MARKETING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR SMES - ASSUMPTIONS OF THE PROJECT

Purpose: The aim of the author is to present methodological approaches used to study the socioeconomic sector of micro, small and medium-sized companies of plans for a experimental testing tool (Marketing self-diagnostic tool) constructed for the diagnosis and self-diagnosis of individual attitudes, knowledge, skills and needs in the field marketing of innovation and innovation in marketing MSME entrepreneurs. Methodology: The study was carried out using a triangulation approach to the methods, sources, researchers, cognitive perspectives. They took place in the framework of the project POKL: “The matrix for innovative entrepreneurship”, carried out by the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Silesian University of Technology. Implications: The project concerns the issue of marketing innovation and innovation in marketing in 6 dimensions: competencies, perception of environment, customer orientation, awareness of the created brand, processes and strategies, pro-innovative trends and actions. Originality / value: The project both in terms of methodology and substance is an innovative approach to the study of the socio-economic sector of micro, small and medium enterprises and the self-diagnosis in 6 dimensions: competence, perception of environment, customer orientation, awareness branding, processes and strategies, trends and pro-innovation activities

Pericarditis with cardiac tamponade - a misleading complication of appendicitis : a rare case report

Introduction: As severe complication of appendicitis as effusive pericarditis is a rare phenomenon. Taking into consideration open access data in a 50-year period we perceived three pediatric cases with pericarditis as a complication of appendicitis. Presentation of case: We report a 15-year-old boy who presented cardiac tamponade, bilateral pleural effusions, liver enlargement and ascites as a presentation of atypical appendicitis. Discussion: Even nowadays appendicitis could be difficult to diagnose in children. A delayed diagnosis could be responsible for severe morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: This report is aimed to be a reminder of serious life-threatening complications after a common abdomen condition - appendicitis

Recent achievements in transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects : a systematic review of literature and a meta-analysis

Background: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is one of the most common congenital heart defects. Currently, surgery remains the treatment of choice. However, transcatheter techniques for closing of various types of VSDs have become an alternative. Aims: The objective of our study was to present the outcomes of transcatheter closure of various types of VSD based on a systematic review of recent publications. Methods: A systematic review of studies published in English between January 2014 and March 2020 was performed using the PubMed database (MEDLINE) independently by 2 reviewers. Data on success and complication rates were extracted. Studies including fewer than 5 patients and those with acquired VSD were excluded from the analysis. Results: Finally, 44 studies were included for analysis, with a total number of 4050 patients. The pooled estimate of the overall success rate based on the random effects model was 97.96% (95% CI, 97.37–98.56; Q test P 0.99; I 2 = 0%) for permanent VSD. Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of selected VSDs appears to be an effective and safe method of treatment. Recent studies have shown high rates of successful interventions with a low incidence of complications

Noninvasive assessment of liver status in adult patients after the Fontan procedure

A hemodynamic derangement in Fontan circulation causes liver pathology known as Fontan‑associated liver disease. Although liver biopsy is a standard for diagnosis of liver fibrosis, noninvasive methods are being developed, including shear wave elastography (SWE). We aimed to evaluate the degree of liver stiffness (LS) using SWE in patients with Fontan circulation in a long‑term follow‑up and to investigate a relationship between patient characteristics and LS. The study included 59 patients after the Fontan procedure. Clinical examinations and laboratory tests were performed. According to the stage of LS, patients were divided into 2 subgroups: group 1 (METAVIR stages F1 and F2) and group 2 (METAVIR stages F3 and F4). The ratio of aspartate transaminase to alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase‑to‑platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis‑4 (FIB‑4) score, and Forns index were assessed. The median LS was 9.1 kPa (interquartile range, 3.9–18.5 kPa). Five patients (9%) demonstrated LS in stage F1; 14 (26%), F2; 28 (52%), F3; and 7 (13%), F4. Group 2 had significantly higher aspartate transaminase and γ‑glutamyltranspeptidase levels, APRI, FIB‑4, and Forns index, and lower platelet count than group 1. A canonical correlation analysis indicated that LS and thrombocytopenia were related to time from the Fontan procedure, age at procedure, and single ventricular ejection fraction. We showed that adult patients after the Fontan procedure develop liver dysfunction. Time from surgery, age at procedure, and single ventricular ejection fraction are related to the degree of LS assessed by SWE. Finally, SWE, APRI, Forns index, and FIB‑4 score may help assess the degree of liver fibrosis