34 research outputs found
The dynamics of energy policy in Lebanon when research, politics, and policy fail to intersect
No full textThis paper is an exploratory study on energy policymaking in Lebanon aiming at investigating the contributing factors to the absence of evidence-informed policy by analyzing the relation between energy-related research and policy. It uses a qualitative approach in which two complementary types of data sources are employed. Data was mainly obtained from in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 40 key stakeholders. The data was further enhanced by an extensive review of related documents available in the public domain as well as research-related activities. Data were analyzed using iterative thematic content analysis which findings served to illustrate the theoretical perspectives in the relevant prevailing literature on linking policy and research. This paper suggests that the politicization of energy policy, the nature of the generated evidence and the lack of communication of evidence among policy actors as well as the weak and non-institutionalized links between researchers and policymakers have posed as an obstacle to an effective, efficient and evidence-based policy. There is a dearth of academic studies that have investigated this issue from a policy perspective. The analysis lays the foundation for much needed future studies on the country's energy policy by identifying the participants, mapping out the process and providing policy recommendations. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.Abi Said C., 2005, ELECT ENERGY ENERGY; Argote L, 2000, ORGAN BEHAV HUM DEC, V82, P1, DOI 10.1006-obhd.2000.2883; Armstrong R, 2006, J PUBLIC HEALTH, V28, P384, DOI 10.1093-pubmed-fdl072; Babbie E, 2004, PRACTICE SOCIAL RES; Chaaban F.B., 2000, WORLD REN EN C 6, P1161; Chaaban FB, 1998, ENERG POLICY, V26, P487, DOI 10.1016-S0301-4215(98)00011-1; Chedid R., 2000, ENERGY CONVERSION MA, V42, P73; Chedid R.B., 2001, INT J ENERG RES, V25, P335; Chedid RB, 2004, ENERG POLICY, V32, P647, DOI 10.1016-S0301-4215(02)00328-2; Chedid RB, 2002, ENERG CONVERS MANAGE, V43, P77, DOI 10.1016-S0196-8904(01)00008-5; Court J., 2003, 213 ODI; Crewe E., 2002, 173 ODI; Dagher L, 2010, ENERG POLICY, V38, P912, DOI 10.1016-j.enpol.2009.10.042; de Vibe M., 2002, 174 ODI; El-Fadel RH, 2010, ENERG POLICY, V38, P751, DOI 10.1016-j.enpol.2009.10.020; Garrett James L., 1998, GATEKEEPER SERIES, V74; Ghaddar N, 1999, APPL ENERG, V63, P53, DOI 10.1016-S0306-2619(99)00018-5; Ghaddar N., 2005, FINAL REPORT RENEWAB; Ghaddar N, 1998, INT J ENERG RES, V22, P523, DOI 10.1002-(SICI)1099-114X(199805)22:6523::AID-ER3733.0.CO;2-R; Gladwell M., 2000, TIPPING POINT LITTLE; Houri A, 2006, RENEW ENERG, V31, P663, DOI 10.1016-j.renene.2005.08.003; Houri A, 2006, RENEW ENERG, V31, P1686, DOI 10.1016-j.renene.2005.08.027; IMF, 2010, LEB REAL GDP GROWTH; International Monetary Fund (IMF), 2012, INT MON FUND EX BOAR; Karaki S., 2007, RENEABLE ENERGY COUN; Karaki SH, 2002, INT J ELEC POWER, V24, P611, DOI 10.1016-S0142-0615(01)00075-8; Keeley J., 2003, UNDERSTANDING ENV PO; Kingdom J., 2003, AGENDAS ALTERNATIVES; Knio K., 2006, MEDITERR POLIT, V10, P225; Lavis John, 2005, J Health Serv Res Policy, V10 Suppl 1, P35, DOI 10.1258-1355819054308549; Leenders, 2011, SPOILS TRUCE CORRUPT; Levis J., 2006, RES PRACTICE KNOWLED, P10; Lindquist Evert A., 2003, EDISCERNING POLICY I; Makdisi S., 2004, LESSONS LEBANON EC W, DOI 10.1080-14753680500064067; Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW), 2010, POL PAP EL SECT; Ministry of Environment (MoEnv), 2013, PROGR WORK MIN ENV L; Ministry of Finance (MoF), 2010, EL LIB FISC PERSP OV; Nader FH, 2011, J PETROL GEOL, V34, P135, DOI 10.1111-j.1747-5457.2011.00498.x; Nader FH, 2004, J PETROL GEOL, V27, P253, DOI 10.1111-j.1747-5457.2004.tb00058.x; Nasr GE, 2000, ENERG ECON, V22, P627, DOI 10.1016-S0140-9883(99)00039-0; National Council for Scientific Research, 2006, 5 YEAR SCI TECHN INN; Neilson S., 2001, KNOWLEDGE UTILISATIO; Nutley S., 2003, EVALUATION, V9, P125, DOI DOI 10.1177-1356389003009002002; Ruble I., 2011, ENERG POLICY, V36, P4315; Saab S, 2001, ENERGY, V26, P1, DOI 10.1016-S0360-5442(00)00049-9; Stone D., 2001, BRIDG RES POL INT WO; Strauss A., 1998, BASICS QUALITATIVE R; Surr M., 2002, DEV COMM M 24 OCT 20; Sutcliffe S., 2005, EVIDENCE BASED POLIC; Sutton R., 1999, 118 ODI; Verdeil Eric, 2008, C POL PLANN DESTR RE; WEISS CH, 1977, POLICY ANAL, V3, P531; World Bank, 2010, COUNTR PARTN STRAT L; World Bank, 2011, COUNTR BRIEF LEB; Yehia M., 1995, INT J ELECT POWER EN, V17; Young J., 2005, J INT DEV, V17, P20050
Documento de Consenso sobre terapia antitrombótica en enfermedad coronaria del Comité de Cardiopatía Isquémica de la Federación Argentina de Cardiología
No full textLos pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica se presentan en diferentes escenarios clínicos de la enfermedad
coronaria, desde los síndromes coronarios agudos (con y sin elevación del segmento ST), síndromes coronarios crónicos y situaciones especiales definidas por la co-existencia de ciertos factores de riesgo (diabetes mellitus, enfermedad renal crónica, fibrilación auricular y otras), los cuales pueden requerir de diferentes pautas (o protocolos) de terapia antitrombótica. El objetivo principal de la terapia antitrombótica es el
reducir los eventos isquémicos sin aumentar los riesgos, primordialmente complicaciones hemorrágicas,
asociadas a este tipo de intervención. El objetivo de este artículo es ofrecer una revisión basada en la evidencia más recientes teniendo en cuenta las diferentes situaciones clínicas, así como un cuidadoso análisis del balance de beneficios y riesgos (reducción de eventos y complicaciones hemorrágicas, respectivamente) asociado con la terapia antitrombótica de los pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular.Fil: Barcudi, Raúl Jesús. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Bono, Julio. Sanatorio Allende; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Hugo Roberto. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga Castro, Walter. Instituto Modelo de Cardiología; ArgentinaFil: Muntaner, Juan. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Macín, Stella. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Zapata, Gerardo. Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Meiriño, Alejandro. Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Hominal, Miguel. Sanatorio Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Mauro, Daniel. Instituto del Corazón San Rafael; ArgentinaFil: Atencio, Lorena. Instituto del Corazón San Rafael; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Murga, Arturo. Instituto de Cardiología; ArgentinaFil: Amoroso, Alejandro. Hospital San Bernardo; ArgentinaFil: Rengel, Esteban. Instituto de Cardiología; ArgentinaFil: Hasbani, Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Luciardi, Héctor. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Zoni, César Rodrigo. Instituto de Cardiología JF Cabral; ArgentinaFil: Onocko, Mariela. Instituto de Cardiología JF Cabral; ArgentinaFil: Caruso, Orlando. Hospital Central de Mendoza; Argentin
Antiphospholipid syndrome and infertility
No full textAntiphospholipid syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with obstetric complications along with vascular events affecting multiple organ systems in patients having positive titers of antiphospholipid antibodies. Eight to 20% of infertility cases have an unknown cause, part of which could be due to antiphospholipid syndrome. Although still debatable, many studies have addressed the relation between reproductive failure and antiphospholipid antibodies through the relation between antiphospholipid antibodies and unexplained infertility as well as the effect of antiphospholipid antibodies on the outcome of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer. Few studies and cases have associated the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies with male infertility, describing morphofunctional penile abnormalities and testicular infarction. There are not enough data to support the routine practice of testing antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with infertility. © The Author(s) 2019
Erythema nodosum in Behçet’s disease in remission: Think COVID-19?
No full textThe coronavirus disease has several manifestations related to the activation of the immune system. Because of such activation, autoimmune diseases, including vasculitis, have been reported to occur. Behçet’s disease, a variable vessel vasculitis, has been discussed in the context of coronavirus disease. Rarely, the induction of Behçet’s disease flare or exacerbation has been reported necessitating aggressive treatment. The presentation of Behçet’s disease flares secondary to coronavirus disease is variable, including mucocutaneous lesions and eye or joint involvement. We highlight the case of a 35-year-old woman with pre-existing Behçet’s disease in remission on colchicine presenting with new onset erythema nodosum-like lesions on her right shin being diagnosed with coronavirus disease infection a few days after. Despite treatment with systemic corticosteroid, the lesions did not resolve, necessitating the initiation of anti-interleukin-6 therapy. © The Author(s) 2023
Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Sarcoidosis
No full textSince its initial description in the late 19th century, sarcoidosis has been extensively studied. Although the general mechanism of immune activation is known, many details especially in the context of disease associations are still missing. One of such associations is the musculoskeletal complications that are widely variable in terms of presentation and response to treatment. Sarcoidosis can involve the joints leading to acute and, less commonly chronic, arthritis. While acute arthritis is mostly self-resolving in nature, chronic arthritis may lead to deformity and destruction of the joint. Sarcoidosis can also involve the muscles, leading to different pathologies primarily categorized according to the clinical presentation, despite the efforts to find a new classification based on imaging, histological, and clinical findings. The bones can be directly and indirectly affected. Different types of bone lesions have been described, although around half of these patients remain asymptomatic. Osteoporosis, increased risk of fractures, hypercalcemia, and hypercalciuria are examples of the indirect effect of sarcoidosis on the bones, possibly contributed to elevated levels of calcitriol. Nevertheless, sarcoidosis can be associated with small-vessel, medium-vessel, and large vessel vasculitis, although it is frequently difficult to differentiate between the co-existence of a pure vasculitis and sarcoidosis and sarcoid vasculitis. © The Author(s) 2022
Cerebral aspergillosis presenting as a space occupying lesion in an immunocompetent individual
No full textCerebral aspergillosis has the tendency to occur in immunocompromised patients. Less commonly, immunocompetent individuals can be affected, with neuroimaging findings being difficult to interpret. The diagnosis necessitates imaging of the brain as well as the sinuses with biopsy and pathological confirmation. A surgical excision with aggressive antifungal agents are required for a proper management. This case report describes an immunocompetent patient with cerebral aspergillosis that presented radiologically as a suspicious mass to be diagnosed pathologically and excised surgically. © 2019 The Author
Complex vesicocutaneous fistula: Successful conservative management
No full textVesicocutaneous fistulas are rare entities that could be either congenital or acquired. The diagnosis is usually based on clinical findings and imaging modalities. While most vesicocutaneous fistulas heal spontaneously, it is important to decrease the intravesicular pressure by diverting the urine. Moreover, surgical options are present to remove the fistula. In this case report, we highlight the case of a 67-year-old male, with recurrent obstructive cystitis and colorectal adenocarcinoma who developed a vesicocutaneous fistula. Decompression of the bladder led to complete closure of the tract. © 2021 The Author(s
COVID-19, Antiphospholipid Antibodies, and Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Possible Association?
No full textSince the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was first detected in December 2019, research on the complications and fatality of this virus has hastened. Initially, case reports drew an association between COVID-19 and abnormal coagulation parameters. Subsequently, cross-sectional studies found a high prevalence of thrombosis among ICU and non-ICU COVID-19 patients. For that reason, certain studies tried to explain the pathogenic mechanisms of thrombosis, one of which was the emergence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL). Although aPL have been found positive in very few patients, their association with thrombotic events stays debatable. Given the thrombotic manifestations of COVID-19 and the potential role of aPL, the catastrophic form of APS (CAPS) might be a major fatal phenomenon. However, to date, there has been no clear association of CAPS to COVID-19. Moreover, since infections, including viral respiratory similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are considered main etiologies for CAPS, it could be possible that SARS-CoV-2 can induce CAPS although no evidence is currently found. High quality studies are needed to develop a clear idea on the pathogenic role of aPL in the progression of thrombosis in COVID-19 patients, and how such patients could be fit into a thromboprophylaxis plan. © The Author(s) 2020
Treatments for Non-Syndromic Inherited Ichthyosis, Including Emergent Pathogenesis-Related Therapy
No full textThe term ‘inherited ichthyosis’ refers to a heterogeneous group of mendelian disorders of cornification that involve the integument with varying degrees of scaling. The management of ichthyosis poses a challenge for most physicians. Treatment options proposed in the literature include moisturizers, topical keratolytics, topical and systemic vitamin D analogues, and topical and systemic retinoids; however, some of these modalities are less reliable than others. Despite the therapeutic impasse imposed by the options above, the emergence of pathogenesis-based treatments along with novel gene therapies appear promising and hold the potential to halt or even revert disorders that arise from single genetic mutations, although research is still quite lacking in this domain. Hence, this review aims to highlight the various treatment modalities available for the management of the cutaneous manifestations of non-syndromic inherited ichthyosis, with an added emphasis on pathogenesis-targeted therapies. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
MPP+-induced toxicity in the presence of dopamine is mediated by COX-2 through oxidative stress
No full textPeer reviewe
