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: Extended-release niacin effectively lowers plasma TG levels and raises plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, but the mechanisms responsible for these effects are unclear.', 'We examined the effects of extended-release niacin (2 g/d) and extended-release niacin (2 g/d) plus lovastatin (40 mg/d), relative to placebo, on the kinetics of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and apoA-II in HDL, apoB-100 in TG-rich lipoproteins (TRL), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and apoB-48 in TRL in 5 men with combined hyperlipidemia. Niacin significantly increased HDL cholesterol and apoA-I concentrations, associated with a significant increase in apoA-I production rate (PR) and no change in fractional catabolic rate (FCR). Plasma TRL apoB-100 levels were significantly lowered by niacin, accompanied by a trend toward an increase in FCR and no change in PR. Niacin treatment significantly increased TRL apoB-48 FCR but had no effect on apoB-48 PR. No effects of niacin on concentrations or kinetic parameters of IDL and LDL apoB-100 and HDL apoA-II were noted. The addition of lovastatin to niacin promoted a lowering in LDL apoB-100 attributable to increased LDL apoB-100 FCR.\Question: Does extended-release niacin alter the metabolism of plasma apolipoprotein ( Apo ) A-I and ApoB-containing lipoproteins?

SOLUTION: Niacin treatment was associated with significant increases in HDL apoA-I concentrations and production, as well as enhanced clearance of TRL apoB-100 and apoB-48.

PROBLEM: Context: The Guatemalan potato tuber moth, Tecia solanivora, has been the most important pest species in Hispanico-American potato fields since its first record on potatoes in 1956 in Guatemala. This insect pest has been spreading to other parts of the world, including the Canary Islands in Europe. Tuber moth control relies heavily on the use of insecticides, including pyrethroids. Here, we assessed the likelihood of control failures and performed concentration-response bioassays in five Colombian strains of T. solanivora to evaluate their susceptibilities to the pyrethroid permethrin.', 'Evidence of control failures was observed in four strains tested, which exhibited moderate resistance levels (i.e. ranging from 5.4- to 24.4-fold). However, no spatial dependence was observed between the permethrin LC\Question: Is pyrethroid resistance associated with a kdr-type mutation ( L1014F ) in the potato tuber moth Tecia solanivora?

SOLUTION: This is the first identification of a target-site-alteration-based resistance in the Guatemalan potato tuber moth T. solanivora, which is widespread and exhibits high frequencies among geographically distant strains, indicating that pyrethroids are probably becoming ineffective for the control of this pest species. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PROBLEM: Context: There is debate surrounding the use of laparoscopic resection for advanced gastric cancer in the Western population. Here we aim to assess the feasibility and short-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy in consecutive patients in a Western population.', 'From 2012 to 2014, retrospective review of 28 patients with clinically staged advanced gastric cancer (≥T3 or ≥N1) treated with laparoscopic resection.', 'Sixty-one percentage of patients were male. Median age was 67 years (range 35-86). Median BMI was 26.5 (range 19.4-46.1). Resection types were proximal (n\xa0=\xa02), distal (n\xa0=\xa014), and total (n\xa0=\xa012). Twenty-six (93\xa0%) patients underwent D2 lymphadenectomy. Four patients underwent conversion to open. Median blood loss was 125\xa0mL (range 30-300). Median LOS was 7\xa0days (range 4-16). Of postoperative complications, five were minor: arrhythmia (n\xa0=\xa01), surgical site infection (n\xa0=\xa03), in-hospital fall (n\xa0=\xa01); and four were major (intra-abdominal abscess, stricture, PE, and anastomotic bleed). T stages were Tx (n\xa0=\xa01), T2 (n\xa0=\xa03), T3 (n\xa0=\xa018), and T4 (n\xa0=\xa06). N stages were N0 (n\xa0=\xa04), N1 (n\xa0=\xa08), N2 (n\xa0=\xa01), and N3 (n\xa0=\xa015). Median tumor size was 5.8\xa0cm (range 0-9.5). Median lymph node yield was 22 (range 6-53). All margins were negative. Median follow-up was 12.8\xa0months (range 2-27). Six patients have died of progressive disease.\Question: Is total laparoscopic resection for advanced gastric cancer safe and feasible in the Western population?

SOLUTION:
Following total laparoscopic resection for advanced gastric cancer, oncologic endpoints, postoperative course, and early cancer-specific follow-up are excellent. The results demonstrated here support the routine use of these techniques in the Western patient population.