The Egyptian Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ECTS - E-Journal)
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Capital and Labour: The Shifting Terrains of Struggle and Accommodation in Labour and Employment Relations
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A critical look at the use of SEM in international business research
No full textPurpose: Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been widely used to examine complex research models in international business and marketing research. While the covariance-based SEM (CB-SEM) approach is dominant, we argue that the field’s dynamic nature and the sometimes early stage of theory development more often require a partial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM) approach. Our study critically reviews the application of SEM techniques in the field. / Methodology: We searched six journals with an international business (and marketing) focus (Management International Review, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of International Management, International Marketing Review, Journal of World Business, International Business Review) from 1990 to 2013. We reviewed all articles that apply SEM, analyzed their research objectives and methodology choices, and assessed whether the PLS-SEM papers followed the best practices outlined in the past. / Findings: Of the articles, 379 utilized CB-SEM and 45 PLS-SEM. The reasons for using PLS-SEM referred largely to sampling and data measurement issues and did not sufficiently build on the procedure’s benefits that stem from its design for predictive and exploratory purposes. Thus, the procedure’s key benefits, which might be fruitful for the theorizing process, are not being fully exploited. Furthermore, authors need to better follow best practices to truly advance theory building. / Research limitations/implications: We examined a subset of journals in the field and did not include general management journals that publish international business and marketing-related studies. Furthermore, we found only limited use of PLS-SEM in the journals we considered relevant to our study. / Value of the paper: Our study contributes to the literature by providing researchers seeking to adopt SEM as an analytical method with practical guidelines for making better choices concerning an appropriate SEM approach. Furthermore, based on a systematic review of current practices in the international business and marketing literature, we identify critical challenges in the selection and use of SEM procedures and offer concrete recommendations for better practice.
Enriqueta Rylands: Private collector of a public library
No full textThis paper describes the role of Enriqueta Rylands in the formation of the John Rylands Library. It will explore how her modesty and personal privacy enabled her to undertake an ambitious project without stepping too controversially into the public sphere, but have obscured the full extent and character of her contribution. This contribution will be explored through evidence from the Library’s archives of her active engagement in the acquisition and management of manuscripts and papyri. The intersection between private collecting and public library will be explored, particularly with regard Enriqueta’s intention that the collections be useful, and the impact of this intention on acquisition, cataloguing and access. This paper will place Rylands papyrus collections in the context of Enriqueta’s personal interest in the Bible and in ancient Egypt, and demonstrate the continuing impact of her emphasis on use
MPL W515L expression induces TGFβ secretion and leads to an increase in chemokinesis via phosphorylation of THOC5
No full textThe thrombopoietin receptor (MPL) has been shown to be mutated (MPL W515L) in myelofibrosis and thrombocytosis yet new approaches to treat this disorder are still required. We have previously shown that transcriptome and proteomic effects do not correlate well in oncogene-mediated leukemogenesis. We therefore investigated the effects of MPL W515L using proteomics. The consequences of MPL W515L expression on over 3300 nuclear and 3500 cytoplasmic proteins were assessed using relative quantification mass spectrometry. We demonstrate that MPL W515L expression markedly modulates the CXCL12/CXCR4/CD45 pathway associated with stem and progenitor cell chemotactic movement. We also demonstrated that MPL W515L expressing cells displayed increased chemokinesis which required the MPL W515Lmediated disregulation of MYC expression via phosphorylation of the RNA transport protein THOC5 on tyrosine 225. In addition MPL W515L expression induced TGFβ secretion which is linked to sphingosine 1-phosphate production and the increased chemokinesis. These studies identify several pathways which offer potential targets for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of MPL W515L-driven malignancy. We validate our approach by showing that CD34+ cells from MPL W515L positive patients display increased chemokinesis and that treatment with a combination of MYC and sphingosine kinase inhibitors leads to the preferential killing of MPL W515L expressing cells
Repeatability of infrared ocular thermography in assessing healthy and dry eyes
No full textPurpose. To investigate the Inter-image, inter-occasion and inter-examiner repeatability of NEC infrared thermo-tracer TH9260 in assessing healthy and dry eyes. Methods. Ocular surface temperature (OST) was recorded using NEC infrared thermo-tracer TH9260 on 21 healthy and 15 dry eyes. Data from the right eyes were analyzed. Marking of the ocular surface and OST acquisition was performed using a new ‘diamond’ demarcation method. Twelve OST indices were obtained at three different time points: 0 s, 5 s and 10 s. Inter-image, inter-occasion and inter-examiner repeatability of the infrared ocular thermography was evaluated by calculating coefficients of repeatability (COR). Results. Ten out of the twelve tested OST indices had good repeatability with small inter-image variability (%COR: 0.2 to 0.9), inter-occasion variability (%COR: 2.1 to 3.7) and inter-examiner variability (%COR: 1.5 to 3.7) for the three studied time points. Two of the OST indices (temperature standard deviation of the region of interest and radial temperature difference) had poor repeatability with much larger inter-image variability (%COR: 8.9 to 140.7), inter-occasion variability (%COR: 47.5 to 153.5) and inter-examiner variability (%COR: 54.7 to 142.0) for the three studied time points. Conclusions. Most of the metrics adopted in this assessment can be considered to be highly repeatable
Identifying variation in models of care for the genomic-based diagnosis of inherited retinal dystrophies in the United Kingdom
No full textPurpose Advances in genomic technologies are prompting a realignment of diagnostic and management pathways for rare inherited disease. New models of care are being developed as genomic-based diagnostic testing becomes increasingly relevant within more and more aspects of medicine. This study describes current care models for the provision of a genomic-based diagnosis for patients with inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) in UK clinical practice. Methods A structured telephone survey, conducted (in 2014) with all 23 UK Regional Genetics Centres and a sample of specialist ophthalmology centres (n=4), was used to describe models of service delivery and current levels of genomic-based diagnostic testing. Quantitative data were summarised using descriptive statistics. Responses to open-ended questions were summarised using thematic analysis. Results Of the 27 centres 10 of them saw IRD patients in 'generic' clinics and 17 centres offered ophthalmic-specific clinics. Extensive regional variation was observed in numbers of patients seen and in how care for the diagnosis and management of IRD was provided. Conclusions Understanding current practice is a necessary first step in the development and evaluation of complex interventions, such as care models for the genomic-based diagnosis of inherited eye conditions. Presented findings here relating to disparities in care provision are potentially linked to previously reported evidence of perceived unmet needs and expectations of IRD service users. This work provides a foundation for the integration of new care models in mainstream medicin
A case of severe knee enthesitis on MRI as an initial presentation of enteropathic arthritis
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Anastrozole-Induced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Results From the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II Prevention Trial.
No full textPurpose Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist in the carpal tunnel. It has been suggested that hormonal risk factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of CTS, and a higher incidence of CTS has been reported in randomized clinical trials with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) compared with tamoxifen. Patients and Methods This was an exploratory analysis of the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II, a double-blind randomized clinical trial in which women at increased risk of breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive anastrozole or placebo. This is the first report of risk factors for and characteristics of CTS in women taking an AI in a placebo-controlled trial. Results Overall, 96 participants with CTS were observed: 65 (3.4%) in the anastrozole arm and 31 (1.6%) in the placebo arm (odds ratio, 2.16 [1.40 to 3.33]; P <.001). Ten participants were reported as having severe CTS, of which eight were taking anastrozole (P = .08). Eighteen women (0.9%) in the anastrozole arm and six women (0.3%) in the placebo arm reported surgical intervention, which was significantly different (odds ratio, 3.06 [1.21 to 7.72], P = .018). Six women discontinued with the allocated treatment because of the onset of CTS. Apart from treatment allocation, a high body mass index and an a prior report of musculoskeletal symptoms after trial entry were the only other risk factors for CTS identified in these postmenopausal women. Conclusions The use of anastrozole was associated with a higher incidence of CTS but few participants required surgery. Further investigations are warranted into the risk factors and treatment of AI-induced CTS