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: To derive a nomogram of fetal maxillary bone length (MAX) for a Chinese population and to study whether first-trimester maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is an independent predictor of fetal MAX.', 'This was a prospective observational study over 10 months examining Chinese women with a singleton pregnancy who attended the first-trimester screening program for Down syndrome. The subjects had the fetal crown-rump length (CRL), nuchal translucency, MAX, maternal serum PAPP-A and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (fbeta-hCG) levels measured. A nomogram of MAX was derived using normal pregnancies with reliable dates. The correlations between MAX, CRL, PAPP-A and fbeta-hCG levels were studied, after correction for gestational dependency using Z-score transformation for the ultrasound markers (Z-MAX and Z-CRL), and logarithmic transformation of multiple of gestation-specific medians for the biochemical markers (log10PAPP-A multiples of the median (MoM) and log10fbeta-hCG MoM), using the Pearson test and multiple regression analysis.', 'During the study period, 607 Chinese women met the inclusion criteria. The mean gestational age at the first-trimester screening was 12 + 4 weeks (SD, 4 days). Curve estimation analysis showed that a linear relationship fit best between MAX and CRL (MAX (mm) = -0.01 + 0.101 * CRL (mm); r = 0.826; P < 0.0001), and between MAX and gestational age (MAX (mm) = -8.465 + 0.170 * gestational age (day); r = 0.754; SD = 0.71; P < 0.0001). There were significant positive correlations between Z-MAX and Z-CRL (r = 0.627; P = < 0.0001), Z-MAX and log10PAPP-A MoM (r = 0.239; P = < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis showed that both Z-CRL (P = < 0.0001) and log10 PAPP-A MoM (P = 0.048) were independent predictors for Z-MAX.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Both BALB/c mice and common voles (Microtus arvalis) are considered highly susceptible to tularemia. However, the common vole is reported to harbour Francisella tularensis in European habitats as well as to survive longer with chronic shedding of the bacterium. The purpose of the present study was to compare the response of these two rodents to a wild Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strain infection.', 'Rodents were evaluated for differences in the total antioxidant capacity derived from low-molecular-weight antioxidants, biochemistry including lipid metabolism, tissue bacterial burdens and histopathology following experimental intraperitoneal infection with 160 colony forming units (CFU) pro toto.', 'Bacterial burdens in common voles started to develop later post-exposure and amounted to lower levels than in BALB/c mice. Elevation of liver function enzymes was more pronounced in mice than common voles and there were marked differences in lipid metabolism in the course of tularemia in these two species. Hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia developed in mice, while physiologically higher levels of triglycerides and cholesterol showed a decreasing tendency in common voles. On the other hand, the total plasma antioxidant capacity gradually dropped to 81.5% in mice on day 5 post-infection, while it increased to 130% on day 6 post-infection in common voles. Significant correlations between tissue bacterial burdens and several biochemical parameters were found.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Mechanical support leads to an increased risk of both bleeding and thrombotic events, but little is known about the risk of device support in patients with a baseline predisposition to these events. The aim of this study was to examine outcomes among patients with baseline hematologic conditions who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation (CF-LVAD).', 'We retrospectively reviewed records of 286 patients who underwent CF-LVAD implantation at the Columbia University Medical Center between April 2008 and December 2013. Patients diagnosed with the following hematologic conditions were enrolled: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP); Factor V Leiden; elevated Factor VIII; heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); or undefined hypercoagulable state.', 'Of the 286 CF-LVAD patients implanted during the study period, 12 were considered to have a significant hematologic condition predisposing them to either bleeding or thrombotic events. The study included 5 patients with ITP, 1 with Factor V Leiden, 1 with elevated Factor VIII, 2 with HIT and 3 patients with undefined hypercoagulable state. Patients were supported for a total of 168.46 months, with a median of 10.76 months (IQR 4.78 to 21.36 months). There was a high frequency of thrombotic (0.57 event per patient-year), neurologic (0.36 event per patient-year) and bleeding (0.64 event per patient-year). Actuarial survival rates at 6 and 12 months were 81.8%, but fell to 49% at 2 years.

SOLUTION:
0