ABSTRACT
COVID-19 continues to exact a substantial toll on health. While mortality and morbidity associated with the pandemic are the most obvious impacts, social and economic disruptions are becoming apparent. There is reason to believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed or reversed gains in clean household energy use in rural India. Here we describe phone surveys deployed repeatedly in Jharkhand and Bihar to describe pandemic-related changes in household socio-economic conditions and energy-use patterns. Over three-quarters of households reported hardships during the pandemic, including loss of employment and an inability to search for jobs. In turn, some of these households relied more on polluting fuels. Despite nearly all households preferring gas and electricity, we observed varied behaviours related to the cost of and access to these modern energy sources. We highlight the success of India's three-free-cylinders scheme, with 90% of households aware of the programme and utilizing at least one free cylinder. These findings illustrate the utility of high-frequency energy-related questionnaires and suggest that interventions to improve clean fuel accessibility and affordability can increase the resilience of transitions to clean household energy. © 2023, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Inflammatory markers have been used as predictors of adverse outcomes in adults with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. Children mostly have mild infections and raised inflammatory markers have been reported only with severe COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Disorder (MIS-C). Studies in children showing the role of inflammatory markers in disease prognosis are few, and findings are not conclusive. Aim(s): To find out correlation, if any, between the inflammatory markers {Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive Protein (CRP), procalcitonin, Pro-B-type natriuretic Peptide (Pro-BNP), ferritin, D-dimer} with clinical presentation, prognosis, and outcome in children with acute COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): The prospective, observational study was conducted at a tertiary care COVID-19 Paediatric Intensive Care Unit {PICU (Vardhaman Medical College and Hospital, New Delhi)}, Northern India, between September 2020 and December 2020. All children aged less than 12 years, with a positive COVID-19 report were enrolled and investigated. Data was collected for clinical presentation, severity, treatment and outcome. The following variables were recorded: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Kidney Function Test (KFT) and Liver function Test (LFT), Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC), Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC), Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Count (PLT), C-reactive Protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PCT), serum ferritin, Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), fibrinogen, and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and ProBNP. Coagulation parameters like Prothrombin Time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), International Normalised Ration (INR), D-dimer were taken. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0. Result(s): A total of 35 children were admitted during the study period. Seventeen children met the criteria for severe disease. Seven children met the criteria for MIS-C. Children presenting with conjunctivitis (n=3) were more likely to have signs of peripheral inflammation hypotension (n=4), tachycardia (n=6), and raised IL-6 levels (pg/mL) as well as the need for inotropic support. IL-6 values were higher in children (Mean+/-SD= 182.47+/-149.83). Median IL-6 value 199.8 (96.17-275.24) was highest in children with CRP <10 mg/dL (p-value<0.01). Children with raised D-dimer (Mean+/-SD=1881.94+/-1265.66 mg/dL) had a longer duration of stay (p-value=0.031). conclusion: The study didn't find any correlation between inflammatory markers with clinical presentation and the outcome of COVID-19 infection in children. Copyright © 2023 Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The fraud landscape for FinTech industry has increased over the past few years, certainly during the time of COVID-19, FinTech market reported rapid growth in the fraud cases (World Bank, 2020). Taking the consideration, the paper has qualitatively understood the loopholes of the FinTech industry and designed a conceptual model declaring “Identity Theft” as the major and the common fraud type in this industry. The paper is divided in two phases. The first phase discusses about the evolution of FinTech industry, the second phase discusses “Identity Theft” as the common fraud type in FinTech Industry and suggests solutions to prevent “Identity Theft” frauds. This study aims to serve as a guide for subsequent investigations into the FinTech sector and add to the body of knowledge regarding fraud detection and prevention. This study would also help organisations and regulators raise their professional standards in relation to the global fraud scene. Design/methodology/approach: This paper revisits the literature to understand the evolution of FinTech Industry and the types of FinTech solutions. The authors argue that traditional models must be modernised to keep up with the current trends in the rapidly increasing number and severity of fraud incidents and however introduces the conceptual model of the common fraud type in FinTech Industry. The research also develops evidences based on theoretical underpinnings to enhance the comprehension of the key fraud-causing elements. Findings: The authors have identified the most common fraud type in the FinTech Industry which is “Identity Theft” and supports the study with profusion of literature. “Identity theft” and various types of fraud continue to outbreak customers and industries similar in 2021, leaving several to wonder what could be the scenario in 2022 and coming years ahead (IBS Inteligence, 2022). “Identify theft” has been identified as one the common fraud schemes to defraud individuals as per the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. There is a need for many of the FinTech organisations to create preventive measures to combat such fraud scheme. The authors suggest some preventive techniques to prevent corporate frauds in the FinTech industry. Research limitations/implications: This study identifies the evolution of FinTech industry, major evidences of Identity Thefts and some preventive suggestions to combat identity theft frauds which requires practical approach in FinTech Industry. Further, this study is based out of qualitative data, the study can be modified with statistical data and can be measured with the quantitative results. Practical implications: This study would also help organisations and regulators raise their professional standards in relation to the global fraud scene. Social implications: This study will serve as a guide for subsequent investigations into the FinTech sector and add to the body of knowledge regarding fraud detection and prevention. Originality/value: This study presents evidence for the most prevalent fraud scheme in the FinTech sector and proposes that it serve as a theoretical standard for all ensuing comparison. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cellular entry point for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)-the cause of COVID-19 disease. However, the effect of RAS-inhibition on ACE2 expression in human tissues of key relevance to blood pressure regulation and COVID-19 infection has not previously been reported Design and method: We examined how hypertension, its major metabolic cophenotypes and antihypertensive medications relate to ACE2 renal expression using information from up to 436 patients whose kidney transcriptomes were characterised by RNA-sequencing. We further validated some of the key observations in other human tissues and/or a controlled experimental model Results: Our data reveal increasing expression of ACE2 with age in both human lungs and the kidney. We show no association between renal expression of ACE2 and either hypertension or common types of RAS inhibiting drugs. We demonstrate that renal abundance of ACE2 is positively associated with a biochemical index of kidney function and show a strong enrichment for genes responsible for kidney health and disease in ACE2 co-expression analysis Conclusions: Our results indicate that neither hypertension nor antihypertensive treatment are likely to alter the expression of the key entry receptor for SARSCoV-2 in the human kidney. Our data further suggest that in the absence of SARSCoV-2 infection, kidney ACE2 is most likely nephro-protective but the age-related increase in its expression within lungs and kidneys may be relevant to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.