Explaining The Participation In A Small Group Brand Community: An Extended TRA

This research aims to extend the TRA (theory of reasoned action) by adding social (perceived cohesion, social identity), psychological (self image congruence) and motivational (perceived enjoyment) factors to explain the participation in a small group brand community based around the Counter Strike game. The conceptual model proposes to test the mediating role of the perceived cohesion in the relationship between the perceived enjoyment and the attitude, the impact of the self image congruence on the social identity and the role of desire as a mediating variable for the effects of the subjective norms, the attitude and the social identity on social intentions. This study is conducted nearby 145 gamers, members of the Counter Strike small group brand community. The findings revealed that the perceived cohesion partially mediates the relationship between the perceived enjoyment and the attitude. It also showed that the self image congruence is an antecedent of the social identity. The desire mediates fully the effect of subjective norms and the social identity on social intentions, and partially the impact of the attitude on social intentions

The bitcoin market reaction to the launch of central bank digital currencies

International audienc

Cerebral embolism complicating left atrial myxoma: a case report

Cardiac myxoma are the most common benign primary cardiac tumors that can lead to many complications as described in literature. Here we report the case of a boy aged 11 that was referred for etiological diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Transthoracic echocardiography reveals a myxoma in the left atrium. Patient was referred to surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed and the mass was completely resected.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Managing natural resource prices in a geopolitical risk environment

International audienc

A rare cardiac manifestation in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a systemic disorder associated with various extrarenal complications. There is little information regarding the occurrence and distribution of cardiovascular abnormalities during the course of ADPKD. The major cardiovascular complications of ADPKD include valvulopathies and vascular ectasia. Aneurysm of the atrial septum (ASA) is a very rare manifestation in ADPKD. A 37-year-old woman who was diagnosed with ADPKD was admitted to our hospital for advanced renal failure. Pelvic computed tomography revealed multiple variable-sized cysts in both kidneys. Trans-thoracic echocardiography showed ASA while the patient was completely asymptomatic

Epidemiology of heart failure and long-term follow-up outcomes in a north-African population: Results from the NAtional TUnisian REgistry of Heart Failure (NATURE-HF)

International audienceThe NATURE-HF registry was aimed to describe clinical epidemiology and 1-year outcomes of outpatients and inpatients with heart failure (HF). This is a prospective, multicenter, observational survey conducted in Tunisian Cardiology centers. A total of 2040 patients were included in the study. Of these, 1632 (80%) were outpatients with chronic HF (CHF). The mean hospital stay was 8.7 ± 8.2 days. The mortality rate during the initial hospitalization event for AHF was 7.4%. The all-cause 1-year mortality rate was 22.8% among AHF patients and 10.6% among CHF patients. Among CHF patients, the older age, diabetes, anemia, reduced EF, ischemic etiology, residual congestion and the absence of ACEI/ ARBs treatment were independent predictors of 1-year cumulative rates of rehospitalization and mortality. The female sex and the functional status were independent predictors of 1-year all-cause mortality and rehospitalization in AHF patients. This study confirmed that acute HF is still associated with a poor prognosis, while the mid-term outcomes in patients with chronic HF seems to be improved. Some differences across countries may be due to different clinical characteristics and differences in healthcare systems

Design and Rationale of the National Tunisian Registry of Heart Failure (NATURE-HF): Protocol for a Multicenter Registry Study

BackgroundThe frequency of heart failure (HF) in Tunisia is on the rise and has now become a public health concern. This is mainly due to an aging Tunisian population (Tunisia has one of the oldest populations in Africa as well as the highest life expectancy in the continent) and an increase in coronary artery disease and hypertension. However, no extensive data are available on demographic characteristics, prognosis, and quality of care of patients with HF in Tunisia (nor in North Africa). ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze, follow, and evaluate patients with HF in a large nation-wide multicenter trial. MethodsA total of 1700 patients with HF diagnosed by the investigator will be included in the National Tunisian Registry of Heart Failure study (NATURE-HF). Patients must visit the cardiology clinic 1, 3, and 12 months after study inclusion. This follow-up is provided by the investigator. All data are collected via the DACIMA Clinical Suite web interface. ResultsAt the end of the study, we will note the occurrence of cardiovascular death (sudden death, coronary artery disease, refractory HF, stroke), death from any cause (cardiovascular and noncardiovascular), and the occurrence of a rehospitalization episode for an HF relapse during the follow-up period. Based on these data, we will evaluate the demographic characteristics of the study patients, the characteristics of pathological antecedents, and symptomatic and clinical features of HF. In addition, we will report the paraclinical examination findings such as the laboratory standard parameters and brain natriuretic peptides, electrocardiogram or 24-hour Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and coronarography. We will also provide a description of the therapeutic environment and therapeutic changes that occur during the 1-year follow-up of patients, adverse events following medical treatment and intervention during the 3- and 12-month follow-up, the evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction during the 3- and 12-month follow-up, the overall rate of rehospitalization over the 1-year follow-up for an HF relapse, and the rate of rehospitalization during the first 3 months after inclusion into the study. ConclusionsThe NATURE-HF study will fill a significant gap in the dynamic landscape of HF care and research. It will provide unique and necessary data on the management and outcomes of patients with HF. This study will yield the largest contemporary longitudinal cohort of patients with HF in Tunisia. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03262675; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03262675 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/1226