Exploring the mediating role of financial inclusion in the relationship between economic policy uncertainty and CO2 emissions: A global perspective.

This study examines the connection between economic policy uncertainty (EPU), CO2 emissions, and financial inclusion in developed and developing countries. Using the data from 2004 to 2021, advanced statistical techniques are employed, including Sobel test, to explore the mediating effect of financial inclusion on the relationship between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and CO2 emissions. There is a dearth of research examining these three variables together in a single study. Similarly, using financial inclusion as a mediator in the relation of EPU and CO2 emissions is a novel concept. This article employs a multi-indicator approach to measure key variables like CO2 emissions and financial inclusion. The results indicate that uncertainties in economic policies contribute in practices that lead to higher CO2 emissions in overall panel data of 44 countries. In addition, when considering the relationship between EPU and FI, the results indicate a significant and negative relationship between EPU and FI. If there is uncertainty in economic policies, it may lead toward challenges and hurdles in financial inclusion. When the mediating affect was checked, it was found financial inclusion acts as a significant mediator in the relationship between EPU and CO2 emissions, depicting that financial inclusion fosters the environmental quality and mitigates the potential harmful effects of environmental aspects of economic policy uncertainty. Therefore, policies that promote financial inclusion should be given top priority by governments, particularly in emerging nations. Financial literacy and bank service accessibility should be promoted. These measures would lessen the impact of staggering economic policies on CO2 emissions. It is necessary for policymakers to include environmental factors, specifically those relating to carbon emissions, into economic strategies. This requires encouraging industries to adopt eco-friendly practices and coordinating economic strategies with sustainability objectives.

Solitary Retroperitoneal Neurofibroma Associated With Deep Vein Thrombosis in a 40-Year-Old Male.

A neurofibroma is a benign, non-encapsulated neoplasm of the peripheral nerve sheath. These tumors are a notorious manifestation of the autosomal dominant condition known as neurofibromatosis type 1, where they present as multiple, cutaneous masses with high malignant potential. On the contrary, benign solitary retroperitoneal neurofibromas (SRN) occur without any associated conditions and have rarely been documented. Our case is of a 40-year-old male who presented with a three-month history of painful calf swelling, refractory to over-the-counter painkillers which was later diagnosed as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A computed tomography (CT) angiogram was done which revealed a mass in the retroperitoneum impinging on the inferior vena cava (IVC). Approximately one month later, the whole mass was surgically excised and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a neurofibroma. This case presentation proved to be novel as it highlights the evaluation and management of a rare SRN which resulted in extensive DVT.

Unilateral Diaphragmatic Paralysis in a Patient With COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is best known for causing febrile pneumonia with lung parenchymal involvement. However, that is often not the only disease presentation, as many studies have shown that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with other complications involving the cardiovascular and neurologic systems. Here, we report a case of COVID-19 pneumonia presenting with a peculiar finding of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. The patient presented with dyspnea requiring oxygen support via a nasal cannula. He was managed with the hospital's COVID-19 treatment protocols and clinically improved within 14 days of admission. This case helps shine some light on the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2.

Rare Case of Osteochondroma on the Dorsal Aspect of the Scapula.

Osteochondroma, often referred to as exostosis, is the most common benign bone tumor characterized by a bony protuberance surrounded by a cartilaginous surface. Most osteochondromas are found on the metaphysis of long bones, with the dorsal aspect of the scapula being a rare site of occurrence for an exostosis. Radiographic imaging, preferably through MRI or CT, assists in the identification of benign growth; however, a definitive diagnosis requires a biopsy. Open surgical resection and arthroscopic excision are the definitive treatment modalities of the nidus. Postoperative care requires immobilization of the limb for two months, with at least four months being the appropriate timeline for complete recovery.

Genetic reprogramming of cord blood derived endothelial colony forming cells towards human induced pluripotent stem cells using episomal plasmids.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to isolate human umbilical cord blood derived endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) followed by their integration free reprogramming towards induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and molecular characterization of both cell types using multicolour flowcytometery and immunofluorescence respectively. METHODS: The cord blood was collected from 37-39 weeks of gestational ages after C-section ex-utero from Dow University Hospital. The ECFCs isolated after ficoll based separation of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs) which on emergence characterized through flow cytometry and reprogrammed towards induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using episomal vectors, the iPSCs were characterized using immunofluorescence. The study was conducted at Stem Cells and Regenerative lab, Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow University of health sciences OJHA campus. The study time duration was about one year (October 2017-October 2018); study design was in vitro experimental. The sample size of the study was n=3. RESULTS: The isolated ECFCs were evaluated using flowcytometery which showed positive expression for CD31, CD34, CD146 cell surface markers and negative for CD90. The successful reprogramming of ECFCs towards iPSCs was confirmed by immunofluorescence using OCT-4 which is considered to be a master regulator of pluripotency. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge this study was the first attempt to integration free reprogramming of cord blood derived endothelial colony forming cells towards induced pluripotent stem using episomal plasmids. Cells that have been isolated from cord blood and those that have been reprogrammed both have potential therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine.

Machine learning research towards combating COVID-19: Virus detection, spread prevention, and medical assistance.

COVID-19 was first discovered in December 2019 and has continued to rapidly spread across countries worldwide infecting thousands and millions of people. The virus is deadly, and people who are suffering from prior illnesses or are older than the age of 60 are at a higher risk of mortality. Medicine and Healthcare industries have surged towards finding a cure, and different policies have been amended to mitigate the spread of the virus. While Machine Learning (ML) methods have been widely used in other domains, there is now a high demand for ML-aided diagnosis systems for screening, tracking, predicting the spread of COVID-19 and finding a cure against it. In this paper, we present a journey of what role ML has played so far in combating the virus, mainly looking at it from a screening, forecasting, and vaccine perspective. We present a comprehensive survey of the ML algorithms and models that can be used on this expedition and aid with battling the virus.

Benchtop-fabricated lipid-based electrochemical sensing platform for the detection of membrane disrupting agents.

There are increasing concerns about the danger that water-borne pathogens and pollutants pose to the public. Of particular importance are those that disrupt the plasma membrane, since loss of membrane integrity can lead to cell death. Currently, quantitative assays to detect membrane-disrupting (lytic) agents are done offsite, leading to long turnaround times and high costs, while existing colorimetric point-of-need solutions often sacrifice sensitivity. Thus, portable and highly sensitive solutions are needed to detect lytic agents for health and environmental monitoring. Here, a lipid-based electrochemical sensing platform is introduced to rapidly detect membrane-disrupting agents. The platform combines benchtop fabricated microstructured electrodes (MSEs) with lipid membranes. The sensing mechanism of the lipid-based platform relies on stacked lipid membranes serving as passivating layers that when disrupted generate electrochemical signals proportional to the membrane damage. The MSE topography, membrane casting and annealing conditions were optimized to yield the most reproducible and sensitive devices. We used the sensors to detect membrane-disrupting agents sodium dodecyl sulfate and Polymyxin-B within minutes and with limits of detection in the ppm regime. This study introduces a platform with potential for the integration of complex membranes on MSEs towards the goal of developing Membrane-on-Chip sensing devices.