scholarly journals The respiratory microbiome and nontuberculous mycobacteria: an emerging concern in human health

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (160) ◽  
pp. 200299
Author(s):  
Christina S. Thornton ◽  
Madeline Mellett ◽  
Julie Jarand ◽  
Leila Barss ◽  
Stephen K. Field ◽  
...  

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are diverse microbial species encompassing commensals and pathogens with the ability to cause pulmonary disease in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. In contrast to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which has seen a reduction in disease rates in developed countries, the incidence and prevalence of NTM disease is increasing. NTM are difficult to treat with standard antimicrobial regimens and may contain both virulence and antibiotic-resistance genes with potential for pathogenicity. With the advent of molecular techniques, it has been elucidated that these organisms do not reside in isolation and are rather part of a complex milieu of microorganisms within the host lung microbiome. Over the last decade, studies have highlighted the impact of the microbiome on host immunity, metabolism and cell–cell communication. This recognition of a broader community raises the possibility that the microbiome may disrupt the balance between infection and disease. Additionally, NTM disease progression and antimicrobial therapy may affect the healthy steady state of the host and function of the microbiome, contributing to further dysbiosis and clinical deterioration. There have been limited studies assessing how NTM may influence the relationship between microbiome and host. In this review, we highlight available studies about NTM and the microbiome, postulate on virulence mechanisms by which these microorganisms communicate and discuss implications for treatment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-248
Author(s):  
Manogna R.L. ◽  
Aswini Kumar Mishra

Purpose The study aims to analyze the impact of Research & Development (R&D) intensity on the firm’s performance, measured by growth of sales in the emerging market like India. Innovation strategy and its outcomes for firms may be different in developing countries as compared to developed countries. Thus, a study that focuses on the emerging economy like India, with a majority of the population dependent on agriculture, is of prime importance to the firm performance in the food and agricultural manufacturing industry. For this study, the broader focus will be on one widely recognised factor which may influence the growth rate of firms, i.e. investment in innovations which is in terms of R&D expenditure. Design/methodology/approach The paper investigates the relationship between the R&D efforts and growth of firms in the Indian food and agricultural manufacturing industry during 2001–2019. To empirically test the relationship between firm’s growth (FG) and R&D investments, system generalised method of moments technique has been used, hence enabling to avoid problems related to endogeneity and simultaneity. Findings The findings reveal that investments in innovations have a positive effect on the growth of firms in the Indian food and agricultural manufacturing industry. Investment in R&D also enables the firms to reap benefits from externalities present in the industry. Further analysis reveals that younger firms grow faster when they invest in R&D. More specifically, this paper finds evidence in the case of the food and agricultural industry that import of raw materials negatively affects the FG and export intensity positively affects the growth in the case of R&D firms. Research limitations/implications This study suggests that the government should encourage the industries to invest optimally in R&D projects by providing favourable fiscal treatments and R&D subsidies which are observed to have positive effects in various developed countries. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, the current paper is the first to analyse the impact of innovation in food and agricultural industry on firm’s performance in an emerging economy context with the latest data. This paper agrees that a government initiative to increase private R&D expenditure would have favourable effects on FG as growing investments in R&D lead to further growth of the firms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-335
Author(s):  
Abubakr Saeed ◽  
Yuhua Ding ◽  
Shawkat Hammoudeh ◽  
Ishtiaq Ahmad

This study examines the relationship between terrorism and economic openness that takes into account both the number and intensity of terrorist incidents and the impact of government military expenditures on trade-GDP and foreign direct investment-GDP ratios for both developed and developing countries. It uses the dynamic GMM method to account for endogeneity in the variables. Deaths caused by terrorism have a significant negative impact on FDI flows, and the number of terrorist attacks is also found to be significant in hampering the countries’ ability to trade with other nations. The study also demonstrates that the developing countries exhibit almost similar results to our main analysis. The developed countries exhibit a negative impact of terrorism, but the regression results are not significant.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANGHAMITRA CHOUDHURY ◽  
Shailendra Kumar

<p>The relationship between women, technology manifestation, and likely prospects in the developing world is discussed in this manuscript. Using India as a case study, the paper goes on to discuss how ontology and epistemology views utilised in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and robotics will affect women's prospects in developing countries. Women in developing countries, notably in South Asia, are perceived as doing domestic work and are underrepresented in high-level professions. They are disproportionately underemployed and face prejudice in the workplace. The purpose of this study is to determine if the introduction of AI would exacerbate the already precarious situation of women in the developing world or if it would serve as a liberating force. While studies on the impact of AI on women have been undertaken in developed countries, there has been less research in developing countries. This manuscript attempts to fill that need.</p>


Perichoresis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-97
Author(s):  
Laura Verner

Abstract An integral method of keeping a non-conforming community functioning is the construction and up keep of networks, as this web of connections provided security and protection with other non-conformists against the persecuting authorities. The non-conforming Catholic community of Elizabethan England (1558-1603) established various networks within England and abroad. This article is based on research that examines the network of Catholics in the Elizabethan Midlands in order to understand both its effectiveness and the relationship of the local and extended Catholic community with one another. The construction, function and result of these networks will be surveyed over several categories of networks, such as local, underground, clerical and exile. Members of the Midland Catholic community travelled to others areas of the British Isles and Europe to gather spiritual and material support for their faith, sent their children abroad for religious education, and resettled abroad creating in this wake a larger and complex international network. The main objective of this exercise is to show the dynamic and function of the network, and understand the impact it had at the local level for Midland Catholics.


Author(s):  
George Ditsa ◽  
Saleh Alwahaishi ◽  
Shayma Al-Kobaisi ◽  
Václav Snášel

Culture is thought to be the most difficult to isolate, define, and measure in the adoption and use of IT (Information Technology) (Hassan & Ditsa, 1999). Consequently, the impact of culture on the adoption and use of IT does not feature prominently in Information Systems (IS) literature. As cultural factors are important to the success of IT adoption and use, this research paper examines culture’s impact on the adoption and use of IT in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The results of the study were compared along eight cultural dimensions with a study on the adoption and use of IT in developing and developed countries. The results are also used to identify issues that concern the relationship of culture and IT and their implications for IT adoption and use in the UAE. The study results are further used to suggest ways of bridging the digital divide between the UAE and developed countries.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 12-24
Author(s):  
George Ditsa ◽  
Saleh Alwahaishi ◽  
Shayma Alkobaisi ◽  
Václav Snášel

Culture is thought to be the most difficult to isolate, define, and measure in the adoption and use of IT (Information Technology) (Hassan &amp; Ditsa, 1999). Consequently, the impact of culture on the adoption and use of IT does not feature prominently in Information Systems (IS) literature. As cultural factors are important to the success of IT adoption and use, this research paper examines culture’s impact on the adoption and use of IT in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The results of the study were compared along eight cultural dimensions with a study on the adoption and use of IT in developing and developed countries. The results are also used to identify issues that concern the relationship of culture and IT and their implications for IT adoption and use in the UAE. The study results are further used to suggest ways of bridging the digital divide between the UAE and developed countries.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Begley ◽  
Ellen Paynter ◽  
Lucy Butcher ◽  
Satvinder Dhaliwal

Poor food literacy behaviours may contribute to food insecurity in developed countries. The aim of this research was to describe the apparent prevalence of food insecurity in adults at enrolment in a food literacy program and to examine the relationship between food insecurity and a range of independent variables. Individuals attending the Food Sensations® for Adults program in Western Australia from May 2016 to April 2018 completed a pre-program questionnaire (n = 1433) indicating if they had run out of money for food in the past month (food insecurity indicator), frequency of food literacy behaviours, selected dietary behaviours, and demographic characteristics. The level of food insecurity reported by participants (n = 1379) was 40.5%. Results from multiple logistic regression demonstrated that behaviours related to planning and management, shopping, preparation, and cooking were all statistically independently associated with food insecurity, in addition to soft/soda drink consumption, education, employment status, and being born in Australia. The results are salient as they indicate an association between food literacy and food insecurity. The implications are that food insecure participants may respond differently to food literacy programs. It may be necessary to screen people enrolling in programs, tailor program content, and include comprehensive measures in evaluation to determine effect on the impact of food literacy programs on different subgroups.


2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-89
Author(s):  
Muhammad Aslam Chaudhary ◽  
Amjad Naveed

During the last two decades the role of international trade and flow of foreign capital have received considerable attention in the literature. Various studies have examined the impact of export instability and capital instability on economic growth in less developed countries.1 Empirical evidence supports the hypothesis of a deleterious impact of export instability on economic growth. However, some studies also indicated that the relationship was unstable but positive with economic growth.2 Yet there are no systematic empirical investigations into the implied links between export diversification and long-term economic growth, particularly in the case of South Asian countries. The major concern regarding export instability is that it retards economic growth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-96
Author(s):  
Zhihong Li ◽  
Yongzhong Sha ◽  
Xuping Song ◽  
Kehu Yang ◽  
Kun ZHao ◽  
...  

Purpose Risk perception is an essential factor affecting how individuals evaluate risk, make decisions and behave. The impact of risk perception on customer purchase behavior has been widely studied; however, the association has been debated. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between risk perception and customer purchase behavior and to examine factors that could moderate it. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a meta-analysis of this relationship and examined factors that could moderate it. Six databases were comprehensively searched. Two reviewers independently selected the studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed quality. Pearson's r was used as the effect estimate. A total of 33 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Findings The results revealed a negative relationship between risk perception and customer purchase behavior. The geographical region, purchase channel and country development level affected the relationship. The correlation between perceived risk and purchase behavior in European consumers was the highest, followed by the correlation in American consumers; the weakest correlation was found in Asian consumers. For consumers in developed countries, perceived risk had a stronger negative influence on customer purchase behavior than that for consumers in developing countries. The perceived risk of online purchase channels had a stronger negative impact on customer purchase behavior than that of offline purchase channels. Research limitations/implications Risk perception is a useful context in which to explain barriers to customer purchase behavior. In addition, reducing consumers’ risk perception and perfecting the market transaction process with respect to buying behavior should be further studied. Originality/value The findings of this review indicate a direct negative relationship between risk perception and customer purchase behavior. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this review is the first to meta-analytically summarize the impact of risk perception on customer purchase behavior in social sciences research, and it also illuminates new perspectives for future studies.


Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1849
Author(s):  
Jose Martin Ramos-Diaz ◽  
Tatjana Kince ◽  
Martins Sabovics ◽  
Göker Gürbüz ◽  
Asta Rauma ◽  
...  

Quinoa epitomizes the drive for healthier foods with ethnic concepts in developed countries, particularly among millennials. As a result, the popularity of quinoa as a gluten-free alternative has steadily grown over the last 20 years. Despite this, little is known about the impact of specific varieties on processed foods. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of quinoa varieties (variety and content) on the mechanical and textural properties of buckwheat-based extruded pasta (spaghetti). Peruvian native (var. rosada taraco, kuchivila, negra collana, and mistura) and Latvian-grown (var. titicaca) varieties were independently incorporated to pasta between 5 and 20% (w/w). Pasta containing 20% quinoa var. negra collana, which presented the largest content of fiber and lowest content of saponin, was strongly associated to structural resilience (i.e., cohesiveness, firmness). Conversely, pasta containing 20% quinoa var. Titicaca appeared structurally weak (i.e., smooth). The addition of saponin-containing varieties to pasta (20%), such as rosada taraco and mistura, resulted in resilient structures with little effect on taste (incl. bitterness). Despite initial stability, pasta containing 20% quinoa var. kuchivila suffered heavy structural damage. In conclusion, the relationship of compositional, mechanical, and textural properties of pasta was strongly variety-dependent.


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