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: The development of techniques that allow the imaging of animals infected with parasites expressing luciferase opens up new possibilities for following the fate of parasites in infected mammals.', 'D-luciferin potassium salt stock solution was prepared in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 15 mg/ml. To produce bioluminescence, infected and control mice received an intraperitoneal injection of luciferin stock solution (150 mg/kg). All mice were immediately anesthetized with 2% isofluorane, and after 10 minutes were imaged. Ex vivo evaluation of infected tissues and organs was evaluated in a 24-well plate in 150 μg/ml D-luciferin diluted in PBS. Images were captured using the IVIS Lumina image system (Xenogen). Dissected organs were also evaluated by microscopy of hematoxylin-eosin stained sections.', 'Here we describe the results obtained using a genetically modified Dm28c strain of T. cruzi expressing the firefly luciferase to keep track of infection by bioluminescence imaging. Progression of infection was observed in vivo in BALB/c mice at various intervals after infection with transgenic Dm28c-luc. The bioluminescent signal was immediately observed at the site of T. cruzi inoculation, and one day post infection (dpi) it was disseminated in the peritoneal cavity. A similar pattern in the cavity was observed on 7 dpi, but the bioluminescence was more intense in the terminal region of the large intestine, rectum, and gonads. On 14 and 21 dpi, bioluminescent parasites were also observed in the heart, snout, paws, hind limbs, and forelimbs. From 28 dpi to 180 dpi in chronically infected mice, bioluminescence declined in regions of the body but was concentrated in the gonad region. Ex vivo evaluation of dissected organs and tissues by bioluminescent imaging confirmed the in vivo bioluminescent foci. Histopathological analysis of dissected organs demonstrated parasite nests at the rectum and snout, in muscle fibers of mice infected with Dm28c-WT and with Dm28c-luc, corroborating the bioluminescent imaging.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Genetic factors are reported to affect fracture incidence. Many groups have explored the correlation of fracture risk with ESR1 IVS1-397T>C. The observed associations, however, are largely inconsistent. This meta-analysis of data from early-released studies was performed in an effort to determine the role of IVS1-397T>C in fracture.', 'Relevant studies were searched through Pubmed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library databases. 16 studies meeting all selection criteria were finally identified. We calculated ORs with 95% CIs to assess risk of fracture. Subgroup analyses were performed by subtype, ethnicity and gender.', 'Data on 2916 cases and 19170 controls were analyzed in the meta-analysis. Overall, we found moderately decreased risk in association with IVS1-397 CC genotype (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.73-0.92; OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76-0.94). The decrease persisted in both hip fracture (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71-0.94; OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.73-0.94) and vertebral fracture (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.50-0.91; OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64-0.97; OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.68-0.98) when data were stratified by subtype. We also found a significant trend of decreasing risk in relation to the CC genotype in Caucasian, male and female. All fixed-effects meta-analysis results were homogeneous.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: To investigate the influence of different phlebotomy postures on clinical chemistry testing.', 'Nineteen volunteers were recruited from the laboratory staff. A first set of samples was drawn after 25 min of resting in supine position, a second after 20 min in sitting position, and a third after 20 min in upright position. Clinical chemistry testing was performed on Roche Cobas C501.', 'The plasma volume change (PVC) was -3.4% from supine to sitting, -14.1% from supine to standing and -9.7% from sitting to standing. Compared to quality specifications for bias, hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin and total proteins exhibited meaningful increases from supine to sitting, whereas meaningful increases were observed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, calcium, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), magnesium, total protein and triglycerides from sitting to standing. The parameters with meaningful bias from sitting to upright were hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, ALP, total bilirubin, calcium, total and HDL cholesterol, glucose, LDH and total protein.

SOLUTION:
0