ABSTRACT
Household consumption induces aggregated economic activities by pushing market demand, capital accumulation and financial growth in the economy;on the other hand, instability in household consumption adversely affects the overall economic progress. Thus, exploring the key determinants responsible for household consumption instability is essential. The motivation of the study is to gauge the role of pandemic uncertainties and remittance inflow on household consumption in lower, Lower-middle, and Upper-Middle-income Countries for the period 1996 to 2020. The study employed several econometrical tools, including a panel cointegration test with the error correction term, dynamic SUR. The panel unit root test following CADF and CIPS documented variables are stationary after the first difference, and long-run associations are confirmed with the panel cointegration test. The coefficient of Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression exposed pandemic uncertainties and has a negative impact on household consumption in all three-panel estimations;however, the coefficient of PUI is more prominent with COVID-19 effects. Remittances’ role in household consumption was positive and statistically significant, suggesting migrant remittances encourage additional consumption among households. On the policy aspect, the study proposed that the government should undertake macro policies to manage policy uncertainties so that the normal course of consumption level should not be interrupted because household consumption volatility creates discomfort in aggregated development. Moreover, efficient reallocation and remittance channels should be ensured in the economy;therefore, efficient institutional development has to be confirmed. Copyright © 2022 Yin, Qamruzzaman, Xiao, Mehta, Naqvi and Baig.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Monoclonal antibody (mAB) infusion (bamlanivimab or casirivimab/ imdevimab) for symptomatic, non-hypoxemic, high-risk outpatients with COVID-19 infection, is an available early intervention for COVID-19+ SOT recipients. We aimed to assess efficiency in time from diagnosis to treatment, and outcomes in a retrospective cohort of SOT recipients with COVID-19 who received mAB. Methods: We developed a Nurse Coordinator-led initiative to screen, refer, and facilitate mAB infusion for COVID-19+ SOT recipients within 10 days of symptom onset. SOT recipients received electronic messaging to promptly report potential COVID-19 symptoms to the transplant team. Data were collected on time from symptom onset to diagnosis, mAB infusion, and follow-up > 21 days, and hospital admissions, disease severity, mortality, and rejection. Results: 34 out of 36 referred SOT recipients with symptomatic COVID-19 disease without hypoxia received mAB therapy (3 heart, 8 lung, 16 kidney, 2 Liver-Kidney, 2 Pancreas-Kidney, 3 Kidney-Heart). Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 2 days and from date of diagnosis to mAB infusion was 4 days. Of those 34, 88% did not require hospitalization and recovered uneventfully. 12% required hospitalization for COVID disease progression, two on the same day as mAB infusion, and the other 2, more than 26 days post infusion. Of these, 2 patients had mild-moderate hypoxia, and 2 had critical disease. Only 1 patient died from COVID-19 complications and no episodes of rejection or graft loss were observed. Conclusions: The Nurse Coordinator-led initiative efficiently facilitated mAB therapy for COVID-19+ SOT recipients and was associated with excellent outcomes. Compared to prior published COVID-19 outcomes in SOT recipients, patients who received mAB may have reduce hospitalization and low mortality. As mAB therapy may be underutilized in the general population, these results support efforts to educate transplant centers to implement efficient interventions for the screening and referral of COVID+ SOT recipients for mAB therapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the incidence of cutaneous hazards of surgical mask versus N 95 mask in health care providers during covid-19 pandemic and response of topical methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) to associated contact dermatitis. Place and Duration of Study Outpatient Dermatology Department of DHQ Teaching Hospital, Sargodha Medical College, Sargodha during month of April 2020. Methods Total 300 participant who use surgical masks or N95 for more than 10 days during duty hours were interviewed in order to fill a pre-designed proforma regarding cutaneous impact of using mask versus N95 masks. Side effects were noted like increased localized general sweating, localized acne (folliculitis), localized itching and burning, redness (erythema), contact dermatitis on face, dryness at contact area, behind the ear dermatitis (retro-auricular dermatitis) and frictional hyperpigmentation. The data was tabulated and analyzed by descriptive analysis on SPSS 20. Patients with active contact dermatitis were prescribed topical methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) 0.1 w/w twice daily and asked to revisit after one week to access response of treatment. Results Use of N95 masks was associated with 25(16.67%) localized general sweating, 11(7.33%) localized acne (folliculitis), 10(6.67%) redness (erythema), 5(3.33%) contact dermatitis on face and 2 (1.33%) frictional hyperpigmentation which was more as compared to surgical masks. Participants with contact dermatitis were prescribed anti histamines and topical methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) 0.1% w/w twice daily for one week. On revisit after one week, out of 28 participants, 19(67.85%) had more than 50% improvement in their symptoms. Conclusion Use of N95 masks are associated with more cutaneous side effects as compared to use of surgical masks. In addition, topical methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) is an effective treatment for patients with contact dermatitis caused by prolonged use of these masks. © 2020 Pakistan Association of Dermatologists. All rights reserved.