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: We developed a lactoferrin conjugate by modifying bovine lactoferrin (bLF) with a 40-kDa branched poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecule (designated 40 k-PEG-bLf), and we evaluated its in vitro activities and pharmacokinetic properties.', 'We prepared 40k-PEG-bLf by amino conjugation with N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated PEG. This conjugate was purified by cation exchange chromatography and its in vitro biological activities, such as iron binding, anti-inflammatory effects, and resistance to proteolytic enzymes were investigated. In vivo pharmacokinetics analyses, were also performed to examine the rate of clearance from the plasma in rats.', 'The 40k-PEG-bLf conjugate was fully active in iron binding and exhibited 97.1 +/- 5.5% (mean +/- S.E., n = 6) of the original anti-inflammatory activity. The in vitro peptic susceptibility of 40 k-PEG-bLf revealed that the proteolytic half-life increased at least 6-fold that of unmodified LF. This PEGylated conjugate demonstrated a plasma half-life that was 8.7-fold longer than that of the unmodified bLF in rats.

SOLUTION: Does lactoferrin conjugated with 40-kDa branched poly ( ethylene glycol ) have an improved circulating half-life?

PROBLEM: To determine whether cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) levels are increased in women with endometriosis, especially in those with endometriomas (OMAs), deep infiltrating lesions (DIE), and superficial endometriosis (SUP) compared with controls without endometriosis in a large cohort of operated women.', 'Cross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).', 'Tertiary-care university hospital.', 'Four hundred six women with histologically proven endometriosis and 279 women without endometriosis.', 'Surgical examination of the abdomino-pelvic cavity.', 'Preoperative serum CA-125 antigen levels were evaluated by electrochemoluminescence immunoassay in women with endometriosis and controls. Correlations between serum CA-125 levels and clinical and anatomical characteristics of disease severity were examined. Women with endometriosis displayed higher mean serum CA-125 levels compared with disease-free controls (50.1\xa0±\xa062.4 U/mL vs 22.5\xa0±\xa025.2 U/mL; p\xa0≤\xa0.001). CA-125 levels were significantly increased in women with OMA (60.8\xa0±\xa063.5 U/mL) and DIE (55.2\xa0±\xa068.7 U/mL) compared with women with SUP (23.2\xa0±\xa024.5 U/mL) and controls (22.5\xa0±\xa025.2 U/mL). There was no difference in CA-125 levels between patients with SUP and controls and between patients with OMA and DIE. CA-125 serum levels were correlated with DIE severity: the mean number of DIE lesions and worst DIE lesion.

SOLUTION: Is increased serum cancer antigen-125 a marker for severity of deep endometriosis?

PROBLEM: To identify subgroups of patients with renal stones ≥20 mm that are more suitable for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy.', 'A total of 376 patients with renal stones ≥20 mm underwent monotherapy with ESWL. The treatment outcome was evaluated after 3 months of follow-up. A stone-free status or fragmentation of stones to 4 mm or smaller was considered efficacious.', 'At 3 months after treatment, the overall stone-free rate was 64.4%, and the efficacy rate was 70.7%. The efficacy rate was 89.4% for patients with a residual stone surface area ≤50% of baseline after the first ESWL, while the efficacy rate was 32.4% for other patients. The efficacy was 92.2% for stones ≤400 mm2 and those with lower radiodensity, as determined by a plain (KUB) film.

SOLUTION:
Do treatment of Renal Stones ≥20 mm with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy?