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· 2019
Abstract: These recommendations were systematically developed on behalf of the Network for Early Onset Cystic Kidney Disease (NEOCYST) by an international group of experts in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) from paediatric and adult nephrology, human genetics, paediatric radiology and ethics specialties together with patient representatives. They have been endorsed by the International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) and the European Society of Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN). For asymptomatic minors at risk of ADPKD, ongoing surveillance (repeated screening for treatable disease manifestations without diagnostic testing) or immediate diagnostic screening are equally valid clinical approaches. Ultrasonography is the current radiological method of choice for screening. Sonographic detection of one or more cysts in an at-risk child is highly suggestive of ADPKD, but a negative scan cannot rule out ADPKD in childhood. Genetic testing is recommended for infants with very-early-onset symptomatic disease and for children with a negative family history and progressive disease. Children with a positive family history and either confirmed or unknown disease status should be monitored for hypertension (preferably by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring) and albuminuria. Currently, vasopressin antagonists should not be offered routinely but off-label use can be considered in selected children. No consensus was reached on the use of statins, but mTOR inhibitors and somatostatin analogues are not recommended. Children with ADPKD should be strongly encouraged to achieve the low dietary salt intake that is recommended for all children
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· 2009
Microfranchising is a relatively new business model that is springing up around the world. Touted by many as the next tool to alleviate poverty, several books, papers and articles have been written on the theoretical aspects of the subject. This paper takes an empirical approach from the perspective of the entrepreneur or microfranchisee and attempts to determine if microfranchises are effective at reducing poverty. To do this, data sets from Ghana, Bangladesh and Guatemala are used to analyze the comparative effectiveness of microfranchises compared to traditional businesses. This paper looks specifically at daily profit due to the day-to-day subsistence living condition in many of these countries and the variance of those profits as a measure of risk of the business as success of the business can carry life and death consequences. This paper finds that microfranchise effectiveness varies across countries with strong success in Guatemala and little or no success in Bangladesh and Ghana. Nonetheless, microfranchises appear to have lower risk as measured by variance in profits across countries.
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