The Impact of Blockchain Technology on Human Resource Management

Blockchain technology could be extended to benefit human resource (HR) practices. With the lack of definitions and best practices in the literature on the applicability of blockchain in HR, there is a need to define the terms related to blockchain technology and its possible applications in HR. In addition, it is also important to address the downside and dark side of adopting blockchain in HR practices. This chapter aims to review the developing literature on blockchain technology, relate concepts to HR practices, present a model for applying blockchain technology in transforming HR practices, and explain the limitations and disadvantages of using blockchain technology in HR management. The chapter also contains two cases that illustrate the applicability issues of blockchain technology based upon the USA's credit score systems and Turkey's e-government application.

A Kobayashi- és a Kawanet-pontrendszer prediktív értéke Kawasaki-kóros betegeink immunglobulin-rezisztenciája és kardiológiai szövődményei szempontjából.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A Kawasaki-szindróma immunvasculitis, amely kezeletlenül kardiológiai szövődményekhez vezethet. A korai intravénás immunglobulin-terápia mérsékli a szövődményeket, de az esetek 10–20%-a rezisztens a kezelésre. Ennek előrejelzésére világszerte számos rizikóbecslő pontrendszert használnak. Célkitűzés: A Kobayashi- és a Kawanet-pontrendszer prediktív értékének vizsgálata betegeink intravénás immunglobulin-rezisztenciája és kardiológiai szövődményei vonatkozásában. Tudomásunk szerint ez az első magyarországi vizsgálat, amely Kawasaki-szindróma esetében pontrendszerek prediktív értékét méri fel. Módszer: Retrospektív pilotvizsgálatunkban kigyűjtöttük a 2005. január és 2020. április között Kawasaki-szindróma miatt ápolt betegeink adatait. Mindegyiküknél Kobayashi-, illetve Kawanet-pontot számoltunk, valamint megvizsgáltuk azok specificitását, szenzitivitását az intravénás immunglobulin-rezisztencia, illetve a kardiológiai szövődmények előrejelzése szempontjából. A Kobayashi-pontrendszerben 4, a Kawanet-pontrendszerben pedig 2 pont vagy annál magasabb érték jelez rizikót. Eredmények: Kawasaki-szindrómát 28 gyereknél véleményeztünk, 13 esetben észleltünk mérsékelt, 4 esetben súlyos szövődményt. 4 betegünk bizonyult intravénás immunglobulinra rezisztensnek. A rezisztencia szempontjából a Kobayashi-pontrendszer alacsony szenzitivitást (25%), illetve magas specificitást (91,6%), míg a Kawanet-pontrendszer mérsékelt szenzitivitást (50%) és specificitást (50%) mutatott. A szövődmények szempontjából hasonló eredményeket kaptunk, Kobayashi-pontrendszer: szenzitivitás: 17%; specificitás: 100%, illetve Kawanet-pontrendszer: szenzitivitás: 47%; specificitás: 45%. Következtetés: A legtöbb, nem ázsiai országban készült tanulmányhoz hasonlóan az intravénás immunglobulin-rezisztencia előrejelzésében a Kobayashi-pontrendszer vizsgálatunkban sem bizonyult hatékonynak. Ezzel szemben, magasabb szenzitivitása miatt, a Kawanet-pontrendszer intravénás immunglobulin-rezisztenciát előre jelző hatékonyságát érdemes lenne nagyobb esetszámban vizsgálni a hazai populációban is. A kardiológiai szövődmények előrejelzésére egyik pontrendszer sem bizonyult alkalmasnak. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(47): 1885–1890. Summary. Introduction: Kawasaki disease is an immunovasculitis, which, without treatment, leads to cardiac complications. Early intravenous immunoglobulin therapy moderates complications, however, 10–20% of patients are resistant to the therapy. Numerous risk score systems are used worldwide to predict this. Objective: To assess the predictive value of the Kobayashi and Kawanet score systems regarding intravenous immunoglobulin resistance and cardiac complications in our department’s patient cohort. To our best knowledge, this is the first study in Hungary, which examines the predictive value of score systems in the case of Kawasaki disease. Method: In our study, we identified the patients treated for Kawasaki disease between January 2005 and April 2020. In each case, we calculated both the Kobayashi and the Kawanet score, and we examined their specificity and sensitivity regarding the prediction of intravenous immunoglobulin resistance and cardiac complications. In the Kobayashi score system, values above 4, in the Kawanet score system, values above 2 signal risk. Results: We identified 28 patients with Kawasaki disease. We observed moderate complications in 13, severe complications in 4 cases. 4 of our patients were resistant to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Regarding intravenous immunoglobulin resistance in our patient cohort, we detected low sensitivity (25%) and high specificity (91.6%) in the case of Kobayashi score, and moderate sensitivity (50%) and specificity (50%) in the case of Kawanet score. Regarding complications, we found similar results in the case of Kobayashi (sensitivity: 17%; specificity: 100%) and the Kawanet (sensitivity: 47%; specificity: 45%) score system. Conclusion: Similarly to the majority of non-Asian studies, we found the Kobayashi score system ineffective in predicting intravenous immunoglobulin resistance. However, due to its higher sensitivity, the predictive value of the Kawanet score system regarding intravenous immunoglobulin resistance is worth examining in a larger patient population in Hungary. Regarding the prediction of cardiac complications, both score systems were found to be ineffective. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(47): 1885–1890.

The validation of four published algorithms to predict the need for pacemaker implantation after TAVR

Background The identification of patients with high risk for PPMI after TAVR might change our decision as regard the type of the prosthesis and allow more patients' acceptance for this complication. Objective: we investigated the predictors of PPMI after TF-TAVR and validated the accuracy of four published algorithms in this group of patients. Methods and results We retrospectively examined all patients who were in need for pacemaker implantation during the index hospitalisation after TAVR between 2016 and 2019. We searched for the predictors of the new PPMI after TAVR in this group of patient and compared it with a matched group of patients. Moreover, we tested the accuracy of four published algorithms. The first tested algorithm from Kaneko et al had positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy from 50%, 65% and 60% consecutively. The second tested algorithm from Jilaihawi et al had PPV, NPV and accuracy from 13.6%, 100% and 26.9% consecutively. The third tested algorithm from Maeno et al had PPV, NPV and accuracy from 37%, 56% and 45% consecutively. The forth tested algorithm from Fujiti et al had PPV, NPV and accuracy from 42%, 65% and 50% consecutively. In this study, 3 ECG-predictors (RBBB, the presence of AF and LAHB) and 3 CT-predictors (Aortic valve calcification Volume >500mm3, eccentricity index >0.25, deep valve implantation in relation to the length of membranous septum) were independent predictors of PPMI. Moreover, the rate of preimplantation ballon valivuloplasty was higher in the group with new PPMI. Using these independent predictors, the new 7 points score was developed by assigning 1 point for each one. AUC of the new score in the derivation cohort was 0.809 (95% CI 0.758–0.86), with an optimal cut-off threshold of 4 points. All other scores had AUC from 0.6 or lower. In a validation cohort of 100 patients, the predictive value of the score was confirmed (AUC, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.70–0.87; P<0.001). Conclusion The four studied score systems had low accuracy to predict new PPMI after TAVR in our cohort of patients. The new score is more complex but might be more accurate. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of Z score system on the management of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease

Background: Coronary artery aneurysms are well-described in Kawasaki disease and the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and are graded using Z scores. Three Z score systems (Boston, Montreal, and DC) are widely used in North America. The recent Pediatric Heart Network Z score system is derived from the largest diverse sample to-date. The impact of Z score system on the rate of coronary dilation and management was assessed in a large real-world dataset. Methods: Using a combined dataset of patients with acute Kawasaki disease from the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Kawasaki Disease Study, coronary Z scores and the rate of coronary lesions (Z ≥ 2.0) and aneurysms (Z ≥ 2.5) were determined using four Z score systems. Agreement among Z scores and the effect on Kawasaki management were assessed. Results: Of 333 patients analysed, 136 were from Montefiore and 197 from the Kawasaki Disease Study. Age, sex, body surface area, and rate of coronary lesions did not differ between the samples. Among the four Z score systems, the rate of acute coronary lesions varied from 24 to 55%. The mean left anterior descending Z scores from Pediatric Heart Network and Boston had a large uniform discrepancy of 1.3. Differences in Z scores among the four systems may change anticoagulation management in up to 22% of a Kawasaki population. Conclusions: Choice of Z score system alone may impact Kawasaki disease diagnosis and management. Further research is necessary to determine the ideal coronary Z score system.

The Influence of Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling on Consumer Behavior and Product Reformulation

Countries worldwide have implemented mandatory or voluntary front-of-package nutrition labeling systems. We provide a narrative review of ( a) real-world evaluations of front-of-package nutrition labels that analyze objective sales data and ( b) studies that objectively assess product reformulation in response to a front-of-package nutrition label implementation. We argue that there is sufficient scientific evidence to recommend that governments implement mandatory front-of-package nutrition labeling systems to improve population health. We also present a conceptual framework to describe front-of-package label influence and provide recommendations for the optimal label design, emphasizing that labeling systems should be highly visible and salient, be simple and easy to understand, leverage automatic associations, and integrate informational and emotional messaging. The existing research suggests that Guideline Daily Amount labels should be avoided and that the Health Star Rating and Nutri-Score systems are promising but that systems with warning labels like the one in Chile are likely to produce the largest public health benefits. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Nutrition, Volume 41 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Heart Failure with Perserved Ejection Fraction Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a syndrome associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Little progress has been in the treatment of this condition since its introduction some 30 years ago. It's accepted that HFpEF is heterogeneous in many ways, ethologically and phenotypically. The underlying mechanisms of the syndrome are not clear. Recently, it has been shown that the diagnostic criteria for HFpEF lacks sensitivity and specificity. Novel treatment approaches, which were developed based on current HFpEF pathophysiological concepts, did not show either clinical or prognostic benefit for patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to revise current diagnostic approaches and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms. Recently, two novel diagnostic score systems were proposed: H2PEF and HFA-PEFF. Recently, a number of phase II and III randomized control trials have been completed. Here, the authors discuss the potential novel diagnostic approaches to HFpEF and treatment perspectives.