TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage classify if the passage has a definite objective/aim/goal or not. Output '1' if the passage has a defininte objective/aim/goal and output '0' if the passage does not have a definite objective/aim/goal.
PROBLEM: Genetic factors are reported to affect fracture incidence. Many groups have explored the correlation of fracture risk with ESR1 IVS1-397T>C. The observed associations, however, are largely inconsistent. This meta-analysis of data from early-released studies was performed in an effort to determine the role of IVS1-397T>C in fracture.', 'Relevant studies were searched through Pubmed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library databases. 16 studies meeting all selection criteria were finally identified. We calculated ORs with 95% CIs to assess risk of fracture. Subgroup analyses were performed by subtype, ethnicity and gender.', 'Data on 2916 cases and 19170 controls were analyzed in the meta-analysis. Overall, we found moderately decreased risk in association with IVS1-397 CC genotype (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.73-0.92; OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76-0.94). The decrease persisted in both hip fracture (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71-0.94; OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.73-0.94) and vertebral fracture (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.50-0.91; OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64-0.97; OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.68-0.98) when data were stratified by subtype. We also found a significant trend of decreasing risk in relation to the CC genotype in Caucasian, male and female. All fixed-effects meta-analysis results were homogeneous.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Three-dimensional (3D) surface matching is a novel method to administer deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) radiation therapy for left-sided breast cancer to reduce cardiac exposure. We analyzed port (x-ray) films to assess patient setup accuracy and treatment times to assess the practical workflow of this system.', 'The data from 50 left-sided breast cancer patients treated with DIBH were studied. AlignRT (London, UK) was used. The distance between the field edge and the anterior pericardial shadow as seen on the routine port films (dPORT), and the corresponding distance seen on the digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) from the planning (dDRR) were compared as a quantitative measure of setup accuracy. Variations of dPORT - dDRR over the treatment course were assessed. In a subset of 21 patients treated with tangential beams alone, the daily treatment durations were analyzed to assess the practical workflow of this system.', 'Considering all 50 patients, the mean absolute systematic uncertainty between dPORT and dDRR was 0.20 cm (range, 0 to 1.22 cm), the mean systematic uncertainty was -0.07 cm (range, -1.22 to 0.67 cm), and their mean random uncertainty was 0.19 cm (range, 0 to 0.84 cm). There was no significant change in dPORT - dDRR during the course of treatment. The mean patient treatment duration for the 21 patients studied was 11 minutes 48 seconds. On intrapatient assessments, 15/21 had nonsignificant trends toward reduced treatment durations during their course of therapy. On interpatient comparisons, the mean treatment times declined as we gained more experience with this technique.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: To investigate the role of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment during serum glucose variations on plasma oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) levels in obese patients with early Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and its relationship to endothelial biomarkers.', 'In a double-blind, randomized crossover study, 15 obese diet-treated T2D patients received cerivastatin (0.4 mg/day) or placebo for 3 months. Circulating ox-LDL levels were measured fasting and during a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp (approximately 5.5 mmol/l; EHC) and a hyperglycemic clamp (approximately 20 mmol/l; HC). An endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) study was carried out and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was measured at rest and during EHC. S-ICAM, s-VCAM and basal prothrombotic factors were also measured.', 'During cerivastatin treatment, basal circulating ox-LDL levels decreased by 48% (P<0.001) compared with placebo. Serum ox-LDL levels decreased during EHC and remained unchanged during HC compared with the fasting state; with cerivastatin treatment these levels were lower compared with placebo both in the fasting state and during the clamp studies. FMD was higher with cerivastatin than with placebo (P<0.001) and the increments in FMD correlated with decrements in serum ox-LDL levels (r=0.78, P=0.001). Microalbuminuria increased during EHC but this was blunted during cerivastatin therapy compared with placebo (P<0.05). Basal sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels decreased (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively).

SOLUTION:
1