Brazilian Portuguese-Russian (BraPoRus) corpus: automatic transcription and acoustic quality of elderly speech during the COVID-19 pandemic

This article presents the Brazilian Portuguese-Russian (BraPoRus) corpus, whose goal is to collect, analyze, and preserve for posterity the spoken heritage Russian still used today in Brazil by approximately 1,500 elderly bilingual heritage Russian-Brazilian Portuguese speakers. Their unique 100-year-old variety of moribund Russian is disappearing because it has not been passed to their descendants born in Brazil. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we remotely collected 170 h of speech samples in heritage Russian from 26 participants (M (age) = 75.7 years) in naturalistic settings using Zoom or a phone call. To estimate the quality of collected data, we focus on two methodological challenges, automatic transcription and acoustic quality of remote recordings. First, we find that among commercially available transcription programs, Sonix far outperforms Google Transcribe and Vocalmatic on the measure of word error rate (WER). Second, we also establish that the acoustic quality of the remote recordings was adequate for intonational and speech rate analysis. Moreover, this remote method of collecting and analyzing speech samples works successfully with elderly bilingual participants who speak a heritage language different from their dominant societal language, and it can become a new norm when face-to-face communication with elderly participants is not possible.

Informal Caregivers: Helping Those Who Help: Community Nursing Intervention Project: Digital Health Literacy in the Training of Informal Caregivers – Situation Diagnosis

The use of information and communication technologies to promote health literacy has become a working tool for health professionals during the pandemic caused by covid-19. Social isolation had a direct impact on involuntary caregivers, by taking more permanent care of their family members. Access to health information was partially restricted to telephone contact or digital means. The accomplishment of this work aims to present the diagnosis of the health situation of the community nursing intervention project, called: Digital Health Literacy in the Training of Indirect Caregivers. The methodology used was health planning, through the application of a data collection instrument, in the time-space from April 14 to June 30, 2021, to 24 informal caregivers of users enrolled in an integrated continuous care team of the Group of Health Centers Lisbon Norte. It was found that caregivers are mostly female, predominantly caring for people over 80 years of age. Half of the respondents are actively working. There is a weaker level of health literacy in the area of health promotion. In a situation where they do not know how to act, they request support from health professionals, and the search for videos is also referred to as a valid source of information. A better knowledge of the population about the accessibility of health information through digital technologies promotes healthy, preventive, and protective lifestyles. Nurses, as a promoter of better health of the population, play a major role in the training of groups and communities, through information and communication technologies. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients: what have we learned one year later? A cohort study from a tertiary center

Introduction: Kidney transplant (KT) recipients have a high risk for adverse outcomes from infections, such as COVID- 19. Methods: We have retrospectively reviewed all KT recipients with documented COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and March 15, 2021, and analyzed patients' characteristics, clinical course, treatment, and outcomes. Results: We identified 123 patients, 72% were male, with a mean age of 54.5±13.0 years. Twenty percent were asymptomatic, 7% had a nosocomial transmission, and 36% of the remainder required hospitalization. Almost all admitted patients received oxygen, 30% required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), more than a half had acute kidney injury, with 10% requiring dialysis, and 20% died. Incidence was comparable to that of the Portuguese population, but the mortality rate was almost four times higher (SMR of 3.768 (95% CI:1.723-7.154). Higher body mass index (OR 1.275, P=0.001), lower baseline graft function (OR 0.968, P=0.015), and nosocomial transmission (OR 13.836, P=0.019) were associated with oxygen demand, whereas female gender (OR 3.801, P=0.031) and lower baseline kidney graft function (OR 0.955, P=0.005), but not body mass index, were associated with IMV and/or death. Conclusion: Mortality rate in KT patients was higher than in the general population and lower baseline kidney function was the most consistent marker for adverse outcomes.

Psychosocial risks among the healthcare workforce working in COVID services: findings from a crosssectional study on psychosocial risks

Introduction: Poor management in healthcare can have significant consequences in the workers' health, performance, and quality of care. Several risks worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely among the workforce caring for patients with suspected/ confirmed COVID-19 infection. Objective(s): We aimed to assess psychosocial risks among a sample of 235 healthcare workers deployed in COVID-19-related services in Portugal's Lower Alentejo. Method(s): Participants filled out with ten sociodemographic questions and the Euro-Portuguese medium version of the COPSOQ II questionnaire. Data collection occurred February 2021. Tertiles were used to render a traffic light risk categorization. Results were processed with qualitative and quantitative descriptive statistical analysis. To compare groups relative to each outcome, t-tests were used for variables with two categories. Whenever data was not normally distributed, Mann-Whitney tests were used. For variables with more than two groups non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis was applied. Bonferroni correction was also applied, testing each individual hypothesis at the level of significance of alphai=0.05/29. A statistically significant difference between two groups did not necessarily yield a different risk colour. Result(s): Overall, cognitive demands, emotional demands and influence at work showed the highest risk, while 19 domains showed intermediate risk. The burnout domain showed to be highest among nurses and operational assistants working in the Intensive Care Unit. Several associations between COPSOQ domains and sociodemographic variables are also discussed. Conclusion(s): Assessment of psychosocial stressors in healthcare units is needed to promote risk reduction policies and workplace reforms. Accessible occupational services, therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies should play a role in improving health hazards in unhealthy workplaces.

Insomnia and nightmare profiles during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal: characterization and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: To describe and characterize insomnia symptoms and nightmare profiles in Portugal during the first six weeks of a national lockdown due to COVID-19. PATIENTS/METHODS: An open cohort study was conducted to collect information of the general population during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal. We analyzed data from 5011 participants (≥16 years) who answered a weekly questionnaire about their well-being. Two questions about the frequency of insomnia and nightmares about COVID-19 were consecutively applied during six weeks (March-May 2020). Latent class analysis was conducted and different insomnia and nightmare profiles were identified. Associations between individual characteristics and both profiles were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Five insomnia (No insomnia, Stable-mild, Decreasing-moderate, Stable-severe, Increasing-severe) and three nightmares profiles (Stable-mild, Stable-moderate, Stable-severe) were identified. Being female, younger, perceiving their income as insufficient and feelings of fear towards COVID-19 were associated with higher odds of insomnia (Women: OR = 6.98 95%CI: 4.18-11.64; ≥60 years: OR = 0.30 95%CI: 0.18-0.53; Insufficient income: adjusted OR (aOR) = 8.413 95%CI: 3.93-16.84; Often presenting fear of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection: aOR = 9.13 95%CI: 6.36-13.11), and nightmares (Women: OR = 2.60 95%CI: 1.74-3.86; ≥60 years: OR = 0.45 95%CI: 0.28-0.74; Insufficient income: aOR = 2.60 95%CI: 1.20-5.20; Often/almost always presenting fear of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection: aOR = 6.62 95%CI: 5.01-8.74). Having a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection was associated with worse patterns of nightmares about the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Social and psychological individual factors are important characteristics to consider in the development of therapeutic strategies to support people with sleep problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insomnia and nightmare profiles during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal: characterization and associated factors

Objective/Background To describe and characterize insomnia symptoms and nightmare profiles in Portugal during the first six weeks of a national lockdown due to COVID-19. Patients/Methods An open cohort study was conducted to collect information of the general population during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal. We analyzed data from 5011 participants (≥16 years) who answered a weekly questionnaire about their well-being. Two questions about the frequency of insomnia and nightmares about COVID-19 were consecutively applied during six weeks (March-May 2020). Latent class analysis was conducted and different insomnia and nightmare profiles were identified. Associations between individual characteristics and both profiles were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Five insomnia (No insomnia, Stable-mild, Decreasing-moderate, Stable-severe, Increasing-severe) and three nightmares profiles (Stable-mild, Stable-moderate, Stable-severe) were identified, respectively. Being female, younger, perceiving their income as insufficient and feelings of fear towards COVID-19 were associated with higher odds of insomnia (Women: OR=6.98 95%CI:4.18-11.64;≥60 years: OR=0.30 95%CI:0.18-0.53);Insufficient income: aOR=8.413 95%CI:3.93-16.84;Often presenting fear of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection: aOR=9.13 95%CI:6.36-13.11), and nightmares (Women: OR=2.60 95%CI:1.74-3.86;≥60 years: OR=0.45 95%CI:0.28-0.74) Insufficient income: aOR=2.60 95%CI:1.20-5.20;Often/almost always presenting fear of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection: aOR=6.62 95%CI:5.01-8.74). Having a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection was associated with worse patterns of nightmares about the pandemic. Conclusions Social and psychological individual factors are important characteristics to consider in the development of therapeutic strategies to support people with sleep problems during COVID-19 pandemic.

P.0715 Sleep, stress, burnout, and depressive symptoms among healthcare workers from COVID-19 services: findings from a cross-sectional study on psychosocial risks

Background: Poor management in healthcare institutions can have significant consequences for the workplace and for the physical and mental health of its workers. The exposure to unsustainable pressure and demand can impair the worker's performance and the quality of care provided. Four common issues are sleeping troubles, stress, burnout, and depressive symptoms. Several of these risks were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among healthcare workers working with patients either suspected of, or confirmed, COVID-19 infection. Methods: Using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) II questionnaire, we aimed to assess the psychosocial risks among a sample of 235 healthcare workers deployed in COVID-19-related services in the Local Health Unit of Baixo Alentejo (Portugal). The participants filled out a questionnaire, which comprised ten sociodemographic questions and the Euro-Portuguese medium version of the COPSOQ II questionnaire. Data collection occurred February 15th-28th 2021. As recommended by the COPSOQ authors, tertiles cut-off points of 33.3 and 66.6 (percentage scale) were used, rendering a traffic light risk classification where green represents a favourable situation, red a health risk and yellow an intermediate risk. [1] The results were processed with qualitative and quantitative descriptive statistical analysis. To compare groups relative to each outcome, t-tests were used for variables with two categories. Whenever data was not normally distributed, Mann-Whitney tests were used. For variables with more than two groups non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis was applied. Bonferroni correction was also applied, testing each individual hypothesis at the level of significance of αi=0.05/29. Note that a statistically significant difference between two groups does not necessarily yield a different risk colour. The mean (and categorial) values of the COPSOQ's sleep, stress, burnout and depressive symptoms domains were also compared to a dataset from a previous assessment (same institution) performed in 2017 [2]. Results: Except for depressive symptoms in the paediatric and general emergency services, domains such as stress, burnout, sleep issues and depressive symptoms showed an intermediate health risk. The burnout domain showed the highest level of risk among nurses and operational assistants working in the Intensive Care Unit. Several associations, with sociodemographic variables, are also discussed, such as a statistically significant association between the burnout domain and the number of hours spent in COVID-19 services, as well as (in medical doctors) time of service with COVID-19 patients, or between stress and age group. Overall, comparing with a similar evaluation made in 2017 [1], depressive symptoms worsened in nurses, slightly ameliorated in medical doctors, while the rest of the four domains remained in the yellow risk category, even though most of them exhibited a numerical aggravation, though not sufficient to change risk category. Conclusions: Working in COVID-19 services can worsen sleep troubles, stress, burnout and depressive symptoms among health care workers. These results support the assessment of psychosocial stressors in healthcare units, to promote risk reduction policies in healthcare workers through workplace reforms. Accessible occupational services, therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies are also crucial. Neuropharmaceuticals may play a role in improving some health hazards in unhealthy workplaces. No conflict of interest

Experimental studies on COVID-19: Overview of the world scientific production

Objective: To describe the world panorama of the production of experimental studies on COVID-19. Methods: Descriptive study conducted in April 2020, based on a search for clinical trial records on the Clinical Trials and Brazilian Clinical Trials Records portals. The statistical analysis was descriptive. Results: Of the 645 clinical trials in the sample, there was a predominance of 199 (30.9%) from Europe, 213 (33%) performed by hospital institutions, 482 (74.7%) with the objective aimed at the treatment. As for interventions surveyed, 394 (61.1%) were on drugs;70 (10.8%) investigated biological interventions;45 (7.0%) interventions with blood and blood products;40 (6.2%), behavioral interventions;38 (5.9%), interventions with equipment;31 (4.8%), care/procedural interventions;18 (2.8%), diagnostic interventions and nine (1.4%) dietary supplementation interventions. The studied population was composed of adult and elderly subjects in 515 (79.8%) studies, 635 (98.4%) investigated both sexes, the design of 480 (74.4%) included randomization, of 482 (74.7%) parallel allocation of participants and 373 (57.8%) did not have blinding. Conclusion: The experimental studies on COVID-19 originated from Europe, were conducted by hospitals, on treatment in adult and elderly subjects, with randomization but without blinding. The findings may direct the performance of studies addressing the identified gaps. © 2020 Departamento de Enfermagem/Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo. All rights reserved.