Dark Complexion Research Articles

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Malignant melanoma diagnosis applying a machine learning method based on the combination of nonlinear and texture features

Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. Melanomas are known as malignant tumors of skin cancer, resulting in an adverse prognosis, responsible for most deaths relating to skin cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer from dermoscopic images can significantly reduce mortality and save lives. In this paper, Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system based on machine learning algorithms is provided to classify various skin cancer types. The proposed method uses the Online Region-based Active Contour Model (ORACM) with a new binary level set equation and regularization operation to extract skin lesions' Region of Interest (ROI). Additionally, various combinations of different textures and nonlinear features are extracted for the ROI to show the multiple aspects of skin lesions. Several metaheuristic optimization algorithms are used to remove redundant or irrelevant features and reduce the feature space dimension. These are applied to the combination of the extracted features in which, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA II) as a multi-objective optimization algorithm has the best performance. Furthermore, various machine learning algorithms including K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Fitting neural network (Fit net), Feed-Forward neural network (FF net), and Pattern recognition network (Pat net) are employed for the classification. In this paper, the best-obtained evaluation parameters based on fivefold cross-validation belong to the combination of selected nonlinear indices, texture, and GLCM features with an accuracy: 92.24 %, specificity: 100 %, and sensitivity: 100 %, resulting through NSGA II and applying the pattern net classifier. Besides, the comparison between this paper's experimental results and other similar works demonstrates the proposed method's efficiency.

CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IN PAINTINGS: EXPRESSIONS BY CONTEMPORARY INDIAN ARTISTS

The present paper is an attempt to understand the relationship between the childhood experiences and its expression in visual art mediums such as painting, sculptures, and installations. Visual art is an important medium by which the subconscious mind finds its way for expression. In this research, some Indian contemporary artists have been studied on two parameters: first on their artwork and second on their childhood experiences. An attempt is being made to find out how the childhood experiences made an impact on their work. Both positive and negative experiences in childhood lead to creative pathways in an artist. The childhood experiences of these artists range from early demise of mother resulting in missing visage in paintings, to expression of darkness and death due to witnessing riots. The work of some artists who were abandoned ‘pink’ color due to dark complexion resulting in series of artwork titled ‘I hate pink’ or having positive experiences such as time spent with family being expressed in the form of family gathering paintings, are also elaborated in this paper. Psychologists have been finding ways to reach to the core of people’s mind to gain insight about the mental health issues and its causes or origins for an individual. The understanding of an individual’s artwork can be a way of identifying and understanding the expressions and reflections of that individual in drawings, paintings, and other visual art mediums.

Validity of self-reported skin color by using skin color evaluation scale.

Although skin color has been suggested to be associated with the risk of some chronic disease, there has been no validated visual skin-color scale, with which subjects can self-report their skin color. Our objective was to develop a visual skin color evaluation scale for self-reporting that would be useful in large-scale epidemiological studies. Study participants were 99 university Japanese students aged 19-29. We developed a skin color evaluation scale consisting of six colors from light to dark. Participants were asked to choose one color that was the closest to their skin color. Their skin color was measured on the back of the hand and the inner upper arm by an examiner using a narrowband reflective spectrophotometer. Self-reported skin color was compared with the melanin and erythema indices. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients of self-reported color with the melanin index after adjusted for age, temperature, and humidity were moderate but significant at both sites for both men and women. The correlation coefficients with the erythema index were significant only on the back of the hand for men. The higher melanin index was significantly associated with the darker skin color in both sexes for both sites. The erythema index showed such a significant trend only in men and not in women. The validity of the skin color chart was moderate of melanin among Japanese people. It may be useful for large population studies examining the relationships between skin color and health outcomes.

Skin Tone and the Health Returns to Higher Status.

This study addresses two questions. First, why do Black Americans exhibit worse health outcomes than White Americans even at higher levels of socioeconomic status (SES)? Second, are diminished health returns to higher status concentrated among Black Americans with darker skin color? Novel hypotheses are tested with biosocial panel data from Add Health, a nationally representative cohort of Black and White adolescents who have transitioned to adulthood. We find that White and light-skin Black respondents report improved health after achieving higher SES, on average, while their darker-skin Black peers report declining health. These patterns persist regardless of controls for adolescent health status and unmeasured between-person heterogeneity. Moreover, increased inflammation tied to unfair treatment and perceptions of lower status helps to account for patterns of diminished health returns for dark-skin Black groups. Our study is the first to document skin tone heterogeneity in diminished health returns and one of few studies to identify life course stress processes underlying such disparities. We consider additional processes that could be examined in future studies, as well as the broader health and policy implications of our findings.

Ionizing radiation and melanism in Chornobyl tree frogs.

Human actions are altering ecosystems worldwide. Among human‐released pollutants, ionizing radiation arises as a rare but potentially devastating threat to natural systems. The Chornobyl accident (1986) represents the largest release of radioactive material to the environment. Our aim was to examine how exposure to radiation from the Chornobyl accident influences dorsal skin coloration of Eastern tree frog (Hyla orientalis) males sampled across a wide gradient of radioactive contamination in northern Ukraine. We assessed the relationship between skin frog coloration (which can act as a protective mechanism against ionizing radiation), radiation conditions and oxidative stress levels. Skin coloration was darker in localities closest to areas with high radiation levels at the time of the accident, whereas current radiation levels seemed not to influence skin coloration in Chornobyl tree frogs. Tree frogs living within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone had a remarkably darker dorsal skin coloration than frogs from outside the Zone. The maintenance of dark skin coloration was not linked to physiological costs in terms of frog body condition or oxidative status, and we did not detect short‐term changes in frog coloration. Dark coloration is known to protect against different sources of radiation by neutralizing free radicals and reducing DNA damage, and, particularly melanin pigmentation has been proposed as a buffering mechanism against ionizing radiation. Our results suggest that exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation, likely at the time of the accident, may have been selected for darker coloration in Chornobyl tree frogs. Further studies are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of the patterns found here.

Phenotypic Colour Variants in Batches of Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus from Some Commercial Fish Hatcheries

Aims: This research seeks to determine the ratio of dark skin and pale skin coloured fingerlings in batches of fingerlings produced in commercial African catfish hatcheries in Makurdi, Nigeria.&#x0D; Study Design: The study was designed based on a structured questionnaire that was administered to farmers that were selected using random sampling from a list of African catfish farmers.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in Makurdi town, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Data collection was done between October 2021 and January 2022.&#x0D; Methodology: The current study used a blend of questionnaire and physical counting to determine the proportion of dark and pale offspring from five selected fish hatcheries in Makurdi, Local Government Area of Benue State. A sample of 140 to 300 offspring was made upon each visit to the farm (i.e. batch of production) with each farm being visited at least twice depending on the production timetable.&#x0D; Results: Results show that the farms normally incubated a similar weight of egg (p&gt;0.05) with the range between 258g to 550g in each batch of production. The number of fry produced was scaled to 90% and it ranged from 165075 to 351450. Percentage of dark hued offspring ranged from 80% to 86% while that of pale offspring was between 14% and 20%. There was no correlation between turbidity and the colour classification. There was no significant difference between the farms in terms of incidence of dark or pale hued fingerlings suggesting that the colour proportion is constant within batches of fingerlings.&#x0D; Conclusion: Dark skin colour is dominant over pale skin colour in the African catfish Clarias gariepinus and water quality does not predict skin colour in this species under culture.

Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in the umbilical cord blood - Correlation with light and dark maternal skin color.

During pregnancy, vitamin D deficiency is associated with negative health consequences for mother and child. Furthermore, dark skin color is associated with lower vitamin D levels. We investigated 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in mothers and in cord blood of their newborns depending on maternal skin color. We recruited 202 mother and child pairs at the University Hospital Zurich and measured 25(OH)D and PTH concentrations in maternal and postpartum umbilical cord blood. Skin type was self-reported based on the Fitzpatrick Scale (type I to V). Uni- and multivariate methods were used to compare the maternal and neonatal 25(OH)D and PTH levels by skin type (light: I-III vs. dark: IV-V). As many as 54.5% of all mothers and 41.1% of the neonates were 25(OH)D deficient. This was higher in the neonates of dark-skinned (55.9%) than in the neonates of light-skinned mothers (38.1%; p=.06). The correlation of 25(OH)D in the maternal with umbilical cord blood was high (light: r=0.85, dark: r=0.87), with higher concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D in the umbilical cord than in maternal blood. Regression analysis revealed that country of origin and maternal 25(OH)D concentration were the only statistically significant determinants for umbilical cord blood 25(OH)D. We observed no correlation of maternal with umbilical cord PTH concentrations; median PTH concentrations in the umbilical cord (5.6pg/ml) were significantly lower than in maternal blood (25.7pg/ml). The recommendation of vitamin D supplementation in newborns in their first 3 years of life should be particularly emphasized to dark-skinned mothers.

Skin Tone Bias in Crowdfunded Microlending

Entrepreneurs of color often face discrimination when seeking financial capital. The literature, however, is devoid of theory on how biases surrounding skin color per se shape access to capital, with most research focusing on racial categorization (e.g., White versus non-White). We explore the role of colorism—a form of bias based on skin color, irrespective of race. We leverage theory on colorism, which is closely linked to theory on social status, to develop arguments concerning how entrepreneur skin color influences microloan funding. We then examine how two strategies commonly used for attracting funds in prosocial domains—use of negative language and personal disclosure—act as moderators of the colorism-funding relationship. Results indicate that entrepreneurs with very dark skin color and those with very light skin color face worse funding prospects compared to those with moderate skin darkness. Use of negative language exacerbates the influence of skin color, thereby challenging the notion the negatively framed appeals are an effective strategy for driving funds to prosocial causes. Personal self-disclosure, however, mitigates the influence of skin color. Broadly, we advance research on bias and discrimination against entrepreneurs of color, while drawing attention to the inherent, setting-driven complexity of colorism.

Molecular Mechanisms of the Convergent Adaptation of Bathypelagic and Abyssopelagic Fishes.

Harsh environments provide opportunities to study how different species adapt, at the molecular level, to similar environmental stressors. High hydrostatic pressure, low temperature, and absence of sunlight in the deep-sea environment are challenging conditions for gene expression, cell morphology and vision. Adaptation of fish to this environment appears independently in at least 22 orders of fish, but it remains uncertain whether these adaptations represent convergent evolution. In this study, we performed comparative genomic analysis of 80 fish species to determine genetic evidences for adaptations to the deep-sea environment. The 80 fishes were divided into six groups according to their order. Positive selection and convergent evolutionary analysis were performed and functional enrichment analysis of candidate genes was performed. Positively selected genes (pik3ca, pik3cg, vcl and sphk2) were identified to be associated with the cytoskeletal response to mechanical forces and gene expression. Consistent signs of molecular convergence genes (grk1, ednrb, and nox1) in dark vision, skin color, and bone rarefaction were revealed. Functional assays of Grk1 showed that the convergent sites improved dark vision in deep-sea fish. By identifying candidate genes and functional profiles potentially involved in cold, dark, and high-pressure responses, the results of this study further enrich the understanding of fish adaptations to deep-sea environments.

Frequency of Use of Skin-Lightening Products, Levels of Self-Esteem and Colorism Attitudes in University Students of Karachi: A Cross Sectional Study

The objective of our study was to determine the frequency of use of skin lightening/whitening products, level of self-esteem among university students, and any association between them. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Medical and Dental College and the University of Karachi over a period of 12 months on a convenient sample of 499 students of both genders. Self-esteem was measured using Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, and the use of skin whitening products and attitude towards skin color was determined using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Out of n = 499 participants, 30.9% (n = 155) responded that they had used skin lightening products during their life. Of those who said yes, 15.1% (n = 76) responded that they are currently using such products. 63.8% (n = 321) classified their complexion as medium, 29.8% (n = 150) classified it as fair and 5.2% (n = 26) classified themselves as having dark complexion. 73% (n = 367) of people were completely satisfied with their complexion, while 20.1% (n = 101) wished for a lighter shade. Self-esteem scores were calculated, and it was found that 89.9% (n = 452) participants had scores above 15, and only 9.3% (n = 47) participants had low self-esteem, having scores below 15. Only 1% (n = 5) having dark complexion, 5.4% (n = 27) having medium complexion and 2.8% (n = 14) fair suffered from low self-esteem score. The frequency of use of skin lightening products was found to be low in university students from the sample population. The majority had good self-esteem and were satisfied with their complexion. There was no relationship between complexion and self-esteem in the study sample.

Vitamin D and COVID-19-Revisited.

Vitamin D, when activated to 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D, is a steroid hormone that induces responses in several hundred genes, including many involved in immune responses to infection. Without supplementation, people living in temperate zones commonly become deficient in the precursor form of vitamin D, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, during winter, as do people who receive less sunlight exposure or those with darker skin pigmentation. Studies performed pre‐COVID‐19 have shown significant but modest reduction in upper respiratory infections in people receiving regular daily vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D deficiency, like the risk of severe COVID‐19, is linked with darker skin colour and also with obesity. Greater risk from COVID‐19 has been associated with reduced ultraviolet exposure. Various studies have examined serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels, either historical or current, in patients with COVID‐19. The results of these studies have varied but the majority have shown an association between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of COVID‐19 illness or severity. Interventional studies of vitamin D supplementation have so far been inconclusive. Trial protocols commonly allow control groups to receive low‐dose supplementation that may be adequate for many. The effects of vitamin D supplementation on disease severity in patients with existing COVID‐19 are further complicated by the frequent use of large bolus dose vitamin D to achieve rapid effects, even though this approach has been shown to be ineffective in other settings. As the pandemic passes into its third year, a substantial role of vitamin D deficiency in determining the risk from COVID‐19 remains possible but unproven.

Race, Ethnicity, and Disparities in Rheumatology Educational Materials.

To characterize the representation of dark skin color in clinical images across 4 major rheumatology training resources. We gathered images of patients with rheumatic diseases from the American College of Rheumatology Image Library, UpToDate, the New England Journal of Medicine Images in Clinical Medicine and Clinical Cases filtered by "Rheumatology," and the 9th edition of Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. Investigators used Fitzpatrick's skin phototypes to independently code images depicting visible skin as "light" (skin types I to IV), "dark" (skin types V to VI), or "indeterminate." The representation of dark skin in clinical images was compared to the representation of Asian, Native American, and Black individuals within the US Census population and within lupus cases nationally. Of the 1,043 patient images included in the study, 13.4% had dark skin, 84.0% light skin, and 2.6% indeterminate skin color. Dark skin was underrepresented significantly in rheumatology educational materials and lupus images when compared with the representation of Asian, Native American, and Black individuals within the US Census population (13.4% versus 20.6%; χ2 =32.8, P < 0.001) and in published studies of patients with systemic lupus erythematous (22.6% versus 44.2%; χ2 =20.0, P < 0.001). Darker skin tones are significantly underrepresented in major rheumatology clinical image banks. Improving representation of racial and ethnic minorities in rheumatology education materials can better equip trainees to recognize and diagnose cutaneous manifestations of rheumatic diseases in these groups.

Does a Moderately Warming Climate Compensate for the Negative Effects of UV-B Radiation on Amphibians at High Altitudes? A Test of Rana kukunoris Living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Simple SummaryBoth the warming climate and ultraviolet-B radiation are notable environmental factors affecting tadpole development. However, the phenotypes of tadpoles living at high altitudes may be improved by moderately warming temperatures, reducing or eliminating the negative effects of oxidative damage caused by cool temperatures or strong ultraviolet-B radiation. To verify this hypothesis, Rana kukunoris tadpoles, which live at high altitudes, were exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation and ultraviolet-B radiation-free environments at 14 (cool temperature) and 22 °C (warm temperature), respectively. Ultraviolet-B radiation and a warm temperature had opposite influences on several traits of the tadpoles, and the moderate temperature could compensate for or override the negative effects of ultraviolet-B radiation by increasing the tadpoles’ preferred body temperature and critical tolerance temperature, thus enhancing the locomotion ability and thermal sensitivity of their antioxidant systems. The dark skin coloration and aggregation behavior of R. kukunoris tadpoles may also be effective strategies for allowing them to resist ultraviolet-B radiation and helping them to better adapt to a warming environment with stronger ultraviolet-B radiation. Thus, a moderate degree of warming may increase the capacity of living organisms to adapt to environmental changes and thus have positive effects on the development of tadpoles living at high altitudes.Both the warming climate and ultraviolet-B radiation (UVBR) are considered to be notable environmental factors affecting amphibian population decline, with particular effects on tadpole development. However, the phenotypes of tadpoles living at high altitudes may be improved by moderately warming temperatures, reducing or eliminating the negative effects of oxidative damage caused by cool temperatures or strong UVBR at high altitudes. To verify this hypothesis, Rana kukunoris tadpoles, which live at high altitudes, were used to test the effect of the interaction of temperature and UVBR on their development and antioxidant systems in a fully factorial design. The tadpoles were exposed to UVBR and UVBR-free environments at 14 (cool temperature) and 22 °C (warm temperature), respectively. UVBR and a warm temperature had opposite influences on several traits of the tadpoles, including their survival, developmental rate, individual size, preferred body temperature, thermal tolerance temperature, oxidative damage, and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems. The moderate temperature could compensate for or override the negative effects of UVBR by increasing the tadpoles’ preferred body temperature and critical tolerance temperature, thus enhancing the locomotion ability and thermal sensitivity of their antioxidant systems. Furthermore, the dark skin coloration and aggregation behavior of R. kukunoris tadpoles may also be effective strategies for allowing them to resist UVBR and helping them to better adapt to a warming environment with stronger UVBR. Thus, it is possible that a moderate degree of warming may increase the capacity of living organisms to adapt to environmental changes and thus have positive effects on the development of tadpoles living at high altitudes.

MATERNAL CHARACTERISTICS, FETO-MATERNAL OUTCOME AND SEASONAL VARIATION IN PRE-ECLAMPSIA WITH SEVERE FEATURES AND ECLAMPSIA

Aims&amp;objectives:- To study prevalence of pre-eclampsia, co-relation of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia with maternal characteristics,feto-maternal outcome,seasonal variation and sex of the fetus, if any. Materials&amp;Methoods- It was prospective observational study, carried out in obstetrics and gynecology department, MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala, a tertiary care rural hospital in North India, from 1st June,2020 to 31st December,2020. Maternal characteristics, risk factors, sex of fetus, adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were recorded and data analyzed. Retrospective analysis of patients with severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, for a period of 3 years from January,2018 to December,2020 was done to see seasonal variation. Results:- A total of 1275 births were recorded from 1st June,2020 to 31st Dec,2020. 114 women were diagnosed with Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with a prevalence of 8.94%. An increased incidence(75%) of severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in unbooked patients was seen. 87.5% patients were less than 30 years. 55% patients were primigravida. Severe preeclampsia-eclampsia was more in rural population(80%) with low literacy level(45%) and low socio-economic status(70%). Signicantly increased incidence(72.5%) of pre-eclampsia in women with dark complexion. 52.5% cases were seen in BMI range of 30.0-34.9. 42.5% patients presented before 34 weeks, 47.5% beyond 34 weeks and 10% within 48 hours post-partum. Singleton pregnancy was seen in 92.5% cases. Anemia was contributing factor in 42.5% and. 12.5% had APS. Caesarean rate was very high. Increased risk of severe pre-eclampsia has been observed while carrying a male fetus(67.5%). Patients with severe pre-eclampsia had increased risk of eclampsia(27.5%) and placental abruption(17.5%). FGR seen in 20%, with oligohydramnios in 15% cases. ICU admission with ventilator support needed by 10% while 5% had maternal deaths. Fetal complications, like pre-maturity seen in 50%, NICU admission required in 57.5% and intra-uterine death in 27.5%. Peak incidence recorded in summers(June-July). Conclusion-Unbooked/referred-in pregnancy, illiteracy, low socio-economic status, undiagnosed maternal risk factors, anemia pose a challenge for early diagnosis and management of severe pre-eclampsia&amp;eclampsia. Severe disease is usually early onset, more in dark complexion with male fetus in-utero with peak incidence in summer. Regular antenatal check-up with diagnosis of high-risk factors in rst trimester, to implement preventive measures should be universal guideline.

Cutaneous cancers in the Africans: Systematic review

AbstractIntroductionSkin cancers are uncommon in Africans and dark‐skinned people but when diagnosed they often have a poor prognosis. Darker skin has increased photoprotection against the high‐intensity ultraviolet radiation (UVR) of the tropics and the subtropics due to high eumelanin content. While UVR has been found to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cutaneous malignancies in Caucasians, it is of less significance in Africans.AimThis study aims to highlight the burden of cutaneous cancers in Africans, the predisposing factors, clinical features, and management challenges.MethodologyThis is a systematic review of literature on skin cancers in Africans. The search included PubMed, African Journal online, Medline, and Google scholar on articles published between January 1968 and December 2017 (a 50‐year period). Reports from institutions, pathology departments, skin clinics, cancer registries, and databases were reviewed. Articles were excluded if they do not specify types of skin cancers and frequencies of occurrence.ResultSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most documented skin cancer in Sub‐Saharan African countries with darker skin color; and BCC in North African countries with lighter skin color. The highest frequency of cutaneous melanoma was documented in Tanzania. Cancer registries in Uganda and Zimbabwe reported very high prevalence of KS. Albinism is the most common genetic predisposition for cutaneous cancers in Africans. There has been a general increase in the prevalence of skin cancers with the advent of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Africans with albinism present mostly with aggressive, invasive, and multiple SCC. Pigmented BCC and acral lentiginous melanoma were mostly documented in the dark skinned Africans. Management is mostly hindered by high cost and poor infrastructures.ConclusionSquamous cell carcinoma, BCC, and cutaneous melanoma were the most documented skin cancers. Oculocutaneous albinism, immune suppression (HIV), and oncogenic viruses were important risk factors for skin cancers in Africans. Public health strategies such as skin cancer screening programs for susceptible groups; training of health care workers and infrastructure development will help reduce severity.

Evaluation of yields on new varieties of hybrid watermelon

Watermelon is a very important commodity in food security, especially horticultural products. Watermelon hybrid varieties are proven to be able to increase production and income for watermelon farmers. Watermelon breeding continues to produce superior varieties. Pure strains of watermelon as parents in the propagation or production of hybrid watermelon seeds, are necessary for crosses between parents to produce F1 hybrids. Evaluation and selectionare important stages in a plant breeding program. The purpose of this study was to obtain information on theproduction of hybrid watermelons from the research team of the Politeknik Negeri Lampung watermelon breeder.This study used a Randomized Block Design with nine treatments (varieties) repeated three times. The results of the observations were analyzed using the LSD test at the 5% level. The results showed that the varieties WM200701 and WM200702 had dark skin color and red flesh. Sweetness level data were significantly different by 9.3 °brix andl0.15 °brix when compared to control (8.9 °brix). Varieties WM 200703 and WM 200706 have bright green skin color with thin stripes with red and yellow flesh color. WM 200704 and WM 200705 have red flesh and dark green skin with thick striations. WM 200703 has the highest fruit weight of 4.63 kg per fruit. The six hybrid varieties tested have the potential to be submitted for registration of the F1 hybrid watermelon variety.

Influencing Factors for use of Skin Whitening Creams

Aim: To determine the frequency of influencing factors for the use of skin whitening creams. Study design: Descriptive, Cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: Department of Dermatology, D.H.Q Hospital, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad from 7th August 2018 to 6th February 2019. Methodology: A total of 420 patients presenting with complaints of acne, excessive hair growth, permanent redness, skin sensitivity, irritation and dark complexion after the use of skin whitening creams of age 15-50 years were included. Patients with diabetes mellitus, asthma, hypertension and tuberculosis, pregnancy and PCOS were excluded. The demographic data, socioeconomic status, education level and the major influencing factors for the use of commercially available skin whitening creams were inquired. Results: In this study, I have found the frequency of influencing factors for the use of skin whitening creams were as follows; television commercials in 108 (25.71%), print media/magazine in 61 (14.52%), friends in 131 (31.19%), spouse in 48 (11.43%), beauticians in 42 (10.0%) and self-desire in 30 (7.14%) patients. Conclusion: This study has shown that the friends and television commercials are main influencing factors for the use of skin whitening creams. Keywords: Skin whitening creams, Factors, Television commercials.

Sun Exposure Is Associated with Reduced Breast Cancer Risk among Women Living in the Caribbean: The Atabey Study in Puerto Rico.

Though inconsistent, there is evidence that sun exposure is associated with reduced breast cancer risk. Previous studies have been conducted in geographical regions with seasonal variation in UV radiation, including periods of low to no exposure, and among participants mostly of European descent. Puerto Rico has no significant seasonal fluctuation, with continuous exposure to very high UV radiation. We conducted a population-based case-control study of breast cancer among women in metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico, examining a cumulative sun exposure index (SEI) based on a comparison of reflectance of sun-exposed and non-exposed skin. A chromameter was used to measure skin reflectance and estimate the difference between constitutive (unexposed) and facultative (exposed) skin pigmentation in 307 cases and 328 controls. Breast cancer risk factors were ascertained with interviewer-administered questionnaires. OR and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated with unconditional logistic regression. Adjusted breast cancer odds were lower for the highest tertile of the SEI (ORadj = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29-0.74). Results were similar within strata of estrogen receptor status. In analyses stratified by constitutive skin pigmentation, among participants with darker skin color, breast cancer risk was lower with more sun exposure (ORadj = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.16-0.70). We found lower risk of breast cancer associated with greater sun exposure in a population living with high, continuous sun exposure. This beneficial finding should be placed in the context of other effects of sun exposure. Sun exposure is a modifiable factor that may contribute, directly or indirectly, to lower breast cancer risk.

Factors associated with vitamin B12 deficiency in adults attending tertiary care Hospital in Vadodara: a case control study

BackgroundIn India, approximately 75% of population that is over 650 million people have B12 deficiency majority of which is caused by variation in demography, diet, and religion. Conditions such as smoking, alcohol, and antacid use are certain causes for incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency. Looking at various adverse health effects of drinking demineralized water, there is possibility that it may also be one of the newly associated factors for increasing incidence and prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency.ObjectiveTo assess the risk factors associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.MethodsA case control study was conducted at SSG Hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat, wherein all the patients visiting the hospital from November 2017 to June 2018 with symptoms suggestive of B12 deficiency and serum B12 level below 200pg/mL were included in the study. Information regarding the vitamin B12 deficiency was obtained from the patients. Controls were selected and matched with cases as per age group to minimize confounding.ResultsOur study showed statistically significant association of vegetarian diet (p value=0.0027, OR=2.00) (odds ratio), dark complexion (0.0069, OR=2.53), socio economic status (p value= 0.0001), and use of RO (reverse osmosis) water (p value=0.0099, OR=3.61) with vitamin B12 deficiency at 95% CI (confidence interval).ConclusionIndependent association between use of R.O. water, vegetarian diet, socio economic class, and dark complexion with vitamin B12 deficiency.