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: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain protein (NFL) is a sensitive marker of neuronal injury in a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, including the CNS dysfunction injury that is common in untreated HIV infection. However, an important limitation is the requirement for lumbar puncture. For this reason, a sensitive and reliable blood biomarker of CNS injury would represent a welcome advance in both clinical and research settings.', 'To explore whether plasma concentrations of NFL might be used to detect CNS injury in HIV infection, an ultrasensitive Single molecule array (Simoa) immunoassay was developed. Using a cross-sectional design, we measured NFL in paired CSF and plasma samples from 121 HIV-infected subjects divided into groups according to stage of their systemic disease, presence of overt HIV-associated dementia (HAD), and after antiretroviral treatment (ART)-induced viral suppression. HIV-negative controls were also examined.', 'Plasma and CSF NFL concentrations were very highly correlated (r = 0.89, P < 0.0001). While NFL was more than 50-fold lower plasma than CSF it was within the quantifiable range of the new plasma assay in all subjects, including the HIV negatives and the HIV positives with normal CSF NFL concentrations. The pattern of NFL changes were almost identical in plasma and CSF, both exhibiting similar age-related increases in concentrations along with highest values in HAD and substantial elevations in ART-naïve neuroasymptomatic subjects with low blood CD4(+) T cells.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: It has been suggested that early localization of both necrosis and extrapancreatic fluid collections by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) can predict the outcome in severe acute pancreatitis. These two assumptions were evaluated.', 'This study comprises 228 patients with a first attack of acute pancreatitis admitted to our clinic from 1987 to 1995 and for whom the prognostic value of a contrast-enhanced CT obtained within 72 h of admission was prospectively evaluated. These CTs were retrospectively re-evaluated for the localization of pancreatic necrosis and extrapancreatic fluid collections. The indication for dialysis and artificial ventilation, the development of pancreatic pseudocysts, the necessity for surgery (necrosectomy), and mortality were used as clinical parameters.', 'There was a significant correlation between the presence of pancreatic necrosis and extrapancreatic fluid collections versus the clinical parameters. The localization of pancreatic necrosis was of no importance for the outcome of the disease, whereas the increasing amount of extrapancreatic fluid collections paralleled the severity of acute pancreatitis.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to investigate the smoking status of lung cancer patients and to confirm the risk of smoking for patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.', 'We conducted a retrospective study of patients undergoing lung cancer surgery. Between May 2004 and March 2013, 716 patients underwent lung cancer surgery at our institution. Based on smoking status, the patients were classified into 3 groups: nonsmoker, past smoker, and current smoker. Based on exclusion criteria, a final total of 670 patients were investigated for the association between smoking status and postoperative complications. In addition, we explored the effect of smoking on survival after surgery.', 'There were 254 non-smokers, 246 past smokers, and 170 current smokers. The percent of female patients, adenocarcinoma, and stage IA cancer was highest in the nonsmokers. Respiratory function was significantly impaired in past and current smokers. Respiratory and cardiac complications were found less frequently in non-smokers (11.4%) followed by 17.1% of past smokers and 21.2% of current smokers (p = 0.0226). Univariate analysis showed that smoking was a significantly poor prognostic factor for overall survival. The 5-year survival rates for non-smokers, past, and current smokers were 81.4, 65.4, and 68.8%, respectively (p = 0.0003).

SOLUTION:
1