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With the continuous boom of FinTech, the similar features of different platforms provide effective solutions for small and medium enterprises. This study examines whether FinTech offers useful business mechanisms for SMEs in selected ASEAN countries. The ASEAN countries included in the study are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine, Singapore, and Thailand. The study employed factor analysis and segregated the FinTech-SME nexus into five factors. The responses of 300 SME owners were collected through interview questionnaires and surveys. We find that new FinTech and SMEs 'collisions' (our term for new utilization) during COVID-19 are the most important factors in the growth of FinTech and the strength of SMEs. Further, we utilized the Kruskal-Wallis test to validate our results and for ranking the factors alongside the ASEAN countries. We present useful implications for policymakers, regulatory bodies, ASEAN countries, and SMEs for welcoming FinTech solutions to facilitate digital transactions. (c) 2022 Economic Society of Australia, Queensland. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Objective: To assess the importance of adenosine signaling in cardiovascular disorders (thrombosis, ischemia) and novel corona virus infection. Methodology: A specified web search was done to gather the relevant information using different scientific research forums and databases like WHO database, Pubmed and Google Scholar etc. Results: Adenosine receptors are P1 type of purinergic receptors and belong to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which is the largest family of integral membrane bound proteins receptors. Adenosine receptors are further classified into four subclasses known as A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. All four subclasses are being mediated by extracellular adenosine and perform a key role in a wide range of physiological functions such as immune system modulation, angiogenesis and sleep regulation. Adenosine receptors are thought to play a significant role in many pathophysiological conditions including cardiovascular disorders such as ischemia and thrombosis and novel corona virus infection making it a key target against these disorders. Conclusion: We suggest that modulation of adenosine receptor activity could increase the regenerative phase in these disorders by increasing the proliferation and differentiation rates of damaged tissue.
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Purpose: This exploratory study aims to explore the Pakhtun pregnant women’s experiences/issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: This research is based on interviews. Findings: This research found that plummeting medical services pose not only serious health risks to the Pakhtun women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) but expose them to social and cultural challenges resulting in severe mental health issues. This study also found that the policies adopted by the Government of Pakistan for tackling COVID-19 completely threw off track basic health services that both men and women require in times of health emergencies. Originality/value: This paper is 100% original research based on an exploratory study. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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Pakistan is among the countries affected during the period of Covid-19 pandemic. A high prevalence of psychological distress was observed among the general population as well as doctors in this outbreak. Aims & Objectives: This research was conducted to study the relationship of psychological resilience, burnout and secondary traumatic stress among doctors in COVID-19 pandemic. It also identified the mediating effect of burnout between the relationship of psychological resilience and secondary traumatic stress. Patients and Method: It is a descriptive study with purposive sampling strategy and correlational research design. The sample comprised of 100 doctors from two hospitals of Lahore between September 2020 to February 2021. Participants age range was between 25-40 years. Data was collected by using the following tools, The Brief Resilience Scale (Smith et al., 2008), Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (Bride et al., 2004), and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (Halbesleben & Demerouti, 2005). Results: Results have signified a negative relationship of psychological resilience with secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Burnout has a significant positive relationship with secondary traumatic stress. Moreover, both subscales of burnout (i.e. disengagement and exhaustion) emerged as mediators in the relationship between one subscale of secondary traumatic stress (i.e. intrusion) and psychological resilience. Conclusion: It is concluded that psychological resilience has a significant negative relationship with burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Future researches can design emotional coping strategies and should try to promote programs that can help doctors to enhance resilience so it helps them combat their stress and burnout.
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The challenging situations and disruptions that occurred due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have created a severe need for supply chain resiliency (SCR). There has been a growing interest among researchers to investigate the resiliency in supply chain operations to overcome risks and disruptions and to achieve successful project management. The supply chain of every business requires innovative projects to accomplish competitive advantage in the market. This study was conducted to identify the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) for creating a sustainable and resilient supply chain, and also to provide optimum solutions for supply chain risk mitigation. A systematic literature review has been conducted to examine the potential research contribution or directions in the field of AI and SCR. In total, 162 articles were shortlisted from the SCOPUS database in the chosen field of research. Structural Topic Modeling (STM), a big data-based approach, was employed to generate several thematic topics of AI in SCR based on the shortlisted articles, and all topics were discussed. Furthermore, the bibliometric analysis was conducted using R-package to investigate the research trends in the area of AI in SCR. Based on the conducted review of literature, a research framework was proposed for AI in SCR that will facilitate researchers and practitioners to improve technological development in supply chain firms. The purpose is to combat sudden risks and disruptions so that project management will perform well Post COVID-19. The study will be also helpful for future researchers and practitioners to identify research directions based on existing literature covered in this paper in the field of SCR. Future research directions are proposed for AI-enabled resilient supply chain management. This study will also provide several implications for supply chain managers to achieve the required resilience in their supply chains post COVID-19 by focusing on the elements of the proposed research framework. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
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Background: Telemedicine has been an option for healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic time. According to the COVID-19 forum on the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes, telemedicine is now the reality for all pediatric diabetes centers around the globe. We report here the analysis of telemedicine care provided to children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes by our diabetes team during the first phase of lockdown in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: The Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS) is providing a highly structured and organized system of diabetes care as an extended arm of the government. Since the lockdown, diabetes care for children was started through telemedicine by the diabetes team in our center. Results: We analyzed our phone calls, text messages from March 26 to April 30, 2020. During lockdown, more than 645 calls, including text messages and WhatsApp messages, were received. A total of 235 patients were given advice over the phone in 1 month. Fifty-two percent of phone calls were from the capital city Dhaka and rest from other districts of Bangladesh. While analyzing the problems, three of our patients noticed mild fever, but there was no history of contact with infected persons, and they recovered within 2-3 days. No laboratory test was done for the confirmation of COVID-19. Most of the patients developed hyperglycemia during this period. None of them required hospital admission during this month. Free insulin from CDiC (Changing Diabetes in Children) and LFAC (Life for a Child) programs was sent to the BADAS centers in different districts through courier service even during the lockdown. So, there was no patient without access to insulin during pandemic time. Conclusion: Telemedicine service has been found to be a useful medium for the care of children with diabetes in Bangladesh during COVID-19 crisis. In the future, telemedicine service could be a solution for routine care of diabetic children who are unable or unwilling to travel long distances to a clinic.
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Objective: To determine the spectrum of clinical presentation, multisystem involvement and treatment outcome in children with MIS-C. Study Design: A descriptive cohort study Place and Duration of Study: Conducted at The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore from May 15, 2020 to November 22, 2020. Material and Methods: Children (aged 0-16 years) with features of this new inflammatory syndrome who fulfilled the WHO criteria for MIS-C and required admission to hospital were prospectively identified. Demographic and clinical data were collected from patient records and entered on a predesigned proforma and results were analyzed on SPSS 20. Results: A total of 24 patients were enrolled in the study. Majority were males (17/24, 70%). Mean age of presentation was 7.3 years. Six patients (25%) had a positive PCR for SARS CoV-2 but none of the patients had been symptomatic with classic COVID-19 respiratory symptoms in the 6 weeks prior to admission. Comorbid conditions were present in only 2 patients (8%). SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were positive for 23/24 patients (96%). Despite being clinically unwell, with laboratory evidence of elevated C-reactive protein, ferritin, and D-dimers, no pathological organism was isolated in any of the 24 children. There were two major presentations: one as atypical or typical Kawasaki disease (18 of 24, 75%) and a more severe second one with shock or low cardiac output (6 of 24, 25%). Common presenting features were fever, body aches, and abdominal pain. Four out of 24 (16%) patients had sufficient criteria for typical Kawasaki disease, whereas 18 children (75%) presented more sub acutely with presentation resembling Kawasaki disease;all had at least two features of classic Kawasaki. Myocardial dysfunction seen in 3 patients (12%) and pericardial effusion was observed in 5 patients (20%). Coronary artery dilatation was seen in 12 (50%) patients. All 6 children with shock-like presentation had coronary artery involvement. Twenty children (83%) received intravenous immunoglobulin within the first 2 days of their stay. Thirteen (54%) patients received therapeutic anticoagulation (enoxaparin) on the basis of the high risk of thromboembolism and number of D-dimers. There was one death (4%). Conclusion: The SARS-COV 19 pandemic led to the identification of a new and potentially life-threating childhood disease, referred to as MIS-C. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment with IVIGs has shown a good early outcome. .
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Objectives: To describe the epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentation, severity of the disease, and early outcomes of children with COVID-19 in Pakistan with special reference to underlying comorbid conditions. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The Children’s Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore, from March 15 to July 31, 2020. Material and Methods: We analyzed data on all laboratory-confirmed cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARC-COV-2) infection in children admitted to a single tertiary care center including patient characteristics, clinical course and hospital outcomes with special reference to underlying comorbidity. Results: Of 42 symptomatic children, 19 (45%) had a pre-existing comorbidity, the most common of which was chronic kidney disease (7/19-37%). The median age was 7.75 years (IQR: 1.3–11.2) with a slight female preponderance (55%). Fever (79%), respiratory symptoms (52%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (14%) were the most common symptoms. No direct or indirect contact with COVID-19 positive person was identified in 12 patients (29%). Patients with pre-existing comorbidity required mechanical ventilation and prolonged intensive care monitoring than those without. There were three fatalities in the groups of 42 (7%) patients, and underlying comorbid conditions were significantly associated with a fatal outcome (p=0.032). Conclusion: COVID-19 in children is generally mild with good outcome. Chronic kidney disease was the commonest co-morbidity and the presence of an underlying co-morbid condition is a risk factor for prolonged hospital stay and a poor outcome. © 2020, Pakistan Pediatric Journal. All rights reserved.