Business innovation modes and their impact on innovation outputs: Regional variations and the nature of innovation across EU regions.

This work contributes to the literature on innovation systems and, in particular, delivers a thorough analysis on business innovation modes across a range of regional contexts. This analysis refers to the strand of literature on STI (Science and Technology-based Innovation) and DUI innovation modes (Innovation based on learning-by-Doing, learning-by-Using, learning-by-Interacting) that have been intensely debated over the past few years. It is a relevant area of research because it discusses the most effective innovation mode adopted by firms and their regions in the context of increasing global competition. In this scientific area, we inquire whether and how the regional context and its specific technological capabilities produce a differentiated impact of STI and DUI innovation modes on innovation outputs, alongside the nature of innovation outputs. In this respect, this study advances the literature on regional innovation systems that have not been analyzed by other scholarly contributions in this strand who have mostly discussed the differentiated impact of innovation modes across individual countries, industries, and business networks. Based on the large heterogeneity of regions across the European geography, we move beyond the set of individual country studies and develop a thorough analysis based on the Community Innovation Survey (CIS 2014) data from the Eurostat office about EU regions. Empirical evidence based on the application of a multiple treatment model suggests that both regional specificities and the nature of innovation matter. In addition, the DUI innovation mode proves to be often more important than expected for most types of innovation output.

Prognostic indicators of adverse renal outcome and death in acute kidney injury hospital survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Data regarding prognostic factors of post-discharge mortality and adverse renal function outcome in acute kidney injury (AKI) hospital survivors are scarce and controversial. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify predictors of post-discharge mortality and adverse renal function outcome in AKI hospital survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 84 AKI hospital survivors admitted to the tertiary medical center during 2-year period. Baseline clinical parameters, with renal outcome 3 months after discharge and 6-month mortality were evaluated. According survival and renal function outcome, patients were divided into two groups. RESULTS: Patients who did not recover renal function were statistically significantly older (P < 0.007) with higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score (P < 0.000) and more likely to have anuria and oliguria (P = 0.008) compared to those with recovery. Deceased AKI patients were statistically significantly older (P < 0.000), with higher CCI score (P < 0.000), greater prevalence of sepsis (P =0.004), higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.017) and ferritin (P < 0.051) and lower concentrations of albumin (P<0.01) compared to survivors. By multivariate analysis, independent predictors of adverse renal outcome were female gender (P =0.033), increasing CCI (P =0.000), presence of pre-existing chronic kidney disease (P =0.000) and diabetes mellitus (P =0.019) as well as acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) (P =0.032), while protective factor for renal function outcome was higher urine output (P =0.009). Independent predictors of post-discharge mortality were female gender (P =0.04), higher CCI score (P =0.001) and sepsis (P =0.034). CONCLUSION: Female AKI hospital survivors with increasing burden of comorbidities, diagnosis of sepsis and ADHF seem to be at high-risk for poor post-discharge outcome.

Clinical analysis of etiology, risk factors and outcome in patients with acute kidney injury.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury is characterized by a rapid loss of renal excretory function with the increase of nitrogen compounds in the blood and with different outcome. OBJECTIVE: Since descriptions of the risk factors and sequelae of acute kidney injury (AKI) remain relatively limited, the objective of this study was to determine etiology and clinical characteristics of AKI, as well as risk factors for adverse outcome of renal function and death in AKI patients. METHODS: We retrospectively studied a cohort of 84 adult AKI patients admitted to Nephrology Clinic in University Clinical Centre Sarajevo during period 2012-2014. Demographic, laboratory and clinical parameters were retrieved. The in-hospital and 6 months mortality were recorded. Renal function outcome was defined 3 months following discharge. RESULTS: Majority of patients were older (median age 73.5 years) with great severity of AKI (Stage III in 78.5% of cases) and high burden of comorbidities (mean Charlson comorbidity index, CCI score 6.4±3.05). The most common causes of AKI were acute interstitial nephritis (16.7%), heart failure (15.5%), gastroenterocolitis (13.1%), and sepsis (12%). Renal function recovery was recorded in 48.8% of patients, with prevalence of 10.7% of intrahospital mortality and 37.3% of 6 months mortality. Risk factors for poor outcome of renal function and mortality in AKI patients were increasing age and higher CCI score, while protective factor was higher diuresis. Sepsis proved to be risk factor for death.