Training on autonomy promotion and pedagogical support during COVID-19 lockdowns

This paper analyzes the implementation of a professional development program on autonomy promotion and instructional support in the classroom, and the relationship between this program and students' engagement. The program was designed during the delivery of online classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a convergent parallel design. Participants were five elementary teachers and their students (N=110) at a public school in Cali, Colombia. The program consisted of two workshops and three online individual feedback sessions. Classes were recorded before and during the program and classroom interactions were coded. The results show high variability in teachers' autonomy promotion and instructional support during the classes. Students' engagement was higher when teachers promote greater autonomy and instructional support. Variables that could affect teachers' use of learning from the program are discussed. © 2023 Revista Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales. All rights reserved.

Assessment of pulmonary embolism related to active SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women Valoración del tromboembolismo pulmonar relacionado con infección SARS-CoV-2 activa en pacientes embarazadas

Aim To analyze a sample of pregnant patients who underwent pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy to rule out suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE) during the acute COVID-19 infection hospitalization period in our hospital. Material and methods SPECT scintigraphy with a reduced dose (111 MBq) of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin was performed in all the patients (n = 5). The images obtained were interpreted by comparing the findings with the radiological images according to the PISAPED criteria. Results Only one of the 5 patients was diagnosed with PE. Two patients showed pathological scintigraphy findings attributable to radiological alterations due to COVID-19 pneumonia, and the other two had normal pulmonary perfusion. Conclusion Given the non-specific features of the clinical manifestations and D-dimer values ​​in COVID-19, as well as their similarity to those of PE, pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy plays a crucial role in the screening of PE in these patients due to its high sensitivity and lower irradiation compared to CT. Despite the limited number of patients, the results obtained have special relevance due to the absence of scientific publications in this group of patients within the exceptional context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assessment of pulmonary embolism related to active SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.

AIM: To analyze a sample of pregnant patients who underwent pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy to rule out suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE) during the acute COVID-19 infection hospitalization period in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: SPECT scintigraphy with a reduced dose (111MBq) of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin was performed in all the patients (n=5). The images obtained were interpreted by comparing the findings with the radiological images according to the PISAPED criteria. RESULTS: Only one of the 5 patients was diagnosed with PE. Two patients showed pathological scintigraphy findings attributable to radiological alterations due to COVID-19 pneumonia, and the other two had normal pulmonary perfusion. CONCLUSION: Given the non-specific features of the clinical manifestations and d-dimer values ​​in COVID-19, as well as their similarity to those of PE, pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy plays a crucial role in the screening of PE in these patients due to its high sensitivity and lower irradiation compared to CT. Despite the limited number of patients, the results obtained have special relevance due to the absence of scientific publications in this group of patients within the exceptional context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host traits, ownership behaviour and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic pets in Mexico.

SARS-CoV-2 can infect pets under natural conditions, which raises questions about the risk factors related to the susceptibility of these animals to infection. The status of pet infection by SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico is not well-understood. We aimed to estimate the frequency of positive household cats and dogs to viral RNA and antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 during the second wave of human infections in Mexico, and to recognize the major risk factors related to host and pet ownership behaviour. We evaluated two study groups, cats and dogs from COVID-19-infected/-suspected households (n = 44) and those admitted for veterinary care for any reason at several veterinary hospitals in Puebla City, Mexico (n = 91). Using RT-PCR, we identified the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in swabs of four dogs (18.18%) and zero cats in COVID-19-infected/-suspected households; within this group, 31.82% of dogs and 27.27% of cats were tested IgG ELISA-positive; and neutralizing antibodies were detected in one dog (4.55%) and two cats (9.09%). In the random group (pets evaluated at private clinics and veterinary teaching hospital), 25.00% of dogs and 43.59% of cats were ELISA-positive and only one cat showed neutralizing antibodies (2.56%). Older than 4-year-old, other pets at home, and daily cleaning of pet dish, were each associated with an increase in SARS-CoV-2 infection (p < 0.05). Allowing face lick, sharing bed/food with pets and owner tested positive or suspected COVID-19 were not significant risk factors, but more than 4 h the owner spent away from home during the lockdown for COVID-19 (OR = 0.37, p = 0.01), and outdoor pet food tray (OR = 0.32, p = 0.01) significantly decreased the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets, suggesting that time the owner spends with their pet is an important risk factor.

Internet-Enabled Behaviors in Older Adults During the Pandemic: Patterns of Use, Psychosocial Impacts, and Plans for Continued Utilization

In response to social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a need to increase the frequency of internet enabled behaviors (IEBs). To date, little is known about how the pandemic impacted IEBs in older adults, a population that has historically been linked to lower digital literacy and utilization. We administered an online survey between April and July 2021 to 298 adults who were over age 50 (mean age = 73 years;93.5% non-Hispanic white;94% smart phone owners;83.5% retired). Older adults self-reported IEBs for social, shopping, medical, and leisure activities during the pandemic, plans for continued use of these behaviors, and completed measures of psychosocial functioning. 66.8% of respondents reported an overall increase in IEBs during the pandemic, most notably for online meeting attendance. More frequent online meeting use was associated with less depression (r = -0.12, p = .04) and less loneliness (r = -0.14, p = .02). With regard to plans for continued use, 82.5% of the sample reported at least one IEB (M = 2.18, SD = 1.65) that they increased during the pandemic and planned to maintain over time (e.g., online shopping for household goods). Plans for continued use were more likely in participants who used IEBs more overall during the pandemic (r = 0.56, p < .001), and who frequently sought technical support on search engines (r = 0.22, p < .001), or online video sites (r = 0.16, p = .006). In summary, IEBs during the pandemic were associated with favorable psychosocial functioning and expectations for continued use in this sample of predominantly white older adults who had some baseline technological familiarity.

[COVID-19 mortality prediction. Comparison between two scales]

Background: The prognosis and mortality in patients with COVID-19 are variable. The NEWS2 (National Early Warning Score) and REMS (Rapid Emergency Medicine Score) scales can be used quickly at hospital admission to predict mortality, no studies have been found that compare their predictive performance in our population. Objective: To compare NEWS2 and REMS to predict mortality in patients with COVID-19. Material and methods: Retrospective cohort with 361 patients. The variables were collected to calculate the NEWS2 and REMS scales and the reason for hospital discharge. The predictive value for mortality was analyzed using the ROC curve, establishing the area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The cut-off point (PC) with the best sensitivity and specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), as well as relative risk (RR) with 95% CI. Results: The AUC of NEWS2 and REMS were 0.929 (95% CI: 0.903-0.956) and 0.913 (95% CI: 0.884-0.943), respectively. The PC of the NEWS2 scale was 8 points, with sensitivity 87.8% and specificity 82.1%, PPV 69.7% and NPV 93.5% and of the REMS scale of 7 points, with sensitivity 83.5% and specificity 83.7%, PPV 70.5% and NPV 91.6%. 8 or more points on the NEWS2 scale presenting a RR of 10.74 (95% CI: 6.4-18.03), and REMS 7 or more points RR 8.36 (95% CI: 5.36-13.02). Conclusion: Both tests presented good discriminative ability to predict mortality, being better according to AUC and RR in the NEWS2 scale.

Occupational health recommendations for lifeguards in aquatic emergencies in the COVID-19 era: prevention, rescue and resuscitation

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), is highly contagious. Lifeguards are the first line of response in aquatic emergencies and they will suffer a strong exposure to risk this first summer of the Covid-19 era, so their occupational health must be rethought in their professional practice during the new normal. The main public health measure to prevent drowning is prevention, but when this fails and assistance or rescue is required, in most interventions, distancing will not be possible. The limitation of personal protective equipment (PPE) for rescue is a reality that must be known and that can affect the health of the lifeguard. A review of the current literature aimed at avoiding or minimizing the risk of contagion in the interventions carried out by rescuers in the Covid-19 era was performed. This article provides structured information on the prevention of contagion in lifeguards, the potential risks, the available PPE, and the recommendations for its proper use during rescue or prehospital care in aquatic settings.

VIRTUAL and AUGMENTED REALITY to EXPLOIT STEM-SKILLS-BASED LEARNING for ENGINEERING STUDENTS USING the TEC21 EDUCATIONAL MODEL

The worldwide confinement due to Covid19 has boosted creativity in academia to develop learning activities with role-playing games and multidisciplinary workshops brought to our students' homes. Tecnologico de Monterrey, like most universities in the world, is delivering classes remotely using internally developed and external platforms designed to continue the practices that were done every day in laboratories, facilities, and visits to companies and institutions. This document describes the migration of academic activities, designed under the university's Tec21 Educational Model guidelines, to an internet platform that adopts virtual and augmented reality to deliver learning with the same academic quality as the traditional face-to-face classes. Our training partners in industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations can communicate and access the practice activities on the virtual platforms. The Tecnologico de Monterrey School of Engineering and Design has worked to generate a simulator of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system based on the educational platform "Tec21 Car Assembler." Using virtual reality, the student can apply the virtual classroom's theoretical learning to practice, guided by an academic figure who collaborates with training partners from companies and institutions associated with Tecnologico de Monterrey to transfer knowledge to students. Through virtual and augmented reality, the students have been able to interact with the scale car assembly through the EON XR platform, where teachers have designed different lessons based on car assemblies and subassemblies, in this case, Jeep. We are developing our own platform for assembling Meccano designs that can be made by students first using second and third simulations until they can be taken to assembly, using augmented reality and finally, virtual reality. © PDE 2021.

Wildlife trade, pandemics and the law: fighting this year's virus with last year's law

This work describes the interactions between the trade in animals, regulations and the incidence of zoonoses, with emphasis on the current COVID-19 pandemic. The specific topics include the involvement of the World Health Organization, World Organization for Animal Health, CITES and other international organizations;national law assessments on animal health, animal welfare, animal quarantine, CITES implementing laws, customs, food safety, indigenous rights, meat industry, pet trade and wildlife conservation and trade;areas of concern;future opportunities and the next steps to be undertaken. This paper is the follow-up to a brief survey of legislation conducted by Legal Atlas in June 2020 regarding the existing legal approaches to controlling zoonotic disease risk in the context of wildlife trade.

Illegal Wildlife Trade and Emerging Infectious Diseases: Pervasive Impacts to Species, Ecosystems and Human Health.

Emerging infectious disease (EID) events can be traced to anthropogenic factors, including the movement of wildlife through legal and illegal trade. This paper focuses on the link between illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and infectious disease pathogens. A literature review through Web of Science and relevant conference proceedings from 1990 to 2020 resulted in documenting 82 papers and 240 identified pathogen cases. Over 60% of the findings referred to pathogens with known zoonotic potential and five cases directly referenced zoonotic spillover events. The diversity of pathogens by taxa included 44 different pathogens in birds, 47 in mammals, 16 in reptiles, two in amphibians, two in fish, and one in invertebrates. This is the highest diversity of pathogen types in reported literature related to IWT. However, it is likely not a fully representative sample due to needed augmentation of surveillance and monitoring of IWT and more frequent pathogen testing on recovered shipments. The emergence of infectious disease through human globalization has resulted in several pandemics in the last decade including SARS, MERS, avian influenza H1N1,and Ebola. We detailed the growing body of literature on this topic since 2008 and highlight the need to detect, document, and prevent spillovers from high-risk human activities, such as IWT.

Seroconversion and Abundance of IgG Antibodies against S1-RBD of SARS-CoV-2 and Neutralizing Activity in the Chilean Population.

COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. In Chile, half a million people have been infected and more than 16,000 have died from COVID-19. As part of the clinical trial NCT04384588, we quantified IgG against S1-RBD of SARS-CoV-2 (anti-RBD) in recovered people in Santiago and evaluated their suitability as COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors. ELISA and a luminescent SARS-CoV-2 pseudotype were used for IgG and neutralizing antibody quantification. 72.9% of the convalescent population (468 of 639) showed seroconversion (5-55 µg/mL anti-RBD IgG) and were suitable candidates for plasma donation. Analysis by gender, age, and days after symptom offset did not show significant differences. Neutralizing activity correlated with an increased concentration of anti-RBD IgG (p < 0.0001) and showed a high variability between donors. We confirmed that the majority of the Chilean patients have developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The quantification of anti-RBD IgG in convalescent plasma donors is necessary to increase the detection of neutralizing antibodies.

Opportunities for Transdisciplinary Science to Mitigate Biosecurity Risks From the Intersectionality of Illegal Wildlife Trade With Emerging Zoonotic Pathogens

Existing collaborations among public health practitioners, veterinarians, and ecologists do not sufficiently consider illegal wildlife trade in their surveillance, biosafety, and security (SB&S) efforts even though the risks to health and biodiversity from these threats are significant. We highlight multiple cases to illustrate the risks posed by existing gaps in understanding the intersectionality of the illegal wildlife trade and zoonotic disease transmission. We argue for more integrative science in support of decision-making using the One Health approach. Opportunities abound to apply transdisciplinary science to sustainable wildlife trade policy and programming, such as combining on-the-ground monitoring of health, environmental, and social conditions with an understanding of the operational and spatial dynamics of illicit wildlife trade. We advocate for (1) a surveillance sample management system for enhanced diagnostic efficiency in collaboration with diverse and local partners that can help establish new or link existing surveillance networks, outbreak analysis, and risk mitigation strategies;(2) novel analytical tools and decision support models that can enhance self-directed local livelihoods by addressing monitoring, detection, prevention, interdiction, and remediation;(3) enhanced capacity to promote joint SB&S efforts that can encourage improved human and animal health, timely reporting, emerging disease detection, and outbreak response;and, (4) enhanced monitoring of illicit wildlife trade and supply chains across the heterogeneous context within which they occur. By integrating more diverse scientific disciplines, and their respective scientists with indigenous people and local community insight and risk assessment data, we can help promote a more sustainable and equitable wildlife trade. © Copyright © 2021 Aguirre, Gore, Kammer-Kerwick, Curtin, Heyns, Preiser and Shelley.

A singular petechial plantar rash in a patient with a confirmed COVID-19

Several singular cutaneous manifestations have been recently reported in patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Acral chilblain-like lesions, as well as purpuric macules, have already been characterized. We illustrate a case of a 100-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and presented an acral petechial rash some weeks after his respiratory infection. We suggest that it could represent a novel variant of cutaneous manifestations associated to this viral infection, possibly related to a delayed immunological reaction. © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Illicit Wildlife Trade, Wet Markets, and COVID-19: Preventing Future Pandemics.

Although the exact origin of SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of COVID-19, is currently unknown, there is substantial evidence to suggest the source of transmission of the virus occurred within the Wuhan wet market. In these markets, bats and wild animals are frequently sold and stored in close contact. During several of the world's past pandemics, bats were essential to the spread of zoonotic diseases from bat to another animal or to humans directly. Live animal markets create the perfect conditions for novel viruses such as COVID-19 to emerge. This paper suggests that to prevent future pandemics, the sale of exotic animals be banned at wet markets. It also advocates for the integration of the analysis of illicit trade with the study of zoonotic disease transmission and pandemics.

Novel outbreak of acral lesions in times of COVID-19: A description of 74 cases from a tertiary university hospital in Spain

Abstract Since the outbreak of novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), reports concerning suspicious COVID-19 skin manifestations are progressively increasing. Morbilliform, varicelliform or urticarial rashes were firstly described1. Later, acral erythematous or purpuric lesions2-4 were reported.