bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Willingness-to-pay for a population-based-prostate-specific antigen screening for prostate cancer in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria: a contingent valuation study
Authors: Ifeoma Umeh Blessing , Onyebuchi Ogbonna Brian , Odunke Nduka Sunday , Ifeoma Nduka Jovita , Izuchukwu Ejie Loveth , Adaobi Mosanya Uchenna , Obinna Ekwunife Ikechukwu 
Published: March 2023

Background: Early diagnosis of cancer precursors improves treatment outcomes. Organized screening for prostate cancer is still uncommon in Nigeria, and if it is added to the national health budget, it may necessitate additional co-financing alternatives.
Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the maximum willingness- to- pay amount and acceptability of a Population-based screening for prostate cancer among a group of Nigerian men.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey-based study conducted among men drawn from different districts of the state. The payment card elicitation format was used to estimate the average maximum WTP amount. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to evaluate the correlates of WTP.
Result: A total of 439(81.9%) participants were willing to pay for the screening while only 97(18.1%) of the participants rejected the screening. The average WTP amount was US$6.01(mean ± median ± SD 6.01±4.12±5.75). Residence and knowledge of the disease were the major predictors.
Conclusion: The findings showed that men in Anambra state Nigerian were willing to pay an average of US$6.01 for the Population-based screening. Even though the stated WTP amount seems low compared to the conventional cost of opportunistic screening (between USD 21), the majority of the participants 439(81.9%) willing to pay for the screening should be capitalized upon in finding alternative financing options for the program.
Keywords: Willingness to pay (WTP); prostate-specific antigen (PSA); Population-based screening; prostate cancer; contingent valuation study; Anambra state; Nigeria.
What words best capture the symptom of breathlessness in Uganda?
Authors: Vianney Jjukira , Nakitende Immaculate , Kalema Henry , Namuleme Sylivia , Kellett John 
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Anecdotal experience suggests that Ugandan patients complain infrequently of breathlessness. The Luganda language, spoken in Uganda, does not have one word to express breathlessness but uses various phrases. Therefore, many of these patients may not be able to express what they feel when they are breathless by a single English word. Our aim was to determine the frequency and severity of the symptoms captured by a Luganda translation of the Dyspnea-12 (D12) questionnaire, a well validated measure of different dimensions of breathlessness.
Method: All alert non-pregnant adult patients fluent in Luganda who presented to the hospital’s combined outpatient and emergency department were asked to complete the D12 questionnaire.
Results: Out of 466 patients, 137 (29.4%) had at least one D12 symptom. Patients’ D12 responses expressed as a numerical severity score was only weakly associated with a respiratory rate >20 bpm. Two questions (“My breathing requires more work” and “My breathing is uncomfortable”) identified >90% of patients likely to be breathless.
Conclusion: For patients whose first language is Luganda a translation of the D12 questionnaire captures the symptom of dyspnoea.
Teaching and learning in the clinical workplace
Authors: Bregazzi Rich , Bussey Sonia 
Published: March 2023

Participation in clinical practice is key to the development of clinical skills, and so the goal of clinical work is both to deliver healthcare and facilitate learning. Four factors shape learning in the workplace: safe access to practical experience; the role of talk in the workplace; teaching opportunities; and the learning climate. The challenge is to structure and carry out work so that support for learning is built into normal work routines.
Knockdown of FK506-binding proteins 14 enhances tamoxifen-sensitivity of breast cancer through PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling
Authors: Ma Yongqiang , Zhao Mingchuan , Gong Chengcheng , Miu Haitao 
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effect of FK506-binding proteins 14 (FKBP14) in the development of chemoresistance of breast cancer.
Methods: Breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and T47D) were exposed to 4-hydroxytamoxifen over a long period to establish tamoxifen-resistant (TamR) cells. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and colony formation assays, while Transwell assay was used to investigate cell migration and invasion.
Results: TamR cells showed resistance to 4-hydroxytamoxifen through increase in IC50 for 4-hydroxytamoxifen in MCF-7 and T47D. The FKBP14 was significantly up-regulated in TamR cells (p < 0.05). Knockdown of FKBP14 reduced the IC50 for 4-hydroxytamoxifen in TamR cells. The number of colony formation in TamR cells was also significantly decreased by silencing of FKBP14 (p < 0.01). Knockdown of FKBP14 inhibited the migration and invasion of TamR cells. Protein expression of p-AKT, p-PI3K and p-ERK in TamR cells were down-regulated by silencing of FKBP14.
Conclusion: Loss of FKBP14 enhances sensitivity to tamoxifen in TamR MCF-7 and T47D cells through inactivation of PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling. The role of FKBP14 in tamoxifen-resistant animal models needs further investigation.
Anethole suppresses the growth of human skin cancer cells by targeting microRNA498/STAT4 axis
Authors: Li Jiahang , Mao Yingqiu , Li Wei 
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effects of anethole on human skin cancer cells.
Methods: Cell viability was determined using CCK-8 and colony formation assay, while AO/EB and Annexin V/PI assays were used to assess apoptosis. The mRNA expressions of genes were assayed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Results: The growth of skin cancer cells was significantly reduced by anethole (p < 0.05). On the other hand, normal human skin cells were marginally affected by anethole. Furthermore, anethole significantly suppressed the colony formation potential of CRL-6475 skin cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Results from AO/EB and annexin V/PI staining assays revealed that anethole induced apoptosis in skin cancer cells, while qRT-PCR results indicate that anethole significantly up-regulated microRNA-498 in skin cancer cells (p < 0.05). However, anethole had no effect on the expression levels of miR-7, miR-9, miR-145, miR-31, miR-27, miR-498 miR-1298, miR-1299, 1179, miR-375, miR-508 and miR-23. CCK-8 assay results confirmed that miR-498 up-regulation significantly mimicked the anti-proliferative effects of anethole. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay led to identification of STAT4 as the regulatory target of miR-498. Furthermore, silencing of STAT4 significantly mimicked the effects of anethole administration (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: These results indicate that anethole inhibits skin cancer cell growth by targeting the miR-498/STAT4 axis, and therefore, has potentials for use in the management of skin cancer.
A network pharmacology-based investigation of the mechanism involved in the anti-gastric cancer effect of Oldenlandia diffusan, a traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Ma Zhenchi , Zhao Peng 
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the potential mechanism underlying the anti-gastric cancer (GC) effect of Oldenlandia diffusa using network pharmacology, and to provide scientific guidance for subsequent pharmacological and clinical translational studies.
Methods: The potential bioactive compounds in Oldenlandia diffusa and their related targets were obtained through TCMSP online platform. The GeneCards and MalaCards databases were used to search for GC-related disease targets. The targets shared by the two databases were entered into STRING protein interactions online database to obtain the interaction network of potential therapeutic targets. These were further screened for potential core targets through MCODE plugin. Cytoscape 3.2.1 software was used to construct the "component-target-disease" and PPI network, while GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID v6.8 online software.
Results: Seven bioactive components and 180 drug targets were screened in Oldenlandia diffusa, out of which 167 targets were co-activated with GC, and 28 potential core targets were identified. The results of GO function enrichment analysis of the hub targets showed that they were related to gene transcription and expression, cytokine-mediated signaling pathway and inflammation response. The results of KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis showed that they were mainly associated with cancer signaling, IL-17-related signaling and TNF signaling pathways.
Conclusion: Oldenlandia diffusa exerts its therapeutic effect on GC through multi-component, multi-target and multi-signaling pathways. This finding provides novel evidence for the application of Oldenlandia diffusa in GC treatment.
Synthesis of 2-[2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6-yl(phenylsulfonyl)amino]-N-(un/substituted-phenyl)acetamides as anti-diabetic agents
Authors: Abbasi Muhammad Athar , Parveen Sobia , Rehman Aziz-ur- , Siddiqui Sabahat Zahra , Irshad Misbah , Shah Syed Adnan Ali , Ashraf Muhammad 
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To synthesize a series of new 2-[2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6-yl(phenylsulfonyl)amino]-N-(un/substituted-phenyl) acetamides, and evaluate their anti-diabetic potentials.
Methods: Synthesis of the parent compound N-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6-yl) benzenesulfonamide (3) was carried out by reacting 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6-amine (1) with benzenesulfonylchloride (2) in aqueous basic medium under definite pH controls. After that 3 was further treated with various 2-bromo-N-(un/substituted-phenyl)acetamides (6a-l) to yield new compounds (7a-l) in polar aprotic solvent, DMF (dimethylformamide), using LiH as activator. The proposed structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed using proton-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and infra-red spectroscopy (IR), and CHN analysis. Their anti-diabetic potential was evaluated by α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory studies.
Results: All the new compounds demonstrated weak (7a-h, 7j and 7l) to moderate (7i and 7k) inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase enzyme. IC50 (50 % inhibition concentration) values for 7i and 7k were 86.31±0.11 μM and 81.12±0.13 μM, respectively relative to acarbose (reference standard) with IC50 of 37.38±0.12 μM.
Conclusion: All the synthesized compounds have weak to moderate activity against α-glucosidase enzyme. These compounds can thus be considered as possible therapeutic entrants for type-2 diabetes.
Effects of aerosolized inhalation of N-acetylcysteine combined with high flow nasal cannulae oxygen therapy on inflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive function in patients with severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure
Authors: Lin Shining , Wang Qiuting , Wang Fahui , Shi Huifang 
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effects of aerosolized inhalation of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) combined with high-flow nasal cannulae oxygen therapy on serum inflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive function in patients with severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure.
Methods: A total of 50 patients diagnosed with severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure were randomly divided into the study and control groups, respectively. Serum oxidative stress, inflammation, and cognitive function were determined after treatment intervention. The effect of aerosol inhalation of NAC combined with high flow-nasal cannulae oxygen therapy was assessed.
Results: General clinical data such as age, lung function, etc, did not show any difference between the study and control groups (p > 0.05). Dyspnea was scored in the Study group after treatment. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased (p < 0.05), while cognitive scores and serum total antioxidant capacity of the Study group increased (p < 0.05); There was no significant difference in serum superoxide dismutase levels between the two groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Aerosolized inhalation of NAC combined with high-flow nasal cannulae oxygen therapy has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can improve cognitive dysfunction in patients with severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure, and may provide a new clinical treatment strategy for severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure.
Effect of combined use of orthokeratology and atropine eye drops on correction of myopia in young children, and its influencing factors
Authors: Ruan Yimeng , Qian Lu , Chen Siming 
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the corrective effect of combined use of orthokeratology and atropine eye drops on myopia of young children, as well as the factors involved.
Methods: 84 young children with adolescent myopia who were admitted to Ningbo First Hospital from March 2019 to January 2021, were enrolled in this study. Forty (40) of the patients were treated with orthokeratology (control group, CG); while 44 patients were treated with a combination of orthokeratology and 0.01 % atropine (study group, EG). Clinical efficacy, pupil diameter, vision recovery, and incidence of adverse reactions were determined in both groups before and after treatment. Based on post-treatment clinical efficacy, patients in markedly effective and effective categories were regarded as improved status, while those whose treatments were ineffective were categorized in unimproved status. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors.
Results: There was no significant difference in total treatment effectiveness between the two groups. However, post-treatment diameter of eye axis and axial growth of RG were lower in EG than in CG (p < 0.05). There were no marked differences in naked eye vision and incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age and course of disease were the risk factors that significantly affected treatment effectiveness (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Combined treatment with orthokeratology and atropine eye drops relieves myopia in young children, and early treatment improves treatment effectiveness. However, further clinical trials are required prior to application in clinical practice.
PhysiCOOL: A generalized framework for model Calibration and Optimization Of modeLing projects
Authors: Gonçalves Inês G. , Hormuth David A. , Prabhakaran Sandhya , Phillips Caleb M. , García-Aznar José Manuel 
Published: March 2023

In silico models of biological systems are usually very complex and rely on a large number of parameters describing physical and biological properties that require validation. As such, parameter space exploration is an essential component of computational model development to fully characterize and validate simulation results. Experimental data may also be used to constrain parameter space (or enable model calibration) to enhance the biological relevance of model parameters. One widely used computational platform in the mathematical biology community is PhysiCell, which provides a standardized approach to agent-based models of biological phenomena at different time and spatial scales. Nonetheless, one limitation of PhysiCell is the lack of a generalized approach for parameter space exploration and calibration that can be run without high-performance computing access. Here, we present PhysiCOOL, an open-source Python library tailored to create standardized calibration and optimization routines for PhysiCell models.
Real-Time Drowsiness Detection System for Student Tracking using Machine Learning
Authors: Dilipkumar Borikar  , Himani Dighorikar  , Shridhar Ashtikar  , Ishika Bajaj  , Shivam Gupta  
Published: March 2023

Many studies on fatigue detection have been carried out that were focused on experimention over different technologies. Machine vision based driver fatigue detection systems are used to prevent accidents and improve safety on roads. We propose the design of an alerting system for the students that will use real time video of a person to capture the drowsiness level and will signal alert to the student when the student is in that state of fatigue. A device, if enabled with the system, will start the webcam and track the person. An alert will be generated based on the set frame rate when a continuous set of frames are detected as drowsy. The conventional methods cannot capture complex expressions, however the vailability of deep learning models has enabled a substantial research on detection of states of a person in real time. Our system operates in natural lighting conditions and can predict accurately even when the face is covered with glasses, head caps, etc. The system is implemented using YOLOv5 models (You Look Only Once) is an extremely fast and accurate detection model.
EFFICIENCY OF LIFILINE, WS HERBICIDE IN NEAR TRUNK LANES OF THE GARDEN
Authors: Supranovich R. V. , Berlinchik E. E. , Moshtyl S. O. 
Published: March 2023

The research on evaluating the biological efficiency of Lifeline, WS herbicide (glufosinate ammonium, 280 g/l), UPL Holdings Ltd, the Netherlands, was carried out in the field experiments in near trunk lanes of the apple garden.
It’s established that Lifeline, WS with a three time application to fruit plants in a dose of 1,1 and 1,8 l/ha showed a high biological efficiency against perennial and annual weeds (100 %). By the time of harvesting near trunk lanes of the garden were free of weed plants, which was very important for harvesting.
On the basis of the obtained data Lifeline, WS (glufosinate ammonium, 280 g/l) was included in the State List of Plant Protection Means and Fertilizers Approved for Use in the Republic of Belarus.
Pengaruh Kualitas Produk dan Kualitas Pelayanan Terhadap Kepuasan Konsumen Pada PT. FCS RGP Plastic Di Kota Batam
Authors: Hendy Hendy , Khoiri M.Khoiri 
Published: March 2023

Perekonomian yang ada pada Indonesia, dituntut untuk lebih berkembang dalam menjalankan kegiatan ekonomi. Terdapat satu perusahaan yang bernama PT FCS RGP Plastic yang didirikan di Kota Batam sejak tahun 2019. Perusahaan ini dikenal sebagai perusahaan produksi skala besar yang mengintegrasikan gulungan plastik. Konsumen pada perusahaan mengalami penurunan sejak awal tahun 2021 dikarenakan produk yang ditawarkan ada yang reject berarti pengujian kelolosan standar produk pada perusahaan masih kurang maksimal sehingga mengakibatkan pandangan buruk oleh konsumen mengenai kualitas produk perusahaan. Adanya proses komunikasi yang kurang lancar bersama customer service sehingga mengalami kesalahan dalam bertransaksi sehingga mengakibatkan keluhan oleh konsumen mengenai kualitas pelayanan buruk yang dimiliki perusahaan. Penjualan yang menurun yang diakibatkan kepuasan konsumen yang kurang maksimal. Populasi yang diambil oleh peneliti adalah seluruh konsumen yang ada pada PT FCS RGP Plastic berjumlah 143 konsumen. Teknik sampel penelitian ini yakni sampel jenuh, di mana pengambilan sampel memakai keseluruhan populasi. Disimpulkan sampelnya berjumlah 143 responden. Hasil menyatakan kualitas produk dan kualitas pelayanan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan secara parsial terhadap kepuasan konsumen pada PT FCS RGP Plastic. Pada uji F menyatakan kualitas produk dan kualitas pelayanan secara simultan rpengaruh positif dan signifikan kepuasan konsumen pada PT FCS RGP Plastic.
The existing economy in Indonesia is required to be more developed in carrying out economic activities. There is one company named PT FCS RGP Plastic which was established in Batam City since 2019. This company is known as large-scale production company that integrates plastic. Consumers at the company have decreased since the beginning of 2021 because some of the products offered are rejected, meaning that the testing of product standards at the company is still not optimal, resulting in bad view by consumers regarding the quality of the company's products. The existence of a communication process that is not smooth with customer service so that they experience errors in transactions resulting in complaints by consumers about the poor service quality of the company. Decreased sales caused by less than optimal customer satisfaction. The population taken by the researchers were all consumers at PT FCS RGP Plastic totaling 143 consumers. The sampling technique of this research is the saturated sample, where the sampling uses the entire population. It was concluded that the sample amounted to 143 respondents. The results state that product quality and service quality have a positive and partially significant effect on consumer satisfaction at PT FCS RGP Plastic.
Analisis Rasio Keuangan Dalam Memprediksi Pertumbuhan Laba Pada Pdam Tirta Dhaha Kota Kediri
Authors: Nadanu Layung Puspo , Isnaniati Siti , Selviasari Rike 
Published: March 2023

Abstrak
Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian desktiptif kuantitatif yang dilakukan pada Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum (PDAM) Tirta Dhaha Kota Kediri. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis rasio lancar (current ratio), rasio utang terhadap total aset (debt to total asset ratio), perputaran total aset (total asset turnover), dan margin laba bersih (net profit margin) dalam memprediksi pertumbuhan laba Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum (PDAM) Tirta Dhaha Kota Kediri pada tahun 2019-2021. Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah dokumentasi dan wawancara.
Hasil penelitian pada tahun 2019-2021 menunjukkan bahwa pertumbuhan laba pada Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum (PDAM) Tirta Dhaha Kota mengalami peningkatan dan penurunan. Masing-masing rasio yang digunakan yaitu rasio likuiditas yang dihitung dengan rasio lancar (current ratio) dan rasio solvabilitas yang dihitung dengan rasio utang terhadap total aset (debt to total asset ratio) mengalami peningkatan dan penurunan. Sedangkan, rasio aktivitas yang dihitung dengan perputaran total aset (total asset turnover), dan rasio profitabilitas yang dihitung dengan marjin laba bersih (net profit margin) mengalami peningkatan pada tahun 2019-2021.
Kata kunci: Rasio Keuangan dan Pertumbuhan Laba
Urgensi pelaksanaan pendidikan karakter yang terintegrasi: analisis kebijakan penguatan pendidikan karakter
Authors: Fikri Sahlan Hafidzudin , Panji Wahyu Raman Warnerin Rangga , Fitriyah Eka Laila 
Published: March 2023

Pendidikan karakter menjadi perhatian serius bagi pemerintah Indonesia. hal tersebut tampak pada usaha pemerintah untuk menaungi pelaksanaan Pendidikan karakter dengan peraturan perpres no 87 tahun 2017 tentang penguatan Pendidikan karakter. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kebijakan Pendidikan tentang penguatan pendidikan karakter. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini penelitian kebijakan dengan pendekatan kajian pustaka. Peraturan presiden no 87 tahun 2017 menjadi sumber primer dalam penelitian ini, sedangkan sumber sekunder berasal dari buku dan jurnal ilmiah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 1) Penguatan pendidikan karakter dilaksanakan di lingkungan keluarga, sekolah dan masyarakat, 2) kebijakan penguatan pendidikan karakter cenderung hanya mengatur pelaksanaan Pendidikan karakter di Pendidikan formal, 3) penguatan Pendidikan karakter yang terintegrasi antara pendidikan di lingkungan keluarga, sekolah dan masyarakat.