IntroductionEpilepsy is a common non-communicable neurological disorder associated with recurrent seeding of cerebral neurons or brain cells and episodes of unprovoked seizures with or without loss of consciousness. Although there are studies on the health-related quality of life of epilepsy patients in Ethiopia, there are remarkable variations in the estimates of health-related quality of life.ObjectivesThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled effect size of the health-related quality of life of adult epilepsy patients in Ethiopia.MethodsOriginal articles about the health-related quality of life among epilepsy patients in Ethiopia were searched through known and international databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and search engines (Google and Google Scholar). Data were extracted using a standard data extraction checklist developed according to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The I2 statistics were used to identify heterogeneity across studies. Funnel plot asymmetry and Egger’s tests were used to check for publication bias. The STATA version 11 software was employed for statistical analysis to pool the mean scores of health-related quality-of-life.ResultA total of 16 cross-sectional studies with a sample size of 5294 took part. The pooled overall mean score of health-related quality of life among epilepsy patients in Ethiopia was 52.82 ± 13.24 [95%CI (46.41, 59.21)], I2 = 100%, p-value

Human capital is a nation’s primary source of inner strength to achieve sustainable economic growth and development. Meanwhile, income inequality is a critical issue preventing sustainable economic growth and social transformation, especially in developing countries. This paper investigates the effect of human capital on income inequality in both the short and long term using the mean group, pooled mean group, and threshold regressions for the ASEAN-7 (including Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) from 1992 to 2018. The paper develops a theoretical linkage between human capital and income inequality by combining the learning theory and the Kuznets hypothesis. This linkage is then tested using data from the ASEAN countries. Findings from the paper indicate that human capital reduces income inequality in the short run in the ASEAN countries. However, the effect is reverted in the long run, suggesting that human capital may increase the income gap in these countries. Particularly, the inverted U-shaped relationship between human capital and income inequality is established for the ASEAN countries whose GDP per capita is lower than USD 8.2 thousand per year. In contrast, the U-shaped relationship is found for the countries with income per capital of more than USD 8.2 thousand. All these findings suggest that social policies targeting reducing income inequality should be prioritized and stay at the centre of any economic policies to achieve sustainable economic growth and development in the ASEAN countries.

The Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS) includes measures of establishment openings and closings, firm startups, job creation and destruction by firm size, age, and industrial sector, and several other statistics on business dynamics. The U.S. economy is comprised of over 6 million establishments with paid employees. The population of these businesses is constantly churning -- some businesses grow, others decline and yet others close. New businesses are constantly replenishing this pool. The BDS series provide annual statistics on gross job gains and losses for the entire economy and by industrial sector, state, and MSA. These data track changes in employment at the establishment level, and thus provide a picture of the dynamics underlying aggregate net employment growth.

There is a longstanding interest in the contribution of small businesses to job and productivity growth in the U.S. Some recent research suggests that it is business age rather than size that is the critical factor. The BDS permits exploring the respective contributions of both firm age and size.

BDS is based on data going back through 1976. This allows business dynamics to be tracked, measured and analyzed for young firms in their first critical years as well as for more mature firms including those that are in the process of reinventing themselves in an ever changing economic environment.

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Data Dictionary

Sustainable development stands as both a goal and a prevailing trend in the global economy all the time. However, a comprehensive understanding of the internal and external determinants influencing sustainable development is necessary for the formulation of appropriate policies and development strategies. This research investigates dimensions of sustainable development in the panel data of 104 selected countries from 2000 to 2020. These economies are categorized into four groups based on the level of development. The exclusive role is given to the impact of three key factors, based on the triple bottom line (TBL) model, such as globalization, labor, and renewable energy on sustainable development. We employ the panel unit root tests, cointegration tests, and pool mean group (PMG) approach to estimate the relationships between globalization, renewable energy, labor force, and sustainable development. The results indicate the positive effects of globalization, labor, and renewable energy on sustainable development. Furthermore, a higher level of renewable energy consumption promotes sustainable development within the divided groups. The findings highlight that the labor factor has a positive impact on the sustainable development of all groups of economies. Thereby, the sustainability policy are implied to focus on the educational policy, improving social stability and renewable energy sources, particularly in the middle trap countries.

PurposeTo summarize and meta-analyze uveitis characteristics and multiple sclerosis (MS) phenotype of patients with multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis (MSAU) within a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was performed on January 25, 2023, utilizing PubMed, Embase, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases. We included studies involving patients with MSAU, such as case series with over 10 patients, cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using CLARITY tools and validated metrics like the Hoy et al. and Hassan Murad et al. tools. The pooled analysis focused on 1) uveitis characteristics, 2) ocular complications, 3) MS phenotype, and 3) administered treatments for uveitis and MS. Gender-based subgroup analysis was conducted across continents; heterogeneity was measured using the I2 statistic. Statistical analysis was performed using R software version 4.3.1. The study was registered in PROSPERO with CRD42023453495 number.ResultsThirty-six studies were analyzed (24 with a low risk of bias, 8 with some concerns, and 4 with a high risk of bias), including 1,257 patients and 2,034 eyes with MSAU. The pooled analysis showed a mean age of 38.2 ± 12.1 years with a notable female predominance (67%, 95% CI [59%-73%]). MS before uveitis was seen in 59% of the cases (95% CI [48%-69%]), while uveitis was present before MS in 38% (95% CI [30%-48%]). The mean age for the first uveitis episode was 35.7 ± 8.3 years, predominantly affecting both eyes (77%, 95% CI [69%-83%], from 23 studies involving 452 patients). Intermediate uveitis was the most frequent anatomical location (68%, 95% CI [49%-82%], from 22 studies involving 530 patients), often following a recurrent course (63%, 95% CI [38%-83%]). Key complications included vision reduction (42%, 95% CI [19%-70%], from five articles involving 90 eyes), macular compromise (45%, 95% CI [20%-73%], from 4 studies involving 95 eyes), and cataracts (46%, 95% CI [32%-61%], from eight articles involving 230 eyes). Concerning MS phenotype, relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was the most common subtype (74%, 95% CI [64%-82%], from eight articles involving 134 patients), followed by secondary progressive MS (24%, 95% CI [18%-33%], from eight articles involving 125 patients). The most frequently occurring central nervous lesions were supratentorial (95%, 95% CI [70%-99%], from two articles involving 17 patients) and spinal cord (39%, 95% CI [16%-68%], from two articles involving 29 patients). The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score and annual recurrence rates were 2.9 ± 0.6 and 1.07 ± 0.56, respectively. Treatment trends showed the prevalent use of Fingolimod (96%, 95% CI [17%-100%], from two articles involving 196 patients), Mycophenolate (48%, 95% CI [11%-87%], from four articles involving 51 patients), and Interferon-beta (43%, 95% CI [24%-65%], from 11 articles involving 325 patients).ConclusionMSAU primarily affects young adult females, typically presenting as bilateral intermediate uveitis with vision-related complications. The most common MS phenotype is RRMS, often associated with supratentorial and spinal cord lesions on imaging. These findings give ophthalmologists and neurologists a comprehensive clinical picture of MSAU, facilitating prompt diagnosis.