Given a passage with a context and an answer, 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.

Context: Ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) often persists after restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty, in which case it is associated with worse clinical outcomes. The goal of the present study was to determine whether persistence of MR and/or clinical outcome could be predicted from preoperative analysis of mitral valve configuration.', 'In 51 consecutive patients undergoing restrictive annuloplasty for ischemic MR, posterior leaflet (PL) angle, anterior leaflet angle, coaptation distance, and tenting area were quantified by echocardiography before surgery (6+/-3 days), and MR severity was assessed before and early after surgery (9+/-4 days). Postoperatively, persistence of mild to moderate MR (vena contracta > 3 mm) was observed in 11 (22%) of the patients. The best predictor of postoperative persistence of MR was a PL angle > or = 45 degrees (sensitivity 100%, specificity 97%, positive predictive value 92%, negative predictive value 100%). Patients with persistent MR had markedly lower 3-year event-free survival (26+/-20%) compared with those with nonpersistent MR (75+/-12%, P=0.01). Preoperative presence of a PL angle > or = 45 degrees also was associated with a markedly lower 3-year event-free survival (22+/-17% versus 76+/-12%; P<0.001).
Answer: In patients undergoing restrictive annuloplasty for ischemic MR, persistence of MR and 3-year event-free survival can accurately be predicted by preoperative analysis of mitral valve configuration. Patients with a PL angle > or = 45 degrees (ie, with high PL restriction) should thus be considered poor candidates for this procedure, and concomitant or alternative procedures should be contemplated.
Does preoperative posterior leaflet angle accurately predict outcome after restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty for ischemic mitral regurgitation?

Context: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] with the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Han Chinese people.', 'Six hundred and seventy-nine patients with angiographically defined CHD were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Fasting lipids were measured, and the severity of CHD was quantitatively assessed for each patient according to the number of stenotic coronary branches and the Gensini scoring system.', 'The levels of Lp(a), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and apolipoprotein (apo) B100 increased, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoAI decreased significantly with the number of stenotic vessels. The levels of Lp(a) increased and HDL-C and apoAI decreased significantly with the Gensini scores. The logistic regression analyses showed that Lp(a) and HDL-C were independently associated with the number of stenotic coronary vessels after adjusting for age, weight, body mass index, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, diabetes, triglycerides, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, apoAI, and apoB100. However, only Lp(a) was independently associated with the Gensini scores after adjustment.
Answer: Our data indicate that Lp(a) might be a useful marker in predicting the severity of coronary heart disease.
Are plasma lipoprotein ( a ) levels associated with the severity of coronaryheart disease in Han Chinese people?

Context: Cancer-protective effects of isoflavones like genistin or genistein are well known. High intakes and an adequate absorption rate of isoflavones are necessary for efficient chemoprevention, though other dietary agents might increase absorption efficacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phloridzin, an inhibitor of the sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT1), on genistin absorption and metabolism.', 'Phloridzin and genistin were luminally administered in an isolated preparation of luminally and vascularly perfused rat small intestine. A synthetic perfusate free from blood components was used as vascular medium, with a perfluorocarbon as oxygen carrier. Luminal media consisted of a bicarbonate buffered sodium chloride solution spiked with genistin (24.5 micromol/l) and phloridzin (1 mmol/l).', 'In previous experiments, genistin absorption rate of 17.2% has been observed. In the present study, phloridzin administered simultaneously with genistin, increased genistin uptake 2.5 fold (44.5%).
Answer: The naturally occurring substance phloridzin, present in apples, thus considerably amplify genistin absorption. These effects might offer a promising novel method in designing functional foods for cancer prevention by combining genistin- and phloridzin-containing foods.

Does phloridzin improve absorption of genistin in isolated rat small intestine?