Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing homeless persons' care experiences in tailored versus nontailored primary care programs.

OBJECTIVES We compared homeless patients' experiences of care in health care organizations that differed in their degree of primary care design service tailoring. METHODS We surveyed homeless-experienced patients (either recently or currently homeless) at 3 Veterans Affairs (VA) mainstream primary care settings in Pennsylvania and Alabama, a homeless-tailored VA clinic in California, and a highly tailored non-VA Health Care for the Homeless Program in Massachusetts (January 2011-March 2012). We developed a survey, the "Primary Care Quality-Homeless Survey," to reflect the concerns and aspirations of homeless patients. RESULTS Mean scores at the tailored non-VA site were superior to those from the 3 mainstream VA sites (P < .001). Adjusting for patient characteristics, these differences remained significant for subscales assessing the patient-clinician relationship (P < .001) and perceptions of cooperation among providers (P = .004). There were 1.5- to 3-fold increased odds of an unfavorable experience in the domains of the patient-clinician relationship, cooperation, and access or coordination for the mainstream VA sites compared with the tailored non-VA site; the tailored VA site attained intermediate results. CONCLUSIONS Tailored primary care service design was associated with a superior service experience for patients who experienced homelessness.
Racial disparities in life expectancy in Brazil: challenges from a multiracial society.

OBJECTIVES We calculated life expectancy at birth for Whites, Blacks, and mixed races in Brazil, and decomposed the differences by causes of death. METHODS We used Ministry of Health death records and 2010 Census population data (190,755,799 residents and 1,136,947 deaths). We applied the Arriaga methodology to calculate decomposition of life expectancy by cause of death. We performed sensitivity analyses for underreporting of deaths, missing data, and numerator-denominator bias. RESULTS Using standard life table methods, female life expectancy was highest for mixed races (78.80 years), followed by Whites (77.54 years), then Blacks (76.32 years). Male life expectancy was highest for Whites (71.10 years) followed closely by mixed races (71.08 years), and lower for Blacks (70.11 years). Homicides contributed the most to the relative life expectancy increase for Whites, and cancer decreased the gap. After adjustment for underreporting, missing data, and numerator-denominator bias, life expectancy was higher for Whites than for Blacks and mixed races. CONCLUSIONS Despite wide socioeconomic differences between Whites and mixed races, standard life table methods showed that mixed races had higher life expectancy than Whites for women, and similar for men. With the increase of multiracial populations, measuring racial disparities in life expectancy will be a fast-growing challenge.
National and state-specific health insurance disparities for adults in same-sex relationships.

OBJECTIVES We examined national and state-specific disparities in health insurance coverage, specifically employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) coverage, for adults in same-sex relationships. METHODS We used data from the American Community Survey to identify adults (aged 25-64 years) in same-sex relationships (n = 31,947), married opposite-sex relationships (n = 3,060,711), and unmarried opposite-sex relationships (n = 259,147). We estimated multinomial logistic regression models and state-specific relative differences in ESI coverage with predictive margins. RESULTS Men and women in same-sex relationships were less likely to have ESI than were their married counterparts in opposite-sex relationships. We found ESI disparities among adults in same-sex relationships in every region, but we found the largest ESI gaps for men in the South and for women in the Midwest. ESI disparities were narrower in states that had extended legal same-sex marriage, civil unions, and broad domestic partnerships. CONCLUSIONS Men and women in same-sex relationships experience disparities in health insurance coverage across the country, but residing in a state that recognizes legal same-sex marriage, civil unions, or broad domestic partnerships may improve access to ESI for same-sex spouses and domestic partners.
Cumulative risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

OBJECTIVES We sought to assess risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) among influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent (pH1N1) vaccinated and unvaccinated populations at the end of the 2009 pandemic. METHODS We applied GBS surveillance data from a US population catchment area of 45 million from October 15, 2009, through May 31, 2010. GBS cases meeting Brighton Collaboration criteria were included. We calculated the incidence density ratio (IDR) among pH1N1 vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. We also estimated cumulative GBS risk using life table analysis. Additionally, we used vaccine coverage data and census population estimates to calculate denominators. RESULTS There were 392 GBS cases; 64 (16%) occurred after pH1N1vaccination. The vaccinated population had lower average risk (IDR = 0.83, 95% confidence interval = 0.63, 1.08) and lower cumulative risk (6.6 vs 9.2 cases per million persons, P = .012) of GBS. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that at the end of the influenza season cumulative GBS risk was less among the pH1N1vaccinated than the unvaccinated population, suggesting the benefit of vaccination as it relates to GBS. The observed potential protective effect on GBS attributed to vaccination warrants further study.
Prostate cancer deaths and incident cases among American Indian/Alaska Native men, 1999-2009.

OBJECTIVES We linked databases to improve identification of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in determining prostate cancer death and incidence rates. METHODS We linked prostate cancer mortality and incidence data with Indian Health Service (IHS) patient records; analyses focused on residents of IHS Contract Health Service Delivery Area (CHSDA) counties. We calculated age-adjusted incidence and death rates for AI/AN and White men for 1999 to 2009; men of Hispanic origin were excluded. RESULTS Prostate cancer death rates were higher for AI/AN men than for White men. Death rates declined for White men (-3.0% per year) but not for AI/AN men. AI/AN men had lower prostate cancer incidence rates than White men. Incidence rates declined among Whites (-2.2% per year) and AI/ANs (-1.9% per year). CONCLUSIONS AI/AN men had higher prostate cancer death rates and lower prostate cancer incidence rates than White men. Disparities in accessing health care could contribute to mortality differences, and incidence differences could be related to lower prostate-specific antigen testing rates among AI/AN men.
Clinical features of acute noroviral gastroenteritis in children : comparison with rotaviral gastroenteritis

45 children with rotaviral gastroenteritis. Results: In the norovirus group, 19 (86.4%) children showed vomiting and 21 (95.5%) children showed diarrhea, while all children in the rotaviral group showed both vomiting and diarrhea. The duration of vomiting was not different in the two groups, but mean episodes of vomiting/24 h were higher in the norovirus group than in the rotavirus group. The duration of diarrhea was longer and mean episodes of diarrhea/24 h were higher in the rotavirus group. The Vesikari Scale was not different in the two groups. Frequency and duration of fever did not show a significant difference. Most children in both groups were below 2 years of age. Conclusion: Clinical features of noroviral gastroenteritis were largely similar to those of rotaviral gastroenteritis, but vomiting was more severe in noroviral infection, and diarrhea was more severe and prolonged in rotaviral infection. With regard to noroviral infection, further epidemiologic investigations and preventive efforts are essential. (Korean J Pediatr 2009;52:453-457)
Using social network analysis to clarify the role of obesity in selection of adolescent friends.

OBJECTIVES We used social network analysis to examine how weight status affects friend selection, with an emphasis on homophily and the social marginalization of overweight youths. METHODS We used an exponential random graph model to assess the effects of body mass index (BMI) on friend selection while controlling for several alternative selection processes. Data were derived from 58,987 students in 88 US middle and high schools who took part in the 1994 to 1996 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. RESULTS On average, overweight youths were less likely than nonoverweight youths to be selected as a friend; however, this effect differed according to the BMI of the person initiating the friendship. Nonoverweight youths were 30% more likely to select a nonoverweight friend than an overweight friend, whereas overweight youths were largely indifferent to the weight status of their friends. Friendship ties from overweight youths to nonoverweight peers were more likely than ties in the reverse direction. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence consistent with homophily and social marginalization but only for the selection behavior of nonoverweight youths. We conclude that avoidance of overweight friends is the primary determinant of friendship patterns related to BMI.
XI Congress of the International Headache Society

The XI Congress of the International Headache Society (IHC) provided useful feedback for a wide range of disciplines for all scientists involved in basic and applied research concerning headaches. The major topics of the Congress included comorbidity, paediatric headache, phenotypic markers, genetics, migraine therapy, trigeminal neuralgia and paroxysmal facial pain with autonomic signs. The most recent advances were presented and discussed and all efforts were made to transfer these new understandings of pathogenesis, clinical features and treatments, to clinical practice, in an attempt to gain a better understanding of patient problems and requests. The Presidential Symposium, which anticipated the scientific sessions, provided the most updated knowledge regarding neuroimaging, neurophysiological and potential clinical implications of the activation of brainstem structures as well as the dependency of cortical events on this activation during migraine attacks. The results of the strenuous work carried out from autumn 1999 to 2003 of an International Committee of headache experts, presided by J. Olesen, reached its peak with the presentation of the new International Headache Classification ICHD-II. There are many relevant changes in the new classification, even though the basic structure and the most important criteria, such as those for migraine without aura and tension-type headache, have been maintained. Several new entities have been added including chronic migraine for patients having migraine ≥ 15 days/month. New rules separate primary and secondary headaches and a new chapter now presents headaches attributed to psychiatric disorders. Headaches due to disturbance of homeostasis has been brought together in a new chapter and the diagnostic criteria for secondary headaches are now more systematically constructed. All these changes will hopefully promote research, especially for the novel entities reported in the appendix, which have not been sufficiently validated or for which sufficient evidence still has not been published.
Vaccination interest and trends in human papillomavirus vaccine uptake in young adult women aged 18 to 26 years in the United States: an analysis using the 2008-2012 National Health Interview Survey.

OBJECTIVES Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been approved since 2006, yet vaccination rates remain low. We investigated HPV vaccination trends, interest, and reasons for nonvaccination in young adult women. METHODS We used data from the 2008-2012 National Health Interview Survey to analyze HPV vaccine uptake trends (≥ 1 dose) in women aged 18 to 26 years. We used data from the 2008 and 2010 National Health Interview Survey to examine HPV vaccination interest and reasons for nonvaccination among unvaccinated women. RESULTS We saw significant increases in HPV vaccination for all young women from 2008 to 2012 (11.6% to 34.1%); however, Hispanics and women with limited access to care continued to have lower vaccination rates. Logistic regression demonstrated lower vaccination interest among unvaccinated women in 2010 than 2008. Respondents in 2010 were significantly less likely to give lack of knowledge as a primary reason for nonvaccination. CONCLUSIONS Uptake of HPV vaccine has increased from 2008 to 2012 in young women. Yet vaccination rates remain low, especially among women with limited access to care. However, unvaccinated women with limited health care access were more likely to be interested in receiving the vaccine.
Clinical effectiveness of ivermectin on bovine dermatophytosis.

Summary In the present study, clinical effectiveness of ivermectin on bovine dermatophytosis was evaluated. The material of the study consisted of 30 cattle, 20 experimental (Group I) and 10 control (Group II) animals aged between 3-14 months, diagnosed as dermatophytosis following clinical examination and microbiology. Clinical status of cases were scored on localization, size and number of lesions and condition of the cases were as follows mild (+), moderate (++) and severe (+++). During the study period, farm management practices of the animals were not changed. A single long acting injection of ivermectin at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg was subcutaneously administered to the animals in Group I. Animals in Group II served as a control and received no treatment. Following medical treatment and 45 days of observation period, recovery was recorded 18 animals from Group I (90%). No recovery was observed in the Group II. This study indicated that, ivermectin which is widely used as antiparasiter medicine, activate the immune system. For this reason, in the present study, first time, ivermectin was used in the treatment of dermatophytosis in ruminants with a 90% of recovery rate. These findings show that ivermectin can be used succesfully in the treatment of dermatophytosis infection in cattle.
Adding evidence-based behavioral weight loss strategies to a statewide wellness campaign: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES We determined the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of adding an evidence-based Internet behavioral weight loss intervention alone or combined with optional group sessions to ShapeUp Rhode Island 2011 (SURI), a 3-month statewide wellness campaign. METHODS We randomized participants (n = 230; body mass index = 34.3 ±6.8 kg/m(2); 84% female) to the standard SURI program (S) or to 1 of 2 enhanced programs: SURI plus Internet behavioral program (SI) or SI plus optional group sessions (SIG). The primary outcome was weight loss at the end of the 3-month program. RESULTS Weight losses differed among all 3 conditions (S: 1.1% ±0.9%; SI: 4.2% ±0.6%; SIG: 6.1% ±0.6%; Ps ≤ .04). Both SI and SIG increased the percentage of individuals who achieved a 5% weight loss (SI: 42%; SIG: 54%; S: 7%; Ps < .001). Cost per kilogram of weight loss was similar for S ($39) and SI ($35); both were lower than SIG ($114). CONCLUSIONS Although weight losses were greatest at the end of SURI with optional group sessions, the addition of an Internet behavioral program was the most cost-effective method to enhance weight losses.
Racial misclassification of American Indians and Alaska Natives by Indian Health Service Contract Health Service Delivery Area.

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the racial misclassification of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in cancer incidence and all-cause mortality data by Indian Health Service (IHS) Contract Health Service Delivery Area (CHSDA). METHODS We evaluated data from 3 sources: IHS-National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), IHS-National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR)/Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, and National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS). We calculated, within each data source, the sensitivity and classification ratios by sex, IHS region, and urban-rural classification by CHSDA county. RESULTS Sensitivity was significantly greater in CHSDA counties (IHS-NVSS: 83.6%; IHS-NPCR/SEER: 77.6%; NLMS: 68.8%) than non-CHSDA counties (IHS-NVSS: 54.8%; IHS-NPCR/SEER: 39.0%; NLMS: 28.3%). Classification ratios indicated less misclassification in CHSDA counties (IHS-NVSS: 1.20%; IHS-NPCR/SEER: 1.29%; NLMS: 1.18%) than non-CHSDA counties (IHS-NVSS: 1.82%; IHS-NPCR/SEER: 2.56%; NLMS: 1.81%). Race misclassification was less in rural counties and in regions with the greatest concentrations of AI/AN persons (Alaska, Southwest, and Northern Plains). CONCLUSIONS Limiting presentation and analysis to CHSDA counties helped mitigate the effects of race misclassification of AI/AN persons, although a portion of the population was excluded.
Creating Effective Employment Solutions for People with Psychiatric Disability

This paper sets out a proposal for a state-provided Job Guarantee (JG) for people with psychiatric disability. The role of the state in this employment model is twofold. First, the state must provide the quantum of JG johs required. Second, the state must ensure that the design of jobs is flexible enough to meet the heterogeneous and variable support needs of workers. This will require effective integration of the JG scheme with mental health, rehabilitation and einployment support services. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of disability employment reforms in assisting people to find, or return to, paid work. We argue that the poor employment outcomes from current programs establish the need for a paradigm shift in employment policy for people with psychiatric disability.
The interplay of friendship networks and social networking sites: longitudinal analysis of selection and influence effects on adolescent smoking and alcohol use.

OBJECTIVES We examined the coevolution of adolescent friendships and peer influences with respect to their risk behaviors and social networking site use. METHODS Investigators of the Social Network Study collected longitudinal data during fall 2010 and spring 2011 from 10th-grade students in 5 Southern California high schools (n = 1434). We used meta-analyses of stochastic actor-based models to estimate changes in friendship ties and risk behaviors and the effects of Facebook and MySpace use. RESULTS Significant shifts in adolescent smoking and drinking occurred despite little change in overall prevalence rates. Students with higher levels of alcohol use were more likely to send and receive friendship nominations and become friends with other drinkers. They were also more likely to increase alcohol use if their friends drank more. Adolescents selected friends with similar Facebook and MySpace use habits. Exposure to friends' risky online pictures increased smoking behaviors but had no significant effects on alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a greater focus on friendship selection mechanisms in school-based alcohol use interventions. Social media platforms may help identify at-risk adolescent groups and foster positive norms about risk behaviors.
Fatores de risco para peritonites e internações

INTRODUCAO: Investigou-se um universo de 30 criancas e adolescentes portadores de doenca renal cronica em tratamento dialitico, assistidos pelo Hospital das Clinicas da UFMG, a fim de determinar fatores de risco para a frequencia de peritonites e de internacoes. METODO: Estudo descritivo em que para a obtencao dos resultados utilizou-se o software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) versao 13.0. Testaram-se as variaveis: baixa escolaridade, baixa renda familiar, nivel de informacao inadequado, inadequacao da antissepsia das maos para a realizacao da dialise, ausencia de pia no quarto da dialise como fator de risco para maior frequencia de peritonites e internacoes. RESULTADOS: Os valores de Odds Ratio estiveram dentro dos limites dos intervalos de confianca (95%) e em alguns casos foram < 1, indicando a possibilidade de associacao negativa entre algumas variaveis independentes e as variaveis pesquisadas, embora sem diferenca estatistica significativa. CONCLUSAO: Nao foi detectada significância estatistica para as variaveis testadas, embora haja uma tendencia para a sua ocorrencia.
Does Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis cause Crohn’s disease?

Luminal delivery of phosphatidyl rich phospholipids appears to reduce mucosal inflammatory activity in a high proportion of patients with chronically active ulcerative colitis. The simplicity and apparent safety of this therapeutic approach offers new insights into the importance of the mucus barrier in the pathogenesis and treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Sexually transmitted infections among incarcerated women: findings from a decade of screening in a Los Angeles County Jail, 2002-2012.

OBJECTIVES We describe and report findings from a screening program to identify sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among female inmates in Los Angeles County Jail. METHODS Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening was offered to entering female inmates. Women were eligible if they were (1) aged 30 years or younger, or (2) pregnant or possibly pregnant, or (3) booked on prostitution or sex-related charges. Voluntary syphilis and HIV testing was offered to all women between 2006 and 2009. This analysis reports on data collected from 2002 through 2012. RESULTS A total of 76,207 women participated in the program. Chlamydia prevalence was 11.4% and gonorrhea was 3.1%. Early syphilis was identified in 1.4% (141 of 9733) and the overall prevalence of HIV was 1.1% (83 of 7448). Treatment levels for early syphilis and HIV were high (99% and 100%, respectively), but only 56% of chlamydia and 58% of gonorrhea cases were treated. CONCLUSIONS Screening incarcerated women in Los Angeles County revealed a high prevalence of STIs and HIV. These inmates represent a unique opportunity for the identification of STIs and HIV, although strategies to improve chlamydia and gonorrhea treatment rates are needed.
Polarization optics of twisted single-mode fibers.

In twisted single-mode optical fibers the polarization of light is affected by an elastooptically induced optical activity and by a modification of any linear birefringence present. These effects are discussed theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. The activity/twist ratio is alpha/tau approximately 0.13 . 0.16 universally in weakly guiding silica fibers. Twisted fibers may be used as polarization rotators. A fiber with a +/-68 degrees double twist operates as a fast/slow mode interchanger, suitable for delay equalization.
Ovário-histerectomia: estudo experimental comparativo entre as abordagens laparoscópica e aberta na espécie canina. Intra-operatório-I

The goal of this study was to compare the laparoscopic procedure for ovariohysterectomy (OVH) with the conventional approach. Parameters such as duration of the surgery, complications (hemorrhages, visceral and vascular lesions), technical difficulties and the extending incision required for removing internal organs were evaluated during the intra-operative phase. The costs of both approaches were compared as well. A total of thirty non-defined breed bitches weighting between 6,5 and 19,0kg were randomly distributed into two groups of 15 animals each. Group I was subjected to laparoscopic OVH and group II to the conventional approach. The duration of the surgery was longer and the degree of bleeding was lesser in the laparoscopy than in the conventional approach. Splenic lesions were observed in three animals due to the use of Veress needle or trocar. Extension of the original incision was required in both groups to remove uterus and ovaries. Conversion of the technique was not indicated. In conclusion, both approaches are safe and efficient for OVH in bitches. The surgical time was larger and the occurrence of hemorrhage was less intense with the laparoscopic procedure. Surgical costs were higher with the laparoscopy.