The privatization of school administration in Brazil: digital control and corporate interests

The article analyzes the potential consequences of the digital platforms for the management work of regular education in public schools. The research corresponds to a year before the Coronavirus Pandemic, 2019, until 2021. Brazilian schools remained closed during 2020 and the first half of 2021, at least, in most states because of the coronavirus pandemic and, gradually, presential learning were resumed in the hybrid modality, meeting corporate and philanthro-capitalist interests. The investigation derives from documentary research in the programs of the 26 Brazilian state governments and the Federal District, digital technology companies and private organizations that influence government educational policies aiming at the adoption of their digital platforms, previously identified in another research. The argument is the introduction of private platforms in the pedagogical activities administration, expanded during the pandemic, constitutes a way for the privatization of school administration in accordance with the strategies of digital capitalism, in which identity and user access profiles become currency. In the same way, time and relationships – in this case, between teachers and students, schools, families and knowledge – are now mediated and "shaped” by a tool alienated from school routine, gradually assuming a protagonism in administration. For the analysis, the considerations were: the role assumed by the applications adopted in the school routine;the time of simultaneous and non-simultaneous interaction between teacher/student;and non-simultaneous working time within the scope of teaching hours. © 2023 Grupo de Investigacion FORCE. All rights reserved.

Vaccination in Mexico as a Political Strategy

Worldwide vaccination has reduced hospitalization and lethality of COVID-19. However, access to vaccines has not been homogeneous across regions and individual countries have shaped their own strategy for the distribution and application of vaccines. In Mexico, vaccination started in November 2020. This chapter reviews Mexico's vaccination strategy and its coverage in comparison with other countries and the impact of vaccination on mortality rates. We also analyze if vaccination may have been used as a political strategy given its application patterns before two major events, i.e., midterm elections and a public consultation. Finally, we evaluate socioeconomic variables across states to predict the vaccination coverage state-wise. We found that as of January 2022, almost 60% of Mexicans has been vaccinated. Thus, mortality associated to COVID-19 has reduced compared with the three previous contagion waves. Finally, the socioeconomic variable that better explain differences across states in terms of vaccination coverage was the percentage of rural population, that is, vaccination was lower where rural population was highest. This result goes against the Mexican federal strategy of protecting the most vulnerable regions first, where rural population was the largest. © TheEditor(s) (ifapplicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021, 2022.

Functional Improvements Observed in Long-Covid Patients Following Participation in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: Some patients with COVID-19 have physical impairments that last well beyond the acute infection, termed long-COVID. An increasing number of patients experiencing ongoing symptoms are being referred to outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) with a growing understanding of their key limitations and the benefits of PR. Patients with long- COVID often present with significant inspiratory muscle weakness and functional limitations even months after infection and benefit from PR and IMT. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of PR on inspiratory muscle performance (IMP) and several functional performance measures (FPM), as well as COPD Assessment Tool (CAT), quality of life (QOL) and depression (D) screening. NUMBER OF SUBJECTS: Eight patients (3 male and 5 female, age 51 +/- 15, BMI 32 +/- 6) diagnosed with long- COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with long-COVID entered PR but only 8 patients successfully completed the program. The PR program included aerobic exercise, strength training, IMT, and education. Of the 22 patients who started PR, 64% dropped out due to a variety of reasons. IMP was examined via the PrO2 from residual volume providing the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) at 1 to 2 seconds of inspiration and the sustained maximal inspiratory pressure (SMIP) from MIP to total lung capacity. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT), timed-up-and-go (TUG), BERG balance test (BERG), 5x-sit-to-stand (5xSS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), Ferrans & Powers QOL, and CAT were measured using standardized methods. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests were computed before and after PR with statistical significance set at P< 05. RESULT(S): No significant difference in any outcome measure was found when comparing completers to non-completers of PR. Significant (P< 05) improvements in the SMIP (198.1 +/- 61.5-286.8 +/- 130.7 PTU), 6MWT (313 +/- 103-451 +/- 101 m), TUG (7.7 +/- 2.3-6.2 +/- 1.1 s), 5xSS (13.0 +/- 3.2-10.5 +/- 1.5 s) and QOL (21.2 +/- 3.6-24.8 +/- 2.4) were observed, while non-significant changes were observed in PHQ9 (7.3 +/- 5.6-6.5 +/- 5.1), BERG (52.7 +/- 6.7-55.8 +/- 0.4), MIP (69.9 +/- 17.2-84.8 +/- 27.7 cmH2O), and CAT (22.2 +/- 7.7-19.8 +/- 7.9) following PR. At baseline, SMIP but not MIP was significantly (P< 05) lower than predicted values (41 +/- 11% and 76 +/- 20%) but following PR the difference from predicted was no longer significant. CONCLUSION(S): Only 36% of patients with long-COVID who were referred to and initiated PR successfully completed the program. Following PR, patients demonstrated significant improvements in inspiratory muscle endurance, functional performance, and self-reported QOL, with non-significant improvements in balance and self-reported symptoms, confidence with activity, and depression. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IMP and FPM are significantly impaired in patients with long-COVID. PR has been shown to significantly improve many respiratory, functional performance, and psychosocial outcome measures and should be considered as part of the plan of care for these patients. Furthermore, methods to improve adherence to PR in patients with long-COVID are needed.

The Cat Is Significantly Correlated to Dlco and 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Long-Covid

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: Literature has reported some patients experience long-term impairments in pulmonary function following COVID-19 infection, with the most common abnormality being diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Research on DLCO's association with other measures has been varied, with some studies demonstrating a significant association with older age, female gender, and disease severity, however these results are not consistent. In pulmonary patients, a DLCO of<40% or a drop in DLCO of >4 units is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, is an independent predictor of decreased exercise capacity, and predicts a more rapid decline in pulmonary function. In COPD patients, every 10% decrease in DLCO was associated with worsening quality of life (QOL), 6MWT, severe exacerbations, symptoms, and COPD assessment test (CAT) scores. CAT scores represent the general health status and include cough, sputum, energy, and ability to perform physical work. Daynes et al found an average of 52% of COVID-19 patients had high CAT scores (>10), which the GOLD guidelines suggest using as a cutoff to indicate symptomatic COPD. They found no significant association between CAT score and hospital length of stay or days on mechanical ventilation, but did find a moderately significant association to anxiety, depression, and self-reported physical activity levels.While a patient's pulmonary function test (PFT) may not be available to a clinician, the CAT is a quick and easy screening tool that can be performed in the clinic. The purpose of this study was to assess possible relationships between PFT measures and outcome assessments that can be performed in the clinic by a physical therapist (PT), which may aid in prognosis. NUMBER OF SUBJECTS: Sixteen subjects (8 male and 8 female with a mean age and BMI of 52 +/- 16 and 32 +/- 5, respectively) diagnosed with long-COVID and referred to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Baseline PFT and CAT scores were obtained during the initial evaluation. Spearman's rho correlation analyses were performed. The 6MWT and DLCO were performed using standardized methods. RESULT(S): The baseline CAT, DLCO, and 6MWT were 22.2 +/- 6.7, 14.1 +/- 7.3 and 292 +/- 144 m, respectively. The CAT was significantly correlated to the DLCO (r-value of -0.63;P = .009) and 6MWT (r-value of -0.52;P = .04). CONCLUSION(S): Self-reported CAT scores were significantly correlated with DLCO and 6MWT in patients with long-COVID. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: DLCO is the most common PFT abnormality observed in patients with long- COVID and can provide useful information to the clinician regarding prognosis and possibly disease severity. However, PTs may not have access to a patient's PFT report. Alternatively, a CAT assessment is free and quick and can be easily performed in the clinic.We found CAT scores were significantly correlated to DLCO and 6MWT, which may allow clinicians to use CAT scores as a surrogate measure to aid in establishing a prognosis and/or understanding of disease severity in patients with long-COVID.

HOMEWORK AND DEALING WITH DIVERSITY: AN EMPIRICAL REVIEW

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the importance of homework, despite the negative perceptions some have of it, with many parents and students believing it to be excessive. We specifically focus on family and teacher involvement in homework, including students with different learning styles, capacities, and personal characteristics who would be covered by “Dealing with Diversity.” We present a variety of theoretical models and studies that explain the influence of personal and contextual variables and their relationships with homework and academic performance. Subsequently, we look at the differences between family and teacher involvement in homework;the former being defined as homebased involvement, while the latter focuses on setting and marking homework. These relationships may change when we include students who are addressed as part of “Dealing with Diversity.” Throughout the chapter, the benefits of homework are discussed, as well as the need to tailor it to students’ personal characteristics, and to set quality homework adapted to online education resulting from COVID-19. © 2022 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Acute Kidney Injury and Urinary and Histopathological Disorders in Kidney Transplant Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The evidence in kidney transplant (KT) is limited, as there are scarce data about the histologic features in graft biopsies of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of KTs with SARS-CoV-2 infection from August 28, 2020, to April 23, 2021. We collected the incidence of AKI and the presence of urinary and histopathological disorders. Both groups were compared (AKI vs no AKI). Immunohistochemical and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction studies were performed on the anatomopathological samples. RESULTS: In our study, 72 KTs had SARS-CoV-2 infection and, among them, 27 patients (35.1%) developed AKI related to increased severity and a worse evolution of the infection, defined by a greater presence of pneumonia (P < .001), hospitalization (P < .001), admission to the intensive care unit (P < .001), the need for ventilation support (P < .001), and continuous renal replacement therapy (P < .001). In the multivariable analysis, pneumonia behaved as an independent predictor for AKI development (P = .046). No differences were observed between proteinuria a month before and after infection (P = .224). In addition, 5 patients showed microhematuria and 2 patients presented transient glycosuria without hyperglycemia. Of the 5 kidney biopsies performed, 1 biopsy (20%) showed positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is a frequent and potentially serious complication in KT patients. Occasionally it could be accompanied by abnormalities in the urinary sediment. Of 5 biopsied patients, 1 patient had positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in renal tissue, which suggests the systemic spread of the virus and the tropism for the renal graft.

Essential but vulnerable: Mexican farmworkers facing the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S

As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, agricultural workers in the United States were defined by the administration of former president Donald Trump as "essential workers," despite the fact that half of them are undocumented. Most of these workers were born in Mexico, and both the immigrants who already reside in that country and those who enter the United States temporarily with H-2A visas have continued to work to produce food for the entire population. This article analyzes the labor participation of Mexican immigrants in agricultural work in the United States during the pandemic and the socio-economic and working conditions that make them especially vulnerable to being infected with COVID-19. The study reveals that, in 2020, Mexican immigrants, in comparison with the total number of US workers, had the highest labor-force participation rate in economic activities considered essential. Despite transitioning from invisibility to visibility during the pandemic, many agricultural workers constitute a population that is highly vulnerable to the coronavirus, especially those who are undocumented and do not have health insurance. Moreover, many workers have different comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and obesity, that constitute risk factors for COVID-19.

Las personas lgbt+ durante la pandemia de Covid-19 en México

La discusión sobre los grupos que enfrentan situaciones de vulnerabilidad por las condiciones de desigualdad múltiple y acumulada en la sociedad ha aumentado en los últimos años. En especial, se ha insertado en la discusión el concepto de interseccionalidad y curso de vida (Holman y Walker, 2020;Ferraro y Shippee, 2009;Calasanti y Slevin, 2001). En México, durante las últimas décadas, muchos grupos de la población han experimentado discriminación y desigualdad, formas de violencia que se han normalizado y propiciado condiciones de vida adversas para alcanzar una calidad de vida y esperanzas de vida saludable. Esto se ha observado en las condiciones y el acceso a la salud de las personas por su condición étnica, género, edad, clase social e identidad de género (Montes de Oca y Gutiérrez Cuéllar, 2018). © 2022. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales.

COVID-19, Social Isolation, and Psychological Distress in a Brazilian Sample

Objective: To determine whether social isolation during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Brazil led to higher signs of psychological distress, and which intra (loneliness, coping mechanisms, feelings of entrapment) and interpsychic (media consumption) variables mediated this effect. Method: Two phases of web-based surveys were applied to Brazilian participants between May 25, 2020 and August 19, 2020. Phase 1 involved the application of psychological scales as well as information on isolation habits and media consumption. Results: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased psychological distress at clinically relevant rates, with loneliness being an important predictor of this effect. We also found that escape–avoidance and distancing coping strategies mediated this effect. Psychological distress was also related to high consumption of COVID-19-related information in social networks, print or online newspapers, and podcasts, but that relying on positive reappraisal coping strategies increased this effect instead of decreasing it. Conclusions: Our results suggest the need for policies that diminish the impact of social isolation on mental health;the need to assess and teach alternative coping strategies in clinical settings;and the need to address the impact of internet-based sources. © 2021. American Psychological Association

THE NON-FACE-TO-FACE MODALITY, THE ADAPTATION MECHANISMS AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE GRADUATION PROFILE

With the social isolation measures due to the arrival of COVID-19, Higher Education went from the face-to-face modality to the virtual modality;it was necessary to adapt and adapt the syllabi and academic activities. The expected results allowed us to make decisions for updating the course plan;the mechanisms for non-face-to-face adaptation such as training, preparation of guides, manuals and tutorials, and the accompaniment and monitoring of teachers and students allowed the optimal development of synchronous and asynchronous activities favored the academic success and the achievement of the levels of mastery of the graduate profile of the students of the School of General Studies of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.

1494P Anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in newly diagnosed advanced cancer patients

Background: Cancer patients are at high risk of psychological problems and COVID-19 infection, which makes them even more vulnerable to mood disorders. Our objectives were to analyze the level of anxiety and depression among patients with advanced cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the association between sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted in 15 oncology departments in Spain. Patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic cancer who were candidates for systemic treatment were included. Patients completed demographic information and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Michel´s Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS), Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC), and Cancer Worry Scale (CWS). Results: A total of 374 patients were recruited (April 2020-2021). The mean age was 64.2 years (34-88) and 48.7% were women. The most frequent were lung (30.7%) and colon (14.2%) cancers and most had metastases (78.6%). The most frequent therapy was chemotherapy (57.9%). The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 35% and 34%, respectively. Anxiety and depression levels were higher in women (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). Patients <65 years (p=0.017) and with an oncologist-estimated survival of >18 months (p=0.033) had more anxiety symptoms. Logistic regression analysis revealed that women, patients with coping based on anxious preoccupation and hopelessness had higher risk of anxiety and depression (all, p<0.001). Conclusions: Patients with advanced cancer who start treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic experience high levels of depression and anxiety. Early diagnosis and the development of intervention strategies are needed especially in specific patient subgroups such as young women with long survival estimated times. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: This work was funded by FSEOM (Spanish Society of Medical Oncology Foundation). Disclosure: B. Obispo: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Lilly;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Sanofi;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Fresenius;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Rovi. R. Hernandez: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Amgen;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Servier;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Lilly;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Roche;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Merck;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Ipsen. P. Cruz: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Bristol;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Boehringer Ingelheim. A. Fernandez Montes: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: BMS;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: MSD;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: MSD;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Servier;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Lilly;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Lilly;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Pierre Fabre;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Merck. N. Piera Molons: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Grunenthal;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Kyowa Hakko Kirin;Financial Interests, Personal, Expert Testimony: Ordesa. V. Pacheco-Barcia: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Eisai;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Merck;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Bristol-Myers Squibb;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: MSD;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Leo Pharma;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Kiowa Hakko Kyrin;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Grunenthal;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Prostakan;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Lilly. M.H. López de Ceballos: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speak r: Roche;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Eisai;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Novartis;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: AstraZeneca. M. Antoñanzas Basa: Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Personal fees: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Personal fees and no financial support: Novartis;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Personal fees: Pierre Fabre;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Personal fees and non-financial support: MSD;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Personal fees and non-financial support: Sanofi;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Personal fees: Pfizer. D. Lorente: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Advisory, travel fees: Janssen;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Advisory, travel fees: Sanofi;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Bayer;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Advisory, travel fees: Astellas;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Consultancy, travel fees: BMS;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Advisory: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Travel fees: Pfizer. A. Manzano Fernández: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Roche;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: MSD;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Leo Pharma;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Sanofi;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Rovi;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Pharmamar;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Grunenthal;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AstraZeneca. S. Hernando Polo: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Advisory role: Pfizer;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: GlaxoSmithKline;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Clovis;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Pharmamar;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Advisory role: AstraZeneca. M. Gonzalez Moya: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Bristol;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: MSD;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Sanofi;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Boehringer Ingelheim;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Roche;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Merck. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Mycoplasma genitalium identified in one-third of men with symptomatic non-gonococcal urethritis, with at least 40% of cases demonstrating macrolide resistance

Background: In recent years there has been increased awareness of Mycoplasma genitalium as a potential sexually-transmitted pathogen and national guidelines now recommend routine testing in a number of clinical scenarios in sexual health clinics, including non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Factors including availability and cost of resistance testing, quinolone-associated toxicities and a lack of available alternative treatments, all impact on the feasibility of routine testing. Knowledge of local prevalence and rates of drug resistance can inform the development of patient pathways and management strategies. The aim was to determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium in men with symptomatic NGU and the proportion of these infections that demonstrated macrolide resistance. Method: Routine testing for Mycoplasma genitalium in symptomatic NGU was introduced in August 2020, during a period when walk-in attendances were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Testing was performed inhouse using the validated Roche Cobas® TV/MG PCR assay and positive samples were tested for the macrolide resistance gene using SpeeDx Resistanceplus® MG. Quinolone resistance testing was not routinely performed. Clinical information including patient demographics, treatments used, test of cure (TOC) results and coding data were reviewed and analysed. Results: 42 symptomatic men presented during August 2020 and were diagnosed with NGU. 34 (81%) had testing performed for Mycoplasma genitalium, 10/34 (29%) tests were positive. Resistance testing was performed on all positive samples, 4 (40%) were positive for macrolide resistance;2 (20%) were indeterminate and 4 (40%) were negative. All patients were treated with regimens according to BASHH guidelines and 1 (10%) patient had a positive TOC. Conclusion: High rates of Mycoplasma genitalium were identified when screening men with symptomatic urethritis in a central London sexual health clinic. In this population, at least 40% of infections had macrolide resistance demonstrated. The majority of individuals cleared the pathogen with symptom resolution and a negative TOC using recommended treatment regimens. Larger surveys in different populations will enhance knowledge of risk factors associated with Mycoplasma genitalium infection and antibiotic resistance. Further study of alternative treatment approaches for drug-resistant organisms are required.