Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loneliness Is Associated with Frailty in Community‐Dwelling Elderly Adults

Conflict of Interest: The editor in chief has reviewed the conflict of interest checklist provided by the authors and has determined that the authors have no financial or any other kind of personal conflicts with this paper. Binay K. Shah has stock ownership in Pharmacyclics, Pfizer, and Exact Sciences and is on the speakers’ bureau of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Author Contributions: Shah: research concept, design of the research, analysis of data, writing of the paper. Ghimire, Pendharkar: design of the study, analysis of data, writing of the paper. Sponsor’s Role: None.
Functional Determination of Factor XII in Plasma

Clinical assays for factor XII determination are based on measurements of coagulation time in a mul tifactorial assay requiring the availability of factor XII deficient plasma, and the determination is affected by the presence of heparin. Another way of determining the amount of functionally active factor XII in plasma is to measure the amidolytic activity of factor XIIa in a chro mogenic assay. We describe such an assay, which in con trast to previously described chromogenic assays, is in dependent of the presence of prekallikrein. To prevent kallikrein from interfering with the assay, soy bean trypsin inhibitor was added to the plasma. Factor XII was autoactivated by addition of ZnCl2 and sulfatide. Sul fatide could be exchanged with acidic phospholipids but not with dextran sulfate. Linear standard curves were obtained whether the plasma was diluted with factor XII deficient plasma or a physiological buffer. The presence of a pharmacologic concentration of heparin did not affect the assay. In 37 plasma samples from healthy donors, a linear correlation was found between factor XII activity and the amount of factor XII antigen. Key Words: Factor XII—Hageman factor—Determination—Plasma.
Influence of the oxygen plasma parameters on the atomic layer deposition of titanium dioxide

The influence of the oxygen plasma parameters on the morphology and optical properties of TiO2 thin films has been extensively analyzed in plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) processes. Crystalline aggregates with the anatase phase have been identified on the film surface at a low deposition temperature (down to 70 °C) under specific plasma conditions. Up to 70% surface coverage by anatase crystallites is obtained at low oxygen gas flow rates and high plasma power. The hillocks abundance is correlated with high ion flux and electron density and with the resulting enhanced ion bombardment of the surface. Altering the plasma conditions is an important parameter besides temperature to control the morphology of the titania film for specific applications such as photocatalysis or functional optical coatings. Specifically, photocatalytic titania coatings on polymer substrates could benefit of such low temperature PEALD processes with abundant anatase crystallites; whereas optical coatings require smooth, high refractive index titania as obtained with low plasma power and high oxygen flow rate.
Significance of Microscopically Incomplete Resection Margin After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer

Objective:The objectives of this study were to establish if R1 resection margin after esophagectomy was (i) a poor prognostic factor independent of patient and tumor characteristics, (ii) a marker of tumor aggressiveness and (iii) to look at the impact of adjuvant treatment in this subpopulation. Methods:Data were collected from 30 European centers from 2000 to 2010. Patients with an R1 resection margin (n = 242) were compared with those with an R0 margin (n = 2573) in terms of short- and long-term outcomes. Propensity score matching and multivariable analyses were used to compensate for differences in baseline characteristics. Results:Independent factors significantly associated with an R1 resection margin included an upper third esophageal tumor location, preoperative malnutrition, and pathological stage III. There were significant differences between the groups in postoperative histology, with an increase in pathological stage III and TRG 4–5 in the R1 group. Total average lymph node harvests were similar between the groups; however, there was an increase in the number of positive lymph nodes seen in the R1 group. Propensity matched analysis confirmed that R1 resection margin was significantly associated with reduced overall survival and increased overall, locoregional, and mixed tumor recurrence. Similar observations were seen in the subgroup that received neoadjuvant chemoradiation. In R1 patients adjuvant therapy improved survival and reduced distant recurrence however failed to affect locoregional recurrence. Conclusions:This large multicenter European study provides evidence to support the notion that R1 resection margin is a prognostic indication of aggressive tumor biology with a poor long-term prognosis.
Investigation of dietary intake and obesity status in a pediatric population from Northern Greece

Purpose – The aim of this study is to record the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to explore any relationship with nutritional status in Greek children aged 6‐15 years.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 524 children participated in the study. Anthropometric and dietary characteristics were recorded for all subjects.Findings – The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.1 per cent and 8.4 per cent for boys and 17.6 and 7.3 per cent for girls, respectively. Dietary intakes of energy, fat, protein, lipids and sugar were higher in overweight and obese children compared with the normal ones ( p < 0.001), while fibre intake was lower in the overweight and obese group ( p < 0.001) than in the normal group. The current study gives an estimation of overweight and obesity in children from Northern Greece. The composition of diet, especially low in fibre, vitamin D and high in energy and fat may play a role in the etiology of obesity.Originality/value – The paper presents information on obesity pre.
Solution plasma synthesis of Si nanoparticles

Silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) were directly synthesized from a Si bar electrode via a solution plasma. In order to produce smaller Si-NPs, the effects of different electrolytes and applied voltages on the product were investigated in the experiments detailed in this paper. The results demonstrated that the use of an acidic solution of 0.1 M HCl or HNO3 produced Si-NPs without SiO2 formation. According to the transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, the obtained Si-NPs contained both amorphous and polycrystalline Si particles, among which the smaller Si-NPs tended to be amorphous. When an alkaline solution of K2CO3 was used instead, amorphous SiO2 particles were synthesized owing to the corrosion of Si in the high-temperature environment. The pH values of KCl and KNO3 increased during electrolysis, and the products were partially oxidized in the alkaline solutions. The particle size increased with an increasing applied voltage because the excitation temperature of the plasma increased.
Real‐World Evidence Supports Optimally Dosed Thiazide‐Type Diuretics As Preferred in Treatment Regimens of Older Adults with Hypertension

1. Frankenthal D, Lerman Y, Kalendaryev E et al. Intervention with the screening tool of older persons potentially inappropriate prescriptions/screening tool to alert doctors to right treatment criteria in elderly residents of a chronic geriatric facility: A randomized clinical trial. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014;62:1658–1665. 2. Lavan AH, O’Mahoney D, Gallagher P. Comments on “intervention with the screening tool of older persons potentially inappropriate prescriptions/ screening tool to alert doctors to right treatment criteria in elderly residents of a chronic geriatric facility: A randomized clinical trial”. J Am Geriatr Soc 2015;63:1043–1044. 3. Pagano M, Gauvreau K. Principles of Biostatistics, 2nd Ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury Thomson Learning, 2000. 4. Berdot S, Bertrand M, Dartigues JF et al. Inappropriate medication use and risk of falls—a prospective study in a large community-dwelling elderly cohort. BMC Geriatr 2009;9:30. 5. Kane RL, Quslander JG, Abrass IB et al. Essentials of Clinical Geriatrics, 6th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009.
Exercise Training Improves Plasma Lipid and Inflammatory Profiles and Increases Cholesterol Transfer to High‐Density Lipoprotein in Elderly Women

1. Gupta V, Lipsitz LA. Orthostatic hypotension in the elderly: Diagnosis and treatment. Am J Med 2007;120:841–847. 2. McCarroll KG, Robinson DJ, Coughlan A et al. Vitamin D and orthostatic hypotension. Age Ageing 2012;41:810–813. 3. Annweiler C, Schott AM, Rolland Y et al. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with orthostatic hypotension in oldest-old women. J Intern Med 2014;276:285–295. 4. Soysal P, Yay A, Isik AT. Does vitamin D deficiency increase orthostatic hypotension risk in the elderly patients? Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2014;59:74–77. 5. Veronese N, Bolzetta F, De Rui M et al. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and orthostatic hypotension in old people: The Pro.V. A. study. Hypertension 2014;64:481–486. 6. Yamamoto T, Kozawa O, Tanabe K et al. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor release in aortic smooth muscle cells: Role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2002;398:1–6. 7. Annweiler C, Dursun E, F eron F et al. ‘Vitamin D and cognition in older adults’: Updated international recommendations. J Intern Med 2015;277:45–57. 8. Beauchet O, Launay CP, Allali G et al. Anti-dementia drugs and changes in gait: A pre-post quasi-experimental pilot study. BMC Neurol 2013;13:184. 9. Duron E, Lenoir H, Pequignot R et al. What is the most relevant definition of orthostatic hypotension: Systolic blood pressure drop, diastolic blood pressure drop, or both? Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss 2007;100:689–694. 10. American Geriatrics Society Workgroup on Vitamin. D Supplementation for Older Adults. Recommendations abstracted from the American Geriatrics Society Consensus Statement on vitamin D for Prevention of Falls and Their Consequences. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014;62:147–152.
Overall Survival and Renal Function of Patients With Synchronous Bilateral Wilms Tumor Undergoing Surgery at a Single Institution.

OBJECTIVES Wilms tumor is the most common renal cancer in children. Approximately 5% of children with Wilms tumor present with disease in both kidneys. The treatment challenge is to achieve a high cure rate while maintaining long-term renal function. We retrospectively reviewed our institutional experience with nephron sparing surgery (NSS) in patients with synchronous bilateral Wilms tumor (BWT) operated on between 2001 and 2014. METHODS Imaging studies, surgical approach, adjuvant therapy, and pathology reports were reviewed. Outcomes evaluated included surgical complications, tumor recurrence, patient survival, and renal function, as assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate. RESULTS A total of 42 patients with BWT were identified: 39 (92.9%) patients underwent bilateral NSS; only 3 patients (7.1%) underwent unilateral nephrectomy with contralateral NSS. Postoperative complications included prolonged urine leak (10), infection (6), intussusception (2), and transient renal insufficiency (1). Three patients required early (within 4 months) repeat of NSS for residual tumor. In the long-term, 7 (16.7%) patients had local tumor recurrence (managed with repeat NSS in 6 and completion nephrectomy in 1) and 3 had an episode of intestinal obstruction requiring surgical intervention. Overall survival was 85.7% (mean follow-up, 4.1 years). Of the 6 patients who died, 5 had diffuse anaplastic histology. All of the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate more than 60 mL/min/1.73 m at the last follow-up; no patient developed end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSIONS In patients with synchronous, BWT, bilateral NSS is safe and almost always feasible, thereby preserving maximal renal parenchyma. With this approach, survival was excellent, as was maintenance of the renal function.
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS WITH NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS FROM SOUTHWESTERN REGION OF IRAN

The aimed to evaluate the plasma level of Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA)-IgA and IgG in family members of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) patient in comparison to healthy controls in Southwestern of Iran. Total 60 NPC patients were compared with 60 sex, age and ethnically matched healthy controls. The obtained serum samples participants were tested for VCA-IgA, VCA-IgG, Early Antigen (EA), IgG, EBNA-IgG by ELIZA. There was no significant difference in all EBV antibodies between patients and control groups (p>0.05). The serological of three IgG antibody meant that 66.6 of two groups had the past infection; of NPC families 6.6 and from controls 1.6 were susceptible to infection with EBV. 3.3 in members of NPC families had reactivation infection. The sex of the patients in case group had positive correlation with VCA-IgA, EBNA-IgG, EA-IgG and negative correlation with VCA-IgG. The age of the patients also showed positive correlation with EBNA-IgG, EA-IgG, VCA-IgG and negative correlation with VCA-IgA. None of the EBV antibodies had significant correlation with age and sex of the patients. Because of no statistical difference between VCA-IgA mean titr from members of NPC families and controls, there is the not higher risk for members of NPC families to controls for NPC. The cause that had positive VCA-IgA also had positive EBNA-IgG and VCA-IgG. Anti-EBV antibodies can be used as diagnostic markers of NPC in Southwestern region of Iran. The combined use of two or more markers marginally improved the discriminating power but that has to take into consideration the higher costs. © 2010 Academic Journals Inc.
Liver Resection and Transplantation for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Beyond Milan Criteria

Objectives: To assess survival after liver resection and transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond Milan criteria. Background: The role of liver resection and transplantation remains controversial for patients with HCC beyond Milan criteria. Resection of advanced tumors and transplantation using extended-criteria are pursued at select high-volume center. Methods: Patients from 5 liver cancer centers in the United States who had liver resection or transplantation for HCC beyond Milan criteria between 1990 and 2011 were included in the study. Multivariable and propensity-matching analyses estimated the effects of clinical factors and operative selection on survival. Results: Of 608 patients beyond Milan without vascular invasion, 480 (79%) patients underwent resection and 128 (21%) underwent transplantation. Clinicopathologic profiles between resection and transplant patients differed significantly. Hepatitis C and cirrhosis were more prevalent in transplantation group (P < 0.001). Resection patients had larger tumors [median 9 cm, interquartile range (IQR): 6.5–12.9 cm vs. median 4.1, IQR: 3.4–5.3 cm, P < 0.001]; transplant patients were more likely to have multiple tumors (78% vs 28%, P < 0.001). Overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were both greater after tumor downstaging and transplantation than resection (all P < 0.001). OS did not differ between liver transplant recipients who were not pretreated or pretreated and failed to downstage compared with propensity-matched liver resection patients (P ≥ 0.176); DFS in this propensity matched cohort was greater after liver transplantation (P ⩽ 0.017). Conclusions: Liver resection and transplantation provide curative options for patients with HCC beyond Milan criteria. Further treatment strategies aimed at the efficiency and durability of tumor downstaging and expansion of the role of transplantation among suitable candidates could improve outcomes in patients with large or multifocal HCC.
Occupational Therapy and Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health

Evidence-based practice (EBP) represents a paradigm shift in health care. This review has two aims. The first is to consider the merits of EBP, especially in respect of its use in mental health settings. The second is both to identify psychosocial interventions that have an established evidence base for effectiveness and to provide an analysis of the quality of this evidence and its implications for occupational therapy. Supported employment, family psychoeducation, assertive case management and integrated substance use treatment are examined in detail. It is proposed that occupational therapists working in mental health give priority to psychosocial interventions that are based on evidence and incorporate these into their practice. It is further proposed that, in implementing EBP, practitioners take an active evaluating position in relation to published evidence, paying particular attention to the evidence of effectiveness in equivalent clinical environments.
Effect of Preoperative Opioid Exposure on Healthcare Utilization and Expenditures Following Elective Abdominal Surgery

Objective: To examine the extent to which preoperative opioid use is correlated with healthcare utilization and costs following elective surgical procedures. Summary Background Data: Morbidity and mortality associated with prescription opioid use is escalating in the United States. The extent to which chronic opioid use influences postoperative outcomes following elective surgery is not well understood. Methods: Truven Health Marketscan Databases were used to identify adult patients who underwent elective abdominal surgery between June 2009 and December 2012 (n = 200,005). Generalized linear regression was used to determine the effect of preoperative opioid use on postoperative healthcare utilization (length of stay, 30-d readmission, and discharge destination) and cost (hospital stay, 90-, 180-, and 365-d) after adjusting for number of comorbidities, psychological conditions, and demographic characteristics. Results: In this cohort, 8.8% of patients used opioids preoperatively. Compared with non-users, patients using opioids preoperatively were more likely to have a longer hospital stay (2.9 d vs. 2.5 d, P <0.001) and were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility (3.6% vs. 2.5%, P <0.001), adjusting for covariates. Preoperative opioid use was also correlated with a greater rate of 30-day readmission (4.5% vs. 3.6%, P <0.001) and overall greater expenditures at 90- ($12036.60 vs. $3863.40, P <0.001), 180- ($16973.70 vs. $6790.60, P <0.001), and 365- ($25495.70 vs. $12113.80, P <0.001) days following surgery, adjusted for covariates. Additionally, dose-effects were observed regarding readmission, discharge destination, and late healthcare expenditures. Conclusions: Preoperative interventions focused on opioid cessation and alternative analgesics may improve the safety and efficiency of elective surgery among chronic opioid users.
30-day Readmission After Pancreatic Resection: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and compare common reasons and risk factors for 30-day readmission after pancreatic resection. Background: Hospital readmission after pancreatic resection is common and costly. Many studies have evaluated this problem and numerous discrepancies exist regarding the primary reasons and risk factors for readmission. Methods: Multiple electronic databases were searched from 2002 to 2016, and 15 relevant articles identified. Overall readmission rate was calculated from individual study estimates using a random-effects model. Study data were combined and overall estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each risk factor. Multivariable data were qualitatively synthesized. Results: The overall 30-day readmission rate was 19.1% (95% CI 17.4–20.7) across all studies. Infectious complications and gastrointestinal disorders, such as failure to thrive and delayed gastric emptying, together accounted for 58.9% of all readmissions. Demographic factors did not predict readmission. Heart disease (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.12–1.67), hypertension (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.09–1.91), and intraoperative blood transfusion (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.15–1.83) were weak predictors of readmission, while any postoperative complications (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.55–3.18) or severe complications (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.65–4.89) were stronger predictors. Conclusions: Readmission after pancreatic resection is common and can largely be attributed to infectious complications and inability to maintain adequate hydration and nutrition. Focus on outpatient resources and follow-up to address these issues will prove valuable in reducing readmissions.
Reducing Length of Stay Using a Robotic-assisted Approach for Retromuscular Ventral Hernia Repair: A Comparative Analysis From the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare length of stay (LOS) after robotic-assisted and open retromuscular ventral hernia repair (RVHR). Background: RVHR has traditionally been performed by open techniques. Robotic-assisted surgery enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive RVHR, but with unknown benefit. Using real-world evidence, this study compared LOS after open (o-RVHR) and robotic-assisted (r-RVHR) approach. Methods: Multi-institutional data from patients undergoing elective RVHR in the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative between 2013 and 2016 were analyzed. Propensity score matching was used to compare median LOS between o-RVHR and r-RVHR groups. This work was supported by an unrestricted grant from Intuitive Surgical, and all clinical authors have declared direct or indirect relationships with Intuitive Surgical. Results: In all, 333 patients met inclusion criteria for a 2:1 match performed on 111 r-RVHR patients using propensity scores, with 222 o-RVHR patients having similar characteristics as the robotic-assisted group. Median LOS [interquartile range (IQR)] was significantly decreased for r-RVHR patients [2 days (IQR 2)] compared with o-RVHR patients [3 days (IQR 3), P < 0.001]. No differences in 30-day readmissions or surgical site infections were observed. Higher surgical site occurrences were noted with r-RVHR, consisting mostly of seromas not requiring intervention. Conclusions: Using real-world evidence, a robotic-assisted approach to RVHR offers the clinical benefit of reduced postoperative LOS. Ongoing monitoring of this technique should be employed through continuous quality improvement to determine the long-term effect on hernia recurrence, complications, patient satisfaction, and overall cost.