with N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated PEG. This conjugate was purified by cation exchange chromatography and its in vitro biological activities, such as iron binding, anti-inflammatory effects, and resistance to proteolytic enzymes were investigated. In vivo pharmacokinetics analyses, were also performed to examine the rate of clearance from the plasma in rats.', 'The 40k-PEG-bLf conjugate was fully active in iron binding and exhibited 97.1 +/- 5.5% (mean +/- S.E., n = 6) of the original anti-inflammatory activity. The in vitro peptic susceptibility of 40 k-PEG-bLf revealed that the proteolytic half-life increased at least 6-fold that of unmodified LF. This PEGylated conjugate demonstrated a plasma half-life that was 8.7-fold longer than that of the unmodified bLF in rats.
Does lactoferrin conjugated with 40-kDa branched poly ( ethylene glycol ) have an improved circulating half-life?

To compare the efficacy and safety of prophylactic modalities for heterotopic ossification prevention after elbow and acetabular surgeries.', 'The retrospective chart review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital and comprised record of patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for elbow and acetabular fractures between 2010 and 2013. Data was classified into three groups: Group A patients had received single dose of radiotherapy; Group B patients had received indomethacin, and Group C patients had not received any prophylaxis. Outcome variables included time-to-fracture healing, heterotopic ossification, non-union and wound infection.', 'Of the 104patients 70(67.3%) had elbow fractures and 34(32.7%) had acetabular fractures. Out of the 70patients with elbow fractures, 28(27%) were in Group A, 24(23%) in Group B, and 18(17%) in Group C. In Group A, 4(22%) patients had wound infection compared to 1(5.5%) patient in Group C (p=0.131). One (4%) patient in Group B and 1(5.5%) in Group C developed heterotopic ossification (p=0.486). Non-union occurred in 1(4%) patient in Group B and 1(5.5%) in Group C. Out of the 34 patients with acetabular fractures, 11(32.3%) were in Group A, 10(29.4%) in Group B, and 13(38.2%) in Group C. In Group A, 2(18.2%) patients developed wound infection. Only 1(7.6%) patient in Group C developed heterotopic ossification.
Do prophylaxis against heterotopic ossification after elbow and acetabular fractures - Do we really need it?

To maximize the benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in stroke prevention its complication rate must be minimized. The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of a large series of CEA carried out under regional anaesthesia with selective shunting, with particular emphasis on identifying predictors for perioperative stroke and mortality.', 'Between 1987 and 2003 the data for 1665 consecutive regional anaesthetic CEA carried out in 1495 patients were collected prospectively; awake neurological testing facilitated selective shunting. Preoperative data, intraoperative events and postoperative in-hospital complications were recorded and analysed.', 'There were 38 non-fatal strokes (2.3%) and 10 deaths (0.6%), giving a combined stroke and mortality rate of 2.9%. Only patients who needed shunting were found to have significantly higher rate of postoperative stroke and mortality (7.0 vs 1.9%, P < 0.001). Patient characteristics, comorbidities, indication for operation (P = 0.34) and the degree of stenosis of the contralateral carotid artery (P = 0.65) were not found to be predictive of perioperative stroke or mortality, although the latter two were found to be predictive of the need for shunting (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002).

Does intraoperative neurological changes in 1665 regional anaesthetic carotid endarterectomies predict postoperative stroke?