bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends of and factors associated with access to residential toilets among the middle-aged and elderly in rural China from 2011 to 2018
Authors: Wang Qun , Cao Huiyuan , Zhang Shuo 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
At the global and country levels, several important sanitation improvement initiatives were launched in the last decade. This study aimed to explore the temporal trend of and factors associated with access to residential toilets among the middle-aged and elderly in rural China from 2011 to 2018.

Methods
This study used the 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018 data of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). CHARLS was conducted among adults aged ≥ 45 years in 28 provinces of China. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regressions for data analysis.

Results
We found that residential toilet coverage increased by about 6% among population aged ≥ 45 years in rural China from 2011 to 2018. The coverage of flushable toilets and toilets with seats among this sector of the population increased by more than 10% during this period. We also found that being female, higher levels of education, higher annual per capita household consumption, having running water in the residence, larger household size, and better health status were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of residential toilet ownership among population aged ≥ 45 years in rural China.

Conclusions
China made progress in sanitation improvement in rural areas from 2011 to 2018. However, considering the current coverage levels of residential toilets and the vulnerable subgroups who are more prone to toilet deprivation in rural areas, we suggest to the government to implement further targeted toilet improvement interventions to ensure universal coverage of sanitation facilities for the whole of the Chinese population.
Clinical outcomes of endoscopic synovectomy with adjuvant radiotherapy of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the hip: a case series of single center
Authors: sun Hao , Ju Xiao-Dong , Huang Hong-Jie , Zhang Xin , Wang Jian-Quan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThough radiotherapy has been widely used for knee pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), there is few literatures about radiotherapy for the treatment of PVNS hip. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of endoscopic synovectomy with/without radiotherapy postoperatively of PVNS hip.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent endoscopy in our hospital from November 2010 to January 2021. Inclusion criteria was patients with magnetic resonance image (MRI) signs, endoscopic findings and/or histological evidence of PVNS. Exclusion criteria was patients lost follow-up. All patients underwent synovectomy endoscopically and were divided into two groups depending on receiving postoperative radiotherapy or not. The primary outcome measurements were the recurrence of PVNS, receiving revision, and/or converting to total hip arthroplasty (THA). The secondary outcome measurements were the patient-reported outcome (PRO) collected at pre- and post-operation, which consist of Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (IHOT-12), Non-arthritic Hip Scale (NAHS), and visual analog scale (VAS).ResultsIn a case series of 16 patients (8 cases of male, 50%), 4 (25%) cases were localized type and 12 (75%) cases were diffuse type. The average follow-up was 44.8 ± 38.2 months (range,3 to 110). 8 (50%) cases (6 diffuse cases and 2 localized cases) received radiotherapy postoperatively, and the rest (6 diffuse cases and 2 localized cases) received endoscopic treatment alone. At the latest follow-up, 3 (18.75%) cases (2 diffuse cases and 1 localized case) who did not receive radiotherapy converted to arthroplasty. The preoperative HOS-ADL, mHHS, IHOT-12, NAHS, VAS scores of remaining 13 patients were 63.1 ± 19.1 (range,32.0 to 98.8), 54.8 ± 20.1 (range, 10.0 to 77.0), 50.9 ± 15.4 (range, 31.0 to 76.6),51.6 ± 15.9 (range, 20.0 to 84.4), 6.0 ± 1.4 (range,4.0 to 8.0) points, respectively. The latest HOS-ADL, mHHS, IHOT-12, NAHS, VAS scores of the 13 patients were 79.7 ± 10.8 (range, 58.0 to 97.6), 78.6 ± 9.1 (range,55.0 to 87.0), 74.7 ± 9.7 (range, 55.6 to 91.0), 78.9 ± 18.7 (range,20.0 to 92.5), 3.1 ± 1.2 (range,2.0 to 6.0) points respectively.ConclusionEndoscopic synovectomy can achieve satisfactory PRO in PVNS hip patients. Besides, postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can achieve higher hip survivability than synovectomy alone in this present study.
Application of WeChat-based flipped classroom on root canal filling teaching in a preclinical endodontic course
Authors: Zhou Yi , Zhang Denghui , Guan Xiaoxu , Pan Qiaoya , Deng Shuli , Yu Mengfei 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
This study was aimed to evaluate the application of WeChat-based flipped classroom in root canal filling teaching in a preclinical endodontic course.

Methods
A two‐group comparative study was designed. The pre-class test, on-site quiz, and root canal filling on extracted premolars were performed by students from a lecture-based classroom group (LG, n = 30) and a WeChat-based flipped classroom group (WFG, n = 30). Results of the Pre-class test and on-site quiz were analyzed by independent samples t-test. Post-filling radiographs were taken and evaluated by a specialist in oral radiology who was blinded to grouping. Results of root canal fillings were analyzed by the Pearson chi-square test. Student responses in questionnaires were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test.

Results
The students in WFG could get significantly higher scores in the on-site test and make better performances in root canal filling than those in LG. In terms of questionnaires, students from WFG were perceived to be more motivated to learn, better to understand the knowledge, better to improve communication and clinical skills, easier to perform root canal filling but spending more time.

Conclusion
The WeChat-based flipped classroom teaching can have a better effect than lecture-based teaching on root canal filling learning for students with limited endodontic experiences.
Exploring how national educational organizations can promote educational research amongst members: a survey-based study
Authors: Butani Lavjay , Dallaghan Gary L. Beck 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Engagement of academic faculty in research remains low. While barriers to research have been explored, there are no data on how national organizations can help overcome these barriers. Our study explored faculty satisfaction and motivational drivers for engagement with research opportunities offered by the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP), an organization of pediatric medical educators, and characterize strategies perceived by faculty to promote the use of these opportunities.

Methods
In 2021, 5 survey questions were administered to faculty members of COMSEP to explore satisfaction with COMSEP’s research offerings, the perceived value of educational research, and the facilitators, barriers and potential opportunities for COMSEP to promote research. Clark’s Commitment and Necessary Effort model on motivation served as the theoretical framework for our study, which explores motivation, self-efficacy and contextual factors influencing an individual’s pursuit of goals. Chi-square analysis and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test were used to compare categorical and scaled variables among groups who did and did not avail of COMSEP’s research offerings.

Results
90 (25%) of 360 recipients responded. 61% expressed satisfaction with COMSEP’s research offerings. 68% indicated research was an expectation of their academic appointment, that education was their primary research focus (74%) and that they did not have other research opportunities that met their needs (58%). Of respondents, 75.7% of females had submitted a proposal compared to 60% of non-responders who were females. The comparison by gender was not statistically significant. Exploration by academic rank revealed that 35% of instructor/assistant professors had submitted a proposal compared to 65% of associate professors/professors (p =.05). Barriers leading to non-submission to any of the offerings included having too much other work, lack of enjoyment in writing and inability to find mentors. Respondents endorsed the importance of several strategies to promote engagement in research-skill building opportunities, personalized consultations and increased funding.

Conclusions
Faculty educators value the importance of educational research and recognize that research opportunities offered by COMSEP address an unmet need, but express ambivalence in the enjoyment of writing (reflecting their mood), and endorse structural barriers, that are amenable to change, affecting their personal agency.
Deep learning radiomics based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound images for assisted diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Tong Tong , Gu Jionghui , Xu Dong , Song Ling , Zhao Qiyu , Cheng Fang , Yuan Zhiqiang , Tian Shuyuan , Yang Xin , Tian Jie , Wang Kun , Jiang Tian’an 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Accurate and non-invasive diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) can avoid unnecessary puncture and surgery. This study aimed to develop a deep learning radiomics (DLR) model based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images to assist radiologists in identifying PDAC and CP.

Methods
Patients with PDAC or CP were retrospectively enrolled from three hospitals. Detailed clinicopathological data were collected for each patient. Diagnoses were confirmed pathologically using biopsy or surgery in all patients. We developed an end-to-end DLR model for diagnosing PDAC and CP using CEUS images. To verify the clinical application value of the DLR model, two rounds of reader studies were performed.

Results
A total of 558 patients with pancreatic lesions were enrolled and were split into the training cohort (n=351), internal validation cohort (n=109), and external validation cohorts 1 (n=50) and 2 (n=48). The DLR model achieved an area under curve (AUC) of 0.986 (95% CI 0.975–0.994), 0.978 (95% CI 0.950–0.996), 0.967 (95% CI 0.917–1.000), and 0.953 (95% CI 0.877–1.000) in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the DLR model were higher than or comparable to the diagnoses of the five radiologists in the three validation cohorts. With the aid of the DLR model, the diagnostic sensitivity of all radiologists was further improved at the expense of a small or no decrease in specificity in the three validation cohorts.

Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest that our DLR model can be used as an effective tool to assist radiologists in the diagnosis of PDAC and CP.
Predicting the time to detect moderately virulent African swine fever virus in finisher swine herds using a stochastic disease transmission model
Authors: Malladi Sasidhar , Ssematimba Amos , Bonney Peter J. , St. Charles Kaitlyn M. , Boyer Timothy , Goldsmith Timothy , Walz Emily , Cardona Carol J. , Culhane Marie R. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and devastating pig disease that has caused extensive global economic losses. Understanding ASF virus (ASFV) transmission dynamics within a herd is necessary in order to prepare for and respond to an outbreak in the United States. Although the transmission parameters for the highly virulent ASF strains have been estimated in several articles, there are relatively few studies focused on moderately virulent strains. Using an approximate Bayesian computation algorithm in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation, we have estimated the adequate contact rate for moderately virulent ASFV strains and determined the statistical distributions for the durations of mild and severe clinical signs using individual, pig-level data. A discrete individual based disease transmission model was then used to estimate the time to detect ASF infection based on increased mild clinical signs, severe clinical signs, or daily mortality.

Results
Our results indicate that it may take two weeks or longer to detect ASF in a finisher swine herd via mild clinical signs or increased mortality beyond levels expected in routine production. A key factor contributing to the extended time to detect ASF in a herd is the fairly long latently infected period for an individual pig (mean 4.5, 95% P.I., 2.4 - 7.2 days).

Conclusion
These transmission model parameter estimates and estimated time to detection via clinical signs provide valuable information that can be used not only to support emergency preparedness but also to inform other simulation models of evaluating regional disease spread.
Short-term intermittent cigarette smoke exposure enhances alveolar type 2 cell stemness via fatty acid oxidation
Authors: Irie Hidehiro , Ozaki Mari , Chubachi Shotaro , Hegab Ahmed E. , Tsutsumi Akihiro , Kameyama Naofumi , Sakurai Kaori , Nakayama Shingo , Kagawa Shizuko , Wada Sachika , Ishii Makoto , Betsuyaku Tomoko , Fukunaga Koichi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundCigarette smoke (CS) is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms are not well understood. We recently reported that mice exposed to long-term intermittent CS for 3 months developed more severe emphysema and higher incidence of adenocarcinoma than mice exposed to long-term continuous CS for 3 months and long-term continuous CS exposure activated alveolar stem cell proliferation. However, the influence of variations in the CS exposure pattern in alveolar stem cell in unknown. Here, we exposed mice to 3 weeks of continuous or intermittent CS to identify whether different CS exposure patterns would result in differential effects on stem cells and the mechanisms underlying these potential differences.MethodsFemale mice expressing GFP in alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells, which are stem cells of the alveolar compartment, were exposed to mainstream CS via nasal inhalation. AT2 cells were collected based on their GFP expression by flow cytometry and co-cultured with fibroblasts in stem cell 3D organoid/colony-forming assays. We compared gene expression profiles of continuous and intermittent CS-exposed AT2 cells using microarray analysis and performed a functional assessment of a differentially expressed gene to confirm its involvement in the process using activator and inhibitor studies.ResultsAT2 cells sorted from intermittent CS-exposed mice formed significantly more colonies compared to those from continuous CS-exposed mice, and both CS-exposed groups formed significantly more colonies when compared to air-exposed cells. Comparative microarray analysis revealed the upregulation of genes related to fatty acid oxidation (FAO) pathways in AT2 cells from intermittent CS-exposed mice. Treatment of intermittent CS-exposed mice with etomoxir, an inhibitor of the FAO regulator Cpt1a, for 5 weeks resulted in a significant suppression of the efficiency of AT2 cell colony formation. In vitro treatment of naïve AT2 cells with a FAO activator and inhibitor further confirmed the relationship between FAO and AT2 stem cell function.ConclusionsAlveolar stem cell function was more strongly activated by intermittent CS exposure than by continuous CS exposure. We provide evidence that AT2 stem cells respond to intermittent CS exposure by activating stem cell proliferation via the activation of FAO.
IR792-MCN@ZIF-8-PD-L1 siRNA drug delivery system enhances photothermal immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer under near-infrared laser irradiation
Authors: Wang Yongmei , Wang Haibo , Song Yuhua , Lv Meng , Mao Yan , Song Hongming , Wang Yuanyuan , Nie Gang , Liu Xiaoyi , Cui Jian , Zou Xueqing 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Despite extensive investigations on photothermal therapy, the clinical application is restricted due to poor stability, low therapeutic efficacy of photothermal therapy agents and its affinity loss in the multistep synthesis of delivery carriers. To address this, we designed an IR792-MCN@ZIF-8-PD-L1 siRNA (IM@ZP) nanoparticle drug delivery system. IM@ZP was prepared by in situ synthesis and physical adsorption, followed by characterization. Photothermal conversion ability of IM@ZP was assessed by irradiation of near-infrared (NIR) laser, followed by analysis of its effect on 4T1 cell viability, maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and the secretion of related cytokines in vitro, and the changes of tumor infiltrating T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in vivo. Subcutaneous 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse and lung metastasis models were established to investigate the role of IM@ZP in killing tumor and inhibiting metastasis in vivo.

Results
IM@ZP was uniform nanoparticles of 81.67 nm with the characteristic UV absorption peak of IR792, and could effectively adsorb PD-L1 siRNA. Under the irradiation of 808 nm laser, IM@ZP exhibited excellent photothermal performance. IM@ZP could be efficiently uptaken by 4T1 cells, and had high transfection efficiency of PD-L1 siRNA. Upon NIR laser irradiation, IM@ZP effectively killed 4T1 cells, upregulated HSP70 expression, induced DC maturation and increased secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 in vitro. Moreover, in vivo experimental results revealed that IM@ZP enhanced photothermal immunotherapy as shown by promoted tumor infiltrating CD8 +  and CD4 +  T cells and NK cells, and inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis.

Conclusion
Together, biocompatible IM@ZP nanoparticles result in high photothermal immunotherapy efficiency and may have a great potential as a delivery system for sustained cancer therapy.

Graphical Abstract
Effects of iron oxide nanoparticles as T2-MRI contrast agents on reproductive system in male mice
Authors: Yang Heyu , Wang Hui , Wen Chenghao , Bai Shun , Wei Pengfei , Xu Bo , Xu Yunjun , Liang Chaozhao , Zhang Yunjiao , Zhang Guilong , Wen Huiqin , Zhang Li 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs)-based contrast agents are widely used for T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical diagnosis, highlighting the necessity and importance to evaluate their potential systematic toxicities. Although a few previous studies have documented the toxicity concerns of IONPs to major organs, limited data are available on the potential reproductive toxicity caused by IONPs, especially when administrated via intravenous injection to mimic clinical use of MRI contrast agents. Our study aimed to determine whether exposure to IONPs would affect male reproductive system and cause other related health concerns in ICR mice. The mice were intravenously injected with different concentrations IONPs once followed by routine toxicity tests of major organs and a series of reproductive function-related analyses at different timepoints. As a result, most of the contrast agents were captured by reticuloendothelial system (RES) organs such as liver and spleen, while IONPs have not presented adverse effects on the normal function of these major organs. In contrast, although IONPs were not able to enter testis through the blood testicular barrier (BTB), and they have not obviously impaired the overall testicular function or altered the serum sex hormones levels, IONPs exposure could damage Sertoli cells in BTB especially at a relative high concentration. Moreover, IONPs administration led to a short-term reduction in the quantity and quality of sperms in a dose-dependent manner, which might be attributed to the increase of oxidative stress and apoptotic activity in epididymis. However, the semen parameters have gradually returned to the normal range within 14 days after the initial injection of IONPs. Collectively, these results demonstrated that IONPs could cause reversible damage to the reproductive system of male mice without affecting the main organs, providing new guidance for the clinical application of IONPs as T2-MRI contrast agents.
Graphical Abstract
All-in-one theranostic nano-platform based on polymer nanoparticles for BRET/FRET-initiated bioluminescence imaging and synergistically anti-inflammatory therapy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yan Xiangji , Yang Chunhua , Yang Mei , Ma Yana , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yujie , Liu Cui , Xu Qiuran , Tu Kangsheng , Zhang Mingzhen 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has evolved into a global burden given its high incidence. There is a clinical need to create better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to UC.

Results
We fabricated P-selectin binding peptide-decorated poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PBP-PLGA-NP) doped with two lipophilic dyes, DiL and DiD. Meanwhile, two low-toxic anti-inflammatory natural products (betulinic acid [BA] and resveratrol [Res]) were co-loaded in the PBP-PLGA-NP system. The BA/Res-loaded NPs had an average size of around 164.18 nm with a negative zeta potential (− 25.46 mV). Entrapment efficiencies of BA and Res were 74.54% and 52.33%, respectively, and presented a sustained drug release profile. Further, the resulting PBP-PLGA-NP could be internalized by RAW 264.7 cells and Colon-26 cells efficiently in vitro and preferentially localized to the inflamed colon. When intravenously injected with luminol, MPO-dependent bioluminescence imaging to visualize tissue inflammation was activated by the bioluminescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (BRET-FRET) effect. Importantly, injected NPs could remarkably alleviate UC symptoms yet maintain intestinal microbiota homeostasis without inducing organ injuries in the mice models of colitis.

Conclusions
This theranostic nano-platform not only serves as a therapeutic system for UC but also as a non-invasive and highly-sensitive approach for accurately visualizing inflammation.

Graphical Abstract
QR code model: a new possibility for GPCR phosphorylation recognition
Authors: Chen Hao , Zhang Suli , Zhang Xi , Liu Huirong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins in the human body and are responsible for accurately transmitting extracellular information to cells. Arrestin is an important member of the GPCR signaling pathway. The main function of arrestin is to assist receptor desensitization, endocytosis and signal transduction. In these processes, the recognition and binding of arrestin to phosphorylated GPCRs is fundamental. However, the mechanism by which arrestin recognizes phosphorylated GPCRs is not fully understood. The GPCR phosphorylation recognition “bar code model” and “flute” model describe the basic process of receptor phosphorylation recognition in terms of receptor phosphorylation sites, arrestin structural changes and downstream signaling. These two models suggest that GPCR phosphorylation recognition is a process involving multiple factors. This process can be described by a “QR code” model in which ligands, GPCRs, G protein-coupled receptor kinase, arrestin, and phosphorylation sites work together to determine the biological functions of phosphorylated receptors.
Graphical Abstract