11 research outputs found
A study of EMNEs serving the base of the pyramid in South Asia: innovative products from EMNEs
No full textThe study explores that emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) are serving the base of the pyramid (BOP) in their home market and beyond. EMNEs are growingly recognizing the benefits of serving BOP consumers in other markets, which are not dissimilar to their home market. Appropriate innovations from EMNEs are instrumental in serving BOP consumers in their home market and other similar markets. The study draws upon multiple theories in the areas of innovation, BOP, and internationalization. The study primarily uses a conceptual framework, case studies of Indian EMNEs along with a descriptive statistics model that applies data from the survey performed in South Asia. This study analyzes the trade interaction of EMNEs and product demand of BOP consumers. The theory of product innovation applied to EMNEs points to market similarities, including product affordability, product quality, and product usefulness, among others, as the driving forces of demand for these markets. EMNEs’ products features, targeted towards BOP market are well suited to the demand of the BOP consumers. The findings suggest that EMNEs are largely serving the BOP consumers in their home market and similar markets abroad compared to MNEs from the developed economies. The findings from the research indicate that BOP product elements are directly associated with the consumers’ acceptability of innovative BOP products. The data collected from the field survey strongly supports the findings that the BOP product elements (affordability, multipurpose, simplicity, and usefulness) are important factors in building innovative products to serve the consumer segment. The findings from the research also contribute to the BOP product study by providing insights of innovative BOP product strategies that firms need to implement in serving BOP consumers. (Author abstract)Rayamajhi, S. (2017). A study of EMNEs serving the base of the pyramid in South Asia: innovative products from EMNEs. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)International BusinessSchool of Busines
Renal Cell Carcinoma Masquerading as Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
No full textAcute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a medical emergency with most common cause being peptic ulcer disease (PUD) or variceal bleeding. However, cancers that cause UGIB by invading the small intestine are uncommon, and the invasion of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) into the duodenum is an even rarer occurrence. A 55-year-old male presented with melena and right flank pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed an active bleeding source in the duodenum, later identified on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) as a duodenorenal fistula (DRF) caused by direct extension of the RCC. The imaging confirmed the presence of a malignant renal mass infiltrating adjacent organs. This atypical presentation of RCC with DRF manifesting as UGIB underscores the importance of comprehensive evaluations in cases of gastrointestinal bleeding to identify rare underlying causes
Binding modes of potential anti-prion phytochemicals to PrPC structures in silico
No full textBackground: Prion diseases involve the conversion of a normal, cell-surface glycoprotein (PrPC) into a misfolded pathogenic form (PrPSc). One possible strategy to inhibit PrPSc formation is to stabilize the native conformation of PrPC and interfere with the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc. Many compounds have been shown to inhibit the conversion process, however, no promising drugs have been identified to cure prion diseases. Objective: This study aims to identify potential anti-prion compounds from plant phytochemicals by integrating traditional ethnobotanical knowledge with modern in silico drug design approaches. Materials and methods: In the current study medicinal phytochemicals were docked with swapped and non-swapped crystal structures of PrPC in silico to identify potential anti-prions to determine their binding modes and interactions. Results: Eleven new phytochemicals were identified based on their binding energies and pharmacokinetic properties. The binding sites and interactions of the known and new anti-prion compounds are similar, and differences in binding modes occur in structures with very subtle differences in side chain conformations. Binding of these compounds poses steric hindrance to neighbouring molecules. Residues shown to be associated with the inhibition of PrPC to PrPSc conversion form interactions with most of the compounds. Conclusion: Identified compounds might act as potent inhibitors of PrPC to PrPSc conversion. These might be attractive candidates for the development of novel anti-prion therapy although further tests in vitro cell cultures and in vivo mouse models are needed to confirm these findings
EFFECTIVENESS OF A NEW BALANCE TRAINING PROGRAM ON ROCKER BOARD IN SITTING IN STROKE SUBJECTS A PILOT STUDY
No full textBackground: Stroke has been considered to be the most common cause of neurological disability with very high prevalence rate. The recovery of independence following stroke is a complex process requiring the reacquisition of many skills. Since controlling the body’s position in space is essential part of functional skills, restoration of balance is a critical part of the recovery of ability after stroke. Most of the work done regarding balance training in stroke subjects has focused on task-oriented activities and training under varied sensory input and found them to be effective. Studies have also compared the effect of stable and unstable surfaces on balance in stroke subjects and found that balance training on unstable surfaces is more effective in improving static and dynamic balance. There has not been any study till date investigating the effectiveness of balance training program on rocker board which is specific for stroke subjects who have difficulty in standing. Since balance training on rocker board in sitting has proved to be effective in improving balance in subjects with spinal cord injury who have difficulty in standing, there is a need to find out if similar balance training program on rocker board in sitting is also effective for improving balance of stroke subjects.
Method: A Pilot study was performed on 10 stroke subjects selected through purposive sampling. Subjects were divided into two groups by randomization as control (CG) and experimental group (EG). EG received balance training on a rocker board along with conventional physiotherapy program. The CG received only conventional physiotherapy program.
Results: Post-intervention Berg balance scale score of EG and the CG was statistically significant (p < 0.05) in both the groups as compared to pre-treatment depicted through Wilcoxon signed rank analysis within the groups. Greater improvement was observed in the EG compared to the CG post-treatment, analysed through Mann-Whitney U test with statistically significant results (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The new balance training program on rocker board in sitting is effective for improving balance of stroke subjects
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis complicating extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis, a rare manifestation of essential thrombocythemia: A case report
No full textKey Clinical Message Clinicians should be mindful of the rare occurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in essential thrombocythemia with extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis, especially when patients with ascites exhibit fever and abdominal pain. Abstract Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) complicating extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) is a rare manifestation of essential thrombocythemia (ET). In the absence of any hypercoagulable state, JAK2 mutation can be an important risk factor for extensive SVT. Evaluation for SBP is crucial when non‐cirrhotic patient exhibits fever, abdominal pain and tenderness in the background of ascites after ruling out common pathologies such as tubercular peritonitis, acute pancreatitis, Budd‐Chiari syndrome and ovarian malignancy. We present a case of SBP complicating pre‐hepatic portal hypertension with ascites in a 44‐years‐old female. On further evaluation, extensive SVT with portal cavernoma in the setting of ET was identified. She was managed with cytoreductive therapy and anticoagulation, resulting in symptom resolution
Reducing seismic risk to highway mobility: assessment and design examples for pile foundations affected by lateral spreading : final report
No full textReports on research to evaluate the seismic performance of bridge foundations and liquefaction mitigation alternatives.This archived document is maintained by the Oregon State Library as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.Title from PDF title page (viewed on March 24, 2016)."OR-RD-13-09"--Technical report documentation page.Includes bibliographical references.Sponsored by Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Section; Federal Highway Administration SRS 500-300 OTREC-RR-13-05Mode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English.Final repor
Use of quantitative molecular diagnostic methods to investigate the effect of enteropathogen infections on linear growth in children in low-resource settings: longitudinal analysis of results from the MAL-ED cohort study
No full text© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license Background: Enteropathogen infections in early childhood not only cause diarrhoea but contribute to poor growth. We used molecular diagnostics to assess whether particular enteropathogens were associated with linear growth across seven low-resource settings. Methods: We used quantitative PCR to detect 29 enteropathogens in diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal stools collected from children in the first 2 years of life obtained during the Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) multisite cohort study. Length was measured monthly. We estimated associations between aetiology-specific diarrhoea and subclinical enteropathogen infection and quantity and attained length in 3 month intervals, at age 2 and 5 years, and used a longitudinal model to account for temporality and time-dependent confounding. Findings: Among 1469 children who completed 2 year follow-up, 35 622 stool samples were tested and yielded valid results. Diarrhoeal episodes attributed to bacteria and parasites, but not viruses, were associated with small decreases in length after 3 months and at age 2 years. Substantial decrements in length at 2 years were associated with subclinical, non-diarrhoeal, infection with Shigella (length-for-age Z score [LAZ] reduction −0·14, 95% CI −0·27 to −0·01), enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (−0·21, −0·37 to −0·05), Campylobacter (−0·17, −0·32 to −0·01), and Giardia (−0·17, −0·30 to −0·05). Norovirus, Cryptosporidium, typical enteropathogenic E coli, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi were also associated with small decrements in LAZ. Shigella and E bieneusi were associated with the largest decreases in LAZ per log increase in quantity per g of stool (−0·13 LAZ, 95% CI −0·22 to −0·03 for Shigella; −0·14, −0·26 to −0·02 for E bieneusi). Based on these models, interventions that successfully decrease exposure to Shigella, enteroaggregative E coli, Campylobacter, and Giardia could increase mean length of children by 0·12–0·37 LAZ (0·4–1·2 cm) at the MAL-ED sites. Interpretation: Subclinical infection and quantity of pathogens, particularly Shigella, enteroaggregative E coli, Campylobacter, and Giardia, had a substantial negative association with linear growth, which was sustained during the first 2 years of life, and in some cases, to 5 years. Successfully reducing exposure to certain pathogens might reduce global stunting. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Use of quantitative molecular diagnostic methods to assess the aetiology, burden, and clinical characteristics of diarrhoea in children in low-resource settings: a reanalysis of the MAL-ED cohort study
No full text© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license Background: Optimum management of childhood diarrhoea in low-resource settings has been hampered by insufficient data on aetiology, burden, and associated clinical characteristics. We used quantitative diagnostic methods to reassess and refine estimates of diarrhoea aetiology from the Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) cohort study. Methods: We re-analysed stool specimens from the multisite MAL-ED cohort study of children aged 0–2 years done at eight locations (Dhaka, Bangladesh; Vellore, India; Bhaktapur, Nepal; Naushero Feroze, Pakistan; Venda, South Africa; Haydom, Tanzania; Fortaleza, Brazil; and Loreto, Peru), which included active surveillance for diarrhoea and routine non-diarrhoeal stool collection. We used quantitative PCR to test for 29 enteropathogens, calculated population-level pathogen-specific attributable burdens, derived stringent quantitative cutoffs to identify aetiology for individual episodes, and created aetiology prediction scores using clinical characteristics. Findings: We analysed 6625 diarrhoeal and 30 968 non-diarrhoeal surveillance stools from 1715 children. Overall, 64·9% of diarrhoea episodes (95% CI 62·6–71·2) could be attributed to an aetiology by quantitative PCR compared with 32·8% (30·8–38·7) using the original study microbiology. Viral diarrhoea (36·4% of overall incidence, 95% CI 33·6–39·5) was more common than bacterial (25·0%, 23·4–28·4) and parasitic diarrhoea (3·5%, 3·0–5·2). Ten pathogens accounted for 95·7% of attributable diarrhoea: Shigella (26·1 attributable episodes per 100 child-years, 95% CI 23·8–29·9), sapovirus (22·8, 18·9–27·5), rotavirus (20·7, 18·8–23·0), adenovirus 40/41 (19·0, 16·8–23·0), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (18·8, 16·5–23·8), norovirus (15·4, 13·5–20·1), astrovirus (15·0, 12·0–19·5), Campylobacter jejuni or C coli (12·1, 8·5–17·2), Cryptosporidium (5·8, 4·3–8·3), and typical enteropathogenic E coli (5·4, 2·8–9·3). 86·2% of the attributable incidence for Shigella was non-dysenteric. A prediction score for shigellosis was more accurate (sensitivity 50·4% [95% CI 46·7–54·1], specificity 84·0% [83·0–84·9]) than current guidelines, which recommend treatment only of bloody diarrhoea to cover Shigella (sensitivity 14·5% [95% CI 12·1–17·3], specificity 96·5% [96·0–97·0]). Interpretation: Quantitative molecular diagnostics improved estimates of pathogen-specific burdens of childhood diarrhoea in the community setting. Viral causes predominated, including a substantial burden of sapovirus; however, Shigella had the highest overall burden with a high incidence in the second year of life. These data could improve the management of diarrhoea in these low-resource settings. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
