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: Perchlorate is an environmental contaminant that blocks iodine uptake into the thyroid gland and reduces thyroid hormones. This action of perchlorate raises significant concern over its effects on brain development.', 'The purpose of this study was to evaluate neurologic function in rats after developmental exposure to perchlorate.', 'Pregnant rats were exposed to 0, 30, 300, or 1,000 ppm perchlorate in drinking water from gestational day 6 until weaning. Adult male offspring were evaluated on a series of behavioral tasks and neurophysiologic measures of synaptic function in the hippocampus.', 'At the highest perchlorate dose, triiodothyronine (T(3)) and thyroxine (T(4)) were reduced in pups on postnatal day 21. T(4) in dams was reduced relative to controls by 16%, 28%, and 60% in the 30-, 300-, and 1,000-ppm dose groups, respectively. Reductions in T(4) were associated with increases in thyroid-stimulating hormone in the high-dose group. No changes were seen in serum T(3). Perchlorate did not impair motor activity, spatial learning, or fear conditioning. However, significant reductions in baseline synaptic transmission were observed in hippocampal field potentials at all dose levels. Reductions in inhibitory function were evident at 300 and 1,000 ppm, and augmentations in long-term potentiation were observed in the population spike measure at the highest dose.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: In dialysis patients, volume overhydration is common and is related to increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, it remains unclear whether volume overload imposes those detrimental effects through endothelial dysfunction.', 'In this cross-sectional study, 81 stable patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in a single center were recruited. Volume status was evaluated by extracellular water, assessed by bioimpedance analysis, and normalized to individual height (nECW). Endothelial function was estimated by endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and expressed as percentage change relative to baseline diameter.', 'There were 37 male and 44 female patients (mean age 61 +/- 12 years, dialysis vintage 20 +/- 23 months). FMD in female patients was significantly higher than that in male patients (9.17% +/- 6.23% vs 6.31% +/- 5.01%, p < 0.05). FMD was negatively correlated with weight (r = -0.308, p < 0.01), body mass index (r = -0.242, p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (r = -0.228, p < 0.05), ECW (r = -0.404, p < 0.001), and nECW (r = -0.418, p < 0.001). No correlation was found between FMD and other variables. In multiple stepwise regression analysis, calcium x phosphate product (beta = 0.422, p < 0.001), nECW (beta = -0.343, p < 0.01), and dialysis vintage (beta = -0.237, p < 0.05) were independent determinants of FMD (adjusted R(2) = 0.327 for this model).

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Studies on the use of intradetrusor botulinum toxin A injection for children with neuropathic bladders are insufficient and the results are controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of intradetrusor botulinum toxin A injection for children with neuropathic bladders that are resistant to anticholinergic treatment, and to reveal any criteria indicating treatment success.', 'Hospital records were reviewed of 16 children with neuropathic bladders due to myelomeningocele, and who had botulinum toxin A injections between 2007 and 2010. Botulinum toxin A (10 units/kg) was injected endoscopically into various sites of the detrusor, except the trigone. The success was defined as complete dryness between clean intermittent catheterizations. Urodynamic studies before and after the application were evaluated and parameters, including bladder capacity (measured/expected) and compliance, were also analyzed. Reviewing the results, patients were then classified into two groups: as having fibrotic bladders (noncompliant, acontractile bladders with high pressures) or overactive bladders. Urodynamic findings and therapy success were then compared between the groups.', 'A total of 19 injections, including repeat injections in three patients, were performed. Results of the 16 initial injections were evaluated. Nine patients had detrusor overactivity, and five out of nine (56%) applications in this group resulted in complete dryness between clean intermittent catheterizations. In bladders with typical detrusor overactivity, there was a significant increase in both the capacity (from 0.53 to 0.74) and compliance (from 4.7 to 8.6 ml/cm H2O). Looking at the seven patients that displayed fibrotic bladders with very low compliance and no contraction at all, none of them presented with notable clinical improvement from injections. Comparing the urodynamic findings, there was no significant difference in compliance (3.1 ml/cm H2O before and 3.5 ml/cm H2O after) and bladder capacity (0.58 before and 0.52 after the treatment) in the fibrotic bladders.

SOLUTION:
1