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: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and potential advantages of freehand single-photon emission computed tomography (fhSPECT) compared with conventional intraoperative localization techniques for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in oral cancer.', 'Between November 2012 and February 2014, 23 consecutive patients with clinical T1/T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma and a cN0 neck were recruited. All patients underwent SLNB followed by elective neck dissection (END). All patients received preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. To detect the SLNs intraoperatively, fhSPECT with a combination of conventional acoustic SLN localization and 3-D visual navigation was used.', 'All but one of the SLNs detected by preoperative imaging were successfully mapped intraoperatively by fhSPECT (detection rate 98%), including those in six patients with a tumour in the floor of the mouth. A histopathology analysis revealed positive SLNs in 22% of patients. No further metastases were found in LNs resected during END. SLNB correctly predicted the final LN stage in all patients (accuracy 100%). Additional radioactive LNs, which were not present on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, were observed in three patients.

SOLUTION: Does intraoperative 3-D imaging improve sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral cancer?

PROBLEM: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) share many common risk factors, and vascular ED is a marker for increased ASCVD risk. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations have been associated with increased ASCVD risk, but less is known regarding the relationship of low 25(OH)D with ED. We determined whether 25(OH)D deficiency is associated with ED independent of ASCVD risk factors.', 'We performed cross-sectional analyses of 3390 men aged ≥20 years free of ASCVD who participated in NHANES 2001-2004. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by the DiaSorin radioimmunoassay; deficiency was defined as levels <20\xa0ng/ml (<50\xa0nmol/L). Self-reported ED, assessed by a single validated question, was defined as men who reported being "never" or "sometimes able" to maintain an erection. We assessed the relationship between 25(OH)D deficiency and ED prevalence using adjusted Poisson regression methods.', 'After accounting for NHANES sampling, the weighted prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency and of ED were 30% and 15.2%, respectively. 25(OH)D levels were lower in men with vs. those without ED (mean 22.8 vs 24.3\xa0ng/mL, respectively; p\xa0=\xa00.0005). After adjusting for lifestyle variables, comorbidities, and medication use, men with 25(OH)D deficiency had a higher prevalence of ED compared to those with levels ≥30\xa0ng/ml (Prevalence Ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.08-1.57).

SOLUTION: Is vitamin D deficiency independently associated with greater prevalence of erectile dysfunction : The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NHANES ) 2001-2004?

PROBLEM: Stricture formation in Crohn's disease (CD) occurs as a result of persistent intestinal inflammatory activation, which leads to enhanced adhesion molecule expression in serosal fibroblasts (SFs). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. Treatment with VIP prevents experimental CD in animal models at the clinical and pathologic levels. The present study reports the effect of VIP on the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in IL-1beta-stimulated human colon SFs.", 'Primary human colon SFs were incubated with or without IL-1beta (10 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of VIP at various concentrations (0.1 to 100 nM) for designated time. Cell surface and cytosolic ICAM-1 expression were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis, respectively. The DNA binding capacity of NF-kappaB was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The phosphorylation of IkappaB-alpha was examined by Western blot analysis.', 'VIP inhibited IL-1beta-induced expression of ICAM-1 in a dose-dependent manner. The IL-1beta-induced ICAM-1 was also inhibited by a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB, MG132. VIP also decreased IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB DNA binding capacity and phosphorylation of IkappaB-alpha.

SOLUTION:
Does vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibit adhesion molecule expression in activated human colon serosal fibroblasts by preventing NF-kappaB activation?