TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given a passage which has a question and the context. You have to generate an answer to the question based on the information present in the context.
PROBLEM: Context: Carotid stiffening is considered a key element in the pathogenesis of stroke. However, results of studies evaluating the association between carotid stiffness and incident stroke have been inconsistent.', 'This study investigated whether carotid stiffness (as determined by ultrasonography) is associated with incident stroke and whether this association is independent of aortic stiffness as estimated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Additionally, we evaluated the incremental value of carotid stiffness for stroke risk prediction beyond Framingham risk factors and cfPWV.', 'This study included a systematic review and meta-analyses of aggregate and individual participant data (IPD), the latter of which was obtained by requesting individual-level data of all cohort studies with available data on carotid stiffness and cfPWV.', 'Ten studies (n= 22,472) were included in the aggregate data meta-analysis and 4 (n= 4,540) in the IPD meta-analysis. After adjusting for cardiovascular (CV) factors, the aggregate data meta-analysis showed that greater carotid stiffness (per SD) was associated with stroke (hazard ratio: 1.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.05 to 1.33). In addition, carotid stiffness was associated with total CV events and CV and all-cause mortality, but not with coronary heart disease events. In the IPD meta-analysis, additional adjustment for cfPWV did not materially change these associations. Carotid stiffness did improve stroke risk prediction beyond Framingham and cfPWV (integrative discrimination improvement: 0.4 percentage point [95% confidence interval: 0.1 to 0.6 percentage point] and continuous net reclassification improvement: 18.6% [95% confidence interval: 5.8% to 31.3%]).\Question: Is carotid stiffness associated with incident stroke : a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis?

SOLUTION: Carotid stiffness is associated with incident stroke independently of CV factors and aortic stiffness. Inaddition, carotid stiffness improves stroke risk prediction beyond Framingham and aortic stiffness.

PROBLEM: Context: Vasopeptidase inhibitors are drugs that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase (NEP). The latter is a protease that degrades vasoactive peptides and is increased in diabetes. We have previously shown that treating streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, an animal model of type 1 diabetes, with AVE7688, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, improves neurovascular and neural function. In this study, we determined the effect of treating Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes, with AVE7688 on vascular and neural function.', 'ZDF rats at 12 weeks of age were treated for 12 weeks with AVE7688 (500 mg/kg diet). Afterwards, vascular reactivity of epineurial arterioles of the sciatic nerve and nerve conduction velocity and blood flow was determined.', 'Vascular and neural function was significantly impaired in ZDF rats compared with age-matched lean (control) rats. Treating ZDF rats with AVE7688 improved vascular relaxation to acetylcholine and calcitonin gene-related peptide in epineurial arterioles. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, endoneurial blood flow and thermal nociception end-points were also improved by treatment compared with untreated ZDF rats. Superoxide and expression of NEP were increased in epineurial arterioles from ZDF rats and attenuated by treatment with AVE7688.\Question: Does treatment of Zucker diabetic fatty rats with AVE7688 improve vascular and neural dysfunction?

SOLUTION: AVE7688 is an effective treatment for microvascular and neural disease in ZDF rats. Thus, vasopeptidase inhibitors may be an effective treatment for diabetic microvascular and neural complication in type 2 diabetes.

PROBLEM: Context: AIM, MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endodontic treatment of a total of 303 teeth with pulpitis and periodontitis was performed with a new calcium-carbamide-formaldehyde paste. In three children with fractured teeth with complications, the applied treatment was combined (2 teeth with apical osteotomy and 1 with cystectomy). Control examinations were carried out at months 6, 12 and 24 and clinically healthy teeth and teeth with complications were registered.', 'In the pulpitis group the clinically healthy teeth were 97.55% +/- 1.08 at the 6th month; 96.85% +/- 1.26 at the 12th month and 92.92% +/- 2.41 at the 24th month. In teeth with periodontitis 91.56% +/- 3.05 were clinically healthy at the 6th month; 93.83% +/- 2.67 at the 12th month and 98.03% +/- 1.98 at the 24th month. No statistical significance of the differences between pulpites and periodontites was found (P > 0.05). Recovery of the bone structure was observed in the teeth with combined endodontic and surgical treatment at the 12th month.\Question: Do endodontic treatment of permanent teeth in children with a new calcium-carbamide-formaldehyde paste?

SOLUTION:
The calcium-carbamide-formaldehyde paste stimulates bone regeneration and closing of the apex without coloring the hard dental tissues.