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Nawaz, Ahmad, Sana Iqbal, and Sadaf Ehsan. "Does Social Performance Drive Corporate Governance Mechanism In Case of Asian MFIs? An Issue of Endogeneity." Global Business Review 19, no. 4 (2018): 988–1012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0972150918772961.
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The current study contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and social performance (SP) of microfinance institutions (MFIs) by introducing CG index for the first time purely in the perspective of Asian MFIs. Moreover, this research also investigates the existence of endogeneity by checking the reverse causality between CG and SP as many previous studies highlighted the endogenous nature of many governance and performance variables. Using a panel of 173 MFIs in 18 Asian countries for the period of 5 years, a comprehensive CG index (CGI) based on seven internal governance mechanism variables is constructed as an indicator of the overall CG mechanism of MFIs. By employing generalized least squares (GLS) model, our results indicate insignificant impact of CG on many SP variables which are attributed to the endogenous nature of this relationship as the significance of results improved by studying relationship in reverse direction by employing ordered logit model. Our results indicate that SP is an important determinant of CG mechanism of MFIs even after controlling for MFI-related characteristics.
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Victor, Muithya, and Muathe Stephen. "Dynamic Capabilities and Performance in the Context of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya: An Exploratory Study." International Journal of Business, Economics and Management Works 07, no. 08 (2020): 15–29. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3992676.
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Micro Finance Institutions in Kenya contribute greatly to the economic growth. They offer financial services to the poor in the society and people who can’t afford commercial bank services. Licensed MFIs in overall recorded a 7% decline in assets as at 31 December 2017 contrary to a 5% growth that was witnessed in 2016. Repayment default, market mean sustainability, government regulations, financial sustainability policies, and funding have been the major challenges faced by MFIs. The study will thus have six objectives; to examine the effect of absorptive capability on performance of MFI in Kenya, ; to examine the effect of adaptive capability on performance of licensed MFIs in Kenya, ; to examine the effect of innovative capability on performance of MFI in Kenya, ; to examine the effect of networking capability on performance of MFI in Kenya, to examine the mediating effect of strategic choice on the relationship between dynamic capabilities and performance of MFI in Kenya and to examine the moderating effect of business regulatory environment on the relationship between dynamic capabilities and performance of licensed MFIs in Kenya. The study will be based on various theories; resource based view, dynamic capabilities view, theory of strategic choice, institutional theory and balanced score card. Resource based view will be the main theory to anchor the study. Empirical studies on the various variables will be reviewed. The study will adopt positivist approach and combined descriptive and explanatory cross sectional research design will be used. The target population will comprise 13 licensed MFIs in Kenya between the year 2017 and 2018 with four functional areas from each. A census of the licensed MFIs will be done to analyse the data. Primary data will be collected using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires for both quantitative and qualitative data. Secondary data will be collected from AMFI published reports, financial reports published by MFIs and Central Bank of Kenya reports on MFIs between 2017- 2018. Face, content and construct validity will be ensured through expert opinions and pilot testing. Reliability test will be through use of Cronbach’s alpha score at the level of 0.7. Descriptive statistics includes mean scores, standard deviations, percentages, and frequency distribution will be used to analyse the data. Mutiple regression will further be done and coefficient of determination (R2) will be used to establish the statistical significance of the regression models. Significance level of 0.05 will be used.
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D’Souza, Eva. "Modified Fatigue Impact Scale – 5-item version (MFIS-5)." Occupational Medicine 66, no. 3 (2016): 256–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqv106.
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CHINEDU, Ojji Monday. "MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS OUTREACH AND GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA." GVU Journal of Management and Social Sciences 10, no. 1 (2025): 48–64. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15338747.
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<em>The study examines Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) Outreach and the growth of SMEs in North Central Nigeria. MFIs Outreach was measured using the breadth of outreach proxied by loans to SMEs, Savings of SMEs with MFIs and customer outreach of MFIs. A cross-sectional research design with a descriptive survey method was used to carry out the study. The population of the study consisted of 13378 SMEs in North Central Nigeria, while a sample size of 388 was derived using the Taro Yamane formula. Data was obtained using a questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The data was analysed using ordinal regression with the aid of SPSS 26. It was found that </em><em>loans to MFIs </em><em>and</em><em> customer outreach of MFIs have a significant effect on the growth of SMEs, while </em><em>SMEs' savings with MFIs have no significant effect on the growth of SMEs</em><em>. The study concludes that customers outreach of MFIs and loans from MFIs to SMEs have positively affected the growth of SMEs in North Central Nigeria and therefore recommends that MFIs should review downwards the interest rates charged on their loans, MFIs should build greater visibility nationwide, more synergy with SMEs and sustain their efforts at cash collection while </em><em>compelling SMEs to maintain some amount of savings before accessing other services of the MFIs should be discouraged.</em> <strong>Keywords: </strong>Microfinance Institutions, Outreach, Growth of SMEs, Depth of Outreach and Breadth of Outreach <strong> </strong>
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Sułkowski, Leszek, Andrzej Matyja, and Maciej Matyja. "Fatigue in Hemodialysis Patients: A Comparative Analysis with Healthy Controls." European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education 15, no. 2 (2025): 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15020012.
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This study investigates fatigue and quality of life in hemodialysis patients, examining the influence of demographic and clinical factors on these outcomes. A cohort of 115 hemodialysis patients and 112 healthy controls completed the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), the shorter MFIS-5, and the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment. The findings indicate that hemodialysis patients experience significantly higher levels of fatigue, which correspond with lower quality of life, particularly in the physical and psychological domains, compared to healthy controls. Male patients reported significantly higher levels of fatigue and lower quality of life scores, whereas younger patients demonstrated relatively better outcomes. Extended dialysis sessions exceeding four hours were associated with poorer social well-being, and educational attainment was positively linked with physical and environmental quality of life domains. However, marital status did not show a significant effect. The study validates the consistency between MFIS and MFIS-5 scores, recommending MFIS-5 for time-sensitive clinical use without compromising accuracy. These results underscore the need for individualized, multi-dimensional approaches to fatigue management in hemodialysis patients, emphasizing interventions that address physical, psychological, and social well-being to enhance overall quality of life. The findings highlight specific factors that may guide tailored support strategies to improve patient outcomes in this population.
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Utami, Sri, Cintya Hartanti Hutaminingrum, and Hery Purnomo. "Identifikasi Preferensi UKM Dalam Mencari Sumber Pembiayaan Dari Lembaga Keuangan Mikro di Wilayah Kota Yogyakarta." MBIA 21, no. 1 (2022): 31–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.33557/mbia.v21i1.1714.
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SMEs are one of the components driving economic growth which is supported by the existence of Microfinance Institutions. This study aims to look at the pattern of preferences and the factors that influence the preferences of SMEs in finding sources of financing for Microfinance Institutions. Cluster random sampling was used by distributing questionnaires and structured interviews with samples of MSMEs in Yogyakarta City, especially Umbulharjo District and Kotagede District. Meanwhile, a questionnaire was also given to MFIs to see their perceptions of SMEs. The data is processed using descriptive statistics and will be interpreted quantitatively and qualitatively. From the results of the analysis of respondents' preferences in general, some factors determine the selection of MFIs by customers in each MFI forming the segmentation. The conclusion is that banking MFIs are distinguished from non-banking MFIs. The determining factor for banking MFIs is the selection of MFIs by customers to serve both administrative speed and MFIs that are easily accessible from the location. The average determinant of non-bank MFIs in selecting good services is administrative speed and proximity to public transportation. The average segmentation preferences of SMEs for each MFI are: for respondents, banking MFIs are used to dealing with banks and are more oriented toward business development, looking for non-banking MFIs in the southwest, choosing MFIs because they are related to cooperatives, respondents have a high level of religion. relatively strong, simple administration with a fast time and there is an emotional connection between customers with cooperatives and BMT. This shows that cooperatives are trying to get customers from micro, business and individual income are each below IDR 5 million, stating the case that BMT is trying to get customers from micro, but business and individual incomes are smaller than customers in the cooperative segment which is below IDR 1 million.
 Keywords: Preference, UMKM, LKM
 
 Abstrak
 UKM merupakan salah satu komponen penggerak pertumbuhan ekonomi yang didukung oleh keberadaan Lembaga Keuangan Mikro. Penelitian ini bertujuan melihat pola preferensi dan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi preferensi UKM dalam mencari sumber pembiayaan Lembaga Keuangan Mikro. Melalui penyebaran kuesioner dan wawancara terstruktur dengan sampel UMKM yang terpilih melalui cluster random sampling di Kota Yogyakarta khususnya Kecamatan Umbulharjo dan Kecamatan Kotagede. Sementara itu, kuesioner juga diberikan kepada LKM untuk melihat persepsi mereka terhadap UKM. Data diolah dengan menggunakan statistik deskriptif dan akan diinterpretasikan secara kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Hasil analisis preferensi responden secara umum, terdapat faktor penentu pemilihan LKM oleh nasabah pada setiap LKM pembentuk segmentasi. Kesimpulan bahwa LKM perbankan dibedakan dengan LKM non perbankan. Faktor penentu LKM perbankan dipilih oleh nasabah karena kecepatan administrasi pelayanan dan LKM yang mudah dijangkau dari lokasi. Rata-rata faktor penentu LKM non bank dipilih adalah karena pelayanan yang baik dengan kecepatan administrasi dan dekat dengan angkutan umum. Preferensi segmentasi rata-rata UKM untuk masing-masing LKM adalah: LKM perbankan sudah terbiasa berurusan dengan bank dan lebih berorientasi pada pengembangan usaha sedangkan LKM non perbankan karena berkaitan dengan koperasi, responden memiliki tingkat religi yang relatif kuat, administrasi yang sederhana dengan waktu yang cepat serta adanya hubungan emosional antara nasabah dengan koperasi dan BMT. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa koperasi berusaha mendapatkan nasabah dari mikro, pendapatan usaha dan individu masing-masing di bawah Rp5 juta. BMT berusaha mendapatkan pelanggan dari mikro, tetapi pendapatan usaha dan individu lebih kecil dari pelanggan segmen Koperasi yang dibawah Rp1 juta
 Kata kunci: Preference, UMKM, LKM
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Kimani, Alex, Robert Arasa, and James Karau. "Resource Allocation and Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Machakos County, Kenya." International Journal of Finance and Accounting 3, no. 1 (2024): 28–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.37284/ijfa.3.1.2191.
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This research study sought to determine the impact of resource allocation on the performance of MFIs in Machakos County. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for the study included 63 staff members from the 21 registered MFIs in the county. The study utilized a purposive sampling technique in an effort to identify the most suited respondents for the study. A structured questionnaire was utilized as the data collection tool. The questionnaire was divided into two parts containing the demographic data relating to the respondent's background as part one and the second part covering resource allocation. The questionnaire was structured with a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used in the analysis of the data. The linear regression analysis method was used to assess the associations between resource allocation and performance. The study established that resource allocation positively influenced the performance of MFIs in Machakos County. The study concluded that the manner in which resources are allocated significantly affects the performance of microfinance institutions in Machakos County. The study recommends that policymakers and microfinance institution (MFI) leaders should prioritize developing clear guidelines and frameworks for efficient resource allocation
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Hashim, Maryam Jameelah, Syed Musa Alhabshi, and Nor Irvoni Mohd Ishar. "Does Intellectual Capital Explain the Financial Performance of Malaysia MFIs?" Social and Management Research Journal 15, no. 2 (2018): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.24191/smrj.v15i2.4967.
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The performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) is crucial for ensuringthe efficient utilisation of funds deposited into the microfinance programmeby donors, as well as for assisting regulators in monitoring the institutions.Assessing the performance of MFIs involves examining its developmenttowards accomplishing its goals. Therefore, MFIs need to ascertain thechallenges to maintain their sustainability and sustain their operations.Additionally, MFIs should focus on aspects such as intellectual capital(IC) to ensure future sustainability. The aim of this research is to examinehow IC dimensions, specifically, customers, structure, human, and socialcapital, influence MFIs performance. A cross-sectional survey design wasused to gather data from 145 managers (48% response rate) from MFIs inMalaysia. In order to determine the sample size of the study, a purposivesampling method was employed. The research model was analysed byusing Partial least square-structural equation (PLS-SEM). Subsequently,the research model was validated using Smart PLS 3.2.5 and the proposedstudy hypothesis. The findings confirm that structural capital and customercapital positively influence the performance of MFIs, except for social andhuman capital. The research model explains 67.6% of the substantial amountof variance in MFIs performance. This research theoretically contributesto the extension of resource-based view (RBV) and social capital theory inDoes Intellectual Capital Explain the FinancialPerformance of Malaysia MFIs?Maryam Jameelah Hashim1, Syed Musa Alhabshi1, Nor Irvoni Mohd Ishar21Islamic Banking and Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia2Faculty of Business & Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam,Selangor, MalaysiaE-mail: jamieniz@yahoo.com, syedmusa@iium.edu.my, irvoni@salam.uitm.edu.myReceived: 5 June 2018Accepted: 18 September 20182Social and Management Research Journalpredicting the sustainability of MFIs. All the factors of IC were confirmed toimprove the performance of MFIs. This study proposed several remarkablerecommendations for microfinance institutions which suggested that MFIs’managers should resolve their organisational issues promptly. Furthermore,they should portray sensible consideration for their institutions by takingcare of IC and encouraging the practice of recognising intangible assets,especially their employees’ expertise and capabilities.
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Blanton, Elizabeth M., Slavea Chankova, Ramakrishnan Ganesan, Tim Elliott, Tanya Dargan, and Lorelei L. Goodyear. "Microfinance partnerships to improve access to durable water filters: results from six pilots in India and Cambodia." Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 4, no. 4 (2014): 699–708. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2014.106.
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PATH collaborated with manufacturers and microfinance institutions (MFIs) in India and Cambodia to test the impact of consumer finance models on uptake and use of household water filters. Six pilots were implemented using different filters, partners, and loan plans. The pilots predominantly reached households from the middle three country-specific wealth quintiles. Purchase rates ranged from 5 to 44% among MFI members and increased with household wealth quintile. Cost recovery for the pilots ranged from 33 to 109%. The results suggest that MFI loans can have the potential, in certain contexts, to provide an effective and commercially sustainable means of increasing uptake of water treatment solutions for MFI member households.
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Norton, Julia, Sandra Joos, Michelle H. Cameron, and Cinda L. Hugos. "A multisite randomized controlled trial of two group education programs for fatigue in multiple sclerosis: Very long term (5–6 year) follow-up at one site." Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical 7, no. 4 (2021): 205521732110544. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20552173211054454.
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Background A multicomponent group MS fatigue self-management program reduced fatigue impact compared to a rigorous control 12 months after enrollment. Objectives Assess and compare changes between groups in fatigue impact and behavior changes implemented 5–6 years after enrollment. Methods The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and a behavior change questionnaire were administered 5–6 years after enrollment. Results There were no significant changes in mean MFIS scores within or between groups from baseline to 5–6 years later. Behavior changes were of similar frequency in both groups. Conclusion Fatigue impact was stable and behavior changes were similar between groups 5–6 years after a fatigue self-management program.
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Nwandu, P. I. "COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AGRIBUSINESS FINANCING BY MICROFINANCE BANKS AND MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN RURAL AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA." Journal of Agripreneurship and Sustainable Development 4, no. 2 (2021): 44–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.59331/jasd.v4i2.207.
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The study compared Microfinance banks and Microfinance institutions in financing agribusiness enterprises in rural areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random techniques was used to select 150 agribusiness enterprise respondents used for the study. Five (5) Microfinance banks (MFBs) and 15 Microfinance institutions (MFIs) operating in the study area were used for the study. Primary data was collected with the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that MFBs and MFIs undertook group lending; although MFBs were also engaged in individual lending. Similarly, MFBs and MFIs loans were not secured by tangible collaterals instead they are secured by group collaterals although MFBs still insist on tangible collaterals on individual loans. MFIs disbursed 73.70% of the total amount and MFBs disbursed the remaining 23.30%. In sectorial disbursement, the product sector was the most financed followed by the input sector while the production sector was the least financed. Findings also showed that beneficiaries of MFBs and MFIs had different perceptions on granting of loans. MFBs and MFIs agreed that there was high repayment rate of loans by rural agribusiness enterprises but difficulty in savings mobilization. However, both disagreed on cost of processing loan and that there was high premium on insurance. Recommendations made were that the regulatory bodies should monitor the activities of the MFBs and MFIs; there should be improvement in their timeliness of granting loans; and there should also be improvement on infrastructure in the rural areas.
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Waryoba, Penina Benjamin, and Juma Masele. "Perceived Influence of Digital Transformation on the Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Tanzania." Tanzania Journal of Development Studies 22, no. 2 (2025): 47–68. https://doi.org/10.56279/njiy8787/tjds.v22i2.3.
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This study investigates the perceived influence of digital transformation (DT) on the performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Tanzania; focusing on managerial, financial, and operational dimensions. Employing the resource-based view (RBV), the study demonstrates how digital transformation serves as a crucial asset that enhances organizational performance and provides a competitive edge. With the aid of self-administered questionnaires, the data were collected from 146 randomly sampled MFI owners/managers, and analysed using the partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique in SmartPLS 5. The findings reveal that DT positively and significantly influences the managerial, financial, and operational performance of MFIs. The paper emphasizes the contribution of RBV in showing how DT is an unique and valuable resource that drives performance and competitive advantage within the financial sector. To policymakers and practitioners, the findings inform targeted policies and initiatives that facilitate technology adoption and resource optimization. Furthermore, the findings encourage future research to explore the diverse economic sectors, methodological approaches, and contextual variables to deepen the understanding of the impact of digital transformation across various settings.
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Parveezulla, Alka Jain. "DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN MICROFINANCE: A PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABILITY." European Economic Letters (EEL) 15, no. 2 (2025): 4665–71. https://doi.org/10.52783/eel.v15i2.3316.
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The study is conducted with an objective to understand how digital transformation is vital in the pursuit of enhancing sustainability and business efficiency of MFIs in Bangalore. In response to the MFI representatives from the rural and the urban area, the study assesses impact of DigiTech on efficiency, financial accessibility, and uptake of microfinance products. The study adopted a random sampling technique, and data was collected through self-administered questionnaires containing Likert scale of 1-5. The current research study makes use of the analysis technique called Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by employing SmartPLS 4. From the papers, it is clear that digital transformation improves the operational capability of MFIs as it reduces the cost of transactions as well as the time taken in providing the services which also brings financial outputs to financial exclusion especially the rural clients. Additionally, this has boosted the delivery and access of micro finance services since the use of the payment interfaces is on the rise. Nevertheless, there are challenges such as physical infrastructure limitation, illiteracy in digital technology, and culture that limit the adoption of the ideal digital model. Therefore, the study suggests enhancing internet connection, technology, IT awareness, cybersecurity, ease of use, and the integration of big data into personalized banking services. These activities will go on evolving the long–term sustainability of MFIs’ profitability and the growth of the financial services to the emerging sectors.
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Iqbal, Zahid, Muhammad Akram, and Hassan Ahmad. "IS MULTIPLE BORROWING A BAD SIGN? EVIDENCE FROM MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN PAKISTAN." Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews 9, no. 3 (2021): 776–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2021.9376.
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Purpose: To improve the loan repayment performance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Pakistan, this research not only analyses the direct effect of multiple borrowing on loan repayment performance but also determining the indirect impact of multiple borrowing on loan repayment performance through the mediating role of over-indebtedness and moderate role of moral hazard between over-indebtedness and loan repayment performance.
 Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on a rich dataset comprised of information provided by the employees of MFIs working in Pakistan. The primary data were collected through the structural questionnaire, reliability and validity of construct were established in the light of different techniques including (1) Factor Loading (2) Cronbach’s Alpha (3) Composite Reliability (4) Average Variance Extracted (5) Variance Inflation Factor (6) Fornell-Larcker Criterion and (7) HTMT Ratio. Moreover, structural equation modeling techniques were applied in this study and, hypotheses were tested through bootstrapping by using PLS-SEM.
 Findings: The results confirm not the only direct impact of multiple borrowing on loan repayment performance and over-indebtedness but also mediating role of over-indebtedness between multiple borrowing and loan repayment performances. Aside from the direct influence of over-indebtedness on loan repayment performance, the moderate role of moral hazard on the association between over-indebtedness and loan payback was also found.
 Application of the Study: The findings of this study will be communicated with all Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in the future so that policies may be developed to address the factors that negatively affect the loan repayment performance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). Besides this, the outcomes of this study will also enable the MFIs to launch different loaning products that not only fulfill the borrower’s requirements but also ensure the interest of MFIs.
 Originality/value: Until now, the impact of multiple borrowing on loan repayment performance through mediating role of over-indebtedness and moderating role of moral hazard in the context of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) of Pakistan have hardly been investigated. This study also enhances the understanding of MFIs regarding multiple borrowing and its subsequent impact on loan repayment performance. Moreover, the findings of this study enable the MFIs of Pakistan to improve their loan repayment performance by formulating the new lending policies in light of the finding of this study with special reference to multiple borrowing.
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Bhandari, Bishnu Prasad. "Assessing the Impact of Microfinance on the Income Level of Small-Scale Farmers." Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 13, no. 1 (2024): 152–64. https://doi.org/10.3126/jjis.v13i1.75576.
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The study analyzes the impact of microfinance in terms of income level of small-scale farmers due to involvement in microfinance. The impact has been observed in rural and urban settings of Nepal. Rural and urban areas are assumed according to the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015, where local administrative units were restructured into 753 local units. The sampling strategy involved in the research was multiple stages: district selection through purposive sampling, local unit selection through lottery sampling, and respondent selection through snowball sampling. Impact has been measured by employing paired sample t-test, revealing statistically significant increases in household income post-intervention (p=0.001) for both rural and urban households The findings indicate a notable shift in income distribution, with a higher percentage of households transitioning into higher income brackets, especially those earning above 5 Lakhs. In rural areas, 25.2% of households moved to the higher income category after joining MFIs, compared to 11.3% before. Similarly, 26.7% of urban households shifted to this higher income bracket after joining MFIs. Therefore, the overall findings suggest that MFIs play a crucial role in enhancing household income, particularly by facilitating upward income mobility for small-scale farmers. In rural, urban and overall cases, the paired sample t-test shows a significant increase in household income after joining MFIs. Therefore, joining MFIs seems to positively impact household income levels in both rural and urban areas.
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Everestus, Tenyiyim, and Serge Elle Messomo. "Complementary Alliances and Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions: Evidence from Cameroon." American Journal of Finance 10, no. 2 (2024): 27–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.47672/ajf.2030.
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Purpose: The Cameroon Microfinance sector has been facing stiff competition as a result of globalization where other players have joined the sector with differentiated innovative products/services rendering MFIs in quest of new strategies of development. Partnerships are becoming an alternative business strategy and hence the formation of strategic alliances in the microfinance industry. This study sought to determine the influence of complementary alliances on the sustainability of MFIs in Cameroon. The objectives were to examine how complementary alliances in financial institutions and complementary alliances in non-financial institutions affect sustainability of MFIs in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: The study used a survey research design to examine the effects of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used in this study. The target population of the study comprised of the 361 MFIs in the Centre, Littoral, NW, SW and West regions of Cameroon that have carried out strategic alliances which were retained and used to develop the sample size. Data was collected through the use of opened and closed ended questionnaires administered to senior management of the MFIs. Data collected was analysed using the Structural Equation Modelling with Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression estimation techniques to check the robustness of the data set. Findings: OLS Findings suggest that complementary alliances in financial institutions, more than complementary alliances in non-financial institutions has a positive and significant relationship with sustainability of MFIs in Cameroon given their β coefficients of 0.243** and 0.036 respectively. The regression coefficient for complementary alliances in financial institution is significant at 5%. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: It is recommended that MFIs should partner with other financial and non-financial institutions in terms of commercialisation of services. This will strengthen their business relationships, enable them have access to resources and expertise from partner organisations to expand their operations, generate revenue that will keep them going and boost the financial growth of the economy.
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Veauthier, Christian, Gunnar Gaede, Helena Radbruch, Klaus-Dieter Wernecke, and Friedemann Paul. "Poor Sleep in Multiple Sclerosis Correlates with Beck Depression Inventory Values, but Not with Polysomnographic Data." Sleep Disorders 2016 (2016): 1–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8378423.
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Objectives. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) values correlate with depression, but studies investigating the relationship between PSQI values and polysomnographic (PSG) data showed inconsistent findings.Methods. Sixty-five consecutive patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were retrospectively classified as “good sleepers” (GS) (PSQI ≤ 5) and “poor sleepers” (PS) (PSQI > 5). The PSG data and the values of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of fatigue, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were compared.Results. No significant differences were found either for PSG data or for ESS, MFIS, and FSS values; but PS showed significantly increased BDI and VAS values.Conclusions. Poor sleep is associated with increased depression and fatigue scale values.
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Libert, D., G. Allard, Y. Zhu, and A. C. Lowe. "Effusion tumor cell (ETC) detection from cytology samples following long-term storage." American Journal of Clinical Pathology 156, Supplement_1 (2021): S39—S40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/aqab191.078.
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Abstract Introduction/Objective Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed from solid tumors into blood. The RareCyte CTC system involves multiplexed fluorescence whole-slide imaging of blood for antibody-based identification of EpCAM/cytokeratin-positive and CD45-negative CTCs. We have previously established an assay to detect carcinoma effusion tumor cells (ETCs) from remnant pleural fluid samples employing RareCyte, providing a potential avenue for tumor cell detection from any cytology sample. To facilitate this, our aim is to evaluate slide storage conditions. We hypothesize that long-term storage of pleural fluid ThinPrep slides at -20°C prior to RareCyte analysis will yield similar ETC numbers and characteristics to freshly-prepared slides. Methods/Case Report ETCs were identified and counted via RareCyte according to our previously established criteria (EpCAM mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) &gt; 100 arbitrary unit (a.u.), CD45 MFI &lt; 100 a.u., and cellular morphology). We analyzed 7 paired fresh-stored pleural fluid samples. Stored samples were maintained at -20°C for 154 or 385 days. ETCs counts between the fresh and stored conditions were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Marker intensities from the 35 EpCAM-brightest cells across one paired fresh-stored sample were compared using a two-tailed independent t-test. The cutoff for significance is p&lt;0.05. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) The median (25%, 75%) number of cells detected in the 7 fresh and stored samples was 36 (14, 129) and 13 (5, 22), respectively, and was not significantly different (p=0.08). Although the MFIs for DAPI nuclear staining (p=0.12) and CD45 (p=0.82) were not significantly different between the fresh and stored 35 EpCAM-brightest cells, cytokeratin (p=0.02) and EpCAM (p&lt;0.00001) MFIs were significantly less in stored samples. Conclusion Detecting ETCs is possible after long-term storage at -20°C despite a significant decrease in EpCAM and cytokeratin MFIs in stored samples. In this small sample, paired ETC counts were not significantly different. These preliminary results provide a foundation for larger studies to define storage conditions.
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Hidalgo de la Cruz, Milagros, Alessandro d’Ambrosio, Paola Valsasina, et al. "Abnormal functional connectivity of thalamic sub-regions contributes to fatigue in multiple sclerosis." Multiple Sclerosis Journal 24, no. 9 (2017): 1183–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1352458517717807.
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Objective: To investigate sub-regional thalamic resting-state (RS) functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities in multiple sclerosis (MS) and their correlation with fatigue and its subcomponents (physical, cognitive, and psychosocial). Methods: From 122 MS patients and 94 healthy controls, 5 thalamic sub-regions (frontal, motor, postcentral, occipital, temporal) were parcellated based on their cortico-thalamic structural connectivity and used for a seed-based RS FC analysis. Abnormalities of thalamic RS FC in MS patients and their correlation with Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) were assessed. Results: Compared to controls and non-fatigued MS ( n = 86), fatigued MS patients ( n = 36) showed thalamic RS FC abnormalities with middle frontal gyrus, sensorimotor network, precuneus, insula, and cerebellum, which correlated with global MFIS. Higher thalamic RS FC with precuneus and lower RS FC with posterior cerebellum correlated with cognitive MFIS. Higher thalamic RS FC with sensorimotor network in frontal-, motor-, and temporal thalamic sub-regions correlated with physical and psychosocial MFIS. Reduced thalamic RS FC with right insula in motor-, postcentral-, and occipital thalamic sub-regions correlated with psychosocial fatigue. Conclusion: Regional thalamic RS FC abnormalities with different cortical regions, including the frontal lobe, sensorimotor network, precuneus, insular cortices, and cerebellum contribute to fatigue in MS. Abnormal RS FC of selected thalamo-cortical connections explains different components of fatigue.
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Mugabire, Vedaste* &. Prof. Dr. Mbonigaba Celestin**. "ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION POLICY ON SAVINGs IN MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS: CASE OF COPEDU PLC." International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Arts and Humanities (IJIRAH) 8, no. 1 (2023): 33–40. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7680239.
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The study examined the effect of financial inclusion policy on saving in Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda. The specific objectives were to analyse the effect of bank account on saving for beneficiaries of COPEDU PLC; to determine the extent to which the distance between the client and financial service provider influences the savings of beneficiaries in COPEDU PLC; analysed effect of financial literacy on saving of beneficiaries of COPEDU PLC; and to determine the relationship between financial inclusion policy and saving in MFIs in Rwanda. Target population was 2,871 beneficiaries of COPEDU PLC; this study applied the stratified random sampling technique to select 97 respondents from target population. The various instruments were used by the researcher for gathering information from respondents including Questionnaire and Interview guide. Descriptive statistical method and regression analysis stood in this study were methods of analysis. Findings showed that ownership of bank account have positive and significant effect on Saving on a bank account, and use of bank loan for beneficiaries in MFIs in Rwanda (β1= 0.071, t= .707; p-value= .481 less than 5%); that means Ho1 which states that Bank Account does not affect saving for beneficiaries of COPEDU PLC, was rejected. The results on distance between client and financial service provider has positive and significant effect on Saving on a bank account, and use of bank loan for beneficiaries in MFI in Rwanda (β2= .521, t= 4.760 and p-value= .000 less than 5%); Ho2 which stated that the distance between client and financial service provider do not influence savings of beneficiaries in COPEDU PLC, was rejected. Findings showed that financial literacy has positive and significant effect on Saving on a bank account, and use of bank loan for beneficiaries in MFIs in Rwanda (β3= .007, t= .077 and p-value= 0.939 greater than 5%); Ho3 stating that there is no significant effect of financial literacy on saving of beneficiaries of COPEDU PLC was rejected. Based on findings, we conclude that there is positive relationship between financial inclusion policy and saving in Microfinance institutions in Rwanda.
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Singhal, Tarun, Steven Cicero, Hong Pan, et al. "Regional microglial activation in the substantia nigra is linked with fatigue in MS." Neurology - Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation 7, no. 5 (2020): e854. http://dx.doi.org/10.1212/nxi.0000000000000854.
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ObjectiveThe goal of our study is to assess the role of microglial activation in MS-associated fatigue (MSAF) using [F-18]PBR06-PET.MethodsFatigue severity was measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) in 12 subjects with MS (7 relapsing-remitting and 5 secondary progressive) and 10 healthy control participants who underwent [F-18]PBR06-PET. The MFIS provides a total fatigue score as well as physical, cognitive, and psychosocial fatigue subscale scores. Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) 60–90 minute frame PET maps were coregistered to 3T MRI. Voxel-by-voxel analysis using Statistical Parametric Mapping and atlas-based regional analyses were performed. SUV ratios (SUVRs) were global brain normalized.ResultsPeak voxel-based level of significance for correlation between total fatigue score and PET uptake was localized to the right substantia nigra (T-score 4.67, p = 0.001). Similarly, SUVRs derived from atlas-based segmentation of the substantia nigra showed significant correlation with MFIS (r = 0.76, p = 0.004). On multiple regression, the right substantia nigra was an independent predictor of total MFIS (p = 0.02) and cognitive MFIS subscale values (p = 0.007), after adjustment for age, disability, and depression. Several additional areas of significant correlations with fatigue scores were identified, including the right parahippocampal gyrus, right precuneus, and juxtacortical white matter (all p < 0.05). There was no correlation between fatigue scores and brain atrophy and lesion load in patients with MS.ConclusionSubstantia nigra microglial activation is linked to fatigue in MS. Microglial activation across key brain regions may represent a unifying mechanism for MSAF, and further evaluation of neuroimmunologic basis of MSAF is warranted.
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Téllez, N., J. Río, M. Tintoré, C. Nos, I. Galán, and X. Montalban. "Does the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale offer a more comprehensive assessment of fatigue in MS?" Multiple Sclerosis Journal 11, no. 2 (2005): 198–202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1352458505ms1148oa.
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Background: As a symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), fatigue is difficult to manage because of its unknown etiology, the lack of efficacy of the drugs tested to date and the absence of consensus about which would be the ideal measure to assess fatigue. Objective: Our aim was to assess the frequency of fatigue in a sample of MS patients and healthy controls (HC) using two fatigue scales, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) with physical, cognitive and psychosocial subscales. We also studied the relationship fatigue has with depression, disability and interferon beta. Methods: Three hundred and fifty-four individuals (231 MS patients and 123 HC) were included in this cross-sectional study. Fatigue was assessed using the FSS and MFIS. Depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and disability by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). A status of fatigue was considered when the FSS≥ 5, of non-fatigue when the FSS≤4, and scores between 4.1 and 4.9 were considered doubtful fatigue cases. Results: Fifty-five percent of MS patients and 13% of HC were fatigued. The global MFIS score positively correlated with the FSS in MS and HC (r=0.68 for MS and r=0.59 for HC, p<0.0001). Nonetheless, the MFIS physical subscale showed the strongest correlation score with the FSS (r=0.75, p<0.0001). In addition, a prediction analysis showed the physical MFIS subscale to be the only independent predictor of FSS score (p<0.0001), suggesting other aspects of fatigue, as cognition and psychosocial functions, may be explored by the FSS to a lesser extent. Depression also correlated with fatigue (r=0.48 for the FSS and r=0.7 for the MFIS, p<0.0001) and, although EDSS correlated with fatigue as well, the scores decreased after correcting for depression. Interferon beta showed no relationship with fatigue. Conclusions: Fatigue is a frequent symptom found in MS patients and clearly related with depression. Each fatigue scale correlates with one another, indicating that they are measuring similar constructs. Nevertheless, spheres of fatigue as cognition and psychosocial functions are probably better measured by the MFIS, although this hypothesis will need to be confirmed with appropriate psychometrical testing.
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Garg, Hina, Steffani Bush, and Eduard Gappmaier. "Associations Between Fatigue and Disability, Functional Mobility, Depression, and Quality of Life in People with Multiple Sclerosis." International Journal of MS Care 18, no. 2 (2016): 71–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2015-013.
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Background: Fatigue is a common symptom in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but its associations with disability, functional mobility, depression, and quality of life (QOL) remain unclear. We aimed to determine the associations between different levels of fatigue and disability, functional mobility, depression, and physical and mental QOL in people with MS. Methods: Eighty-nine individuals with MS (mean [SD] disease duration = 13.6 [9.8] years, mean [SD] Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score = 5.3 [1.5]) and no concurrent relapses were retrospectively analyzed. Participants were divided into two groups based on five-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5) scores: group LF (n = 32, MFIS-5 score ≤10 [low levels of fatigue]) and group HF (n = 57, MFIS-5 score &gt;10 [high levels of fatigue]). Results: Sixty-four percent of the sample reported high levels of fatigue. Compared with group LF, group HF demonstrated significantly (P &lt; .05) greater impairments in the Timed Up and Go test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, and 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale scores; depression; and QOL but not in the EDSS scores, which were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: Fatigue was found to be a predominant symptom in the study participants. Individuals reporting higher levels of fatigue concomitantly exhibited greater impairments in functional mobility, depression, and physical and mental QOL. Disability was not found to be related to level of fatigue. These findings can be important for appropriate assessment and management of individuals with MS with fatigue.
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Gehlen, Martin, Nina Göhle, Michael Schwarz-Eywill, Karin Mahn, Shahin Zolfaghari, and Tim Below. "Fibro-Aktiv: Trainingsprogramm für Patienten mit schwerer Fibromyalgie – Pilotstudie und Literatursuche." Die Rehabilitation 64, no. 03 (2025): 129–38. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2548-1732.
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ZusammenfassungIn der vorliegenden Pilotstudie wurde ein spezifisches, dreiwöchiges, multimodales Behandlungsprogramm für Patienten mit einem besonders schweren Verlauf eines Fibromyalgiesyndroms in Bezug auf die kardiopulmonale Ausdauerleistung evaluiert und die Ergebnisse wurden mit der Literatur verglichen.Im Rahmen der retrospektiven, monozentrischen Längsschnittstudie wurde zu Beginn und am Ende der stationären rheumatologischen Rehabilitation (3090 Therapieminuten in 3 Wochen) ein 6-Minuten-Gehtest durchgeführt und die Ergebnisse wurden verglichen.Insgesamt wurden 71 Patient*innen (w=66, m=5) [w=weiblich, m=männlich] eingeschlossen. Das Alter betrug 54,2±7,7 Jahre. Die Erkrankung wurde vor 7,56±7,96 Jahren diagnostiziert. Es bestanden Übergewicht (BMI: 30,91±7,28 kg/m2), ein starkes Schmerzniveau (VAS: 7,43±1,6), eine starke psychische Belastung (PHQ-4: 6,47±3,0) und deutliche fibromyalgie-spezifische Beschwerden (FIQ: 65,65±15,29). Die Alltagsaktivitäten waren reduziert (FFbH: 63,27±18,36). Die Muskelkraft war eingeschränkt (Handkraft rechts 15,24±10,76 kg; links: 13,16±9,18 kg). In allen 3 Subskalen des MFIS wurden mittel-hochgradige Werte für Fatigue ermittelt (MFIS-Physisch: 3,00±0,63; MFIS-Kognitiv: 2,59±0,72; MFIS-Psychosozial: 2,72±0,88). Im 6-Minuten-Gehtest wurde zu Beginn der Rehamaßnahme 464,72±93,8 m und am Ende der Reha 507,61±106,5 m erreicht (p<0,001), somit kam es zu einer Verbesserung um 42,89 m.Das „Fibro-Aktiv-Programm“ von 3 Wochen Dauer zeigt vergleichbare oder bessere Ergebnisse als die bislang publizierten Programme, die durchschnittlich 14 Wochen dauern.
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XIE, DAN, TINGTING FENG, YAFENG LUO, et al. "ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION HfO2 FILM USED AS BUFFER LAYER OF THE Pt/(Bi0.95Nd0.05)(Fe0.95Mn0.05)O3/HfO2/Si CAPACITORS FOR FeFET APPLICATION." Journal of Advanced Dielectrics 01, no. 03 (2011): 369–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s2010135x11000458.
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Neodymium and manganese-doped BiFeO3 — (Bi0.95Nd0.05)(Fe0.95Mn0.05)O3(BNFMO) ferroelectric film and HfO2 layer with different thickness were fabricated using metal-organic decomposition and atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, respectively. Metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) capacitors with 200 nm thick BNFMO and 5 nm thick HfO2 layer on silicon substrate have been prepared and characterized. It is found that there is no distinct interdiffusion and reaction occurring at the interface between BNFMO/HfO2 and HfO2/Si . The capacitance–voltage (C–V) and leakage current properties of Pt/HfO2/Si capacitors with different HfO2 thickness were studied. The MFIS structure showed clockwise C–V hysteresis loops due to the ferroelectric polarization of BNFMO . The maximum memory window is 5 V. The leakage current of the Pt/BNFMO/HfO2/Si capacitor was about 2.1 × 10-6 A/cm2 at an applied voltage of 4 V.
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Leuschen, M. Patricia, Mary Filipi та Kathleen Healey. "A randomized open label study of pain medications (naproxen, acetaminophen and ibuprofen) for controlling side effects during initiation of IFN β-1a therapy and during its ongoing use for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis". Multiple Sclerosis Journal 10, № 6 (2004): 636–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1352458504ms1114oa.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients initiating IFN b-1a, Avonex, therapy (Group 1, n-30) or experiencing side effects after 6 months on therapy (Group 2, n-30) were randomized for 5 weeks open label adjunct therapy to naproxen (Aleve®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®)or ibuprofen (Advil®). Our hypothesis was that non-prescription pain medications are effective in decreasing or alleviating the side effects associated with IFN b-1a therapy. Contrary to the hypothesis, most patients in both groups continued to report side effects on all pain medications. After 5 weeks, headache, fever, chills and injection site pain were low in5-50% of patients. Moderate to significant fatigue, muscle or joint pain continued in most patients. As a quality of life measure, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (mFIS) improved for Group 1 on naproxen or ibuprofen with greatest improvement in physical subset (P-0.002 for naproxen and PB-0.01 for ibuprofen). Total mFIS for Group 1 on acetaminophen improved (P-0.04) due to improved cognitive subset rather than physical subset. Group 2, with side effects initially, reported less significant fatigue (severity 5-10) but more moderate fatigue (severity 2-4) at study end for all three medications. All medications improved cognitive subset (P=0.05). Physical mFIS subset did not improve for Group 2 on acetaminophen, but did with naproxen (P=0.05) or ibuprofen (P=0.03). Naproxen and ibuprofen were more effective than acetaminophen in minimizing physical side effects of IFN b-1a. None of the three pain medications tested were as effective as hypothesized for minimizing fatigue or muscle and joint pain.
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Hadj Miloud, Samir, Kaddour Djili, and Mohamed Benidir. "Fuzzy Logic Expert System for Classifying Solonchaks of Algeria." Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2018 (July 8, 2018): 1–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/8741567.
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Under arid and semiarid regions of the North of Africa, the soils considered as Solonchaks contain both calcium carbonate and gypsum. When these elements are presented at high quantities, these Solonchaks are getting close to Calcisol or Gypsisol. The World Reference Base (WRB) for soil classification does not take into account the soil as a continuum. Instead, this international soil system classification is based on threshold values that define hierarchical diagnostic criteria. Consequently, the distinction between Solonchaks, Calcisol, and Gypsisol is still not clear. To avoid this situation, fuzzy logic based on the Mamdani inference system (MFIS) was used to determine to what extent soil classified as Solonchak in WRB can interfere with Calcisols and Gypsisols. For that purpose, membership values of Solonchaks (Is), Calcisols (Ic), and Gypsisols (Ig) indices were calculated from 194 soil profiles previously classified as Solonchak in WRB. Data analyses revealed that Solonchaks soils were subdivided into Solonchaks (61%), Calcisols (1%), Gypsisols (0.5%), Solonchaks-Calcisols intergrades (29%), Solonchaks-Gypsisols intergrades (5%), and Solonchaks-Calcisols-Gypsisols intergrades (2%). Moreover, Is, Ic, and Ig showed high significant correlations with almost all WRB diagnostic criteria (P<0.05). Under our study, soil classification obtained by employing MFIS was analogous to that provided by WRB; however, MFIS exhibited high precision concerning the membership value between soils and their intergrades. Therefore, the application of MFIS for other soil classifications in the world is possible and could lead to improvement in conventional soil classification.
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Kwena, Irene Atsiech, Thomas Githui, and Allan Kihara. "Capital Structure and Financial Performance of Micro-Finance Institutions in Kenya." International Journal of Finance 8, no. 4 (2023): 50–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.47941/ijf.1408.
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Purpose: This research was envisioned to assess the influence of the capital structure on ROE of Micro-financial institutions in Kenya. The research was in search for resolving the following problem; is there a connection between the composition of capital (loan, shareholder’s equity, retained earnings and deposits) and the viability of MFIs? If the firm size has an influence on ROE? The study was motivated by the following capital structure theories, which are the theory of pecking order, Trade-off theory and the theory of Marketing timing.
 Methodology: To define the independent variable, the researcher used a correlation research design. The target demographic of the research was all 14 successful microfinance companies as recognized by the Kenya Microfinance Act as of 2020. The research therefore represented a census survey with a period of 5 years (from 2016-2020). The study's research model consisted of the independent variable loans, shareholder’s equity, retained earnings and deposits and the size of the firm as a moderating variable, determined by the firm’s total asset value, and the following ratios as dependent variables: return on equity. To analyze the results, EViews was used. There was descriptive and inferential statistics execution. Diagnostic results were computed before the data analysis.
 Findings: The results were presented in the form of tables. The inferential statistics with the moderating variable revealed that loan financing has statistical negligible sway on the financial return of MFIs (p=0.9832>0.05). Shareholders equity financing was found to have a statistically significant influence on financial performance of MFIs (p=0.0047<0.05). Retained earnings financing was found to have a statistically significant influence on financial performance of MFIs (p=0.0016<0.05). Deposit financing was found to have a statistically insignificant influence on financial performance of MFIs (p=0.2168>0.05).in this study.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study suggested that MFIs should strike a balance benefits and costs of debt arising thereof in line with the Trade-off theory, fast growing MFIs to utilize more retained earnings in capital structure, more profitable businesses use less shareholder’s equity in capital structure mix and finally positive correlation on deposits indicating similar correlation is likely to exist with financing capital structure. Thus MFIs may consider reviewing these measures so as to enhance performance to serve the low-income earners better in improving the economy. Further studies can be done based on other performance measures like ROA, EPS,Net Interest Margin. The study used a correlation research design for five-year period from 2016 to 2020. Therefore, this study can be replicated using a different methodology and covering a longer period like ten year.
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Kurnia, Ade, and Imam Sopingi. "Peran Islamic Microfinance Institution (MFIs) Pada Usaha Mikro Kecil (UMK) di Masa Pandemi Covid-19: Pendekatan Modifikasi Case Study Robert K. Yin." JIES : Journal of Islamic Economics Studies 5, no. 1 (2024): 14–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.33752/jies.v5i1.5946.
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Usaha Mikro Kecil (UMK) termasuk usaha yang terdepan mengalami guncangan ekonomi akibat pandemi covid-19 karena usaha ini terbatasi waktu untuk melakukan proses produksi dan distribusi. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran Islamic Microfinance Institution (MFIs) dalam upayanya memberikan solusi pada UMK di masa pandemi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan case study menurut Robert K. Yin dengan dimodifikasi dalam analisis datanya menggunakan Al-Qur’an dan Al-Hadits. Hasil penelitian diketahui bahwa peran Islamic Microfinance Institution (MFIs) dalam upayanya memberikan solusi pada UMK di masa pandemi ada lima hal, yaitu 1) Memberikan permodalan dan peningkatan usaha, 2) Meningkatkan kesejahteraan ekonomi dan spiritual, 3) Menghalangi adanya praktik riba, 4) Mempercepat pertumbuhan ekonomi suatu Negara, 5) Memberikan solusi penyimpanan dan pembiayaan yang fleksibel.
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Wibowo, Nanette Indira, and Deny Dwi Hartomo. "KOMERSIALISASI PADA PRODUKTIVITAS LEMBAGA KEUANGAN MIKRO." Jurnal Bisnis dan Manajemen 17, no. 1 (2017): 11. http://dx.doi.org/10.20961/jbm.v17i1.11882.
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<p><em>The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of commercialization on the productivity of MFIs in Indonesia by using variable profitability consisting of proxies ROA, ROE, NIM and variable liabilities consisting of proxies size of the loan portfolio and leverage. The research is explanatory research with purposive sampling technique in MFIs in Indonesia to use data sources Microfinance Information Exchange from 2010-2015. The samples used in this study were 40 rural banks.</em></p><p><em>Results showed that the profitability and liabilities simultaneously significant positive effect on Yield Rate. And partially, ROE ROA NIM significant positive effect on Yield Rate with a significance level of 5%, 5% and 5%. While the loan portfolio positive effect was not significant to Yield Rate, and leverage negative effect not significant to Yield Rate.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong><em>: productivity, microfinance institutions, profitability, liabilities</em></p>
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Ayam, J., F. Abangbase, and E. N. Dadzie. "PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF MICROFINANCE ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN LANKWANTANANG-MADINA MUNICIPALITY." UDS International Journal of Development 7, no. 2 (2021): 448–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.47740/501.udsijd6i.
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This paper examines the impact of microfinance on women empowerment through a cross-sectional survey with a total of 189 respondents in La-Nkwantanang municipality. Paired sample t-test was performed to analyse the situation before and after joining Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) to access credit facilities. Women empowerment is measured using three indicators namely: standard of living; generation of income from business operation; and participation in decision making at the family level. The main effects of microfinance services computed using the summated scale were found to suggest an improved standard of living with an average mean score of 1.5234 and standard deviation of 0.84099, improvement in business operations with a score of 1.4769 and standard deviation of 0.98718 and enhanced participation of women in decision making with a mean of 1.38378 and standard deviation of 0.98287. The paired sample test results indicated a p-value of 0.000 which is less than 5% (p<0.05). This study confirms the view that access to micro credit after joining MFIs, increased participants’ incomes and savings, improved their standard of living and increased their participation in decision making within the family. Based on the findings, it is recommended that MFIs should expand their financial advisory services to ensure the prudent utilisation of micro credit. Government must design appropriate micro credit policies that support this expansion. Keywords: Microfinance, Women Empowerment, Survey, Ghana
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Ngimanang, Achamoh Victalice. "Credit Risk Management Practices and the Profitability of Selected Microfinance Institutions in Bamenda." International Journal of Finance 10, no. 3 (2025): 55–73. https://doi.org/10.47941/ijf.2609.
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Purpose: This article examines the effect of credit risk management practices on profitability of microfinance institutions in Bamenda which host majority of credit unions in Cameroon. Methodology: After exploring the related concepts and theories, the study adopts a mixed research design where data were collected mainly with the use of questionnaires from a sample of 41 credit unions in the area, analysed using multivariate regression technique. Findings: The results of the findings show that the data are normally distributed, not prone to any problem of multicollinearity, and that the model is globally significant at one percent following Fisher test, with the four dimensions of CRM practices explaining over 92 percent of variation in the MFIs’ profitability. The influence of all the variables were positive as hypothesized. The coefficients of the variable for credit scoring was 0.783 and significant at 1 percent, for collateral requirement was 0.232 and equally significant at 1 percent, for loan monitoring was 0.172 and significant at 5 percent, meanwhile for limiting credit exposure was 0.081 and insignificant in contributing to the profitability of the MFIs. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Finding of this paper suggest that, MFIs can better manage its credits risks by enhancing the practice of credit scoring, limiting credit exposure, loan monitoring, and collateral requirement in that decreasing order of importance.
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Ballesteros, J., V. Meca-Lallana, M. Brañas, et al. "PND135 - FATIGUE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: ASSESSING THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE MFIS-5 QUESTIONNAIRE." Value in Health 21 (October 2018): S351. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2018.09.2100.
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Wray, Sibyl, Francois Jacques, Tamara A. Miller, et al. "Satisfaction with alemtuzumab in relapsing multiple sclerosis patients: Results from the real-world PRO-ACT study." Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical 8, no. 4 (2022): 205521732211358. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20552173221135888.
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Background Patient-reported outcomes are increasingly used in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis to understand the patient's perspective of disease and treatment. These measures provide insights into important factors including treatment satisfaction, physical and psychological function, and quality of life. Objective To present results from the real-world PRO-ACT study in patients with multiple sclerosis who switched to alemtuzumab from another disease-modifying therapy. Methods This 24-month, prospective, multicenter, observational study had a primary endpoint of change in overall satisfaction, measured using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) version 1.4. Secondary endpoints included the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-5 (MFIS-5), and the Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS). Safety was monitored with adverse events (AEs). Results Of 199 enrolled patients, improvements were observed in mean TSQM scores for overall satisfaction (baseline, 50.3; year 2, + 13.2; p < 0.0001), effectiveness (49.3 and + 12.2; p < 0.0001), and side effects (77.6 and + 4.5; p = 0.04). Improvements were also observed in MSIS-29 physical (52.4 and −6.0; p < 0.0001), MSIS-29 psychological (53.4 and −7.0; p = 0.0003), and MFIS-5 (12.8 and −1.7; p < 0.0001). Most (95.0%) patients experienced ≥ 1 AE (88.4% mild, 67.8% moderate). Conclusions The primary endpoint was met; the safety of alemtuzumab was consistent with pivotal studies.
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Wu, Cheng-Hung, Kuan-Chi Wang, Yu-Yun Wang, Chenming Hu, Chun-Jung Su, and Tian-Li Wu. "Enhancement of Ferroelectricity in 5 nm Metal-Ferroelectric-Insulator Technologies by Using a Strained TiN Electrode." Nanomaterials 12, no. 3 (2022): 468. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano12030468.
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In this work, the ferroelectric characteristic of a 5 nm Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) device is enhanced through strained complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible TiN electrode engineering. Strained TiN top-layer electrodes with different nitrogen (N) concentrations are deposited by adjusting the sputtering process conditions. The TiN electrode with 18% N exhibits a compressive characteristic, which induces tensile stress in a 5 nm HZO film. A device with 18% N in TiN shows a higher remanent polarization (2Pr) and larger capacitance value than the compared sample, indicating that the strained TiN is promising for enhancing the ferroelectricity of sub-5 nm HZO devices.
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Herlinawati, Erna, Riyandi Nur Sumawidjaja, Yoyo Sudaryo, Rama Chandra Jaya, and Gurawan Dayona Ismail. "THE MODEL FOR IMPROVING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE USING MICROFINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETENCIES." Sosiohumaniora 25, no. 1 (2023): 116. http://dx.doi.org/10.24198/sosiohumaniora.v25i1.44707.
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This paper will assess & present empirical evidence on the issue in order to better understand how Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) mediate entrepreneurial talents. The role of MFIs is evaluated based on their functions as a source of finance, facilitators for financial management, managerial management, and marketing management. Sales growth, profit growth, asset growth, employee growth, and market share growth are all ways to gauge a company’s performance. While entrepreneurial ability is assessed using technical, marketing, financial, and interpersonal abilities. The research approach is explanatory, with data collected through questionnaires and interviews. A sample of 150 SMEs sampled the population of 34,816 SMEs in West Java’s Greater Bandung region, Indonesia, using a proportionate random sampling approach. Structural Equation Modeling and a 5-point Likert scale were used to analyze the data collected (SEM). According to the findings, microfinance institutions can help businesses succeed by a small but significant amount. Business performance is positively and significantly impacted by entrepreneurial talents. The MFIS’s significance in influencing entrepreneurial skills expands in relation to corporate performance.
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Anil, Miss. KanhoreVishali. "A Study on the Role of Microfinance Institutions in Women's Empowerment in India, Aiding Gender Equality and SDG 5." International Journal of Advance and Applied Research 5, no. 21[A] (2024): 278–82. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14603497.
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<strong>Abstract</strong> This research, focusing primarily on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, investigates how microfinance institutions (MFIs) help in women's empowerment in India. By fighting financial exclusion and gender inequality, MFIs help to promote economic, educational, and job mobility through savings accounts, modest loans, and financial literacy. The study employs a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative interviews of North, South, East, and West India with quantitative analysis of longitudinal data (2018–2023). After being given a loan, however, we see a dramatic increase in women's employment (more than a two hundred percent increase in self-employment), increasing levels of education (two times higher level of education), and increased well-being of their families. Because of strong ecosystems and enabling laws, South India's standards of effectiveness of microfinance vary by region. However, we have issues such as excessive costs of loans, very high debt, and sociocultural disempowerment. Thus this study calls for the development of region-specific strategies and initiatives of financial literacy and the development of scalable models for enlarging the microfinance reach and effect. The literature on intranational variations and long-term impacts is incomplete; however, this research fills those gaps, helping practitioners and policymakers to realize the full potential of microfinance for enhancing gender equality through the transformation
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Hudig, Dorothy, Jennifer J.-J. Tang, Alexander P. Sung, et al. "Correlation of NK Cell Phenotypic Properties with Individual Differences in Human Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC)." Journal of Immunology 198, no. 1_Supplement (2017): 67.16. http://dx.doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.198.supp.67.16.
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Abstract Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) supports anti-viral protection and monoclonal antibody anti-tumor therapies. We used two assays to compare ADCC of healthy donors: CX@1:1 (the percentage cells killed at a 1:1 ratio of CD16Apositive NK cells to ‘target’ cells that were pre-labeled with saturating antibody); and EC50 (the effective concentration of antibody that supports 50% of maximal ADCC). CX@1:1 measures lytic capacity while the EC50 measures cellular recognition; there was no correlation between the 2 assays though we observed 4.5-fold differences among donors in each assay. We correlated ADCC with 5 cytometric parameters (the median fluorescent intensities [MFIs] of the CD16A IgG Fc-receptor; the %NK cells positive & MFIs of the adhesion molecule CD2; the MFIs of perforin; and the %CD16Apositive of CD56positive NK cells) and with CD16A V&F genotypes that affect FcR affinity. For CX@1:1, the best donor killed 73% of targets while the worst killed 16% and perforin levels correlated weakly (P=0.11). Unexpectedly and inexplicably, the %CD16Apositive cells among NK cells correlated (P&lt;0.05). CD16A and CD2 were dissociated from CX@1:1 as might be expected for the high antibody concentrations. For EC50s, there were no statistical correlations except for the expected difference between V/V &V/F vs. F/F genotypes, though the P=0.11. We conclude that substantial individual differences in ADCC per CD16Apositive NK cell are determined by parameters other than cell surface receptors and perforin. The unanticipated correlation of %CD16Apositive NK cells with CX@1:1 has potential as a surrogate marker for ADCC function.
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Cozart, J. S., L. Strober, S. Ruppen, et al. "A quick assessment of reliable change in fatigue: Reliable change indices of the modified fatigue impact scale – 5 item (MFIS-5)." Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 49 (April 2021): 102743. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.102743.
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Cemek, Bilal, Yunus Kültürel, Emirhan Cemek, Erdem Küçüktopçu, and Halis Simsek. "Modeling Soil Temperature with Fuzzy Logic and Supervised Learning Methods." Applied Sciences 15, no. 11 (2025): 6319. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15116319.
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Soil temperature is a critical environmental factor that affects plant development, physiological processes, and overall productivity. This study compares two modeling approaches for predicting soil temperature at various depths: (i) fuzzy logic-based systems, including the Mamdani fuzzy inference system (MFIS) and the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS); (ii) supervised machine learning algorithms, such as multilayer perceptron (MLP), support vector regression (SVR), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN), along with multiple Linear regression (MLR) as a statistical benchmark. Soil temperature data were collected from Tokat, Türkiye, between 2016 and 2024 at depths of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 cm. The dataset was split into training (2016–2021) and testing (2022–2024) periods. Performance was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE), the mean absolute error (MAE), and the coefficient of determination (R2). The ANFIS achieved the best prediction accuracy (MAE = 1.46 °C, RMSE = 1.89 °C, R2 = 0.95), followed by RF, XGB, MLP, KNN, SVR, MLR, and MFIS. This study underscores the potential of integrating machine learning and fuzzy logic techniques for more accurate soil temperature modeling, contributing to precision agriculture and better resource management.
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Meca-Lallana, Virginia, María Brañas-Pampillón, Yolanda Higueras, et al. "Assessing fatigue in multiple sclerosis: Psychometric properties of the five-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5)." Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical 5, no. 4 (2019): 205521731988798. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2055217319887987.
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Zhou, Quan, Nynke van den Berg, Naoki Nishio, et al. "CTNI-42. FIRST-IN-HUMAN FLUORESCENCE GUIDED SURGERY OF HIGH-GRADE GLIOMAS USING PANITUMUMAB-IRDYE800." Neuro-Oncology 22, Supplement_2 (2020): ii51—ii52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.208.
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Abstract INTRODUCTION High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are malignant brain tumors with devastating prognosis. Extent of resection predicts survival in patients, but current neuroimaging approaches lack tumor specificity. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a biomarker heterogeneously expressed in HGGs. We assessed the feasibility of imaging HGGs using a near-infrared fluorescent anti-EGFR antibody. METHODS Nine patients with contrast enhancing HGGs on presurgical MRI scan were systemically infused with a flat dose of either 50mg (n = 4) or 100mg (n = 5) panitumumab-IRDye800, 1–5 days before surgery. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging of tumor and histologically normal brain tissues was performed intraoperatively and ex vivo. Fluorescence was measured as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) were calculated by comparing MFIs of tumor and histologically uninvolved tissue. Immunohistopathological staining of EGFR was performed on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections. RESULTS Both MFI and TBR were positively correlated to panitumumab-IRDye800 dose per body weight (R2 = 0.59 and 0.07, P &lt; 0.0001 and P = 0.046 respectively). The TBR was higher at a 100 mg dose than at 50 mg (2.1 vs. 1.5). The smallest detectable tumor volume in a closed-field setting was 21 mg with 50 mg of dye and 12 mg with 100 mg. On sections of paraffin embedded tissues, positive EGFR protein expression was observed in 88.9% ± 12.4% of tumor tissues and positively correlated with fluorescence. Sensitivity and specificity of tumor fluorescence for viable tumor detection was calculated and fluorescence was found to be highly sensitive (93%) and specific (81%) for viable tumor tissues while normal brain tissues showed minimal fluorescence. No adverse events related to the imaging probe was observed. CONCLUSION This first-in-human study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of antibody based imaging for contrast enhancing high-grade gliomas.
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Tavee, Jinny, Mary Rensel, Sarah M. Planchon, Robert S. Butler, and Lael Stone. "Effects of Meditation on Pain and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis and Peripheral Neuropathy." International Journal of MS Care 13, no. 4 (2011): 163–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073-13.4.163.
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The objective of this study was to determine whether meditation affects pain and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and peripheral neuropathy (PN). A total of 22 patients (10 with MS, 12 with PN) participated in a weekly meditation class over a 2-month period. A total of 18 controls (7 with MS, 11 with PN) received standard care. Primary outcome assessments were based on the 36-item Short Form Health Status Survey (SF-36) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain at baseline and at 2 months. Secondary outcome measures included the Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) for PN patients and the Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) questionnaire and 5-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5) for MS patients. After 2 months, study participants who practiced meditation reported an improvement in pain on the VAS (P = .035 combined group), summed physical health scores on the SF-36 (P = .011 MS, P = .014 PN), summed mental health scores (P = .02 combined group), vitality (P = .005 combined group), and physical role (P = .003 combined group). A significant improvement was also observed for bodily pain (P = .031) in MS patients. In contrast, no significant differences before and after the intervention were observed for controls. Regarding the secondary measure of fatigue, improved scores for the cognitive and psychosocial components of the MFIS were noted in MS patients in the intervention group (P = .037, P = .032). No statistically significant changes were observed in the NIS for PN patients or in PDDS scores for MS patients. Meditation may be helpful in reducing pain and improving quality of life in patients with MS and PN. The lack of changes seen in mobility (MS) and sensorimotor deficits (PN) suggests that meditation may not affect the overall clinical course.
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Uchida, Naoya, Kareem Washington, Matthew M. Hsieh, and John F. Tisdale. "Chicken HS4 Insulators Have Minimal Functions in Human Hematopoietic Cells That Were Transduced with An HIV1-Based Lentiviral Vector." Blood 114, no. 22 (2009): 3570. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v114.22.3570.3570.
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Abstract Abstract 3570 Poster Board III-507 For the hemoglobin disorders, hematopoietic stem cell gene transfer is potentially curative, yet this strategy requires high-level β-globin gene expression among erythroid cells. Position effects, which are imparted by chromosomal position and chromatin structure, induce clonal variability of transgene expression. Recent work demonstrates that the chicken HS4 insulator element reduces position effects, resulting in consistently high-level expression of a therapeutic β-globin gene in the MEL cell line. In this study, we evaluated the effects of HS4 insulators on lentiviral vector titers and transgene expression among transduced human hematopoietic cells. We constructed various types of insulated lentiviral vectors using a reverse oriented GFP under the control of the MSCV-LTR promoter (rMpGFP) or a conventional reverse oriented β-globin expression cassette, in which the globin gene was changed to GFP (BGpGFP). A full-length HS4 insulator (1.2 kb HS4), tandem HS4 core insulator (2 × 250 b HS4), and a single core insulator (250 b HS4) were inserted into the 3′ LTR. The insulator elements were inserted in both forward (F) and reverse (R) orientations. Vector titers were significantly decreased by insertion of the 1.2 kb HS4 and 2 × 250 b HS4 in both orientations and both vector constructs, compared to uninsulated vectors (p<0.05), with the degree dependent on fragment size. Interestingly, reverse-oriented insulators showed better vector titers when compared to forward-oriented insulators for all types of insulator fragments except the 2 × 250 b HS4 in rMpGFP vectors (p<0.05). We next evaluated GFP expression from various insulated rMpGFP vectors in GPA+ human erythroid cells that originated from transduced CD34+ cells (MOI=3) (Figure). The %GFP was decreased by 1.2 kb HS4 and 2 × 250 b HS4 insulators in both orientations, compared to the uninsulated vector (p<0.05). All insulated vector constructs had a tendency to lower CVs, there was no significant difference except for the 1.2 kb HS4 F vector (p<0.05). There was no significant difference of MFIs between all types of insulated and uninsulated vectors. In order to evaluate insulator function for the BGpGFP vectors in human hematopoietic cells, we practically chose the 250 b HS4 R because it did not decrease vector titers and the 1.2 kb HS4 showed 5-fold lower transduction efficiency in human erythroid cells. During erythorid culture of transduced human erythroid cells, %GFP and MFIs decreased whereas CVs increased,showing chromosomal position effects. The 250 b HS4 R insulator showed lower %GFP and lower MFIs (MOI=20) (p<0.05 on day 13 and 20), compared to those of the uninsulated vector. There was no significant difference in CVs. After MOI escalation of BGpGFP vectors (day13), the insulated vector showed lower %GFP at MOI 10, 25, and 50 (p<0.05) and lower overall GFP expression (%GFP x MFI) at MOI 25 and 50 (p<0.05) compared to uninsulated vector. These data demonstrated that inclusion of HS4 insulator elements decreases GFP expression, which is not overcome by increasing MOI. We then performed transduced hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a human xenograft mouse model using a 250 b HS4 R insulated rMpGFP vector. In the human CD45+ fraction of mouse peripheral blood cells, the insulator element decreased both %GFP and MFIs at 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation (p<0.05). There was no significant difference of CVs among the insulated and uninsulated vector at all time points. These data demonstrate that the inclusion of HS4 insulator elements lowers viral titers, reduces efficiency of transduction and produces minimal effects on transgene expression among human hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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Tiu, Bruce C., Christina J. Su, Emma C. St. Martin, Jean S. Oak, Tian Y. Zhang, and Gabriel N. Mannis. "Prognostic Significance of CD123 Expression in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Venetoclax and Hypomethylating Agents." Blood 144, Supplement 1 (2024): 6104. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2024-205837.
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Introduction Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with overexpression of CD123 is hyperproliferative, resistant to cell death, and has worse prognosis and survival in patients treated with intensive chemotherapy [Testa et al. 2002, Blood]. Multiple therapeutics that target CD123 are in development, with several planned studies exploring these agents in combination with venetoclax and hypomethylating agents (HMA) for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed AML who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy (IC). To date, no study has evaluated the prognostic significance of CD123 status for IC-ineligible patients with AML treated with venetoclax and an HMA. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with AML or blast-phase myeloid neoplasms initiated on first-line therapy with venetoclax and an HMA (decitabine or azacitidine) at Stanford Health Care between November 2019 and December 2023. Patients were excluded if they did not survive at least 2 months after starting therapy, and were censored at 1 month after stem cell transplant or treatment failure, or at the end of the study period in June 2024. CD123 median fluorescence intensity (CD123-MFI) was measured on blasts identified by flow cytometry immunophenotyping from each patient's bone marrow at the time of diagnosis. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was also assessed by flow cytometry. The optimal discriminatory MFI for survival was selected by the method of maximally selected rank statistics. Distributions were compared using Mann-Whitney U or Fisher's exact tests. Cumulative incidence functions were estimated for complete remission (CR) accounting for the competing risk of death and compared with Gray's test. Results 176 of the 322 patients with AML treated with venetoclax-based regimens in this period received first-line treatment with venetoclax and an HMA without antecedent therapy. 64 of these patients had bone marrow specimens analyzed for CD123 and met inclusion criteria. The median age at therapy initiation was 73 years [IQR 69-81]. The median CD123-MFI of the blast populations was 720 [IQR 402-1046]. An MFI of 340 (19th percentile) was used to create two cohorts (CD123lo, n=12; and CD123hi; n=52) based on the maximized log-rank statistic. The median survival was 10 months [95% CI 4.8-not reached] for CD123lo and 17 months [95% CI 14-36] for CD123hi (p=0.047). Patients with CD123lo received a median number of 2.5 cycles [IQR 2.0-5.5], compared to patients in CD123hi who received 5 cycles [IQR 3-12] (p=0.17). No difference was observed between achievement of CR (95% CI) at 6 months between CD123lo (58±17%) and CD123hi(64±3.3%) (p=0.82); similarly, no difference was seen in achievement of a MRD negative CR (p=0.41). Fewer patients with CD123hi who responded to venetoclax/HMA underwent stem cell transplant compared to those with CD123lo (15%, 6/41; vs 22%, 2/9; p=0.03). Across the cohort, there were no differences in CD123-MFI distributions between types of AML (de novo, therapy-related, or secondary AML), ELN risk categories, or the presence of a monosomal karyotype. The distributions of CD123-MFI did vary with mutational subgroups: CD123-MFIs were higher in patients with gene mutations in FLT3-ITD (p=0.0005) and RUNX1 (p=0.0009), and approached significance in IDH2-mutated AML (p=0.13). By comparison, CD123-MFIs were lower in ASXL1-mutated AML (p=0.04) and trended lower in TP53-mutated AML (p=0.23) compared to wild-type. When comparing CD123lo and CD123hi, FLT3-ITD (27%, 14/52), NPM1 (19%, 10/52), and IDH2 mutated-AML (10%, 5/52) were only observed in CD123hi, with none in CD123lo (0/12 for each). More patients with CD123lo (42%, 5/12) than CD123hi (23%, 12/52) had TP53 mutations. Conclusions Although high CD123 expression predicts poor outcomes in AML treated with IC, in our cohort, high CD123 expression was associated with improved survival in patients treated with venetoclax plus HMA. FLT3-ITD, NPM1, and IDH2 also associated with increased CD123 expression, which may represent a shared feature of susceptibility to venetoclax-based regimens. However, the relative resistance of FLT3-ITD AML suggests that additional mechanisms likely contribute [Bataller et al. 2024, Blood Adv]. Future studies should explore mechanistic explanations and further correlate CD123 expression and mutational status with responsiveness to CD123-directed therapies in combination with venetoclax plus HMA.
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Neuhaus, Oliver, Wolfgang Köhler, Florian Then Bergh, et al. "Glatiramer Acetate Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Fatigue—Beneficial Effects on Self-Assessment Scales But Not on Molecular Markers." Biomolecules 11, no. 3 (2021): 393. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biom11030393.
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Although fatigue is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS), its pathomechanisms are incompletely understood. Glatiramer acetate (GA), an immunomodulatory agent approved for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), possesses unique mechanisms of action and has been shown to exhibit beneficial effects on MS fatigue. The objective of this study was to correlate clinical, neuropsychological, and immunological parameters in RRMS patients with fatigue before and during treatment with GA. In a prospective, open-label, multicenter trial, 30 patients with RRMS and fatigue were treated with GA for 12 months. Inclusion criterion was the presence of fatigue as one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms. Before and during treatment, fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the MS-FSS, and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). In addition, fatigue and quality of life were assessed using the Visual Analog Scales (VAS). Laboratory assessments included screening of 188 parameters using real-time PCR microarrays followed by further analysis of several cytokines, chemokines, and neurotrophic factors. Fatigue self-assessments were completed in 25 patients. After 12 months of treatment with GA, 13 of these patients improved in all three scales (with the most prominent effects on the MFIS), whereas 5 patients had deteriorated. The remaining 7 patients exhibited inconsistent effects within the three scales. Fatigue and overall quality of life had improved, as assessed via VAS. Laboratory assessments revealed heterogeneous mRNA levels of cytokines, chemokines, and neurotrophic factors. In conclusion, we were not able to correlate clinical and molecular effects of GA in patients with RRMS and fatigue.
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de Carvalho, Maria Laura Lopes, Roberta Motta, Giovanna Konrad, Mario Alberto Battaglia, and Giampaolo Brichetto. "A randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study using a low frequency magnetic field in the treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis." Multiple Sclerosis Journal 18, no. 1 (2011): 82–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1352458511415748.
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Background: Fatigue is one of the most common disabling symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). There is growing evidence in the literature for beneficial effects of magnetic fields on different MS symptoms and this has been reported to be beneficial in patients with MS, especially those with fatigue. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effects on primary fatigue with a pulsed systemic low frequency magnetic field by means of clinical scales in a population of MS subjects. Methods: Randomized double-blind cross-over trial with 50 MS subjects with primary fatigue who were recruited among those followed as outpatients at the AISM Rehabilitation Centre, Genova, Italy. Subjects were randomized into two groups: magnetic field group and sham therapy group and evaluated with the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), VAS and Time Walking Test 10 meter (TWT10m.) at the time points of the study. Each group received both sham therapy and magnetic field therapy with a wash-out period of 5 months. Subjects were treated for 24 min per session, three times per week, for 8 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate analysis. Results: Results showed a statistically significant improvement in MFIS Physical Score for T0 − T1 ( p < 0.05) for TIME but not for TREATMENT and TIME*TREATMENT factors. No statistically significant differences were found for all other parameters considered in the study. Conclusions: Exposure to a low frequency magnetic field, within the parameters of this treatment protocol, has no advantage over sham exposure in reducing the impact of fatigue.
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Kern, Wolfgang, Richard Schabath, Claudia Haferlach, Susanne Schnittger, and Torsten Haferlach. "Diagnostic Value of CD200 Expression for the Differentiation Between Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), CLL with Increased Prolymphocytes (CLL/PL) and Mantle Cell Lymphoma." Blood 120, no. 21 (2012): 2660. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v120.21.2660.2660.
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Abstract Abstract 2660 Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is diagnosed by the immunophenotye as published by Matutes et al. with strong expression of CD5 and CD23, weak expression of sCD22, CD79b and immunoglobulins and negativity for FMC7. CLL is readily differentiated from mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) which shares CD5 positivity but features strong expression of sCD22, CD79b and FMC7. CLL with increased prolymphocytes (CLL/PL), which cytomorphologically features 5–55% prolymphocytes, displays an immunophenotype in between CLL and MCL. The cytogenetic finding of a t(11;14) separates MCL from CLL/PL. The analysis of CD200 expression has been suggested to improve differentiation between CLL and MCL based on a limited number of cases and has not yet been assessed in CLL/PL. Aims: To assess the diagnostic usefulness of CD200 expression in the flow cytometric assessment of CLL, CLL/PL and MCL. Methods: We studied 100 patients with CLL (n=59), CLL/PL (n=27) and MCL (n=14) for expression of CD200. t(11;14) was confirmed in all cases with MCL and excluded in all cases with CLL/PL. 37 were female, 63 male, median age was 71.2 yrs (range 39.3–87.1), sample material was peripheral blood (n=68) or bone marrow (n=32). CD200 was analyzed using the antibody clone MRC OX-104 conjugated to phycoerythrin (BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ). Cells were rated positive if they expressed CD200 stronger than the cut-off set by an isotype control. Cases were rated positive if ≥20% of the pathologic population as identified based on coexpression of CD19 and CD5 expressed CD200. Results: Mean±SD % values for CD200 positive cells were 94.9±14.0% in CLL, 78.7±27.0% in CLL/PL and 6.6±13.3% in MCL. Thus, besides significant differences between MCL with low CD200 expression and the two other entities with high CD200 expression (p<0.001 for both), there was also a significant difference between CLL and CLL/PL (p=0.006) with higher values for CLL. The same was true for the analysis of mean fluorescence intensities (MFIs): CLL cases expressed CD200 stronger (mean±SD 5.8±2.9) as compared to CLL/PL cases (3.9±2.8, p=0.007) while MCL cases had clearly the lowest MFI (0.3±0.3, p<0.001 for comparisons to both CLL and CLL/PL). In order to use a more reliable parameter than MFI of the malignant cells per se, we included normal T-cells as controls and calculated the MFI ratio “malignant cells:normal T-cells”. This again resulted in the highest values for patients with CLL (mean±SD 14.8±9.0) although the difference to patients with CLL/PL (12.3±10.4) was not significant. Patients with MCL also for this parameter had clearly lower values amounting to 1.2±0.9 (p<0.001 for comparisons to both CLL and CLL/PL). We than tested whether a cut-off for the CD200 expression parameters would be discriminative of the three entities. Regarding positivity for CD200 expression based on a cut-off of 20% malignant cells we found the following rates of positivity for CD200: 58/59 (98.3%) in patients with CLL, 26/27 (96.3%) in patients with CLL/PL and 2/14 (14.3%) in patients with MCL. Thus, although there were overall significant differences in the CD200 expression the application of a 20% cut-off was not capable of completely differentiating CLL and CLL/PL on the one hand from MCL on the other hand. Importantly, the “misclassified” cases mostly were not near to the cut-off (11.5% in CLL, 2.8% in CLL/PL, 47.0% and 22.5% in MCL). To improve classification we applied a cut-off of 0.48 for the MFI of CD200 expression in malignant cells. All 59 cases with CLL and all cases with CLL/PL had MFIs >0.48, however, only 12/14 cases with MCL had MFIs <0.48. Thus, although this analysis reveals highly significant differences between the three entities (p<0.001) there remain two misclassified MCL cases. While in one of these 2 cases the encountered MFI of 0.84 was only slightly above the cut-off and low-level bone marrow infiltration of 1% may have contributed to imprecision of MFI determination this cannot be considered for the second case (MFI 1.26, bone marrow infiltration 8%). The use of a cut-off for the MFI ratio “malignant cells:normal T-cells” yielded no improvement in classification. Conclusions: Assessment of CD200 expression may be applied in the differential diagnosis of CLL, CLL/PL and MCL to predict MCL with high probability based on a low-level expression of CD200, however, the sensitivity of this approach is limited by the infrequent MCL cases with higher expression of CD200. Disclosures: Kern: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Equity Ownership. Schabath:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Equity Ownership. Schnittger:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Equity Ownership. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Equity Ownership.
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Gillson, G., T. L. Richards, R. B. Smith, and J. V. Wright. "A double-blind pilot study of the effect of Prokarin™ on fatigue in multiple sclerosis." Multiple Sclerosis Journal 8, no. 1 (2002): 30–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1352458502ms777oa.
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In this 12-week study with 29 subjects, the effect of Prokarin™ (n=22), a proprietary blend of histamine and caffeine, was compared to placebo group (n=7) for the following outcomes: 1) fatigue as measured by the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS); 2) lower limb function as measured by timed walk test; 3) upper limb function as measured by the pegboard test; 4) cognitive function as measured by the Paced Auditory Serial Additions Test (PASAT); 5) serum caffeine level; 6) change in brain chemistry as measured by quantitative magnetic resonance spectroscopy assay of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA); and 7) safety as measured by routine blood chemistry, TSH and urinalysis. Data were acquired at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The Prokarin™ group MFIS mean was significantly different from the mean of the placebo group at 12 weeks (df=24, t=2.08, P=<0.02), with respective means of 37.40, SD=15.18, for the Prokarin™ group and 53.2, SD=11.39 for the controls. For the secondary endpoints (PASAT, 25 foot timed walk, peg test, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy [MRS]), there were no significant differences between the Prokarin™ -treated group and the placebo group. However, there were significant improvements within the Prokarin™ group for each of these measures for the pre-versus posttreatment comparison at 12 weeks. Serum caffeine data indicated that caffeine exerted no independent effect on performance. No laboratory abnormalities were seen, and the treatment was well tolerated. Conclusion: There was a modest-size statistical effect of Prokarin™ on fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with the placebo group. A larger trial is warranted, based on this pilot study.
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van der Kraan, Yvonne Maria, Davy Paap, Hans Timmerman, et al. "Value of the central sensitisation inventory in patients with axial spondyloarthritis." RMD Open 10, no. 4 (2024): e004528. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004528.
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BackgroundIn many patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), pain persists despite anti-inflammatory medication. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) indirectly assesses altered somatosensory function, though its clinical practicality is limited. The Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI) could be an alternative in the initial assessment of central sensitisation (CS). This study aimed to investigate the value of the CSI in evaluating CS in patients with axSpA by (1) assessing somatosensory function related to CS with QST and (2) exploring associations between CSI, QST, patient and disease characteristics and pain-related psychosocial factors.MethodsConsecutive outpatients from the Groningen Leeuwarden AxSpA cohort underwent QST, including pressure pain threshold (PPT), temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Participants completed questionnaires assessing CS (CSI), illness perception (Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, IPQ-R), pain-related worrying (Pain Catastrophising Scale, PCS), fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, MFIS), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and coping. QST measurements were stratified for CSI≥40.Results201 patients with axSpA were included; 63% male, 64% radiographic axSpA, median symptom duration 12 years (IQR 5–24), mean Axial Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Score 2.1±1.0. Patients with CSI≥40 had significantly lower PPTs and higher TS than CSI<40 (p<0.004). No significant differences in CPM were observed. In multivariable linear regression, sex, PCS, IPQ-R Identity, MFIS and HADS anxiety were independently associated with CSI (78% explained variance).ConclusionIn this large cross-sectional study in patients with axSpA, the CSI appears as a useful initial CS assessment questionnaire. When CSI scores indicate CS, considering pain-related psychosocial factors is important. These results emphasise the need for a biopsychosocial approach to manage chronic pain in patients with axSpA.