Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The correlation of apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio and lipoprotein(a) with myocardial infarction

Recent evidence shows that apolipoprotein (apo) B, apoB/apoA-I ratio and lipoprotein(a) are better indicators of coronary risk than the conventional lipid profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of apoA-I and B, and lipoprotein(a) with myocardial infarction (MI). We performed a cross-sectional study including 208 patients (100 men and 108 women), with and without previous MI evaluated by coronary angiography. The severity of coronary heart disease was scored on the basis of the number and extent of lesions in the coronary arteries. Lipid levels were measured by the enzymatic method and apolipoprotein levels were measured by the immunoturbidimetric method. The MI group had higher plasmatic levels of lipoprotein(a) (0.37±0.28 vs. 0.29±0.23 g/L, p<0.05), apoB (1.13±0.40 vs. 0.84±0.28 g/L, p<0.05) and of the apoB/apoA-I ratio (0.77±0.37 vs. 0.68±0.20, p<0.05) compared to controls. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) suggested a good reliability in the diagnose of coronary heart disease for the apoB/apoA-I ratio (0.756, p<0.05), apoB (0.664, p<0.05), lipoprotein(a) (0.652, p<0.05) and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (0.688, p<0.05). Multivariate analysis performed with adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors, showed that the levels of lipoprotein(a), apoB and apoB/apoA-I ratio are significant independent cardiovascular risk factors. Our results indicate that there is an important relationship among high plasma apoB concentration, lipoprotein(a) concentration, the apoB/apoA-I ratio, and MI. We showed that the apoB/apoA-I ratio has a stronger correlation with MI than the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio. We therefore suggest using apoB/apoA-I ratio and lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice as a markers of MI risk.
Improvement of Patients' Health Confidence: A Comparison of 15 Primary Care Practices and a National Sample

Patient health confidence is an easy-to-obtain proxy measure for patient engagement and patient activation. In evidence-based literature syntheses, longitudinal studies, and empiric analyses, this measure is related to desirable consequence of medical care. Adult patients from 15 primary care practices and a national sample report on changes in health confidence over time. Exemplary practices describe how this information is used as a foundation for behaviorally sophisticated actions so necessary for improving health confidence.
Size-Dependent Electrocatalytic Activity of Free Gold Nanoparticles for the Glucose Oxidation Reaction.

Understanding the fundamental relationship between the size and the structure of electrode materials is essential to design catalysts and enhance their activity. Therefore, spherical gold nanoparticles (GNSs) with a mean diameter from 4 to 15 nm were synthesized. UV/Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and under-potential deposition of lead (UPDPb ) were used to determine the morphology, size, and surface crystallographic structure of the GNSs. The UPDPb revealed that their crystallographic facets are affected by their size and the growth process. The catalytic properties of these GNSs toward glucose electrooxidation were studied by cyclic voltammetry, taking into account the scan rate and temperature effects. The results clearly show the size-dependent electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation reactions that are controlled by diffusion. Small GNSs with an average size of 4.2 nm exhibited high catalytic activity. This drastic increase in activity results from the high specific area and reactivity of the surface electrons induced by their small size. The reaction mechanism was investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Gluconolactone and gluconate were identified as the intermediate and the final reaction product, respectively, of the glucose electrooxidation.
Can Convenience and Effectiveness Converge in Mobile Web? A Critique of the State-of-the-Art Adaptation Techniques for Web Navigation on Mobile Handheld Devices

Proliferation of mobile handheld devices and the significant advancement of wireless technologies and infrastructures have become a strong driving force of many mobile applications, including ubiquitous web information access through those devices. Despite the tremendous flexibility, accessibility, and convenience, rendering and navigating Web content on handheld devices suffer from significant usability problems attributable to their physical constraints, especially the small screen size, restricted interaction mechanisms, and low memory. Therefore, improving the effectiveness of web content navigation on those devices is crucial and has attracted increasing attention from both academics and industry. One of the promising solutions is adaptation, which focuses on the content restructuring, rearranging, and visualization. This article attempts to provide a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art approaches to web adaptation for mobile handheld devices. The study not only categorizes, synthesizes, and compares the pros and cons of major adaptation methods but also discusses the observed problems in research methodology adopted in related studies and highlights future research directions. The article provides an important road map to the researchers and practitioners in this field.
Different Subjective and Objective Responses to Alcohol Among Heavy and Light Drinkers of Han and Uyghur Nationalities in China

ObjectiveGiven the observed differences in alcohol consumption characteristics between the Han and Uyghur nationalities in clinical reports and in daily life, the subjective and objective responses to alcohol in heavy drinkers (HDs) and light drinkers (LDs) in the Han and Uyghur nationalities in China were compared. MethodsA within-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled human laboratory paradigm was performed. Each subject completed three experimental sessions in random order. Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scales were administered, and heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels were measured at predrink baseline and 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after the initial alcohol beverage consumption. ResultsCompared with LDs, HDs exhibited higher stimulation, positive affect, and lower sedation in both ethnicities. Han drinkers (both HDs and LDs) exhibited higher sedation and lower positive affect and stimulation than Uyghur drinkers after consumption of alcohol. Moreover, HDs exhibited more HR increase during the ascending limb of breath alcohol content (p < .05) and less cortisol level during the declining limb of breath alcohol content (p < .05). Both HDs and LDs exhibited decreased systolic and diastolic pressures for both high- and low-dose beverages (ps < .01). ConclusionCompared with LDs, HDs exhibited more HR increase and lower salivary cortisol level after alcohol consumption. Han drinkers (both HDs and LDs) exhibited higher sedation and lower positive affect and stimulation after consumption of alcohol as compared with Uyghur drinkers. This modality of subjective and physiological responses to alcohol in the Han and Uyghur ethnicities is similar.
Size-Dependence of the Activity of Gold Nanoparticle-Loaded Titanium(IV) Oxide Plasmonic Photocatalyst for Water Oxidation.

Mesoporous TiO2 nanocrystalline film was formed on fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode (TiO2 /FTO) and gold nanoparticles (NPs) of different sizes were loaded onto the surface with the loading amount kept constant (Au/TiO2 /FTO). Visible-light irradiation (λ>430 nm) of the Au/TiO2 /FTO photoanode in a photoelectrochemical cell with the structure of photoanode|0.1 m NaClO4 aqueous solution|Ag/AgCl (reference electrode)|glassy carbon (cathode) leads to the oxidation of water to oxygen (O2 ). We show that the visible-light activity of the Au/TiO2 /FTO anode increases with a decrease in Au particle size (d) at 2.9≤d≤11.9 nm due to the enhancement of the charge separation and increasing photoelectrocatalytic activity.
A Pilot Study of the VirtuSphere as a Virtual Reality Enhancement

This pilot study assessed the utility and acceptability of the VirtuSphere, a cutting edge navigation platform designed to enhance presence in virtual environments. The VirtuSphere includes a 12-ft hollow sphere within which the user stands, and it rolls within a wheeled platform, in any direction, according to the user's steps. The pilot was a within-subject crossover design comparing the VirtuSphere to standard game controller navigation. The comparison was based on locomotion in Virtual Iraq, a virtual world resembling Iraqi war zones. Participants were 10 active duty soldiers not suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. Results indicated that there were negligible differences in sense of presence, simulator sickness, and satisfaction across the two navigation systems. Although the VirtuSphere may provide entertainment value, these results do not provide initial support for the use of the VirtuSphere to improve constructs thought to be important to behavioral health applications of virtual reality. Potential improvements to the design of the VirtuSphere are discussed.
Who Signs Up for and Engages in a Peer Support Heart Failure Self-management Intervention

Background:Many programs for patients with heart failure (HF) fail to improve clinical outcomes in part because of low rates of patient enrollment and engagement. A better understanding of patient characteristics associated with willingness to enroll and then engage in HF self-management programs will improve the design and targeting of programs. Methods and Results:Analyses of screening, baseline, and engagement data from a randomized controlled effectiveness trial of an HF peer self-management support program were conducted. The median age of the 266 recently hospitalized HF patients who enrolled in the study was 69 years, 51% were female, and 26% were minorities (primarily African American). Of 135 randomized to the peer support intervention, only 39% engaged in either the group sessions or telephone peer support calls. Older white women who reported higher baseline health status, functioning, social support, and confidence in their ability to manage and less difficulty with the physical and emotional aspects of living with HF were the most likely to engage in program activities. Minority status and reporting a need for social support were both correlated with higher enrollment but lower engagement in the intervention. Conclusions:Although minority patients with poorer reported health status and social support were most likely to consent to participate in the study, participants who engaged in program activities were more likely to have higher baseline health status, functioning, and social support. Developing HF interventions that successfully engage participants most in need of HF self-management support remains a difficult challenge.
Sense of Touch in Training Tasks Demanding High Precision and Short Time of Execution

Engaging the sense of touch in virtual environments is a challenging and important issue. Currently, the most common way to address this issue is the use of a set of actuators that restrict hand movement. This article presents an alternative method to track physical surrogate representations of virtual objects using a vision-based system. Using real objects that can be manipulated by a person immersed in a virtual environment is an alternative to expensive robotized haptic systems. Moreover, this technique allows the user to move objects over long distances. Research conducted with 30 volunteers shows that the sense of touch can significantly reduce the execution time of tasks demanding high precision. Despite this decrease in execution time, an increase in precision has been observed. The conclusion of this article looks at the pros and cons of the use of physical surrogates for virtual objects, for example, less time needed for virtual reality-based training with the use of physical surrogates.
Cognitive Function in Heart Failure Is Associated With Nonsomatic Symptoms of Depression But Not Somatic Symptoms

Background:Patients with heart failure (HF) have high rates of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms have been associated with greater cognitive impairments in HF; however, it is not known whether particular clusters of depressive symptoms are more detrimental to cognition than others. Objective:The aim of this study was to identify whether somatic and/or nonsomatic depressive symptom clusters were associated with cognitive function in persons with HF. Methods:Participants were 326 HF patients (40.5% women, 26.7% non-white race-ethnicity, aged 68.6 ± 9.7 years). Depressive symptoms were measured using a depression questionnaire commonly used in medical populations: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Somatic and nonsomatic subscale scores were created using previous factor analytic results. A neuropsychological battery tested attention, executive function, and memory. Composites were created using averages of age-adjusted scaled scores. Regressions adjusting for demographic and clinical factors were conducted. Results:Regressions revealed that Patient Health Questionnaire-9 total was associated with attention (&bgr; = −.14, P = .008) and executive function (&bgr; = −.17, P = .001). When analyzed separately, the nonsomatic subscale, but not the somatic symptoms subscale (P values ≥ .092), was associated with attention scores (&bgr; = −.15, P = .004) and memory (&bgr; = −.11, P = .044). Both nonsomatic (&bgr; = −.18, P < .001) and somatic (&bgr; = −.11, P = .048) symptoms were related to executive function. When included together, only the nonsomatic symptom cluster was associated with attention (&bgr; = −.15, P = .020) and executive function (&bgr; = −.19, P = .003). Conclusions:Greater overall depressive symptom severity was associated with poorer performance on multiple cognitive domains, an effect driven primarily by the nonsomatic symptoms of depression. Clinical Implications:These findings suggest that screening explicitly for nonsomatic depressive symptoms may be warranted and that the mechanisms underlying the depression-cognitive function relationship in HF are not solely related to sleep or appetite disturbance. Thus, interventions that target patients’ somatic symptoms only (eg, poor appetite or fatigue) may not yield maximum cognitive benefit compared with a comprehensive treatment that targets depressed mood, anhedonia, and other nonsomatic symptoms.
SIMPLIFYING DETECTION OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT SUBTYPES

ion 1.45 0.77 1.92 0.28 . 006 Delayed recall 0.98 1.32 3.92 1.32 o.001 Orientation 5.69 0.56 5.96 0.20 . 02 Significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Higher scores indicates greater functionality. SD 5 standard deviation. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 993 JAGS MAY 2010–VOL. 58, NO. 5
PAIN ASSESSMENT IN SPECIALIST SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE—A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 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. Author Contributions: Jen-Yu Wang, Cheng-Yi Wang, Dee Pei, Chih-Cheng Lai, Yen-Lin Chen, Chung-Ze Wu, Yen-Ling Chang, Chun-Hsien Hsu, and Chun Pei: study concept and design, acquisition of subjects and data, analysis and interpretation of data, and preparation of manuscript. Sai-Hung Tang: study concept and design and preparation, revision, and completion of manuscript. Sponsor’s Role: None.
Pilot Testing of the PRAISEDD Intervention Among African American and Low-Income Older Adults

Background and Research Objective:The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is particularly high among African American (AA) older adults, and these individuals are least likely to have access to CVD prevention activities. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of People Reducing Risk and Improving Strength through Exercise, Diet and Drug Adherence (PRAISEDD), which is geared at increasing adherence to CVD prevention behaviors among AA and low-income older adults. Methods:This feasibility study was conducted in a senior housing site, using a single-group repeated-measures design and testing physical activity, diet, medication adherence beliefs and behaviors, and blood pressure at baseline and after a 12-week intervention period. Of 22 participants, mean (SD) age was 76.4 (7.6) years, and most were female (64%) and AA (86%). An intention-to-treat analysis was used. Results:There were significant decreases in systolic (P = .02) and diastolic blood pressure (P = .01) and a nonsignificant trend toward improvement in cholesterol intake (P = .09). There were no changes in time spent in moderate-level physical activity, sodium intake, medication adherence, or self-efficacy and outcome expectations across all 3 behaviors. Conclusion:The PRAISEDD intervention was feasible in a group of AA and low-income older adults and, after 12 weeks, resulted in improvements in blood pressure. Future research is needed to test a revised PRAISEDD intervention using a randomized controlled design, a larger sample, and a longer follow-up period. The PRAISEDD intervention should be revised to incorporate environmental and policy changes that influence CVD prevention behaviors and explore the impact of social networking as it relates to diffusion of the intervention among participants in low-income housing facilities.
Warm Needling Moxibustion for Knee Osteoarthritis : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of warm needling moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Sixty cases with KOA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The observation group was treated by warm needling moxibustion. The control group was treated by simple acupuncture. Ten sessions made one course and the two groups were treated for two courses. The scores of knee joint pain, stiffness and knee functions before and after the treatment were observed. Results: The scores of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) on pain, stiffness and joint functions before and after treatment in both groups were statistically different (all P<0.05). The comparisons of the scores in pain, stiffness and joint function after treatment between the two groups were all statistically different (all P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% in the observation group and 80.0% in the control group. The differences of the clinical effects between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion can improve the clinical symptoms and functions of the patients with KOA, and is better than ordinary acupuncture in the therapeutic effect.
Cognitive Impairment Predicts Functional Capacity in Dementia-Free Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Background and Research Objective: A high proportion of elderly people with cardiovascular diseases and risk factors have mild forms of cognitive impairment, the functional impact of which is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether subtle cognitive impairment contributes to limitations in instrumental activities of daily living in this group and whether this association is independent of physical comorbidity and other potentially confounding factors. Subjects and Methods: Two hundred and nineteen nondemented patients were recruited from cardiovascular and diabetic hospital outpatient clinics. Functional dependence was assessed using the self-report version of the instrumental activities of daily living scale. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Demographic and clinical information was collected via interview and a review of hospital records. Standard logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with functional status. Results: Five variables (sex, cardiovascular disease burden, non-cardiovascular disease burden, cognitive status, and age) were independently associated with an increased likelihood of requiring assistance with 1 or more everyday activities. The likelihood of needing assistance increased 2.05 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-2.79) for each additional cardiovascular diagnosis present and 1.12 times (95% CI, 1.01-1.27) for every point lower on MoCA. Thus, in comparison to a person with a perfect MoCA score, a person who scored in the cognitively impaired range (<23) was 7.7 (CI, 7.07-8.89) times more likely to report that he/she required assistance with an everyday activity. Conclusion: Cognitive impairments appear to reduce the ability to independently carry out routine daily tasks in patients with cardiovascular diseases and risk factors. Cognition should therefore be considered along with physical symptoms when assessing and responding to the support needs of this group.
REVERSIBLE LIMBIC ENCEPHALITIS IN A PERSON WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

1. Vischer UM, Perrenoud L, Genet C et al. The high prevalence of malnutrition in elderly diabetic patients: Implications for anti-diabetic drug treatments. Diabet Med 2010;27:918–924. 2. Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kopple JD, Regidor DL et al. A1C and survival in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Diabetes Care 2007;30:1049–1055. 3. Hajjar ER, Cafiero AC, Hanlon JT. Polypharmacy in elderly patients. Am J Geriatr Pharmacother 2007;5:345–351. 4. Hovstadius B, Hovstadius K, Astrand B et al. Increasing polypharmacyFan individual-based study of the Swedish population 2005–2008. BMC Clin Pharmacol 2010;10:16. 5. Makimattila S, Nikkila K, Yki-Jarvinen H. Causes of weight gain during insulin therapy with and without metformin in patients with Type II diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia 1999;42:406–412. 6. Tal S, Shavit Y, Stern F et al. Association between vitamin B12 levels and mortality in hospitalized older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2010;58:523–526.
A Controlled Trial of a Nurse Follow-up Dietary Intervention on Maintaining a Heart-Healthy Dietary Pattern Among Patients After Myocardial Infarction

Background and Research Objective:Post–myocardial infarction (MI) survivors are at a higher risk of coronary events. Therapeutic lifestyle changes, including dietary modification, have been emphasized as the cornerstone of secondary prevention. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a nurse follow-up dietary intervention (NFDI) on post-MI patients’ dietary behavioral change (primary outcome) and blood lipid levels (secondary outcome). Subjects and Methods:A total of 82 post-MI subjects with borderline dyslipidemia were recruited and randomly allocated to a control group or an intervention group (IG) (n = 41/group). The control group received conventional care and attended a heart health dietary class. The IG received, in addition, a structured 8-week NFDI (including a face-to-face consultation session, a take-home self-management workbook, and fortnightly telephone follow-ups). Data were collected at 3 time points: baseline (T0), 1-week posttest (T1), 3-month posttest (T2). The effect of the intervention was assessed by a self-report questionnaire and blood tests. T test and time-by-group analysis of variance with repeated-measures analysis of variance were used. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. Results:Significant positive dietary changes were found among participants of the IG in reduced intake of saturated fat (F = 22.48, P < .001) and salted/preserved food (F = 13.58, P < .001) and increased intake of heart-healthy food (vegetables, fruit, nuts, and whole grains) (F = 40.88, P < .001). Although the results of secondary outcomes, triglyceride, and total cholesterol were not statistically significant, the high-density lipoprotein trend was in the expected direction for the IG (F = 8.982, P = .001). Conclusion:This study found positive changes in dietary behavior and an increase in high-density lipoprotein level from participants who undertook the NFDI for self-management in dietary modification.