model for southern mediterranean research institute self-assessment: a SWOT analysis-based approach to promote capacity building at theodor bilharz research institute in Cairo [Egypt]

THEBERA is a project funded by the European Union [EU], as an ERA-WIDE FP7 project, aiming to strengthen the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute [TBRI] capacities. A SWOT [strength/weakness/opportunities/threats] analysis of human, structural and organisational existing resources was performed in light of an extensive analysis of liver disease research and clinical management in Egypt, for a full understanding of TBRI needs. Strength and weakness features were identified and analysed, so were actions to be implemented and targets to be accomplished, to develop a business plan gathering the required critical mass [political, scientific, industrial, social] to select investment priorities, to sacrifice non-strategic areas of research, to promote national and international connections and industrial innovations, to update diagnostics and research device technologies and clinical management processes at European levels, to implement fundraising activities, to organise and properly assess training activities for young researchers, physicians, nurses, and technicians. Research institute self assessment is a priority need for sustainable capacity building and for future build-up of a competent health care research institute. Sustainable capacity building strategies must be designed on needs assessment, involving salient requirements: clear strategy, leverage of administrative capacities, industrial support and connections, systematised training programmes and enhancement of mobility of health care staff implemented within ill-defined boundaries and continuously re-evaluated with multiple feedback loops in order to build a complex, adaptable and reliable system based on value

Inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers as mono-therapy for mild persistent asthma

Several guidelines have endorsed inhaled corticosteroids [ICs] as superior for mild per-Mild persistent asthma; sistent asthma. The use of Leukotriene modifiers has been showing an effective potential based on Leukotriene modifiers; reports in past years. In this study the efficacy of a single daily dose of 200 microg of inhaled fluticasone Inhaled corticosteroids propionate was compared with that of the recommended dose of 10 mg of oral montelukast. Comparative data were based on the measurement of specific biomarkers including IgE, eosinophil count, interleukin 4 [IL-4] and fractional exhaled nitric oxide [FENO] as airway inflammation predictors and routine investigations were determined including the pulmonary function tests and X-ray imaging. After week 16, the levels of FENO, IgE, Forced expiratory volume in one second [FEVj] and eosinophilia count percentage were recognized to be of lower significance in asthmatic patients treated with ICS in comparison to those under treatment of leukotriene modifiers. Also, the results revealed a significant positive correlation between FENO level and eosinophil count [r = 0.272, p = 0.047]. The clinical effectiveness of a low dose of fluticasone propionate was superior clinically as a first-line of choice in patients with persistent asthma to that of mentulokast