TISSUE SEALING MEDICINAL AGENTS GROUP ON THE PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

The purpose of this article was to analyze the pharmaceutical market of the tissue sealing agents group of the Republic of Belarus from 2010 to 2018 based on the data presented in the Medmarket database and the State Register of Medicines of the Republic of Belarus of UE «Center of Expertise and Testing in Healthcare». The group of tissue sealing agents (B02F) was found to be characterized by high growth rates and a relatively large market share. During the studied period, it was represented on the Belarusian pharmaceutical market by only one drug - Tachocomb (manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Japan). When analyzing its dynamics in the period from 2010 to 2018 it was found that, in general, the change in the volume of the market for tissue sealing agents correlates with the change in the volume of the total market for hemostatic drugs over the years. During 2010-2018 there is an increase in the volume of sales for this local sealant, both in monetary (by 1.51) and in natural (by 2.01) expressions with a gradual fall of the price. It has been concluded that the development of the tissue sealing agents by domestic manufacturers is urgent and expedient.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Fungal Infections: One-Year Experiences of a Center of Expertise in Mycology

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) often represent complicated infections in complex patient populations. The Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ (EMRC) organizes a biweekly multidisciplinary mycology meeting to discuss patients with severe fungal infections and to provide comprehensive advice regarding diagnosis and treatment. Here, we describe the patient population discussed at these meetings during a one-year period with regards to their past medical history, diagnosis, microbiological and other diagnostic test results and antifungal therapy. The majority of patients discussed were adults (83.1%), 62.5% of whom suffered from pulmonary infections or signs/symptoms, 10.9% from otorhinolaryngeal infections and/or oesophagitis, 9.4% from systemic infections and 9.4% from central nervous system infections. Among children, 53.8% had pulmonary infections or signs/symptoms, 23.1% systemic fungal infections and 23.1% other, miscellaneous fungal infections. 52.5% of adult patients with pulmonary infections/symptoms fulfilled diagnostic criteria for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). Culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated fungal pathogens in 81.8% of patients, most commonly Aspergillus. A multidisciplinary mycology meeting can be a useful addition to the care for patients with (I)FDs and can potentially aid in identifying healthcare and research needs regarding the field of fungal infections. The majority of patients discussed at the multidisciplinary meetings suffered from pulmonary infections, predominantly CPA.

Hmg1 Gene Mutation Prevalence in Triazole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus Clinical Isolates

Recently, mutations in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A-reductase-encoding gene (hmg1), a gene involved in ergosterol production, were associated with triazole-resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. In this study, we determined the prevalence and characteristics of hmg1 mutations in a collection of clinical triazole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates collected during 2001–2019 from two international mycology reference centers: the Belgian National Reference Center for Mycosis and the Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ. Clinical isolates with and without cyp51A gene mutations and randomly selected wild-type (WT) controls were included. Isolates were characterized by in vitro susceptibility testing, cyp51A and hmg1 sequencing, and short tandem repeat typing. Available clinical records were analyzed for previous triazole exposure. In 23 isolates (24%) of the 95 triazole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates, hmg1 gene mutations were observed; including 5/23 (22%) isolates without cyp51A gene mutations and 18/72 (25%) with cyp51A mutations. Four previously described hmg1 gene mutations (E105K, G307R/D, G466V, and S541G) and two novel mutations (W273S and L304P) were found; 4/23 (17%) in the sterol-sensing-domain region. No triazole-antifungal exposure was reported in 75% (9/12) of patients harboring an isolate with hmg1 gene mutations. Three of 39 WT isolates (8%) contained a hmg1 gene mutation; E105K (2-isolates) and S541G. Hmg1 gene mutations were predominantly found in A. fumigatus with cyp51A mutations with voriconazole MICs ≥ 8 mg/L.

Role of neoadjuvant Radio-Chemotherapy for retroperitoneal Liposarcoma in primary and secondary surgical intervention

Background: Approximately 30–40 % of all retroperitoneal soft tissue tumors are sarcomas with liposarcoma prevailing in approximately 50% of these cases. Retroperitoneal liposarcomas typically show a high rate of local recurrence and late distant metastases. The aim of our retrospective analysis was to investigate the efficacy of treatment in our patients with liposarcoma. Methods: Thirty-four consecutive patients underwent surgery in our clinic between October 2004 and November 2017. Liposarcomas arising from the mesenteric or abdominal adipose tissue or the pelvis were excluded. In 2011 we had introduced neo-adjuvant therapy according to IAWS-Guidelines in patients younger than seventy without severe comorbidities to pretreatement. Results: Out of 34 patients, 23 (67,6%) presented with primary and 11 (32,4%) with recurrent disease. In 8 of the 27 patients (30 %), a radical resection (R0) could be achieved, and in 17 patients (63%) resection was marginal (R1). Time to recurrence was not affected by neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Patients that underwent systemic chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy developed earlier recurrences (p = 0.016). Overall survival appeared to be better in the neoadjuvant group but was not significant (0.080) Conclusions: Combining surgical resection with neoadjuvant radiation treatment showed survival benefits in primary but not recurrent disease. Repeated surgery stays a valid approach in carefully selected patients but all patients should be referred to a center of expertise in multimodal treatment approaches for retroperitoneal liposarcomas.

The ball of wax we call HR analytics

Purpose The debate surrounding automating analytics processes continues as technology becomes more prominent and advanced in the workplace. Specifically, when it comes to HR analytics, it is important to recognize that human judgment as it is used in recruiting today is flawed. One tool that can provide further analysis and measurement beyond performance indicators and predictors is machine learning. Through automation, HR professionals may someday be able to compare characteristics, apply regression analysis to identify the influence of a characteristic and make adjustments based on new hires, retention and promotion results. Design/methodology/approach With more and more companies using artificial intelligence, it is difficult to see how it will revolutionize the HR process. As humans already have biases, will they transfer over to these artificial intelligence machines? Human judgment is already flawed in the recruiting process, so it is crucial to take a look into how it plays a role when AI is becoming built into the process as well. Findings Advancements in automation and HR technology are not slowing down anytime soon. As HR departments become increasingly reliant on advanced technologies and the numbers they produce, they also will experience the need for new skillsets required to deploy and use them. The HR process is rapidly changing, and as people, we must adapt now to see how AI is going to affect it. With a growing need for a center of expertise (COE) for HR data and technology, we will need to use this to focus resources on workforce analytics to drive business insights and recommendations. Originality/value This paper discusses the importance of understanding the implications of advanced analytics on recruiting and people management.

UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM LIDAR SURVEY OF TWO BREAKWATERS IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Honolulu District (POH) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 26 navigation projects within the State of Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific territories. The majority of these deep-draft and small-boat harbors include breakwaters that are consistently exposed to a substantial and varied Pacific Ocean wave climate, requiring POH to maintain a rigorous structure condition inspection program to ensure safe and efficient operations at all of its navigation projects. As part of its constant efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of this inspection program, POH has joined with the USACE Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) Remote Sensing and GIS Center of Expertise to utilize an Unmanned LiDAR Scanning (ULS) system to collect LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) spatial data and co-registered imagery of breakwaters at Hilo Deep Draft Harbor on the island of Hawaii, and Kaumalapau Deep Draft Harbor on the island of Lanai.