International Literature Research Articles

БЕЗОПАСНОСТЬ И ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ТЕРАПИИ ПСОРИАЗА СРЕДНЕЙ И ТЯЖЕЛОЙ СТЕПЕНЕЙ ИНГИБИТОРОМ ИНТЕРЛЕЙКИНА-17А (НЕТАКИМАБОМ)

Purpose. To gain an understanding of the efficacy and safety of Netakimab (interleukin-17A inhibitor) in the treatment of moderate and severe psoriatic skin lesions based on literature review. Materials and methods. Modern Russian and international literature sources on this topic were collected and analysed. Data searches were performed in specialised resources: mrj.ima-press.net, PubMed, Scopus, CochraneLibrary and others. The review focused on the analysis of randomised controlled trials that investigated the efficacy and safety of Netakimab (interleukin-17A inhibitor). Results and discussion. Netakimab has shown a high therapeutic potential is on par with, and in some cases superior to, the efficacy of other biological drugs. A significant proportion of patients achieved PASI 75 and higher by the 12th week of therapy. I Regarding safety, Netakimab demonstrated a profile similar to other IL-17A inhibitors, with no new significant risks identified. Conclusion. Netakimab is a promising first-line biologic therapy option for patients with moderate to severe psoriatic skin lesions. Long-term studies are needed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the drug.

Transnational medical education programmes and preparation for different country medical practice: A systematic review.

Medical education is becoming more internationalised. Increasing numbers of students engage in Transnational Medical Education Programmes, pursuing their Primary Medical Qualification outside of their home country; with plans to transition back to their home country - or a third country - after graduation. Medical education is however, inextricably embedded within medical contexts, and a potential mismatch exists between graduates' place of training and place of practice in terms of the knowledge, skills and values required to practice safely in a different context. What types of Transnational Medical Education programmes can be identified from the international literature? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these programmes and do they prepare students for international practice? This review was based on the PRISMA-Guidelines for systematic reviews. We searched five electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, WEB of Science and ERIC. No date or language restrictions were placed on the inclusion criteria. Data extraction was completed by two independent reviewers. Quality appraisal was carried out using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and a narrative synthesis of the included papers was conducted. Our literature search identified 12 studies. From the included studies we were able to identify three types of Transnational Medical Education Programme, and a number of strengths and weaknesses of these programmes. Strengths were: increasing medical workforce capacity, enhancing the quality of education locally, promoting intercultural competence and increasing exposure to new ways of working (enhanced communication skills, shared decision-making, experience of multidisciplinary teamwork and patient-centeredness). Weaknesses were: potential curriculum misalignment within the context of clinical practice, language barriers and encountering differences in hierarchical systems, shared decision making and patient-centredness all of which impact preparation for practice. Transnational medical education programmes address shortages within the medical workforce by creating additional training opportunities. They can also drive up the quality of medical education locally. There is, however, a potential mismatch between the curriculum and the place of practice which can impact upon graduates' preparation for professional practice.

Development of a CT-less SPECT Acquisition Protocol for Kidney Dosimetry in 177Lu-PSMA-617 Radioligand Therapy.

Development of a CT-less SPECT Acquisition Protocol for Kidney Dosimetry in 177Lu-PSMA-617 Radioligand Therapy.

Reevaluating health metrics: Unraveling the limitations of disability-adjusted life years as an indicator in disease burden assessment.

In 1993, the World Bank released a global report on the efficacy of health promotion, introducing the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) as a novel indicator. The DALY, a composite metric incorporating temporal and qualitative data, is grounded in preferences regarding disability status. This review delineates the algorithm used to calculate the value of the proposed DALY synthetic indicator and elucidates key methodological challenges associated with its application. In contrast to the quality-adjusted life years approach, derived from multi-attribute utility theory, the DALY stands as an independent synthetic indicator that adopts the assumptions of the Time Trade Off utility technique to define Disability Weights. Claiming to rely on no mathematical or economic theory, DALY users appear to have exempted themselves from verifying whether this indicator meets the classical properties required of all indicators, notably content validity, reliability, specificity, and sensitivity. The DALY concept emerged primarily to facilitate comparisons of the health impacts of various diseases globally within the framework of the Global Burden of Disease initiative, leading to numerous publications in international literature. Despite widespread adoption, the DALY synthetic indicator has prompted significant methodological concerns since its inception, manifesting in inconsistent and non-reproducible results. Given the substantial diffusion of the DALY indicator and its critical role in health impact assessments, a reassessment is warranted. This reconsideration is imperative for enhancing the robustness and reliability of public health decision-making processes.

Factors influencing the agricultural extension model sites in Iran

This study aims to explore the factors and challenges influencing Agricultural Extension Model Sites (AEMSs) in improving irrigated wheat production in Iran. An exploratory survey was conducted to investigate changes related to pre-planting, planting, harvesting, and post-harvesting activities by examining farmers who are members of wheat AEMSs. The goal was to understand the effects and challenges faced by these sites in agriculture. The study revealed that challenges at model sites are grouped into six categories: technical-structural, planning, political-motivational, financial and credit, agronomic, and cooperation and coordination factors. These six factors accounted for 68.55% of the variance in AEMSs challenges. The most significant effects of AEMSs included improving the efficiency of agricultural activities, and increasing farmers’ trust in agricultural extension agents by providing practical solutions to enhance productivity. The main practical implication is that the Agricultural Institute of Education and Extension in Iran can objectively introduce farmers to the best agricultural techniques and accelerate the adoption of innovations in agriculture by creating and expanding these sites for various products and topics. The study offers new insights into agricultural technology transfer models and addresses a gap in the existing literature regarding model sites as an Iranian agricultural extension initiative. This is particularly significant in the context of international academic literature. This study investigates the factors and challenges associated with the Agricultural Extension Model Sites (AEMS) approach, which has been designed and implemented in agricultural extension in Iran. While similar extension models are utilized internationally, AEMS demonstrates a superior ability to persuade farmers to adopt optimal agricultural practices. This paper presents evidence of the effectiveness of agricultural extension models, particularly in enhancing the productivity of the strategically important wheat crop.

Factors influencing the incorporation of Entrustable Professional Activities into assessment in nutrition and dietetics education: A systematic review.

This study aimed to identify and synthesise the evidence on factors influencing the incorporation of Entrustable Professional Activities into assessment in nutrition and dietetics education. A systematic review was conducted with a narrative synthesis and was undertaken and reported in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Six electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and EMBASE) on 9 September 2024. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklists. Key patterns identified from the narrative synthesis of the included manuscripts were labelled as themes and represented in a figure. Across the international literature, six articles were identified revealing six main and interconnected themes related to factors influencing the incorporation of Entrustable Professional Activities in nutrition and dietetics. In summary, development and review processes for Entrustable Professional Activities require key stakeholder engagement in addition to ensuring they are linked to assessment structures and existing frameworks. Furthermore, technology platforms and applications appeared to support Entrustable Professional Activity incorporation, and training is an important part of integration. Further research on factors influencing incorporation is occurring and is suggested to continue, especially given Entrustable Professional Activities seemingly offer a tangible option to simplify the intricacy of competency-based assessment in work-based practice. However, further research to enhance understanding of whether Entrustable Professional Activities support nutrition and dietetics learners and assessors in undertaking high-quality assessment with utility is warranted.

Describing the Core Attributes and Impact of Comprehensive Cancer Centers Internationally: A Chronological Scoping Review

Background/Objectives: Comprehensive cancer centers (CCCs) remain at the forefront of cancer control efforts. Limited clarity and variation exist around the models, scope, characteristics, and impacts of CCCs around the globe. This scoping review systematically searched and synthesized the international literature, describing core attributes and anticipated and realized impacts of CCCs, detailing changes over time. Methods: Searches for English language sources were conducted across PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Epistemonikos, and the gray literature from January 2002 to April 2024. Data were extracted and appraised by two authors. Results were narratively synthesized. Results: Of 3895 database records and 843 gray literature sources screened, 81 sources were included. Papers were predominantly opinion-based, from the USA and Europe, and published between 2011 and 2020. Internationally, the interconnected attributes of CCCs included (1) clinical service provision; (2) research, data, and innovation; (3) education and clinical support; (4) networks and leadership; (5) health equity and inclusiveness; and (6) accountability and governance. Largely anticipated impacts were synergistic and included delivery of optimal, person-centered, complex care; development of a highly qualified cancer workforce; greater research activity and funding; effective, strategic alliances; and reduction in cancer-related inequalities. Limited evidence was found demonstrating measurable broad outcomes of CCCs. The early literature highlighted the establishment, development, and accreditation of CCCs. The ongoing literature has reflected the evolution of cancer care, key areas for growth, and limitations of CCCs. Recently, the CCC literature has increased exponentially and focused on the need for CCCs to drive networks and leadership to address health equity and inclusiveness. Conclusions: Results suggest that CCCs are yet to reach their full potential, with future efforts ideally focusing on accountability, effective networking, and health equity at a local, national, and international level. CCCs must generate evidence of impact, and continue to evolve in line with contemporary healthcare, to fulfil their role in cancer control efforts.

Mapeamento de possibilidades de iniciativas de educação interprofissional: um estudo de caso

The adoption and strengthening of Interprofessional Education (IPE) in university curricula requires rigorous and systematic planning in the incorporation of IPE's theoretical, conceptual and methodological frameworks, ensuring intentionality in developing collaboration, without disregarding the reality of the courses and institutions. This case study aimed to map out possibilities for systematizing IPE initiatives in health courses, based on pre-existing curricula. A documentary analysis of the curricular components of undergraduate health courses at a public university in northeastern Brazil was carried out, following a guiding script. Systematization and data analysis were used, focusing on the core elements of IPE initiatives reported in international literature. IPE possibilities were identified in the different courses, with some presenting more than one curricular component with opportunities for interprofessional interactions per term. Common themes related to hospital care and primary health care appear as opportunities for interprofessional learning, facilitating the planning of future interprofessional activities. The IPE initiative mapping model used in this study has provided a possible path for universities that have few or no structured IPE initiatives and aim to do so.

Syitä salaisen tietolähteen yhteistyöhön ryhtymiselle – Oman edun tavoittelua vai monimutkainen motiivien vyyhti?

Reasons for HUMINT source’s cooperation – Opportunism or a complex web of motives? When conducting HUMINT source operations, it is essential to assess the motives of sources. HUMINT sources’ motives are widely covered in the international scientific literature, but the number of studies in Finnish is still limited. The aim of this study was to find out which motives have led people to become HUMINT sources. Two extensive historic presentations and scientific articles concerning HUMINT sources’ motives were qualitatively analysed within the MICE framework. The MICE framework was found overly simplifying and it was assessed not to promote the correct identification of the sources’ motives. It was found out that often the main factors explaining cooperation would fall under ego-class. In the future studies, a more comprehensive understanding of the related motivation theories, and their applicability in HUMINT context, should be established.

Emergency care for young people after self-harm: a realist review protocol

IntroductionIn England, increasing numbers of young people seek help from emergency healthcare services, such as ambulances and emergency departments, after they self-harm. One contributing factor is a lack of meaningful...

Effectiveness of wearable technologies used in the monitoring of cardiovascular diseases in the community: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Effectiveness of wearable technologies used in the monitoring of cardiovascular diseases in the community: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

THE IMPACT OF BOARD STRUCTURE ON COST OF DEBT: A RESEARCH ON BIST MANUFACTURING SECTOR COMPANIES

The goal of this research is to investigate the impact of the board structure of firms on the cost of debt. Therefore, the data of 150 firms listed in the “Borsa Istanbul (BIST) manufacturing sector” between 2017-2021 are analyzed. “Panel data analysis” method is administered in the research. It is found that gender diversity, board independence, size, return on assets, tangible assets, firm age, financial leverage and percentage of sales growth have an impact on the cost of debt. However, the gender of the chairman, board size and liquidity variables are found to have no significant impact on the cost of debt. While there are studies in the international literature that examine the effect of board structure on the cost of debt, there is a limited number of studies in the national literature on this issue in the Turkish sample. This research, which aims to investigate the relationship between the board structure and the cost of debt of firms in the BIST manufacturing sector, is thought to complement the gap in the literature.

Femoral Head Reduction Osteotomy for the Treatment of Severe Femoral Head Deformities and Articular Incongruity in Children with Perthes Disease

Background. Lack of adequate treatment for children with Perthes disease leads to the formation of severe femoral head deformity with articular surfaces incongruity, followed by the development of femoroacetabular impingement and early hip osteoarthritis. To date, femoral head reduction osteotomy is the most effective treatment option for such patients. However, the results of its performance have been discussed in only a few case-control studies with small sample sizes in both international and domestic literature. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of femoral head reduction osteotomy and to analyze the further development of the hip joint in children operated for severe femoral head deformity due to Perthes disease. Methods. We have analyzed preoperative and postoperative results of clinical and radiological examination of 20 patients (20 hip joints) aged 8 to 12 years with deformed Perthes femoral head and articular surfaces incongruity. Femoral head reduction osteotomy was performed in all patients. Results. A radical proximal femoral reconstruction has led to significant improvement in the shape of the proximal femur with improved head sphericity and restoration of articular congruence. However, at the 6- to 12-month follow-up, some patients, primarily those with progressive lateral acetabular rim deformity, exhibited a decrease in the intraoperatively achieved Wiberg angle, an increase in the percentage of femoral head extrusion from the acetabulum, and varying degrees of Shenton line disruption. Conclusions. Performing femoral head reduction osteotomy with correct surgical technique is an effective reconstructive technique for the treatment of children with a severe saddle-shaped deformity of the femoral head and articular surfaces incongruity. In patients with Tönnis and Sharp angles exceeding the upper limit of the physiological norm, due to the formation of secondary subluxation, it is advisable to simultaneously perform femoral head reduction osteotomy and triple/periacetabular pelvic osteotomy. This treatment option should be chosen only after a critical analysis of potential risks.

ACCORD study: a national multi-centre study of the watch and wait approach in patients with rectal cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The adoption of a watch and wait (W&W) approach in patients with rectal cancer, and a complete clinical response (cCR) following neoadjuvant therapy, is increasing worldwide. Despite this, pragmatic unbiased outcome data is limited. This study aimed to investigate national outcomes associated with W&W in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ). A national retrospective study of patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum managed with a W&W approach between January 2015 and December 2022 in AoNZ was performed by STRATA, a student and trainee led collaborative network. The Cancer Registry and the New Zealand Ministry of Health National Minimum Data Set were linked to identify patients who had rectal cancer and who were treated with neoadjuvant therapy but not rectal resection. Research teams across 17 AoNZ hospitals then screened these patients for inclusion and data collection. One thousand five hundred and eighteen patients were screened across 17 hospitals, 133 met inclusion criteria. Median age was 71 years. Median follow-up was 2.2 years. The 2-year cumulative incidence of local regrowth was 18.2% (95% CI 10.7%-25.1%), of which 92% was present in the bowel wall, and 68% underwent surgery, all with curative intent. The 2-year cumulative distant metastasis rate was 8.8% (95% CI 3.0%-14.2%) and the 2-year overall survival was 94.8% (95% CI 90.4%-99.4%). This nationwide study of a W&W approach has clinical outcomes similar to the international literature. This data will help guide further implementation of a W&W approach in the management of patients with rectal cancer and inform both clinicians and patients.

Unified force-based design approach for the seismic analysis and design of liquid storage tanks

Abstract Historical observations reveal that Liquid Storage Tanks (LST) have suffered significant earthquake-induced damages. The structural response of LST are sensitive to earthquakes due to dynamic fluid-tank interaction. Since designing with consideration of fluid-tank interaction in the time domain is complex, simplified calculation approaches have been developed to calculate base shear and overturning moments, but not pressure distributions. These approaches distinguish between flexible and rigid tanks, which is difficult to decide prior analysis. This paper presents a unified calculation concept that determines support reactions and pressure distributions independently of the tank’s stiffness by applying static equivalent loads. The research focuses on the distinction between rigid and flexible design approaches, review existing codes, their limitations, and challenges associated with relative acceleration response spectra. It scrutinizes varying definitions of impulsive components and superposition principles. A unified force-based design approach is suggested that integrates rigid and flexible design principles into a unified method. The approach uses standardized pressure curves of individual hydrodynamic pressure components, linked with absolute and relative spectral accelerations and appropriate superposition methods. The unified formulation is validated through a previously conducted experimental and numerical research on above-ground steel tank. The validation and application of the unified approach forms the basis for the new generation of Eurocode FprEN 1998-4 (2025), which is demonstrated for different tank geometries. The practical application is demonstrated on a squat and a slender tank using linear finite element model, and the results are compared with various approaches in the international standards and literature.

A british society of gastrointestinal and abdominal radiology (BSGAR) multi-Centre audit of imaging investigations in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Objectives To evaluate current UK practice for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) imaging against recommendations from published international literature. Methods A retrospective multi-centre audit was undertaken evaluating imaging modalities, protocols and pathways used to investigate IBD both in outpatient and inpatient settings during January-December 2022. Reporting practices and training provisions were also recorded. Results Forty-one centres contributed: 35 centres provided complete data, 6 incomplete. Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) was the most common modality for small bowel imaging across UK centres, comprising 13,099/18,784 (69.7%) investigations. There was regional variability in other modalities used, with 5 centres performing 81% of all intestinal ultrasound, and 3 centres performing 65% of all small bowel follow-through. Compared to outpatients, inpatients with suspected IBD were significantly more likely to be imaged with techniques imparting ionising radiation whether scanned either in-hours (p = 0.005) or out-of-hours (p < 0.001). Non-ionising radiation imaging modalities were significantly less available out-of-hours (p < 0.0001). Sequences included in MRE protocols were variable. Disparity in imaging follow-up for patients prescribed biologic therapies was observed. Conclusions Considerable variation in UK IBD imaging practice has been identified. Improvements must be made to reduce the regional inequality of patient access to different imaging modalities and decrease reliance on ionising radiation for inpatients. Further research to standardise and optimise imaging pathways should be undertaken to improve uniformity, with emphasis placed on training and education. Advances in Knowledge This multi-centre audit showed considerable IBD imaging practice variation between UK centres, particularly for imaging modalities used between inpatient and outpatient groups, and in-hours versus out-of-hours.

Early Bloomers in Intergenerational Family Solidarity: An Exploratory Study on the Phenomenon of Young Carers in Spain

Inherently, parents take care of their children until they become independent adults; similarly, children care for their progenitors in their old age. However, this socially normal order may be reversed when progenitors experience a chronic disease while their children are still young. This paper analyses the lived experiences of young caregivers (YCs) and how a family member’s illness affects them. The present study employs the intergenerational family solidarity (IFS) theory and draws on qualitative data gathered from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with YCs living in Spain (N = 8). The article reveals that the illness of a family member strengthens IFS and family unity, involves a learning process, causes psychological distress, and creates a need for emotional support. Additionally, the study identifies some minor differences based on the gender of YCs. The paper’s main contributions are twofold. Firstly, it contributes to the international literature on YCs using the theoretical perspective elaborated by Bengtson and Roberts in 1991, which is commonly applied to the relationship between adult children and elderly parents or grandparents and grandchildren. Secondly, the article provides new empirical considerations for the investigation and social recognition of YCs, particularly in Spain, where the family serves as a strong cornerstone of social protection, literature on this phenomenon is scarce, and social awareness is limited.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Political Science Research on a Global Scale

This research aims to contribute to a macro-level understanding of the intellectual foundations of the field of political science by examining it in depth through bibliometric analysis and discovering the epistemological insights hidden in it, as well as the basic dimensions of studies in the discipline. Thus, it is objectives to provide basic data and guidance to academics working on the methodology of the discipline of political science. Accordingly, the trends, topics, and general themes of academic studies published in universally respected journals with high-impact factors in the field of political science will be identified. The article's original value is the first thorough bibliometric study of the discipline in Turkish national literature and one of the first few thorough bibliometric studies in international literature. This study conducted a brief literature review to examine key scientific texts on political science methodology that reflect general trends. Subsequently, data retrieved from two selected databases (Scopus and WoS) were analyzed and interpreted using text-mining tools (WOSviewer and R Studio). As a result of this analysis, 17 datasets and meaningful patterns emerged. Word clouds, bibliometric maps, heat maps, and word maps were obtained, which include the analysis of studies according to years, fields, types, impact values, factors, themes, trends, and countries with the most studies. The findings are interpreted in the conclusion, and a general trend in the discipline is presented.

Best practice guidelines and service provision for supporting women with birth-related trauma: A scoping review of international literature.

Best practice guidelines and service provision for supporting women with birth-related trauma: A scoping review of international literature.

A visualization analysis of research on arterial compression hemostatic devices using VOSviewer and CiteSpace.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases pose a significant health challenge in modern society, with the advancement of interventional therapy and vascular intervention technology playing crucial roles. In the context of post-interventional procedures, the application of suitable pressure at the puncture site is of utmost importance for achieving hemostasis. A variety of arterial compression devices are utilized in clinical settings to facilitate this critical step. A bibliometric analysis is used to assess the impact of research in a particular field. This study seeks to explore the research trends, key themes, and future directions of arterial compression hemostatic devices in international scholarly literature to inform future research endeavors. English-language literature on arterial compression hemostatic devices was systematically retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases until December 31, 2024. In this study, we employed VOSviewer 1.6.18 and CiteSpace 6.2.r4 to systematically analyze a comprehensive set of parameters, which included authorship and institutional affiliations, geographical distribution by country, and thematic categorization through keywords. In total, 4,358 relevant publications were retrieved. This study's results section highlights a growing body of research on arterial compression hemostasis devices, with a significant increase in publications post-2000, reaching 107 in 2022. Department of Cardiology leads in institutional contributions, while 'Bernat, lvo' is the most prolific authors. Keyword analysis identifies "human," "article," "hemostasis," "female," and "male" as key terms, with 7 thematic clusters revealed by hierarchical clustering. The results provide an overview of research on arterial compression hemostatic devices, which may help researchers better understand classical research, historical developments, and new discoveries, as well as providing ideas for future research.