Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are There Differences Between Intradermal and Intramuscular Injections of Botulinum Toxin on the Forehead?

BACKGROUND The intradermal technique to inject botulinum toxin is a popular procedure in upper facial rejuvenation to minimize side effects, such as brow ptosis, and can sometimes result in a lifting effect. OBJECTIVE The present study investigated differences in effects according to injection modality. METHODS AND MATERIALS Fifteen women received intradermal injections of botulinum toxin (total dose, 8U) into the forehead, and 14 women received intramuscular injections. RESULTS The maximal antiwrinkle effect was recorded at Week 2, and the duration of the effect was the same in both groups. The brow position was lowered at Weeks 2 and 4 in the intramuscular injection group and was preserved in the intradermal injection group throughout the follow-up period. The amount of maximal voluntary eyebrow movement was decreased at Weeks 2 and 4 and recovered at Week 16 in both groups. The change in the electromyographic amplitude of the frontalis muscle was prolonged until Week 16 in both groups. Subjective satisfaction with wrinkles was similar in both groups. However, the intradermal injection was more painful. CONCLUSION Intradermal injection of botulinum toxin is a safe and effective method to improve forehead rhytides.
Case-Fatality Rate and Characteristics of Patients Dying in Relation to COVID-19 in Italy.

Only 3 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were identified in Italy in the first half of February 2020 and all involved people who had recently traveled to China. On February 20, 2020, a severe case of pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) was diagnosed in northern Italy’s Lombardy region in a man in his 30s who had no history of possible exposure abroad. Within 14 days, many other cases of COVID-19 in the surrounding area were diagnosed, including a substantial number of critically ill patients.1 On the basis of the number of cases and of the advanced stage of the disease it was hypothesized that the virus had been circulating within the population since January. Another cluster of patients with COVID-19 was simultaneously identified in Veneto, which borders Lombardy. Since then, the number of cases identified in Italy has rapidly increased, mainly in northern Italy, but all regions of the country have reported having patients with COVID-19. After China, Italy now has the second largest number of COVID-19 cases2 and also has a very high case-fatality rate.3 This Viewpoint reviews the Italian experience with COVID-19 with an emphasis on fatalities.
Australian Veterinarians’ Perceptions Regarding the Zoonotic Potential of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis

Public concerns over exposure to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) or MAP components via foods of animal origin could have negative trade consequences, despite the absence of conclusive scientific evidence of a causal association between Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) and Crohn’s disease (CD). This study was conducted among Australian veterinarians to understand (a) their perceptions regarding the role of MAP in the causation of CD (an ordinal outcome), and (b) their consideration of the adoption of the precautionary principle against Johne’s disease (JD; a binary outcome). Ordinal and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of explanatory variables with the above outcomes, respectively. Almost one-third of the respondents (32.2%) considered that MAP was likely to be involved in the causation of CD whereas more than two-thirds (69.8%) agreed with the adoption of the precautionary principle against JD. Veterinarians who were concerned about exposure to and/or getting infected with MAP were more likely to consider MAP as a causative agent of CD (odds ratio: 7.63; 95% CI: 1.55, 37.63) and favor the adoption of the precautionary principle against JD (odds ratio: 6.20; 95% CI: 1.90, 20.25). Those perceiving MAP as a causative agent of CD were also more likely to favor the adoption of the precautionary principle against JD (odds ratio: 13.2; 95% CI: 1.26, 138.90). The results suggest that Australian veterinarians, particularly those who consider MAP as a causative agent of CD are concerned about exposure to MAP and favor the adoption of the precautionary principle against JD. These findings can be useful for animal health authorities for designing JD control programs and policies.
Variations in gut bacterial communities between lesser white‐fronted geese wintering at Caizi and Shengjin lakes in China

The avian gut microbiota plays an important role in shaping the health of its host. However, knowledge of gut bacteria in birds lags behind that of other animals. In this study, we investigated the gut bacterial communities of lesser white‐fronted geese (Anser erythropus) wintering at Shengjin Lake and Caizi Lake, China, using high‐throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeq). Altogether, 1,053,624 high‐quality sequences and 4,405 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were acquired from 30 fecal samples (15 per lake). The OTUs represented eight phyla and 17 classes from the Caizi Lake samples and seven phyla and 16 classes from the Shengjin Lake samples. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla. The spatial distance and the Chao1, Simpson, and Shannon indices showed that the alpha diversity differed significantly between the samples from both lakes. The phylogenetic tree and heatmap analyses showed that all the Caizi Lake samples were clustered together and all the Shengjin Lake samples were clustered together. These findings suggest that diet may be an important driver of gut microbial community structure in the birds from each lake, and the obvious differentiation in their gut microbial structures may indicate that the bacteria are highly sensitive to food sources at both lakes.
Anatomic Features of Head and Neck Keratinocyte Cancer in Virginia.

BACKGROUND Keratinocyte cancer (KC) patients benefit from early diagnosis. We describe here the anatomy of head/neck KCs to help guide screening efforts. OBJECTIVE To examine lesion frequency and anatomic distribution of head and neck KC. METHODS This retrospective cohort study of 4,770 consecutive pathology reports, 1998 to 2015, analyzes 5,463 head and neck KCs (3,664 basal cell carcinoma [BCC], 1,259 squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], and 540 SCC in situ) from 3,581 patients. RESULTS Basal cell carcinoma relative tumor density (RTD) was highest on the nose; SCC RTD was highest on the cheek. Basal cell carcinoma-to-SCC ratio was highest on eyelid and lowest on scalp. Temple, ear, and neck SCC predominated in men; nose and cheek SCC in women. Scalp, temple, and ear BCC showed male predominance, while cheek, nose, and chin predominated in women. Left-sided ear SCC in situ and BCC were more common than right-sided ear lesions. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates gender- and laterality-specific differences that comport with patterns of solar exposure.
Serologic investigation of influenza A virus infection in dogs in Poland

The 2 predominant circulating subtypes of influenza A virus in the dog population, equine-origin H3N8 and avian-origin H3N2, constitute a potential zoonotic risk. We determined the prevalence of influenza A antibodies in 496 dogs in Poland and found 2.21% of sera positive by commercial ELISA. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays indicated 7.25% of sera positive using equine H3N8, swine H3N2, and pandemic H1N1 antigens, with the most frequently detected immune response being to H3N2. Considering interspecies transfer, reassortment ability, and close contact between dogs and humans, infections of dogs with influenza A virus should be monitored.
Plasma tau, neurofilament light chain and amyloid-β levels and risk of dementia; a population-based cohort study

Plasma biomarkers are promising tools for the early diagnosis of dementia and for monitoring its progression. In a population-based study, de Wolf et al. show that low amyloid-β42 and high NfL levels are associated, both independently and in combination, with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Clinical trials suspended in UK to prioritise covid-19 studies and free up staff

New clinical trials are being suspended to prioritise covid-19 studies and enable the redeployment of clinical staff to frontline care, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has said. Louise Wood, co-lead for the NIHR, said setting up of new Clinical Research Network (CRN) studies or new sites of ongoing studies would be “paused” so complete focus could be given to delivering research into covid-19.1 Trials in the recruitment stage may also be halted, with NHS trusts and health boards making decisions on a case by case basis. One of the trials halted at …
C8J_1298, a bifunctional thiol oxidoreductase of Campylobacter jejuni, affects Dsb (disulfide bond) network functioning

Posttranslational generation of disulfide bonds catalyzed by bacterial Dsb (disulfide bond) enzymes is essential for the oxidative folding of many proteins. Although we now have a good understanding of the Escherichia coli disulfide bond formation system, there are significant gaps in our knowledge concerning the Dsb systems of other bacteria, including Campylobacter jejuni, a food-borne, zoonotic pathogen. We attempted to gain a more complete understanding of the process by thorough analysis of C8J_1298 functioning in vitro and in vivo. C8J_1298 is a homodimeric thiol-oxidoreductase present in wild type (wt) cells, in both reduced and oxidized forms. The protein was previously described as a homolog of DsbC, and thus potentially should be active in rearrangement of disulfides. Indeed, biochemical studies with purified protein revealed that C8J_1298 shares many properties with EcDsbC. However, its activity in vivo is dependent on the genetic background, namely, the set of other Dsb proteins present in the periplasm that determine the redox conditions. In wt C. jejuni cells, C8J_1298 potentially works as a DsbG involved in the control of the cysteine sulfenylation level and protecting single cysteine residues from oxidation to sulfenic acid. A strain lacking only C8J_1298 is indistinguishable from the wild type strain by several assays recognized as the criteria to determine isomerization or oxidative Dsb pathways. Remarkably, in C. jejuni strain lacking DsbA1, the protein involved in generation of disulfides, C8J_1298 acts as an oxidase, similar to the homodimeric oxidoreductase of Helicobater pylori, HP0231. In E. coli, C8J_1298 acts as a bifunctional protein, also resembling HP0231. These findings are strongly supported by phylogenetic data. We also showed that CjDsbD (C8J_0565) is a C8J_1298 redox partner.
Extracellular Vesicles in Feto–Maternal Crosstalk and Pregnancy Disorders

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) actively participate in inter-cellular crosstalk and have progressively emerged as key players of organized communities of cells within multicellular organisms in health and disease. For these reasons, EVs are attracting the attention of many investigators across different biomedical fields. In this scenario, the possibility to study specific placental-derived EVs in the maternal peripheral blood may open novel perspectives in the development of new early biomarkers for major obstetric pathological conditions. Here we reviewed the involvement of EVs in feto–maternal crosstalk mechanisms, both in physiological and pathological conditions (preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm labor, gestational diabetes mellitus), also underlining the usefulness of EV characterization in maternal–fetal medicine.
'No one wants to look after the fibro patient'. Understanding models, and patient perspectives, of care for fibromyalgia: reviews of current evidence.

Fibromyalgia is a common and complex long-term pain condition. Despite advancements in our understanding and treatment of fibromyalgia, patients report patchy healthcare provision and frustrating journeys through the healthcare system. To inform how best to deliver care, we undertook two narrative reviews examining existing evidence on a) models of care for fibromyalgia and b) patients' experiences, preferences and unmet needs regarding their healthcare. Seven databases were systematically searched. Quantitative data was narratively synthesised and qualitative data thematically analysed. No evidence-based model of care covering the patient journey through the entire healthcare system was identified. Limited evidence suggests no clear benefit for ongoing care in secondary care settings. Patients with fibromyalgia report difficult interactions with the healthcare system that might equally be expressed by those with other longterm conditions, such as inconsistent and poorly coordinated care. However, they also face unique problems; fibromyalgia was often not viewed as a real condition, resulting in difficult encounters with healthcare staff, in particular not feeling believed or listened to. Significant delays in diagnosis were commonplace. Positive care experiences such as being listened to and shared-decision making made patients feeling better informed, well supported and more satisfied. There is little evidence to inform how best to organise healthcare for patients with fibromyalgia and ensure care is delivered in a coordinated and consistent way. These findings provide a strong rationale for developing a new model of care for fibromyalgia.
Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Alveolar Bone Destruction in Adult Rats Using CBCT

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has strong potential to be utilized in various aspects of veterinary dentistry. Using ex vivo rat maxillary bone and teeth, the purpose of this study was to compare gray value, surface area, and volumetric measurements of teeth with and without experimental periodontitis by CBCT. Periodontitis was induced in 36 molar teeth, while 36 teeth with a healthy periodontium served as control. Images of each specimen along with teeth were obtained using CBCT. The following measurements for each tooth with periodontitis (n = 36) were recorded: gray value measurement, width, height, depth, surface area, and volume of the alveolar bone loss. For the control group (n = 36), gray value measurement, surface area, and volume of the alveolar bone were recorded. All measurements were repeated after 3 weeks. As the gold standard, the rat maxillas were decalcified and paraffin-embedded for further immunocytochemical study. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. Significance level was set at P < . 05. Correlation values for gray value, width, height, depth, surface area, and volume measurements were 0.983, 0.966, 0.962, 0.880, 0.998, and 0.999, respectively, for the first and second measurements. One way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between teeth with and without alveolar bone destruction conducted for gray value, surface area, and volume measurements (P = .000). Mean gray value, surface area, and volume measurements decreased 56.46%, 81.89%, and 78.56%, respectively, for teeth with alveolar bone destruction in comparison to healthy teeth. Cone-beam computed tomography provided useful qualitative and quantitative information regarding induced periodontitis in the rat maxilla.
Women’s Involvement in Decision Making and Unmet Need for Contraception in Indonesia

Background: The issue of gender inequality in reproductive health has a role in determining contraceptiveuse in women. Gender issues related to inequality in decision making are the main context in family planninginterventions. The purpose of this study is to assess women’s participation in decision making and its relationto unmet need.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using IDHS data in 2012. The study involved 1516 womenof childbearing age (15-49 years) with married categories in areas with high unmet need (West Papua) andthe lowest unmet need area (Bangka Belitung). Results: Married women in the Bangka Belitung region have more power in decision making than marriedwomen in West Papua. Involvement in economic matters and the decision to use contraception as the mostdominant factor and involvement in the household have a significant relationship with the occurrence ofunmet need, as well as education, wealth, and experience in using contraception related to unmet need. whileage, fertility preference, husband’s desire to have children, and involvement in health and mobility were notdirectly related to unmet need.Conclusions: Better participation in decision making is higher for women in the Bangka Belitung regionthan in Papua. Empowerment of women in terms of the economy and the use of contraception needs to beimproved so that they have power in decision making.
EirA Is a Novel Protein Essential for Intracellular Replication of Coxiella burnetii

The zoonotic bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, a febrile illness which can cause a serious chronic infection. C. burnetii is a unique intracellular bacterium which replicates within host lysosome-derived vacuoles. The ability of C. burnetii to replicate within this normally hostile compartment is dependent on the activity of the Dot/Icm type 4B secretion system. In a previous study, a transposon mutagenesis screen suggested that the disruption of the gene encoding the novel protein CBU2072 rendered C. burnetii incapable of intracellular replication. ABSTRACT The zoonotic bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, a febrile illness which can cause a serious chronic infection. C. burnetii is a unique intracellular bacterium which replicates within host lysosome-derived vacuoles. The ability of C. burnetii to replicate within this normally hostile compartment is dependent on the activity of the Dot/Icm type 4B secretion system. In a previous study, a transposon mutagenesis screen suggested that the disruption of the gene encoding the novel protein CBU2072 rendered C. burnetii incapable of intracellular replication. This protein, subsequently named EirA (essential for intracellular replication A), is indispensable for intracellular replication and virulence, as demonstrated by infection of human cell lines and in vivo infection of Galleria mellonella. The putative N-terminal signal peptide is essential for protein function but is not required for localization of EirA to the bacterial inner membrane compartment and axenic culture supernatant. In the absence of EirA, C. burnetii remains viable but nonreplicative within the host phagolysosome, as coinfection with C. burnetii expressing native EirA rescues the replicative defect in the mutant strain. In addition, while the bacterial ultrastructure appears to be intact, there is an altered metabolic profile shift in the absence of EirA, suggesting that EirA may impact overall metabolism. Most strikingly, in the absence of EirA, Dot/Icm effector translocation was inhibited even when EirA-deficient C. burnetii replicated in the wild type (WT)-supported Coxiella containing vacuoles. EirA may therefore have a novel role in the control of Dot/Icm activity and represent an important new therapeutic target.
Growth, Carcass Composition, Haematology and Immunity of Broilers Supplemented with Sumac Berries (Rhus coriaria L.) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Simple Summary Widespread use of antibiotics is known to cause resistance in bacteria, yet they are routinely used to improve growth performance in meat chickens. We investigated two medicinal plants, thyme and sumac berries, for their ability to function as an alternative to antibiotics in the diet of broilers. The actual plants or parts of the plants have rarely been fed before as supplements, mostly their extracted oils have been used instead. In our study, they were fed at 1–3% of the diet to investigate if the effects were dependent on the dose. We found evidence of improved immune systems with both medicinal plants when the chickens were tested for resistance to Newcastle Disease and influenza. Sumac berries, and to a lesser extent thyme, reduced the fat content of the birds’ abdomen, by 62 and 41%, respectively, reflecting an observed reduction in lipids in the blood. It is concluded that these two medicinal plants offer potential to replace antibiotics in the diet of meat chickens, as well as offering benefits in reducing the fat content of the birds. Abstract Alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters for broilers could reduce bacterial resistance to antibiotics, while at the same time maintaining growth and improving carcass composition. We investigated the benefits of adding the medicinal plants sumac and thyme at 1, 2 or 3% of the diet for male Ross broiler chicks, with four replicates of ten birds in each treatment group and a Control. Feed intake was reduced for chickens fed the sumac supplements, and, at the two higher doses, defeathered body weight was also reduced. Abdominal fat was reduced by 41% in chickens fed thyme and 62% in those fed sumac. This reflected reduced low density lipoproteins in their blood, and in higher dose thyme treatments and all sumac treatments, reduced high density lipoproteins in blood. Apart from this, there was little effect of the supplements on carcass composition. Blood glucose was reduced in the supplemented chickens. There was evidence of higher antibody titers to Newcastle disease and influenza in supplemented chickens. It is concluded that both thyme and sumac offer potential to reduce fat content and improve disease responsiveness in broiler production systems.
Serum Levels of IL-22 in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Cutaneous Lichen Planus

Statement of the Problem: Lichen planus disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of mucosal and cutaneous tissues with yet unclear etiology and pathogenesis. Cytokines play an important role in the initiation, maintenance of inflammatory and intercellular crosstalk. Purpose: We assessed serum levels of IL-22 in patients with oral and cutaneous lichen planus and made comparison with healthy individuals. Materials and Method: In this case-control study, peripheral blood samples of 40 patients with lichen planus disease, included two groups of oral lichen planus (n=20) and cutaneous lichen planus (n=20) were compared with 32 healthy individuals in this case-control study. Serum samples were prepared from patients with lichen planus and IL-22 concentration was measured in each serum sample by using a commercial ELISA Kit. The obtained data were then analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis (one-way ANOVA) test. Results: The IL-22 serum levels were significantly higher in patients with oral lichen planus compared to the healthy control group (p< 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in serum levels of IL-22 in cutaneous lichen planus patients compared to the controls (p= 0.183). Conclusion: Increased IL-22 serum levels in patients with oral lichen planus may play an important role in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus. The administration of the recombinant or antagonist of IL-22 could be a new therapeutic opportunity in the treatment of oral lichen planus.