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: With advances in medicine, the subjective assessment of patients on hemodialysis regarding their quality of life (QOL) is gaining importance. Clinicians cannot rely solely on objective markers, such as the rates of complications and mortality, when evaluating responses to dialysis. In clinical settings, laboratory values are used as measures of patients' health. However, the relationship between clinical laboratory values and QOL has not been elucidated yet. Therefore, the present study aimed to define the relationship of laboratory values and patient attributes to the QOL of outpatients on hemodialysis in order to obtain basic data for reevaluating nursing support for patients on hemodialysis in the future.", 'The participants were 44 outpatients receiving hemodialysis at Hospital B. The QOL was surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form. The following patient attributes and laboratory values were taken from the medical records: age; sex; primary disease; number of years on hemodialysis; complications; number of hours of hemodialysis per session; percentage weight gain; cardiothoracic ratio; blood pressure; hematocrit; and the serum levels of albumin, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.', 'The serum potassium level significantly affected mental health, social functioning, symptoms, and the effect of kidney disease, with the 3.5-5.0 mEq/L target range group scoring higher than the > or =5.1 mEq/L group.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Clinical studies demonstrate increased prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated disease in HIV-infected individuals and an increased risk of HIV acquisition in HPV-infected individuals. The mechanisms underlying this synergy are not defined. We hypothesize that women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) will exhibit changes in soluble mucosal immunity that may promote HPV persistence and facilitate HIV infection.', 'The concentrations of immune mediators and endogenous anti-Escherichia coli activity in genital tract secretions collected by cervicovaginal lavage were compared in HIV-negative women with high-risk HPV-positive (HRHPV+) CIN-3 (n = 37), HRHPV+ CIN-1 (n = 12), or PAP-negative control subjects (n = 57).', 'Compared with control subjects, women with CIN-3 or CIN-1 displayed significantly higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-1, and IL-8 (P < 0.002) and significantly lower levels of anti-inflammatory mediators and antimicrobial peptides, including IL-1 receptor antagonist, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (P < 0.01), and human defensins 2 and 3 (P < 0.02). There was no significant difference in endogenous anti-E. coli activity after controlling for age and sample storage time.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common and potentially reversible cause of systemic hypertension. The mechanisms whereby OSA leads to hypertension and the effects of treatment on arterial function, however, are not well established. Microvascular arterial endothelial and smooth muscle function was assessed in subjects with OSA before and after treatment with continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP).', 'Ten subjects of mean (SE) age 49 (8) years with at least moderately severe OSA had detailed forearm vascular reactivity studies before and after 3 months of CPAP treatment. The systemic circulation was assessed by measuring brachial artery pressure, flow and resistance responses to intra-arterial infusions of acetylcholine (ACh; an endothelium dependent vasodilator), sodium nitroprusside (SNP; an endothelium independent vasodilator), L-NMMA (a nitric oxide (NO) antagonist), and L-arginine (the substrate for NO).', 'Before CPAP, ACh and SNP infusions increased forearm blood flow in a dose dependent manner (p<0.01). After CPAP, endothelium dependent dilation to ACh was significantly increased (434 (23)% of baseline after CPAP v 278 (20)% before CPAP, p<0.001), whereas SNP induced dilation was unchanged. Resting NO production was higher after CPAP, evidenced by a significantly greater reduction in basal flow by L-NMMA (p=0.05). L-Arginine reversed the effect of L-NMMA in all cases.

SOLUTION:
0