bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tescalcin promotes highly invasive papillary thyroid microcarcinoma by regulating FOS/ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Zou Xiuhe , Zhou Qian , Nie Yan , Gou Junhe , Yang Jing , Zhu Jingqiang , Li Zhihui , Gong Yanping 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundPart of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has a high risk of tumor invasion and metastasis, which may occur in the regional lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis, severely threatening the life of patients. Invasion and metastasis are tightly involved in the proliferation, migration and invasion in cancer. This study aimed to investigate the role of tescalcin (TESC) in the proliferation, migration and invasion of PTMC.MethodsThe expressions of TESC in PTMC tissues and cells were detected by immunohistochemistry or qRT-PCR. Then, TPC-1 and BHT101 cells transfected with TESC-RNAi were used for the transcriptome sequencing. The proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of TPC-1 and BHT101 cells were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometric assay, transwell migration and scratch test. Moreover, TESC-RNAi transfected TPC-1 and BHT101 cells were subcutaneously injected into mice. Tumor volume and weight were calculated, and the positive rate of Ki-67 was determined by immunohistochemistry. Finally, the levels of c-Fos, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were determined by western blot.ResultsThe expressions of TESC in PTMC tissues and cell lines were prominently enhanced. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that c-Fos was decreased in TPC-1 and BHT101 cells transfected with TESC-RNAi, which was associated with multiple different signaling pathways including the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, TESC promoted the progress of PTMC by regulating the expression of c-Fos, which might be associated with the ERK signaling pathway.ConclusionsTESC promoted the growth and metastasis of PTMC through regulating c-Fos/ERK1/2.
An investigation of the Sustainability of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) amidst Covid-19 and its impact on household income levels: lessons from Malawi, Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Chidimbah Munthali George N. , Wu Xuelian , Nambiro Woleson Dzimbiri Mastano , Zolo Amon , K.B Mushani John , Banda Lazarus Obed Livingstone 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Food security, malnutrition, and poverty are some of the challenges that most of the sub-Saharan African countries have been historically facing. With the coming of Covid-19 pandemic, the sustainability of the Village Savings and Loans Association which are formed to counter fight these challenges is questioned.

Aim
This study aimed to assess factors associated with the Sustainability of VSLAs amidst Covid-19 and its impacts on households' income levels.

Methods
An online cross-sectional design was conducted from November to January 2021, targeting VSLAs members in Mzuzu. A snowball and respondent-driven sampling technique were used to recruit the needful participants using a referral approach. IBM SPSS version 23 was used to perform descriptive statistics, Chi-Square, and binary logistic regression with unstandardized Beta (β), Odds Ratios (OR), and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) being taken into account with P-value set at 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 significance levels.

Results
Our study finds that household income declined by 54% for those earnings belonged to ˂ MK5,000, as compared to 38% and 15% for medium (MK5,000 ≥ MK10,000) and higher (> MK10,000) income bands respectively. Our study shows that gender (β = 0.437, p = 0.094), age-group (β = 1.317, p = 0.000), education (β = 2.181, p = 0.047), share contributions (β = 1.035, p = 0.008), meetings (β = 0.572, p = 0.021), occupation (β = -0.453, p = 0.106), and frequency of meeting (β = -0.507, p = 0.049) were positively and negatively statistically significant predictors.

Conclusion
According to the findings of this study, households with lower income earners, which is one of the indicators of poverty, are more affected by the pandemic than their counterparts. We urge that the Malawi governments should maintain and, if they haven't already, implement programs that support low-income households, such as transfer payments, which have been shown to uplift people out of income poverty in many developing countries.
Range of invasive meningococcal disease sequelae and health economic application – a systematic and clinical review
Authors: Shen Jing , Begum Najida , Ruiz-Garcia Yara , Martinon-Torres Federico , Bekkat-Berkani Rafik , Meszaros Kinga 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is uncommon, life-threatening, with many diverse sequelae. The aims were to: 1) comprehensively characterise the sequelae; 2) have a systematic application for sequelae impact in economic evaluation (EE).

Methods
Sequelae categorised as physical/neurological or psychological/behavioural were identified from a systematic review of IMD observational studies (OS) and EEs in high-income countries (published 2001–2020). A comprehensive map and EE-relevant list, respectively, included physical/neurological sequelae reported in ≥2OS and ≥ 2OS + 2EE (≥1OS and ≥ 1OS + 1EE for psychological/behavioural). Sequelae proportions were selected from the highest quality studies reporting most sequelae. Three medical experts independently evaluated the clinical impact of findings.

Results
Sixty-Six OS and 34 EE reported IMD sequelae. The comprehensive map included 44 sequelae (30 physical/neurological, 14 psychological/behavioural), of which 18 (14 physical/neurological and 4 psychological/behavioural) were EE-relevant. Experts validated the study and identified gaps due to limited evidence, underreporting of psychological/behavioural sequelae in survivors/their families, and occurrence of multiple sequelae in the acute phase and long-term.

Conclusions
The considerable burden of IMD sequelae on survivors and their families is potentially underestimated in EE, due to underreporting and poorly-defined subtle sequelae. When assessing IMD burden and potential interventions e.g., vaccination, sequelae range and duration, underreporting, and indirect burden on dependents should be considered.
Association between dietary fiber intake and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in adults: a cross-sectional study of 14,947 population based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys
Authors: Zhang Shutang , Tian Jie , Lei Min , Zhong Canye , Zhang Yan 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the association between dietary fiber intake and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database.MethodsA total of 14,947 participants aged 20–79 from the NHANES database were included in this study between 2009 and 2018. The atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) score was utilized to predict the 10-year risk of CVD in individuals (low, borderline, intermediate, and high risk). Weighted univariate and multinomial multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the association between dietary fiber intake and long-term CVD risk.ResultsHigher dietary fiber density may be associated with a reduced ASCVD risk in participants with intermediate risk [odds ratio (OR) = 0.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61–0.94] and high risk (OR = 0.60; 95%CI, 0.45–0.81) compared with those in the group with low risk. Higher total dietary fiber intake may also reduce ASCVD risk in participants with high risk (OR = 0.84; 95%CI, 0.75–0.95). Subgroup analyses showed that higher dietary fiber density may be related to reduced ASCVD risk in intermediate-risk participants aged 20–39 (OR = 0.62; 95%CI, 0.43–0.89) and 40–59 (OR = 0.67; 95%CI, 0.49–0.94). In high-risk participants, higher dietary fiber density may reduce ASCVD risk in 20–39-year-old (OR = 0.38; 95%CI, 0.19–0.77), 40–59-year-old (OR = 0.37; 95%CI, 0.20–0.70), male (OR = 0.47; 95%CI, 0.23–0.97) and female (OR = 0.57; 95%CI, 0.38–0.86) participants.ConclusionHigher dietary fiber density and total dietary fiber intake were associated with a lower long-term CVD risk, especially in the 20–39 and 40–59 age groups, where the reduction was most significant.
Levels of HIV/AIDS stigma and associated factors among sexually active Ethiopians: analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey Data
Authors: Feyasa Merga Belina , Gebre Mamo Nigatu , Dadi Teshome Kabeta 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Stigma and discrimination have fueled the transmission of the disease and dramatically increased its negative public health impact. Even though the disease has extremely ravaged human life, stigma, and discrimination attached to it are not well addressed in Ethiopia at the country level. The reduction of stigma and discrimination in a population are important indicators of the success of programs that target HIV prevention and control. This study aimed to assess the level of HIV-related stigma and its determinants among sexually active Ethiopians.

Methods
A public domain data were obtained from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey in which two-stage cross-sectional stratified cluster sampling was applied. A total of 28,371 sexually active Ethiopians were interviewed from both rural and urban parts of Ethiopia. Descriptive Statistics and multilevel ordinal logistic regression (proportional odds model) were used to summarize data and to investigate correlates of HIV-related stigma.

Results
Only 5.1% (95% CI: 4.5%, 5.8%) of sexually active Ethiopians did not have a stigmatizing attitude, whereas, 59.2% (95% CI: 57.3%, 61.1%) and 35.65% (95% CI: 33.5%, 37.9%) of them had a moderate and high level of stigma respectively. Regression results show that residence (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI:1.46, 2.27), education (AOR = 0.65,95% CI: 0.50,0.84), owning mobile (AOR = 0.63,95% CI:0.55,0.72), HIV-testing (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI:0.70,0.84), age (AOR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.91), religion (AOR = 1.53,95% CI:1.33,1.76), and marital status (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI:1.19, 1.61) were significantly associated with HIV-related stigma (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion
Regardless of all efforts put in a place to prevent and control HIV, a significant proportion of sexually active Ethiopians have stigmatizing attitudes. Residence, educational level, owning mobile, HIV test uptake, age, religion, and marital status were determinants of HIV-related stigma. Expanding mobile coverage, promoting HIV counseling and tests, promoting HIV education, and working with religious leaders, among other strategies could be used to minimize the stigma attached to the disease to best prevent and control it.
Implementing community-based Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing for HIV and hepatitis C: a qualitative analysis of key facilitators and ongoing challenges
Authors: Young James , Ablona Aidan , Klassen Benjamin J. , Higgins Rob , Kim John , Lavoie Stephanie , Knight Rod , Lachowsky Nathan J. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
In 2018, the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) invited gay, bisexual, trans, queer men and Two-Spirit and non-binary people (GBT2Q) at Pride Festivals across Canada to complete in-person Sex Now surveys and provide optional dried blood spot (DBS) samples screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). As there is a lack of research evaluating the implementation of DBS sampling for GBT2Q in community settings, we aimed to evaluate this intervention, identifying key facilitators and ongoing challenges to implementing community-based DBS screening for HIV/HCV among GBT2Q.

Methods
We conducted sixteen one-on-one interviews with individuals involved with the community-based DBS collection protocol, including research staff, site coordinators, and volunteer DBS collectors. Most individuals involved with DBS collection were “peers” (GBT2Q-identified). The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided our data collection and analysis.

Results
Interviewees felt that DBS collection was a low-barrier, cost-effective, and simple way for peers to quickly screen a large number of Sex Now respondents. Interviewees also noted that the community and peer-based aspects of the research helped drive recruitment of Sex Now respondents. Most interviewees felt that the provision of results took too long, and that some Sex Now respondents would have preferred to receive their test results immediately (e.g., rapid or point-of-care testing).

Conclusion
Peer-based DBS sampling can be an effective and relatively simple way to screen GBT2Q at Pride Festivals for more than one sexually transmitted and blood borne infection.
Accelerometer-measured physical activity is associated with knee breadth in middle-aged Finns – a population-based study
Authors: Junno Juho-Antti , Keisu Asla , Niemelä Maisa , Modarress Julin Marella , Korpelainen Raija , Jämsä Timo , Niinimäki Jaakko , Lehenkari Petri , Oura Petteri 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Articular surface size is traditionally considered to be a relatively stable trait throughout adulthood. Increased joint size reduces bone and cartilage tissue strains. Although physical activity (PA) has a clear association with diaphyseal morphology, the association between PA and articular surface size is yet to be confirmed. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the role of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in knee morphology in terms of tibiofemoral joint size.

Methods
A sample of 1508 individuals from the population-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 was used. At the age of 46, wrist-worn accelerometers were used to monitor MVPA (≥3.5 METs) during a period of two weeks, and knee radiographs were used to obtain three knee breadth measurements (femoral biepicondylar breadth, mediolateral breadth of femoral condyles, mediolateral breadth of the tibial plateau). The association between MVPA and knee breadth was analyzed using general linear models with adjustments for body mass index, smoking, education years, and accelerometer weartime.

Results
Of the sample, 54.8% were women. Most individuals were non-smokers (54.6%) and had 9—12 years of education (69.6%). Mean body mass index was 26.2 (standard deviation 4.3) kg/m2. MVPA was uniformly associated with all three knee breadth measurements among both women and men. For each 60 minutes/day of MVPA, the knee breadth dimensions were 1.8—2.0% (or 1.26—1.42 mm) larger among women (p < 0.001) and 1.4—1.6% (or 1.21—1.28 mm) larger among men (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Higher MVPA is associated with larger tibiofemoral joint size. Our findings indicate that MVPA could potentially increase knee dimensions through similar biomechanical mechanisms it affects diaphyseal morphology, thus offering a potential target in reducing tissue strains and preventing knee problems. Further studies are needed to confirm and investigate the association between articulation area and musculoskeletal health.
Correlation between the thyroid hormone levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetic patients with normal thyroid function
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Juyi , Liu Huaizhen 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The objective of this study is to retrospectively analyze the correlation between the thyroid hormones and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with normal thyroid function. Methods: Totally 586 T2DM patients with normal thyroid function participated in this research and were divided into T2DM without NAFLD (240 cases) group and T2DM with NAFLD (346 cases) group. The NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) > 0.676 was defined as progressive liver fibrosis and used to categorize the patients into T2DM without progressive liver fibrosis group (493 cases) and T2DM with progressive liver fibrosis group (93 cases). Results: The results indicated that the levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), total triiodomethylamine (TT3) and FT3/free thyroxine ratio (FT3/FT4) were significantly higher while the FT4 level was lower in T2DM with NAFLD group than that in T2DM without NAFLD group (p < 0.05). The levels of FT3, FT4, TT3 and TT4 in patients with progressive liver fibrosis were significantly lower in patients with progressive liver fibrosis than that in patients without progressive liver fibrosis (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed a positive connection between FT3/FT4 ratio and NAFLD (p = 0.038), a negative relationship between FT4 level and NAFLD (p = 0.026), between the levels of FT4, TT3 and total thyroxine (TT4) and the risk of progressive hepatic fibrosis (p = 0.022, p = 0.007, p = 0.046).

Conclusion
There is a certain correlation between thyroid hormone levels and NAFLD in T2DM patients, suggesting that the assessment of thyroid hormone levels in T2DM patients with normal thyroid function could be helpful in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.
Clinical diagnostic value of American College of Radiology thyroid imaging report and data system in different kinds of thyroid nodules
Authors: Zhang Ziwei , Lin Ning 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the diagnostic value of American College of Radiology (ACR) score and ACR Thyroid Imaging Report and Data System (TI-RADS) for benign nodules, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) through comparing with Kwak TI-RADS.

Methods
Five hundred nine patients diagnosed with PTC, MTC or benign thyroid nodules were included and classified into the benign thyroid nodules group (n = 264), the PTC group (n = 189) and the MTC group (n = 56). The area under the curve (AUC) values were analyzed and the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to compare the diagnostic efficiencies of ACR score, ACR TI-RADS and KWAK TI-RADS on benign thyroid nodules, MTC and PTC.

Results
The AUC values of ACR score, ACR TI-RADS and Kwak TI-RADS for distinguishing malignant nodules from benign nodules were 0.914 (95%CI: 0.886–0.937), 0.871 (95%CI: 0.839–0.899) and 0.885 (95%CI: 0.854–0.911), respectively. In distinguishing of patients with MTC from PTC, the AUC values of ACR score, ACR TI-RADS and Kwak TI-RADS were 0.650 (95%CI: 0.565–0.734), 0.596 (95%CI: 0.527–0.664), and 0.613 (95%CI: 0.545–0.681), respectively. The AUC values of ACR score, ACR TI-RADS and Kwak TI-RADS for the discrimination of patients with MTC, PTC or benign nodules from patients without MTC, PTC or benign nodules were 0.899 (95%CI: 0.882–0.915), 0.865 (95%CI: 0.846–0.885), and 0.873 (95%CI: 0.854–0.893), respectively.

Conclusion
The ACR score performed the best, followed ex aequo by the ACR and Kwak TI-RADS in discriminating patients with malignant nodules from benign nodules and patients with MTC from PTC.
Traditional menstruation practices among Nepalese women living in Japan
Authors: Kawata Rina , Endo Masayuki , Ohashi Kazutomo 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Traditional menstruation practices in Nepal (Chhaupadi in Nepalese) lack scientific support and undermine women’s health. This study aimed to understand the changes in the traditional menstruation practices due to migration from Nepal to Japan.

Methods
This study included 104 Nepalese women of reproductive age living in an urban area of western Japan. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling, and the method of data collection was a questionnaire survey. To examine how Nepalese women adapt traditional menstruation practices to their living environment, we compared how women followed frequently 17 traditional practices when they lived in Nepal and later in Japan. We examined the relationships among behavioural changes in traditional practices, education level, and caste.

Results
The frequency of 14 of the 17 traditional practices decreased after the women moved to Japan. Among women who reduced the frequency of traditional practices after moving from Nepal to Japan, the reduction was not associated with educational level or caste of the participants.

Conclusions
This study suggests that the attitudes towards the traditional menstruation practices change in response to living circumstances. Future studies should focus on determining living environment factors related to behavioural changes in traditional practices.
Perspectives of general practitioners towards their supervisors over the past ten years in China
Authors: xin Rao , Li Luo , Qiaoli Su , Xingyue Wang , Shuangqing Li 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Objectives
Doctors who wish to become general practitioners (GPs) in China are required to attend and complete general practice resident training. In the early stages of the standardized GP training system, GP training supervisors play important roles. This study aims to explore how GP residents perceive their GP supervisors, factors that affect GP residents’ satisfaction level, as well as to offer suggestions based on the implications of this study.

Design
We conducted a mixed quantitative and qualitative study. Firstly, with respect to the quantitative research, we conducted a survey to investigate training satisfaction through questionnaires, then extracted and analyzed the factors that influence training satisfaction. In the qualitative study, we conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews using qualitative research criteria (COREQ)––a 32-item checklist for interviews.

Participants
Participants in the quantitative survey included 1172 GPs whose training time wasbetween 2008 and 2017. Afterwards, 100 participants were selected from this sample , filtered by stratified random sampling and by having provided extreme answers on the quantitative survey (less than 5% of the total sample). They were chosen for the qualitative research to conduct a more detailed investigation., This stratified random sampling was based on residents’ grades, regions, and training levels (city level or county level). Extreme answers were identified as answers of “extremely good” or “extremely bad” to questions from the initial comprehensive survey of 1172 participants. Consequently, 30 participants with extreme answers were found, while the remaining 70 participants in the interviews were selected by stratified random sampling. Ultimately, this sample of participants met our information collection and sample estimation requirements.

Results
The results show that satisfaction with GP theoretical training supervisors, GP hospital-based training supervisors, and GP community-based training supervisors differed. Considering long-term averages, the hierarchy of satisfaction is as follows: GP theoretical training supervisors > GP community-based training supervisors > GP hospital-based training supervisors.
GP hospital-based training supervisors need to improve their conception of GPs, teaching methods and conscientiousness. GP community-based training supervisors need to improve their teaching methods, knowledge of clinical theory and practice ability.

Conclusions
On the one hand, teams of GP supervisors in China have gradually been established over time. On the other hand,the satisfaction tendencies of residents with respect to their GP supervisors are quite different, and teams of GP supervisors must be promoted and improved.