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: Sinonasal epithelial cells are recognized as drivers of inflammation in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) through secretion of T helper 2 (Th2)-promoting cytokines. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is overexpressed in nasal polyps and modulates epithelial cytokine secretion in healthy mucosa. The objective of this study is to determine whether P-gp overactivity promotes Th2-associated cytokine secretion in CRSwNP.', 'Polyp explants (n = 4) and primary epithelial cell cultures (n = 5) were cultivated from patients with CRSwNP. Explant P-gp activity was determined using a calcein assay. In culture, P-gp was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and sensitivity to PSC-833 inhibition was determined using a calcein assay. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-25, and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were quantified by ELISA and compared to secretion following P-gp inhibition. Differences in P-gp expression and cytokine secretion were compared using a Mann-Whitney U test. Secretion was correlated with P-gp expression using a Pearson correlation coefficient.', 'Calcein retention is increased in P-gp inhibited vs uninhibited polyp explants (mean ± standard deviation [SD]; 5.17 ± 1.76 vs 2.55 ± 0.62; p < 0.05) but not in controls, indicating increased nasal polyp P-gp activity. P-gp is sensitive to dose-dependent P-gp inhibition with PSC-833 in vitro. LPS-stimulated secretion of normalized GM-CSF (45.21 ± 41.39) and IL-6 (63.16 ± 36.37) were significantly reduced following P-gp inhibition (8.47 ± 3.28; p < 0.01, and 39.94 ± 31.07; p < 0.05; respectively) and secretion was highly correlated with P-gp expression(r = 0.824, p < 0.05, and r = 0.833, p < 0.05; respectively).

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Weight-loss is a near societal obsession and many diet programs use significant calorie restriction including fasting/short term starvation to generate rapid effects. Fasting is also a well-recognized cause of immunosuppression especially within the innate immune system. In this study, we sought to determine if the IL-1 arm of the neuroimmune system was down-regulated by a 24\u2009h fast and how fasting might generate this effect.', 'Mice were allowed ad libitum access to food or had food withheld for 24\u2009h. Expression of the endogenous IL-1 antagonists, IL-1 receptor type 2 (IL-1R2), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) was determined as were sickness behaviors before and after IL-1β administration.', 'Fasting markedly increased gene expression of IL-1R2 (83-fold in adipose tissue, 9.5-fold in liver) and IL-1RA (68-fold in liver). Fasted mice were protected from IL-1β-induced weight-loss, hypoglycemia, loss of locomotor, and social anxiety. These protections were coupled to a large positive interaction of fasting and IL-1β on IL-1R2 gene expression in adipose tissue and liver (2.6- and 1.6-fold, respectively). Fasting not only increased IL-1RA and IL-1R2 protein 2.5- and 3.2-fold, respectively, in liver but also increased IL-1R2 1.8-fold in adipose tissue. Fasting, in turn, triggered a 2.4-fold increase in plasma free-fatty acids (FFAs) and a 2.1-fold increase in plasma corticosterone. Inhibition, of glucocorticoid action with mifepristone did not impact fasting-dependent IL-1R2 or IL-1RA gene expression. Administration of the FFA, palmitate, to mice increased liver IL-1R2 and IL-1RA gene expression by 14- and 11-fold, respectively.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Food atopy patch tests (APTs) are considered a useful tool for the diagnosis of food allergy. Hypersensitivity to peanuts has not been investigated by means of APTs so far.', 'APTs and skin prick tests (SPTs) with peanuts were performed in 136 atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. Relevance of positive and negative responses to these tests was assessed by repeated open challenges with peanuts.', 'Nine percent of our AD patients reacted to the challenge. Positive responses to APTs were recorded in 19% of the patients, whereas in 12% positive SPTs were observed. APTs were more frequently positive in subjects with eczematous responses after challenge with respect to those with urticarial reactions. SPT reactivity proved to be higher in patients above 12 years of age, whereas APT positivity was more frequent in children under 6 years. APT sensitivity proved significantly higher than SPT sensitivity, in particular in children under 12 years of age. On the contrary, SPT specificity and positive predictive value were significantly higher with respect to those of APT in the age group of subjects under 6 years of age.

SOLUTION:
0