Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Self-Perceived Dental Esthetic on Psycho-Social Well-Being and Dental Self Confidence: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Female Students in Riyadh City

Purpose To assess the self-perceived psychological impact of dental aesthetics among female university students and its relationship to various sociodemographic factors. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 2400 female students from various departments of selected private and public universities in Riyadh City. Participants completed an Arabic translated version of the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetic Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and a short demographic sheet. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the sample’s sociodemographic characteristics as well as the mean PIDAQ scores. Bivariate analysis (ANOVA) and linear regression were used to investigate the impact of the sociodemographic factors on the mean PIDAQ scores. Results The pilot test revealed the instruments’ conceptual equivalence, semantic equivalence and ease of comprehension. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.81, indicating good internal consistency. The total sample was 1845 with a mean age of 20.74 years. The total mean score for the (PIDAQ) was 58.10 (SD=11.41). Significant differences were detected between different university affiliation in the dental self-consciousness (<0.0001), social (<0.0001) and psychological impacts (0.0256) and the total PIDAQ scores (0.0024). Significant differences were also detected between different disciplines in the dental aesthetics (0.0110) and social (0.0195) domains as well as the total PIDAQ scores (0.0144). College level was also a significant factor where middle students were significantly impacted socially (0.0026) compared to junior level students. As for the impact of income, those with the highest income displayed greater social impact (0.0039), psychological impact (0.0046) and impact on aesthetic attitude (0.0037) when compared to students with lower income levels. Conclusion Dental aesthetics was found to affect the psychological well-being of the subjects. University affiliation, faculty affiliation, college level, and level of income were all factors that significantly affected self-perceived aesthetics and psychosocial well-being.
The Relationship Between the Metabolic Syndrome and the Place of Residence in the Local Community on the Example of the Janów Lubelski District in Eastern Poland: A Population-Based Study

Purpose The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence concerning metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a local community with a low socioeconomic status and a medium and high cardiovascular risk on the example of residents of Janów Lubelski district, eastern Poland. The second goal of the research was to analyze the relationship between residence and the occurrence of MetS. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4040 people living in eastern Poland. A group of 3046 people with medium and high cardiovascular risk was selected among the respondents and included in further analyzes. The research adopted the definition criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program – Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) to implement diagnostic evaluation of MetS. Results It was observed that metabolic syndrome was significantly more frequent among the inhabitants of rural areas (40.56%; n=810) compared to those living in the city (35.27%; n=370) p=0.005. Among the inhabitants of rural areas, the percentage of people with elevated glucose levels was significantly higher, fasting blood glucose (FGB) p<0.001, elevated blood pressure (HBP) p<0.001, elevated serum triglycerides (TGs) p=0.01, and abnormal waist circumference (WC) p=0.003 compared to urban inhabitants. After adjusting for potential confounding variables (age, education, smoking, marital status, and level of physical activity), in both women and men, the odds of developing metabolic syndrome were approximately 30% higher in rural areas compared to urban residents (women: odds ratio (OR)=1.25, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=1.01–1.56; men: OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.01–1.67). Conclusion and Recommendations A higher incidence of metabolic syndrome was observed among respondents living in rural areas than those living in cities. Similarly, across the gender strata, metabolic syndrome is more commonly diagnosed among men and women living in rural areas. Healthcare workers, especially in rural areas, should engage in education, prevention, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Melasma: A Condition of Asian Skin

Melasma is a benign yet psychologically debilitating skin condition that is prevalent among women of darker phenotypes, and particularly in Asian women. This potentially preventable condition can lead to skin discoloration that is hard to treat and can frequently recur. This review aims to (1) highlight the pathophysiology of melasma, (2) describe its important risk factors, and (3) identify prevention methods, available treatment options, and potential complications of melasma. By raising awareness of this condition, we hope that physicians and patients will be able to be better informed to discuss screening options and to avoid preventable risk factors, especially in patients who are predisposed to the disease.
Dysregulation of miR-381-3p and miR-23b-3p in skeletal muscle could be a possible estimator of early post-mortem interval in rats

Background The post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed since the dead of an individual until the body is found, which is relevant for forensic purposes. The miRNAs regulate the expression of some genes; and due to their small size, they can better support degradation, which makes them suitable for forensic analysis. In the present work, we evaluated the gene expression of miR-381-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-144-3p in skeletal muscle in a murine model at the early PMI. Methods We designed a rat model to evaluate the early PMI under controlled conditions. This model consisted in 25 rats divided into five groups of rats, that correspond to the 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours of PMI. The 0 h-PMI was considered as the control group. Muscle samples were taken from each rat to analyze the expression of miR-381-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-144-3p by quantitative RT-PCR. The gene expression of each miRNA was expressed as Fold Change (FC) and compared among groups. To find the targets of these miRNAs and the pathways where they participate, we performed an in-silico analysis. From the gene targets of miR-381-3p identified in the silico analysis, the EPC1 gene was selected for gene expression analysis by quantitative RT-PCR in these samples. Also, to evaluate if miR-381-3p could predict the early PMI, a mixed effects model was calculated using its gene expression. Results An upregulation of miR-381-3p was found at 24 h-PMI compared with the control group of 0 h-PMI and (FC = 1.02 vs. FC = 1.96; p = 0.0079). This was the opposite for miR-23b-3p, which had a down-regulation at 24 h-PMI compared to 0 h-PMI (FC = 1.22 vs. FC = 0.13; p = 0.0079). Moreover, the gene expression of miR-381-3p increased throughout the first 24 h of PMI, contrary to miR-23b-3p. The targets of these two miRNAs, participate in biological pathways related to hypoxia, apoptosis, and RNA metabolism. The gene expression of EPC1 was found downregulated at 3 and 12 h of PMI, whereas it remained unchanged at 6 h and 24 h of PMI. Using a multivariate analysis, it was possible to predict the FC of miR-381-3p of all but 6 h-PMI analyzed PMIs. Discussion The present results suggest that miR-23b-3p and miR-381-3p participate at the early PMI, probably regulating the expression of some genes related to the autolysis process as EPC1 gene. Although the miR-381-3p gene expression is a potential estimator of PMI, further studies will be required to obtain better estimates.
COVID-19: The Level of Knowledge, Anxiety and Symptom Presentation

Objective This study aims to establish whether there is a relationship between the level of knowledge about COVID-19, anxiety scores, and pseudo increases in the symptoms of the patients or not. Methods The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health General Directorate’s COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) General Information, Epidemiology, and Diagnosis Guide were reviewed to generate the questionnaire’s content. The data were obtained through a face-to-face interview method. To test their level of knowledge about COVID-19, they were asked multiple-choice questions that have one or more possible right answers. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for statistical analysis. The results were presented as mean and standard deviations for numerical variables and as frequency and percentage for categorical data. Results A total of 402 patients were included in this questionnaire-based study. The average age of the patients was 44.67 ± 4.95 years, and 204 (50.7%) of them were female. The average anxiety score according to the BAI was 7.98 ± 1.29 which classifies as mild anxiety. The overall responses for the knowledge level on COVID-19 section are presented in Table 2. The average score was 9.2 ± 2.7 points out of a possible 14. Conclusion The study population showed a moderate level of knowledge, and on average, the patients were not very anxious about the outbreak. The psychosomatic effects of the anxiety caused by the pandemic should be kept in mind by the clinicians since the patients might require a psychiatric consultation in the treatment process.
The Efficacy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Female Infertility

Female infertility is a state of fertility disorder caused by multiple reasons. The incidence of infertility for females has significantly increased due to various factors such as social pressure, late marriage, and late childbirth, and its harm includes heavy economic burden, psychological shadow, and even marriage failure. Conventional solutions, such as hormone therapy, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo transfer, have the limitations of unsatisfied obstetric outcomes and serious adverse events. Currently, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as a new treatment for infertility, is gradually challenging the dominant position of traditional therapies in the treatment of infertility. CAM claims that it can adjust and harmonize the state of the female body from a holistic approach to achieve a better therapeutic effect and has been increasingly used by infertile women. Meanwhile, some controversial issues also appeared; that is, some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) confirmed that CAM had no obvious effect on infertility, and the mechanism of its effect could not reach a consensus. To clarify CAM effectiveness, safety, and mechanism, this paper systematically reviewed the literature about its treatment of female infertility collected from PubMed and CNKI databases and mainly introduced acupuncture, moxibustion, and oral Chinese herbal medicine. In addition, we also briefly summarized psychological intervention, biosimilar electrical stimulation, homeopathy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, etc.
COVID-19 in Rural China: Features, Challenges and Implications for the Healthcare System

Abstract A public health crisis is a “touchstone” for testing the ability and capacity of rural and urban health systems. In the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China, we track the features, challenges, and implications of the temporary disruption of the health system in rural China and its response to this major public health crisis. We examine the general content and logic of village pandemic prevention and control regarding COVID-19 through a case study. Accordingly, we identify the challenges to the rural health system, including logic failure and its causes. It is strongly suggested that the government strengthen rural health system reform, balance medical services between rural and urban areas, and strengthen public health awareness and education.
The Predominant Prognostic Significance of NOTCH1 Mutation Defined by Emulsion PCR in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Purpose NOTCH1mut represents a new prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The low sensitivity of the current methods may increase the risk of false-negative results, particularly in patients with low NOTCH1mut allelic burden. This study compared two methods of the NOTCH1mut assessment including droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and amplification-refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR) untreated CLL patients. Patients and Methods This study included 319 untreated CLL patients. Two PCR-based methods; ddPCR and ARMS-PCR were performed to assess the mutational status of NOTCH1. The Mann–Whitney, Fisher’s exact test, Kruskal–Wallis, Kaplan–Meier, Log rank tests and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model were used to analyze collected data. Results We proved that ddPCR increased the detectability of the NOTCH1mut compared to ARMS-PCR in CLL (18.55% vs 6%). We showed a shorter time to first treatment (TTFT) in the NOTCH1mut group of patients compared to the NOTCH1wt defined by ddPCR (1.5 vs 33 months, p=0.01). The TTFT survival curves analysis in subgroups divided according to the mutational status of IGHV and NOTCH1 assessed by ddPCR discriminated group with the best prognosis: IGHVmutNOTCH1wt. Multivariate analysis revealed that the mutational status of IGHV represented an independent prognostic factor for TTFT, while NOTCH1mut determined by ddPCR constituted as a dependent prognostic factor for TTFT. Conclusion The selection of the precise method of NOTCH1mut detection as ddPCR might significantly improve prognostic stratification of CLL patient. Assessment of IGHV might be relevant to more accurate discrimination of prognostic groups of CLL patients, especially in harboring NOTCH1mut irrespective of the quantity of allelic burden.
No Association between Neck Circumference and Free Triiodothyronine in Euthyroid Men

Objective Neck circumference (NC) is a simple anthropometric index for the assessment of upper body obesity. Thyroid hormones are closely related to obesity, body fat distribution indicators, and metabolic parameters. However, there are currently no reports on the association between NC and thyroid hormones in the Chinese population. This study aimed to explore the relationship between NC and thyroid hormones in men with normal thyroid function. Methods A total of 737 euthyroid men from Shanghai communities were enrolled. Anthropometric parameters, including NC and waist circumference (WC), were measured. Serum thyroid hormones were measured by electrochemical luminescence immunoassay. Results NC, WC, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly positively correlated with serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) (all P < 0.05). FT3 levels all presented significant upward trends with the increase in NC, WC, or BMI quartiles (all P for trend < 0.05), whereas there were no significant correlations between the three obesity indices and free thyroxine or thyroid-stimulating hormone (both P > 0.05). After adjustment for metabolic confounding factors such as age, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profiles, and CRP in multiple linear regression analysis, the correlation between FT3 and NC disappeared (standardized β = −0.015, P=0.705), and FT3 remained significantly associated with WC (standardized β = 0.103, P=0.012) and BMI (standardized β = 0.082, P=0.047). Conclusions In euthyroid men from Shanghai communities, there was no independent correlation between serum FT3 levels and NC. The trial was registered with ChiCTR1900024011.
Mas Receptor Blockade Promotes Renal Vascular Response to Ang II after Partial Kidney Ischemia/Reperfusion in a Two-Kidney-One-Clip Hypertensive Rats Model

Background Partial kidney ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is the principal cause of acute kidney injury. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and hypertension also may be influenced by renal IR injury. In two models of partial renal IR with and without ischemia preconditioning (IPC) and using Mas receptor (MasR) blockade, A779 or its vehicle, the renal vascular responses to angiotensin II (Ang II) administration in two-kidney-one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats were determined. Methods Thirty-seven 2K1C male Wistar rats with systolic blood pressure ≥150 mmHg were randomly divided into three groups; sham, IR, and IPC + IR. The animals in the sham group underwent surgical procedures except partial IR. The rats in the IR group underwent 45 min partial kidney ischemia, and the animals in the IPC + IR group underwent two 5 min cycles of partial kidney ischemia followed by 10 min reperfusion and partial kidney ischemia for 45 min. The renal vascular responses to graded Ang II (30, 100, 300, and 1000 ng kg−1.min−1) infusion using A779 or its vehicle were measured at constant renal perfusion pressure. Results Four weeks after 2K1C implementation, the intravenous infusion of graded Ang II resulted in dose-related increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (Pdose < 0.0001) that was not different significantly between the groups. No significant differences were detected between the groups in renal blood flow (RBF) or renal vascular resistance (RVR) responses to Ang II infusion when MasR was not blocked. However, by MasR blockade, these responses were increased in IR and IPC + IR groups that were significantly different from the sham group (P < 0.05). For example, infusion of Ang II at dose 1000 ng kg−1.min−1 resulted in decreased RBF percentage change (RBF%) from the baseline to 17.5 ± 1.9%, 39.7 ± 3.8%, and 31.0 ± 3.4% in sham, IR, and IPC + IR, respectively. Conclusion These data revealed the important role of MasR after partial kidney IR in the responses of RBF and RVR to Ang II administration in 2K1C hypertensive rats.
HPLC Quantification of Thymoquinone Extracted from Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae) Seeds and Antibacterial Activity of Its Extracts against Bacillus Species

The medicinal importance of Nigella sativa seeds for treating various ailments is portrayed by its traditional uses. Owing to its immense pharmacological importance, the thymoquinone phytoconstituent of N. sativa can prove beneficial for the South Asian countries including Pakistan, where this seed is commonly produced and healthcare facilities are limited. In this study, the antibacterial activity of various extracts of N. sativa seeds, extracted thymoquinone, and oil samples have been investigated against Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis using well and disc diffusion assay. The inhibition zones ranged between 7 and 44 mm against both the bacterial strains by well diffusion assay, while disc diffusion assay provided inhibition zones in the range of 7–23 mm. Commercial and local Kalonji oil samples were included in the study. Oil samples dissolved in methanol showed increased inhibition of bacteria. However, the extracted thymoquinone showed highest antibacterial activity. Medicine formulated using thymoquinone will prove to be an herbal alternate against the resistant microbiota associated with bacterial infections. Antibacterial activity against some Bacillus species will help signify the effect on normal gut flora when oral therapy is followed. Trying different extraction protocols can help increase extraction efficiency. Study on extraction of thymoquinone in local produce of black seed can be fruitful for conducting the stability studies and can help to gain maximum benefits from the bioactives. The crude extracts from 10 g of these seeds were subjected to preliminary phytochemical investigation. Results showed that although methanol extract had the presence of maximum phytochemicals, hexane extract was the most potent in terms of antibacterial activity. Thymoquinone, a therapeutically important bioactive in N. sativa seed, was extracted employing both solvents. TLC assay and UV spectroscopy were used for its qualitative assessment, while HPLC-UV quantification showed that 250 mg/mL of methanol extract had 368.3 μg/mL thymoquinone, while its successive extraction yielded 32.94 μg/mL thymoquinone.
The Association of Dietary Phytochemical Index with Metabolic Syndrome in Adults

In this study, we assessed the association between the dietary phytochemical index (DPI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among adults in a cross-sectional study. We enrolled 850 adult men and women aged 18–65 years who had been referred to health centers in Tehran, Iran. The DPI was calculated based on 8 components including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, soy products, nuts, seeds, olive, and olive oil. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the MetS across quartiles of the DPI were calculated using the logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, energy intake, marital status, education status, occupation, smoking status, physical activity, and body mass index. The mean age of participants was 44.7 ± 10.7, of whom 69% were women. The prevalence of MetS was 30.5%. The mean score of DPI in women and men was 36.2 ± 26.8 and 33.7 ± 24.7, respectively. There was no significant association between DPI and odds of MetS in men (ORfourth vs. first quartile,1.57; 95% CI, 0.64–3.84) and women (ORfourth vs. first quartile, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.50–1.49) in the fully adjusted model. There was an inverse association between DPI and increased risk of central obesity in women (ORfourth vs. first quartile, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.29–1.00; p trend = 0.03). There was no significant association between DPI and other components of the MetS in men and women. Finally, we observed no significant association between the DPI and the odds of MetS. However, the finding suggests that having a phytochemical-rich diet can be inversely associated with abdominal obesity.
A Case of Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast with Mixed Liposarcoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract Phyllodes tumors (PTs) account for less than 1% of breast tumors, and malignant PTs account for even less. Here, we described an unusual case of malignant PT with mixed liposarcoma (myxoid liposarcoma [MLP] and pleomorphic liposarcoma [PLP]). A 52-year-old woman discovered a small lump in her left breast. Twenty years later, the lump suddenly grew within 1 month. Mammography showed space-occupying lesions of the left breast. Histologically, the tumor was characterized by hypercellular stroma covering the epithelium and protrusion of the myoepithelium into the cyst to form a lobulated structure; regions of loose mucus and hypercellular structures alternated. A region of peripheral benign fibroadenoma was also observed, and many stellate and spindle cells or signet ring-like cells were identified in loose areas. Some areas showed a characteristic thin branching vascular pattern. In the cell-rich area, adipocytes and odd megakaryocytes were observed. Atypical mitotic figures were observed in the cell-rich and mucus areas (16 mitoses/10 high-power fields [HPF] and 2 mitoses/10 HPF, respectively). In the immunohistochemical analysis, a small number of tumor cells were positive for AE1/3 and vimentin, whereas all cells were negative for cytokeratin 34βE12, E-cadherin, p63, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and S-100, ruling out the possibility of metaplastic carcinoma. Interestingly, cyclin-dependent kinase 4, mouse double minute 2 (MDM2), and p16 were strongly positive in both loose mucus and cell-rich areas. However, the fluorescence in situ hybridization test results showed that MDM2 was not amplified. Combined with morphological characteristics, these findings supported that the tumor was a mixed malignant PT with MLP and PLP. Our patient did not receive radiation therapy, and after 47 months of follow-up, no recurrence or metastasis occurred. This case report serves to expand the morphologic spectrum of mixed malignant PT with liposarcoma.