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: Cross-sectional, clinical measurement.', 'To investigate the validity of the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) in the assessment of hand function in patients with tetraplegia.', "A total of 40 patients with tetraplegia participated. Patients' upper extremities were assessed on the level of 'body function and structure' [The American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) 2000 revised criteria, upper extremity motor score (UEMS), neurologic level of injury and visual analogue scale of hand function (VAS-HF)], 'activity' [DHI and Quadriplegia index of function-short form (QIF-SF)] and 'body function and structure, activity and participation' [Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36)] according to International Classification of Function.", 'The DHI showed significant correlations with UEMS, AIS, QIF-SF, VAS-HF, physical functioning and physical compound summary scores of SF-36.
Answer: The DHI was found a valid method in the assessment of hand functions in patients with tetraplegia.

SOLUTION: Do validation of Duruöz Hand Index in patients with tetraplegia?

PROBLEM: Context: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD).', 'To determine the relationship between resolution of NASH and dyslipidemia.', 'Individuals in the Pioglitazone vs. Vitamin E vs. Placebo for the Treatment of Nondiabetic Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (PIVENS) trial with paired liver biopsies and fasting lipid levels were included (N = 222). In the PIVENS trial individuals were randomised to pioglitazone 30 mg, vitamin E 800 IU or placebo for 96 weeks. Change in lipid levels at 96 weeks was compared between those with and without NASH resolution.', 'Dyslipidemia at baseline was frequent, with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (<40 mg/dL in men or <50 mg/dL in women) in 63%, hypertriglyceridaemia (≥150 mg/dL) in 46%, hypercholesterolaemia (≥200 mg/dL) in 47% and triglycerides (TG)/HDL >5.0 in 25%. Low-density lipoprotein (LD) ≥160 mg/dL was found in 16% and elevated non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) (≥130 mg/dL) in 73%. HDL increased with NASH resolution but decreased in those without resolution (2.9 mg/dL vs. -2.5 mg/dL, P < 0.001). NASH resolution was associated with significant decreases in TG and TG/HDL ratio compared to those without resolution (TG: -21.1 vs. -2.3 mg/dL, P = 0.03 and TG/HDL: -0.7 vs. 0.1, P = 0.003). Non-HDL-C, LDL and cholesterol decreased over 96 weeks in both groups, but there was no significant difference between groups. Treatment group did not impact lipids.
Answer: NASH resolution is associated with improvements in TG and HDL but not in other cardiovascular disease risk factors including LDL and non-HDL-C levels. Individuals with resolution of NASH may still be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00063622.

SOLUTION: Is nASH resolution associated with improvements in HDL and triglyceride levels but not improvement in LDL or non-HDL-C levels?

PROBLEM: Context: To evaluate the immediate effects of indirect moxibustion, a traditional local thermal therapy, on renal hemodynamics by using Doppler ultrasonography (US).', 'Prospective observational study of postintervention changes in several variables.', 'Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan.', 'Eleven healthy persons (7 men and 4 women; mean age±standard deviation, 32.6±5.7 years) were enrolled.', 'Indirect moxibustion was applied for 4 minutes to bilateral lower back acupuncture points (BL23). Each participant received 3 successive treatments.', 'The main outcome measurement was resistive index (RI) in the renal segmental arteries. Blood flow variables, including RI, were measured for 6 renal segmental arteries by Doppler US at rest (baseline), immediately after completion of moxibustion (post 1), and 10 minutes later (post 2). Participants were monitored for adverse events during the intervention.', 'The mean RI was 0.578±0.037 at baseline, 0.546±0.027 at post 1, and 0.547±0.032 at post 2. RI decreased significantly between post 1 and baseline (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.053 to -0.011; p=0.003) and between post 2 and baseline (95% CI, -0.052 to -0.009; p=0.005). No adverse events, such as burns, were observed.
Answer: This study of the short-term effects of indirect moxibustion on renal hemodynamics in healthy persons showed that renal vascular resistance was reduced after the therapy.

SOLUTION:
Does traditional thermal therapy with indirect moxibustion decrease renal arterial resistive index?