Recent publications
This paper discusses the feasibility of geothermal power as a sustainable solution within the agri-food chain focusing on relational to global decarbonization plans. As the world shifts focus towards sourcing Renewable energy for minimal emission of greenhouse gases. Geothermal energy is receiving a lot of attention for its reliability. The Geotto system, which was piloted in the Eburru community of Kenya, showed how geothermal energy – IoT – AI interaction could be utilized in agricultural economies to the optimal level. The project of developing locally-owned incubators powered by geothermal energies helped to increase the hatch ratios as well as the energy, but not the fossil fuel consumption. The cross-sectional utilization of this resource in, for instance, crop drying, greenhouses, and fish farming was discussed as a prospect. Some of the challenges that were observed in Geotto’s case are technical barriers and the opposition to the adoption of new technology by the public and relevant authorities. The Geotto team tackled these problems in cooperation with the community and local government. From this pilot study, it is evident that geothermal power holds promise and value to be pursued as a long-term investment in the pursuit of higher food productivity with less pollution in addition to aiding the case for decarbonization. The pilot findings indicate that the kind of systems being implemented can likely be extended to other agricultural segments to support grassroots initiatives and strengthen world economies.
Making contextual gender analysis helps to design strong evidence-based institutional strategies for reversing stereotypes that are embedded in the organizational culture. Hence, an institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 401 participants to assess gender equality and workplace harassment among staff members of Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences, and Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia from November 1 to 30, 2021. Data were collected through a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. We measured gender equality perception by indicators as a latent variable. To identify predictors of gender equality, a structural equation model fit and a coefficient of regression with 95% CI were used to report the association. Of the total participants, more than 85.5% were female, 36.7% had a bachelor’s degree, and about 56.6% were administrative staff. Only 0.5% had a managerial role. The perception of gender equality was predicted positively by political (β = .21, 95% CI: [0.10, 0.31]), institutional (β = .32, 95% CI: [0.09, 0.55]), and sociocultural (β = .18, 95% CI: [0.11, 0.26]) factors. The proportion of workplace harassment in one form of violence ranged from 15.2% to 39%. Preferring dialog to get a solution (9.7%) and the unavailability of a gender office at the hospital (7.5%) were the main reasons for not reporting acts of violence. The findings of this study fortify gender inequality in the health and medical institute of Haramaya university but these disparities were not reported by the participants. A decent workplace, free from harassment and discrimination, has to be set up by implementing the existing gender policies and by designing contextualized strategies.
BACKGROUND
Colorectal anastomotic leakage remains one of the most frequent and dreaded postoperative complications following colorectal resection. However, limited research has been conducted on the impact of this complication on quality of life of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review was to identify, appraise and synthesize the available evidence regarding quality of life in patients with anastomotic leakage following oncological colorectal resections in order to inform clinical decision-making.
DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION
PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched for studies reporting on quality of life using validated questionnaires in patients with anastomotic leakage after oncological colorectal resections. The literature search was performed systematically and according to PRISMA guidelines.
OUTCOMES
Outcomes of quality of life questionnaire scores of patients with and without anastomotic leakage were analyzed.
RESULTS
Thirteen articles reporting on 4618 individual patients were included, among which 527 patients developed anastomotic leakage. Quality of life was evaluated utilizing ten distinct questionnaires administered at various postoperative time points, ranging from 1 month to 14 years. Quality of life outcomes differed across studies and timepoints, but overall scores were most negatively affected by anastomotic leakage up to 12 months postoperatively.
LIMITATIONS
There was a high heterogeneity between the included studies based on used questionnaires and time of assessment.
CONCLUSION
The published evidence suggests that anastomotic leakage following oncologic colorectal resection is associated with impaired quality of life, especially within the first postoperative year. The impact of anastomotic leakage on quality of life warrants further evaluation and discussion with patients.
Background:
Apricot seeds are recommended online for their alleged cancer-fighting and energy-boosting properties. However, they contain high levels of cyanogenic glycosides. Ingesting just a few apricot pits (1-3) can result in severe symptoms and fatalities have been reported after consuming more than 20 pits.
Case description:
A 43-year-old man arrived at the Emergency Department after consuming apricot seeds. He had eaten them in the hope of gaining energy. Shortly after consuming the patient experienced palpitations, dizziness, nausea, and ataxia. He had a tachycardia and was acidotic on evaluation. The patient was promptly treated, including the administration of hydroxocobalamin and gastric lavage, and he eventually stabilized.
Conclusion:
Cyanogenic glycosides are commonly found in apricot seeds and can cause life-threatening intoxication. Treatment should be prompt and involves supportive therapy, gastric emptying (<2 hours) and administration of antidotes (Cyanokit, sodium thiosulfate).
International entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) and its potential impact on business performance in foreign markets has attracted significant research attention in recent years. However, few studies have attempted to examine how, and under what conditions, IEO results in enhanced performance for international firms. The present study aims to contribute towards filling this gap by investigating the internal mechanism through which IEO influences performance, considering the mediating effects of dynamic capabilities and international business strategy. Using data collected from 258 small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) that engage in international business activities, we find that IEO contributes to the frequent use of sensing and reconfiguring, which in turn fosters international strategy comprehensiveness and implementation speed. Our results also indicate that international strategy comprehensiveness and implementation speed have a positive impact on international market performance. These findings suggest that research on the impact of IEO on performance should explore how it influences firms' dynamic capabilities and examine the effect of these dynamic capabilities on business strategy. For entrepreneurs and managers of emerging market SMEs, our results indicate that IEO should guide international expansion efforts.
Objective
De novo variants in cullin‐3 ubiquitin ligase ( CUL3 ) have been strongly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), but no large case series have been reported so far. Here, we aimed to collect sporadic cases carrying rare variants in CUL3 , describe the genotype–phenotype correlation, and investigate the underlying pathogenic mechanism.
Methods
Genetic data and detailed clinical records were collected via multicenter collaboration. Dysmorphic facial features were analyzed using GestaltMatcher. Variant effects on CUL3 protein stability were assessed using patient‐derived T‐cells.
Results
We assembled a cohort of 37 individuals with heterozygous CUL3 variants presenting a syndromic NDD characterized by intellectual disability with or without autistic features. Of these, 35 have loss‐of‐function (LoF) and 2 have missense variants. CUL3 LoF variants in patients may affect protein stability leading to perturbations in protein homeostasis, as evidenced by decreased ubiquitin‐protein conjugates in vitro. Notably, we show that 4E‐BP1 (EIF4EBP1), a prominent substrate of CUL3, fails to be targeted for proteasomal degradation in patient‐derived cells.
Interpretation
Our study further refines the clinical and mutational spectrum of CUL3 ‐associated NDDs, expands the spectrum of cullin RING E3 ligase‐associated neuropsychiatric disorders, and suggests haploinsufficiency via LoF variants is the predominant pathogenic mechanism. ANN NEUROL 2024
Objective
To measure the rate of LTS in resected PDAC and determine the association between predictors of OS and LTS.
Summary Background Data
Long-term survival (>5 y, LTS) remains rare in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Multiple predictors of overall survival (OS) are known but their association with LTS remains unclear.
Methods
An international, multicenter retrospective study was conducted. Included were patients from 2012-2019 with resected PDAC. Excluded were those with metastases at diagnosis or resection, R2 resections, and 90-day mortality. Predictors of OS were identified using multivariable Cox regression and their prevalence in patients with LTS assessed. LTS was calculated by excluding patients with shorter follow-up and predictors of LTS were identified using multivariable logistic regression.
Results
3,003 patients were included (27.4% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Elevated baseline CA19-9, high tumor grade, nodal disease, and perineural and lymphovascular invasion were negative independent predictors of OS, while receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy predicted improved OS (all P <0.05). LTS was observed in 220/2,436 patients (9.0%), of whom 198 (90%) harbored poor prognostic factors: elevated baseline CA19-9 (58.1%), poor tumor differentiation (51.0%), nodal disease (46.8%), and perineural invasion (76.0%). Of those without any of these four features, 50.0% achieved LTS as compared to 21.3%, 13.3%, 5.2%, and 3.5% in those with 1, 2, 3, or 4 features.
Conclusions
This bi-national cohort demonstrates a true LTS rate of 9.0% in resected PDAC. Clinicians should remain aware that presence of poor prognostic factors does not preclude LTS.
The purpose of this research is to explore how social innovation ecosystems utilize resources and which roles are played by universities in contributing to building these ecosystems in the Global South. Resource Orchestration Theory is utilized to identify four critical roles that universities play at the meso-level organizational processes: bridging, configuring, involving, and facilitating. To fulfill these roles, universities use their core functions, collaborate with stakeholders, and work with social entrepreneurs and other participants in the ecosystem. Understanding these roles is especially significant in the Global South context, which faces sustainability challenges due to limited access to diverse resources across ecosystems. It enables universities to promote social innovation while effectively managing resource utilization. However, it's important to note that resource orchestration also comes with implicit responsibilities and risks that universities must navigate in this intricate process.
This study delves into gender dynamics in 12 Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) organizations in Ethiopia, using qualitative methods. We conducted 96 face‐to‐face interviews and triangulated the data through observations, employee records and document reviews. Thematic analysis revealed that gender inequality in organizations persists due to the interplay of social, structural and individual factors. Emphasizing individual or societal aspects hinders transformative efforts. A holistic approach considering these dimensions is crucial for understanding and addressing gender inequality. Identifying and dismantling structural barriers is essential for gender transformation. Focusing solely on individual‐level issues, like female‐only mentoring, is insufficient for achieving gender equality. A combination of strategies is needed to tackle structural problems and societal assumptions, fostering organizational transformation.
In the past decade, significant European calls for research proposals have supported translational collaborative research on non-communicable and infectious diseases within the biomedical life sciences by bringing together interdisciplinary and multinational consortia. This research has advanced our understanding of disease pathophysiology, marking considerable scientific progress. Yet, it is crucial to retrospectively evaluate these efforts’ societal impact. Research proposals should be thoughtfully designed to ensure that the research findings can be effectively translated into actionable policies. In addition, the choice of scientific methods plays a pivotal role in shaping the societal impact of research discoveries. Understanding the factors responsible for current unmet public health issues and medical needs is crucial for crafting innovative strategies for research policy interventions. A multistakeholder survey and a roundtable helped identify potential needs for consideration in the EU research and policy agenda. Based on survey findings, mental health disorders, metabolic syndrome, cancer, antimicrobial resistance, environmental pollution, and cardiovascular diseases were considered the public health challenges deserving prioritisation. In addition, early diagnosis, primary prevention, the impact of environmental pollution on disease onset and personalised medicine approaches were the most selected unmet medical needs. Survey findings enabled the formulation of some research-policies interventions (RPIs), which were further discussed during a multistakeholder online roundtable. The discussion underscored recent EU-level activities aligned with the survey-derived RPIs and facilitated an exchange of perspectives on public health and biomedical research topics ripe for interdisciplinary collaboration and warranting attention within the EU’s research and policy agenda. Actionable recommendations aimed at facilitating the translation of knowledge into transformative, science-based policies are also provided.
Background
Colorectal cancer is identified as a lifestyle‐related type of cancer. There is an increasing emphasis on lifestyle interventions targeting pivotal lifestyle factors such as excess weight, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet and physical inactivity as primary and tertiary prevention. Furthermore, modifying these lifestyle factors has the potential to improve quality of life for cancer patients. We aim to identify, appraise and synthesise the available evidence regarding the effect of combined lifestyle interventions on quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors.
Methods
Pubmed, Ovid Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies reporting on quality of life in post‐treatment colorectal cancer patients. The systematic literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
Results
Five articles reporting on 719 individual patients were included. Two studies reported significantly better results in (cancer‐specific) quality‐of‐life questionnaires for patients after combined lifestyle interventions.
Conclusion
We conclude that there is some evidence that combined lifestyle interventions could have beneficial effects on the quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors. Future randomised controlled trials reporting on quality of life of combined lifestyle interventions in colorectal cancer survivors are warranted.
This paper aims to achieve efficient and effective procurement practices to improve the organizational performance of Kuwait’s medical equipment companies. Using a developed questionnaire, a cross-sectional time horizon was used to collect the data from 286 respondents. Smart-Pls 4 was used to analyze the data. The study’s findings indicated a positive direct effect between procurement practices and organizational performance. In addition, procurement practice factors, including staff competence, procurement planning, information technology, and management, have a positive direct effect. Procurement planning significantly affected organizational performance compared to staff competence and management. In contrast, information technology was the least significant factor affecting organizational performance. We suggest that medical equipment companies’ management prioritize staff competence and ensure all procurement employees receive adequate training on innovation procurement practices. Also, sales and procurement professionals must examine global supply chain issues since they affect product and service delivery.
Motivation
Being able to anticipate (foresight) and thus identify development pathways and make long‐term plans is crucial for the transformation of Africa. However, long‐term planning was abandoned as many African countries went into crisis, being mostly forced to adopt structural adjustment programmes in the 1980s. Although long‐term planning began to make a comeback in the 1990s, the resulting visions have tended to remain that— visions—not fully reflected in policy implementation.
Purpose
The article explores the many cycles of foresight in Africa to gain insight into how foresight can become an opportunity to generate new development options and strategies for Africa. Various examples of foresight in Africa are examined to tease out the imperatives for African policy‐makers to embed foresight into development management.
Approach and Methods
We review foresight in Africa, starting by mapping foresight exercises in the continent since independence. We identify three categories of foresight exercises: development partner‐led, government‐led, and civil society‐led. Given the involvement of the authors in some of the exercises, assessments are largely derived from personal communications, recollections, and reflections.
Findings
Four insights emerge. First, foresight exercises have had little impact on leaders and decision‐makers, in large part because they have not been intimately engaged in the exercises.
Two, foresight narratives tend to be challenging, raising difficult issues that may require substantial and difficult reforms. Faced with everyday challenges of government, leaders have usually chosen to ignore and disbelieve foresight exercises.
Three, foresight analysts have not been sufficiently empathetic to the highly constrained systems of public governance and the ministers and civil servants that operate them.
Four, futures initiatives can present the factors that may shape the future as overwhelming; and thereby discounting and undervaluing individual and collective agency.
Policy implications
Exploring the future is not new in Africa. In traditional African societies, the need to explore the future has been recognized, as captured in proverbs and mythologies. The challenge facing African countries today is how to domesticate and democratize “modern” foresight so it becomes a way of life for decision‐makers and institutions.
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