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: We previously localized protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) on human spermatozoa and demonstrated that activation of PAR-2 by the mast cell (MC) product tryptase inhibits sperm motility. Importantly, tryptase-secreting MCs are encountered in the male and female genital tract, implying that MC-spermatozoa interactions may be as yet unrecognized factors affecting sperm fertilizing ability. In order to elucidate how tryptase via activation of PAR-2 acts in human spermatozoa, we studied intracellular signal transduction events.', 'Impairment of sperm motility by tryptase was not dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and tryptase did not alter intracellular Ca2+ levels. Pre-incubation with pertussis toxin (PTX) failed to prevent tryptase effects on sperm motility. Western blot analyses revealed that tryptase increased phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2, an effect which was blocked by the MAPK pathway inhibitor PD98059. Pre-treatment of spermatozoa with this inhibitor also blocked the inhibtion of sperm motility evoked by tryptase.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: To analyze whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR2) rs1801282 (Pro12Ala) polymorphism is associated with the response to pegylated-interferon-alpha plus ribavirin treatment in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients, and whether it is able to predict the outcome of HCV treatment.', 'Retrospective follow-up study.', 'Two hundred eighty-five naive patients, who started HCV-treatment, were genotyped for PPAR2 and interleukin 28B polymorphisms. Genetic data were analyzed under dominant inheritance model. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as undetectable HCV viremia through 24 weeks after the end of HCV treatment.', 'The variables significantly associated with SVR in a multivariate analysis were HCV-genotype (GT) 3 {adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 7.66 [95% of confidence interval (95% CI): 3.96 to 14.81] P < 0.001}, HCV-viremia <500,000 IU/mL [aOR = 2.20 (95% CI: 1.16 to 4.15] P = 0.015), no/mild liver fibrosis (F < 2) [aOR = 1.92 (95% CI: 1.08 to 3.42) P = 0.026], IL28B rs12980275 AA genotype [aOR = 2.70 (95% CI: 1.54 to 4.71) P < 0.001], and PPAR2 rs1801282 CG/GG genotype [aOR = 2.93 (95% CI: 1.27 to 6.72) P = 0.011]. When PPAR2 rs1801282 genotype was included in a decision tree analysis, HCV-GT3 patients with CG/GG genotype had increased SVR from 80.3% to 100%. In GT1/4 patients, rs12980275 AA carriers had increased SVR from 58.7% to 78.6%, and rs12980275 AG/GG carriers had increased SVR from 28.7% to 35.7%. The overall percentage of patients correctly classified was 71.6% and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.766 0.028.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of p53 and cyclin D1 gene expression in predicting the risk of occult lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).', 'The expression of cyclin D1 and p53 was evaluated by means of immunohistochemical analysis in 32 HNSCC patients with clinically and radiologically negative lymph nodes in whom metastatic involvement was subsequently demonstrated at histologic examination (pN+). A group of 64 head and neck cancer patients with histologically negative laterocervical lymph nodes (pN0) was used as a control.', 'Cyclin D1 and p53 expression were observed respectively in 42 (43.7%) and 48 cases (50%). Cyclin D1 expression significantly correlated with tumor extension and advanced clinical stage (p =.002 and p =.001, respectively). At univariate regression analysis, cyclin D1 expression significantly correlated with the presence of occult lymph node metastases (p =. 0007), and it remained an independent predictor at multivariate regression analysis (p =.0059).

SOLUTION:
0