bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive diagnostic testing identifies diverse aetiologies of acute febrile illness among hospitalised children and adults in Sri Lanka: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Bodinayake Champica K , Nagahawatte Ajith , Devasiri Vasantha , Arachichi Wasantha Kodikara , Kurukulasooriya Ruvini , Sheng Tianchen , Nicholson Bradly P , Ostbye Truls , Reller Megan , Woods Christopher W , Tillekeratne L Gayani 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionAcute febrile illness (AFI) is a common cause of hospital admissions in tropical settings. Identifying AFI aetiology is essential for guiding clinicians’ diagnoses and developing diagnostic and management guidelines. We used rigorous, gold-standard testing for diverse viral and bacterial pathogens to confirm the aetiology of AFI in southern Sri Lanka.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled children and adults with AFI admitted to Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Galle, the largest tertiary care hospital in Southern Province, Sri Lanka from June 2012 to May 2013. We obtained sociodemographic and clinical data, an acute blood sample, a nasopharyngeal sample, and a urine sample at enrolment and a convalescent blood sample 2–4 weeks later. Laboratory testing was conducted for dengue, respiratory viruses, leptospirosis, scrub typhus, spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsioses and Q fever.ResultsA total of 976 patients were enrolled and a convalescent visit was completed in 878 (90.0%). Median age was 26.9 (14.2–41.4) years and the majority were male (628, 64.3%). A viral or bacterial aetiology was identified in 660 (67.6%). A viral aetiology was identified in 534 (54.7%), including 388 (39.8%) with dengue and 171 (17.5%) with respiratory viruses. Bacterial infection was found in 138 (14.1%) and included leptospirosis (79, 8.1%), SFG (17, 1.7%), TG (7, 0.7%), scrub typhus (53, 5.4%) and Q fever (5, 0.5%). Antibiotics were prescribed at enrolment for 45.5% with viral infections and 62.3% with bacterial infection. Overall, sensitivity of clinical diagnosis was low at approximately 50%.ConclusionWe identified an aetiology of AFI in two-thirds of patients in a setting where malaria is non-endemic. Sensitivity of clinical diagnosis was low, with overuse of antibiotics for viral infections and underuse of antibiotics for bacterial infections. Diagnostic algorithms for AFI may help improve clinical management in this and comparable settings with diverse AFI aetiologies.
Comparing postacute care healthcare charges after hospitalisation due to influenza or COVID-19 infection in an all-payer administrative dataset in the USA: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bailey Joseph , Alexandria Shaina J , Hu Blair , Wolfe Lisa F , Welty Leah J , Kruser Jacqueline M , Kalhan Ravi 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveSARS-CoV-2 infection often causes a persistent syndrome of multiorgan dysfunction with symptoms that may be debilitating. Individuals seeking care for this syndrome are likely to generate significant healthcare utilisation and spending. It is unknown if healthcare costs after SARS-CoV-2 infection differ from those after influenza infection.Methods and analysisWe used an all-payer administrative dataset comprised coding and billing data from 446 hospitals in the USA that use a financial analytics platform by Strata Decision Technology. The deidentified analytical sample included patients aged 18 years or older who were admitted to a hospital between July 2018 and May 2021 with an International Classification of Disease-10 code for COVID-19 or influenza. Analyses were stratified by age (18–44, 45–64 and 65+) and need for ventilation during acute hospitalisation. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between infection type (COVID-19 or influenza) and cumulative charges between 1 and 5 months after hospitalisation. Independent variables included medical comorbidities, health system classification and prehospitalisation charges, among others.ResultsOf 110 381 patients included in our analysis, 94 927 (86.0%) were hospitalised for COVID-19 and 15 454 (14.0%) were hospitalised for influenza. Patients hospitalised for COVID-19 generated a median of US$5248 (inter-quartile range (IQR) US$25693) in postacute healthcare charges, whereas patients hospitalised for influenza generated a median of US$8463 (IQR US$41063). Compared with influenza, linear model results demonstrated no significant differences in postacute charges among patients hospitalised with COVID-19.ConclusionOur findings suggest that individual healthcare expenditures after acute COVID-19 infection are not significantly different from those after influenza infection.
Golf participants in Australia have a higher lifetime prevalence of skin cancer compared with the general population
Authors: Stenner Brad , Boyle Terry , Archibald Daryll , Arden Nigel , Hawkes Roger , Filbay Stephanie 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveTo estimate the age-specific lifetime prevalence of skin cancer in a sample of Australian golf participants and estimate skin cancer risk in golf participants compared with a general population-based sample.MethodsGolf participants in Australia (n=336) completed the Australian Golf Health Survey which collected data on skin cancer diagnosis (self-reported history), physical activity levels and participant demographics. Data were compared with a sample of the Australian general population (n=15780, Australian Health Survey). Age-specific lifetime prevalence of skin cancer in golf and general population-based samples was determined, and modified Poisson regression (adjusted for age, sex, education and smoking status) was used to estimate the association between playing golf and the risk of a current or past skin cancer diagnosis.ResultsOne in four golf participants (n=91; 27%) had received a skin cancer diagnosis compared with 7% (n=1173) of the general population. Golf participants were 2.42 (2.01 to 2.91) (relative risk (95% CI)) times more likely to report a skin cancer diagnosis than the general population after adjusting for age, sex, education and smoking status.ConclusionPlaying golf in Australia is associated with a higher age-specific lifetime prevalence of skin cancer compared with the general population. Golf organisations, clubs and facilities should inform golf participants about the risk of skin cancer and promote preventive strategies including use of high-Sun Protection Factor (SPF) sunscreen, appropriate hats and clothing.
Cost-effectiveness of endoscopic, surgical and pharmacological obesity therapies: a microsimulation and threshold analyses
Authors: Saumoy Monica , Gandhi Devika , Buller Seth , Patel Shae , Schneider Yecheskel , Cote Gregory , Kochman Michael L , Thiruvengadam Nikhil R , Sharaiha Reem Z 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveWeight loss interventions to treat obesity include sleeve gastrectomy (SG), lifestyle intervention (LI), endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) and semaglutide. We aimed to identify which treatments are cost-effective and identify requirements for semaglutide to be cost-effective.DesignWe developed a semi-Markov microsimulation model to compare the effectiveness of SG, ESG, semaglutide and LI for weight loss in 40 years old with class I/II/III obesity. Extensive one-way sensitivity and threshold analysis were performed to vary cost of treatment strategies and semaglutide adherence rate. Outcome measures were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), with a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$100 000/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY).ResultsWhen strategies were compared with each other, ESG was cost-effective in class I obesity (US$4105/QALY). SG was cost-effective in class II obesity (US$5883/QALY) and class III obesity (US$7821/QALY). In class I/II/III, obesity, SG and ESG were cost-effective compared with LI. However, semaglutide was not cost-effective compared with LI for class I/II/III obesity (ICER US$508 414/QALY, US$420 483/QALY and US$350 637/QALY). For semaglutide to be cost-effective compared with LI, it would have to cost less than US$7462 (class III), US$5847 (class II) or US$5149 (class I) annually. For semaglutide to be cost-effective when compared with ESG, it would have to cost less than US$1879 (class III), US$1204 (class II) or US$297 (class I) annually.ConclusionsCost-effective strategies were: ESG for class I obesity and SG for class II/III obesity. Semaglutide may be cost-effective with substantial cost reduction. Given potentially higher utilisation rates with pharmacotherapy, semaglutide may provide the largest reduction in obesity-related mortality.
Multicellular Complex Tumor Spheroid Response to DNA Repair Inhibitors in Combination with DNA-damaging Drugs
Authors: Dexheimer Thomas S. , Coussens Nathan P. , Silvers Thomas , Wright John , Morris Joel , Doroshow James H. , Teicher Beverly A. 
Published: July 2023

Multicellular spheroids comprised of malignant cells, endothelial cells, and mesenchymal stem cells served as an in vitro model of human solid tumors to investigate the potentiation of DNA-damaging drugs by pharmacologic modulation of DNA repair pathways. The DNA-damaging drugs, topotecan, trabectedin, and temozolomide were combined with varied inhibitors of DNA damage response enzymes including PARP (olaparib or talazoparib), ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated; AZD-1390), ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein; berzosertib or elimusertib), and DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase; nedisertib or VX-984). A range of clinically achievable concentrations were tested up to the clinical Cmax, if known. Mechanistically, the types of DNA damage induced by temozolomide, topotecan, and trabectedin are distinct, which was apparent from the response of spheroids to combinations with various DNA repair inhibitors. Although most combinations resulted in additive cytotoxicity, synergistic activity was observed for temozolomide combined with PARP inhibitors as well as combinations of the ATM inhibitor AZD-1390 with either topotecan or trabectedin. These findings might provide guidance for the selection of anticancer agent combinations worthy of further investigation.

Significance:
Clinical efficacy of DNA-damaging anticancer drugs can be influenced by the DNA damage response in tumor cells. The potentiation of DNA-damaging drugs by pharmacologic modulation of DNA repair pathways was assessed in multicellular tumor spheroids. Although most combinations demonstrated additive cytotoxicity, synergistic cytotoxicity was observed for several drug combinations.
Implicit Bias in Health Care Providers During Providing Health Care Ser-vices to Patients in A Tertiary Care Hospital South Punjab Pakistan
Authors: Leghari Shazia Yasmeen , Perveen Tahira , Nazar Kalsoom 
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Bias means an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favour of or against a person or thing. It is the evaluation of something or someone that can be positive or negative, and implicit or unconscious bias is when the person is unaware of their evaluation. Unconscious or implicit bias describes associations or attitudes that reflexively alter our perceptions, there by affecting behaviour, interaction, and decision-making Methods: This study qualitative cross-sectional study design is used. Implicit Assessment Tool (IAT) used to assess the age Implicit, Religion Implicit and Skin tone Implicit among nurses. The data was analysed by SPSS version-18 & Microsoft Excel. Out of 100 respondent 23% showed a strong automatic preference for light skin compared to dark skin people in Skin-tone IAT. Results: Out 0f 100 just 2% showed strong automatic preference for dark skin as compared to light skin people. During the Religion IAT out of 100 respondents just 1% nurses showed a strong preference for Judaism compared to Islam. 96.0% showed strong automatic preferences for Islam compared to Judaism. 29 % respondents showed a strong automatic preference for Islam compared to Christianity. While 2% participants showed a strong preference for Christianity compared to Islam. In Age implicit assessment test 30% nurses showed strong automatic preference for young people to old people. Just 1 % nurses showed strong automatic preference for old people compared to young people. 30 % nurses showed moderate level of automatic preferences for young people as compared to old people, while just 2 % have moderate automatic preference for old people as compared to young people. Conclusion: This study concluded that Nurses have a strong automatic preference towards their own religion so that they prefer Muslim patients unconsciously rather than the other religion. This study also reveal that during giving care nurses have strong automatic preference to young people and light skinned people as compared to dark skinned and old people.
Factors Affecting Academic Performance of BS Food Technology Students
Authors: Gamboa Marielle D. 
Published: July 2023

The study aims to evaluate the factors affecting the academic performance of Bachelor of Science in Food Technology (BSFT) students of Bulacan Agricultural State College. Purposive sampling was used in the study wherein all BSFT students were instructed to answer a survey disseminated through social media platforms. The instrument comprises questions to obtain program selection information during admission test and a 5-point Likert scale (5-definitely true to me; 4-true to me; 3-uncertain; 2-not true to me; 1-definitely not true to me) to rate the given factors. Six factors were evaluated in this study which includes the course, study habit, learning style, motivation, teacher, and social factors. Results showed that the majority of students are positive in their academic performance. Students appear to be confident in their study habits. The BSFT students agree that the professors have demonstrated professional, ethical, and moral attitudes toward them. Results also showed that BSFT students express more compassion in their studies than in their social life. It is recommended that activities to improve the engagement of students in the program should be created. This could be done through immersion in some of the actual work of food technology professionals e.g. research and community involvement. Realizing their contribution to society may improve their perception of the course and enhance their study habits toward better academic performance.
Teaching Outside the Box: Senior High School Teaching Experiences, Challenges, and Windows of Innovations of Non-Social Science Majors
Authors: Branzuela Marco J. , Ayro Eufemia C. , Cruz-Vidal Michaela Jennarine DL. 
Published: July 2023

This research examines the experiences of non-social science majors teaching in teaching social science subjects in senior high school. It utilized a mixed-method approach. A survey and an interview were utilized to collect the data. Sixty respondents took the survey to identify their teaching experiences. Five out-of-field social science teachers who were severely challenged were invited to an interview. Results revealed that more female teachers were engaged in out-of-field teaching. Moreover, teachers aged 26-30 are more likely to be assigned to out-of-field teaching. Also, both public and private schools experience the challenge of out-of-field teaching. Most of the teachers engaged in this scenario were non-education graduates. Core subjects under social sciences are the common subjects taught by non-social science majors. The survey reveals the experiences of non-social science majors in their mastery of the subject handled, ability to prepare scholarly learning material, classroom pedagogy/classroom activity, and psychosocial guidance to students for college preparations. It is discovered that non-social science majors always adhere to the challenges posed by out-of-field teaching. However, psychosocial guidance to students for college preparation was the domain that makes it challenging for non-social science majors to overcome. Five themes emerged based on this study; out-of-field teaching experiences, challenges of non-social science majors, coping mechanisms employed by non-social science majors, perception of non-social majors, and roles of school administrators. The COPE approach was devised to aid teachers, school administrators, and the Department of Education to mitigate the challenges posed by out-of-field teaching experiences.
Understanding Stakeholders’ Perspective on An Innovative Business Model for Pediatric Immunization Records: A Single Case Study
Authors: Ramos-Siman Elaine C. , Orencia Abrian Joy B. 
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the potential value of an innovative business model on pediatric immunization record management which will serve as the basis for the development of a digital platform for the use of pediatric consultants and medical secretaries at a private secondary hospital in Quezon City. The study utilized a qualitative case study involving the pediatric consultants and medical secretaries of a private secondary hospital in Quezon City. Qualitative data for this study were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, documents, journaling, and observations. Results have shown that pediatric consultants and medical secretaries follow only one way of arranging patients' records which is through alphabetical order using the surname. Many clinics and hospitals still rely on paper-based medical records to document patients' information. All participants shared the same difficulties and sentiments when it comes to the problems they have in the current way they deal with immunization records. Based from the statements of the participants, results revealed that pediatric consultants and medical secretaries support and are in favor of the use of a web-based record management system. However, some participants stated their apprehensions for the security of patient information. Further study that focuses on formal training is recommended to increase the confidence of the healthcare workers in utilizing digital record management systems and intense exploration of the potential challenges in adapting a digitized records management system must be conducted.
The Capacity Assessment of Lower-Class Municipalities in Agriculture Services Towards Full Devolution
Authors: Laurio Nenette M. , Malto Erwin H. 
Published: July 2023

In response to Mandanas Ruling, President Duterte signed Executive Order 138 which mandates the local government unit to formulate their Devolution Transition Plans (DTP) from FY2022 to FY2024. The DTP charted the capacity development agenda of every Local Government Unit and National Government Agency to prepare for full devolution in FY2024.
This study covers 11 municipalities in the province of Masbate that belonged to the 4th and 5th classes in terms of income. It aims to identify the capacity development agenda to create a baseline for the capacity development program of the lower-classes municipalities towards full devolution. Specifically, this study highlighted the current state of capacity, the desired state, the alignment of these capacity development agenda to DILG, and, finally, the priority capacity interventions in response to the full devolution of the Agriculture sector.
This study used qualitative and descriptive research approaches. An extensive document scrutinising of the Devolution Transition Plans was structured in each municipality. The study concede that lower-class municipalities have a low capacity to assume devolved services mandated in Section 17 of RA 7160 and other devolution laws in the sector of Agriculture and Extension Services. There are capacity gaps with the proposed specific capacity development agenda. The capacity development agenda were categorized into six (6) capacity pillars. These are the useful baseline in crafting the National Agencies’ Capacity Development Program.
Extent of Disaster Management Program Implementation and Prepared-ness Level in Selected Public Secondary Schools in Zambales, Philippines
Authors: Viado Alexander C. , Department Jo A. Espiritu 
Published: July 2023

The research aimed to assess the implementation of various components of disaster management programs including Vulnerability Assessment, Planning and Preparedness, Institutional Framework and Coordination, Resource Management and Allocation, Early Warning Systems, Response Mechanisms and Emergency Operations, Public Education and Training Disaster Drills and Exercises. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the level of disaster preparedness among school personnel and students, identify any significant differences in program implementation among schools, and explore the relationship between program implementation and disaster preparedness. The data collection involved surveys, questionnaires, and interviews with school principals, teachers, and learners during the third quarter of the 2016-2017 school year. The sample consisted of six schools, and the gathered data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools.The findings indicated that most of the disaster management activities were implemented in the schools within Zone IV, contributing to an effective implementation of the programs. Teachers were moderately prepared in planning and warning system activities but showed preparedness in other areas such as vulnerability assessment, planning and preparedness, institutional framework and coordination, resource management and allocation, early warning systems, response mechanisms and emergency operations, public education and training disaster drills and exercises. Similarly, students displayed moderate preparedness in warning system activities and preparedness in other aspects. Overall, the students in Zone IV were considered prepared for potential disasters in their community and school.
The Level of the English Proficiency Affecting the Academic Performance of the Freshmen College Students at Gordon College, Olongapo City
Authors: Panado Ana Lee M. 
Published: July 2023

The objective of the study is to determine the level of proficiency in the four English language skills of freshmen students of selected courses at Gordon College and established its relationship to academic performance. The design used was descriptive method with the questionnaire as the main instrument in gathering the data. The researcher devised new research questionnaire that would suit to present study. The researcher made a 50-item English Proficiency Test which covered the four language skills in English which are reading, listening, writing, and grammar. It was concluded that: 1. Typical freshman student-respondent is a female, 17 years old, whose parent is college graduate or a college undergraduate, enrolled as BSHRM, BCSC/IT or BSBA and products of private or public high schools. 2. The level of performance of a student-respondent in reading is excellent (10.27), in listening (8.33) and writing (8.1) above average and in grammar (7.69) average. 3. The academic performance in English is above average. 4. There is significant difference in the level of proficiency of student-respondents in the four (4) language skills. 5. There is significant difference in the level of proficiency in the four (4) language skills when respondents are grouped according to age, course, parent’s highest educational attainment and type of high school graduate from but no significant difference when grouped according to sex. 6. There is significant relationship between the level of performance in the four (4) language skills and academic performance in English subjects of the student-respondents.