Detailed Instructions: 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:Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a hypoxia-induced endothelial cell-specific mitogen, which is angiogenic in vivo and up-regulated in several malignancies. VEGF can be used as a prognostic marker, but the effect of surgical trauma on serum VEGF (S-VEGF) concentrations is unknown and might reduce the value of VEGF as a serum marker.', 'We monitored S-VEGF levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients undergoing surgery.', 'Eighteen patients with major surgery had slightly elevated S-VEGF compared with the preoperative level (median 9.5 pg/mL) on the first (median 35 pg/mL; P = 0.0002) and third (median 19 pg/mL; P = 0.004) postoperative day, but not in later samples. The levels measured in 8 patients after minor surgery did not differ from the preoperative levels (P = 0.14).
Solution:
Does major surgery increase serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor only temporarily?