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: Our previous data demonstrated that targeting non-homologous end-joining repair (NHEJR) yields a higher radiosensitivity than targeting homologous recombination repair (HRR) to heavy ions using DNA repair gene knockouts (KO) in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF). In this study, we determined if combining the use of an NHEJR inhibitor with carbon (C) ion irradiation was more efficient in killing human cancer cells compared with only targeting a HRR inhibitor.', 'The TP53-null human non-small cell lung cancer cell line H1299 was used for testing the radiosensitizing effect of NHEJR-related DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitor NU7026, HRR-related Rad51 inhibitor B02, or both to C ion irradiation using colony forming assays. The mechanism underlying the inhibitor radiosensitization was determined by flow cytometry after H2AX phosphorylation staining. HRR-related Rad54-KO, NHEJR-related Lig4-KO, and wild-type TP53-KO MEF were also included to confirm the suppressing effect specificity of these inhibitors.', 'NU7026 showed significant sensitizing effect to C ion irradiation in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, B02 showed a slight sensitizing effect to C ion irradiation. The addition of NU7026 significantly increased H2AX phosphorylation after C ion and x-ray irradiations in H1299 cells, but not B02. NU7026 had no effect on radiosensitivity to Lig4-KO MEF and B02 had no effect on radiosensitivity to Rad54-KO MEF in both irradiations.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Cardiac surgery produces a proinflammatory response characterized by cytokine production. Proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) may contribute to morbidity and mortality after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Elderly patients undergoing CPB are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that patients aged >70 y produce more IL-6 during CPB.', 'Twenty-three patients (ages 23-80) undergoing cardiac surgery had blood sampled from the ascending aorta and coronary sinus on initial cannulation for bypass, at 30 min of aortic cross-clamp time, on release of the aortic cross-clamp, and at 20 min after reperfusion. Group 1 patients (n = 8) were aged <60 y, group 2 patients (n = 7) were aged between 60 and 70 y, and group 3 patients (n = 8) were aged >70 y. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6 were analyzed.', 'The three groups did not differ with respect to preoperative ejection fraction, New York Heart Association classification, mean aortic cross-clamp time, or mean CPB time. IL-6 levels rose throughout myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in all three age groups. The increase in IL-6 during ischemia and reperfusion in the age group >70 was greater than the increase in younger patients. IL-6 was similar in the coronary sinus and the ascending aorta.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: The causes of increased risk of sudden cardiac death in schizophrenia are not resolved. We aimed to establish (1) whether ECG markers of sudden cardiac death risk, in particular Brugada-ECG pattern, are more prevalent among patients with schizophrenia, and (2) whether increased prevalence of these ECG markers in schizophrenia is explained by confounding factors, notably sodium channel-blocking medication.', 'In a cross-sectional study, we analyzed ECGs of a cohort of 275 patients with schizophrenia, along with medication use. We determined whether Brugada-ECG was present and assessed standard ECG measures (heart rate, PQ-, QRS-, and QT-intervals). We compared the findings with nonschizophrenic individuals of comparable age (the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety [NESDA] cohort; N=179) and, to account for assumed increased aging rate in schizophrenia, with individuals 20 years older (Hoorn cohort; n=1168), using multivariate regression models. Brugada-ECG was significantly more prevalent in the schizophrenia cohort (11.6%) compared with NESDA controls (1.1%) or Hoorn controls (2.4%). Moreover, patients with schizophrenia had longer QT-intervals (410.9 versus 393.1 and 401.9 ms; both P<0.05), increased proportion of mild or severe QTc prolongation (13.1% and 5.8% versus 3.4% and 0.0% [NESDA], versus 5.1 and 2.8% [Hoorn]), and higher heart rates (80.8 versus 61.7 and 68.0 beats per minute; both P<0.05). The prevalence of Brugada-ECG was still increased (9.6%) when patients with schizophrenia without sodium channel-blocking medication were compared with either of the control cohorts.

SOLUTION:
0