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.

Q: 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.

A: 1
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Q: Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit therapeutic effects in human autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate how allogeneic MSCs mediate immunosuppression in lupus patients.', 'The effects of allogeneic umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) on inhibition of T cell proliferation were determined. MSC functional molecules were stimulated with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy controls and SLE patients and examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were purified using microbeads to stimulate MSCs in order to determine cytokine expression by MSCs and to further determine which cell subset(s) or which molecule(s) is involved in inhibition of MSC-mediated T cell proliferation. The related signaling pathways were assessed. We determined levels of serum cytokines in lupus patients before and after UC-MSC transplantation.', 'Allogeneic UC-MSCs suppressed T cell proliferation in lupus patients by secreting large amounts of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). We further found that interferon-γ (IFNγ), which is produced predominantly by lupus CD8+ T cells, is the key factor that enhances IDO activity in allogeneic MSCs and that it is associated with IFNGR1/JAK-2/STAT signaling pathways. Intriguingly, bone marrow-derived MSCs from patients with active lupus demonstrated defective IDO production in response to IFNγ and allogeneic CD8+ T cell stimulation. After allogeneic UC-MSC transplantation, serum IDO activity increased in lupus patients.

A: 1
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Q: This study investigated whether cholesterol levels influence the expression and function of drug transporters and whether statin treatments could alter this by reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.', 'The mRNA expression and function of OATP1B1, ABCB1 and ABCG2 were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy subjects and from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) before and after statin treatment by real-time PCR and flow cytometric assay, respectively. The effects of statin exposure and cholesterol depletion in PBMCs and in cell lines were assessed.', 'ABCG2 expression and activity in PBMCs in patients with FH were 2-fold and 26-fold higher, respectively, than those of the healthy subjects (p < 0.001 for both). Statin treatment decreased ABCG2 expression and function in patients with FH. Depletion of cholesterol ex vivo reduced ABCG2 expression in PBMCs and reduced ABCG2 activity in liver and colon cells.

A:
1
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