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.

Ex Input:
We investigated the function of major superoxide-generating enzymes after remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR), with the specific aim of assessing the importance of the most relevant NADPH oxidase (NOX) isoforms, NOX2 and NOX4, in the mechanism of action.', '60-min partial liver ischemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats in the presence or absence of remote IPC (2 × 10-min limb IR), and hepatic microcirculatory variables were determined through intravital video microscopy and lightguide spectrophotometry during reperfusion. Inflammatory enzyme activities (myeloperoxidase (MPO) and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR)), cytokine production (TNF-α and HMGB-1), liver necroenzyme levels (AST, ALT and LDH) and NOX2 and NOX4 protein expression changes (Western blot analysis) were assayed biochemically.', 'In this setting, remote IPC significantly decreased the IR-induced hepatic NOX2 expression, but the NOX4 expression remained unchanged. The remote IPC provided significant, but incomplete protection against the leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and flow deterioration. Hepatocellular damage (AST, ALT and LDH release), cytokine levels, and XOR and MPO activities also diminished.

Ex Output:
Does remote ischemic preconditioning differentially affect NADPH oxidase isoforms during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion?


Ex Input:
Yes-associated protein (YAP), a downstream target of the Hippo signaling pathway, was recently linked to hepatocarcinogenesis in a mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model. The objective of the current study was to investigate the clinical significance of YAP in HCC and its prognostic values in predicting survival and tumor recurrence.', 'The authors collected 177 pairs of tumor and adjacent nontumor tissue from HCC patients with definitive clinicopathologic and follow-up data. YAP expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Association of YAP with each clinicopathologic feature was analyzed by Pearson chi-square test, and HCC-specific disease-free survival and overall survival by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analyses of YAP in HCC were also performed.', 'YAP was expressed in the majority of HCC cases (approximately 62%) and mainly accumulated in the tumor nucleus. Overexpression of YAP in HCC was significantly associated with poorer tumor differentiation (Edmonson grade; P = .021) and high serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level (P < .001). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression data indicated that YAP was an independent predictor for HCC-specific disease-free survival (hazards ratio [HR], 1.653; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.081-2.528 [P = .02]) and overall survival (HR, 2.148; 95% CI, 1.255-3.677 [P = .005]).

Ex Output:
Is yes-associated protein an independent prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma?


Ex Input:
Animal data show that low protein intake in pregnancy programs higher offspring blood pressure, but similar data in humans are limited. We examined the associations of first and second trimester maternal protein intake with offspring blood pressure (BP) at the age of six months.', 'In a prospective US cohort study, called Project Viva, pregnant women completed validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaires (FFQ) to measure gestational protein intake. Among 947 mother-offspring pairs with first trimester dietary data and 910 pairs with second trimester data, we measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) up to five times with an automated device in the offspring at the age of six months. Controlling for blood pressure measurement conditions, maternal and infant characteristics, we examined the effect of energy-adjusted maternal protein intake on infant SBP using multivariable mixed effects models.', 'Mean daily second trimester maternal protein intake was 17.6% of energy (mean 2111 kcal/day). First trimester nutrient intakes were similar. Mean SBP at age 6 months was 90.0 mm Hg (SD 12.9). Consistent with prior reports, adjusted SBP was 1.94 mm Hg lower [95% confidence interval (CI) -3.45 to -0.42] for each kg increase in birth weight. However, we did not find an association between maternal protein intake and infant SBP. After adjusting for covariates, the effect estimates were 0.14 mm Hg (95% CI 20.12 to 20.40) for a 1% increase in energy from protein during the second trimester, and 20.01 mm Hg (95% CI 20.24 to -0.23) for a 1% increase in energy from protein in the first trimester.

Ex Output:

Is maternal protein intake associated with infant blood pressure?