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: Triterpene alcohols and acids are multifunctional compounds widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom that exhibit a variety of beneficial health properties, being synthetic analogs of oleanolic acid under clinical evaluation as anti-tumoral therapeutic agents. However, the antineoplastic activity of two natural occurring triterpenoid alcohols extracted from olive oil, erythrodiol (an intermediate from oleanolic acid), and its isomer, uvaol, has barely been reported, particularly on brain cancer cells. Astrocytomas are among the most common and aggressive type of primary malignant tumors in the neurological system lacking effective treatments, and in this study, we addressed the effect of these two triterpenic diols on the human 1321N1 astrocytoma cell line.', 'Erythrodiol and uvaol effectively affected cell proliferation, as well as cell cycle phases and induced 1321N1 cell death. Both triterpenes successfully modulated the apoptotic response, promoting nuclear condensation and fragmentation. They caused retraction and rounding of cultured cells, which lost adherence from their supports, while F-actin and vimentin filaments disappeared as an organized cytoplasmic network. At molecular level, changes in the expression of surface proteins associated with adhesion or death processes were also observed. Moreover, triterpene exposure resulted in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and correlated with the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK). The presence of catalase reversed the triterpenic diols-induced mitochondrial depolarization, JNK activation, and apoptotic death, indicating the critical role of ROS in the action of these compounds.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: To derive a nomogram of fetal maxillary bone length (MAX) for a Chinese population and to study whether first-trimester maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is an independent predictor of fetal MAX.', 'This was a prospective observational study over 10 months examining Chinese women with a singleton pregnancy who attended the first-trimester screening program for Down syndrome. The subjects had the fetal crown-rump length (CRL), nuchal translucency, MAX, maternal serum PAPP-A and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (fbeta-hCG) levels measured. A nomogram of MAX was derived using normal pregnancies with reliable dates. The correlations between MAX, CRL, PAPP-A and fbeta-hCG levels were studied, after correction for gestational dependency using Z-score transformation for the ultrasound markers (Z-MAX and Z-CRL), and logarithmic transformation of multiple of gestation-specific medians for the biochemical markers (log10PAPP-A multiples of the median (MoM) and log10fbeta-hCG MoM), using the Pearson test and multiple regression analysis.', 'During the study period, 607 Chinese women met the inclusion criteria. The mean gestational age at the first-trimester screening was 12 + 4 weeks (SD, 4 days). Curve estimation analysis showed that a linear relationship fit best between MAX and CRL (MAX (mm) = -0.01 + 0.101 * CRL (mm); r = 0.826; P < 0.0001), and between MAX and gestational age (MAX (mm) = -8.465 + 0.170 * gestational age (day); r = 0.754; SD = 0.71; P < 0.0001). There were significant positive correlations between Z-MAX and Z-CRL (r = 0.627; P = < 0.0001), Z-MAX and log10PAPP-A MoM (r = 0.239; P = < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis showed that both Z-CRL (P = < 0.0001) and log10 PAPP-A MoM (P = 0.048) were independent predictors for Z-MAX.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Japanese in-patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and normal liver function receiving treatment with isoniazid and rifampicin (INH + RMP).', 'To elucidate the relationship between N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genotype and the incidence of isoniazid + rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity.', 'Prospective study. After NAT2* genotyping, 77 patients were classified into three groups according to their NAT2* genotypes: rapid-type (a homozygote of NAT2*4), intermediate-type (a heterozygote of NAT2*4 and mutant alleles) and slow-type (a combination of mutant alleles). Their biochemical profiles of liver function test were investigated for 3 months to assess the development of serum aminotransferase elevation.', 'Of the 77 patients, 18.2% developed adverse hepatic reaction within the first month of INH + RMP treatment. A significant association was observed between hepatotoxicity and NAT2* genotype: compared with rapid-type, the relative risk was 4.0 (95% CI 1.94-6.06) for intermediate-type and 28.0 (95%CI 26.0-30.0) for slow-type. Especially in slow-type, the incidence of hepatotoxicity and serum aminotransferase elevation was significantly higher than in the other two types.

SOLUTION:
1