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: To derive a nomogram of fetal maxillary bone length (MAX) for a Chinese population and to study whether first-trimester maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is an independent predictor of fetal MAX.', 'This was a prospective observational study over 10 months examining Chinese women with a singleton pregnancy who attended the first-trimester screening program for Down syndrome. The subjects had the fetal crown-rump length (CRL), nuchal translucency, MAX, maternal serum PAPP-A and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (fbeta-hCG) levels measured. A nomogram of MAX was derived using normal pregnancies with reliable dates. The correlations between MAX, CRL, PAPP-A and fbeta-hCG levels were studied, after correction for gestational dependency using Z-score transformation for the ultrasound markers (Z-MAX and Z-CRL), and logarithmic transformation of multiple of gestation-specific medians for the biochemical markers (log10PAPP-A multiples of the median (MoM) and log10fbeta-hCG MoM), using the Pearson test and multiple regression analysis.', 'During the study period, 607 Chinese women met the inclusion criteria. The mean gestational age at the first-trimester screening was 12 + 4 weeks (SD, 4 days). Curve estimation analysis showed that a linear relationship fit best between MAX and CRL (MAX (mm) = -0.01 + 0.101 * CRL (mm); r = 0.826; P < 0.0001), and between MAX and gestational age (MAX (mm) = -8.465 + 0.170 * gestational age (day); r = 0.754; SD = 0.71; P < 0.0001). There were significant positive correlations between Z-MAX and Z-CRL (r = 0.627; P = < 0.0001), Z-MAX and log10PAPP-A MoM (r = 0.239; P = < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis showed that both Z-CRL (P = < 0.0001) and log10 PAPP-A MoM (P = 0.048) were independent predictors for Z-MAX.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Endothelial Microparticles (EMP) are small fragments of endothelial cell membrane shed during apoptosis or activation. Our group has previously reported elevations of EMP in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), pre-eclampsia, multiple sclerosis (MS), and severe hypertension (HTN). In the present study, we evaluate the possible relationship between EMP levels and the angiographic severity and characteristics of coronary obstructive lesions.', 'We studied a total of 43 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Fifteen had presented with acute myocardial infarction (MI), 20 with unstable anginas (UA), 5 with stable angina (SA) and 3 with congestive heart failure. Coronary angiography was reviewed and coronary lesions were classified using the Ambrose classification. Coronary stenoses were classified as high and low risk. High-risk included lesions with eccentric appearance (type II), presence of thrombi, or multiple irregularities. Low-risk lesions were defined as concentric or type I. Lesions were also analyzed by degree of stenosis and history of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). EMP in plasma was assayed by flow cytometry.', 'EMP in eccentric type II or multiple irregular lesions (high-risk) were 2.5-fold higher than in type I or concentric (low-risk) lesions, p<0.05. Lesions with thrombi had three-fold higher EMP than those without (p=0.05). Mild stenosis (>20%-<45%) had three-fold higher EMP than more severe (>45%), and five-fold higher than those without stenosis (p<0.01). Among patients with type II lesions, those with first ACS episode had four-fold higher EMP levels than those with recurrent ACS (p<0.01).

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Results of the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) raised concerns regarding the timing and formulation of hormone interventions. Conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), used as the estrogen therapy in the WHIMS trial, is a complex formulation containing multiple estrogens, including several not secreted by human ovaries, as well as other biologically active steroids. Although the full spectrum of estrogenic components present in CEE has not yet been resolved, 10 estrogens have been identified. In the present study, we sought to determine which estrogenic components, at concentrations commensurate with their plasma levels achieved following a single oral dose of 0.625 mg CEE (the dose used in the WHIMS trial) in women, are neuroprotective and whether combinations of those neuroprotective estrogens provide added benefit. Further, we sought, through computer-aided modeling analyses, to investigate the potential correlation of the molecular mechanisms that conferred estrogen neuroprotection with estrogen interactions with the estrogen receptor (ER).", 'Cultured basal forebrain neurons were exposed to either beta-amyloid(25-35) or excitotoxic glutamate with or without pretreatment with estrogens followed by neuroprotection analyses. Three indicators of neuroprotection that rely on different aspects of neuronal damage and viability, LDH release, intracellular ATP level and MTT formazan formation, were used to assess neuroprotective efficacy. Results of these analyses indicate that the estrogens, 17alpha-estradiol, 17beta-estradiol, equilin, 17alpha-dihydroequilin, equilinen, 17alpha-dihydroequilenin, 17beta-dihydroequilenin, and Delta8,9-dehydroestrone were each significantly neuroprotective in reducing neuronal plasma membrane damage induced by glutamate excitotoxicity. Of these estrogens, 17beta-estradiol and Delta8,9-dehydroestrone were effective in protecting neurons against beta-amyloid25-35-induced intracellular ATP decline. Coadministration of two out of three neuroprotective estrogens, 17beta-estradiol, equilin and Delta8,9-dehydroestrone, exerted greater neuroprotective efficacy than individual estrogens. Computer-aided analyses to determine structure/function relationships between the estrogenic structures and their neuroprotective activity revealed that the predicted intermolecular interactions of estrogen analogues with ER correlate to their overall neuroprotective efficacy.

SOLUTION:
0