Suicide risk and media consumption in the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia

The media can play an important role in suicide prevention and mental health care, especially in a country like Colombia, affected by an internal armed conflict, and with worrying cases of suicide that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is known that mental health conditions were accentuated during the first year of this pandemic, with the deaths of family and friends, mandatory isolation, and the economic crisis, among others. This study examines the relationship between media reception and suicidal ideation in Colombia during this period. Methodologically, this predictive, cross-sectional, and non-experimental correlational study presents the results of a survey of Colombians aged 18 to 59 (N=660) from the three most populated regions of the country, conducted from January 1 to November 30, 2020. It was found that both frequent reception of news about deaths coronavirus, as well as the intentional search for or access to information in the media about suicide cases, acted as risk predictors of suicidal ideation. Conversely, the reception of programs that promoted or strengthened spiritual life was a protective factor against suicidal ideation. Age and physical and mental health did not influence the relationship between suicidal ideation and the reception of information about these human losses. In conclusion, the way in which a pandemic and suicide cases are journalistically covered influences suicidal ideation. Exposure to audiovisual entertainment programs could help lower the levels of suicidal ideation in contexts of a health crisis, as long as they emphasize the support networks and the reasons for living that are present in the programs that promote spiritual life.

Metabolomics: From Scientific Research to the Clinical Diagnosis

Metabolomics supports uncovering relevant pathophysiological mechanisms and identifying biomarkers of risk and progression in diseases. Furthermore, metabolomics has allowed the characterization of the proteins and metabolites of COVID-19, neurodegenerative processes, gestational diabetes mellitus, cancer breast, process of kidney transplantation, and Parkinson diagnosis, among other diseases (Table 7.1). Metabolomics employs noninvasive human biological samples such as serum, breath, and urine to screen and identify novel biomarkers. The combination of NMR, LC/MS, and CG/MS is desirable to detect, identify, and quantify hundreds of thousands of metabolites, useful in biomarker discovery toward clinical applications. The generation of biological information has led to the creation of databases such as BioBankWarden, which can be used to store and retrieve specific information from different clinical fields linked to biomaterials collected from patients. The use of metabolomics allows greater precision in the diagnosis and follow-up of the treatment of any disease. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

COVID-19 Isolation: impact on mental health and eating behaviors.

Introduction: The fear and uncertainty in the face of the unknown, as well as the fear of contagion by the virus, was added to the stress that can cause a mandatory isolation that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which generated changes in mental health and eating behaviors. Objective(s): To characterize the impact of COVID-19 isolation on mental health and food consumption behaviors. Method(s): An exploratory cross-sectional research was conducted, with the application of a previously validated online instrument, consisting of 18 multiple-choice questions related to mental health and eating behaviors during COVID-19 isolation. 1305 surveys that were answered with the prior consent of the participants were collected. The statistical package SPSS version 22 was applied to associate the variables of interest and tests of the chi-squared for nominal scale indicators. Result(s): The confinement situation due to COVID-19 caused sleep disturbances (41.4%), irritability (79.6%), anxiety (71%), fear (87.3%), arguments at home (62.7%), with negative effects on changes in diet (p = .000), generating poor nutrition (48%). The problem was mainly found in women (p = 0.000), young people and young adults (p = 0.000), from urban areas, who live in apartments without access to green areas. Conclusion(s): There are emotional alterations as a result of isolation, which have an impact on eating behaviors. For this reason, it is necessary to work on public health policies that propose strategies for managing stress and associated emotions during a situation of isolation.Copyright © 2023, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 pandemic on coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases in Southern Spain: interrupted time series analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare systems have been put under intense pressure by the COVID-19 pandemic, although some studies have shown a decline in hospital admissions for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases during the first and second wave of the pandemic. In addition, studies analyzing gender and procedural differences are scarce. The present study aimed to determine the impact of the pandemic on hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in Andalusia (Spain) and analyzed differences by gender and by percutaneous coronary interventions performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An interrupted time series analysis of AMI and CVD hospital admissions in Andalusia (Spain) was carried out to measure the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. AMI and CVD cases admitted daily in public hospitals of Andalusia between January 2018 and December 2020 were included. RESULTS: During the pandemic, significant reductions in AMI [-19%; 95% confidence interval (CI): (-29%, -9%), p<0.001] and CVD [-17%; 95% CI: (-26%, -9%); p<0.01] in daily hospital admissions were observed. Differences were also produced according to the diagnosis (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, other AMI and stroke), with a greater reduction in females for AMI and in males for CVD. Although there were more percutaneous coronary interventions during the pandemic, no significant reductions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A decline in AMI and CVD daily hospital admissions during the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic was noted. Gender differences were observed, but no clear impact was observed in percutaneous interventions.

Ecuadorian environmental policy on climate change as a guarantee of the right to a healthy environment

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, an infectious disease linked to environmental deterioration, this article analyzes the Ecuadorian public policies on climate change as a guarantee of the human right to a healthy environment, through documentary research based on the behaviorist theory of public poli-cies. The deductive method and the documentary analysis technique were used. Ecuador has incorporat-ed regulations on the adaptation and mitigation of climate change, and has implemented plans and pro-grams to eliminate greenhouse gases. However, environmental policy requires state attention, generating investment in environmental matters for national financing (public-private). The strategic health sector requires a budget in order to guarantee the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment.

Performance of the COVID-19 surveillance system in Honduras 2020: Benford's law analysis

COVID-19 is an infectious disease responsible to date for 6, 369, 703 deaths worldwide. To control it, it is essential to adapt and strengthen national health systems and expand surveillance capacities, with the daily report of new cases and deaths from COVID-19 being one of the main tools for understanding and responding to the pandemic.. The work focused on identifying inconsistencies in the data reported on confirmed cases and deaths of COVID-19, by the Honduran health system during 2020. Official data published between March 11 and December 31 were analyzed. 2020, by the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus resource center, the data was divided into four analysis segments, the first corresponded to the first 50 days of the pandemic in the country, the second included data up to June 24, the third until December 1 and the fourth included all the data for 2020. For the analysis, Benford's law was used, a widely used statistical phenomenon that allows detecting anomalous data in the surveillance systems of each country. As of December 31, the Honduran health system confirmed 121, 827 positive cases and 3, 130 deaths from COVID-19 in Honduras. Regarding the detection of anomalous data, the second analysis segment obtained a better result;however, it was observed that the accumulated analysis corresponding to 2020 did not adjust to Benford's Law. In general, surveillance improved performance after the first 50 days of the pandemic;however, the data for 2020 reveal a non-conformity with Benford's law, which is interpreted as a notification performance unsuitable. Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.

Perception of university students about classroom presence and remote presence during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study was intended to obtain the perception of undergraduate and graduate studies of careers in human movement sciences, about teaching, learning and evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A total of 23 students (12 degrees and 11 graduate students) aged between the ages of 19 and 45 participated voluntarily in this study. In order to obtain informed consent of participation, the student was contacted by different virtual means such as social networks. Once the sample was obtained to participate in the investigation, it was proceeded to send by email due consent and the semi-structured interview to be completed by the participants. This interview was designed by the principal investigator and analyzed at the discretion of pedagogy experts. Once the answers were obtained, they were systematized using clusters according to thematic similarity for analysis. The results showed that students perceive more meaningful learning when they are present in the classroom. In addition, they rescue that remote presence facilitates greater use of time and resource and rescue their relevance in courses with a high theoretical component. In addition, they consider that evaluations should focus on the assignment of investigative practices without memoristic testing. Based on the results, it is concluded that in view of the eventuality of the COVID- 19 pandemic, the student considers that the methodology of remote presence can be a potential option for the development of theoretical component and use the hours of face-to-face contact for the development of practices that allow him to experience and implement his learning.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia on prognosis of immunocompetent adults and solid organ transplant recipients with COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic remains a large contributor to the global burden of disease. SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia detection has been connected to higher mortality, but consistent data of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients have not been analyzed. Aim: To determine and quantify RNAemia at hospital admission and its impact on robust unfavorable clinical outcomes. Methods: From January 6, 2020 to August 13, 2021, we followed a multicenter cohort of 408 immunocompetent and 47 SOT patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Outcome variables were 30-day allcause mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed and a propensity score (PS) was calculated. Results: SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia was demonstrated in 104 (22.9%) patients. Those with RNAemia were more frequently transplanted and presented a higher proportion of severe symptoms and signs. Mortality was 29.8% (31/104) and 3.4% (12/351) in RNAemic and non-RNAemic patients (p <0.001). The multivariate analysis adjusted by PS selected CURB-65≥2 (HR, 3.61;95% CI, 1.18-11.01;p = 0.02) and RNAemia (HR, 7.46;95% CI, 2.41-25.38;p = 0.001) as independent predictors of death. In the PS matching, SOT patients showed higher prevalence of RNAemia (57.6% vs. 13.6%) and mortality (HR, 4.56;95% CI, 1.47-7.13;p = 0.01). Conclusions: Positive RNAemia is an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome in immunocompetent and SOT. High viral load was linked to worse prognosis in a univariate analysis. Our findings help elucidate the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and provide insights for the better management of patients.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in women with breast cancer affected by COVID 19

Background: there are few reported series n women with breast cancer (BC) and COVID-19, a better prognosis has been observed, with a lower rate of hospitalization and mortality than other neoplasms. Methods: We conducted a restrospective, non-experimental, observational, single center, study with a sample of 69 patients with BC who had presented COVID-19, in the period between March 2020 to August 2021. Clinicopathological characteristics of patients with BC were compared between severe and non-severe covid 19 groups, as well as hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. An analysis of possible risk factors associated with severe disease and hospitalization was performed. Results: 69 cases were reported, median age 52y, mean BMI 25.2, ECOG 0-1: 97%. Smoking history in 24%, diabetes and hypertension were the most frequent comorbidities. The most frequent histology was ductal carcinoma in 80.6%, 73.8% showed ER + and 69.3% PR +, HER2 was overexpressed in 9.2%. The early stages predominated, I 22 (31.3%), II 25 (37.3%), III in 12 (17.9%) and IV in 6 (9%). The most frequents symptoms of COVID-19 were fatigue 70.1%, fever 65.7%, cough 59.7%, headache 56.7%, hyposmia 47.8%, dysgeusia 38.8%. A total of 53 (76.8%) mild cases, 14 (20.3) severe cases and 2 (2.9%) critical cases were registered. The 89.9% (62 patients) were treated as an outpatient basis, while 7 (10.1%) required hospitalization. Active treatment (< 45 days) at the time of COVID-19 was hormonal therapy 36 (50.7%), chemotherapy 11 (16.4%), anti-HER2 in 3 (4.5%), immunotherapy in 1.5%, targeted treatment in 4 (6.0%), surgery in 7 (10.4%) and radiotherapy in 1 (1.5%) patient. When comparing the severe and non-severe groups, as well as hospitalized versus nonhospitalized, we observed no difference between the clinicopathological characteristics. Then, we serch for possible risk factors, in wich, surgery in a period of less than 3 months increases the risk of severity OR 1,297 (95% CI 1,112-1,514), the risk of hospitalization increased in the triple negative subgroup OR 1,143 (95% CI, 1,035- 1,262), surgery less than 3 months OR 1,116 (1,014-1,229) and chemotherapy less than 45 days OR 1,217 (95% CI, 1,024-1,447). Conclusions: In patients with BC, the prevalence of severe or critical COVID-19 was 23% and the hospitalizacion rate 10%. No patient died from this infection. The clinical and pathological characteristics of BC do not appear to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 or the rate of hospitalization. Surgery performed in a period of less than 3 months is marginally associated with an increased risk of severe disease. Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy do not modify the risk of severe disease;however, higher Ki 67, triple negative subgroup, surgery and chemotherapy showed a slight increase in risk of hospitalization.

Evaluation of changes in lymph node size and metabolism by PET CT in patients with cancer who have been immunized against COVID 19: A Mexican study

Background: The risk of developing COVID-19 in patients with cancer has increased, directly influenced by age and the magnitude of comorbidities. In this population, the estimated mortality is 10.9%. With this, the urgent need for patients with cancer to get vaccinated against SARS COV 2 has generated an international response. With the ongoing vaccination campaign, experts in nuclear medicine have observed an increment in lymph node uptake in PET CT with 18 FDG. Increased uptake in lymph nodes in patients with a neoplastic diagnosis on PET CT 18 FDG must be closely followed and well-studied to differentiate disease progression from an inflammatory, fleeting reaction. Methods: Amongst the inclusion criteria were patients over 18 years of age with solid tumors, including lymphomas, who were on active oncologic treatment with chemotherapy, immune therapy, radiotherapy or under surveillance between April 2021 and July 2021 who underwent a PET CT scan and had at least one dose of a COVID 19 vaccine, and a prior PET CT to the vaccine for comparison. Patients were excluded who showed evidence of progression or disease recurrence of the primary tumor. We evaluated lymph node size and metabolism measured by SUV max in the PET CT scan prior to being vaccinated and posterior to, as well as patients' clinical characteristics. Results: A total of 92 patients who met inclusion criteria were included in the study. Amongst those, 54.3% were women, the median age was 68 years (27 - 95 years), the most common neoplastic diagnoses were breast cancer (19.6%), gastrointestinal tumors (17.4%), urothelial tumors (9.8%), lymphomas (9.8%) and ovarian cancer (8.7%). 52.2% of patients were under surveillance and 47.8% were under active treatment. 79% of patients had at least 2 vaccine doses. 59% had received Pfizer vaccines and the measurable adenopathies were axillary in 32.7% and mediastinal in 27%. The medium size of the measured lymph nodes prior to receiving the vaccine was 2.86 mm with an SUV max of 1.24, while after vaccination were 6.01 and 2.27 respectively. A Kruskal Wallis test was conducted to compare median results according to histopathologic reports, with no statistical difference. A Mann Whitney U test was conducted to compare breast cancer to other cancer histologies, where a statistical difference was found for SUV max, p = 0.003 and size with p = 0.033. Conclusions: This work details significant differences between lymph node size and SUV max in oncologic patients pre and post vaccination for COVID 19, showing a statistical difference in patients with breast cancer. This increment in lymph node uptake in patients with a neoplastic diagnosis PET CT 18 FDG must be closely followed and well-studied to differentiate disease progression from an inflammatory reaction.

Evaluation of the Performance of an Immersive System for Tele-education

Tele-education was already a solution for people who cannot attend lessons in person (such as inaccessibility in rural areas or illness issues). However, COVID has revealed problems in tele-education with current technology, causing adolescents and children to slow down their learning curves and experience problems of social distancing with their classmates. This paper presents a user study to validate an immersive communication system for tele-education purposes. This system streams in real time a class using 360-degree cameras, allowing remote students to explore the whole scene and improving the feeling of being in the classroom with their colleagues. Additionally, the prototype provides notifications to the remote students about events (such as a changes in the teacher's presentation or classmates raising their hands) that occur outside their viewport to indicate in which direction they should move their heads to visualize them. To validate the system and investigate its possible added value, socioemotional factors such as presence, perceived quality, usability, and usefulness of the notifications were evaluated through a user test using questionnaires. The obtained results show that using immersive tele-education systems can improve the presence, as well as the benefits of the notifications on the experience of the remote students. © 2022 ACM.

Combining hands-on and virtual experiments for enhancing fluid mechanics teaching: A design-based research study

Fluid Mechanics courses comprise both theoretical and laboratory modules. In developing nations, computer-assisted techniques are not commonly applied in Fluid Mechanics instruction. Forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, South American universities are, however, using them for online teaching. This contribution presents an 8-semester (2016–2019) educational intervention over an undergraduate Fluid Mechanics course. It mainly blends physical (hands-on) and virtual experiments (computer fluid dynamics-based simulations) for the laboratory module, which are complemented by flipped classroom-based prompts for the theoretical module. The intervention follows design-based research as a research method and is guided via conjecture mapping and fidelity of implementation standards. Our results suggest that the intervention improves fluid mechanics laboratory instruction, although improvements depend upon the participation of other educational actors such as teaching assistants and laboratory technicians to some extent. Laboratory report grades (the assessment instrument) follow the Gompertz probability distribution. Following UNESCO standards, a portion of the intervention output is shared as open educational resources. This contribution encourages upscaling the educational intervention through the formation of cooperative clusters to build common-pool Fluid Mechanics resources. Learning scientists have underlined the need to better understand laboratory instruction processes. They have been addressed in very few instances in developing countries. We believe that this study has the potential to provide valuable insights on the matter. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Marking 2-Years of New Thinking in Clinical Trials: The Estimand Journey.

The ICH E9(R1) addendum on Estimands and Sensitivity Analyses in Clinical Trials has introduced a new estimand framework for the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of clinical trials. We share Pharmaceutical Industry experiences of implementing the estimand framework in the first two years since the final guidance became available with key lessons learned and highlight what else needs to be done to continue the journey in embedding the estimand framework in clinical trials. Emerging best practices and points to consider on strategies for implementing a new estimand thinking process are provided. Whilst much of the focus of implementing ICH E9(R1) to date has been on defining estimands, we highlight some of the important aspects relating to the choice of statistical analysis methods and sensitivity analyses to ensure estimands can be estimated robustly with minimal bias. In particular, we discuss the implications if complete follow-up is not possible when the treatment policy strategy is being used to handle intercurrent events. ICH E9(R1) was introduced just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a positive outcome from the pandemic has been an acceleration in the adoption of the estimand framework, including differentiating intercurrent events related or not related to the pandemic. In summary, much has been learned on the estimand journey and continued sharing of case studies will help to further advance the understanding and increase awareness across all clinical researchers of the estimand framework.

Wireless Sensor Networks for Telerehabilitation of Parkinson’s Disease Using Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting mainly the elderly. Patients affected by PD may experience slowness of movements, loss of automatic movements, and impaired posture and balance. Physical therapy is highly recommended to improve their walking where therapists instruct patients to perform big and loud exercises. Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) is a method used in therapy where external stimuli are used to facilitate movement initiation and continuation. Aside from face-to-face therapy sessions, home rehabilitation programs are used by PD patients with mobility issues and who live in remote areas. Telerehabilitation is a growing practice amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This work describes the design and implementation of a wireless sensor network to remotely and objectively monitor the rehabilitation progress of patients at their own homes. The system, designed in consultation with a physical therapist, includes insole sensors which measure step parameters, a base station as a phone application which facilitates RAS training sessions and communication interface between the therapist and patients, and an online server storing all training results for viewing. Step data from the system’s real-time analysis were validated against post-processed and reconstructed signals from the raw sensor data gathered across different beats. The system has an accuracy of at least 80% and 72% for the total steps and correct steps respectively. © 2022, ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.

Effects of a virtual education program and active breaks on healthy habits on the Human Resources staff of the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) during the COVID-19 pandemic

Due to the actual COVID-19 pandemic context and the remote working model, the objective of this study was to explore the effectiveness of an educational program on the life habits of the Human Resources staff in the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) with the intention of implementing practices that will achieve greater physical and mental wellness. Methods: a questionnaire prepared with Google Forms tool. This was structured by five questions based on the Transtheoretical Model (MT) (Cabrera, 2000) and two questions on the PAR-Q & YOU questionnaire (CSEP, 2002). In addition, an interview was conducted with the Head of Human Resources to obtain key information to support the approach of the proposal. Results: the female gender was the one with the greatest predominance;about half of this population live alone. After the virtual sessions, positive progress was made in the first four stages of the TM, given that, for example, the population that was considering performing physical activity in the next few days increased from 89% to 93.9%. Furthermore, before the intervention, 91.3% had no cardiovascular complications and around 40% had joint discomfort or some back injury. This intervention was a key opportunity to motivate the change towards a more active and healthy lifestyle among MEP's HR staff. Conclusions: it was opportune to develop the intervention and mediate for a positive change towards the practice of physical activity. In addition, 72.29% confirmed having had an improvement in both physical and mental health, the latter of great relevance in the conditions of the current pandemic.