Working capital and firm performance: role of COVID-19 disruption

PurposeThis study examines the performance effect of working capital for a large sample of Indian manufacturing firms in light of supply chain disruption, i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on secondary data collected from the Prowess database on Indian manufacturing firms listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 500. Panel data regression analyses are used to estimate all models. Moreover, this study has employed robust standard errors to consider for heteroscedasticity concerns.FindingsThe results challenge the current notion of working capital investment and reveal that higher working capital has a positive and significant impact on firm performance. Further, it highlights that Indian manufacturing firms suffered financially post-COVID-19 as they significantly lack the working capital to run day-to-day operations.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the scant literature by examining the association between working capital financing and firm performance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, representing typical developing economies like India.

Changing patterns in the distribution of skin lesions of scabies during the COVID-19 pandemic - a cross-sectional observational study

BACKGROUND: An ectoparasitic disease, scabies, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. Some of the predisposing factors are overcrowding, unhygienic surroundings, immunocompromised status, dementia, homelessness, and sexual contact. In this study, we wanted to evaluate the changed distribution of lesions of scabies during pandemic. METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed on 600 patients attending the skin department of our tertiary care hospital over a period of 6 months. The sites of the scabies lesions were noted along with types of lesions. Demographic data and history of regular hand washing and sanitization were also documented. RESULTS: Our study revealed an important correlation between change in pattern of distribution of scabies lesions from being less frequent on finger webs (19%) to being more frequent on abdomen (periumbilical area) (73%) and groins (67%) due to regular hand washing and frequent sanitization, in this pandemic era. CONCLUSIONS: A significant change in distribution of skin lesions in scabies can be noticed during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Study of X Ray Detection Using CNN in Machine Learning

The coronavirus spread that started in Wuhan, China and spread across the world, affecting the best of the healthcare systems from the Lombardy region of Italy to India, the US, and the UK, required accurate diagnosis. A rapid assessment to ascertain whether or not a patient has COVID-19 is required by frontline clinicians. In this paper, we propose to deduce the presence of COVID-19 using X-ray images of the lungs through feature extraction. A convolution network model is built for binary classification of images into corona positive and negative using the deep learning framework on Python, Keras. Various studies using different classifiers such as CART, XGB-L and XGB Tree were studied, which used machine learning for detection of COVID-19 and yielded a very accurate diagnosis. In this particular CNN model, Google Colab is used to execute the algorithm. The dataset is trained and the validation accuracy obtained is more than 96%. This is a very cost-effective way of using machine learning for the classification of infected and non-infected cases since working on Google Colab doesn't require enormous computational resources. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Subperiosteal inferior maxillectomy in mucormycosis patients: case series.

OBJECTIVE: Mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive and fulminant fungal infection mainly affecting the nose and paranasal sinuses and often requiring aggressive surgical debridement, which commonly includes inferior maxillectomy. Conventional inferior maxillectomy involves removal of the bony hard palate and its mucoperiosteum. This can lead to formation of an oroantral fistula and thereby increase the morbidity in these patients leading to prolonged rehabilitation. Subperiosteal inferior maxillectomy involves sparing of the uninvolved mucoperiosteum of the hard palate. This flap is used for closure of the oroantral fistula, which preserves the functional capabilities of the patient, such as speech, mastication and deglutination. METHOD: This case series describes the experience of using the technique of mucosa-preserving subperiosteal inferior maxillectomy in five patients with mucormycosis. RESULTS: With the technique used in this study, complete oronasal separation was achieved in all six patients. The overall surgery time was also decreased when compared with free tissue transfer. Patients also did not have to bear the weight of prosthesis. CONCLUSION: Mucoperiosteal palatal flap-preserving subperiosteal inferior maxillectomy is an excellent approach for all patients with mucormycosis and healthy palatal mucosa.

Olfactory and Taste Dysfunctions and Their Implications in Cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Single-institute Study of 58 Cases

Importance: There is a need to identify the implications of the loss of smell and taste in cases of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing isolated anosmia in adult population and whether there is a role of intranasal corticosteroids (INCs) in cases of olfactory dysfunctions (ODs). Design: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study of 416 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in a single institute. Setting: Dedicated COVID-19 facility. Participants: All patients had been tested for COVID-19 using a reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based test. Patients who were hospitalized were approached in person. All patients who were discharged were then contacted by telephone up to two times to complete the study. Patients who were not reachable with two telephone calls were excluded. Demographic characteristics of the participants—age, sex, and smoking history—were collected. A standardized questionnaire was given to participants. Result: Olfactory dysfunctions (ODs) was observed in 58 patients and isolated anosmia in 3.6% of patients;82.7% showed complete recovery of smell, and 6.9% had partial recovery following INCs. Conclusion: Patients reporting recent onset of anosmia should be considered positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection until proven otherwise by a screening polymerase chain reaction test. Also, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons in particular who see patients with new-onset anosmia during the COVID-19 pandemic must take safety measures to reduce the risk of exposure and infection of healthcare workers and recommend such patients for RT-PCR test. Females and young adults are more prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Early intervention by INCs could be beneficial in improving olfactory and taste dysfunctions (OTDs) and other post-viral neurological manifestations. It could be beneficial in improving the quality of life of elderly patients who are at a higher risk of permanent OTDs. Smokers are at a higher risk of OTDs, but this could be reversible after smoking cessation. There is a need to put SARS-CoV-2 as a differential diagnosis in cases of sudden isolated OTDs.

COVID associated mucormycosis: A preliminary study from a dedicated COVID Hospital in Delhi.

BACKGROUND: It is an incontrovertible fact that the Rhino Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) upsurge is being seen in the context of COVID-19 in India. Briefly presented is evidence that in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, a dysfunctional immune system due to SARS-COV-2 and injudicious use of corticosteroids may be largely responsible for this malady. OBJECTIVE: To find the possible impact of COVID 19 infection and various co-morbidities on occurrence of ROCM and demonstrate the outcome based on medical and surgical interventions. METHODOLOGY: Prospective longitudinal study included patients diagnosed with acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis after a recent COVID-19 infection. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE) was performed on each patient and swabs were taken and sent for fungal KOH staining and microscopy. Medical management included Injection Liposomal Amphotericin B, Posaconazole and Voriconazole. Surgical treatment was restricted to patients with RT PCR negative results for COVID-19. Endoscopic, open, and combined approaches were utilized to eradicate infection. Follow-up for survived patients was maintained regularly for the first postoperative month. RESULTS: Out of total 131 patients, 111 patients had prior history of SARS COVID 19 infection, confirmed with a positive RT-PCR report and the rest 20 patients had no such history. Steroids were received as a part of treatment in 67 patients infected with COVID 19. Among 131 patients, 124 recovered, 1 worsened and 6 died. Out of 101 known diabetics, 98 recovered and 3 had fatal outcomes. 7 patients with previous history of COVID infection did not have any evidence of Diabetes mellitus, steroid intake or any other comorbidity. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that ROCM upsurge seen in the context of COVID-19 in India was mainly seen in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, a dysfunctional immune system due to SARS-COV-2 infection and injudicious use of corticosteroids.

Epidemiological Studies on Outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome with Special Reference to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The corona virus disease (COVID-19) which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, is a major concern at present, with 11,635,939 cases and 539,026 deaths worldwide, as on 08 July 2020. The SARS CoV-2 infection had emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China and is likely to have originated from the zoonotic coronaviruses, WHO has initiated an investigation on the zoonotic source of disease, to ascertain how the disease jumped between animals and humans. Scientific community across the globe has been conducting research based on the knowledge from previous outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012, caused by other corona viruses, and other similar epidemics to speed up the scientific discoveries and implement solutions. There have been new revelations in this duration of six months in relation to its mode of transmission, efficacy of drugs, development of vaccines, methods of testing and the spread of disease. The research for potential therapeutics as well as combination therapies are under different stages of trials involving about 5500 patients in 39 countries, as on 01 July 2020. There is no panacea for the treatment of Coronavirus disease, and the current treatment plan is largely symptomatic, which is mostly a combination of classical and compassionate therapeutics. Considering the non-availability of specific therapeutics and vaccines for disease control, and with the increasing knowledge on the varying effects it generates post recovery, it is largely accepted that prevention is paramount. The present review paper aims at providing a comprehensive understanding on origin, transmission, testing, prevention, therapeutics, to provide a guideline for effective planning for controlling COVID-19 spread by suppressing transmission and preventing associated illness and death.