Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of lip pigmentation with smoking and gingival melanin pigmentation.

OBJECTIVE We investigated the association of lip pigmentation with smoking and melanin pigmentation in the gingiva. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Health check-up in an institute. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Photos of 213 males employed in an institution were assessed in terms of pigmentation in lip and gingiva. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence and scores of lip and gingival pigmentation and smoking status. RESULTS Among subjects displaying lip and gingival pigmentation, 73% and 87% respectively, were current smokers, whereas 33% and 27% of individuals lacking pigmentation were current smokers respectively. Odds ratios of current smoking relative to lip and gingival pigmentation were 5.6 (95% confidence interval: 2.8-11.1) and 17.0 (8.1-36.0) respectively. Daily consumption, duration of smoking and lifetime exposure exhibited significant correlation with scores of lip and gingival pigmentation (P<0.0001). Odds ratios increased in lip and gingival pigmentation upon exposure. In current smokers, scores of lip and gingival pigmentation demonstrated meaningful correlation (P<0.0001); moreover, 95% of participants with lip pigmentation were positive for gingival pigmentation. CONCLUSION These results indicated the presence of a striking association between smoking and pigmentation in the lip and gingiva, which was stronger with respect to gingival pigmentation. Health professionals could educate smokers, utilizing visible symptoms in the lip and gingiva.
An Error Correction Model Analysis of the Effect of Total External Debt on the Nigerian Economy (1980â€“2015)

This study used error correction model (ECM) to analyse the effect of total external debt (TED) on the Nigerian economy proxied by gross domestic product (GDP) during the period 1980-2015. The data such as TED and GDP were obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin. The result of the finding revealed that total external debt exerts negative and significant influence on GDP. This implies that, as total external debt increases, GDP also decreases and vice versa. Therefore, the researcher recommends that any external loan obtained by the government should be channelled to productive projects that yield high on returns on investment rather than allocating the fund to finance dead-weight debt, hence, engendering sustainable economic growth in the economy.
Honey dilution impact on in vitro wound healing: Normoxic and hypoxic condition

Honey is known as a popular healing agent against tropical infections and wounds. However, the effects of honey dilutions on keratinocyte (HaCaT) wound healing under hypoxic condition is still not explored. In this study, we examined whether honey dilution have wound healing potential under hypoxic stress. The antioxidant potential and healing efficacy of honey dilution on in vitro wound of human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT cells) under hypoxia (3% O2), and normoxia is explored by nitro blue tetrazolium assay. The cell survival % quantified by MTT assay to select four honey dilutions like 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01 v/v% and the changes in cellular function was observed microscopically. Further, the cell proliferation, migration, cell–cell adhesion, and relevant gene expression were studied by flow cytometry, migration/scratch assay, immunocytochemistry, and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The expression pattern of cardinal molecular features viz. E‐cadherin, cytoskeletal protein F‐actin, p63, and hypoxia marker Hif 1α were examined. Honey dilution in 0.1% v/v combat wound healing limitations in vitro under normoxia and hypoxia (3%). Its wound healing potential was quantified by immunocytochemistry and real‐time PCR for the associated molecular features that were responsible for cell proliferation and migration. Our data showed that honey dilution can be effective in hypoxic wound healing. Additionally, it reduced superoxide generation and supplied favorable bioambience for cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation during hypoxic wound healing. These findings may reveal the importance of honey as an alternative and cost effective therapeutic natural product for wound healing in hypoxic condition.
The Effect of Surgical Office-Based Thyroid Ultrasound on Clinical Decision Making

An important diagnostic tool for the evaluation of thyroid disease, thyroid ultrasound has recently become available for use in surgical offices. The purpose of this report is to determine the lesional sensitivity of office-based thyroid ultrasound and its impact on clinical decision making. Surgical office-based thyroid ultrasound was performed on 49 consecutive patients who presented with thyroid disease. Indications for sonography included a solitary palpable nodule (n = 32), multiple palpable nodules (n = 3), diffuse enlargement (n = 5), or other hormonal or radiologic abnormalities (n = 9). Thyroid ultrasound demonstrated 104 lesions compared with 38 lesions found on physical examination (P < 0.0001). In the subpopulation who underwent scintigraphy (n = 10), 24 nodules were identified by ultrasound and only 10 nodules were identified by scan (P < 0.01). Overall, office-based thyroid ultrasound impacted the clinical management of 40 patients (80%): in 16 patients, thyroid ultrasound was the only modality that demonstrated a multinodular condition, thus contributing to a decision to avoid surgery; 19 patients had ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of vaguely palpable or nonpalpable lesions; and 5 patients underwent ultrasound-guided cyst aspiration and follow-up. Office-based thyroid ultrasound performed by surgeons is a highly accurate imaging modality that identified significantly more lesions than physical examination or scintigraphy. Clinical management was affected through the identification of a multinodular process or through facilitation of accurate image-guided biopsy.
[Life style, Chlamydia trachomatis infection, bacterial vaginosis and their impact on the frequency of cervical lesions].

OBJECTIVES Sexually transmitted infectious factors attained unquestionable importance in the initiation of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and impact of Bacterial vaginosis, Chlamydia trachomatis infection in accordance to a life style on clinically and cytologically evaluated cervical lesions. DESIGN/METHODS Seventy-two young women without any symptoms were included to the study. Women underwent pelvic examination when cervical smears for cytology and Ch.tr. were taken and BV tests were performed. Presence of Chlamydia was estimated by direct immunofluorescent method. Subjects included to the study provided information concerning life style, and gynecological complaints. RESULTS In both BV(+) or Ch.tr. (+) women, abnormal PapTest results were more frequently observed. All those three factors correlated with declared over 5 lifetime sexual partners. Ch.tr. infection correlated with BC pills using, cigarette smoking and presence of the cervical lesions evaluated as glandular ectopy. Abnormal PapTest result was obtained in 12 subjects. Two, the most abnormal cases were described as LSIL and confirmed by direct biopsy as CIN 1, also with coexistence of C. trachomatis infection and positive for BV. CONCLUSIONS Ch.tr. infection seems to affect more frequently sexually active, smoking, young women using BC pills, with presence of cervical lesion described as clinically unsuspected glandular ectopy, although with occasionally cytological abnormal findings.
A Comparison of Metacarpophalangeal Joint Silastic Arthroplasty with or Without Crossed Intrinsic Transfer

Forty-three hands in 36 adults undergoing Silastic interposition arthroplasty of the index, middle, ring and little finger metacarpophalangeal joints for rheumatoid arthritis were randomly allocated to undergo replacement with or without crossed intrinsic transfer. The patients were reviewed at a median of 17 (range, 7–50) months after surgery. The demographic characteristics and pre-operative clinical measurements of the two groups were indistinguishable. Both groups showed improvement in ulnar drift and an altered arc, but no change in total range of motion at the metacarpophalangeal joints. Grip strength and pulp to pulp pinch were significantly and comparably improved in both groups. There was no difference in pain scores or perceived function between the treatment groups. It is concluded that crossed intrinsic transfer does not significantly affect the outcome of Silastic interposition arthroplasty of the metacarpophalangeal joints in rheumatoid patients.
Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β1) Down-regulates Notch3 in Fibroblasts to Promote Smooth Muscle Gene Expression*

Select signaling pathways have emerged as key players in regulating smooth muscle gene expression during myofibroblast and smooth muscle differentiation, an event that is important for wound healing and vascular remodeling. These include the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) signaling cascade, which has been assigned multiple roles in these cells, and the Notch pathway. Notch family members have been implicated in governing cell fate in a variety of cells; however, the mechanisms are not well understood. We sought to explore how these prominent signaling mediators regulate differentiation, and in particular, how they might converge to control the transcription of smooth muscle genes. Using TGF-β1 to induce the differentiation of 10T1/2 fibroblasts, we investigated the specific function of Notch3. Overexpression of activated Notch3 caused repression of TGF-β1-induced smooth muscle-specific genes, whereas knockdown of Notch3 by small interfering RNA did not convincingly alter their expression. Surprisingly, the addition of TGF-β1 caused a significant decrease in Notch3 RNA and protein and a reciprocal increase in Hes1 gene transcription. The repression of Notch3 was mediated by SMAD activity and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, whereas analysis of the Hes1 promoter revealed direct activation by Smad2 but not Smad3. Furthermore, the Hes1 repressor protein augmented Smad3 transactivation of the SM22α promoter. These results offer a novel mechanism by which TGF-β1 promotes the expression of smooth muscle differentiation genes through the inhibition of Notch3 and activation of Hes1.
Weather Risk–Reward Contract for Sustainable Agri-Food Supply Chain with Loss-Averse Farmer

Compared with the traditional agri-food supply chain (AFSC) whose only goal is to maximize economic benefits, the sustainable agri-food supply chain (SAFSC) starts to attract more attention. Typical challenges faced by SAFSC development are unfair pricing of produce, yield uncertainty caused by adverse weather, as well as conflict and cooperation between stakeholders and sustainable activities of SAFSC. In this paper, we establish a two-echelon decision-making model consisting of a loss-averse farmer and a loss-neutral company. A guaranteed price mechanism is contrived to mitigate the effects of uncertain procurement price on the farmers’ profit. It is found that this mechanism can improve the sustainable investment level but fails to reach the optimal level of the SAFSC system. Thus, a risk–reward contract taking into account the weather index (temperature) and the degree of loss aversion is designed. Results show that this contract can settle the distortion of the sustainable investment level and effectively motivate farmers to participate in the sustainable agricultural practice. Furthermore, we derive the conditions on the contract parameters under which both the company and the farmer are motivated to exert efforts to stand by sustainable agricultural practice.
Aesthetic outcome in patients after polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) cranioplasty — a questionnaire-based single-centre study

Abstract Objectives: Acquired skull deformities are common and most likely treated surgically by cranioplasty. Since data on patient aesthetic outcome after cranioplasty are rare in literature, we aimed to assess patient satisfaction after polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) cranioplasty in this study using a questionnaire. Methods: A patient questionnaire was developed to evaluate the grade of satisfaction after surgery. After approval by the institutional ethical review board, we were allowed to send to all 115 patients, who received a cranioplasty from 2001 to 2008 at the University Hospital of Zurich, our questionnaire once to retrospectively analyze the patient response together with the patient hospital records. Results: Out of 115 patients, 36 patients were lost to follow-up and our questionnaire was sent out once to 79 patients. Sixty-three of 79 patients replied to the questionnaire (79·7%) and 16 did not reply. Seventeen declined to participate in this study and out of the remaining 46 patients (58·2%, 18 women, mean age 54 years, range 20–83 years), who agreed to participate in this study, 22 (47·8%) judged their cranioplasty to be aesthetically ‘excellent’, 16 (34·8%) ‘favorable’ and 4 (8·7%) ‘poor’. Another four patients (8·7%) were not satisfied, asking for a surgical revision. Patient age and gender was not related to the assessment of the aesthetic result. A higher satisfaction grade was found in patients with primary PMMA cranioplasty compared to PMMA cranioplasty implanted during a second surgery (Fisher’s exact test, P = 0·031). A dent was strongly associated with absence of satisfaction (P<0·01, Fisher’s exact test). Conclusion: Our questionnaire was suitable to assess patient satisfaction after cranioplasty. Localization of cranioplasty showed to be an important factor of aesthetic outcome, especially in the fronto-temporal region where a carefully planned reconstruction should be performed to guarantee an excellent grade of satisfaction after surgery.
Cytokine profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage cells from mice with influenza pneumonia: consequences of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell depletion.

Cytokine production and mRNA profiles have been analyzed at the single cell level for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) populations from mice infected with an influenza A virus in the presence or absence of the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Phagocytes were identified by their capacity to engulf latex particles, but the cellular elements of this inflammatory process were otherwise not characterized. BAL preparations from undepleted mice contained numerous IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma-producing cells, with many fewer secreting TNF or IL-10. The frequency of mRNA+ cells detected by in situ hybridization was, in general, much higher than that for protein-secreting cells determined by ELISPOT analysis. In addition to IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma, large numbers of cells were found to contain IL-10 and TNF-beta transcripts. Depletion of CD4+ and CD8+ cells caused significant reduction in the frequency of IL-2 and IL-4-producing cells, but even simultaneous elimination of both T cell subsets failed to totally remove all cells producing these cytokines. Similarly, a residual population of IFN-gamma-producing cells remained after depletion of the CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. Likely sources of these cytokines (apart from NK cells) are the CD4-8- alpha beta and gamma delta T cells found previously in BAL populations from doubly-depleted mice infected with this virus. Somewhat surprisingly, mRNA for IFN-gamma, IL-5, and TNF beta was prevalent in cells that had engulfed latex particles, though mRNA for IL-2 and IL-4 was never detected in macrophages. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
South Korean views on Japan's constitutional reform under the Abe government

ABSTRACT In this Special Section, this article reviews South Korean views on Japan's ‘peace’ Constitution and the Abe government's attempts at constitutional reform. It identifies three different understandings among South Korean academics on why Japan is escalating attempts to revise the Constitution under the Abe government. An in-depth analysis demonstrates that all three perspectives pay specific attention to Japan's constitutional reform in relation to security policy changes. However, they differ in assessing the impact of Japan's constitutional reform on South Korea as well as how South Korea should deal with such a change. A minority opinion considers Japan's ‘remilitarisation’ through constitutional revision as conducive to South Korean security interests by increasing deterrence against North Korea, whereas the dominant opinion is that any attempt to revise the Constitution could be in and of itself a potential threat to South Korea's security due to a lack of trust attributed to unresolved historical conflicts between Korea and Japan. However, all three approaches pay hardly any attention to the positive role of Japan's peace Constitution while Japan's peace Constitution might provide a regional peace model in Northeast Asia.
Endocrine differentiation in mucoid carcinoma of the breast

Mucoid carcinoma of the breast is not a single homogeneous entity. It comprises two main variants separable on structural and cytological grounds and a smaller transitional type. The salient pathological differences are detailed. One variant is usually arygrophilic and contains dense core granules of the type seen in endocrine tumours. Both endocrine and amphicrine cells have been identified in this subtype. The relationship of this endocrine variant of mucoid carcinoma to other argyrophil carcinomas (so‐called ‘carcinoids’) of the breast is discussed.
Discrimination between circulating endothelial cells and blood cell populations with overlapping phenotype reveals distinct regulation and predictive potential in cancer therapy.

BACKGROUND Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have been proposed to predict patient response to antiangiogenic cancer therapy. However, contradictory reports and inconsistency in the phenotypic identification of CECs have led us to compare three cell populations with partially overlapping phenotype in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab. METHODS Patients (n = 20) with locally advanced pancreatic cancer were monitored during 16 weeks of neoadjuvant treatment with gemcitabine and bevacizumab. Detection of circulating cell populations was based on the marker combination CD45, CD31, and CD146; levels of viable and dead (7-aminoactinomycin D-positive) cells were evaluated by flow cytometry in 2-week intervals. RESULTS We were able to discriminate and concomitantly monitor three cell populations elevated in cancer patients. Whereas CECs were defined as CD45(-) CD31(+) CD146(+), the distinct populations of CD45(-) CD31(-) CD146(+) and CD45(-) CD31(high) CD146(-) cells were partly positive for CD3 and CD41, respectively. CECs and CD45(-) CD31(-) CD146(+) cells increased during therapy; the rise in dead cells was positively correlated with patient response or survival. Conversely, CD45(-) CD31(high) CD146(-) cells decreased in neoadjuvant treatment. A highly significant correlation was established for improved patient response and a minor decrease in viable cell counts. CONCLUSIONS Flow cytometric CEC analysis based on CD45, CD31, and CD146 requires careful discrimination between blood cell populations with overlapping phenotype showing hallmarks of activated T cells and large platelets. However, these three cell populations show distinct regulation during cancer therapy, and their concomitant analysis may offer extended prognostic and predictive information.
Promotion of breastfeeding in Poland: the current situation

Objective Exclusive breastfeeding is safe and beneficial for healthy infants; it is the optimal feeding method during the first 6 months of life. Infants should be complementary fed in conjunction with breastfeeding until 12 months of age or longer. The aim of the present study was to analyse the duration of breastfeeding through 12 months of age. Methods Participants were 1679 women from 42 randomly selected hospitals in Poland. The data were obtained from surveys, including a paper and pencil interview that was conducted after mothers delivered in the hospital and before discharge. Computer aided telephone interviews were administered at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months. Results There was a high rate of initiating breastfeeding after birth (97%), a rapid abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding (43.5% at 2 months, 28.9% at 4 months and 4% at 6 months) and an onset of formula feeding during the first days of life, which is contrary to current recommendations. Conclusions It is necessary re-educate mothers, medical staff who care for mothers and children during the perinatal period, and other specialists.
Epidemiology of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*

Objectives:Pulmonary complications are common following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Numerous idiopathic post-transplantation pulmonary syndromes have been described. Patients at the severe end of this spectrum may present with hypoxemic respiratory failure and pulmonary infiltrates, meeting criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome. The incidence and outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome in this setting are poorly characterized. Design:Retrospective cohort study. Setting:Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Patients:Patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Patients were screened for acute respiratory distress syndrome development within 1 year of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Acute respiratory distress syndrome adjudication was performed in accordance with the 2012 Berlin criteria. In total, 133 cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome developed in 2,635 patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (5.0%). Acute respiratory distress syndrome developed in 75 patients (15.6%) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and 58 patients (2.7%) undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Median time to acute respiratory distress syndrome development was 55.4 days (interquartile range, 15.1–139 d) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and 14.2 days (interquartile range, 10.5–124 d) in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Twenty-eight-day mortality was 46.6%. At 12 months following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 89 patients (66.9%) who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome had died. Only 7 of 133 acute respiratory distress syndrome cases met criteria for engraftment syndrome and 15 for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Conclusions:Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a frequent complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, dramatically influencing patient-important outcomes. Most cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation do not meet criteria for a more specific post-transplantation pulmonary syndrome. These findings highlight the need to better understand the risk factors underlying acute respiratory distress syndrome in this population, thereby facilitating the development of effective prevention strategies.