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: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used for the mobilization of bone marrow and endothelial progenitor cells, though G-CSF-induced inflammation may cause endothelial dysfunction. We examined the effects of G-CSF on endothelium, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and anti-inflammatory cytokines namely interleukin 10 (IL-10).', 'We studied 60 women with breast cancer, who were randomized to either subcutaneous G-CSF (5 microg/kg), o.d. for 5 days after adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 40) or placebo (n = 20).', 'We measured flow-mediated dilatation (FMD%) of the brachial artery by ultrasonography, CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and the ratio TNF-alpha/ IL-10 blood levels before, 2-h and 5-days after the G-CSF or placebo treatment.', 'There was a greater increase of FMD, IL-10 and reduction of TNF-alpha/ IL-10, 2 h and 5 days after the G-CSF treatment compared to placebo. Although, CRP and TNF-alpha were higher, TNF-alpha/IL-10 was lower at the end of G-CSF treatment compared to placebo. Improvement of FMD was related to changes of IL-10 and TNF-alpha/IL-10.

SOLUTION: Is treatment with granulocyte colony stimulating factor associated with improvement in endothelial function?

PROBLEM: Cardiovascular device-centered infections are a major cause of hospital morbidity, mortality, and expense. Caused by opportunistic bacteria, this phenomenon is thought to arise because of a defect in neutrophil bacterial killing. We have shown that neutrophils that adhere to polystyrene remain viable, whereas neutrophils that adhere to the vascular biomaterials expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and Dacron undergo a rapid nonapoptotic death. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that surface topography is a determinant of the nonapoptotic death response of neutrophils to biomaterials.', 'We took advantage of the ease with which a polystyrene surface can be manipulated to examine the effect of surface topography on neutrophil viability. Neutrophils were exposed to smooth or roughened polystyrene surfaces both in vivo and in vitro. Changes in cell membrane permeability and production of reactive oxygen species by individual cells were monitored with fluorescent dyes.', 'Host cells and isolated human neutrophils died rapidly after adhesion to roughened polystyrene. Neutrophils adherent to roughened surfaces produced more reactive oxygen intermediates than those adherent to smooth surfaces and were first to die. The cell death response precipitated by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, Dacron, or the roughened surfaces was significantly reduced with treatment of the neutrophils with catalase, diphenylene iodonium, or the src kinase inhibitor PP2 before adhesion.

SOLUTION: Is neutrophil survival on biomaterials determined by surface topography?

PROBLEM: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels within populations do not follow Gaussian distribution, and normal limits are derived after mathematical normalization. The clinical relevance of these limits is unknown. The objective of this study was to compare upper and lower TSH limits by four data normalization methods with non-normalized data and assess their clinical relevance.', 'Results of blood samples taken by community physicians and stored in a computerized database were analysed after removing samples from patients with evidence of thyroid illness. TSH values were normalized by the Hoffmann and Tukey methods and each method with natural log transformation. Non-normalized data for TSH in the uppermost and lowermost percentile were also calculated. Clinical relevance was determined by alterations in thyroid hormone levels at, below and above the limits for each method.', 'The maximal reduction from non-normalized data for the upper normal limit (UNL) was by the Hoffman method 43% = 31 mIU/l). The maximal increase for the lower normal limit (LNL) was also by the Hoffman method (708% = 081 mIU/l). There was very limited difference in average FT3 and FT4 between patients with TSH within, below or above the normal range for all methods.

SOLUTION:
Do normal limits for serum thyrotropin vary greatly depending on method?