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: It has been hypothesized that minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins, which are replicative control factors, can be used to detect tumor proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of MCM in colorectal cancer tissues and correlate it to clinical outcomes.', 'The study included 145 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative surgery, from January 2002 until December 2004, at the Kurume University Hospital in Fukuoka, Japan. The median follow-up duration was 87 months. The expression of MCM7 in tissues was studied by immuno-histochemical staining. The labeling index (LI) of MCM7 was calculated by dividing the number of positively-stained cells by the total number of cells counted. We divided samples into two groups: positive (MCM7 LI 76% or higher) and negative (MCM7 LI less than 76%).', 'In patients with Dukes A and B, there were no significant differences in either overall survival (OS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS) between patents with MCM7-positive and those with MCM7-negative disease. On the other hand, in patients with Dukes C, there was significantly worse OS and RFS for patients with MCM7-positive compared to those with MCM7-negative disease.
Answer: We found that the expression of MCM7 is an independent risk factor for RFS in patients with Dukes C colorectal cancer. Further studies are required to investigate the validity of MCM7 protein expression for its potential clinical use in colorectal cancer therapy and prognosis.

SOLUTION: Is minichromosome maintenance protein 7 a risk factor for recurrence in patients with Dukes C colorectal cancer?

PROBLEM: Context: We examined the effect of prior heating, by exercise and warm-water immersion, on core cooling rates in individuals rendered mildly hypothermic by immersion in cold water.', 'There were seven male subjects who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) seated rest for 15 min (control); 2) cycling ergometry for 15 min at 70% Vo2 peak (active warming); or 3) immersion in a circulated bath at 40 degrees C to an esophageal temperature (Tes) similar to that at the end of exercise (passive warming). Subjects were then immersed in 7 degrees C water to a Tes of 34.5 degrees C.', 'Initial Tes cooling rates (initial approximately 6 min cooling) differed significantly among the treatment conditions (0.074 +/- 0.045, 0.129 +/- 0.076, and 0.348 +/- 0.117 degrees C x min(-1) for control, active, and passive warming conditions, respectively); however, secondary cooling rates (rates following initial approximately 6 min cooling to the end of immersion) were not different between treatments (average of 0.102 +/- 0.085 degrees C x min(-1)). Overall Tes cooling rates during the full immersion period differed significantly and were 0.067 +/- 0.047, 0.085 +/- 0.045, and 0.209 +/- 0.131 degrees C x min(-1) for control, active, and passive warming, respectively.
Answer: These results suggest that prior warming by both active and, to a greater extent, passive warming, may predispose a person to greater heat loss and to experience a larger decline in core temperature when subsequently exposed to cold water. Thus, functional time and possibly survival time could be reduced when cold water immersion is preceded by whole-body passive warming, and to a lesser degree by active warming.

SOLUTION: Does warming by immersion or exercise affect initial cooling rate during subsequent cold water immersion?

PROBLEM: Context: Cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin are related gastrointestinal hormones with documented cardiovascular effects of exogenous administration. It is unknown whether measurement of endogenous CCK or gastrin in plasma contains information regarding cardiovascular mortality.', 'Mortality risk was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Elderly patients in a primary care setting with symptoms of cardiac disease, i.e. shortness of breath, peripheral edema, and/or fatigue, were evaluated (n=470). Primary care patients were followed for 13years (from 1999); the 5-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was used as end point.', 'In univariate analysis, patients in the 4th CCK quartile had an increased risk of 5-year cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 3.9, 95% confidence interval: 2.1-7.0, p<0.0001). In multivariate analysis including established factors associated with cardiovascular mortality, CCK concentrations in the 4th quartile were still associated with increased 5-year cardiovascular mortality risk (HR 3.1, 95% C.I.: 1.7-5.7, p=0.0004), even when including 4th quartile NT-proBNP concentrations in the same model. We observed a marked difference between the genders, where CCK concentrations in the 4th quartile were associated with a higher 5-year cardiovascular mortality in female patients (HR 8.99, 95% C.I.: 3.49-102.82, p=0.0007) compared to men (1.47, 95% C.I.: 0.7-3.3, p=0.35). In contrast, no significant information was obtained from 4th quartile gastrin concentrations on 5-year cardiovascular mortality risk.
Answer: CCK in plasma is an independent marker of cardiovascular mortality in elderly female patients. The study thus introduces measurement of plasma CCK in gender-specific cardiovascular risk assessment.

SOLUTION:
Does cholecystokinin in plasma predict cardiovascular mortality in elderly females?