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: Deep erythema and inflammation after re-epithelialization of superficial wounds is a sign of scar formation. Corticosteroids may prevent scarring by suppression of inflammation and fibroblast activity. Tretinoin may increase the efficacy of corticosteroids in this setting.', 'To evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroids plus tretinoin for prevention of scars after superficial wounds.', 'In a retrospective study of patients with superficial partial thickness thermal skin burn, we compared the patients who received clobetasol plus tretinoin after re-epithelialization with patients who did not receive any medication. Clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment was used twice daily with overnight occlusive dressing in conjunction with twice weekly topical tretinoin 0.05% cream.', 'Among 43 patients who had light pink or no erythema after re-epithelialization and consequently did not receive clobetasol+tretinoin, no scar was developed. Among patients who had deep erythema after re-epithelialization, rate of scar formation was significantly higher in 14 patients who did not receive clobetasol+tretinoin than in 21 patients who received clobetasol+tretinoin (64% and 19%, respectively; p=0.01).

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-blocking agents, including etanercept and infliximab, has resulted in reductions in the radiographic progression of RA. However, the exact mechanism by which this protection occurs has not been determined. In order to add to such knowledge, we investigated the effect of anti-TNF therapy on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) in synovial tissue.', "The expression of OPG and RANKL in synovial biopsy specimens was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Serial synovial biopsy specimens were obtained from 18 patients with RA, before and after treatment with etanercept (9 patients) or infliximab (9 patients). Biopsy specimens were evaluated by double-blind semiquantitative analysis and image analysis. The in vitro effect of TNF antagonists on the RANKL/OPG expression in osteoblasts and endothelial cells was evaluated by Western blotting. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's signed rank test, followed by the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons of paired samples. The results of in vitro experiments were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance, with Tukey's post hoc test.", 'Treatment with both infliximab and etanercept increased the expression of OPG in synovial tissue. After 8 weeks of treatment, neither infliximab nor etanercept influenced RANKL expression. In both groups of patients, the RANKL:OPG ratio decreased following therapy. In vitro, both of the TNF antagonists mimicked the in vivo effect, inducing a decrease in the RANKL:OPG ratio in TNF-primed osteoblasts and endothelial cells.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a hypoxia-induced endothelial cell-specific mitogen, which is angiogenic in vivo and up-regulated in several malignancies. VEGF can be used as a prognostic marker, but the effect of surgical trauma on serum VEGF (S-VEGF) concentrations is unknown and might reduce the value of VEGF as a serum marker.', 'We monitored S-VEGF levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients undergoing surgery.', 'Eighteen patients with major surgery had slightly elevated S-VEGF compared with the preoperative level (median 9.5 pg/mL) on the first (median 35 pg/mL; P = 0.0002) and third (median 19 pg/mL; P = 0.004) postoperative day, but not in later samples. The levels measured in 8 patients after minor surgery did not differ from the preoperative levels (P = 0.14).

SOLUTION:
0