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: Diagnosis of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return is usually suspected by echocardiography and often confirmed by cardiac catheterization. Magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful non-invasive diagnostic tool that can give accurate insight on systemic and pulmonary veins, cardiac anatomy and physiopathology.', 'To test the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance in patient with suspected partial anomalous pulmonary venous return.', 'Twenty consecutive patients (10 male, mean age: 27+/-20 years) with suspected partial anomalous pulmonary venous return underwent a magnetic resonance study comprehensive of Gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography and phase-velocity-contrast in order to evaluate pulmonary and systemic venous anatomy and QP/QS. In 14 of them a cardiac catheterization was also performed. Anatomy findings and QP/QS result of both exams were compared. Sixteen patients underwent surgical correction. In the other four patients with QP/QS<1.5, surgical correction was not indicated according to the literature (1). Among patients who had both magnetic resonance and cardiac catheterization (14 patients) anatomical findings were concordant in 12 of them. In all operated patients, surgical findings were concordant with MRI report. There was a good correlation between magnetic resonance and cardiac catheterization QP/QS evaluation (mean value 2.23 and 2.4, respectively).

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Platelets promote liver regeneration through site-specific serotonin release from dense granules, triggering proliferative signaling in hepatocytes. However, the effects of factors derived from platelet -granules on liver regeneration are unclear, because -granules contain bioactive molecules with opposing functions. Because -granule molecules are stored in separate compartments, it has been suggested that platelets selectively release their -granule content dependent on the environmental stimulus. Therefore, we investigated the pattern of circulating -granule molecules during liver regeneration in 157 patients undergoing partial hepatectomy. We measured plasma levels of -granule-derived factors in the liver vein at the end of liver resection, as well as on the first postoperative day. We observed a rapid accumulation of platelets within the liver after induction of liver regeneration. Platelet count and P-selectin (a ubiquitous cargo of -granules) were not associated with postoperative liver dysfunction. However, low plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but high levels of thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1), predicted liver dysfunction after resection. Patients with an unfavorable postoperative -granule release profile (high TSP-1/low VEGF) showed substantially worse postoperative clinical outcomes. The unfavorable postoperative -granule release profile was associated with increased postoperative portal venous pressure and von Willebrand factor antigen levels as a marker for intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy associated with poor survival rates. Fast detection of PDAC appears to be the most relevant strategy to improve the long-term survival of patients.', 'Our objective was to identify new markers in peripheral blood that differentiates between PDAC patients and healthy controls.', 'Peripheral blood samples from PDAC patients (n=18) and controls (n=18) were analyzed by whole genome cDNA microarray hybridization. The most relevant genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) in the same set of samples. Finally, our gene prediction set was tested in a blinded set of new peripheral blood samples (n=30).', 'Microarray studies identified 87 genes differentially expressed in peripheral blood samples from PDAC patients. Four of these genes were selected for analysis by RT-qPCR, which confirmed the previously observed changes. In our blinded validation study, the combination of CLEC4D and IRAK3 predicted the diagnosis of PDAC with 93% accuracy, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 100%.

SOLUTION:
1