Digital marketing communication in global marketplaces: A review of extant research, future directions, and potential approaches

Digital marketing communication, that is, communication through digital or electronic media among businesses and consumers, is growing rapidly, especially during the COVID-19 era. We propose a framework for analyzing digital marketing communication along four major dyads, business-to-consumer (B2C), business-to-business (B2B), consumer-to-consumer (C2C), and consumer-to-business (C2B). We review and summarize, for researchers and practitioners, the literature during 2000-2021 in these dyads along four major components: goals;channels, media, and platforms;content;and responses. We find that extant research in digital marketing communication pertains mostly to a specific, national level rather than a global level, despite the porousness of national boundaries for digital marketing. We derive important insights, identify key research gaps and questions in each of the dyads along these dimensions. We suggest approaches to address these research questions under three major components: substantive issues, data, and methods. These approaches can offer the insights that managers need to better formulate digital marketing strategies in local and global contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Characteristics & outcomes of cancer patients with COVID-19: A multicentre retrospective study from India.

Background & objectives: High mortality has been observed in the cancer population affected with COVID-19 during this pandemic. We undertook this study to determine the characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients with COVID-19 and assessed the factors predicting outcome. Methods: Patients of all age groups with a proven history of malignancy and a recent diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on nasal/nasopharyngeal reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR tests were included. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were compared between survivors and non-survivors groups, with respect to observed mortality. Results: Between May 11 and August 10, 2020, 134 patients were included from the three centres and observed mortality was 17.1 per cent. The median age was 53 yr (interquartile range 39-61 yr) and thirty four patients (25%) were asymptomatic. Solid tumours accounted for 69.1 per cent and breast cancer was the most common tumour type (20%). One hundred and five patients (70.5%) had received chemotherapy within the past four weeks and 25 patients (19.3%) had neutropenia at presentation. On multivariate analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) 7.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-54.00); P=0.033], haemoglobin [OR 6.28 (95% CI 1.07-37.04); P=0.042] neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio [OR 12.02 (95% CI 2.08-69.51); P=0.005] and baseline serum albumin [OR 18.52 (95% CI 2.80-122.27); P=0.002], were associated with higher mortality. Recent chemotherapy, haematological tumours type and baseline neutropenia did not affect the outcome. Interpretation & conclusions: Higher mortality in moderate and severe infections was associated with baseline organ dysfunction and elderly age. Significant proportion of patients were asymptomatic and might remain undetected.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated With COVID-19 in Children (MIS-C): A Systematic Review of Studies From India.

BACKGROUND: With wide clinical spectrum, multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children (MIS-C) is a relatively novel condition occurring weeks to months' post SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim was to systematically review data on clinical features, laboratory parameters and therapeutics of MIS-C from India. Methods: This systematic review was done as per the PRISMA guidelines, and quality assessment was done using NIH tool for case-series. A systematic search through databases yielded studies whose data was pooled to calculate the mean frequencies with standard deviation using GraphPad software. RESULTS: Screening of 2548 articles published till December, 2021, yielded 11 case-series. World Health Organization case definition was used widely. There was a slight preponderance of males (57%), median (IQR) age was 7 (6,7) years, 63% (n=305) required intensive care unit admissions, and mortality rate was 10% (n=261). Clinical features included fever, mucocutaneous features (72%), and gastrointestinal problems (62%) in majority. Widely used treatment was corticosteroids (76%) and intravenous immunoglobulin (62%) with other options depending on patient's state. An increased level of inflammatory markers and derangement in other parameters corroborated with disease status. Kawasaki disease like features, not reported in many studies, ranged from 4-76% of patients. CONCLUSION: MIS-C presents with a wide spectrum clinical features, increased inflammatory markers and managed as per the disease course and presentation. Future studies monitoring the long-term effects of MIS-C are recommended.

Psychological impacts on the travel behaviour post Covid-19

The present study investigates the behavioural impact of COVID-19 on commuter's mobility. For this purpose, an online questionnaire survey was prepared, which was circulated in Delhi, India. More than 200 respondents participated in the survey. The information regarding travel patterns, working, mental health, and psychological stress are obtained for pre, during and post-COVID-19 periods. The results highlight that a significant number of commuters stated to shift their choice of commuting from shared modes to private modes of transport in the post-COVID-19 period. About 28.7% of persons who change their modes are likely to use it for a more extended period. Due to lockdown, 65% of people who are working/studying from home expressed to resume offline mode after COVID-19. About 80% of the persons will have anxiety and tension, which is likely to affect their driving behaviour (e.g., rash driving, distraction, insecurity).

Remote Monitoring and Holistic Care of Home-Isolated COVID-19 Positive Healthcare Workers Through Digital Technology During the Omicron (B1.1.529) Wave: A Prospective Cohort Study From India.

Background: Remote monitoring through digital technology offers a promising solution for the diverse medical, psychological and social issues that plague patients with COVID-19 under home-isolation, but remain neglected due to a lack of streamlined medical services for these patients. Methods: This prospective cohort study determined the feasibility of remote telemonitoring of healthcare workers with mild COVID-19 under home isolation during the Omicron (B1.1.529) wave and characterized their clinico-demographic profile. A holistic monitoring model comprising of mandatory phone calls at the beginning and end of isolation, assisted by home oximetry, predesigned google forms, and opt-in software-based (eSanjeevani OPD) teleconsultation was employed. Factors associated with development of symptomatic disease were also determined. Results: Out of 100 COVID-19 positive healthcare workers under home-isolation, data for 94 participants was available [median age 27(20-52) years, 56(60%) females]. 93(99%) patients were previously vaccinated for COVID-19 (median time from last dose = 248 days); 34(36%) had a past history of COVID-19. Fever (67%), myalgia (69%), sore throat/dry cough (70%), and running nose (45%) were the most common symptoms. No patient progressed to moderate-severe disease or required care escalation during the remote monitoring period. Most participants reported several additional psychosocial concerns which were adequately addressed. Symptomatic patients had higher BMI (24.1 vs. 21.8kg/m2, p = 0.01) compared to asymptomatic patients. Age, past infection with COVID-19, and time since last vaccine dose were not different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients under home isolation have multi-faceted medical and psychosocial issues which can be holistically managed remotely through digital technology.

Exploring the role of bacillus calmette-guerin vaccination in protection against COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: In recent studies, it has been established that countries having Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination programs reported less COVID-19 cases and deaths per population Preliminary studies suggest that BCG vaccination could upregulate the vaccine-induced immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Hence, the recent study was aimed to determine the association of BCG vaccine with the development of COVID-19 in health care workers. METHODS: The participants included in the study were healthcare workers (doctors, paramedics, and other supporting staff) working in the high and low-risk zones of COVID-19 in the hospital. The Graph Pad statistical analysis tool was used to determine the association of preliminary BCG vaccination with their COVID-19 status. RESULTS: A total of 200 health care workers working in different departments of the hospital were enrolled in the study. The relative risk of COVID-19 positivity in BCG vaccinated versus unvaccinated was 0.79 (0.50-1.25). There was also a significant negative correlation between two groups. The relative risk of COVID-19 positivity in those with a BCG scar was 0.63 (0.44-0.92). The relative risk of COVID-19 infection in those with a history of tuberculosis was 1.08 (0.56-2.09). CONCLUSION: The present study did not support the beneficial effect of BCG vaccine in protection against the development of COVID-19 disease.

Digital Marketing Communication in Global Marketplaces: A Review of Extant Research, Future Directions, and Potential Approaches

Digital marketing communication, that is, communication through digital or electronic media among businesses and consumers, is growing rapidly, especially during the COVID-19 era. We propose a framework for analyzing digital marketing communication along four major dyads, business-to-consumer (B2C), business-to-business (B2B), consumer-to-consumer (C2C), and consumer-to-business (C2B). We review and summarize, for researchers and practitioners, the literature during 2000-2021 in these dyads along four major components: goals;channels, media, and platforms;content;and responses. We find that extant research in digital marketing communication pertains mostly to a specific, national level rather than a global level, despite the porousness of national boundaries for digital marketing. We derive important insights, identify key research gaps and questions in each of the dyads along these dimensions. We suggest approaches to address these research questions under three major components: substantive issues, data, and methods. These approaches can offer the insights that managers need to better formulate digital marketing strategies in local and global contexts.

Evaluation of Tele-rheumatology during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Asian Population: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition associated with a potential for deformities. It is one of the common conditions to seek health care. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess the telemedicine services for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Asian Indian population. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted (March 2020-June 2020) in the telemedicine department of a premier northern Indian tertiary care institution. Out of the total patients enrolled (N = 7577) in telemedicine services, 122 rheumatoid arthritis patients (1.6%) were followed for 1 month to assess change in functional status by modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ). Telephonic interviews of the enrolled patients were conducted to determine the level of understanding of advice given by consultants, barriers during the consultation, and satisfaction with teleconsultations for rheumatology clinics. RESULTS: For the native people, language of the clinicians was the main barrier (20%) in telerheumatology. Saving of time and money was observed as beneficial factors for patients. More than three-quarters of all rheumatoid arthritis patients were ready to use teleconsultation in the near future. A similar proportion of patients were in support for the recommendation of these services to other persons. CONCLUSION: We report the successful use of telemedicine services in the evaluation and management of rheumatic diseases in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.

South Asian Declaration-Consensus Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccination in Cancer Patients.

We provide the South Asian Declaration, containing the consensus guidelines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in cancer patients.

A paradigm shift in urban mobility: Policy insights from travel before and after COVID-19 to seize the opportunity.

Background: COVID-19 outbreak unfolds as the biggest challenge of this century by far. Virulence of the disease has compelled densely populated countries like India to impose severest measures, which include full or partial lockdown to contain the virus spread. The contagious virus has put the lives of many in urban cities on hold and forced them to abandon or restrict regular activities, which includes a basic human need to travel to satisfy one's daily needs. The eventual impact of the pandemic on individual mobility and the urban city's sustainability depends upon the resilience of medium and long-term policies during such disruptive events. Objective: In order to gauge the impact of this unprecedented disease on travel behavior and mobility patterns of individuals, a web survey is conducted in urban agglomerations of India. The idea is to record travel mode choices before, during and after situations. The study also attempts to elicit responses towards a safer and disaster-resilient public transport, which can also cater to the needs of private vehicle-owning individuals. Further, the study presents and evaluates a set of medium to long-term policy prescriptions to negate the repercussions of this crisis and seize the opportunity it has created so that the long-held dream of sustainable and resilient cities in the context of urban mobility is realized in the best way possible. Key findings: The study findings indicate an increase in the car-dependency pan-India level post the COVID-19 crisis. Strikingly the captive users of public transport and non-motorized transport mode (walk) are also willing to make a shift towards private motorized vehicles (car, motorized two-wheeler). The eventual mobility shift will depend upon- (a) the recovery period of mass transportation systems to normalcy (b) investments and promotion of active travel modes (non-motorized transport, i.e., walk, bicycle). The findings also reveal that demand and the willingness to pay extra for a safer, faster, cleaner, comfortable, and most importantly, resilient public transport exists. Further, policy evaluations for sustainable and resilient recovery reveal - (a) the provision of bicycle superhighway will push the bicycle share from 31% to approximately 44% (b) travel demand moderation efforts such as (i) staggering of working days demonstrates the reduction in the congestion externalities. (ii) Flexible arrangements for educational activities (two shifts in a day) facilitates overall gain in the system welfare, and (c) incentive such as reducing public transport fare has a positive impact on its share due to the mobility-shift from the private motorized vehicle. Interpretation and implications of results: Investment and encouragement of active travel mode should be prioritized for personal well-being and disaster-resilient cities. Resilience planning should be an integral part of public transportation systems to handle the future shock of pandemics and other emergencies. Additionally, self-sustainable neighborhoods should be encouraged to reduce the trip lengths substantially or the need for private motorized transport for various secondary activities.

Coronavirus disease 2019 and thyroid disease: Position statement of Indian Thyroid Society

About Coronavirus and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Coronavirus belongs to a large family of single-stranded RNA viruses. Elderly people, and those with medical conditions such as hypertension, cardiac problems or diabetes, chronic obstructive airway disease, are more likely to develop serious illness.[[2]] Thyroid Disorders in India Thyroid diseases are common worldwide. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in T2DM and hypertension in India was found to be about 33%.[[6]] Hypothyroidism and Coronavirus Disease 2019 There is no information on how it affects individuals with hypothyroidism. [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Thyroid Research & Practice is the property of Wolters Kluwer India Pvt Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Neurological emergencies associated with COVID-19: stroke and beyond.

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic on March 1, 2020. Neurological manifestations are now being reported worldwide, including emergent presentation with acute neurological changes as well as a comorbidity in hospitalized patients. There is limited knowledge on the neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 at present, with a wide array of neurological complications reported, ranging from ischemic stroke to acute demyelination and encephalitis. We report five cases of COVID-19 presenting to the ER with acute neurological symptoms, over the course of 1 month. This includes two cases of ischemic stroke, one with large-vessel occlusion and one with embolic infarcts. The remainders of the cases include acute tumefactive demyelination, isolated cytotoxic edema of the corpus callosum with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).