Correction to: A cross-cultural exploratory analysis of pandemic growth: The case of COVID-19.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1057/s41267-021-00455-w.].

A cross-cultural exploratory analysis of pandemic growth: The case of COVID-19.

Although the novel coronavirus that has resulted in more than 3 million deaths and 140 million cases of infection worldwide has wreaked havoc globally, some nations were more successful than others in curbing growth in their number of cases, thereby saving lives. In this research note, we integrate insights from cross-cultural research with inquiry in social psychology and public health literatures to advance a theoretically grounded and culturally derived explanation of cross-national variance in the growth rate of COVID-19. Our multi-level analyses, based on longitudinal time series data from 107 nations, and focused on the first 91 days of this pandemic in different nations, illustrate the direct and interactive effects of culture. Specifically, we find that individualism and uncertainty avoidance have a positive impact, while power distance and masculinity have a negative impact, on the growth rate of COVID-19 cases. Three-way interaction analyses between time, government stringency, and culture indicate that early government stringency attenuated pandemic growth, and this attenuation effect was more significant in collectivistic than in individualistic nations, and in high rather than low power distance nations. Our findings provide evidence that can enable policymakers and organizations to develop strategies that not only conform to science but that also consider the cultural orientation of nations.

Bien que le nouveau coronavirus qui a fait plus de trois millions de morts et 140 millions de cas d'infection dans le monde ait causé des ravages à l'échelle mondiale, certains pays ont réussi plus que d'autres à freiner la croissance de leur nombre de cas, sauvant ainsi des vies. Dans cette note de recherche, nous intégrons les éclairages apportés par la recherche interculturelle aux littératures de psychologie sociale et de santé publique afin d'élaborer une explication théoriquement ancrée et culturellement dérivée sur la variabilité transnationale du taux de croissance de la COVID-19. Nos analyses multi-niveaux, appuyées sur les données longitudinales, en séries temporelles, des 107 pays, et focalisées sur les 91 premiers jours de cette pandémie dans différents pays, démontrent les impacts interactifs et directs de la culture. Plus spécifiquement, nous observons que l'individualisme et le contrôle de l'incertitude exercent un impact positif sur le taux de croissance des cas COVID-19, tandis que la distance hiérarchique et la masculinité exercent un impact négatif sur celui-ci. Les analyses d'interaction à trois voies entre le temps, la rigueur gouvernementale et la culture indiquent que la rigueur gouvernementale précoce a atténué la croissance de la pandémie, et cet impact d'atténuation était plus important dans les pays collectivistes que dans les pays individualistes. De plus, cet impact d'atténuation était également plus marquant dans les pays à distance hiérarchique élevée que dans ceux à distance hiérarchique faible. Nos résultats apportent les éléments probants qui peuvent permettre aux responsables politiques et aux organisations de développer des stratégies, non seulement conformes à la science, mais également alignées à l'orientation culturelle des pays.

Pese a que el nuevo coronavirus que ha provocado más de tres millones de muertes y 140 millones casos de infección en todo el mundo ha causado estragos globalmente, algunas naciones fueron más exitosas que otras en reducir en crecimiento del número de casos, y por ende salvar vidas. En esta nota de investigación, integramos los conocimientos de la investigación transcultural con la literatura de estudios de psicología social y salud pública para avanzar en una explicación teoréticamente fundad y derivada culturalmente de la variación entre los países y la tasa de crecimiento del COVID-19. Nuestros análisis multinivel basados en datos de series de tiempo de 107 naciones, enfocados en los primeros 91 días de esta pandemia en diferentes naciones, ilustran los efectos interactivos directos e indirectos de la cultura. Especialmente, encontramos que el individualismo y la evitación de la incertidumbre tiene un efecto positivo, mientras que la distancia de poder y la masculinidad tienen un impacto negativo en la tasa de crecimiento de los casos de COVID-19. Los análisis de interacción de tres vías entre el tiempo, lo estricto del gobierno, y la cultural indican que la exigencia temprana de los gobiernos atenuó el crecimiento de la pandemia, y este efecto de atenuación fue más significativo en naciones colectivistas que en las individualistas, y en las naciones de alta distancia de poder en lugar de las de baja distancia. Nuestros hallazgos proporcionan evidencia que puede permitir a los tomadores de decisión y las organizaciones desarrollar estrategias que no solo se ajusten a la ciencia, sino que también tengan en cuenta la orientación cultural de las naciones.

Embora o novo coronavírus, que resultou em mais de três milhões de mortes e 140 milhões de casos de infecção em todo o mundo, tenha causado estragos em todo o mundo, algumas nações tiveram mais sucesso do que outras em conter o crescimento do número de casos, salvando vidas. Nesta nota de pesquisa, integramos percepções da pesquisa intercultural com investigação em psicologia social e literaturas de saúde pública para avançar uma explicação da variação transnacional na taxa de crescimento de COVID-19 fundamentada na teoria e derivada da cultura. Nossas análises multinível, baseadas em dados longitudinais de séries temporais de 107 nações, e focadas nos primeiros 91 dias desta pandemia em diferentes nações, ilustram os efeitos diretos e interativos da cultura. Especificamente, descobrimos que individualismo e evitação da incerteza têm um efeito positivo, enquanto distância do poder e a masculinidade têm um impacto negativo na taxa de crescimento dos casos COVID-19. Análises de interação de três vias entre tempo, rigor do governo e cultura indicam que o rigor do governo inicial atenuou o crescimento da pandemia, e esse efeito atenuante foi mais significativo em nações coletivistas do que individualistas, e em nações com altas distâncias ao invés de baixas distâncias. Nossas descobertas fornecem evidências que podem permitir que formuladores de políticas e organizações desenvolvam estratégias que não apenas estejam em conformidade com a ciência, mas que também considerem a orientação cultural das nações.

Pattern of bacterial flora in local genital skin and surgical wounds in children undergoing hypospadias repair: a preliminary study.

To evaluate the pattern of bacterial flora in children undergoing hypospadias repair, the following swabs were sent for 60 consecutive subjects: perimeatal swabs at admission and immediately before surgical scrub, and intraoperative and postoperative wound swabs (after the first change of operative dressing). A pure or predominant growth of organism that was not part of the local flora was labelled 'infection'. The peak incidence of infection (53%) was detected in swabs taken at admission. This decreased to 30% in immediately preoperative skin swabs, following local preparations. Coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus were the most commonly grown pathogens and were sensitive to cephalosporin and aminoglycoside. Proximity to the anus, poor personal hygiene in our study subjects (who were of low socioeconomic status) and the high temperature and humidity in our geographic region probably led to the high incidence of infection. The authors feel that the results of preoperative perimeatal swabs could help dictate antibiotic therapy in patients awaiting hypospadias repair.

Mercurochrome as an adjunct to local preoperative preparation in children undergoing hypospadias repair.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the local application of mercurochrome over genital skin before surgery, in addition to soap/water scrubs, can help to decrease the incidence of infection patients undergoing hypospadias repair, and thereby the incidence of fistula formation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 44 consecutive boys undergoing primary or repeat surgery for hypospadias between October 1999 and April 2000. They were arbitrarily divided into two groups; group 1 received a conventional local scrub with soap/water 48 h before surgery and group 2, a conventional local scrub with soap/water was followed by a local application of 2% mercurochrome for 48 h before surgery. Both groups were comparable in age, location of the meatus and stage of repair. All patients were exposed to similar conditions during and after surgery. Urine, skin and wound swabs taken before during and after surgery were assessed microbiologically, using standard precautions. The incidence of infection and complications was then compared. RESULTS: Mercurochrome significantly decreased local infection, especially before surgery, but its effect in decreasing fistula formation, although appreciable, was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The local application of mercurochrome after a soap/water scrub for at least 48 h before surgery is a simple, economic and effective means to decrease postoperative wound infection. Future studies are needed, keeping other determinants of fistula formation constant, to evaluate its role in decreasing fistula formation in patients undergoing hypospadias repair.

Association among duration of unconsciousness, Glasgow Coma Scale, and cranial computed tomography abnormalities in head-injured children.

The impact of head trauma leads to generation of forces that cause both the intracranial injuries and loss of consciousness. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and cranial CT scan are widely used to gauge the severity of head injury. Milder cranial impacts insufficient to cause intracranial injuries generally cause no or minimal loss of consciousness. Nevertheless, cases with contradictory findings are also seen. This study was undertaken to find out the association among the three above-stated variables. A knowledge of such an association can enable the attending clinician in prognosticating a cranial injury and selecting out those patients with mild head injuries who deserve closer observation. While a significant positive association was found between duration of unconsciousness and GCS, no signifficant association of either of these variables with CT scan findings was noted.

Lesser evaluated determinants of fistula formation in children with hypospadias.

Determinants of fistula formation, some of them not previously evaluated, were studied in 30 consecutive children admitted for hypospadias repair to our centre. All children were screened for any urinary or local infections. Vicryl and catgut were used alternately for reconstruction of the neo-urethra. Per urethral drainage was employed in all patients. The presence of unfavourable local anatomical factors, the surgeon's satisfaction at the end of the procedure and duration of surgery were noted. The patients were followed up for any urethrocutaneous fistula. Unsatisfactory surgery (chi-square = 6.53, p = 0.01), unfavourable anatomical factors (chi-square = 10.80, p = 0.001) and local infection (chi-square = 5.66, p = 0.017) had a strong association with fistula formation, whereas urine leakage and a history of previous surgery had only a marginal association. On application of stepwise binary logistic regression, unfavourable local anatomical factors (OR [95% CI]: 13.19 [1.20-143.50]) and urine leakage (OR [95% CI]: 14.35 [1.20-171.45]) emerge as strong risk factors for urethrocutaneous fistula, and local infection (OR [95% CI]: 8.70 (0.93-81.01]) as a moderate risk factor.

Laryngotracheo-esophageal cleft in a neonate with esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula: report of a case.

Laryngotracheo-esophageal cleft (LTEC) is a congenital anomaly, rarely found in neonates with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF), that poses diagnostic and treatment dilemmas for the attending surgeon. In most cases previously reported, the diagnosis of this association was made either at surgery or at autopsy. We present herein the case of a neonate with EA and distal pouch (type C) TEF who was also found to have a LTEC (Evans type III) at the time of surgery. The salient clinical and radiological features of this association are highlighted to increase awareness of the possibility of this rare association and to help promote its early detection.

Cystic duplication of the cecum with segmental dilatation of the ileum: report of a case.

Duplication cyst and segmental dilatation are rare congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract, both of which are known to result in intestinal obstruction. We describe herein a case of intestinal obstruction in a neonate, caused by a duplication cyst in the cecum. A small dilated segment of ileum was also present at the site where Meckel's diverticulum would be expected, which was not causing obstruction to the luminal contents. Although it is well known that either of these conditions may coexist with a number of congenital malformations, their concurrent occurrence has never been reported before.

Lipoblastoma of the neck.

Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis are benign tumours arising from embryonal fat cells. These rare tumours essentially occur in infancy and early childhood. The males are affected more than females often in the ratio of 3:1. These tumours usually arise in extremities. The involvement of neck is rare with only 10 cases reported so far in English literature. We herein report lipoblastoma of the neck in a 3 year old girl.

Activation of c-K-ras mutations in human gastrointestinal tumors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ras genes are the most frequently detected oncogenes in human malignancies. Data regarding the frequency of c-K-ras mutations in esophageal, gastric, and small bowel tumors are limited and controversial. METHODS: DNA was extracted from 262 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of gastrointestinal samples and tumors, including Barrett's esophagus, esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, and small and large bowel adenomas and adenocarcinomas. The presence of c-K-ras codon 12 mutations was determined using a nonradioactive polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. RESULTS: c-K-ras mutations were detected in 1 of 39 (2%) patients with Barrett's esophagus, 1 of 21 (5%) adenocarcinomas, 0 of 27 squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus, and 1 of 32 (3%) gastric adenocarcinomas. It was also present in 8 of 20 (40%) and 10 of 28 (36%) small bowel adenomas and adenocarcinomas, respectively. Similar numbers were observed in 10 of 25 (40%) large bowel adenomas and 11 of 30 adenocarcinomas (37%). Mutations were not associated with age, gender, histology, grade, stage, location, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of codon 12 c-K-ras mutations in small and large bowel tumors is approximately 10-fold higher than that of tumors in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

A controlled trial of choleretic and hepatoprotective actions of Livzon and dehydrocholic acid in a model of obstructive jaundice in albino rats.

The authors have tried to examine the hepatoprotective and cholerectic action of a new indigenised drug, Livzon (Hind Chemicals Ltd., Kanpur, India) and compared its action to Decholin (casella-Riedel Pharma GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany), a known hepatoprotective and choleretic agent. Albino rats were chosen as the experimental animals. Obstructive jaundice was created by ligating the common bile ducts after taking liver biopsies. The animals were divided into three groups: (i) Control group-no drug was given, (ii) Livzon trial group, (iii) Decholin group. The animals were reoperated, liver biopsies were taken and histologically examined. The study confirmed the hepatoprotective and choleretic actions of Livzon and Decholin. However, Decholin was more of a choleretic, the Livzon was more hepatoprotective.

Increased leucocyte adhesiveness/aggregation is a most useful indicator of disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The aim of the study was to determine the comparative usefulness of inflammatory markers, in evaluating disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Disease activity was assessed by the Mayo Clinic score for ulcerative colitis, and Harvey-Bradshaw score for Crohn's disease. Five hundred normal blood donors who had no underlying inflammatory condition served as controls. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet and white blood cell count, C reactive protein, and the leucocyte adhesiveness/aggregation test (LAAT) were determined in each patient. One hundred and twenty four patients with inflammatory bowel disease were tested while in remission and 128 in relapse. Their mean (SD) per cent of aggregated white blood cells in the peripheral blood was 8 (5) and 17 (10) respectively compared with controls 6 (4) (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the LAAT could effectively discriminate between various grades of disease activity, the values in patients with active disease being 13 (6)% in mild, 17 (10)% in moderate, and 26 (10)% in severe disease (p < 0.0001). Other acute phase reactants including the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the white blood cell count, the platelet count, neutrophil count, as well as, the C reactive protein concentration did not differentiate as well between the various groups. Using logistic regression analysis to differentiate between inflammatory bowel disease patients in remission or relapse, the LAAT was the single best indicator. The addition of any other test did not contribute to the discrimination. Among the different laboratory variables tested only the LAAT significantly discriminated between the five different subgroups of controls, remission and mild, moderate or severe disease activity.

Endoscopic decompression of acute colonic obstruction. Avoiding staged surgery.

Colostomy is the traditional treatment for acute obstruction of the sigmoid colon. This entails two or three surgical procedures in a high-risk group of patients. Presented is a nonsurgical approach used in three patients with acute colonic obstruction. Decompression of the bowel was achieved with a tube introduced proximal to the obstruction with the aid of a flexible sigmoidoscope. In a fourth patient, in whom the obstruction was next to the splenic flecture, the procedure failed. In all instances where decompression was successful, a one-stage procedure--primary resection and anastomosis--was performed.

Cholelithiasis in Dubin-Johnson syndrome.

Only one instance of Dubin-Johnson syndrome associated with cholelithiasis has been reported. We present one additional patient, a 30 year old man with Dubin-Johnson syndrome in whom pancreatitis and cholecystitis, secondary to cholesterol gallstones, developed. A possible cause for the lithogenicity of the bile in the Dubin-Johnson syndrome is considered.