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: In RA, conflicting results have been described on the association between genotypes of the complement factor mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and disease susceptibility and severity. This might be due to underpowerment of previous research work and the fact that no confirmation cohorts were used. Therefore a different approach is warranted.', 'MBL2 gene polymorphisms were determined in two RA cohorts (378 and 261 cases) and 648 controls. Considering MBL polymorphisms, cases and controls were categorized in groups of high, intermediate and low MBL production. The total sample size allows detection of a potential association between RA susceptibility and MBL groups with an odds ratio of 1.37 (alpha < 0.05; 1-beta > 0.8). Disease severity as defined by the need for anti-TNF therapy was also analysed for possible associations with MBL groups.', 'There was no difference in the frequencies between MBL genotypes of RA cases and controls that are associated with high (cases 54.4%, controls 57.0%), intermediate (cases 28.9%, controls 27.5%) or low (cases 16.7%, controls 15.5%) MBL production. Furthermore, there was no association between MBL groups and disease severity.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: To investigate the relationship between tissue elasticity before and after antiviral therapy and shear wave as well as strain elastography.', 'FibroScan and real-time tissue elastography were performed before and after antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C, and treatment efficacy and elastographic findings were comparatively analyzed. Elasticity was evaluated by measuring liver stiffness (LS) in kilopascals using FibroScan, and the liver fibrosis index (LFI) was assessed by real-time tissue elastography.', 'LS and LFI correlated well before and after therapy (r = 0.567, p = 0.003 and r = 0.576, p = 0.002, respectively). In the group without a sustained virological response (SVR), LS increased in 4 of 5 patients. Patients with an increase in both LS and LFI were all in the non-SVR group (3/3, 100%). In addition, LS increased in all patients except 1 in the non-SVR group (4/5, 80%). In the SVR group, both LS and LFI decreased in all patients except 1 (18/19, 94.7%). In the patient with an increase in LS despite achieving SVR, LS decreased quickly after alcohol cessation.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Local lymph node involvement in adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with poor outcome. The prognostic significance of local lymph node involvement in children with RCC has not been studied systematically.', "A retrospective review of patients treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, TN) and an extensive review of the medical literature were undertaken to evaluate the prognostic significance of local lymph node involvement in pediatric RCC.", "Thirteen patients with the diagnosis of RCC were treated at St. Jude since the hospital's inception in 1962. Four patients presented with lymph node-positive, distant metastasis-negative (N + M0) disease, and all 4 remain disease free after resection without adjuvant therapy (follow-up duration, 2-9 years). A systematic review of the literature including 243 pediatric patients with RCC revealed stage-specific survival rates of 92.5%, 84.6%, 72.7%, and 12.7% for Stage I-IV disease, respectively. Of 58 children with N + M0 RCC for whom outcome data were available, 42 (72.4%) were alive without disease at last follow-up. Among patients whose therapy could be discerned, those who received no adjuvant therapy fared as well (15 of 16 alive) as those who received various adjuvant treatments (22 of 31 alive).

SOLUTION:
0