instruction:
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.
question:
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal-pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) are important diagnostic tools for patients with suspected cardiac disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of plasma NT-pro-BNP in identifying cardiac metastases in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and dyspnoea.', 'A total of 120 patients, median age 62 years (range 46-83), with NSCLC and dyspnoea were studied. Patients with heart failure or documented coronary artery disease were excluded. Echocardiographic imaging was used to detect cardiac metastases and estimate global left ventricular function. Ejection fraction and E/A ratio from transmitral inflow pattern were calculated. Plasma NT-pro-BNP was also measured. 72 patients (72/120, 60%) with cardiac metastases were identified.', 'NT-pro-BNP was significantly higher in patients with metastases (1347.5 +/- 1004.30 pg/ml vs. 159.02 +/- 93.29 pg/ml; p = 0.001). No differences between groups, regarding s-creatinine (p = 0.45), haemoglobin (p = 0.71), left ventricular hypertrophy (p = 0.91), and diastolic dysfunction (p = 0.79), were observed.
answer:
Is pro-brain natriuretic peptide a sensitive marker for detecting cardiac metastases in patients with non-small cell lung cancer?

question:
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.
answer:
Is treatment with granulocyte colony stimulating factor associated with improvement in endothelial function?

question:
To investigate the mechanism of regulation of intestinal disaccharidase activity and glucose absorption, the effect of dietary intake of phlorizin, a potent and specific inhibitor of intestinal glucose transport, on intestinal disaccharidase activity and Na(+)-dependent glucose transporter was examined in rats.', 'Jejunal disaccharidase activity and the number of Na(+)-dependent glucose transporters were determined in rats maintained on a low-starch diet, a high-starch diet, or low-starch diets containing various amounts of phlorizin (0.1%-0.9% wt/wt).', 'Jejunal disaccharidase activity increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Stimulation of jejunal disaccharidase activity only occurred when phlorizin was added to starch-containing diets, not when it was added to a carbohydrate-free diet. Addition of the same amount of phloretin and glucose (constituents of phlorizin), to the diet failed to increase disaccharidase activity. The maximum binding of phlorizin to brush border membrane vesicles was increased in the rats fed phlorizin, whereas the dissociation constant remained unchanged, suggesting an increase of glucose transporter expression.
answer:
Does inhibition of glucose absorption by phlorizin affect intestinal functions in rats?