No abstract

Analysis of sequences in the fragments of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region by the ribosome spacer PCR (RS-PCR) can differentiate strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We compared this technique with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for typing MRSA strains and its application during an investigation of an outbreak. A total of 180 isolates of MRSA collected from various hospital laboratories within the United Kingdom and elsewhere were typed by PFGE and RS-PCR. PFGE identified 17 different types among the 180 strains examined, and RS-PCR generated 13 different types. PFGE could detect minor genetic variations among the isolates and could identify the variants which were not discriminated by RS-PCR. Four unique strain types detected by PFGE were not detected by RS-PCR. When applied to typing the outbreakrelated strains from the vascular surgery unit at the General Infirmary at Leeds, the results of RS-PCR were identical to those of PFGE. Our results have shown that RS-PCR is a rapid, inexpensive technique that is highly reproducible and almost as discriminatory as PFGE for typing MRSA isolates and should be useful in the local investigation of MRSA outbreaks.

This study uses the network approach of entrepreneurship to investigate the relationship between networks and the growth of entrepreneurial ventures. Most of the earlier researchers have maintained a static view of entrepreneurial networks which underplays the dynamic nature of networks. This study attempts to identify the major network characteristics during different growth stages of the ventures in the context of India. The data were collected from 173 information technology entrepreneurs through a cross-sectional survey. The study found that the characteristics of network diversity and network governance have a significant discriminative magnitude and thus play a significant role across all growth stages. Endorsement and embeddedness characteristics also have a significant discriminative magnitude but not in the initial stages. However, network inertia and relational mix were found to have a discriminative magnitude only during the survival and success stages of growth. Overall, the study contributes to further extend the dynamic view of entrepreneurial networks with evidences from an emerging market.

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: 1. enable students to appreciate how a platform company can navigate through diminishing network effects; 2. enable students to foresee the downside of scaling up a platform business; 3. enable students to appreciate the trade-off between an efficiency-centric and a novelty-centric business model for platform businesses; and 4. enable students to create a platform business model canvas for a company. Case overview/synopsis The teaching case discusses the dilemma of Akshay Chaturvedi, the founder of Leverage Edu, an artificial intelligence-enabled platform for students seeking admission to foreign universities. It had received nearly US$9.6m in funding until December 2021. Chaturvedi wanted to make the best use of his funds, but was torn between turning Leverage Edu into an “efficient platform” and transforming it into a “novelty-centric platform”. The teaching note attempts to resolve Chaturvedi’s dilemma by analyzing competitors using the platform canvas model and determining how Chaturvedi could create and use network effects to Leverage Edu’s advantage. The case is based on secondary data that is freely available in the public domain. Complexity academic level This case is intended for MBA Entrepreneurship students taking a platform business elective. It can also be used in faculty and management development programs under the banner “Technology and Platform Businesses”. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Background Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was one of the earliest drugs to be recommended for tackling the COVID-19 threat leading to its widespread usage. We provide preliminary findings of the system, established in a tertiary care academic center for the administration of HCQ prophylaxis to healthcare workers (HCW) based on Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advisory. Methods A dedicated clinical pharmacology and internal medicine team screened for contraindications, administered informed consent, maintained compliance and monitored for adverse events. Results Among the 194 HCWs screened for ruling out contraindications for prophylaxis, 9 were excluded and 185 were initiated on HCQ. A total of 55 adverse events were seen in 38 (20.5%) HCWs out of which 70.9%, 29.1% were mild and moderate & none were severe. Before the completion of therapy, a total of 23 participants discontinued. Change in QTc interval on day 2 was 5 (IQR: −3.75, 11) ms and the end of week 1 was 15 ms (IQR: 2, 18). Out of the 5 HCW who turned positive for COVID-19, 2 were on HCQ. Conclusion HCQ prophylaxis was found to be safe and well tolerated in HCW when administered after appropriate screening and with monitoring for adverse events.