TASK DEFINITION: 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.
PROBLEM: Context: To study the prevalence and age dependency of senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), the brain changes characteristic of Alzheimer disease (AD), and their association with apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes in a community-dwelling normal population.', 'This neuropathological study used both silver staining and A beta immunohistochemistry in brain tissue microarrays, including SP coverage and NFT counts from frontal cortex and hippocampus, and APOE genotyping, and was performed on a consecutive prospective series of 603 subjects (aged between 0 and 97 years) of an unselected population living outside of institutions. Cases were subjected to autopsy following sudden or unexpected out-of-hospital death, covering 22.1% of the mortality of Tampere, Finland and its surroundings. None died of AD, although 22 (3.7%) were demented and 10 (1.7%) had memory problems.', 'Of the series, 30.8% had SP, and 42.1% had NFT; these occurred more commonly among females and showed a strong relationship with age. Both changes had already appeared at around 30 years of age, reaching an occurrence of almost 100% in the oldest. SP were more frequent in APOE epsilon 4-carriers compared with noncarriers in every age group except the oldest (>90 years). The difference was most evident during the ages 50 to 59 years, where 40.7% of epsilon 4-carriers had SP, compared with 8.2% in noncarriers (odds ratio, 8.39; 95% confidence interval, 2.55-27.62). The difference in NFT prevalence between APOE genotypes was not statistically significant in any age group.
Answer: The brain changes associated with AD may already begin developing early in middle age, especially among APOE epsilon 4 carriers.

SOLUTION: Does apolipoprotein E-dependent accumulation of Alzheimer disease-related lesions begin in middle age?

PROBLEM: Context: For high-resolution microscopy, cells have to be analyzed through thin glass coverslips. Therefore, it is necessary to culture cells on coverslips for preservation of cell morphology. We found cell attachment and spreading to be relatively slow processes, even when cells were plated on coated coverslips. This slowness presents a problem, particularly when synchronized cell populations are used.', 'In this paper, we present a method that is based on glow-discharged carbon coating of coverslips which promotes rapid attachment and spreading of cells, enabling rapid analysis of cells after plating. Results obtained with carbon-coated coverslips were compared with those of other types of coating. Two fibroblast lines, an epithelial cell line, and a carcinoma cell line were tested.
Answer: All cell lines showed a rapid adhesion on carbon-coated coverslips. With fibroblasts we found the carbon coating to be superior to other coatings tested, mainly because the carbon did not influence cell morphology. Using synchronized or irradiated cells produced similar results. The superior performance of carbon coating is probably due to carboxylic groups on the glow-discharged carbon layer. The carbon layer does not interfere with microscopy or immunocytochemical staining procedures.

SOLUTION: Does coating of coverslips with glow-discharged carbon promote cell attachment and spreading probably due to carboxylic groups?

PROBLEM: Context: Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common neurological cause for facial pain. Contemporary interventional treatment relies on surgical microvascular decompression or, alternatively, percutaneous interventions targeting the semilunar ganglion via the foramen ovale. For the latter approach, only free-hand punctures using fluoroscopy devices have been reported. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate a new fluoroscopy-based guidance device for transforaminal puncture.', 'Two experienced examiners punctured the foramen ovale bilaterally free-hand, and using a guidance device in human cadavers (n = 9). The number of attempts for puncture was recorded. A new attempt was counted each time the needle had to be retracted for redirection.', 'As compared to the free-hand puncture of the foramen ovale (4.44 +/- 2.79), the new guidance device significantly reduced the number of trials needed (1.37 +/- 0.69).
Answer: The employment of a guidance device facilitated percutaneous transforaminal puncture and resulted in a significantly decreased number of puncture attempts as compared to free-hand techniques in human cadavers.

SOLUTION:
Does a new guidance device facilitate percutaneous puncture of the foramen ovale in human cadavers?