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: This study aimed at (1) comparing the prevalence of generalized hypermobility in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and healthy volunteers, (2) examining the clinical importance of generalized hypermobility in patients with CFS, and (3) examining whether knee proprioception is associated with hypermobility in patients with CFS.', 'Sixty-eight patients with CFS filled out two self-reported measures (for the assessment of symptom severity and disability), were questioned about muscle and joint pain, and were screened for generalized hypermobility. Afterward, the patients performed a knee repositioning test (assessment of knee proprioception), and it was examined whether or not they fulfilled the criteria for benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS). Sixty-nine age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were screened for generalized joint hypermobility and performed the same knee repositioning test.', 'Compared with the healthy volunteers (4.3%, 3/68), significantly more patients with CFS (20.6%, 14/69) fulfilled the criteria for generalized joint hypermobility (Fisher exact test, P < .004). No associations were found between generalized joint hypermobility and the self-reported measures (including pain severity) or knee proprioception (Spearman correlation analysis). Knee proprioception was similar in both groups (Mann-Whitney U = 1961, z = -1.745, P = .81). Forty patients with CFS (58.8%) fulfilled the criteria for BJHS.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation is the main mechanism for gastroesophageal reflux. Although there is evidence that transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations are neurally mediated, another school of thought is that transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations result from gastric distention, which shortens the sphincter to the point where it opens and the pressure decreases. We assessed the relationship of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation to gastroesophageal junction opening in an unsedated human model.', 'Seven healthy volunteers (6 men and 1 woman, aged 18-53 years) were studied while they were sitting. Manometry was performed by using a sleeve catheter passed through 1 nostril. A 5.3-mm endoscope was placed through the other nostril to obtain a retroflexed view of the cardia. The biopsy channel was connected to a barostat to distend the stomach with air at 15 mm Hg for 30 minutes. Manometric and endoscopic video-recording times were synchronized but scored independently.', 'The transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation onset invariably preceded gastroesophageal junction opening (median, 5.0 seconds; range, 0.5-20.7 seconds; P < .001). The transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation nadir also typically occurred before gastroesophageal junction opening (median, 2.1 seconds; range, -4.2 to +19.5 seconds; P < .001). Once open, the gastroesophageal junction moved proximally for the duration of the transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Termination of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations occurred about the time the time of gastroesophageal junction closure.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Whether low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with worse rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outcomes in countries with general tax-financed healthcare systems (such as Sweden) remains to be elucidated. Our aim was to investigate the influence of educational background (achieving university/college degree (high) or not (low)) on the outcomes of early RA, in terms of disease activity (DAS28), pain (VAS-pain), and functional impairment (HAQ).', 'We evaluated DMARD-naïve RA patients recruited in the Epidemiological Investigation of RA (EIRA) study with outcomes followed in the Swedish Rheumatology Quality (SRQ) register (N\u2009=\u20093021). Outcomes were categorized in three ways: (1) scores equal to/above median vs. below median; (2) DAS28-based low disease activity, good response, remission; (3) scores decreased over the median vs. less than median. Associations between educational background and outcomes were calculated by modified Poisson regressions, at diagnosis and at each of the three standard (3, 6, 12 months) follow-up visits.', 'Patients with different educational background had similar symptom durations (195 days) and anti-rheumatic therapies at baseline, and comparable treatment patterns during follow-up. Patients with a high education level had significantly less pain and less functional disability at baseline and throughout the whole follow-up period (VAS-pain: baseline: 49 (28-67) vs. 53 (33-71), p\u2009<0.0001; 1-year visit: RR\u2009=\u20090.81 (95% CI 0.73-0.90). HAQ: baseline: 0.88 (0.50-1.38) vs. 1.00 (0.63-1.50), p\u2009=\u20090.001; 1-year visit: 0.84 (0.77-0.92)). They also had greater chances to achieve pain remission (VAS-pain\u2009≤20) after one year (1.17 (1.07-1.28)). Adjustments for smoking and BMI altered the results only marginally. Educational background did not influence DAS28-based outcomes.

SOLUTION:
0