Exploring regional disparities in health satisfaction: a comparative study of socio-demographic, non-medical and medical factors in Asia and non-Asia

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the current status of research works on corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) in both non-Asian and Asian countries. It seeks to provide an overview of existing literatures to facilitate future research.Design/methodology/approachThe present study used the content analysis of 64 empirical research papers from 41 countries from 1990 to 2020 to show the rapid development of and global focus on CSRD. Various CSRD measures had been used in previous researches on the extent and quality of disclosure.FindingsCompany characteristics, namely, company size, age, profitability, industry, share price performance and corporate governance mechanisms and their impact on CSRD, were investigated. Crucial variances between the determinants of CSRD in non-Asian and Asian countries were also reviewed. In non-Asian countries, especially the advanced ones, specific stakeholders such as regulators, the environment, shareholders, ownership and media are considered very significant in the disclosure of CSR information. Meanwhile, in Asian countries, CSRD is more affected by external strength and stakeholders, which include international capital markets, creditors, the environment, international media and ownership.Research limitations/implicationsThe determinants of CSRD, namely, community, workplace, environment and marketplace issues received very little pressure from the public. This paper suggests that there is a need for more studies examining CSRD in non-Asian and Asian (emerging) countries.Social implicationsBusiness organisations in non-Asian and Asian countries should take social practices into consideration in their CSRD decision-making. This review highlights the significance of merging organisational and social activities.Originality/valueThis study adds value by examining CSRD aspects that were not reviewed in previous studies on CSRD in non-Asian and Asian countries. This study provides a comprehensive review of the determinants of CSRD in both non-Asian and Asian countries.

Clinical outcomes after endoscopic submucosal dissection for colorectal neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Efficacy, Durability, and Safety of Faricimab in Patients From Asian Countries With Diabetic Macular Edema: 1-Year Subgroup Analysis of the Phase III YOSEMITE and RHINE Trials.

Critical thinking disposition represents an inclination of a person to use possessed skills in relation to critical thinking. The trend of critical thinking has been described as inner motivation to solve problems and make decisions by thinking. In nursing as a practical profession, the concept of critical thinking dispositions is important component in helping to manage complex health situations and to deal with patient issues effectively. Willingness to think critically is a prerequisite for safe and subtly performance. The results of studies show critical thinking dispositions of nursing students in Asian countries are different from non-Asian countries. Aim of this literature review was to compare critical thinking dispositions of nursing students in Asian and non-Asian countries. Literature review was done in English and Persian databases. The results showed of the 795 articles published in English and Persian language that studied critical thinking, 73 ones studied critical thinking skills and dispositions in nursing education, and relationship between teaching methods and critical thinking skills and dispositions in nursing education of different countries. Fifteen of seventy three articles assessed critical thinking dispositions in nursing students. Limited studies showed that the Asian nursing students had mostly undermining score of the critical thinking dispositions, while non-Asian countries tend to positive scores. The reasons for these differences could be due to issues such as environmental, educational methods and cultural differences. However, future studies should measure critical thinking disposition by discipline-based tools.

Shadow prices and production inefficiency of mineral resources

Effects of protein supplementation and exercise on delaying sarcopenia in healthy older individuals in Asian and non-Asian countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

To examine the degree to which nonmedical factors explain additional variance in parent proxy report and child self-report of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among newly diagnosed children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) after accounting for medical factors. Parents (of children ages 2-16 years; n = 230) and patients (ages >5 years; n = 180) diagnosed within the previous 6 months completed surveys to assess medical (clinical parameters and functional status) and nonmedical (self-efficacy, coping, barriers to adherence, social support, parental distress, and access to care) factors and HRQOL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales). Physician-rated global assessment of disease activity, active joint count, and select laboratory variables (rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) were recorded. Nonmedical factors, including self-efficacy, coping with pain, barriers to adherence, social support, and parental distress, explained additional variance in HRQOL total, physical functioning, and psychosocial functioning scales (R(2) increases of 6%, 1%, and 13% for parent proxy report and 16%, 7%, and 30% for self-report, respectively). Parental distress was uniquely associated with parent proxy-report HRQOL, while child self-efficacy and social support were uniquely associated with self-report HRQOL. Nonmedical factors are associated with HRQOL in newly diagnosed patients with JIA after accounting for medical variables, particularly for psychosocial functioning.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was developed in Japan for treatment of early gastric cancer, and its use has expanded to colorectal lesions. There are several obstacles to ESD uptake in western countries. In a systematic review and meta-analysis, investigators assessed outcomes of colorectal ESD in Asian and non-Asian countries. Among 109 studies of colorectal ESD identified, 97 involved standard ESD techniques and 12 involved hybrid techniques (generally involving submucosal injection, circumferential incision into the submucosa, and subsequent snare resection). Among 17,073 lesions treated in Asian countries, compared with 1691 treated in non-Asian countries, rates of R0 resection (clear vertical …

Background Although the prevalence of stunting in South Sumatera is estimated to be relatively high, there have been few studies to date on stunting and the factors associated with it in the region. Objective To determine the proportion of stunting in infants and toddlers aged 3-59 months at Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital (RSMH), Palembang, South Sumatera, and to identify medical and non-medical factors associated with stunting in these children. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at RSMH from April to September 2023. Stunting was defined according to the WHO standard and combined with a growth pattern that reflects chronic malnutrition. We recorded the proportion of stunting as well as data on several potential medical and non-medical risk factors of stunting. Results A total of 183 subjects met the inclusion criteria. The overall proportion of stunting was 65/183 (35.5%). The proportion of stunting was higher in boys (39.6%) and in children <2 years of age (38.2%). Medical risk factors significantly associated with stunting were infectious disease [OR 4.13 (95%CI 1.91 to 8.94); P=0.001] and chronic disease [OR 3.02 (95%CI 1.56 to 5.85); P=0.001]. The only non-medical factor significantly associated with stunting was low paternal education level [OR 2.45 (95%CI 1.17 to 5.15); P=0.016]. Conclusion During the study period, over a third of pediatric patients at RSMH experienced stunting. Infectious disease, chronic disease, and low paternal education level were significant risk factors that contributed to the occurrence of stunting.

It is well-established that survival in burn injury is primarily dependent on three factors: age, percent total-body surface area burned (%TBSA), and inhalation injury. However, it is clear that in other (nonburn) conditions, nonmedical factors may influence mortality. Even in severe burns, patients undergoing resuscitation may survive for a period of time before succumbing to infection or other complications. In some cases, though, families in conjunction with caregivers may choose to withdraw care and not resuscitate patients with large burns. We wanted to investigate whether any nonmedical socioeconomic factors influenced the rate of early deaths in burn patients. The National Burn Repository (NBR) was used to identify patients that died in the first 72 hours after injury and those that survived more than 72 hours. Both univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to examine factors including age, gender, race, comorbidities, burn size, inhalation injury, and insurance type, and determine their influence on deaths within 72 hours. A total of 133,889 burn patients were identified, 1362 of which died in the first 72 hours. As expected, the Baux score (age plus burn size), and inhalation injury predicted early deaths. Interestingly, on multivariate analysis, patients with Medicare (p = .002), self-pay patients (p < .001), and those covered by automobile policies (p = .045) were significantly more likely to die early than those with commercial insurance. Medicaid patients were more likely to die early, but not significantly (p = .188). Worker's compensation patients were more likely to survive the first 72 hours compared with patients with commercial insurance (p < .001). Men were more likely to survive the early period than women (p = .043). On analysis by race, only Hispanic patients significantly differed from white patients, and Hispanics were more likely to survive the first 72 hours (p = .028). Traditional medical factors are major factors in early burn deaths. However, these results show that nonmedical socioeconomic factors including race, gender, and especially insurance status influence early burn deaths as well.

Adequate discharge planning could improve patient health and reduce readmissions. Increased accessibility and adequate use of hospital capacity are asking for an adequate discharge planning by means of efficient prediction of length of stay (LOS). Predictive factors of LOS for paediatric patients are lacking in the current available evidence. We aimed to identify these predictive factors in order to predict an optimal LOS. We conducted a prognostic study of all patients admitted to five different paediatric wards of Emma Children’s Hospital, a tertiary university hospital in the Netherlands. We investigated possible predictive factors based on the literature and an expert panel categorised in patient characteristics and medical and non-medical factors. This preliminary list was scored for all patients at the moment of discharge. All significant or relevant factors were used in a linear regression model to predict the LOS. We included 142 patients and explored the relationship between 28 variables, reflecting a mix of patient characteristics, medical and non-medical factors and LOS. In a univariable analysis, 17 variables were significantly related with LOS. Multivariable analysis found seven independent variables: sex, age category, specialism, risk of malnutrition, complications, home care and the involvement of other disciplines. These seven variables explained 48 % of the LOS (R2 of 0.476). Conclusion: Predictors of LOS consist patient characteristics, medical factors as well as non-medical factors (i.e. the need for home care and other disciplines). The latter factors can be influenced by changes in hospital policies.

Adequate discharge planning could improve patient health and reduce readmissions. Increased accessibility and adequate use of hospital capacity are asking for an adequate discharge planning by means of efficient prediction of length of stay (LOS). Predictive factors of LOS for paediatric patients are lacking in the current available evidence. We aimed to identify these predictive factors in order to predict an optimal LOS. We conducted a prognostic study of all patients admitted to five different paediatric wards of Emma Children's Hospital, a tertiary university hospital in the Netherlands. We investigated possible predictive factors based on the literature and an expert panel categorised in patient characteristics and medical and non-medical factors. This preliminary list was scored for all patients at the moment of discharge. All significant or relevant factors were used in a linear regression model to predict the LOS. We included 142 patients and explored the relationship between 28 variables, reflecting a mix of patient characteristics, medical and non-medical factors and LOS. In a univariable analysis, 17 variables were significantly related with LOS. Multivariable analysis found seven independent variables: sex, age category, specialism, risk of malnutrition, complications, home care and the involvement of other disciplines. These seven variables explained 48 % of the LOS (R(2) of 0.476). Predictors of LOS consist patient characteristics, medical factors as well as non-medical factors (i.e. the need for home care and other disciplines). The latter factors can be influenced by changes in hospital policies.

Numerous studies from Asian countries, including large collectives, have reported excellent results after laparoscopic resection of choledochal malformation (CM). However, the role of laparoscopic CM resection is still controversial outside Asia. We aimed to analyze the outcome of laparoscopic CM resection in our institution and to compare our outcome with the data reported in the literature. All patients who underwent laparoscopic CM resection in our pediatric surgical department from 2002 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed for surgical details and postoperative complications, which were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. A systematic literature search identified all reports on over 10 cases of laparoscopic pediatric CM resection and surgical details, follow-up, and complication rates were extracted. Fifty-seven patients (72% female) with a mean age of 3.6 + 4.1 years underwent laparoscopic CM resection in our department. Conversion rate was 30%. Total complication rate was 28%. The rate of major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III or more) was 16% and included stricture of the biliodigestive or enteric anastomosis (n = 4), adhesive ileus (n = 3), portal vein thrombosis (n = 1), and recurrent cholangitis with consecutive liver transplantation (n = 1). With increasing experience, complication rates decreased. The majority of publications on laparoscopic CM resections originated from Asia (n = 36) and reported on low complication rates. In contrast, publications originating from non-Asian countries (n = 5) reported on higher complications following laparoscopic CM resection. Our data indicate that laparoscopic CM resection can be safely performed. The learning curve in combination with the low incidence calls for a centralization of patients who undergo laparoscopic CM resection. There seems to be a discrepancy on complications rates reported from Asian and non-Asian countries following laparoscopic CM resection.

In this article, we examine the structural stability of a three-dimensional model of managerial competencies across 11 non-Asian countries (Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain and the United States) and 4 Asian countries (China, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand). The results indicate that the three competency dimensions (external, interpersonal and personal) are stable across countries. We further investigate potential variation across countries in terms of the weight allocated to different competencies. We discovered that Asian countries place heavier emphasis on external and interpersonal dimensions; non-Asian countries tend more toward the personal dimension. In addition, key managerial implications, particularly with regard to leadership development, are discussed.

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is a main consequence of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Abnormal expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) in HF are observed in current studies. Novel biomarkers miRNAs may play an important role in the development of HF. Nevertheless, the inconsistency of miRNA expression limits the clinical application. We thus perform this systematic review of the miRNAs expression profiling to identify potential HF biomarkers.MethodsThe electronic databases of Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify the miRNA expression profiles between HF subjects and non-HF controls before May 26th, 2021. The pooled results were shown as log10 odds ratios (logORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effect models. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to species, region, and sample source. The quality assessment of included studies was independently conducted based on Diagnostic Accuracy Study 2 (QUADAS-2). The sensitivity analysis was conducted based on sample size.ResultsA total of 55 miRNA expression articles reporting 276 miRNAs of HF were included. 47 consistently up-regulated and 10 down-regulated miRNAs were identified in the overall analysis, with the most up-regulated miR-21 (logOR 8.02; 95% CI: 6.76–9.27, P < 0.001) and the most down-regulated miR-30c (logOR 6.62; 95% CI: 3.04–10.20, P < 0.001). The subgroup analysis of sample source identified 35 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated miRNAs in blood sample, the most up-regulated and down-regulated miRNAs were miR-210-3p and miR-30c, respectively. In the region sub-groups, let-7i-5p and miR-129 were most up-regulated and down-regulated in Asian countries, while in non-Asian countries, let-7e-5p and miR-30c were the most dysregulated. It’s worth noting that miR-622 was consistently up-regulated in both Asian and non-Asian countries. Sensitivity analysis showed that 46 out of 58 (79.31%) miRNAs were dysregulated.ConclusionA total of 57 consistently dysregulated miRNAs related to HF were confirmed in this study. Seven dysregulated miRNAs (miR-21, miR-30c, miR-210-3p, let-7i-5p, miR-129, let-7e-5p, and miR-622) may be considered as potential non-invasive biomarkers for HF. However, further validation in larger-scale studies are needed to verify our conclusions.