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 efficacy of anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) therapies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been mainly attributed to TNF-alpha neutralisation. Other mechanism as immune cell apoptosis, which is impaired in RA, may also be induced by anti-TNF-alpha therapies. The aim of our study was to investigate whether TNF-alpha inhibitors could induce apoptosis in vitro of the peripheral blood lymphocytes of RA patients.', 'Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from 24 patients with RA and 18 healthy donors were incubated with anti-TNF-alpha agents, infliximab or etanercept, in comparison with no agent and including an isotypic control, for 48 hours. Apoptosis was detected and quantified by annexin V labelling of phosphatidylserine externalization using cytofluorometric analysis and compared with PBMC production TNF-alpha in vitro.', 'In healthy donors, induced apoptosis was observed in 0.3% to 3.8% of lymphocytes with both therapies. In RA patients the treatment induced lymphocyte apoptosis in 17 of 24 patients with a percentage of annexin V-positive lymphocytes ranging from 0.1% to 25%. Among these 17 RA patients, a significant in vitro lymphocyte apoptosis (> 4%) was observed in 11 patients (46%) compared with healthy donors (p < 0.01). The variability of the response to anti-TNF-alpha within the RA population was not dependent on TNF-alpha synthesis or disease activity.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: The etiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease remain unknown. However, neutrophil infiltration into the inflammatory lesion is an important process in inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we used rat trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) ileitis as a Crohn's disease model, and investigated the effects of oral IS-741 (which inhibits the expression of Mac-1, a cell adhesion molecule) on leukocyte-endothelial interactions.", 'Rat ileitis was induced by the intraluminal injection of a TNBS solution (160 mg/kg in 50% ethanol) at a site 10 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The rats then received oral IS-741 (50 mg/kg) or saline for 7 days. On the day 8 after the initial administration of IS-741 or saline, we determined the visible damage score, and assessed myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Concentrations of cytokines in the ileum, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also investigated the infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells and Mac-1 positive cells by histological examinations.', 'The administration of IS-741 resulted in a significant reduction of the visible damage score, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and mucosal IL-8 levels in the ileum as compared with the saline administration. IS-741 also dramatically reduced the infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells and Mac-1 positive cells into the inflamed lesions.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Epithelial Na channels (ENaCs) play a crucial role in ion and fluid regulation in the lung. In cystic fibrosis (CF), Na hyperabsorption results from ENaC overactivity, leading to airway dehydration. Previous work has demonstrated functional genetic variation of SCNN1A (the gene encoding the ENaC -subunit), manifesting as an alanine (A) to threonine (T) substitution at amino acid 663, with the T663 variant resulting in a more active channel.', 'We assessed the influence of genetic variation of SCNN1A on the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and nitric oxide (DLNO), together with alveolar-capillary membrane conductance (DM), pulmonary capillary blood volume, and alveolar volume (VA) at rest and during peak exercise in 18 patients with CF (10 homozygous for A663 (AA group) and 8 with at least one T663 allele (AT/TT group)). Because of the more active channel, we hypothesized that the AT/TT group would show a greater increase in DLCO, DLNO, and DM with exercise because of exercise-mediated ENaC inhibition and subsequent attenuation of Na hyperabsorption.', 'The AT/TT group had significantly lower pulmonary function, weight, and body mass index than the AA group. Both groups had similar peak workloads, relative peak oxygen consumptions, and cardiopulmonary responses to exercise. The AT/TT group demonstrated a greater increase in DLNO, DLNO/VA, and DM in response to exercise (% increases: DLNO = 18 11 vs 41 38; DLNO/VA = 14 21 vs 40 37; DM = 15 11 vs 41 38, AA vs AT/TT, respectively). There were no differences between groups in absolute diffusing capacity measures at peak exercise.

SOLUTION:
0