Quality assurance of radiotherapy in the ongoing EORTC 22042–26042 trial for atypical and malignant meningioma: Results from the dummy runs and prospective individual case Reviews

BACKGROUND: The ongoing EORTC 22042–26042 trial evaluates the efficacy of high-dose radiotherapy (RT) in atypical/malignant meningioma. The results of the Dummy Run (DR) and prospective Individual Case Review (ICR) were analyzed in this Quality Assurance (QA) study. MATERIAL/METHODS: Institutions were requested to submit a protocol compliant treatment plan for the DR and ICR, respectively. DR-plans (n=12) and ICR-plans (n=50) were uploaded to the Image-Guided Therapy QA Center of Advanced Technology Consortium server (http://atc.wustl.edu/) and were assessed prospectively. RESULTS: Major deviations were observed in 25% (n=3) of DR-plans while no minor deviations were observed. Major and minor deviations were observed in 22% (n=11) and 10% (n=5) of the ICR-plans, respectively. Eighteen% of ICRs could not be analyzed prospectively, as a result of corrupted or late data submission. CTV to PTV margins were respected in all cases. Deviations were negatively associated with the number of submitted cases per institution (p=0.0013), with a cutoff of 5 patients per institutions. No association (p=0.12) was observed between DR and ICR results, suggesting that DR’s results did not predict for an improved QA process in accrued brain tumor patients. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of protocol deviations were observed in this prospective QA study. The number of cases accrued per institution was a significant determinant for protocol deviation. These data suggest that successful DR is not a guarantee for protocol compliance for accrued patients. Prospective ICRs should be performed to prevent protocol deviations

Magnetic resonance imaging study of corpus callosum abnormalities in patients with different subtypes of schizophrenia

Background. Reductions in the size of the corpus callosum (CC) have been described for schizophrenia patients, but little is known about the possible regional differences in schizophrenia subtypes (paranoid, disorganised, undifferentiated, residual).  Methods. We recruited 58 chronically schizophrenic patients with different subtypes, and 31 age-and-gender matched healthy controls. The callosum was extracted from a midsagittal slice from T1 weighted magnetic resonance images, and areas of the total CC, its five subregions, CC length and total brain volume were compared between schizophrenia subtypes and controls. Five subregions were approximately matched to fibre pathways from cortical regions.  Results. Schizophrenia patients had reduced CC total area and length when compared with controls. Disorganised and undifferentiated schizophrenics had a smaller prefrontal area, while there was no significant difference for the paranoid and residual groups. The premotor/supplementary motor area was smaller in all schizophrenia subtypes. The motor area was smaller only in the disorganised group. A smaller sensory area was found in all subtypes except the residual group. Parietal, temporal and occipital areas were smaller in the paranoid and undifferentiated groups. Total brain volume was smaller in all schizophrenia subtypes compared with controls, but did not reach statistical significance.  Conclusion. These findings suggest that the heterogeneity of symptoms may lead to the different CC morphological characteristics in schizophrenia subtypes

A Framework Proposal for Examining the Effect of ICT Adoption Level on Innovativeness in SMEs

SMEs which constitute a major part of companies all over the world, because of their unique characteristics such as limited knowledge, skills and resources may not be capable of getting full benefit from ICTs when compared to large companies. A significant amount of research examined inhibiter and impeller of ICT adoption in SMEs and diagnosed some organizational and individual characteristics affecting it. In general, ICT practices are considered a significant indicator of innovation and entrepreneurship. Embracement of ICT-based solutions and competitiveness with the aid of ICTs is crucial for entrepreneurship and innovation, especially in SMEs. Thus, assessing SMEs’ way of ICT adoption and how it is correlated with its entrepreneurship and innovation levels helps in evaluating their business practices and entrepreneurial and innovativeness performances from a combined viewpoint. Thus, this research paper proposes a framework to assess the impeller factors of the ICT adoption, and measure the effect of entrepreneurship orientation and ICT adoption on the innovativeness level. This framework could be modified for large companies as well.

ICT Adoption Scale Development for SMEs

Information systems research lacks a validated scale for assessing and measuring the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The relevant literature is limited in studies mainly concentrating on developing country settings. Furthermore, the emergence of new technological elements and increasing digitalization and digital transformation efforts in the last two years have changed how an organization utilizes and adopts ICTs. Therefore, it is inevitable that the conceptual dimensions proposed in the previous literature and the definitions of these dimensions will also alter. Hence, it is essential to revisit and validate the prior work and enhance it based on current vitality and developments. This study developed and validated a scale for measuring ICT adoption and digitalization for SMEs in a developing country context. The researchers followed an eight-step scale development procedure: (1) comprehensive literature review on ICT adoption and digitalization; (2) identification of dimensions of the level of ICT adoption and digitalization; (3) generation of items; (4) item refinement through focus group; (5) pretest of the measurement; (6) scale purification; (7) data collection; and (8) measurement evaluation. Within the Turkish setting, the ICT adoption scale was determined to have sufficient reliability and validity. Data for this study were gathered from 421 respondents of 219 Turkish SMEs. Supporting the multidimensionality of ICT adoption, 14 items and five dimensions (communication, internal integration, integration with customers, interorganizational integration, and strategic integration) constituted the ICT adoption construct. Considering the dominance of conceptual frameworks that were proposed based on developed countries and the prevalence of unidimensional constructs in the field, the developed multidimensional scale is expected to contribute significantly. Practitioners and policymakers can utilize the suggested scale to discover areas where specific changes are required for the digital transformation in SME utilization efforts that need attention. The outcomes can be applied to industrial sectors and different geographic contexts. By considering stage-based integration, the developed scale can also be used in future studies to investigate the effects of different variables on the extent of ICT adoption and the impact of ICTs on several organizational outcomes

P (Tannic Acid) hydrogel template for in situ metal nanoparticle preparation and use as catalyst for elimination of toxic organic compounds

European Biotechnology Conference -- MAY 05-07, 2016 -- LATVIAWOS: 00038024030029

P(TA) macro-, micro-, nanoparticle-embedded super porous p(HEMA) cryogels as wound dressing material

WOS: 000388046900039PubMed ID: 27770897Super porous poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)) cryogel was successfully synthesized by using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (p(EGDA)) crosslinker under cryogenic conditions. Poly(Tannic acid) (p(TA)) macro-, micro-, and nanopartides prepared from a natural polyphenol, tannic acid (TA), were embedded into p(HEMA) cryogel networks to obtain composite p(TA) particle-embedded p(HEMA) cryogel. Different size ranges of spherical p(TA) particles, 2000-500 mu m, 500-200 mu m, 200-20 mu m, and 20-0.5 mu m size, were included in the cryogel network and illustrated by digital camera, optic microscope, and SEM images of the microgelcryogel network. The swelling properties and moisture content of p(TA) microgel-embedded p(HEMA) cryogel were investigated at wound healing pH conditions such as pH 5.4, 7A, and 9 at 37.5 degrees C, and the highest swelling capacity was found at pH 9 with 972 +/- 2% swelling in 30 s. Higher amounts of DI water were quickly absorbed by p(HEMA)-based cryogel, and moisture retention within the cryogel structure for a longer time period at room temperature is due to existence of p(TA) particles. Degradation profiles of p(TA) particle-embedded p(HEMA) cryogel were shown to be controlled by different pH conditions, and a linear release profile was found with total cumulative release of 5.8 +/- 0.8 mg/g TA up to 12 days at pH 7A and 37.5 degrees C. The antioxidant behavior of degraded p(TA) particles from p(HEMA) cryogel were found as 46 +/- 1 mu g mL(-1) gallic acid equivalent and 165 +/- 18 mM trolox equivalent g(-1). The p(TA) particle-embedded p(HEMA) cryogel has high hemocompatibility with 0.0158 +/- 0.0126% hemolysis ratio, and effective hemostatic properties with 8.1 +/- 0.9 blood clotting index. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [113Z238]; Canakkale Onsekiz Mart UniversityCanakkale Onsekiz Mart University [TSA-2014-362]This work is supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (113Z238). Also, financial support from Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, TSA-2014-362 is greatly appreciated

Do Generative Leadership and Digital Literacy of Executive Management Help Flourishing Micro and Small Business Digital Maturity?

Today, every firm and organization must digitally transform in order to survive and deal with increasing competition and dynamic market conditions. Digital transformation is not easy to achieve, and many factors play an important role in the successful digital transformation of firms. Leaders' leadership styles and characteristics play a crucial role in digital transformation. This study examines the effects of generative leadership and digital literacy of executive management on the digital maturity of micro and small firms based on the Upper Echelons Theory. Sub-dimensions of digital maturity are also considered and searched to provide a more detailed analysis. The research utilized a survey method and was conducted with 121 upper, middle, and first-line managers of 93 micro and small-size firms operating in the Marmara Region of Turkey. Frequency, factor, regression, and validity and reliability analyses through the SPSS package program were used. The results are two folds. First, generative leadership and digital literacy of executive management help flourish digital maturity when searched independently. Second, the study results indicate that the digital literacy of executive managers has a mediating effect on the relationship between generative leadership and digital maturity. Furthermore, the study proves the mediating effect on digital maturity's technological, strategic, and cultural maturity sub-dimensions. With these findings in micro and small businesses, the study comprehensively contributes to the current knowledge in this domain. (C)CIKD Publishin

Long-term effects of a rehabilitation program on the clinical outcomes, social functionality, and life quality of schizophrenic patients-a follow-up study

Objective: Schizophrenia is a severe brain disease which leads to progressive clinical, cognitive, social, and vocational deterioration. The results of a meta-analysis of studies from more than 100 years showed that the progress and outcomes of schizophrenia remain poor. However, evidence-based strategies combining pharmacological and psychosocial treatments have obtained promising results and increased expectations regarding the outcome of schizophrenia. This study examined the effects of a multimodal, psychosocial intervention program for schizophrenic patients at the end of the program and three years later. Methods: The study involved 60 patients between 18 and 65 years old who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia but had not participated in a multimodal, psychosocial intervention program. At the beginning of, end of, and three years after the six-month program, all patients were assessed with the Bakirkoy Rehabilitation Form for Patient with Chronic Mental Illness, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Morisky's Questions--Self-Report Measure of Adherence, Quality of Life Scale, Insight into the Three Components of the Evaluation Scale, Social Functioning Scale, and Disability Assessment Schedule. The three sets of measurements were compared to each other. Findings: In the end-of-program and third-year measurements, the severity of the symptoms had statistically and significantly decreased compared to measurements made before the program. As well, the frequency of hospitalizations decreased, while adherence to treatment, insight level, social functionality, and quality of life increased. Discussion: The structured psychosocial interventions used throughout the program were found to increase patients' insight level and adherence to treatment, which resulted in decreased severity of symptoms and frequency of hospitalizations. Recovery from negative symptoms, which the literature shows to be the most important causes of decreased social and professional functionality, could explain the increase in the scale scores measuring social functionality and quality of life. Likely also contributing to this result was the intense use of techniques in such areas as independent living skills, interpersonal relations, daily life activities, and social affairs and behaviors. Results: The results of this study are important. They show that the applied program is effective and that its positive effects lasted three years after it ended. This program can serve as a model for the community mental health centers opening during the transition to and establishment of a community-based psychiatric system in Turkey

Biocompatible and biodegradable poly(Tannic Acid) hydrogel with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties

WOS: 000367425100020PubMed ID: 26526171A novel resourceful bulk poly(Tannic Acid) (p(TA)) hydrogel was prepared by crosslinking TA molecules with an epoxy crosslinker, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TMPGDE), in an autoclave at 90 degrees C for 2 h. The obtained p(TA) hydrogels were in disk form and have highly porous morphology. The swelling characteristics of p(TA) hydrogels were investigated in wound healing pH conditions of pH 5.4, 7.4, and 9 at 37.5 degrees C, and the hydrogels showed good swelling and moisture content behavior. Especially, p(TA) hydrogels were found to be sensitive to pH 9 with 1669% maximum swelling. P(TA) hydrogels were completely degraded at pH 9 hydrolytically in 9 days. Total phenol contents and the effects of scavenging ABTS radicals of degraded p(TA) hydrogels at pH 5.4, 7.4, and 9 were evaluated and calculated in terms of gallic acid equivalent and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, respectively, and found to be very effective. Moreover, degraded p(TA) hydrogels display strong antimicrobial behavior against gram positive Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria strains and Candida albicans fungus strain. The WST-1 results indicated that bulk p(TA) hydrogels have no cyctotoxicity to the L929 fibroblast cell line in vitro. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [113Z238]This work is supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (113Z238)

Comparison of success and pain levels of supination-flexion and hyperpronation maneuvers in childhood nursemaid's elbow cases

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the hyperpronation (HP) and the supination-flexion (SF) reduction techniques for reducing nursemaid's elbow in terms of efficacy and pain