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: Epithelial lining fluid plays a critical role in protecting the lung from oxidative stress, in which the oxidised status may change by ageing, smoking history, and pulmonary emphysema.', 'Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on 109 young and older subjects with various smoking histories. The protein carbonyls, total and oxidised glutathione were examined in BAL fluid.', 'By Western blot analysis, the major carbonylated protein in the BAL fluid was sized at 68 kDa, corresponding to albumin. The amount of carbonylated albumin per mg total albumin in BAL fluid was four times higher in older current smokers and three times higher in older former smokers than in age matched non-smokers (p<0.0001, p=0.0003, respectively), but not in young smokers. Total glutathione in BAL fluid was significantly increased both in young (p=0.006) and older current smokers (p=0.0003) compared with age matched non-smokers. In contrast, the ratio of oxidised to total glutathione was significantly raised (72%) only in older current smokers compared with the other groups. There was no significant difference in these parameters between older smokers with and without mild emphysema.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: To improve prostate cancer (PC) detection accuracy among patients with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) above 4.0 ng/ml and asymptomatic prostate inflammation.', 'A total of 136 patients with PSA ranging from 4.0 to 50.0 ng/ml with asymptomatic prostatitis were included in the study cohort. All these patients underwent antibacterial therapy for 2 weeks followed by repeat PSA determination and transrectal ultrasound-guided needle prostate biopsy. The PSA, PSAD (PSA density), and f/t PSA (free/total PSA) before and after antibacterial therapy were compared using t-test. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) technique was used to evaluate the effectiveness of PSA, PSAD, f/t PSA, and their changes after antibacterial therapy (DeltaPSA, DeltaPSAD, and Deltaf/t PSA) on PC detection.', 'Among the 136 patients, 33 had PC and the other 103 histologically confirmed benign prostatic disease. After antibacterial therapy for 2 weeks, the PSA (mean +/- standard deviation) decreased from 14.0 +/- 7.8 ng/ml to 10.4 +/- 7.7 ng/ml (P < 0.01). The DeltaPSA, DeltaPSAD, and Deltaf/tPSA were -3.60 +/- 4.3 ng/ml, -0.1 +/- 0.1 ng/ml/ml, and -0.1 +/- 0.1 respectively. The areas under ROC curve were 0.29 for PSA, 0.64 for PSAD, and 0.50 for f/t PSA. The areas under ROC curve were 0.91 for DeltaPSA, 0.96 for DeltaPSAD, and 0.98 for Deltaf/t PSA. These values were increased significantly when compared with those for the PSA-related parameters before antibacterial therapy (P value, DeltaPSA, DeltaPSAD, and Deltaf/t PSA were <0.01).

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: (1) Compare ideal cut-off points for DS and %FEV1 at 1 and 3hto predict hospitalization/relapse in subjects with moderate to severe asthma exacerbation (2) Develop a multivariate regression model using DS, %FEV1, demographic, and clinical variables to predict hospitalization/relapse.', 'Subjects with acute exacerbation of asthma (FEV1 <50% predicted following 30minof standardized treatment: 5mg nebulized albuterol; 0.5-1.5mg nebulized ipratropium; and 50mg oral prednisone) were eligible. All subjects had %FEV1 and DS obtained at baseline and hourly for 3h. Using hospitalization/relapse as the outcome of interest; we compared the area under the receiveroperator curves (AUC) between the 1 and 3hDS and %FEV1 measurements, and the AUC for the change in DS and %FEV1 between baseline and hour-3. We determined ideal cut-points for %FEV1 and DS to maximize sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) were compared between %FEV1 and DS. We developed a multivariate regression model examining the association of specific demographic and clinical variables to hospitalization/relapse.', '142 patients were included for analysis. The AUC was greatest for the 3-hDS (0.721), followed by the 3-h%FEV1 (0.669). Optimum cut-off values were a DS of 2, and an FEV1 of 42%. These were associated with a +LR for the composite outcome of 3.06 and 2.48 respectively. Logistic regression showed baseline DS, 3-hDS, change in DS, and oxygen use at hour 3 were all associated with the composite outcome.

SOLUTION:
1