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.

Context: Accumulating evidence has indicated that inflammation may act as a potential mechanism underlying post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), as a known late mediator of inflammation, is involved in the development of post-operative complications. Thus, we sought to determine the role of HMGB1 in reflecting POCD following major gastrointestinal surgery.', 'Fifty-three elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery were recruited, and 50 patients completed the study. Serum HMGB1 and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were measured pre-operatively and at 6 h, day 1 and day 3 post-operatively. Neuropsychological tests were administered before and 1 week after surgery. POCD was determined using a Z score ≥ 1.96.', 'Seventeen (34%, 17/50) patients developed POCD at 1 week. The POCD group had higher serum HMGB1 levels at day 1 (12.15 ± 3.12 vs. 9.91 ± 3.15 ng/ml, P = 0.021) and day 3 (11.04 ± 2.88 vs. 8.52 ± 3.31 ng/ml, P = 0.011). IL-6 levels at 6 h (51.18 ± 15.22 vs. 39.20 ± 14.32 pg/ml, P = 0.009) and day 1 (41.59 ± 11.08 vs. 33.81 ± 11.42 pg/ml, P = 0.026) were significantly higher in POCD patients. Serum values of IL-6 at 6 h, HMGB1 at day 1 and levels of education showed positive correlations with Z scores. HMGB1 at day 3 and IL-6 at 6 h were independent risk factors.\Question: Does serum high-mobility group box 1 protein correlate with cognitive decline after gastrointestinal surgery?
Serum HMGB1 and IL-6 levels increase significantly after major gastrointestinal surgery in elderly patients and such elevations are associated with the occurrence of cognitive decline after surgery.

Context: Most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) are associated with cirrhosis. Portal hypertension (PHT) and esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) can limit the patient's treatment options. Surgical therapy in such patients is challenging. We performed devascularization plus liver resection or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat HCC patients with concomitant EVB resulting from PHT secondary to cirrhosis. Such combined operations have never been reported for the management of HCC patients with variceal esophageal bleeding.", 'To evaluate two different treatment regimens for patients with HCC and EVB.', 'We evaluated 35 BCLC stage 0/A patients with HCC and EVB who underwent either devascularization plus liver resection (Group A) or devascularization plus RFA (Group B). We reviewed the safety and outcomes of the two groups and assessed risk factors for patient survival and tumor recurrence.', 'Significant factors for overall survival were surgical approach and Child-Pugh classification. Child-Pugh classification was the only independent risk factor for overall postoperative survival [hazard ratio (HR) 8.320, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.739-39.799, P = 0.008]. Age was the only independent risk factor for tumor recurrence (HR 4.025, 95 % CI 1.343-12.062, P = 0.013).\Question: Is radiofrequency ablation plus devascularization the preferred treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with esophageal varices?
RFA plus devascularization is the preferred treatment of HCC with EVB. RFA plus devascularization should be considered in Child-Pugh class A patients below 50 years of age.

Context: Extended partial hepatectomy (PH) in patients is leading to portal hyperperfusion but reduced hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP), and is invariably causing focal hepatic venous outflow obstruction (FHVOO). We observed in a rat model that PH in combination with right median hepatic vein ligation (RMHV-L) caused confluent parenchymal necrosis interspersed with viable portal tracts in the obstructed territory and large sinusoidal vascular canals in the border zone. Lack of HAP impaired the spontaneous course of recovery in terms of enlarged parenchymal necrosis, delayed regeneration, and the absence of draining vascular canals. We aimed to investigate whether pharmacological intervention modulates the imbalance between portal venous and hepatic arterial inflow, aggravates the liver damage, and delays the recovery process after FHVOO in liver-resected rats.', 'Male Lewis rats were subjected to 70% PH and RMHV-L. Molsidomine or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or saline were applied daily. Hepatic damage, microcirculation, regeneration, and vascular remodeling were evaluated at postoperative days 1, 2, and 7. Animals subjected to RMHV-L only were used as "no HAP" control.', 'Significant increase of portal venous inflow with a concomitant decrease in HAP was observed in all groups after PH. Molsidomine treatment did neither affect hepatic hemodynamics nor the spontaneous recovery. In contrast, L-NAME treatment further decreased HAP which impaired hepatic microcirculation, aggravated parenchymal damage, decelerated recovery, and impaired the formation of sinusoidal canals.\Question: Does reduced hepatic arterial perfusion impair the recovery from focal hepatic venous outflow obstruction in liver-resected rats?

Reduction of HAP through inhibition of nitric oxide production worsened the recovery from FHVOO. Drugs increasing HAP need to be evaluated to reverse the hyperperfusion-induced impairment of the spontaneous course after FHVOO.