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: To evaluate the concordance between thallium-201 uptake and echocardiographic wall thickening, which are both indicators of potentially reversible myocardial dysfunction, in patients with chronic ischaemic left ventricular failure and to assess their relative contribution to predicting improvement in regional function after revascularisation in a subgroup.', '45 patients with chronic ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction (mean (SD) ejection fraction 25 (8)%) underwent echocardiography before and after dobutamine infusion (10 micrograms/kg/min). Of these, 22 patients underwent rest echocardiography at a mean (SD) of 9 (1) weeks after revascularisation. 201Tl imaging was performed during dobutamine echocardiography and at rest, 1, and 4 h after treatment with sublingual glyceryl trinitrate on two separate days. Potentially reversible dysfunction was thought to be present when a myocardial segment contained a Tl score of > or = 3 (ascending score 1-4), or showed improved wall thickening of a dysynergic segment during dobutamine stimulation.', 'Of the 201Tl protocols, the redistribution scan 1 h after treatment with glyceryl trinitrate best demonstrated myocardial viability. Concordance between 201Tl and dobutamine induced wall thickening was 82% (kappa = 0.59) for detecting potentially reversible myocardial dysfunction before revascularisation (n = 45). Regional function improved in 18 of 22 patients after revascularisation. There were 168 dysynergic segments before intervention. The sensitivity of echocardiography and 201Tl imaging for detecting "recoverable" or viable segments after revascularisation was 87% and 92% respectively and specificity was 82% and 78% respectively (P = NS).

SOLUTION: Do dobutamine echocardiography and thallium-201 imaging predict functional improvement after revascularisation in severe ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction?

PROBLEM: Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) controls the main cell-cycle checkpoints, suggesting utility of its inhibition for cancer treatment, including of highly proliferative pediatric cancer. This preclinical study explored the selective PLK1 inhibitor volasertib (BI 6727) alone and combined with chemotherapy in pediatric malignancies.', 'Inhibition of proliferation was explored in vitro using dimethylthiazol carboxymethoxyphenyl sulfophenyl tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Mice bearing human xenografts were treated with weekly intravenous injections of volasertib.', 'Volasertib inhibited proliferation in all 40 cell lines tested, with a mean half-maximal growth inhibitory concentration of 313 nmol/l (range: 4-5000 nmol/l). Volasertib was highly active against RMS-1 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts, resulting in 100% tumor regression. Activity was associated with complete and prolonged G2/M arrest and subsequent apoptotic cell death. Volasertib showed synergistic activity with vincristine but antagonistic effects with etoposide.

SOLUTION: Does polo-like Kinase Inhibitor Volasertib exhibit Antitumor Activity and Synergy with Vincristine in Pediatric Malignancies?

PROBLEM: There is controversy as to whether migraine is associated with white matter abnormalities (WMAs) on magnetic resonance images. These abnormalities may be important as a risk factor for future stroke. Further, it is controversial whether any increased risk of WMAs is attributable to comorbidities such as vascular disease.', 'A meta-analysis of published case-control studies was undertaken to address the relationship between migraine and magnetic resonance imaging WMAs. Seven studies were identified. Data from studies reporting the incidence of magnetic resonance imaging WMAs in those with migraine and appropriate control populations were used to calculate odds ratios for WMAs in migraine for each study. A stratified meta-analysis was performed using studies that did and did not exclude subjects with disease comorbidities.', 'The summary odds ratio shows that those with migraine are at increased risk for WMAs (odds ratio, 3.9 [95% confidence interval, 2.26-6.72]). The risk does not differ between studies that included subjects with comorbidities and those that did not.

SOLUTION:
Is migraine associated with magnetic resonance imaging white matter abnormalities : a meta-analysis?