Western Countries Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and courses of Korean patients with giant cell arteritis: a multi-center retrospective study.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis that primarily affects elderly individuals. However, data regarding Korean patients with GCA are scarce owing to its extremely low prevalence in East Asia. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of Korean patients with GCA and their outcomes, focusing on relapse. The medical records of 27 patients with GCA treated at three tertiary hospitals between 2007 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventeen (63.0%) patients were females, and the median age at diagnosis was 75 years. Large vessel involvement (LVI) was detected in 12 (44.4%) patients, and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was present in 14 (51.9%) patients. Twelve (44.4%) patients had fever at onset. The presence of LVI or concurrent PMR at diagnosis was associated with a longer time to normalization of the C-reactive protein level (p=0.039) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.034). During follow-up (median 33.8 months), four (14.8%) patients experienced relapse. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that relapse was associated with visual loss (p=0.008) and the absence of fever (p=0.004) at onset, but not with LVI or concurrent PMR. Concurrent PMR and LVI were observed in approximately half of Korean patients with GCA, and the elapsed time to normalization of inflammatory markers in these patients was longer. The relapse rate in Korean GCA is lower than that in Western countries, and afebrile patients or patients with vision loss at onset have a higher risk of relapse, suggesting that physicians should carefully monitor patients with these characteristics.

Diversity in gender and age, but not in race, enhances food purchase intentions in Japan

Team diversity must be promoted in many societies. While prior studies have emphasized the consequential impact of diverse teams on businesses, particularly in Western countries known for their racial and gender diversity, there is a notable gap in research exploring the role of team diversity on consumer evaluations among non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) consumers. Drawing upon signaling theory, our research aimed to investigate the influence of team diversity on consumer evaluations of both typical and novel food products within the non-WEIRD context of Japanese consumers. Japan, with its relatively low diversity in terms of gender and cultural ethnicity compared with North American and European countries, offers a unique background for exploring diversity issues. Through three online studies, we examined the impact of team ethnic diversity (Studies 1 and 2) and team age/gender diversity (Study 3) on purchase intentions toward typical and novel products. Our findings reveal that in Japan, information about gender and age diversity positively influences the purchase intention of food products, regardless of the novelty of the product. Notably, no such effect was observed for racial diversity. These results suggest that the positive influence of gender and age, but not racial diversity, can be generalized to non-WEIRD Japanese samples, contributing valuable insights into understanding team diversity dynamics in consumers’ evaluations of purchase intentions.

Lipid droplets: a candidate new research field for epithelial ovarian cancer.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a histological subtype that constitutes approximately 20% of epithelial ovarian cancer cases in Asian countries, but has a relatively low incidence in Western countries. Meanwhile, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a major subtype of kidney cancer. OCCC and ccRCC resemble one another histologically and have clear cytoplasmic appearances. Studies have revealed some genetic similarities between OCCC and ccRCC. However, information regarding common biological background factors between these cancers remains scarce. For example, accumulation of cellular lipid droplets was shown to play a crucial role in ccRCC progression, while similar information is lacking for OCCC. In this perspective article, we propose that lipid droplets may be candidates for future exploration to better understand the common biological backgrounds between OCCC and ccRCC, potentially leading to subtype-specific treatment strategies. We further discuss the relationship between poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibition treatment and lipid metabolism because this therapeutic strategy has attracted considerable attention as a treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer.

The underground: Alternative scenes and clothing styles in Costa Rica during the 1990s

During the 1990s, Costa Rica experienced a growth in young bands performing emergent music genres. From a post-subcultural approach, this article argues that a varied array of young bands from different musical genres and scenes created a sense of unity and support that led to the creation of what was known as ‘the underground scene’ during the 1990s. The ‘underground scene’ served as a platform that opened up a series of spaces that were alternative to the mainstream, where youth groups were able to perform their music and create new styles. In these new spaces, members of the underground developed new clothing styles linked to their musical tastes. By interviewing members of different alternative rock and reggae bands, information was gathered and analysed to visualize the development of these scenes. Members of the scene established their clothing styles based on their icons and could be identified within a specific genre due to their dress. Aesthetics were a mix of influences and bands that came directly from western countries. Americanas (thrift stores) was youth’s primary outlet for clothing hunting and they adopted current styles directly from the United States.

The Self-representation of Secular Spirituality Movements in Virtual Space: The Case of Lithuania

In the second half of the 20th century, along with the alternative New Age spirituality movement, the practice of self-improvement became widespread, and by the end of the 20st century it had become extremely widespread, permeating the most diverse areas of life in the Western world, practically becoming a mass cultural phenomenon. Accordingly, it can be described as a secular phenomenon with minimal links to traditional spirituality: the concept of spirituality has changed significantly, is often not linked to transcendental ideas and is focused on the self and self-improvement and the search for personal well-being and happiness. Relevant practices in the 21st century are particularly widespread in Lithuania. The Self-representation of Secular Spirituality Movements in Virtual Space The article examines the peculiarities of the self-presentation of spiritual self-improvement practices in Lithuania. The self-presentation of the phenomenon in virtual space is analysed and texts written by some service providers are studied. Aspects of the social communication of spiritual practices in the online space are examined from the perspective of linguistic analysis and marketing, and spirituality practices are distinguished and discussed. In this context, the needs–wants–demands relationship emerges, along with the need for self-actualisation. The online descriptions of the services offered by providers of spiritual practices are constructed according to commercial logic. The results of the linguistic analysis correlate with the findings of previous researchers about the orientation of the offered spiritual practices towards self and secular practices.

Heart Failure Predictive Analysis Using Decision Tree Classification

With an average age of 28 compared to Western countries, India's young population accounts for half of heart attacks in South Asia, which happen to people under 52. Autopsy reports, which identify the actual cause of death, frequently concentrate on sudden deaths in young adults that have no apparent reason or warning signs. Fat accumulation in the blood vessels of the heart is the cause of abrupt, unexpected natural deaths. The heart stops beating and loses blood as a result of these arteries narrowing or blocking. The body may exhibit subtle symptoms prior to abrupt death, such as shortness of breath, palpitations, tightness in the chest, and chest discomfort. A decision tree classification is a death dataset model that generates labelled classes at leaf nodes and makes judgments at edges to predict class labels for subsequent records. The purpose of the proposed paper study is to predict abrupt natural deaths, which are frequently brought on by smoking, by using regression analysis, a statistical technique that establishes the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The experiment's outcome, which looks at how Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) may be used to forecast heart failure, shows five records out of 50,000 patients from different hospitals. Perceptron’s, both single- and multi-layer, were used to gather patient information. Keywords: Artificial Neural Network, Linear Regression Analysis, Sudden and Unexpected Natural Deaths etc.

Iran, USA Motives for the Iranian nuclear agreement-2015

The main aim of this study is to conduct an overal assessment on motivies of the Iraniain nuclear programm, this study will highlight on the study and analyse of the most important motivations that led both the Western countries and Iran to reach an agreement. As the results of this research showed that the Iranian nuclear progrrmm is considered as a golden opportunity for both the United States of America as well as Iran, therefore in order to avoide of the conflict between them.

A comprehensive survey on the present scenario and future production potentials of small-scale turkey farming in Bangladesh

A comprehensive survey on the present scenario and future production potentials of small-scale turkey farming in Bangladesh

PECULIARITIES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN EU AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE BEST PRACTICES

ustainable development in agriculture is crucial for ensuring long-term food security, environmental health, and economic viability within the European Union (EU). Given the diverse climatic conditions, economic contexts, and cultural traditions across member states, a comprehensive understanding of the peculiarities and regional differences in sustainable agricultural practices is essential for formulating effective policies and strategies. This article aims to provide a comparative analysis of sustainable development in agricultural enterprises across different EU regions. By examining the unique characteristics, implementation strategies, and outcomes of sustainable practices, the article seeks to highlight best practices, identify regional challenges, and propose recommendations for enhancing sustainability in the EU's agricultural sector. The study employs a multi-faceted approach, including a literature review of existing research, policy analysis of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and national policies, in-depth case studies from representative EU countries, surveys and interviews with key stakeholders, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. This methodology ensures a thorough examination of the various dimensions of sustainable agriculture across the EU. The comparative analysis reveals significant regional differences in the adoption and effectiveness of sustainable agricultural practices. Western and Northern European countries demonstrate high adoption rates of advanced technologies and sustainable practices, supported by robust policies and financial incentives. Southern Europe focuses on water conservation and traditional practices, facing challenges in modernizing their approaches. Eastern Europe shows gradual progress, constrained by economic and infrastructural limitations but benefiting from EU support. Key findings highlight the importance of tailored regional policies, enhanced financial support, and the need for increased knowledge sharing and capacity building. The article concludes with practical recommendations for policymakers, agricultural enterprises, and other stakeholders to harmonize sustainable practices across the EU. These include strengthening and harmonizing policies, supporting research and innovation, improving access to financial resources, enhancing training and education, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Социальная трансформация в России в 1990-е годы: особенности формирования законодательной базы

The article reveals the problem of the formation of social policy in Russia in the 1990s, the features of the formation of the legislative framework.. In the 1990s, Russia faced a dual task – to formulate an economic policy based on market principles and, again based on the experience of Western countries, a new social policy. Western states are not unanimous on social issues, but social policies are formed and implemented by all. There are three basic models of it, in which the participation of the state in the implementation of social tasks is outlined in different ways. Russia faces the problem of adapting the state's social obligations to the consequences of market transformations. The Russian scenario turned out to be painful for the economy and social sphere. In Russia in the 1990s, social transformation laid some of the foundations for social policy. But it did not lead to the formation of social policy itself, which is incorrect to interpret as a certain sum of social measures, because any policy, including social policy, is usually understood as a mechanism developed by the state for regulating social relations, aimed at their harmonization. The authors made an attempt to establish socio-economic changes in society, highlighting individual periods that influenced the features of the formation of the legislative framework of the 1990s.

Convolutional Neural Network Model for Intestinal Metaplasia Recognition in Gastric Corpus Using Endoscopic Image Patches.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant healthcare concern, and the identification of high-risk patients is crucial. Indeed, gastric precancerous conditions present significant diagnostic challenges, particularly early intestinal metaplasia (IM) detection. This study developed a deep learning system to assist in IM detection using image patches from gastric corpus examined using virtual chromoendoscopy in a Western country. Utilizing a retrospective dataset of endoscopic images from Sant'Andrea University Hospital of Rome, collected between January 2020 and December 2023, the system extracted 200 × 200 pixel patches, classifying them with a voting scheme. The specificity and sensitivity on the patch test set were 76% and 72%, respectively. The optimization of a learnable voting scheme on a validation set achieved a specificity of 70% and sensitivity of 100% for entire images. Despite data limitations and the absence of pre-trained models, the system shows promising results for preliminary screening in gastric precancerous condition diagnostics, providing an explainable and robust Artificial Intelligence approach.

Intraocular lenses for patients with age-related macular degeneration

Purpose. Age-related macular degeneration refers to a retinal disease that induces the loss of central vision and is the most common cause of blindness in people over 65 years of age in the western world. Today’s technology offers various intraocular lenses, which are used to support conventional low vision aids such as collimating and non-collimating magnifiers. Material and Methods. Within the scope of this thesis, three different intraocular lens systems are presented, which are based on the principle of beam deflection and/or magnification. Results. Following a patent and literature search, the systems were simulated using ray trace software in order to reconstruct their functional principle and compare it with each other. Conclusion. With the help of a theoretical model, different fictional retinal defects were simulated and the efficiency of each lens system was evaluated according to their respective properties. Keywords Intraocular lenses, age-related macular degeneration, eye model, Liou & Brennan

White supremacy and the racial logic of the global preventing and countering violent extremism agenda

This article analyses what the disavowal of abject forms of white supremacy reveals about the racial logic of the global preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) agenda. We argue that the global P/CVE agenda is built on racialised concepts such as prevention, radicalisation and community – concepts that render it incommensurate with the newly identified problem of white supremacist violent extremism or domestic terrorism. Through analysis of interviews with experts and practitioners working within the broad field of P/CVE, we discursively analyse how the enmeshment of the agenda within the development and peacebuilding space exposes the agenda’s primary intent to manage presumably ungovernable populations in or from the so-called Global South. Taking the theoretical insights culled from textual analysis of practitioner interviews, we then consider the inclusion of right-wing extremism, and specifically white supremacy, within Western states’ domestic P/CVE agendas, primarily in the US. Our argument – that the move to consider far-right extremism within domestic CVE policy reveals rather than disrupts the P/CVE agenda’s racist foundations and intentions – contributes to a growing body of research that insists on attending to race, racialisation and racism within security studies and international relations, and which includes an emphasis on whiteness as an organising principle.

Old stories, new cases. Viral infectious diseases and children's health

During the 20th century, smallpox has produced between 300–and 500 million victims. In 1796, Edward Jenner conducted one of the first modern immunizations when he inoculated an 8-year-old boy using material from a cowpox lesion. In 1959, WHO (World Health Organization) launched the Smallpox Eradication Programme. By 1980, WHO declared smallpox officially eradicated. Due to genetic and antigenic similarities between the monkeypox and smallpox viruses, the cessation of smallpox vaccination since 1980′s contributed to the wanning of cross‐protection against monkeypox (mpox). Outbreaks of human mpox has spread across 110 countries.In 1916 and 1952, two major poliovirus outbreaks took place in the USA. The virus killed or paralyzed over half a million people yearly. Introduction of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV,1955) and oral polio virus (OPV,1963) led to decline in the number of cases by 99.99 %. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched in 1988 and five of six WHO regions have been certified free of wild polio virus (WPV), except Eastern Mediterranean region. Africa had been declared WPV free, unfortunately cases of paralysis due to wild virus in Malawi and Mozambique were detected having been imported from Pakistan. Outbreaks of circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 (cVDPV2) have expanded in the Eastern Mediterranean and African Region from October 2022 to February 2023. Measles, being one of the most contagious infections, requires high population immunity (>95 %) to impede transmission. In 1963, a measles vaccine became available. Finland was the first country to eradicate measles by using the 2 dose-measles vaccines. The region of the Americas was verified to have eliminated measles in 2000. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global vaccination activities. Vaccination coverage has fallen from 90 % to 50 % in western countries. Over 30 000 measles cases were reported from 40 WHO European Region members in 2023.

A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Studies on Gastric Cancer Screening.

Gastric cancer (GC) poses notable economic and health burdens in settings where the incidence of disease is prevalent. Some countries have established early screening and treatment programs to address these challenges. The objectives of this systematic review were to summarize the cost-effectiveness of gastric cancer screening presented in the literature and to identify the critical factors that influence the cost-effectiveness of screening. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Economic evaluation studies of gastric cancer screening were reviewed from SCOPUS and PubMed. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 (CHEERS 2022) was used to assess the quality of reporting presented in the selected articles. Only primary economic evaluation studies addressing the cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost-benefit of gastric cancer screening were selected. Two reviewers scrutinized the selected articles (title, abstract, and full text) to determine suitability for the systematic review based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Authors' consensus was relied on where disagreements arose. The main outcome measures of concern in the systematic review were cost, effectiveness (as measured by either quality-adjusted life years (QALY) or life-years saved (LYS)), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of screening versus either no screening or an alternative screening method. Thirty-one studies were selected for the final review. These studies investigated the cost-effectiveness of GC screening based on either primary, secondary, or a combination of primary and secondary interventions. The main primary intervention was Helicobacter pylori (Hp) screening with eradication, while the main secondary intervention was endoscopic screening. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated against no screening or screening using an alternative method in both observational and model-based studies. Screening was mainly cost-effective in Asian countries or their diasporas where the prevalence of GC was high. GC screening was generally not cost-effective among Western countries. GC screening can be cost-effective, but cost-effectiveness is dependent on context-specific factors, including geographical location, the prevalence of GC in the local population, and the screening tool adopted. However, there is benefit in targeting high-risk population groups in Asian countries and their diaspora for GC screening.

Lifestyle Eco-Influencers Advertising: Is Engagement Driven by Content or Fandom?

This research examines the main common characteristics among the contents of five eco-influencer accounts from different Western countries. A quantitative content analysis was performed on 187 Instagram posts published by eco-influencers from the United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, Spain, and Peru. The topics that eco-influencers deal with the most are promoting veganism, spirituality, environmental and political claims, product advertising (their own and third-party), and personal life, generating the most interactions in the accounts. Carousels win on engagement for eco-influencers on Instagram despite videos being sponsors’ favorite format. Both sponsored content and sponsors themselves are well-received, with over half of all posts featuring them. It seems evident that the social capital of influencers encourages environmental commitment, although there is a particular bias to appreciate the person more than their activist message. In light of the results, this research contributes to the social capital theory of influencers by demonstrating that influencers show personal content and emotional appeals, such as activities with their families, personal reflections, and political statements that give them a high sense of authenticity, but which, blurs the barriers between the public and private spheres.

Impact of High-Voltage Device Implantation in Elderly Japanese Patients With Heart Failure as Primary Prevention - Post Hoc Analysis of HINODE.

Despite an increased incidence of chronic heart failure (HF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD), the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is much lower in Japan than in Western countries. The HF Indication and SCD Prevention Trial Japan (HINODE) prospectively assessed the mortality rate, appropriately treated ventricular arrhythmias (VA), and HF in Japanese patients with a higher risk of HF.Methods and Results: HINODE consisted of ICD, CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D), pacing, and non-device treatment cohorts. This subanalysis evaluated the impact of the implantation of high-voltage devices (HVD; ICD and CRT-D) in 171 Japanese patients. We compared all-cause mortality, VA, and HF events between elderly (age >70 years at study enrollment) and non-elderly HVD recipients. The estimated survival rate through 24 months in the HVD cohort was 85.8% (97.5% lower control limit 77.6%). The risk of all-cause mortality was increased for the elderly vs. non-elderly (hazard ratio [HR] 2.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-7.91; P=0.039), but did not differ after excluding ICD patients with CRT-D indication (HR 2.32; 95% CI 0.79-6.78; P=0.11). There were no differences in VA and HF event-free rates between elderly and non-elderly HVD recipients (P=0.73 and P=0.55, respectively). Although elderly patients may have a higher risk of mortality in general, the benefit of HVD therapy in this group is comparable to that in non-elderly patients.

University Administrators, Leadership, and Faculty Views on the Internationalization of Curriculum (A Perspective Through Decolonial Lenses From the Global South)

Using a qualitative single case study approach this paper explores the views of academics which ultimately impact their actions to implement international curriculum within one institutional context in South Africa. The results show that a tailored IoC at an institution situated at the peripheries of the Western world is a policy that advances diversity of thought, decolonization of curriculum content, and appreciation of indigenous cultures and languages. The theory that emerged in this study underscores that IoC is a bottom-up customized policy as it applies to the needs of the students to become wider thinkers and professionally integrated in the intercontinental and global job markets. Further recommendations for future theory and practice suggest IoC as an educational approach that accounts for the geographic positionality of the institution, and all aspects of diversity, rather than for a collective institutional identity.

Unnecessary Pancreatic Resection for Non-cancerous Lesions Masquerading as Pancreatic and Peri-ampullary Cancers: An Inevitable Circumstance

Background: Pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancers are deadly and require surgery. Some non-cancerous conditions, especially those that do not require surgery, have imaging findings similar to pancreatic and peri-ampullary carcinoma. The proportion of non-cancerous lesions that undergo pancreatic resection for suspected pancreatic or peri-ampullary cancer is scarce in eastern countries, especially when bile duct tumors are common. This study examined the proportion of non-cancerous lesions removed during pancreatic resection for suspected pancreatic or peri-ampullary cancer. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included January 2013–December 2017. We investigated the medical and pathological data of 148 pancreatic resection patients at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. Results: Nine patients (6.1%) had postoperative pathology diagnoses that did not require surgery. The discordant group was significantly larger among distal pancreatectomy or enucleation patients (15%, 4/27) than pancreaticoduodenectomy patients (4.1%, 5/121). The concordant and discordant groups had similar clinical features for pancreaticoduodenectomy, except for gender (p=0.031). There were no clinical differences between concordant and discordant patients after distal pancreatectomy or enucleation. Conclusion: Pancreatic excision for non-cancerous conditions may be inevitable. Western and Eastern countries have different non-cancerous disorders that mimic pancreatic or peri-ampullary cancer. Western countries had more pancreatic conditions, especially inflammatory ones, but Eastern countries had more ampullary and bile duct conditions in pancreaticoduodenectomy patients and benign cystic lesions in distal pancreatectomy patients.

Genotype-phenotype correlations in chronic granulomatous disease: insights from a large national cohort

AbstractNeutrophils are the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Neutrophils execute and modulate immune responses by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immune deficiency disorder of phagocytes, caused by inherited mutations in the genes of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced oxidase enzyme. These mutations lead to failure of ROS generation followed by recurrent bacterial and fungal infections, frequently associated with hyperinflammatory manifestations. We report a multicenter cumulative experience in diagnosing and treating patients with CGD. From 1986 to 2021, 2918 patients experiencing frequent infections were referred for neutrophil evaluation. Among them, 110 patients were diagnosed with CGD, 56 of Jewish ancestry, 48 of Arabic ancestry, and 6 of non-Jewish/non-Arabic ancestry. As opposed to other Western countries, the autosomal recessive (AR) CGD subtypes were predominant in Israel (71/110 patients). Thirty-nine patients had X-linked CGD, in most patients associated with severe infections (clinical severity score ≥3) and poor outcomes, presenting at a significantly earlier age than AR-CGD subtypes. The full spectrum of infections and hyperinflammatory manifestations is described. Six patients had hypomorphic mutations with significantly milder phenotype, clinical severity score ≤2, and better outcomes. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was implemented in 39 of 110 patients (35.5%). Successful engraftment was achieved in 92%, with 82% long-term survival and 71% full clinical recovery. CGD is a complex disorder requiring a multiprofessional team. Early identification of the genetic mutation is essential for prompt diagnosis, suitable management, and prevention.