Social Distancing, Vaccination and Evolution of COVID-19 Transmission Rates in Europe

This paper provides estimates of COVID-19 transmission rates and explains their evolution for selected European countries since the start of the pandemic taking account of changes in voluntary and government mandated social distancing, incentives to comply, vaccination and the emergence of new variants. Evidence based on panel data modeling indicates that the diversity of outcomes that we document may have resulted from the nonlinear interaction of mandated and voluntary social distancing and the economic incentives that governments provided to support isolation. The importance of these factors declined over time, with vaccine uptake driving heterogeneity in country experiences in 2021. Our approach also allows us to identify the basic reproduction number, R0, which is precisely estimated around 5, which is much larger than the values in the range of 2.4–3.9 assumed in the extant literature.

Investigating financialization perspective of oil prices, green bonds, and stock market movement in COVID-19: empirical study of E7 economies.

The drastic influence of the COVID-19 crisis halted almost every industry and economy and made the quality of doing business in the oil industry and stock markets large. Also, COVID-19 diminished financial and economic performance to a greater extent. This issue still warrants modern solutions. Thus, preceding research inquired about the financialization perspective of oil prices, green bonds, and stock market movement in the COVID-19 crisis. For this, E7 economies' data is selected to analyze the empirical findings of the research. The findings revealed that the green bonds have a weak link to crude oil, a weak correlation to stocks in the E7 settings, and a strong correlation to gold prices. While stock market return is also little correlated in COVID-19, stock volatility is highly significant in both directions with oil prices and green bonds movement. The hedging ratio has also shown a significant connection with oil prices and green bonds movement in determining the financialization of E7 economies. Hence, the study directs the implications for important industrial planning and policymaking decisions.

Does financial inclusion index and energy performance index co-move?

Financing strategies and energy performance have been extensively studied previously, and researchers frequently overlook the co-movements of integration of financial inclusion and energy performance index in the E7 Context. To address this gap, current research estimates the co-movement between the financial inclusion index and sustainable energy performance index to reflect the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. Our findings show that in E7 economies, China exceeds the other nations in terms of energy performance. With a steady score, Russia is second in the group. Indonesia and Turkey are respectively fourth and fifth, and their total results show excellent prospective performances for sustainability. Mexico and Brazil follow this ranking with bad results and the lowest scores reported in the study results. The study findings are helpful for policy formulation and assessment. The study presented recommendations about financial inclusion and energy management practices in COVID-19 and delivered insights about the energy performance index in E7 economies. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

The Phytochemical α-Mangostin Inhibits Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation and Tumor Growth by Downregulating E6/E7-HPV Oncogenes and KCNH1 Gene Expression.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The main factor associated with the onset and progression of this neoplasia is the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The HPV-oncogenes E6 and E7 are critical drivers of cellular transformation, promoting the expression of oncogenes such as KCNH1. The phytochemical α-mangostin (AM) is a potent antineoplastic and antiviral compound. However, its effects on HPV oncogenes and KCNH1 gene expression remain unknown. This study evaluated the effects of AM on cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution and gene expression, including its effects on tumor growth in xenografted mice. AM inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, being the most sensitive cell lines those with the highest number of HPV16 copies. In addition, AM promoted G1-cell cycle arrest in CaSki cells, while led to cell death in SiHa and HeLa cells. Of interest was the finding of an AM-dependent decreased gene expression of E6, E7 and KCNH1 both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the modulation of cytokine expression, Ki-67, and tumor growth inhibition. On these bases, we suggest that AM represents a good option as an adjuvant for the treatment and prevention of cervical cancer.

Sovereign bonds and flight to safety: Implications of the COVID-19 crisis for sovereign debt markets in the G-7 and E-7 economies

This study investigates the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for sovereign debt in the G-7 and E-7 economies and explores the notion of sovereign bonds as a safe haven. Using a set of panel regression and dynamic connectedness TVP-VAR approaches, our results reveal that the impact of COVID-19 global case numbers on sovereign bonds has been contingent on the level of the country's financial and economic development. More precisely, our findings suggest that G-7 countries, where economic development is typically higher, have seen a negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sovereign bond yield: sovereign 10-year bond yields declined as the number of COVID-19 global confirmed cases increased in G-7 countries. However, in E-7 countries, where economic growth and development are typically lower, sovereign bond yields responded positively to the initial increase in COVID-19 global confirmed case numbers, but this positive effect is not statistically significant. We also find that the G-7 and E-7 economies have a strong time-varying connectedness in relation to their bond markets and this effect is more pronounced in G-7 economies. Daily Infectious Disease Equity Market Volatility is likely to be the strongest predictor of total connectedness. Concomitantly, we shed new light on the predictive power of the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths, and the Daily Infectious Disease Equity Market Volatility Tracker on the interdependence of these sovereign bond markets. Overall, this paper highlights the heterogeneous effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sovereign bond yields in G-7 and E-7 countries and the notion that the developed economies, with their developed sovereign bond markets, are still seen as a safe haven during times of crisis. © 2023 The Authors

DNA virus oncoprotein HPV18 E7 selectively antagonizes cGAS-STING-triggered innate immune activation.

Cellular infections by DNA viruses trigger innate immune responses mediated by DNA sensors. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon gene (STING) signaling pathway has been identified as a DNA-sensing pathway that activates interferons in response to viral infection and, thus, mediates host defense against viruses. Previous studies have identified oncogenes E7 and E1A of the DNA tumor viruses, human papillomavirus 18 (HPV18) and adenovirus, respectively, as inhibitors of the cGAS-STING pathway. However, the function of STING in infected cells and the mechanism by which HPV18 E7 antagonizes STING-induced Interferon beta production remain unknown. We report that HPV18 E7 selectively antagonizes STING-triggered nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation but not IRF3 activation. HPV18 E7 binds to STING in a region critical for NF-κB activation and blocks the nuclear accumulation of p65. Moreover, E7 inhibition of STING-triggered NF-κB activation is related to HPV pathogenicity but not E7-Rb binding. HPV18 E7, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 open reading frame 3a, human immunodeficiency virus-2 viral protein X, and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus KSHV viral interferon regulatory factor 1 selectively inhibited STING-triggered NF-κB or IRF3 activation, suggesting a convergent evolution among these viruses toward antagonizing host innate immunity. Collectively, selective suppression of the cGAS-STING pathway by viral proteins is likely to be a key pathogenic determinant, making it a promising target for treating oncogenic virus-induced tumor diseases.

Does financial inclusion index and energy performance index co-move?

Financing strategies and energy performance have been extensively studied previously, and researchers frequently overlook the co-movements of integration of financial inclusion and energy performance index in the E7 Context. To address this gap, current research estimates the co-movement between the financial inclusion index and sustainable energy performance index to reflect the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. Our findings show that in E7 economies, China exceeds the other nations in terms of energy performance. With a steady score, Russia is second in the group. Indonesia and Turkey are respectively fourth and fifth, and their total results show excellent prospective performances for sustainability. Mexico and Brazil follow this ranking with bad results and the lowest scores reported in the study results. The study findings are helpful for policy formulation and assessment. The study presented recommendations about financial inclusion and energy management practices in COVID-19 and delivered insights about the energy performance index in E7 economies.

Sovereign bonds and flight to safety: Implications of the COVID-19 crisis for sovereign debt markets in the G-7 and E-7 economies

This study investigates the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for sovereign debt in the G-7 and E-7 economies and explores the notion of sovereign bonds as a safe haven. Using a set of panel regression and dynamic connectedness TVP-VAR approaches, our results reveal that the impact of COVID-19 global case numbers on sovereign bonds has been contingent on the level of the country's financial and economic development. More precisely, our findings suggest that G-7 countries, where economic development is typically higher, have seen a negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sovereign bond yield: sovereign 10-year bond yields declined as the number of COVID-19 global confirmed cases increased in G-7 countries. However, in E-7 countries, where economic growth and development are typically lower, sovereign bond yields responded positively to the initial increase in COVID-19 global confirmed case numbers, but this positive effect is not statistically significant. We also find that the G-7 and E-7 economies have a strong time-varying connectedness in relation to their bond markets and this effect is more pronounced in G-7 economies. Daily Infectious Disease Equity Market Volatility is likely to be the strongest predictor of total connectedness. Concomitantly, we shed new light on the predictive power of the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths, and the Daily Infectious Disease Equity Market Volatility Tracker on the interdependence of these sovereign bond markets. Overall, this paper highlights the heterogeneous effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sovereign bond yields in G-7 and E-7 countries and the notion that the developed economies, with their developed sovereign bond markets, are still seen as a safe haven during times of crisis.

Pandemic knowledge and regulation effectiveness: Evidence from COVID-19.

The spread of COVID-19 led countries around the world to adopt lockdown measures of varying stringency, with the purpose of restricting the movement of people. However, the effectiveness of these measures on mobility has been markedly different. Employing a difference-in-differences design, we analyse the effectiveness of movement restrictions across different countries. We disentangle the role of regulation (stringency measures) from the role of people's knowledge about the spread of COVID-19. We proxy COVID-19 knowledge by using Google Trends data on the term "Covid". We find that lockdown measures have a higher impact on mobility the more people learn about COVID-19. This finding is driven by countries with low levels of trust in institutions and low levels of education.

Impact of Green financing, FinTech, and financial inclusion on energy efficiency.

In modern times, enhancing energy efficiency is one of the core agenda items for the economies to progress the world. United Nations general assembly has recommended increasing energy efficiency by considering the SDG-7 guidelines. In the contemporary period, E7 economies are deficient in producing the financial resources to ensure the availability of funds for the acquisition of energy efficiency. COVID-19 crises, lack of resilience in economies, devastating fiscal burdens, and tight monetary conditions of E7 economies are the major barriers. To resolve such issues, some innovative financing techniques, such as green financing, financial inclusion, and FinTech, were suggested to investigate. However, this research tested the empirical role of financial inclusion, green financing, and FinTech on the energy efficiency of E7 economies. Study findings have shown a significant role of such financing techniques on energy efficiency. Comparatively, green financing is found most fitting and highly supportive financing tool for energy efficiency among the three. The differences in attributes, financing mechanism, funds flow system, transection systems, and variation in support by the financial institution are the main reasons that lessen the role of financial inclusion and FinTech for energy efficiency. However, theorists must revisit the transaction system of FinTech and financial inclusion parameters like green bonds for energy efficiency attainment. Policymakers are suggested to develop viable and energy system-friendly policies to grant green finance to the energy systems of E7 economies, as conveniently as possible.

Urine HPV in the Context of Genital and Cervical Cancer Screening-An Update of Current Literature.

Within the previous decades, following the widespread implementation of HPV-related biomarkers and computerization in liquid-based cytology, screening for lower genital tract malignancies has been optimized in several parts of the world. Many organized anogenital cancer prevention systems have reached a point at which efficacy is more a matter of population coverage and less of available infrastructures. Meanwhile, self-sampling modalities in which biologic material (vaginal secretions, urine, etc.) is obtained by the individual and not the clinician and subsequently undergoes examination for HPV biomarkers enjoy appreciating acceptance. Bygone the initial skepticism that vaginal or urine HPV represents "passenger" transient infections, extensive scientific work has been conducted to optimize high-risk HPV (hrHPV) detection from this "novel" biologic material. Nowadays, several state-of-the-art meta-analyses have illustrated that self-sampling techniques involving urine self-sampling represent a feasible alternative strategy with potentially enhanced population coverage possessing excellent performance and sensitivity. Recently published scientific work focusing on urine HPV was reviewed, and after a critical appraisal, the following points should be considered in the clinical application of hrHPV urine measurements; (i) use of first-void urine (FVU) and purpose-designed collection devices; (ii) using a preservation medium to avoid human/HPV DNA degradation during extraction and storage; (iii) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assays, ideally with genotyping capabilities; (iv) processing of a sufficient volume of whole urine; and (v) the use of an analytically sensitive HPV test/recovery of cell-free HPV DNA in addition to cell-associated DNA.

Asymmetric effect of COVID-19 pandemic on E7 stock indices: Evidence from quantile-on-quantile regression approach.

Various studies have been conducted to examine the effect of COVID-19 on stock prices. However, these studies failed to examine the effect across quantile distributions of both dependent and independent variables. This study pays particular attention to the emerging 7 countries and examines the effect of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on stock prices. We use quantile unit root and quantile cointegration tests to examine the integrating properties of COVID-19 cases and deaths with stock prices and use quantile-on-quantile regression (QQR) to examine the relationship across quantile distributions of both dependent and independent variables. Quantile cointegration estimates indicate that stock prices are integrated with COVID-19 cases whereas QQR estimates indicate a weak positive relationship at the upper quantiles of stock prices, and a strong negative effect is found at the lower quantiles of stock prices. Policy implications are recommended based on the findings of this study.