TASK DEFINITION: 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.
PROBLEM: Thailand has the lowest incidence of gastric cancer in the world. Helicobacter pylori infection, a low serum pepsinogen I/II ratio, and interleukin (IL)-1beta-511 polymorphisms are suspected to be risk factors for gastric cancer.', 'A total of 167 Thais, comprising 56 cancer patients and 111 volunteers without cancer, underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination and three fixed-point biopsies; a cancer tissue biopsy was also done, and blood samples were collected. The subjects without cancer were divided into normal subjects and chronic gastritis patients. IL-1beta-511 polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the serum levels of pepsinogen I and II were determined by a radioimmunoassay. Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody and tissue pathology were tested in all groups.', 'The pepsinogen I/II ratio was significantly lower in the gastric cancer group than in the normal and chronic gastritis groups [odds ratio (OR), 2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-4.80; P = 0.025]. Gastric cancer patients were positive for the H. pylori IgG antibody more frequently than negative (OR, 2.946; 95% CI, 1.4-6.39; P = 0.005). However, only 15 (27%) cancer patients were both positive for H. pylori IgG antibody and had low serum pepsinogen I/II. The C/C genotype was found more frequently in the gastric cancer group than in the group with a normal gastric mucosa (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50-0.81; P = 0.014).

SOLUTION: Are helicobacter pylori infection in combination with the serum pepsinogen I/II ratio and interleukin-1beta-511 polymorphisms independent risk factors for gastric cancer in Thais?

PROBLEM: We examined the effect of prior heating, by exercise and warm-water immersion, on core cooling rates in individuals rendered mildly hypothermic by immersion in cold water.', 'There were seven male subjects who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) seated rest for 15 min (control); 2) cycling ergometry for 15 min at 70% Vo2 peak (active warming); or 3) immersion in a circulated bath at 40 degrees C to an esophageal temperature (Tes) similar to that at the end of exercise (passive warming). Subjects were then immersed in 7 degrees C water to a Tes of 34.5 degrees C.', 'Initial Tes cooling rates (initial approximately 6 min cooling) differed significantly among the treatment conditions (0.074 +/- 0.045, 0.129 +/- 0.076, and 0.348 +/- 0.117 degrees C x min(-1) for control, active, and passive warming conditions, respectively); however, secondary cooling rates (rates following initial approximately 6 min cooling to the end of immersion) were not different between treatments (average of 0.102 +/- 0.085 degrees C x min(-1)). Overall Tes cooling rates during the full immersion period differed significantly and were 0.067 +/- 0.047, 0.085 +/- 0.045, and 0.209 +/- 0.131 degrees C x min(-1) for control, active, and passive warming, respectively.

SOLUTION: Does warming by immersion or exercise affect initial cooling rate during subsequent cold water immersion?

PROBLEM: Hypercholesterolemia is associated with abnormal endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation due to decreased nitric oxide bioavailability. Our aim was to examine the effect of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to the hypercholesterolemic rabbit carotid artery in vivo. In addition, we examined whether adenovirus-mediated gene transfer was associated with vascular dysfunction.', 'Rabbits were fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 4 weeks followed by a 0.5% cholesterol diet for 6 weeks. Vascular reactivity was assessed in nontransduced carotid arteries from chow- and cholesterol-fed animals. In addition, carotid arteries were surgically isolated, and 2 separate doses of adenoviral vectors encoding eNOS or beta-galactosidase (AdbetaGal) on the contralateral side were delivered to the lumen (1x10(10) and 5x10(10) pfu/mL).', 'Abnormal acetylcholine-mediated endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was detected in the carotid artery from cholesterol-fed animals, whereas responses to calcium ionophore A23187 and diethylamine NONOate were normal. Vascular reactivity was similar in nontransduced and AdbetaGal-transduced hypercholesterolemic vessels. In vessels transduced with eNOS, transgene expression was demonstrated by immunostaining in both the endothelium and the adventitia and by Western blot analysis. High-dose but not low-dose eNOS gene transfer enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxation in vessels from cholesterol-fed rabbits.

SOLUTION:
Does in vivo gene transfer of endothelial nitric oxide synthase to carotid arteries from hypercholesterolemic rabbits enhance endothelium-dependent relaxations?