Research Organizations Research Articles

The impact of affiliation naming proximity on the retrieval efficiency of Chinese universities-affiliated retractions in the Retraction Watch Database

ABSTRACT The Retraction Watch Database (RWDB) is widely used to retrieve retraction data. However, its lack of affiliation normalization hinders the retrieval efficiency of retraction data for specific research-performing organizations. A query for a university name in the RWDB may yield retraction data entries for other universities with similar names, giving rise to the issue of affiliation naming proximity. This study assessed the impact of this issue on the retrieval efficiency of retraction records for 2,692 Chinese university names in English. The analysis revealed that the retrieval efficiency of retraction records for 206 Chinese university names can be influenced by 408 university names. As of 2022, the retrieval efficiency of retraction records for 96 Chinese university names was compromised by the involvement of 402 university names, resulting in an overall retraction inflation rate of 37.9% and an average rate of 45.0%. The findings highlight the importance of curating retraction data through affiliation-specific queries in the RWDB, adhering to the official English names of Chinese universities for scholarly publishing, and adopting the Research Organization Registry system for affiliation disambiguation. Given the significance of this issue concerning the English names of universities in non-English-speaking countries, the identified causes of the problem and proposed solutions can offer valuable insights for improving the retrieval of retraction records for non-Chinese universities in the RWDB.

Latin America and cancer clinical trials: Underrepresented region with significant growth potential.

e23038 Background: Latin America (LATAM) represents 8.4% of the world's population and has a growing cancer incidence compared with other regions. However, most clinical trials are conducted in high-income countries. The clinical research regulatory regimen in LATAM has been evolving consistently in the last decade and now is stable and mature, and data quality is comparable to other geographies. Enhanced LATAM involvement in global clinical trials would help these studies to meet recruitment goals, increase diversity, and reduce costs and perhaps timelines associated with clinical research. This abstract shows the current landscape of clinical research in LATAM trough data and experience of a global clinic research organization (CRO) (Fortrea). Methods: We obtained the 2020 cancer incidence in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, LATAM, and worldwide, from the World Health Organization’s GLOBOCAN database, as well as the information about ongoing, terminated, or completed clinical trials in these regions using Citeline’s database, from 2018 to 2023. We gathered LATAM countries' regulatory approval timelines from Fortrea’s database. Results: Overall, 7.7% of all cancer cases in 2020 were diagnosed in LATAM; however, only 3.64% of oncology trials were conducted there. The major disparities are in prostate cancer (15.2% vs 3.9% of cases and trials, respectively), followed by thyroid (10.8% vs 3.7%), cervix uteri (9.8% vs 4.6%), leukemia (8.1% vs 3.6%), and colorectal (7% vs 2.51%). Brazil had 3.1% of all cases but 1.9% of trials, while Mexico had 1% vs 1.3%, Argentina had 0.7% and 1.3%, Chile had 0.3% vs 0.7%, Peru had 0.4% vs 0.6%, and Colombia had 0.6% and 0.45% respectively. Regarding trial phases, 0.7% of Phase I trials were run in LATAM, 2.2% of Phase II, 15.6% of Phase III, and 2.8% of Phase IV. In the Table below, we present the proportion of clinical trials in LATAM in the past 5 years, based on the actual enrollment first date. Regulatory approval timelines in LATAM vary among countries, being 4.5 months in Argentina, 4 to 7 months in Brazil, 4.6 months in Chile, 7 months in Colombia, 2.8 months in Mexico, and 9 months in Peru. Conclusions: As a region, LATAM has been underrepresented in the clinical research scenario in the past five years, including in much-needed areas like prostate, colorectal, and cervical cancer. It is better represented in phase III studies but has almost negligible participation in other trial phases. There are differences among individual countries, with Brazil being underrepresented as opposed to Argentina and Mexico. Start-up timelines are variable among countries but overall comparable to other regions. We notice a significant potential to increase the number of clinical trials in LATAM. [Table: see text]

Progress Tracker Breast Cancer Registry: A Breast Cancer Canada initiative.

e23018 Background: Significant gaps exist in the collection of real-world evidence and validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) data from individuals with breast cancer. Variations in treatment and surveillance care across regional jurisdictions present knowledge gaps across diverse populations which remain difficult to study. The PROgress Tracker Breast Cancer Registry, a large, prospective Canadian PROMs cohort study aims to identify care gaps through the lived patient experience to inform patient-centered care and new research directions. Methods: PROgress Tracker is a real-world, longitudinal, non-interventional PROMs registry directed by Breast Cancer Canada, a registered non-profit patient-led organization, and data managed by University of Calgary’s POET program. Launched in October 2023, this registry aims to enroll up to 50,000 adult Canadian participants with a histologic diagnosis of in-situ or invasive breast cancer (stage 0 through IV) within 10 years. A volunteer-led peer-to-peer support model, based in regional and provincial hubs across Canada, facilitates participant recruitment, engagement, and retention. Individuals who self-identify for study inclusion provide informed consent, demographic and socioeconomic profile, and clinical information on their breast cancer diagnosis. Every three months (and up to 10 years) a bilingual digital platform to reduce barriers to access is used to provide all PROgress Tracker participants 8 validated PROMs to capture evolving measures of self-efficacy for wellbeing, symptoms and overall global functioning. Based on treatment, up to 10 additional PROMs to assess the immediate adverse effects and long-term impacts of treatment are collected. PROgress Tracker has the additional capacity to link to external ethics-approved studies to investigate clinical outcome and healthcare utilization metrics for participants consenting to additional studies. Results: In progress. Conclusions: PROgress Tracker represents Canada’s first national PROMs breast cancer registry. Its unique design and implementation by a patient-led research organization helps fill gaps in current knowledge through longitudinal follow up of patients prior to, during, and after cancer care, and from the time from diagnosis through active treatment, long-term survivorship, and/or palliative care. The PROgress Tracker Registry will comprehensively gather the validated real-world data information rarely collected in in the traditional clinical or trial-based research setting using a novel self-enroll design and digital process. Such information is crucial to support evidence-based decision making to inform patient-centered healthcare change. This allows comparison across Canadian jurisdictions, is scalable to other jurisdictions around the world and further explores the utility of electronic PROMs data capture within a diverse patient population.

Dynamic machine learning model to forecast patient availability for clinical trials.

e13641 Background: Patient eligibility is a routine concept in clinical research, comprised of simple or complex set of inclusion or exclusion criteria applied in a specific sequence. Our methodology introduces the concept of ‘availability’ as a narrower term that is closer to the actual number that will be considered for a specific study and who may decide to participate. This specific research develops Machine Learning (ML) model that dynamically predicts likelihood of Multiple Myeloma progression and departure from targeted outcomes to sustain therapy and to indicate potential availability for clinical trials – to reduce screening efforts and improve screening precision of clinical research organizations. Methods: The cohort for training these models was drawn from the ConcertAI Oncology Research database, further enriched by key variables derived from unstructured data sources. Eligible patients for the analysis had a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma made after Jan 1, 2020. Progressions were labelled using International Myeloma Working Group Criteria. Patients that did not satisfy the criteria were censored. Labels were assigned to patients after initial diagnosis of MM, and the duration between diagnosis to label was computed to build time to event (TTE) models. Over 2000 features were created to build this model, e.g., laboratory values, vitals, biomarkers, medications, ECOG, stage, etc. Variable creation preserved temporality of lab variables and vitals and noted presence of other variables. Several ML methods were employed to build the TTE models, with gradient boosting resulting in the highest c-index (0.8) based on 12 clinically relevant features. A temporal validation of the model was performed on a simulated index date. Results: Cohort used for training the model comprised of N = 4315 patients with average age at diagnosis of 72.3 years, and ~11% of the patients labelled as progressing. Temporal validation was performed on N = 1874 patients, with ~9% progression rate. The area under the curve (AUC) and weighted F1 score for this cohort was 87% and 89% respectively. Conclusions: Patient availability assessments are complex, not supported effectively by existing solutions and often require 100’s of hours from highly trained clinical personnel. An AI model predicting Multiple Myeloma progression built using a large-scale real-world dataset demonstrated 2-4x improvement in forecasting patient availability over other approaches. Integrating these solutions into clinical workflows can improve the effectiveness of research teams; enable more patients to have clinical trials as viable options at the right time; and allow care teams to have forward visibility to choices of standard-of-care and clinical trial alternatives in the best interest of patient outcomes. [Table: see text]

Towards a Versatile and Impactful Qualitative Research Paradigm: A Comprehensive Guide to Grounded Theory for Organizational Researchers

Cathy Urquhart's Grounded Theory for Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide (2nd ed.) provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the grounded theory methodology. The book explores the historical development of grounded theory, its diverse approaches, and applications, empowering readers to make informed decisions about the research method. Urquhart emphasizes the importance of reflexivity, theoretical sensitivity, and the role of the researcher, encouraging a participant-centered approach. The book's coverage of key concepts, practical exercises, and strategies for overcoming challenges make it an indispensable resource for researchers and teachers in fields like information systems and organizational studies. Urquhart also highlights promising avenues for the future development of grounded theory, such as the integration of digital technologies and cross-cultural applications.

Gender(ed) science: How the institutionalization of gender continues to shape the conduct and content of women's health research

Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, and attributes that a particular society considers appropriate for men and women based on assumptions about biological sex. It also operates as a major social organizing principle that confers unequal power, status, and resources to men and women, with direct consequences for health. Historic patriarchal and misogynistic beliefs and values are reinforced through social institutions, including health science, which reify gender inequities. This commentary examines two key domains in which the social organization and institutionalization of gender in scientific research affect the conduct of women's health research and, by extension, women's health outcomes. These domains are: 1) decisions about which topics are prioritized, researched, and funded and 2) the dissemination of research findings. Using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a case study to illustrate broader patterns in scientific research, we present evidence of gender-based inequities in what is prioritized, deemed fundable, and disseminated, and how this affects knowledge production and attention to women's health. We highlight efforts and progress made by the NIH and call for additional attention to further address gender-based inequities and their impact on women's health research. We conclude with a call for critical social science analyses—ideally supported by the NIH—of the social organization of health science research to identify points of intervention for redressing deep-seated obstacles to advancing research on women's health.

공공연구기관 연구자의 내부결속력, 무형식학습, 지식공유, 혁신행동 간 구조적 관계

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship among internal bonding, knowledge sharing, informal learning, and innovative behavior of public research organization researchers. To pursue it, we used the 2022 survey on human resource development in science and technology panel data and analyzed the relationship among four variables; internal bonding, knowledge sharing, informal learning, and innovative behavior through the structural equation modeling and bootstrapping. The results of the study are as follows: Firstly, we found no statistically significant direct impact of internal bonding within public research organizations on innovative behavior. Secondly, Public Research Organization Researchers’ internal bonding influenced informal learning, knowledge sharing. Thirdly, there was no statistically significant direct impact of knowledge sharing within public research organizations on innovative behavior. Additionally, it was difficult to confirm the indirect effect of knowledge sharing between internal bonding and innovation behavior. Fourthly, direct impact between informal learning and the innovative behavior of researchers in public research organizations was not significant. However, informal learning was significant indirect effect between internal bonding and their innovative behavior. Based on these findings, the study suggests several implications for practical interventions and future limitation were outlined.

Safety and Patient-Reported outcomes of atezolizumab plus chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in stage IIIB/IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutation, ALK rearrangement or ROS1 fusion progressing after targeted therapies (GFPC 06–2018 study)

BackgroundIn an open-label multicenter non-randomized non-comparative phase II study in patients with stage IIIB/IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), oncogenic addiction (EGFR mutation or ALK/ROS1 fusion), with disease progression after tyrosine-kinase inhibitor and no prior chemotherapy (NCT04042558), atezolizumab, carboplatin, pemetrexed with or without bevacizumab showed some promising result. Beyond the clinical evaluation, we assessed safety and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to provide additional information on the relative impact of adding atezolizumab to chemotherapy with and without bevacizumab in this population. MaterialsPatients received platinum-pemetrexed-atezolizumab-bevacizumab (PPAB cohort) or, if not eligible, platinum-pemetrexed-atezolizumab (PPA cohort). The incidence, nature, and severity of adverse events (AEs) were assessed. PROs were evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-Core 30 and EORTC QLQ-Lung Cancer 13). ResultOverall, 68 (PPAB) and 72 (PPA) patients were evaluable for safety. Grade 3–4 AEs occurred in 83.8% (PPAB) and 63.9% (PPA). Grade 3–4 atezolizumab-related AEs occurred in 29.4% and 19.4%, respectively. Grade 3–4 bevacizumab-related AEs occurred in 36.8% (PPAB). Most frequent grade 3–4 AEs were neutropenia (19.1% in PPAB; 23.6% in PPA) and asthenia (16.2% in PPAB; 9.7% in PPA). In PPAB, we observed a global stability in global health security (GHS) score, fatigue and dyspnea with a constant tendency of improvement, and a significant improvement in cough. In PPA, we observed a significant improvement in GHS score with a significant improvement in fatigue, dyspnea and cough. At week 54, we observed an improvement from baseline in GHS score for 49.2% of patients. In both cohorts, patients reported on average no clinically significant worsening in their overall health or physical functioning scores. ConclusionPPAB and PPA combinations seem tolerable and manageable in patients with stage IIIB/IV non-squamous NSCLC with oncogenic addiction (EGFR mutation or ALK/ROS1 fusion) after targeted therapies.

Comparative analysis of the "human - AI" system

The article highlights the historical foundations of the emergence of information systems that led to the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of technological development processes, and provides definitions of key concepts. To better understand the essence of the article, through comparative analysis, the views of prominent contemporary figures on the development of artificial intelligence and the diversity of opinions regarding the application of innovative technologies are elucidated. The detachment from reality is observed in both optimistic and pessimistic forecasts due to the lack of scientific substantiation. The diversity of opinions is explained by the fact that most scientists focus on specific aspects (business, politics, physics, neurobiology), rather than on the specific technology of artificial intelligence. The article reveals the ambivalence of views of different groups of experts on the impact of the implementation of new technological processes. Sociologists, historians, and philosophers perceive these technologies with caution, assessing their impact on society and the individual, while companies developing new technologies often exaggerate their significance to promote their products. The right decision would be to unite many fields to achieve a common goal - creating the desired future of the "human-AI" system. Bringing together different sciences (philosophy, psychology, law, physics, mathematics, biology), exchanging experiences, and creating specialized organizations, institutes can help change the polarization of views and find answers to questions that have already arisen and may arise in the future. The activities of research organizations that will explore aspects of technological progress should perform a unifying function between opposing views, balancing the process of hybridization of the real and virtual worlds. The question of the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of humanity remains open. Fruitful cooperation between humans and machines looks promising and requires the correct setting of goals and regular monitoring of the process of this system, understanding the significance of new technologies. The author emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues, as the development of technologies is constantly growing and leaves no time for controversy

Comparative analysis of the "human - AI" system

The article highlights the historical foundations of the emergence of information systems that led to the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of technological development processes, and provides definitions of key concepts. To better understand the essence of the article, through comparative analysis, the views of prominent contemporary figures on the development of artificial intelligence and the diversity of opinions regarding the application of innovative technologies are elucidated. The detachment from reality is observed in both optimistic and pessimistic forecasts due to the lack of scientific substantiation. The diversity of opinions is explained by the fact that most scientists focus on specific aspects (business, politics, physics, neurobiology), rather than on the specific technology of artificial intelligence. The article reveals the ambivalence of views of different groups of experts on the impact of the implementation of new technological processes. Sociologists, historians, and philosophers perceive these technologies with caution, assessing their impact on society and the individual, while companies developing new technologies often exaggerate their significance to promote their products. The right decision would be to unite many fields to achieve a common goal - creating the desired future of the "human-AI" system. Bringing together different sciences (philosophy, psychology, law, physics, mathematics, biology), exchanging experiences, and creating specialized organizations, institutes can help change the polarization of views and find answers to questions that have already arisen and may arise in the future. The activities of research organizations that will explore aspects of technological progress should perform a unifying function between opposing views, balancing the process of hybridization of the real and virtual worlds. The question of the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of humanity remains open. Fruitful cooperation between humans and machines looks promising and requires the correct setting of goals and regular monitoring of the process of this system, understanding the significance of new technologies. The author emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues, as the development of technologies is constantly growing and leaves no time for controversy

Inventory and management of E-waste: a case study of Kerala, India.

The recent surge in electronic device usage has led to a notable rise in electronic waste (E-waste) generation, presenting significant environmental challenges. This study aims to quantify Kerala's E-waste inventory and formulate a comprehensive management plan. Utilizing sales data from 2017 to 2020 and estimating E-waste generation based on "average" or "end-of-life" durations of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) items, the analysis forecasts substantial E-waste quantities. Key assumptions include correlating sales data with E-waste generation and utilizing guidelines for estimating E-waste quantities based on EEE item types and sales figures. The highest E-waste generation is predicted for the years 2028-2029, estimated at 97,541 tonnes, which iscrucial for the state's management strategy. To address this challenge, the study proposes a comprehensive environmental management plan that integrates the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) into its core strategies. The plan includes establishing 78 collection units across the state, strategically allocated based on theTaluk (a sub-division of a district) population, to ensure efficient E-waste collection and recovery of reusable items. Additionally, the study outlines the need for 273 recycling units statewide, with Malappuram district requiring the most units due to its high population density. The plan emphasizes efficient E-waste collection, segregation, and recycling, promoting responsible consumption and resource conservation. The study furnishes a "cradle-to-grave" framework for the management of E-waste at local, regional, and national levels, serving as a valuable resource for pollution control boards, regulatory bodies, statutory bodies, and research organizations alike.

Quality-of-life outcomes of the ROBOtic-assisted versus Conventional Open Partial nephrectomy (ROBOCOP) II trial.

To comprehensively compare quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes between open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and robot-assisted PN (RAPN) from the randomised ROBOtic-assisted versus Conventional Open Partial nephrectomy (ROBOCOP) II trial, as QoL data comparing OPN and RAPN are virtually non-existent, especially not from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The ROBOCOP II was a single-centre, open-label RCT between OPN and RAPN. The pre-planned analyses of QoL outcomes are presented. Data were analysed descriptively in a modified intention-to-treat population. A total of 50 patients underwent surgery. At postoperative Day 90 (POD90), there was no significant difference for the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form questionnaire score (mean [sd] OPN 72 [20] vs RAPN 76 [15], P = 0.850), while there were advantages for RAPN in the subdomains of 'Pain' (P = 0.006) and 'Physical functioning' (P = 0.011) immediately after surgery. For the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire 30-item core there were overall advantages directly after surgery (mean [sd] score OPN 63 [20] vs RAPN 75 [17], P = 0.031), as well as for the subdomains 'Fatigue' (P = 0.026), 'Pain' (P = 0.002) and 'Constipation' (P = 0.045) but no differences at POD90. There were no differences for the EuroQoL five Dimensions five Levels questionnaire at POD90 (mean [sd] score OPN 70 [22] vs RAPN 72 [17], P = 1.0) or at any other time point. Finally, no significant differences were found for the overall Convalescence and Recovery Evaluation questionnaire score at POD90 (mean [sd] OPN 84 [13] vs RAPN 86 [10], P = 0.818) but less pain in the RAPN group (P = 0.017) directly after surgery. Pain and physical functioning as subdomains of QoL are improved after RAPN compared to OPN in the early postoperative course, while there are no differences anymore after 3 months.

Quality of Life and Nutritional Outcomes of Stomach-Preserving Surgery for Early Gastric Cancer

The Sentinel Node Oriented Tailored Approach (SENORITA) randomized clinical trial evaluated quality of life (QoL) and nutritional outcomes between the laparoscopic sentinel node navigation surgery (LSNNS) and laparoscopic standard gastrectomy (LSG). However, there has been no report on the QoL and nutritional outcomes of patients who underwent stomach-preserving surgery among the LSNNS group. To compare long-term QoL and nutritional outcomes between patients who underwent stomach-preserving surgery and those who underwent standard gastrectomy and to identify factors associated with poor QoL outcomes in patients who underwent stomach-preserving surgery. This study is a secondary analysis of the SENORITA trial, a randomized clinical trial comparing LSNNS with LSG. Patients from 7 tertiary or general hospitals across the Republic of Korea were enrolled from March 2013 to December 2016, with follow-up through 5 years. Data were analyzed between August and September 2022. Among trial participants, patients who underwent actual laparoscopic standard gastrectomy in the LSG group and those who underwent stomach-preserving surgery in the LSNNS group were included. Patients who did not complete the baseline or any follow-up questionnaire were excluded. Stomach-preserving surgery vs standard gastrectomy. Overall European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and stomach module (STO22) scores, body mass index, hemoglobin, protein, and albumin levels. A total of 194 and 257 patients who underwent stomach-preserving surgery and standard gastrectomy, respectively, were included in this study (mean [SD] age, 55.6 [10.6] years; 249 [55.2%] male). The stomach-preserving group had better QoL scores at 3 months postoperatively in terms of physical function (87.2 vs 83.9), dyspnea (5.9 vs 11.2), appetite loss (13.1 vs 19.4), dysphagia (8.0 vs 12.7), eating restriction (10.9 vs 18.2), anxiety (29.0 vs 35.2), taste change (7.4 vs 13.0), and body image (19.5 vs 27.2). At 1 year postoperatively, the stomach-preserving group had significantly higher body mass index (23.9 vs 22.1, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and hemoglobin (14.3 vs 13.3 g/dL), albumin (4.3 vs 4.25 g/dL), and protein (7.3 vs 7.1 g/dL) levels compared to the standard group. Multivariable analyses showed that tumor location (greater curvature, lower third) was favorably associated with global health status (β, 10.5; 95% CI, 3.2 to 17.8), reflux (β, -8.4; 95% CI, -14.7 to -2.1), and eating restriction (β, -5.7; 95% CI, -10.3 to -1.0) at 3 months postoperatively in the stomach-preserving group. Segmental resection was associated with risk of diarrhea (β, 40.6; 95% CI, 3.1 to 78.1) and eating restriction (β, 15.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 29.1) at 3 years postoperatively. Stomach-preserving surgery after sentinel node evaluation was associated with better long-term QoL and nutritional outcomes than standard gastrectomy. These findings may help facilitate decision-making regarding treatment for patients with early-stage gastric cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01804998.

Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator as an emerging therapeutic option in the management of arrhythmias in heart failure rat model

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): This research was supported by VEGA grant no. 2/0002/20 and 2/0006/23, the Slovak Research and Development Agency under contract no. 21-0410, European Regional Development Fund: ITMS2014+: 313011AVG3. This research was also partially supported by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic within the project for the development of the research organization [grant number 00023001 (IKEM)—institutional support] and also supported by the project National Institute for Research of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (Program EXCELES, Project No. LX22NPO5104)—Funded by the European Union—Next Generation EU Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by a decrease in the efficiency of the heart pump, leading to a decline in hemodynamic status and cardiac remodelling, that can contribute to the formation of a substrate for arrhythmias. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy is still suboptimal and current therapies are not efficacious enough. The purpose of the current study was therefore to examine the efficiency of nitric oxide (NO)/soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) stimulator. We used as an experimental model male hypertensive Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR, n = 16), normotensive Hannover Sprague–Dawley rats (HSD, n = 17), and a rat model of HF surgically induced by aortocaval fistula (ACF) in rats of both strains (n = 27). After ACF induction were rats treated by sGC stimulator BAY41-8543 (3 mg/kg/day for 30 weeks) alone or combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) Trandolapril (0.25 mg/kg/day for 30 weeks). Age of the animals at the end of the experiment was 40 weeks. Left ventricle tissue and plasma samples were used for further analyses. Treatment by sGC stimulator significantly decreased rats' mortality, and systolic blood pressure, and significantly increased levels of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 1, matrix metalloproteinase 2, total and phosphorylated connexin 43 as well as protein kinase C epsilon, implicated in remodelling of extracellular matrix and intercellular communication, in the left ventricle of TGR rats. Application of sGC stimulator slightly normalized elevated collagen deposition and hydroxyproline content in the left ventricular tissue of TGR rats. Unfortunately, we did not observe any effect of the sGC stimulator in the TGR ACF group. These results support the hypothesis that sGC stimulators might represent a class of drugs suitable for combating heart failure with partially anti-arrhythmic potential, but further studies are needed.

Establishment and development of the Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The Bulgarian research landscape, presented mainly by the research institutes that are part of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Agricultural Academy, needs diversification to match the research and innovation potential of the other European Union (EU) countries. This article describes the establishment of the Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB), a new innovative type of independent research organization that is changing the research landscape in Bulgaria. Supported by the EU Commission, Bulgarian Government, and Plovdiv Municipality, CPSBB has quickly become the leading plant science institute in Bulgaria, creating knowledge in diverse fields such as bioinformatics, biotechnology, genetics and genomics, metabolomics, and systems biology. We outline the organizational structure of CPSBB, the development of its infrastructure, and its scientific productivity. Finally, we compare CPSBB with other similar research establishments in Europe and we conclude that such new types of institutes have a bright future in Bulgaria due to their operational flexibility, productivity, and connections with academia and industry.

Customer satisfaction antecedents in uncertain hospitality conditions: an exploratory data mining approach

PurposeInformed by trait and self-determination theories, the present study aims to extend the knowledge regarding the link between customer satisfaction (CS) and its antecedents, including job autonomy (JA), conscientiousness, customer uncertainty (CU) and extra-role customer service (E-RCS) in the hospitality industry.Design/methodology/approachA total of 306 frontline employees were selected from the hotels in North Cyprus, Turkey. Psychometric properties, including the validity and reliability of study variables, were assessed in the first step using confirmatory factor analysis. Then, the data were analyzed utilizing machine learning methods, mainly three exploratory data mining techniques, including lasso regression, decision trees and random forest, as well as partial dependence plots to visualize the role of suggested predictors on the outcome variable.FindingsData mining analysis shows that employees who can modify their job objectives are better equipped to satisfy customers in uncertain situations (JA8). In addition, the findings reveal that employees who believe they work hard to accomplish their personal and organizational goals (CON7) while also having the freedom to decide how to approach their job (JA1) and choose the procedures to utilize (JA2) are more likely to contribute to CS. In general, CS peaked when JA was high, but conscientiousness was moderate, while CU was low.Practical implicationsThis study bridges the gap among various factors at the employee and customer individual, corporate and macro-environmental levels. Hospitality organizations can cultivate a culture of autonomy and independence by promoting open communication and offering growth and development opportunities. This approach enhances conscientious employees’ engagement, leading to exceptional customer service performance, particularly, in uncertain situations.Originality/valueFrom the methodology perspective, this work proposes an opportunity for prospective scientists to broaden the trait and self-determination theories research model by relying on the riches of exploratory techniques without the limits imposed by traditional analytical techniques. Further, this study advances the current knowledge about service agility under uncertainty by extending organizational and service management research to consumer behavior literature.

Patient-Reported Outcomes From the Phase III HIMALAYA Study of Tremelimumab Plus Durvalumab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

In the phase III HIMALAYA study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03298451) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC), the Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab (STRIDE) regimen significantly improved overall survival versus sorafenib, and durvalumab monotherapy was noninferior to sorafenib. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), a secondary outcome from HIMALAYA, are reported here. Participants were randomly assigned to receive STRIDE, durvalumab, or sorafenib. PROs were assessed (preplanned secondary outcome) using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item Quality of Life Questionnaire and the 18-item HCC module. Time to deterioration (TTD), change from baseline and improvement rate in global health status/quality of life (GHS/QoL), functioning, and disease-related symptoms were analyzed. In total, 1,171 participants were randomly assigned to STRIDE (n = 393), durvalumab (n = 389), or sorafenib (n = 389) and were evaluable for PRO assessments. Across treatment arms, compliance rates for PROs were >77% at baseline and >70% overall. Baseline scores were comparable across treatment arms. TTD in GHS/QoL, physical functioning, fatigue, appetite loss, and abdominal pain was numerically longer for both STRIDE and durvalumab versus sorafenib. Clinically meaningful deterioration in PROs was not observed in any treatment arm. However, TTD in nausea and abdominal swelling was numerically longer for STRIDE versus sorafenib, and the likelihood of clinically meaningful improvement in GHS/QoL, role, emotional and social functioning, and disease-related symptoms was greater with STRIDE and durvalumab versus sorafenib. PROs with STRIDE and durvalumab were generally similar. Compared with sorafenib, STRIDE and durvalumab were associated with clinically meaningful, patient-centered GHS/QoL, functioning, and symptom benefits in people with uHCC. These findings support the benefits of the STRIDE regimen compared with sorafenib for a diverse population reflective of the global uHCC population.

Long-term follow-up of protective effects on salivary and swallowing structures and improvement of late xerostomia and dysphagia by level IIb optimisation in clinical target volume of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

This study aimed to assess the long-term effect of level IIb clinical target volume (CTV) optimisation on survival, xerostomia, and dysphagia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Clinical data of 415 patients with NPC treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy between December 2014 and October 2018 were retrospectively analysed. The patients were categorised into modified and comparison groups. Late xerostomia and dysphagia were evaluated using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer scoring. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in late toxicity and dose parameters between both groups were compared. Prognostic factors for survival and late toxicity were assessed using regression analyses. Patients in the modified group developed late xerostomia and dysphagia less frequently than those in the comparison group did (P < 0.001). The mean dose (Dmean) and V26 of parotid glands; Dmean and V39 of submandibular glands; and Dmean of sublingual glands, oral cavity, larynx, and superior, middle, and lower pharyngeal constrictor muscles were lower in the modified group than those in the comparison group (all P < 0.001). Both groups had no significant differences in overall, local recurrence-free, distant metastasis-free, or progression-free survival. The Dmean of the parotid and sublingual glands was a risk factor for xerostomia. The Dmean of the parotid and sublingual glands and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle was a risk factor for dysphagia. Level IIb optimisation in NPC patients who meet certain criteria specially the exclusion of positive retropharyngeal nodes treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy has the potential to better protect the salivary and swallowing structures, decreasing the development of late radiation-induced xerostomia and dysphagia while maintaining long-term survival.

Elucidating the determinants of crowdsourcing adoption for organisation value creation

Purpose This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the determinants influencing organisations decisions to adopt crowdsourcing. By synthesising existing literature, it seeks to identify critical factors that act as enablers or inhibitors in the adoption process and propose a framework for understanding crowdsourcing adoption within organisational contexts. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a systematic literature review methodology to examine the determinants influencing organisations' decisions to adopt crowdsourcing. The review encompassed research articles from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, spanning 2006 to 2021. Additionally, morphological analysis was conducted to categorise the identified determinants into three distinct contexts: technological, organisational and environmental. This methodological approach facilitated a comprehensive exploration of the factors shaping crowdsourcing adoption within organisational settings, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the phenomenon across different dimensions. Findings The study identifies 12 determinants influencing crowdsourcing adoption, categorised into technological, organisational and environmental dimensions. These determinants include technological compatibility, organisational readiness, top management support, crowd readiness and availability of third-party platforms. While some determinants primarily act as enablers, others exhibit dual roles or serve as inhibitors depending on contextual factors. Research limitations/implications The findings offer valuable insights for scholars, practitioners, and organisational leaders seeking to leverage crowdsourcing as a strategic tool for innovation and competitiveness. The assessment scale of drivers and barriers developed in this research offers a systematic approach for evaluating the factors influencing crowdsourcing adoption, providing a nuanced understanding of innovation adoption dynamics. Theoretical implications include advancements in morphological analysis methodology and a nuanced understanding of innovation adoption dynamics. Managerial implications highlight strategies for enhancing organisational readiness, leveraging leadership support and mitigating adoption risks. Overall, the study provides a foundation for future empirical research and practical guidance for organisations planning to adopt crowdsourcing initiatives. Originality/value This research contributes significantly to crowdsourcing by presenting an integrated and theoretically grounded framework. By consolidating adoption determinants from diverse contexts, this study clarifies the understanding of crowdsourcing adoption. The framework offers practical value to managers and decision-makers, equipping them with a structured approach to assess and navigate the challenges associated with effectively adopting crowdsourcing. As such, this study contributes to advancing crowdsourcing practices and supports more informed managerial decision-making in innovation and knowledge sourcing.

A study on factors influencing churn at Enerlife India Private Limited

This research is about a study on factors influencing churn at Enerlife India Private Limited (Nabati). This company provides fast-moving consumer goods products all over India. The origin of the company is from Indonesia. Nabati Group is a business group that has a business focus in the field of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), especially food. The company was initially only engaged in the snack food business with a home industry scale. Assessing the impact of factors such as job satisfaction, cost Implications, leadership and management, employee burnout, career development, and flexible work arrangements. Proposing recommendations and best practices for reducing employee churn and fostering a more engaged and stable workforce. By studying the external factors, that influence churn in the organization, job security perceptions and career advancement opportunities on churn are the objectives. This study contributes valuable insights to the existing literature on employee churn in the company by identifying new factors or confirming existing ones that influence churn rates within the organization. In research methodology a questionnaire to collect data from the employees. Stratified random sampling is a type of probability method using which a research organization can branch off the entire population into multiple non-overlapping, homogenous groups (strata) and randomly choose final members from various strata for research which reduces cost and improves efficiency. This research study underscores the importance of churn at the company. As the employees always looking for new roles for their career growth, the company should ensure that the employee will have their career growth in the company. Giving importance to the employee’s insights and suggestions will make as one of the retention strategies used by the company. Churn poses significant challenges for organizations, impacting productivity, morale, and financial stability.