TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given a passage which has a question and the context. You have to generate an answer to the question based on the information present in the context.
PROBLEM: Context: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease mediated by IgG autoantibodies targeting desmogleins (Dsgs). The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab is increasingly used in corticosteroid-resistant PV patients. In a subset of rituximab-treated patients in remission, high ELISA index values have been reported; however, their significance remains so far unclear.', 'To address the discrepancy between anti-Dsg3 serum antibody titers and disease severity.', '6 rituximab-treated PV patients were prospectively followed-up for two years and anti-Dsg3 autoantibodies levels and pathogenic activity were measured.', 'All patients achieved complete remission without any serious side effects. Both anti-Dsg3 autoantibodies (p = 0.031) and their pathogenic activity (p = 0.003) were significantly related to disease severity. However, in selected patients, the dissociation index was a more sensitive indicator for PV clinical activity than the ELISA index.\Question: Does the pathogenic activity of anti-desmoglein autoantibodies parallel disease severity in rituximab-treated patients with pemphigus vulgaris?

SOLUTION: Our findings have demonstrated the existence of non-pathogenic autoantibodies in PV patients in remission, establishing the basis for the design of a system able to precisely monitor the course of disease.

PROBLEM: Context: To investigate whether the association between APOE-epsilon4 and memory decline is modified by baseline cognition and age in a population-based elderly sample.', 'The study sample consisted of 1,243 subjects, 62 to 85 years old, with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 21 and 30 and known APOE phenotypes. Memory performance was measured with an abbreviated Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) at baseline and repeated after 3 years (n = 854). Memory decline was defined as a decrease of at least 1 SD from the mean change score on immediate recall (IR), delayed recall (DR), and retention, based on the AVLT.', 'Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that APOE-epsilon4 is associated with memory decline in cognitively impaired subjects (MMSE score, 21 to 26) (OR for decline on IR adjusted for age, sex, education, and baseline recall score, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4 to 10.0; adjusted OR for decline on DR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 7.0; adjusted OR for decline on retention, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 10. 1), but not in cognitively normal subjects (MMSE score, 27 to 30) (adjusted OR for decline on IR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6 to 2.0; adjusted OR for decline on DR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.6 to 1.8; adjusted OR for decline on retention, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.7 to 3.0). In particular, cognitively impaired epsilon4 carriers older than 75 years were at high risk of memory decline (adjusted OR for decline on IR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 13.8; adjusted OR for decline on DR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 10.8; adjusted OR for decline on retention, 6.6; 95% CI, 1.5 to 29.7).\Question: Is aPOE-epsilon4 associated with memory decline in cognitively impaired elderly?

SOLUTION: APOE-epsilon4 was associated with memory decline in subjects with cognitive impairment, but not in normally functioning subjects. Contrary to AD studies, our study suggests that the risk of APOE-epsilon4 on memory decline does not decrease at higher ages.

PROBLEM: Context: ADAMTS 13, sP-Selectin and HSP27 have been investigated as potential prognostic markers in patients with hemorrhagic shock.', "This study was part of a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, controlled trial and included seventeen trauma patients presented to ED with severe hemorrhagic. The sera for testing were collected from these patients at the time of admission. Investigators and laboratory personnel performing testing were blinded to the patients' identity and clinical course.", 'The prognostic value of ADAMTS13, sP-Selectin, and HSP27 was compared to prognostic value of systolic blood pressure (SBP), base deficit estimation (BD), heart rate (HR), shock index (SI) and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) by constructing the receiver operation characteristics (ROC). The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC for HSP27 (0.92) was greater than for SBP (0.45), BD (0.89), HR (0.61), SI (0.45) and StO2 (0.46). AUC for sP-Selectin (0.86) and for ADAMTS13 antigen (0.74) were comparable with BD one, but greater than for the rest of currently used tests.\Question: Do novel markers predict death and organ failure following hemorrhagic shock?

SOLUTION:
Serum concentrations of ADAMTS13, HSP27 and sP-Selectin measured during the admission, appear to be comparable to or better than SBP, BD, SI, HR and StO2 in predicting MODS and death after hemorrhage from trauma. These potential new markers deserve further investigation.