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: Noninvasive pacemaker stress echocardiography is a newly introduced method for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with a permanent pacemaker. The prognostic value of pacemaker stress echocardiography has not been studied.', 'We studied 136 patients (mean age 64+/-12 years) with a permanent pacemaker who underwent pacemaker stress echocardiography for evaluation of coronary artery disease. All patients underwent pacemaker stress echocardiography by external programming (pacing heart rate up to ischemia or target heart rate).', 'Thirty-one patients (23%) had normal study results. Ischemia was detected in 75 patients (55%). During a mean follow-up of 3.5+/-2.4 years, 35 deaths (26%) (20 the result of cardiac causes) and 2 nonfatal myocardial infarctions (1%) occurred. The annual cardiac death rate was 1.3% in patients without ischemia and 4.6% in patients with ischemia (P=.01). The annual all-cause mortality rate was 3.1% in patients without ischemia and 7% in patients with ischemia (P=.004). The presence of ischemia during pacemaker stress echocardiography was the strongest independent predictor of cardiac death (hazard ratio 4.1, confidence interval 1.2-14.5) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.7, confidence interval 1.2-6.0) in a multivariable model.
Answer: Myocardial ischemia during pacemaker stress echocardiography is an independent predictor of cardiac death and all-cause mortality in patients with a permanent pacemaker.

SOLUTION: Does pacemaker stress echocardiography predict cardiac events in patients with permanent pacemaker?

PROBLEM: Context: For high-resolution microscopy, cells have to be analyzed through thin glass coverslips. Therefore, it is necessary to culture cells on coverslips for preservation of cell morphology. We found cell attachment and spreading to be relatively slow processes, even when cells were plated on coated coverslips. This slowness presents a problem, particularly when synchronized cell populations are used.', 'In this paper, we present a method that is based on glow-discharged carbon coating of coverslips which promotes rapid attachment and spreading of cells, enabling rapid analysis of cells after plating. Results obtained with carbon-coated coverslips were compared with those of other types of coating. Two fibroblast lines, an epithelial cell line, and a carcinoma cell line were tested.
Answer: All cell lines showed a rapid adhesion on carbon-coated coverslips. With fibroblasts we found the carbon coating to be superior to other coatings tested, mainly because the carbon did not influence cell morphology. Using synchronized or irradiated cells produced similar results. The superior performance of carbon coating is probably due to carboxylic groups on the glow-discharged carbon layer. The carbon layer does not interfere with microscopy or immunocytochemical staining procedures.

SOLUTION: Does coating of coverslips with glow-discharged carbon promote cell attachment and spreading probably due to carboxylic groups?

PROBLEM: Context: Breast reconstruction (BR) following mastectomy for breast cancer has been shown to improve quality of life and body image; however, there is significant geographic variation in BR rates. We explored factors associated with BR following mastectomy.', 'This is a population-based data linkage study consisting of cancer registry records linked to hospital inpatient episodes for 4104 women aged 20\u2009years and over-diagnosed with a first primary invasive localized stage breast cancer between 1997 and 2012 in Queensland, Australia, who underwent a mastectomy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model predictors of BR.', 'Overall, 481 women (11.7%) underwent reconstruction. Proportions increased over time and were higher for younger women. Younger age, more recent diagnosis, living in high or very high accessibility areas or less disadvantaged areas, smaller tumours and attending a private or high-volume hospital independently increased the odds of reconstruction. The geographical disparity reduced significantly over time.
Answer: Geographical barriers to accessing BR have reduced; however, continued monitoring and further research to inform strategies to further reduce subgroup disparities remain a priority.

SOLUTION:
Does geographical disparity in breast reconstruction following mastectomy have reduced over time?

