TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage with a context and an answer, 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: Context: To develop a method for quick identification of sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Cimicifugae Rhizoma by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).', 'The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Cimicifugae Rhizoma were analyzed and compared by FTIR combined with second derivative infrared spectroscopy.', 'FTIR spectra showed that there were some differences in the positions of infrared absorption peaks and the relative intensities in the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Cimicifugae Rhizoma, and the second derivative IR spectra clearly enhanced the spectral resolution of their differences. FTIR spectra showed that the new absorption peaks of Cimicifugae Rhizoma appeared and a part of original absorption peaks disappeared after sulfur-fumigation in aqueous extracts, while a lot of new absorption peaks appeared and the intensities of almost all absorption peaks significantly decreased after sulfur-fumigation in alcoholic extracts. Second derivative IR spectra showed that both sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Cimicifugae Rhizoma extracted by water differed significantly from each other ranging from about 3 950 to 3 940 cm(-1), 3 850 to 3 800 cm(-1), 1 800 to 1 750 cm(-1), as well as from 1 400 to 1 350 cm(-1); Differences also existed between sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Cimicifugae Rhizoma extracted by ethanol ranging from about 3 980 to 3 960 cm(-1), 3 850 to 3 800 cm(-1), and 1 500 to 1 460 cm(-1).
Answer: The FTIR method combined with the second derivative IR spectrum can be used to analyze and distinguish sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Cimicifugae Rhizoma quickly and accurately. The developed method provides an efficient approach for the quality control of Chinese herbal medicines with its simplicity and strong specificity.

SOLUTION: Do [ Quick identification and discrimination of sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated cimicifugae rhizoma by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ]?

PROBLEM: Context: Spinal anesthesia can be challenging in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty because of poorly palpable surface landmarks and age-related changes in the lumbar spine. We hypothesized that pre-procedural ultrasound imaging would be effective in identifying the lumbar intervertebral spaces and would provide an accurate measure of the depth to the intrathecal space.', "Fifty patients undergoing elective total joint arthroplasty were recruited in this prospective descriptive study. Using a curved-array 2-5 MHz transducer, the lumbar spine was imaged in two views, i.e., longitudinal parasagittal (LP) and transverse midline (TM). The intervertebral levels were identified by counting upwards from the sacrum. The locations of the interlaminar spaces were identified by visualizing the ligamentum flavum-dura mater complex and the posterior aspect of the vertebral body. The needle insertion point for a midline approach was determined from the ultrasound examination and was marked on the skin of the patient's back.", 'The mean patient age was 67 +/- 10 yr, and 46% of the patients had a body mass index >30 kg . m(-2). Surface landmarks were difficult or impossible to palpate in 38% of the patients. The scan quality on the LP and TM views was adequate or better in 100 and 98% of the patients, respectively. Dural puncture was achieved with one needle insertion attempt and within two needle insertion attempts in 84% and 98% of the patients, respectively. The ultrasound-measured depth to the intrathecal space correlated well with the actual needle insertion depth (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.82, accuracy 0.95, precision 0.86), with a tendency to overestimate the depth by just 2.1 +/- 5.4 mm.
Answer: Ultrasound imaging of the lumbar spine provides clinically useful information that can facilitate spinal anesthesia in the older orthopedic patient population.

SOLUTION: Does an ultrasound-assisted approach facilitate spinal anesthesia for total joint arthroplasty?

PROBLEM: Context: The Arp2/3 complex is required for cell migration and invasion. The Arp2/3 complex and its activators, such as the WAVE complex, are deregulated in diverse cancers. Here we investigate the expression of Arpin, the Arp2/3 inhibitory protein that antagonises the WAVE complex.', 'We used qRT-PCR and reverse phase protein arrays in a patient cohort with known clinical parameters and outcome, immunofluorescence in breast biopsy cryosections and breast cancer cell lines.', 'Arpin was downregulated at the mRNA and protein levels in mammary carcinoma cells. Arpin mRNA downregulation was associated with poor metastasis-free survival (MFS) on univariate analysis (P=0.022). High expression of the NCKAP1 gene that encodes a WAVE complex subunit was also associated with poor MFS on univariate analysis (P=0.0037) and was mutually exclusive with Arpin low. Arpin low or NCKAP1 high was an independent prognosis factor on multivariate analysis (P=0.0012) and was strongly associated with poor MFS (P=0.000064).
Answer: Loss of the Arp2/3 inhibitory protein Arpin produces a similar poor outcome in breast cancer as high expression of the NCKAP1 subunit of the Arp2/3 activatory WAVE complex.

SOLUTION:
Is arpin downregulation in breast cancer associated with poor prognosis?