No abstract

Despite the substantial increase in sustainability reporting scholarly research, the comprehensive evaluation of scientific production in this area is scarce. This study combines the bibliometric and content analyses of sustainability reporting research to fill this gap. We map the development, conceptual structure, and thematic evolution of sustainability reporting scholarly research based on 1,053 Scopus peer-reviewed articles written by 2,071 scholars comprising 69 countries and published from 2000 to 2022. The findings suggest that sustainability reporting has witnessed exponential growth, moved from a “paucity” stage in 2000 to the “saturation” stage in 2022, and is still ongoing. The collaboration among institutions producing sustainability reporting research reflects “locally-centralized-globally-discrete” cooperation. The collaboration between developed and developing world research organizations can be termed the “North-South” divide. Authors have disciplinary or thematic similarities in their research interests (i.e., homophily impact). The study has explained the thematic categories and topics of interest in sustainability reporting. Based on our findings, we provide an agenda for future research directions. The study’s findings are of interest to scholars and practitioners in business, finance, and accounting.

No abstract

Background Venous thromboembolism is a significant clinical event, with an annual incidence of 1–2 per 1000 population. Risk factors include recent surgery, prolonged immobility, oral contraceptive use, and active cancer. Inherited risks include protein C and S deficiencies, antithrombin deficiency, factor V Leiden mutation and prothrombin. These factors can be tested to guide therapy, but current evidence suggests that testing for inherited thrombophilia is not recommended in most inpatient settings. In the era of high value care, hypercoagulable testing for VTE creates a financial burden for the hospital and patients. We performed a retrospective chart review of hypercoagulable orders on VTE patients at our institution. Methods Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. A total of 287 adult patients admitted over a 3-month period with the diagnosis of VTE were included. Patients were identified via ICD-10 codes and data were collected from electronic medical records. Patient characteristics, provoked versus unprovoked VTE, and relative contraindications for hypercoagulability work-up were analyzed. Our primary outcome was to assess the appropriateness of thrombophilia testing in VTE patients based on screening guidelines. Our secondary outcome was to analyze the cost burden of ordering these tests. Results A total of 287 patients were included in our data analysis. Patient risk factors for VTE were malignancy, previous DVT, immobilization, surgery 3 months prior, and central line placement. Fifty-seven of 287 patients had at least one hypercoagulable test ordered during hospitalization which did not adhere to guidelines. Misuse of testing occurred during active thrombosis, active anticoagulation, presence of risk factors, first episode of VTE, and malignancy. The cost of ordering these 5 thrombophilia tests totaled over $40,000. Conclusion In our study, numerous patients were tested without compliance to standard recommendations, which created financial and value-based burdens on our health care system. Increased awareness among clinicians is thus warranted to ensure high value care.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major cause of mortality in adults with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and can predispose those afflicted to develop acute kidney injury (AKI). In the setting where AKI and ARDS overlap, incidence of mortality, length of intensive care unit stay, and complexity of management increases drastically. Lung protective ventilation strategy and conservative fluid management are the main focus of therapy in patients with ARDS, but have major implications on renal function. This review aims to provide concise discussion of pathophysiology, ventilation, and fluid management strategies as it relates to AKI in the setting of ARDS.

This paper examines the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the real exchange rate for low-income countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, using a panel data approach and Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) method. The results show that while the depreciation of the real exchange rate draws more FDI to Sub-Saharan African countries, the real exchange rate volatility causes greater instability in FDI inflows to these countries. The results are robust across different measures and model specifications. In addition, we conclude that the use of the pegged exchange rate as an incentive to attract FDI inflow, in the presence of increasing real exchange rate instability, creates greater price instability, as a result, FDI inflows are largely influenced by the real exchange rate.

Background A BRCA mutation is a mutation in either of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which are tumor suppressor genes. Hundreds of different types of mutations in these genes have been identified, some of which have been determined to be harmful, whereas others have no proven impact. BRCA mutations are well known to be associated with breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers along with some nongynecological malignancies involving the peritoneum, prostate, pancreas, skin, stomach, and rectum. However, there are no reported cases to date of an association between carcinoid tumors and a BRCA mutation. Case presentation Our patient was a 33-year-old White woman with BRCA2 mutation who presented to her primary care physician for evaluation of abdominal pain. She underwent computed tomography of her abdomen and pelvis, which showed an incidental finding of infrahilar mass along with renal stones. Further workup with bronchoscopy and biopsy of the mass confirmed it to be a carcinoid tumor of the lung. Conclusions No literature thus far exists describing a connection between BRCA mutations and carcinoid tumors. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of carcinoid tumors are proven to have impact on survival and prognosis of these patients.

Background: The Emergency Medicine Residency Training Program (EMRTP) conducts weekly didactic teaching activities to deliver the curriculum for the Arab Board of Emergency Medicine. Traditional teaching methods often serve to deliver content to the learner passively, while an interactive model engages the resident, and aligns with principles of adult learning. With the accreditation of the EMRTP by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education - International (ACGME-I), the mode of teaching has also been modified to a more interactive model. Methods: We analysed the EMRTP annual academic planner for 2015–2016 along with the format of teaching and broadly classified the topics and content into traditional vs interactive modes of delivery. Results: The results showed that in 2012–2013, 75% of the content was through lectures but in 2015–2016 this had diminished to 21%, with the remaining 79% being delivered through various interactive means such as multidisciplinary grand rounds, joint conferences, morbidity & mortality meetings, journal clubs, oral board simulations, objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) slide presentations and faculty led clinical skills workshops. Conclusion: The analysis showed an impressive reversal from a traditional to an interactive educational format with clear demonstration of adult learning principles.