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: Patients with frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) might be at risk for the developing or exacerbation of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, some patients with a high-PVC burden do not develop cardiomyopathy, while other patients with low-PVC burden can develop cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the positive predictors of idiopathic PVCs-induced cardiomyopathy.', 'We investigated 214 patients undergoing successful ablation of PVCs who had no other causes of cardiomyopathy. We divided the study cohort into 2 groups: ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50% (normal LV) and EF < 50% (LV dysfunction). We analyzed the clinical characteristics, including the electrocardiogram and findings at electrophysiology study. Among these patients, 51 (24%) had reduced LVEF and 163 (76%) had normal LV function. Patients with LV dysfunction had significantly longer coupling interval (CI) dispersion (maximum-CI-minimum-CI) and had significantly higher PVC burden compared to those with normal LV function (CI-dispersion: 115 ± 25 milliseconds vs. 94 ± 19 milliseconds; P < 0.001; PVC burden: 19% vs. 15%; P = 0.04). Furthermore, patients with LV dysfunction had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) compared to those with normal LV function (BMI > 30 kg/m(2) ; 37% vs. 13%; P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that CI-dispersion, PVC burden, and BMI (>30\xa0kg/m(2) ) are independent predictors of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Immune dysregulation can affect insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell function and hence contribute to development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The complement system, as a regulator of immune and inflammatory homeostasis, may be a relevant contributor therein. However, longitudinal studies focusing on complement as a determinant of T2DM and IR are scarce. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the association of plasma complement factor 3 (C3) with (estimates of) IR in muscle, liver, and adipocytes, as well as with glucose tolerance, including incident T2DM.', 'Fasting C3, nonesterified fatty acids, glucose, and insulin (the latter two during oral glucose tolerance tests) were measured at baseline (n = 545) and after 7 years of follow-up (n = 394) in a prospective cohort study.', 'Over the 7-year period, C3 levels (per 0.1 g/L) were longitudinally associated with higher homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA2-IR; β = 15.2% [95% CI 12.9-17.6]), hepatic IR (β = 6.1% [95% CI 4.7-7.4]), adipocyte IR (β = 16.0% [95% CI 13.0-19.1]), fasting glucose (β = 1.8% [95% CI 1.2-2.4]), 2-h glucose (β = 5.2% [95% CI 3.7-6.7]), and area under the curve for glucose (β = 3.6% [95% CI 2.7-4.6]). In addition, greater changes in C3 (per 0.1 g/L) were associated with greater changes in HOMA2-IR (β = 0.08 [95% CI 0.02-0.15]) and greater changes in hepatic IR (β = 0.87 [95% CI 0.12-1.61]) over 7 years, but not glucose tolerance. Moreover, baseline C3 was associated with the 7-year incidence of T2DM (odds ratio 1.5 [95% CI 1.1-2.0]).

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: The hypothesis of this study is that long-term high-fat diets (HFD) induce perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) dysfunction characterized by a redox imbalance, which might contribute to aggravate endothelial dysfunction in obesity.', 'C57BL/6J mice were fed either control or HFD (45% kcal from fat) for 32 weeks. Body weight, lumbar and mesenteric adipose tissue weights were significantly higher in HFD animals compared to controls. The anticontractile effect of PVAT in mesenteric arteries (MA) was lost after 32 week HFD and mesenteric endothelial-dependent relaxation was significantly impaired in presence of PVAT in HFD mice (Emax\u200a=\u200a71.0±5.1 vs Emax\u200a=\u200a58.5±4.2, p<0.001). The inhibitory effect of L-NAME on Ach-induced relaxation was less intense in the HFD group compared with controls suggesting a reduction of endothelial NO availability. Expression of eNOS and NO bioavailability were reduced in MA and almost undetectable in mesenteric PVAT of the HFD group. Superoxide levels and NOX activity were higher in PVAT of HFD mice. Apocynin only reduced contractile responses to NA in HFD animals. Expression of ec-SOD and total SOD activity were significantly reduced in PVAT of HFD mice. No changes were observed in Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD or catalase. The ratio [GSSG]/([GSH]+[GSSG]) was 2-fold higher in the mesenteric PVAT from HFD animals compared to controls.

SOLUTION:
0