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Purpose: To describe the clinical presentation of Tuberculosis uveitis (TBU) in a developed country (tertiary health Care Centre in The UK) and its association with the response to anti-TB treatment (ATT). Methods: A retrospective study, in which, we collected data on ocular TB from a tertiary referral center in a developed country from a total of 100 eyes of 56 patients. The collected data were analyzed from the perspective of visual acuity at the presentation and the last visit, clinical presentation, treatment started, and the need for immune suppressive therapy. Results: Pan uveitis was the most common clinical presentation (40%). All patients received ATT. Comparing mean baseline visual acuity 0.49±0.65 was slightly reduced to 0.45±0.72 (3 months after completing ATT), however, this difference was not statistically significant. The rate of treatment failure was 44%. Twenty-five patients needed additional immunosuppression (steroid alone or combined with immune suppressive therapy) 3 months after completing the ATT because of persistent inflammation. Conclusion: TBU is still a diagnosis that needs to be considered and excluded in developed areas. Long-term Immunosuppressive medication may be needed for cases of TBU with significant intraocular inflammation either during or after ATT. Uveitis pattern and presence or absence of disc edema could predict the need for immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures to realize socially responsible companies continues to accelerate, becoming a trend amid global uncertainty due to climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine the effect of company growth on sustainable performance, moderated by company stock mispricing in Indonesia and Japan, representing a developing and a developed country, respectively. This study uses panel data regression, namely the Common Effect Model (CEM), Fixed Effect Model (FEM), and Random Effect Model (REM), to test hypotheses. With a total of 42 observations from companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and 112 observations from companies listed on the Japan Stock Exchange (JPX) during 2019–2020, the results show that a company’s growth has a negative effect on sustainable performance in Indonesia, while in Japan it has no effect. Stock mispricing strengthens the negative effect of company growth on sustainable performance in Indonesia but has no effect in Japan. This study found that companies in Indonesia place more emphasis on internal growth than on ESG implementation compared to companies in Japan. The implication of this study is that the implementation of ESG shows different dynamics when comparing two countries. Indonesia needs to evaluate the regulations governing socially responsible businesses in order to encourage further improvement of ESG performance. Meanwhile, in Japan, ESG practices have been running voluntarily, so enforcement from regulators is relatively less necessary.

Abstract Background Decentralization of a health system is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that demands thorough investigation of its process logistics, predisposing factors and implementation mechanisms, within the broader socio-political environment of each nation. Despite its wide adoption across both high-income countries (HICs) and low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), empirical evidence of whether decentralization actually translates into improved health system performance remains inconclusive and controversial. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive description of the decentralization processes in three countries at different stages of their decentralization strategies – Pakistan, Brazil and Portugal. Main body This study employed a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed academic journals, official government reports, policy documents and publications from international organizations related to health system decentralization. A comprehensive search was conducted using reputable databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, the WHO repository and other relevant databases, covering the period up to the knowledge cutoff date in June 2023. Information was systematically extracted and organized into the determinants, process mechanics and challenges encountered during the planning, implementation and post-decentralization phases. Although decentralization reforms have achieved some success, challenges persist in their implementation. Comparing all three countries, it was evident that all three have prioritized health in their decentralization reforms and aimed to enhance local decision-making power. Brazil has made significant progress in implementing decentralization reforms, while Portugal and Pakistan are still in the process. Pakistan has faced significant implementation challenges, including capacity-building, resource allocation, resistance to change and inequity in access to care. Brazil and Portugal have also faced challenges, but to a lesser extent. The extent, progress and challenges in the decentralization processes vary among the three countries, each requiring ongoing evaluation and improvement to achieve the desired outcomes. Conclusion Notable differences exist in the extent of decentralization, the challenges faced during implementation and inequality in access to care between the three countries. It is important for Portugal, Brazil and Pakistan to address these through reinforcing implementation strategies, tackling inequalities in access to care and enhancing monitoring and evaluation mechanism. Additionally, fostering knowledge sharing among these different countries will be instrumental in facilitating mutual learning.

Background: Decentralization of a health system is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that demands thorough investigation of its process logistics, predisposing factors and implementation mechanisms, within the broader socio-political environment of each nation. Despite its wide adoption across both high-income countries (HICs) and low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), empirical evidence of whether decentralization actually translates into improved health system performance remains inconclusive and controversial. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive description of the decentralization processes in three countries at different stages of their decentralization strategies – Pakistan, Brazil and Portugal. Main body: This study employed a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed academic journals, official government reports, policy documents and publications from international organizations related to health system decentralization. A comprehensive search was conducted using reputable databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, the WHO repository and other relevant databases, covering the period up to the knowledge cutoff date in June 2023. Information was systematically extracted and organized into the determinants, process mechanics and challenges encountered during the planning, implementation and post-decentralization phases. Although decentralization reforms have achieved some success, challenges persist in their implementation. Comparing all three countries, it was evident that all three have prioritized health in their decentralization reforms and aimed to enhance local decision-making power. Brazil has made significant progress in implementing decentralization reforms, while Portugal and Pakistan are still in the process. Pakistan has faced significant implementation challenges, including capacity-building, resource allocation, resistance to change and inequity in access to care. Brazil and Portugal have also faced challenges, but to a lesser extent. The extent, progress and challenges in the decentralization processes vary among the three countries, each requiring ongoing evaluation and improvement to achieve the desired outcomes. Conclusion: Notable differences exist in the extent of decentralization, the challenges faced during implementation and inequality in access to care between the three countries. It is important for Portugal, Brazil and Pakistan to address these through reinforcing implementation strategies, tackling inequalities in access to care and enhancing monitoring and evaluation mechanism. Additionally, fostering knowledge sharing among these different countries will be instrumental in facilitating mutual learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why has the global norm of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) been facing challenges in the process of national implementation, even in developed countries? We conceptualize the implementation of the SDGs as a complex institutional process where a globally agreed norm is internalized into a specific context. Building on institutional theories, we conducted an interpretive case study of the Korean SDGs (K‐SDGs), focusing particularly on governance structure and differing stakeholders' engagement. The findings suggest that the notion of "sustainable development" has historically evolved with time in Korea, which has shaped the current implementation of the SDGs. The challenges in the process are not only technical and functional, but also socio‐institutional. These challenges include institutional fragmentation within the government, the inherent ambiguity of the SDGs, conflicting values, and interpretations of "sustainable development" in the Korean context. To address such challenges, the active participation of various stakeholders and collaborative governance were found to be significant, which in turn provides lessons for other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to determine the impact of legal and regulatory qualities on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and explore its impact in developed and developing countries, comparatively. The sample comprises data on FDI inflows from 66 countries, spanning the period 2008 to 2021. To estimate the regression parameters, the quantile regression with fixed effects model proposed by Machado and Santos Silva (2019) was employed. Additionally, the regression results were supported using random effects and fixed effects models with Driscoll-Kraay (1998) standard errors. The results of the quantile regression analysis reveal that legal and regulatory qualities have a positively significant effect on FDI inflows. This impact is greater in developing countries than in developed countries, and the discrepancy increases with higher FDI levels. These findings hold important policy implications for decision-makers. To attract FDI, particularly in developing countries, it is crucial to strengthen legal systems by safeguarding property rights, establishing contractual certainty, and implementing effective dispute resolution mechanisms. More so, efforts should be taken to reduce rent-seeking behavior and prevent powerful groups from receiving unfair advantages. Failure to address these issues may increase the risks and impede a country's economic development in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Female-specific cancers seriously affect physical and psychological health of women worldwide. Objectives: We aimed to elucidate trends in the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer in female populations with different socioeconomic statuses in China and in countries with different Human Development Index (HDI). Methods: A longitudinal study was performed using the data of cancer death in China and other 39 countries. The mortality rates were standardized with the Segi’s world population. Trends in the mortalities were exhibited by estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). Pearson correlation was used to assess the association between EAPC and HDI. Results: In mainland China, female breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer accounted for 6.60 %, 4.21 %, 2.50 %, and 2.02 % of cancer death (n = 1,314,040) in women with 1,220,251,032 person-years, respectively. The ASMRs of cervical cancer (EAPC = 3.87 %, P

[Display omitted] • Breast/ovarian cancer mortalities are higher in developed than in undeveloped areas. • The ASMR of ovarian cancer kept increasing in rural China, during 2004–2019. • Cervical cancer mortality increased, while uterine cancer decreased, in China, during 2004–2019. • The mortalities of breast/ovarian cancers are lower in China than in other countries. • The contribution of aging to the cancer mortality is more apparent in developed countries. • The ASMRs of breast/ovarian cancers are inversely related to the human development index. Female-specific cancers seriously affect physical and psychological health of women worldwide. We aimed to elucidate trends in the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer in female populations with different socioeconomic statuses in China and in countries with different Human Development Index (HDI). A longitudinal study was performed using the data of cancer death in China and other 39 countries. The mortality rates were standardized with the Segi's world population. Trends in the mortalities were exhibited by estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). Pearson correlation was used to assess the association between EAPC and HDI. In mainland China, female breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer accounted for 6.60 %, 4.21 %, 2.50 %, and 2.02 % of cancer death (n = 1,314,040) in women with 1,220,251,032 person-years, respectively. The ASMRs of cervical cancer (EAPC = 3.87 %, P < 0.001) and ovarian cancer (EAPC = 1.81 %, P < 0.001) increased, that of female breast cancer unchanged, whereas that of uterine cancer was extremely higher and rapidly decreased (EAPC = − 7.65 %, P < 0.001), during 2004–2019. The ASMRs of female breast and ovarian cancers were higher in urban and developed regions than in rural and undeveloped regions, in contrast to cervical and uterine cancers. The ASMRs of female breast and ovarian cancers were lower in China than in other countries, in contrast to uterine cancer. The ASMR of cervical cancer decreased, that of uterine cancer increased, in other countries during 2004–2017. EAPCs for the ASMRs of breast and ovarian cancers were inversely correlated to HDI. The ASMRs of cervical and ovarian cancers increased, in contrast to uterine cancer, in China during socioeconomic transition. Trends in the ASMRs of breast and ovarian cancers were inversely associated with HDI. These data help control female-specific cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palliative care focused on improving the quality of life for terminal patients and their families have had a significant impact on healthcare services in developed countries. This review aims to explore how home-based palliative care is implemented for terminal patients in developed countries by analyzing 10 articles from a total of 705 found in 4 databases (PubMed, Scopus, Wiley, and Science Direct) between August 2014 and August 2024. The quality of the documents was evaluated using the critical appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), with scores ranging from 75% to 100%. Key findings include: (1) Positive benefits of home-based palliative care, including peaceful deaths at home and improved family functioning; (2) Barriers to implementation, such as a lack of healthcare professional competency and issues from families and healthcare services; (3) A comprehensive approach to care at home, encompassing comprehensive care and symptom management; (4) The success of home-based care depends on support from interdisciplinary teams and families. Implementing palliative care in developed countries requires cooperation and support from multiple stakeholders. Study limitations include difficulties in comparing implementations between developed and developing countries and the limited number of relevant articles, with only 705 articles found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, progress in digitalisation and foreign direct investment has caused many structural changes, reorganisation in economics, rising productivity, globalisation, and increasing trade or international investment flows, which have led to increased capital flows and information availability. Therefore, this research investigated the impact of digitalisation and foreign direct investment on economic growth in developed countries. Panel data analysis was applied to data of 16 developed countries, from 2006 until 2019. The findings show that digitalisation - presented by mobile cellular and internet users - and foreign direct investment positively impacted economic growth, thus they strongly contribute to advancing the economy and increasing welfare. Therefore, developed countries have been learning about the critical role of technology and capital, as stated by economists over several decades, and developing countries can copy their policies into their own economic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The context of learning, which includes the host country, is an important variable of service-learning. Since international service-learning programs often take place in developing countries, studies about their impact and outcomes commonly draw from experiences in developing countries. Purpose: We investigate service-learning experience in developed, urban settings focusing on dissonances and civic outcomes, key areas of service-learning pedagogy. Methodology/Approach: This an instrumental case study based on a small group sample of 12 Asian student participants of a service-learning exchange to partner universities in the USA. Findings/Conclusions: Findings suggest that developed cities can be fertile grounds for impactful dissonances and civic learning. "First-world expectations" increased or intensified dissonances students experienced. Confronting urban poverty and other social issues in cities similar to their own led students to see domestic problems with fresh eyes. Implications: Service-learning exchange in developed cities can facilitate understanding social problems particularly in the way these occur in developed countries and promises transferability of learning. However, students need prompting to connect experiences overseas to home contexts and draw practical consequences. Faculty or staff assistance is necessary to help students constructively cope with powerful dissonances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reforms being carried out in the field of education in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the democratic changes taking place in the society are becoming a bold guide and driving force in the path of building a new society. Without changing the education system, it is impossible to change people's minds and, consequently, their lifestyles. One of the most important tasks of modern personnel is to rationally organize the work of others as qualified professionals, knowing their own abilities, individuality, personal qualities and attributes, and to act as a talented professional in all areas of socially useful work. This article focuses on pedagogy and psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Economic relations between countries members of the EU and EU candidates are very strong. Germany and France have the leading economies of the EU, are in the top ten economies worldwide, and drivers of EU development. Serbia has strong economic relations with Germany and France, especially with Germany. Therefore, it is necessary to examine whether Germany and France impact the development of Serbia.

How is cycling culture defined? Because the word "culture" brings with it deep complexities, there is a need to understand varying contexts in looking for suitable strategies toward the advancement of cycling culture. The stage for cycling culture is the landscape where cycling infrastructure can be properly provided. With development, an influential element would be economic capacity. The paper explores the influence of the economic development divide by comparing cyclist perception between developed and developing countries, namely Taiwan and the Philippines. An online survey between 122 Taiwanese and 111 Filipino cyclists was conducted to find out the landscape needs of people to consider cycling transport based on affordances in the landscape. The variables selected were based on landscape elements for cycling as a commuting activity. The data were processed through factor analysis to reveal latent landscape needs to profile cycling needs. Two factors were identified as 'environmental' and 'civil facilities.' The factor loadings were then compared based on the nationalities which revealed that the bike riding motivation were different with relating to the context of their respective environment and similar with the basic infrastructural demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The four-decades long exchanges with Chinese scholars has provided me with a fresh perspective. Reading history makes me feel that the talents of the historical Chinese who created the country's glorious ancient civilization are still being carried on today, and have become the foundation enabling China to build an ideal type of society. Indeed, China regards "becoming developed" as its ultimate goal and "reform and growth" as its guideline. The progress of artificial intelligence would not remove its own weakness of democracy. On the contrary, as the technology grows mature, it might steer development of socialism in a favourable direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Intra‐operative cardiac arrests differ from most in‐hospital cardiac arrests because they reflect not only the patient's condition but also the quality of surgery and anaesthesia care provided. We assessed the relationship between intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates and country Human Development Index (HDI), and the changes occurring in these rates over time. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, CINAHL and SciELO from inception to 29 January 2020. For the global population, rates of intra‐operative cardiac arrest and baseline ASA physical status were extracted. Intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates were analysed by time, country HDI status and ASA physical status using meta‐regression analysis. Proportional meta‐analysis was performed to compare intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates and ASA physical status in low‐ vs. high‐HDI countries and in two time periods. Eighty‐two studies from 25 countries with more than 29 million anaesthetic procedures were included. Intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates were inversely correlated with country HDI (p = 0.0001); they decreased over time only in high‐HDI countries (p = 0.040) and increased with increasing ASA physical status (p < 0.0001). Baseline ASA physical status did not change in high‐HDI countries (p = 0.106), while it decreased over time in low‐HDI countries (p = 0.040). In high‐HDI countries, intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates (per 10,000 anaesthetic procedures) decreased from 9.59 (95%CI 6.59–13.16) pre‐1990 to 5.17 (95%CI 4.42–5.97) in 1990–2020 (p = 0.013). During the same time periods, no improvement was observed in the intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates in low‐HDI countries (p = 0.498). Odds ratios of intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates in ASA 3–5 patients were 8.48 (95%CI 1.67–42.99) times higher in low‐HDI countries than in high‐HDI countries (p = 0.0098). Intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates are related to country‐HDI and decreased over time only in high‐HDI countries. The widening gap in these rates between low‐ and high‐HDI countries needs to be addressed globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Intra‐operative cardiac arrests differ from most in‐hospital cardiac arrests because they reflect not only the patient's condition but also the quality of surgery and anaesthesia care provided. We assessed the relationship between intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates and country Human Development Index (HDI), and the changes occurring in these rates over time. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, CINAHL and SciELO from inception to 29 January 2020. For the global population, rates of intra‐operative cardiac arrest and baseline ASA physical status were extracted. Intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates were analysed by time, country HDI status and ASA physical status using meta‐regression analysis. Proportional meta‐analysis was performed to compare intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates and ASA physical status in low‐ vs. high‐HDI countries and in two time periods. Eighty‐two studies from 25 countries with more than 29 million anaesthetic procedures were included. Intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates were inversely correlated with country HDI (p = 0.0001); they decreased over time only in high‐HDI countries (p = 0.040) and increased with increasing ASA physical status (p < 0.0001). Baseline ASA physical status did not change in high‐HDI countries (p = 0.106), while it decreased over time in low‐HDI countries (p = 0.040). In high‐HDI countries, intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates (per 10,000 anaesthetic procedures) decreased from 9.59 (95%CI 6.59–13.16) pre‐1990 to 5.17 (95%CI 4.42–5.97) in 1990–2020 (p = 0.013). During the same time periods, no improvement was observed in the intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates in low‐HDI countries (p = 0.498). Odds ratios of intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates in ASA 3–5 patients were 8.48 (95%CI 1.67–42.99) times higher in low‐HDI countries than in high‐HDI countries (p = 0.0098). Intra‐operative cardiac arrest rates are related to country‐HDI and decreased over time only in high‐HDI countries. The widening gap in these rates between low‐ and high‐HDI countries needs to be addressed globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transfusion safety may be becoming dependent on the financial resources made available for transfusion structures and may vary between high-income countries (HIC) and low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC). To assess whether there is a difference in the reported TR between these two groups of countries, we examined TR reported in Tunis the capital of Tunisia, a LMIC, and compared their frequency with reported TR in HIC. Data of TR were collected from transfusion incident report (TIR) forms declared by healthcare facilities in Tunis between 2015 and 2019. They were analysed and compared to reported TR in France (ANSM) and UK (SHOT). The incidence of TR was 70.6/100 000 blood components (BP) issued. A third of TR (36.8%) occurred at night. Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (43.7%) and allergic reactions (35%) were the most reported TR respectively 22.4/100 000 BP and 17.9/100 000 BP. The rate of ABO incompatibilities was 1.96/100 000 red blood cell units (RBC): they were all caused by human error. The rates of TRALI, TACO and bacterial contaminations were respectively 1.26/100 000 BP, 1.4/100 000 RBC and 0.7/100 000 BP. While advanced technologies applied to transfusion have improved transfusion safety, this study shows that their impact has been relatively minor, as reported TR in LMIC are still comparable to those in HIC. ABO-incompatibilities are still higher in LMIC: this should be addressed by reinforcing the training of all healthcare personnel involved in transfusion medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper gives a critical analysis framework on the impact of smart grids on electrical distribution grids. It highlights the discrepancies between the developed and developing countries on the adoption of this technology. The concept of smart grids is gaining appreciable recognition in the developed world’s electricity networks. The need to assess the impact of this new technology is critical as the laws of infrastructural clearly show that this is the direction to go if speedy and efficient development is going to be achieved in the developing world. A case study of developing countries was cited as a reference base and compared against developed countries. As developing countries still have the majority of their people still without access to power, the paper shows that the capacity for the implementation of smart grid technologies is ripe for implementation, albeit at a rather high fiscal cost.

The opening of the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center is one of the policies implemented by the government to increase Indonesia's non-oil and gas exports. However, fluctuations in the value of non-oil exports make the role of the ITPC doubtful. This study aims to analyze the impact of Indonesia Trade Promotion Center as Export Promotion Agency (EPA) on the value of Indonesia's non-oil and gas exports globally, to developing countries, and developed countries from 2000 to 2018. The method used in this study is the Random Effect Model and gravity model. Estimation results show that EPA Indonesia (ITPC) has a positive and significant effect on the value of Indonesian non-oil exports in all models. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has a positive effect and significant for global and developing countries model. GDP per capita and Free Trade Agreements have a significant positive effect on non-oil exports in all models. The geographical distance variable has a negative impact for Indonesian non-oil exports in all models, except for the developed countries model.

Summary: Background: Measuring obesity at a single time point does not explain the independent association between C‐section birth and obesity in a child's life course. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the longitudinal link between C‐section with obesity trajectories during childhood. Methods: We analysed data from a nationally representative birth cohort study named "Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)", commenced in 2004. General obesity was measured through the Body Mass Index (BMI) and abdominal obesity by the Waist Circumference (WC) using the biennially collected data from age 2 to 13 years (2006‐2016). Group‐based trajectory modelling was applied to identify the distinct pattern of BMI & WC trajectories. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the association between C‐section and obesity trajectories after adjusting for perinatal factors. Results: Of the 3524 study children, 30% were born by C‐section. Three distinct BMI trajectory groups emerged: stable normal (60%), moderately rising (33%) and accelerated (7%). The WC trajectories were, stable normal (58%), moderate (34%) and accelerated (8%). Compared with the stable normal group, children born through C‐section had a higher risk to follow accelerated trajectories for both BMI (OR:1.72; 95% CI: 1.28‐2.32) and WC (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.15‐1.98) with P‐value <0.01. Adjustment of potential confounders did not alter these associations substantially. Conclusions: C‐section birth significantly increases the risk of having an accelerated obesity trajectory in children. Limiting the C‐section for absolute clinical causes and early institution of preventive approach can reduce the obesity burden among children delivered through C‐section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BCG vaccination is known to reduce neonatal mortality from infections in a pathogen-agnostic manner. In this observational study we report on whether an emergency granulopoietic response is elicited in term babies from a developed country following BCG vaccination. We studied a cohort of neonates re-admitted to the hospital from home for feeding support separated into 2 groups dependent on whether they had received BCG vaccination. Clinical data including gender, weight, gestational age, method of feeding and full blood count results were retrieved retrospectively. While lymphocyte counts increase following BCG vaccination irrespective of gender and in proportion with the time elapsed after vaccination, the increase in neutrophil counts, is only observed in boys. This increase appears to be temporary. Our results confirm the presence of emergency granulopoiesis following BCG vaccination in a neonatal cohort from a developed country. However, this effect appears to be gender-specific and is present only in boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth in education, research, and development in developing economies cannot be compared with their developed counterparts. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), which have played a key role in nations' socio-economic development, can leverage developing economies. The International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT) emerged to promote research and development using ICT in developing nations. The emergence has, over the years, churned out significant scientific publications. This review intends to commemorate the late IJEDICT founding editor and investigate the contribution of academic papers published in the journal to develop education using ICT in developing countries and the thematic growth of the publication forum. The paper presents a bibliometric content analysis of 692 studies published in IJEDICT from inception, 2005 until January 2021. Findings from this review suggest useful implications for researchers, ICT managers, institutions, policymakers, and nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization is a process, which means the interrelationship of national economies across the whole world in affairs such as labor, trade, investment and the movement of services, goods and people with their knowledge and traditions. The phenomenon of globalization progresses all the time and involves total fields of the country. It can be claimed that every matter has its own advantages and disadvantages, globalization is not an exception. Because of these reasons, the study compares economic globalization, which manifests itself differently depending on the effects of globalization. Therefore, research objective – impact of globalization on strong and weak states of economic processes. Research objective – to analyze the contact of globalization on economic growth. Continuing, empirical research has chosen to investigate the interaction of some economic factors with real GDP, which is one of the main economic indicators characterizing the country’s economic development. The main idea in the future – to include as many economic factors as possible in the study in order to achieve more accurate results. Article in Lithuanian. Socialinė ekonominė raida išsivysčiusiose ir besivystančiose šalyse globalizacijos sąlygomis: esminiai skirtumai Santrauka Kadangi globalizacija tapo reiškiniu kiekvienoje laisvojoje rinkoje, labai svarbu tirti ir analizuoti jo padarinius pasaulio valstybėms, kurie, tiesa, yra dvejopi. Dėl šių priežasčių, pagrindinis straipsnio tikslas – išanalizuoti globalizacijos poveikį ekonominiams procesams, pasireiškiantiems ekonomiškai stipriose ir ekonomiškai silpnose pasaulio šalyse. Siekiant realizuoti šį tikslą, metodologijos dalyje pateikti ekonominiai veiksniai (populiacija, kainų lygis, realusis vartojimas, prekių eksporto dalis), kurių empirinio tyrimo metu poveikis tiriamas realiajam BVP, turint omenyje, jog tai vienas pagrindinių ekonomikos rodiklių, apibūdinančių šalies ekonominę raidą. Empirinio tyrimo metu, naudojantis regresine analize, buvo nagrinėjamos 182 pasaulio valstybės, o tiriamas laikotarpis – nuo 13 iki 68 metų. Pagrindinė gautų rezultatų išvada, jog visi ekonominiai rodikliai yra reikšmingi ir darantys įtaką realiajam BVP, tačiau mažiausiai svarbus veiksnys iš paminėtų – realusis vartojimas. Akivaizdu, XXI a. sunku nepastebėti globalizacijos poveikio tiek kasdieninėje veikloje, tiek pasauliniu mastu, todėl ypač pastaruoju laikotarpiu yra dažnai kalbama apie viso pasaulio šalių susivienijimą dėl neigiamų globalizacijos padarinių reguliavimo. Išanalizavus, kurie ekonominiai veiksniai yra svarbūs ir veikiantys šalies ekonominę raidą labiausiai, didėja galimybė kontroliuoti augančius skirtumus tarp labiausiai ir mažiausiai išsivysčiusių pasaulio valstybių. Reikšminiai žodžiai: ekonomika, raida, globalizacija, išsivysčiusios valstybės, besivystančios valstybės, skirtumai, socialinė ekonominė raida.

The present research exhibits the measurement of university students' behavioral intention in using a blended learning system. Two representative cases from a developed region and a developing region were assessed in the present measurement. Two well-known models, namely the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), were used as the measurement tools. A total of six hypotheses was tested. The result revealed the suitability of the TAM-TPB model in interpreting the sample students behavioral intentions' for both regions. The result also showed that for the Taiwanese data, five out of six hypotheses were accepted. For the Indonesian data, only four out of six hypotheses were exhibiting acceptable statistical measurement. Several recommendations, such as creating a more socialoriented blended learning system for developed countries was recommended. Utilizing the favourable feeling shown by developing countries students to create a better blended learning system, was also highly suggested to be considered for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis is a mycobacterial infection, but it can mimic many diseases including diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The need to consider it as a differential diagnosis of musculoskeletal tumours and tumour-like conditions cannot be overemphasized. The opinions of some, that tuberculosis is a disease of the undeveloped world, can no longer be sustained especially in the presence of immunodeficiency disorders, including HIV/AIDS, which have a worldwide prevalence. Traditionally, literature evidence shows that tuberculosis can mimic quite a number of diseases, including cancers. This has been found to be true, even in some technologically advanced countries. We present a case of hepatocellular cancer patient incidentally found to have concomitant hepatic tuberculosis who complained of bone lesion, with clinico-radiologic features of metastasis, but which turned out to be a tuberculous infection of the bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manjunath Siddaiah-Subramanya,1,2 Harveen Singh,3 Kor Woi Tiang1,2 1Department of Surgery, Logan Hospital, 2Department of Medicine, Griffith University, 3Department of Gastroenterology, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia Objectives: Medical student involvement in research has been declining over the years. We reviewed the factors that hinder participation in research with a focus on developing countries. Methods: Literature search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library. Peer-reviewed articles published between 1995 and 2017 were screened for relevance to identify key factors affecting medical student involvement in research with a particular focus on developing world. Analytical review is presented here in this article in relation to commonly reported aspects related to research during medical school. Results: This search revealed varied contributing factors that hinder students’ growth and interest in research. It commonly highlighted few aspects in relation to research during medical school, and they were “variability in research uptake among students and issues related to them, their knowledge and attitude toward research and organizational input and its influence on students”. Conclusion: While early introduction to research by inculcating a mindset aimed at research has been proposed, it has not been seen in practice during either the medical school or beyond to an extent that was expected. It appears that developing countries, while they share some of the reasons with developed countries, have their own set of difficulties, which are influenced by culture, beliefs and priorities. Keywords: developing country, developed country, medical student, undergraduate, research

Abstract Background Understanding the immune response to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is essential for a clear approach to tuberculosis (TB) preventive therapy. We investigated the immunological recovery in cART-treated HIV-infected patients developing TB compared to those who remained free of TB. Methods We extracted data of HIV-infected patients from a multicenter cohort for the HIV clinical surveillance in Germany. No patients included in our study had TB at the beginning of the observation. Using a longitudinal mixed model, we assessed the differences in the mean change of biomarkers (CD4+ cell count, CD8+ cell count, CD4:CD8 ratio and viral load) since cART initiation in patients who remained free of TB vs. those developing TB. To detect the best-fit trajectories of the immunological biomarkers, we applied a multivariable fractional polynomials model. Results We analyzed a total of 10,671 HIV-infected patients including 139 patients who developed TB during follow-up. The highest TB incidences were observed during the first two years since cART initiation (0.32 and 0.50 per 100 person-years). In an adjusted multivariable mixed model, we found that the average change in CD4+ cell count recovery was significantly greater by 33 cells/μl in patients who remained free of TB compared with those developing TB. After the initial three months of cART, 65.6% of patients who remaining free of TB achieved CD4+ count of ≥400 cells/μl, while only 11.3% of patients developing TB reached this immunological status after the three months of cART. We found no differences in the average change of CD8+ cell count, CD4:CD8 ratio or viral load between the two-patient groups. Conclusion All HIV-infected patients responded to cART. However, patients developing TB showed reduced recovery in CD4+ cell count and this might partly explain the incident TB in HIV-infected patients receiving cART. These findings reinforce the importance of adjunctive TB preventive therapy for patients with reduced recovery in CD4+ cell count.

Aim: Nutritional deficiencies associated with coeliac disease include iron, folic acid and fat-soluble vitamins. This study compared the prevalence and degree of vitamin A deficiency among newly diagnosed coeliac disease patients to controls in a developed country.Methods: This prospective cohort study included all children evaluated by gastroscopy at Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Israel, between September 2014 and February 2017. Vitamin A, haemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, tissue transglutaminase, immunoglobulin A and vitamin D levels were measured.Results: Of the 113 children (69% females), 47 were diagnosed with coeliac disease whereas the others were the controls (mean age of 8.2 ± 3.8 years and 12.4 ± 3.5 years, respectively). There was no group difference in vitamin A, vitamin D or CRP levels. Among coeliac children, two had true vitamin A deficiency compared with three controls, while 18 coeliac children had subclinical vitamin A deficiency compared with 25 controls (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Paediatric coeliac disease was not associated with increased prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. Children evaluated for gastrointestinal complaints in a developed country were found to have an unexpectedly high prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Further prevalence and causality assessments of vitamin A deficiency in developed countries are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frugal innovation will likely play an important part in the future of innovation management. In developed countries like Finland, it has attracted only meagre research attention thus far, but global interest in the concept is increasing quite rapidly. The study focuses on how frugal innovation is understood among developed countries' professionals and nascent professionals in a technical university setting. The study aims to contribute to an improved understanding of and readiness for frugal innovation in developed countries. Improved readiness for frugal innovation is necessary to realize the full potential of the concept. Frugal innovation shall be included as an element of the research agendas and teaching in developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Import virtual water is an effective way to alleviate water shortage. Since China is a country that suffers severely from the lack of water resources, it is badly needed to research in virtual water export and import in China's foreign trade. This paper conducted thorough research on these issues and lucubrated on the detailed destinations and origins of China’s virtual water export and import using the input-output model. Moreover, the factors that affect China’s virtual water trade have also been studied in this paper. The results indicated that: (1) from 2000 to 2012, the volume of virtual water export increased from 65.2 billion tons to 114.1 billion tons, and its import volume increased from 62.4 billion tons to 108.7 billion tons. China was a net exporter of virtual water; (2) the export of virtual water was mainly exported by sectors such as Textile &Garment and Leather Products, General Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Industry, the import of virtual water was mainly imported by Agriculture, Petrochemical industry; (3) China has net exported large amounts of virtual water to developed areas such as the US, the European Union, and Japan, and has net imported from emerging economies and resource-oriented regions such as Taiwan (China), ASEAN, Brazil, Korea, Australia and Russia. Based on these conclusions, this paper proposed that China’s foreign trade structure needed to be adjusted to relieve the water shortage by the following methods the first is appropriately lower the export proportion of products from sectors such as Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products, Petrochemical Industry, which exported a large proportion of virtual water; the second is to enlarge the export proportion of products with low water consumption, such as service industry; the third is to make full use of the water saving effect of import. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background & Aims: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA during chronic infection can reach levels at which mother‐to‐child (MTC) transmission frequently occurs despite passive‐active immunization of newborns. Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) RNA can reach high levels, we assessed HBV/HDV MTC co‐transmission. Methods: Monocentric retrospective study (registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02044055)), after informed consent in HBV/HDV co‐infected women pregnant between 01/01/2004 and 01/01/2015 in Paris, France. The children were tested when 24 months of age or older. Results: Twenty‐two (3%) of 742 HBV infected women, HDV co‐infected, gave birth to 54 children during the study period. HBV DNA was above 5 Log10 I.U/mL in 10 pregnancies previous any treatment, with HDV RNA of less than 2.3 Log10 I.U/mL. HDV RNA was above 5 Log10 I.U/mL in eight pregnancies previous any treatment, with HBV DNA of less than 1.5 Log10 I.U/mL. Inverse patterns of HBV DNA and HDV RNA were observed in 17 of 35 (49%) pregnancies: 13 (76%) received no HBV treatment; four (24%) were treated. HBV DNA was under 5 Log10 I.U/mL in 46 of the 50 assessed women (92%) at birth. Of the 36 assessed children, given passive‐active immunization, 24 (66%) were protected, 10 (28%) were neither infected nor protected, one was chronically HBV infected, and one had a past HBV infection. HDV Ab was negative in the 36 children. Conclusions: These results suggest that HBV/HDV MTC co‐transmission is exceptional. Studies are needed, mainly in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a growing number of governmental bodies and civil society organizations are mobilizing to tackle marine pollution on both global and local scales, there is often a disconnect between the work of a few impassioned groups with the rest of the local community. To determine why this dichotomy exists, this research explores different perceptions of marine pollution through semi-structured interviews in Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Marine pollution on the shores and in the thick vegetation along the coastline is a persistent feature on Miyakojima, however, local efforts are disjointed between island natives (insiders) and migrants from mainland Japan (outsiders). This research provides perceptions of marine pollution in the context of an island within a developed country, which is shaped by compounding senses of displacement that Miyakojima insiders are experiencing. Perspectives that have been unheard in marine pollution discourse are reflected on an ondo-sa map, which links interview content with local ontological understandings of the insider and outsider stratification regarding marine pollution. With neocolonialism continuing to mold the island's economy and political hold, insiders' relationships with the ocean have been changing. Engaging the local population with marine pollution activities therefore requires a more holistic consideration of Miyakojima's evolving political, economic, and social landscape. As such, NGOs, researchers, and other interested entities that seek to approach marine pollution issues on islands must acknowledge the inequities that continue to surface as neocolonial activities remain unchecked and accepted as the status quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]