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: Hostility may be associated with greater systemic inflammation. However, contradictory evidence exists. Certain individuals or dimensions of hostility may be more susceptible to these effects. Main and interactive effects of hostility with sex and/or age were evaluated on markers of inflammation, independently of traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease.', '199 healthy men (81) and women (118), aged 20-64 years (M=41 ± 11 years) were recruited. Hostility was assessed using the Cook-Medley Hostility Inventory (CMHo) and ecological momentary assessments (EMA) of quarrelsome behavior and angry affect in daily living. Blood samples were drawn to measure inflammatory activity (Il-6, TNF-α, hsCRP, Il-8, Il-10, Il-18, MCP-1) and lipid oxidation (Myeloperoxidase; MPO). Correlations and hierarchical regression analyses were performed controlling for pertinent behavioral, psychological, medical, and socio-demographic factors.', 'Significant univariate associations emerged between CMHo and Il-6, TNF-α, MCP-1 (p<.05). Hierarchical regressions showed interactions of hostility with sex (Il-6, TNF-α; p<.05) and age (hsCRP, Il-6, TNF-α; p<.05). For example, in simple slope analyses, hostility was positively related to TNF-α in women (b=0.009, p=0.006) but not men. Greater hostility was also related to greater Il-6 levels among younger women (b=. 027, p=0.000).

SOLUTION: Is the relation between hostility and concurrent levels of inflammation sex , age , and measure dependent?

PROBLEM: We investigated whether a computed tomography (CT)-based score could predict a large infarct (≥ 80 mL) on early diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI).', 'Acute stroke patients considered for endovascular therapy within 8 hours of the onset of symptoms were included. The Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) was determined on noncontrast CT and computed tomography angiography source images (CTA-SI). Limited collateral flow was defined as less than 50% collateral filling on CTA-SI.', 'Fifty-six patients were analyzed. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 20 (15-24) in the large infarct group and 16 (11-20) in the small infarct group (P = .049). ASPECTS on noncontrast CT and CTA-SI was 5 (3-8) and 3 (2-6) in the large infarct group and 9 (8-10) and 8 (7-9) in the small infarct group (both P < .001), respectively. Limited collateral flow was frequent in the large infarct group than in the small infarct group (92% vs. 11%, P < .001). Multivariate analysis found that CTA-SI ASPECTS less than or equal to 5 (odds ratio [OR], 40.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1493.44; P = .044) and limited collateral flow (OR, 114.64; 95% CI, 1.93-6812.79; P = .023) were associated with a large infarct. Absence of ASPECTS less than or equal to 5 and limited collateral flow on CTA-SI predicted absence of a large infarct with a sensitivity of .89, specificity of 1.00, positive predictive value of 1.00, and negative predictive value of .71.

SOLUTION: Do collateral flow and brain changes on computed tomography angiography predict infarct volume on early diffusion-weighted imaging?

PROBLEM: Type 2 diabetes is known to be associated with increasing cardiovascular mortality. Malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL) is an oxidized LDL and is increased in patients with diabetes or hypertriglyceridemia. Elevated MDA-LDL has been reported to be a risk factor of atherosclerosis or cardiovascular disease. Sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor and a new class of hypoglycemic agents. In this study, the effects of increasing the dose of metformin and add-on sitagliptin on MDA-LDL were examined in type 2 diabetes patients.', 'Seventy patients with type 2 diabetes, inadequately controlled despite on-going treatment with metformin 500 mg/day, were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. The patients received additional metformin (500 mg/day) or sitagliptin (50 mg/day) for 6 months, and changes in metabolic parameters including MDA-LDL were evaluated.', 'After 6 months of treatment, add-on sitagliptin (n=35) improved fasting blood glucose (FBG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to significantly greater extent than increasing the dose of metformin (n=35). There were no differences in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels between two groups. MDA-LDL levels (mean ± S.E.) decreased significantly with increasing the dose of metformin (from 94.40 ± 6.35 to 77.83 ± 4.74 U/L, P < 0.005), but remained unchanged with add-on sitagliptin treatment (from 89.94 ± 5.59 to 98.46 ± 6.78 U/L, p > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis identified increasing the dose of metformin treatment as the only independent factor associated with decreased MDA-LDL (β coefficient 0.367, P < 0.0119), and no significant correlation between change in MDA-LDL and fasting blood glucose or HbA1c.

SOLUTION:
Does metformin reduce circulating malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein in type 2 diabetes mellitus?