Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy‐Affected Skeletal Muscles

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) represents a major unmet clinical need arising from the progressive weakness and atrophy of skeletal muscles. The dearth of adequate experimental models has severely hampered our understanding of the disease. To date, no treatment is available for FSHD. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) potentially represent a renewable source of skeletal muscle cells (SkMCs) and provide an alternative to invasive patient biopsies. We developed a scalable monolayer system to differentiate hESCs into mature SkMCs within 26 days, without cell sorting or genetic manipulation. Here we show that SkMCs derived from FSHD1‐affected hESC lines exclusively express the FSHD pathogenic marker double homeobox 4 and exhibit some of the defects reported in FSHD. FSHD1 myotubes are thinner when compared with unaffected and Becker muscular dystrophy myotubes, and differentially regulate genes involved in cell cycle control, oxidative stress response, and cell adhesion. This cellular model will be a powerful tool for studying FSHD and will ultimately assist in the development of effective treatments for muscular dystrophies.
Stress and sleep disturbances in female college students.

OBJECTIVE To describe the sleep characteristics and examine the associations among perceived stress, sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, and physical symptoms among female college students. METHODS A total of 103 students completed a battery of questionnaires. RESULTS The students experienced high stress during the school year. The majority of them slept less than 6 hours during weekdays and experienced moderate fatigue. High stress levels are associated with sleep disturbances, less nocturnal total sleep time, higher fatigue severity, and more depressive symptoms. Perceived stress and sleep disturbances are significant predictors for depressive symptoms and physical symptoms. Compared to the good sleepers, the poor sleepers reported more daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms, and physical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Interventions to reduce stress and improve sleep are critically needed in college education.
Swine flu in college: early campus response to outbreak control measures.

OBJECTIVES To describe student and faculty attitudes towards and adherence to nonpharmaceutical control measures during the first-known university outbreak of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1). METHODS Preferred information sources, control measure adherence and likelihood of adherence during future out-breaks, and perceived illness risk, were explored through focus groups and patient interviews. RESULTS We conducted 7 focus groups (N=48) and 9 patient inter- views. Measures (eg, hand hygiene, self-isolation while ill) were initially heeded. Limited information regarding A(H1N1) pdm09, insufficient understanding of university decisions, and perceived university alert overuse led to reports that future outbreaks would be regarded less seriously. CONCLUSIONS Reported concern and commitment to recommendations decreased rapidly. Initial university messaging and response was critical in shaping participants' later perceptions.
Disminución del número de neuronas que expresan GABA en la corteza cerebral de ratones infectados con rabia

Introduccion. Algunos signos clinicos de la rabia y estudios experimentales previos sugieren que esta infeccion viral podria afectar al sistema GABAergico. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de la infeccion con el virus de la rabia sobre la expresion de GABA en neuronas de la corteza cerebral de raton. Materiales y metodos. Se inocularon ratones adultos con virus CVS de la rabia por via intramuscular. Los animales se sacrificaron en la etapa terminal de la enfermedad y se fijaron por perfusion con paraformaldehido al 4% y glutaraldehido al 1%. Se procesaron cortes coronales de cerebro obtenidos en un Vibratome®, mediante inmunohistoquimica para identificar neuronas GABAergicas en la corteza cerebral. Se realizaron conteos y analisis cuantitativo de las neuronas positivas para GABA en muestras de ratones normales e infectados. Resultados. En los animales infectados con rabia no se altero el patron de distribucion de las neuronas GABAergicas corticales pero su numero disminuyo significativamente. El promedio de celulas positivas para GABA en 1 mm2 de corteza fue de 293±32 en los controles y de 209±13 en los infectados. Por otra parte, el valor promedio del area de los perfiles neuronales positivos para GABA aumento significativamente de 104±8 μm2 en los controles a 122±10 μm2 en las muestras infectadas, debido a que la perdida de celulas positivas para GABA fue mas evidente en las neuronas de menor tamano. No obstante, el rango de tamanos de las celulas inmunopositivas para GABA fue similar en muestras de animales normales e infectados. Conclusiones. Este trabajo aporta nueva evidencia en favor de la hipotesis que propone la participacion del GABA en la fisiopatologia de la rabia.
Maximum Independent Sets in Direct Products of Cycles or Trees with Arbitrary Graphs

Abstract The direct product of graphs G = (V (G),E(G)) and H = (V (H),E(H)) is the graph, denoted as G×H, with vertex set V (G×H) = V (G)×V (H), where vertices (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are adjacent in G × H if x1x2 ∈ E(G) and y1y2 ∈ E(H). Let n be odd and m even. We prove that every maximum independent set in Pn×G, respectively Cm×G, is of the form (A×C)∪(B× D), where C and D are nonadjacent in G, and A∪B is the bipartition of Pn respectively Cm. We also give a characterization of maximum independent subsets of Pn × G for every even n and discuss the structure of maximum independent sets in T × G where T is a tree.
Differences in prognostic factors and survival among white and Asian men with prostate cancer, California, 1995–2004

There are very limited data concerning survival from prostate cancer among Asian subgroups living in the U.S., a large proportion of whom reside in California. There do not appear to be any published data on prostate cancer survival for the more recently immigrated Asian subgroups (Korean, South Asian [SA], and Vietnamese).
Effects of Nitrous Oxide oa S)stolic Time Intervals

The elrects of inhalation of oxygen, nitrous oxide/oxygen and nitrous oxide/nitrogen/oxygen on systolic time intervals (PEP (pre‐ejection period) and LVET (left ventricular ejection time)) were investigated in eight healthy persons. Nitrous oxide 40%, administered with oxygen or oxygen /nitrogen, prolonged PEP significantly by 25% and 22%, respectively. Inhalation of oxygen also prolonged PEP but to a significantly minor degree.
Patient-Reported Immunosuppression Nonadherence 6 to 24 Months after Liver Transplant: Association with Pretransplant Psychosocial Factors and Perceptions of Health Status Change

Context Knowing the prevalence and risk factors of immunosuppression nonadherence after liver transplant may help guide intervention development. Objective To examine whether sociodemographic and psychosocial variables before liver transplant are predictive of nonadherence after liver transplant. Design Structured telephone interviews were used to collect self-report immunosuppression adherence and health status information. Medical record reviews were then completed to retrospectively examine the relationship between immunosuppression adherence and pretransplant variables, including sociodemographic and medical characteristics and the presence or absence of 6 hypothesized psychosocial risk factors. Setting and Participants A nonprobability sample of 236 adults 6 to 24 months after liver transplant at 2 centers completed structured telephone interviews. Main Outcome Measure Immunosuppressant medication nonadherence, categorized as missed-dose and altered-dose “adherent” or “nonadherent” during the past 6 months; immunosuppression medication holidays. Results Eighty-two patients (35%) were missed-dose nonadherent and 34 patients (14%) were altered-dose nonadherent. Seventy-one patients (30%) reported 1 or more 24-hour immunosuppression holidays in the past 6 months. Missed-dose nonadherence was predicted by male sex (odds ratio, 2.46; P = .01), longer time since liver transplant (odds ratio, 1.08; P = .01), pretransplant mood disorder (odds ratio, 2.52; P = .004), and pretransplant social support instability (odds ratio, 2.25; P= .03). Altered-dose nonadherence was predicted by pretransplant mood disorder (odds ratio, 2.15; P= .04) and pretransplant social support instability (odds ratio, 1.89; P= .03). Conclusion Rates of immunosuppressant nonadherence and drug holidays in the first 2 years after liver transplant are unacceptably high. Pretransplant mood disorder and social support instability increase the risk of nonadherence, and interventions should target these modifiable risk factors.
Relationship between Fragmented QRS Complex and Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function in Kidney Transplant Patients

Background Kidney transplant is a most important replacement therapy. It reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity but does not fully correct impairments in cardiac function. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complex includes various RSR′ patterns with different QRS complex morphologies on electrocardiograms. Objective To analyze fQRS frequency and the relationship between fQRS and left ventricular function in kidney transplant patients. Method After demographic data on 39 kidney transplant patients were recorded and biochemical parameters were investigated, electrocardiograms were evaluated for the presence of fQRS. Left ventricular ejection fraction, mitral annular plane systolic excursion, peak early diastolic mitral annular velocities, late diastolic mitral annular velocities, and systolic mitral annular velocity were analyzed. Results Fragmented QRS was detected in 16 patients. A history of hypertension was associated with the presence of fQRS. Patients with fQRS had significantly lower systolic and peak early diastolic mitral annular velocities, mitral annular plane systolic excursion, and left ventricular ejection fraction than did patients without fQRS (P = .03, .01, < .001, and .03, respectively). Conclusion Detection of fQRS on electrocardiograms may be useful in predicting systolic and diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle in kidney transplant patients.
Military maternal weight trends and perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE Obesity is epidemic in the United States and the prevalence is increasing. We sought to determine if the prevalence of obesity in women eligible for health care at military treatment facilities, specifically, active duty (AD) women, is increasing similar to national trends. METHODS Our retrospective cohort study evaluated selected outcomes in women delivering in 1999 and 2006. Women delivering living, singleton, term, nonanomalous neonates in 1999 and 2006 were eligible. Prepregnancy weight and weight gain during pregnancy were compared between the two populations, and data were stratified by AD status, age, and ethnicity. Obstetric outcomes were evaluated based on body mass index (BMI). RESULTS There were 1,543 and 1,745 mother-infant pairs available, respectively, for analysis. Prepregnancy BMI for all women evaluated increased significantly from 1999 to 2006 (25.0 vs. 25.6, p < 0.05). Prepregnancy BMI increased significantly for AD women between 1999 and 2006 (24.3 vs. 25.4, p < 0.05). The prevalence of overweight and obese women increased from 1999 to 2006 in the population evaluated (41.2% vs.46.2%, respectively), and this was demonstrated among all ethnicities. Obesity was associated with increased adverse obstetric outcomes. CONCLUSION We demonstrated increasing maternal obesity in a military population over time and associated adverse perinatal outcomes.
Screening for sickle-cell trait at accession to the United States military.

Condition Definition SCT is a heterozygotic carrier state in which an individual has one copy of the normal HbA gene and one copy of the HbS variant. Commercial tests for SCT have been available since the early 1970s. The sickle solubility test qualitatively detects the presence of HbS by precipitating sickle hemoglobin in the presence of an oxygen depleting reagent. With a sensitivity approaching 99% and a specificity of 100%, sickle solubility provides an accurate screening method. The hemoglobin electrophoresis test is a confirmatory test that quantifies the percentage of HbS and is therefore able to distinguish among the HbS disorders, such as SCT or sicklecell disease. According to the 59th Clinical Lab Flight at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (oral communication, November 2013), the U.S. Air Force (USAF) spends $4.86 on the sickle solubility test and $9.41 on the hemoglobin electrophoresis test.
Health care utilization behavior of veterans who deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

BACKGROUND Previous assessments of Afghanistan/Iraq Veterans have lacked a systematic overview of all injury and illness experiences captured by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care services. In this initial study, we quantify the health care utilization behavior of eligible Veterans and describe the level and type of usage among them. METHODS A roster of service members who have served in Afghanistan/Iraq and became eligible for VHA care between 2002 and 2010 and their corresponding administrative VA medical encounter data were abstracted from the VHA Office of Public Health Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn Health Surveillance System. RESULTS Between 2002 and 2010, approximately 55% of eligible Veterans accessed VHA health care. Higher utilization was observed among Veterans 50 years of age and older compared to younger Veterans. Higher utilization was also observed among Veterans with increasing cumulative deployment time. Mental disorder diagnostic codes accounted for the greatest number of visits per Veteran. CONCLUSIONS Veterans with mental health diagnoses may need a different level of care than other VHA users. Other service factors associated with utilization require further research to better understand the underlying relationship. Current observed results may be reflective of future expected utilization patterns and may assist in resource planning and research.
Doubts and Dilemmas with Double Degree Programs

The number and types of international joint, double and consecutive degree programs have sky-rocketed in the last five years, demonstrating that they clearly have a role in the current landscape of higher education. For many academics and policy makers, double and joint degree programs are welcomed as a natural extension of exchange and mobility programs. For others, they are perceived as a troublesome development leading to double counting of academic work and the thin edge of academic fraud. A broad range of reactions exist due to the diversity of program models; the involvement of new (bona fide and rogue) and traditional providers; the uncertainty related to quality assurance and qualifications recognition; and finally, the ethics involved in deciding what academic workload or new competencies are required for the granting of joint, double, multiple or consecutive degrees.This article aims to clarify the confusion about the differences between a joint, a double and a consecutive degree program by providing a conceptual framework of definitions. It provides highlights from recent research surveys and studies, and looks at new developments and innovations in establishing these types of collaborative programs. Finally, it examines the factors that challenge the operationalization of the programs and explores those issues that raise doubts and dilemmas and require further debate and analysis.ResumenLos programas de grado conjunto, doble y consecutivo han experimentado un extraordinario crecimiento en los últimos cinco años, tanto en su número como en su tipología, lo cual demuestra sin lugar a dudas que tienen un papel en el actual panorama de la educación superior. Una gran parte del mundo académico y los responsables del diseño de políticas acogen con satisfacción los programas de grado doble y de grado conjunto en tanto que ampliaciones naturales de los programas de intercambio y movilidad. Otros los consideran un desarrollo problemático que puede llevar a un doble cómputo del trabajo universitario y ser un primer paso en el fraude académico. La diversidad de modelos de programas, la participación de proveedores nuevos (reconocidos y fraudulentos) y tradicionales, la incertidumbre en torno al aseguramiento de la calidad y el reconocimiento de títulos, y, por último, los aspectos éticos implicados en la decisión de qué cargas de trabajo universitario o qué nuevas competencias son necesarias para conceder los grados conjuntos, dobles, múltiples o consecutivos dan lugar a una gran diversidad de reacciones.El objetivo de este artículo es aclarar la confusión sobre las diferencias entre los programas de grado conjunto, doble y consecutivo, para lo que aportamos un marco conceptual de definiciones. Presentaremos informaciones destacadas procedentes de estudios y sondeos recientes, y examinaremos nuevos desarrollos e innovaciones en el establecimiento de este tipo de programas colaborativos. Finalmente, revisaremos los factores que dificultan la operatividad de los programas y exploraremos los aspectos que plantean dudas y conflictos y que requieren un debate y un análisis más profundos.
The air we breathe: is it safe for children?

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2004; 33: 64-72 (Key words: air pollution, children, Sri Lanka) Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} doi: 10.4038/sljch.v33i3. 631
The Associations of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Uncarboxylated Matrix Gla Protein With Mortality in Coronary Artery Disease: The Heart and Soul Study

BACKGROUND Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (ucMGP), and fetuin-A are regulators of mineral metabolism and inhibitors of vascular calcification. Whether circulating levels of each are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events or mortality in populations without end-stage renal disease is unknown. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the associations of FGF23, ucMGP, and fetuin-A with mortality and CVD events. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING 12 outpatient clinics in the San Francisco Bay area. PATIENTS 833 outpatients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), recruited from 11 September 2000 to 20 December 2002. MEASUREMENTS Fibroblast growth factor 23, ucMGP, and fetuin-A concentrations were measured at baseline. Participants were followed until 1 December 2008 for mortality and CVD events. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 6.0 years, 220 participants died and 182 had CVD events. Compared with participants with FGF-23 levels in the lowest tertile, those in the highest tertile had 2-fold greater risk for mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 2.15 [95% CI, 1.43 to 3.24]) and CVD events (HR, 1.83 [CI, 1.15 to 2.91]) after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors, C-reactive protein levels, and kidney function. The highest ucMGP tertile was associated with lower mortality risk (HR, 0.48 [CI, 0.31 to 0.75]) and showed a nonsignificant trend toward lower CVD event risk by tertile analysis (HR, 0.65 [CI, 0.40 to 1.05])-an association that was significant when modeled continuously (P = 0.029). No significant association of fetuin-A with mortality (HR, 0.84 [CI, 0.55 to 1.27]) or CVD events (HR, 0.99 [CI, 0.64 to 1.55]) was observed. LIMITATION Participants had prevalent CAD. CONCLUSION In outpatients with stable CAD, higher FGF23 and lower ucMGP levels are independently associated with mortality and CVD events. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE American Heart Association.
Could Medicare Readmission Policy Exacerbate Health Care System Inequity?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently started publicly reporting hospital readmission rates. Health care reform proposals include readmission provisions as vehicles to promote care coordination and achieve savings. Current approaches ascribe variability in hospital readmission primarily to differences in patient medical risk and hospital performance. These approaches do not adequately account for the effect of patient sociodemographic and community factors that influence health care utilization and outcomes. The evidence base on cost-effective and generalizable care management techniques to reduce readmission is still evolving. Although readmission-related policies may prove to be a transformational force in health care reform, their incorrect application in facilities serving vulnerable communities may increase health care system inequity. Policy options can mitigate this potential.
Predictors of Intention to Quit Cigarette Smoking among Jordanian Adults

Objective: Having an intention to quit smoking is associated with quitting and is a step toward the required behavioral change. This study examines the predictors of an intention to quit and predictors of previous quitting attempt in a sample of adult Jordanian smokers (n=260). Methods: A cross-sectional study in a convenient sample of willing adults in Amman, Jordan (n=600). The survey included socio-demographic characteristics, history of tobacco smoking, environmental and behavioral determinants of smoking like peer influence, and perceived harm. Individuals who smoked a cigarette during the previous month were considered smokers and included in further analysis (n=260). Three multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to determine predictors of intention to quit in the next year, next 30-days, and predictors of a previous quitting attempt. Results: We found a high level of interest in quitting with the majority of the sample having had a previous quitting attempt (60%), more than half of the population considering quitting in the next year (57%), and 42% considering quitting in the next 30 days. Predictors found to be significant in this study, include heaviness of smoking, media antismoking message exposure, medical education, previous quit attempts, and smoker’s mental health. Conclusion: Findings document a high level of interest in quitting underscoring the urgent need to develop interventions that foster this desire and ensure success. Predictors found to be significant in this study should be considered in designing an effective intervention in this Middle Eastern country.