ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the routines of children and adolescents and on their level of involvement in physical activity (PA). The restrictive rules applied in this period affected the functioning of physical education (PE) classes in Portugal, and strongly limited student participation. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the affective attitude (enjoyment) of adolescents during face-to-face PE lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic (from September 2020), according to sex, education, and PA levels. The study included 1369 students (621 boys and 748 girls), aged 12–18 years, Mage: 14.4;SD: 1.74. A validated online questionnaire was distributed between November and December 2020, and the data were analyzed for positive and negative affective attitude, using MANCOVAs (multivariate analysis of covariance) adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioral variables. The results showed higher negative affective attitudes in younger boys when compared to older boys and to girls in the same education level. Younger less active boys also showed higher negative affective attitudes than less active girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of European Physical Education Review is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
ABSTRACT
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social confinement was declared in Portugal on 19th March 2020. Schools and sports clubs were closed, access to all sports and leisure facilities was limited, and young people have experienced restrictions regarding the practice of physical activities and sports. The purpose of this study was to identify the physical activity (PA) levels and sports participation of adolescents before and during confinement, with whom they practice during restrictions and to identify the activities adopted by their physical education (PE) teachers and sports coaches to keep them physically active. An online survey was conducted between March 27th and April 14th 2020. A total of 3,012 Portuguese adolescents (57% females) aged between 10 and 19 years old (14.3±2.4 years old) took part in this study. Wilcoxon test and paired-sample t-test and chi-square test of independence were used in the data analysis. The results show that the number of students engaged in PA increased during the lockdown (72.7% to 88.2%). For those who practiced PA before lockdown, the frequency of PA decreased from 4.7 sessions/week to 4.4 sessions/week (during confinement). For those who did not practice PA before confinement, they started by doing 4.1 sessions/week. The vast majority of PE teachers (77.3%) proposed some pedagogical activities such as video conference classes (53.6%). Regarding the coaches, 53.4% proposed some activity, mainly time circuit training, walking and cycling (around 18% each), or specific training exercises and video conference classes (about 12% each). The number of students who increased their regular PA practice can be justified by the immediate intervention of PE teachers, who implemented several online activities, or because students were able to choose different options to stay active. Alternate :Debido a la pandemia de COVID-19, el confinamiento social se declaró en Portugal el 19 de marzo de 2020. Las escuelas y clubes deportivos fueron cerrados, el acceso a todas las instalaciones deportivas y de ocio fue limitado y los jóvenes experimentaron restricciones en cuanto a la práctica de actividades físicas y deportivas. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los niveles de actividad física (AF) y la participación deportiva de los adolescentes antes y durante el confinamiento, con quien realizaron AF durante el periodo de confinamiento e identificar las actividades adoptadas por sus profesores de educación física (EF) y entrenadores deportivos para mantenerlos físicamente activos. Se realizó una encuesta en línea entre el 27 de marzo y el 14 de abril de 2020. Participaron en este estudio un total de 3.012 adolescentes portugueses (57% mujeres) de entre 10 y 19 años (14,3±2,4 años). En el análisis de datos se utilizaron la prueba de Wilcoxon y la prueba t de muestras pareadas y la prueba de independencia de chi-cuadrado. Los resultados muestran que el número de estudiantes que practicaban AF aumentó durante el confinamiento (72,7 % a 88,2 %). Para quienes practicaban AF antes del confinamiento, la frecuencia de AF disminuyó de 4,7 sesiones/semana a 4,4 sesiones/semana (durante el confinamiento). Para los que no practicaban AF antes del confinamiento, empezaron haciendo 4,1 sesiones/semana. La gran mayoría del profesorado de EF (77,3%) proponía alguna actividad pedagógica como las clases por videoconferencia (53,6%). En cuanto a los entrenadores, el 53,4% propuso alguna actividad, principalmente entrenamiento en circuito, marcha y ciclismo (alrededor del 18% cada uno), o ejercicios de entrenamiento específico y clases por videoconferencia (alrededor del 12% cada uno). El número de alumnos que aumentó su práctica regular de AF puede justificarse por la intervención inmediata de los profesores de EF, que implementaron varias actividades en línea, o porque los alumnos pudieron elegir diferentes opciones para mantenerse activos.Alternate :Devido à pandemia COVID-19, o confinamento social foi declarado em Portugal a 19 de Março de 2020. As escolas e os clube desportivos encerraram, o acesso a todas as instalações desportivas e de lazer foi limitado, e os jovens sofreram restrições no que diz respeito à prática de atividades físicas e desportivas. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os níveis de atividade física (AF) e de participação desportiva dos adolescentes antes e durante o confinamento, com quem realizaram AF e identificar as atividades adotadas pelos professores de educação física (EF) e treinadores no sentido de os manter fisicamente ativos. Foi aplicado um questionário on-line entre 27 de Março e 14 de Abril de 2020. Participaram neste estudo um total de 3.012 adolescentes portugueses (57% raparigas) com idades entre os 10 e 19 anos (14,3±2,4 anos). Na análise dos dados foram utilizados o teste Wilcoxon, teste t e Qui-quadrado. Os resultados mostram que o número de estudantes envolvidos em AF aumentou durante o confinamento (72,7% a 88,2%). Para aqueles que praticaram AF antes do confinamento, a frequência de AF diminuiu de 4,7 sessões/semana para 4,4 sessões/semana (durante o confinamento). Para aqueles que não praticavam AF antes do confinamento, começaram por fazer 4,1 sessões/semana. A grande maioria dos professores (77,3%) propôs algumas atividades pedagógicas, tais como aulas de videoconferência (53,6%). Relativamente aos treinadores, 53,4% propuseram atividades, como o treino em circuito, caminhada e ciclismo (18%), ou exercícios de treino específicos e aulas de videoconferência (12%). O número de estudantes que aumentaram a prática regular de AF pode ser justificado pela intervenção imediata de professores de EF, que implementaram várias atividades online, ou porque os estudantes puderam escolher diferentes opções para se manterem ativos. Palavras chave: educação física, atividade física, desporto, professores, treinadores, COVID-19
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents' routines were deeply affected, which negatively impacted their level of PA. Knowing the barriers to PA in adolescence is relevant, because the perception of more barriers is one of the most consistent negative correlates of PA participation. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the barriers perceived by adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic by sex, education level, PA level, and BMI. A total of 1369 students (621 boys and 748 girls; mean age: 14.4 years; SD: 1.74) participated in the study. The chi-square test was used to analyze the differences between groups. Only 3.1% of the adolescents complied with the international guidelines for PA. In general, the barriers with the highest prevalence were the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of time, and taking time away from study. The number of perceived barriers to PA was higher among girls, younger, and inactive participants. Boys selected more the barriers due to COVID-19 than girls, and students with normal weight chose more barriers than those with overweight. This study provides information on adolescents' PA barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic and draws attention to the negative effects that restrictive measures have had on adolescents' PA levels.
ABSTRACT
Following the report of an excess in paediatric cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology by the United Kingdom (UK) on 5 April 2022, 427 cases were reported from 20 countries in the World Health Organization European Region to the European Surveillance System TESSy from 1 January 2022 to 16 June 2022. Here, we analysed demographic, epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data available in TESSy. Of the reported cases, 77.3% were 5 years or younger and 53.5% had a positive test for adenovirus, 10.4% had a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and 10.3% were coinfected with both pathogens. Cases with adenovirus infections were significantly more likely to be admitted to intensive care or high-dependency units (ORâ¯=â¯2.11; 95% CI: 1.18-3.74) and transplanted (ORâ¯=â¯3.36; 95% CI: 1.19-9.55) than cases with a negative test result for adenovirus, but this was no longer observed when looking at this association separately between the UK and other countries. Aetiological studies are needed to ascertain if adenovirus plays a role in this possible emergence of hepatitis cases in children and, if confirmed, the mechanisms that could be involved.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Hepatitis A , Child , Europe/epidemiology , Hospitalization , Humans , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
COVID-19, whose etiological agent is the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has caused over 537.5 million cases and killed over 6.3 million people since its discovery in 2019. Despite the recent development of the first drugs indicated for treating people already infected, the great need to develop new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs still exists, mainly due to the possible emergence of new variants of this virus and resistant strains of the current variants. Thus, this work presents the results of QSAR and similarity search studies based only on 2D structures from a set of 32 bicycloproline derivatives, aiming to quickly, reproducibly, and reliably identify potentially useful compounds as scaffolds of new major protease inhibitors (Mpro) of the virus. The obtained QSAR model is based only on topological molecular descriptors. The model has good internal and external statistics, is robust, and does not present a chance correlation. This model was used as one of the tools to support the virtual screening stage carried out in the SwissADME web tool. Five molecules, from an initial set of 2695 molecules, proved to be the most promising, as they were within the model's applicability domain and linearity range, with low potential to cause carcinogenic, teratogenic, and reproductive toxicity effects and promising pharmacokinetic properties. These five compounds were then selected as the most competent to generate, in future studies, new anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents with drug-likeness properties suitable for use in therapy.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify what structure represents life style in medical students, in a public university, with the application of the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional exploratory study. The Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire was applied online to medical students. Factorial analysis was realized and factors were extracted by principal components method. Rotation was conducted by Varimax method. RESULTS: Sixty-one questionnaires were analyzed. Students were male in 45.9%, single in 88.5%. The model was composed of three factors that explained 63.5% of all observed variance. The factors related to sleep perception, nutrition and stress, followed by relationships and entertainment and then, activity. Cronbach's alpha was 0.81, which was considered good. CONCLUSION: The model composed by the three factors observed in this group of students represented the construct quality of life, evaluated by the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire. This result may provide substrate to actions that aim to improve quality of life and well-being in medical students from this university.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Students, Medical , Cross-Sectional Studies , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Life Style , Male , Pandemics , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vector vaccine (Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK) was developed at Oxford University and is considered safe for the administration in lactating mothers. Nevertheless, as a novel vaccine, there are gaps in the knowledge regarding possible adverse events in breastfeeding infants of vaccinated mothers. This case report provides first-time data on a possible delayed, cutaneous, adverse reaction in a breastfed, 16-month-old female infant after the first administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine to her 33-year-old mother. Even though, no clinical adverse effects were observed in the mother, her daughter had a 2-day rash in the lower extremities and face. The infant's cutaneous rashes might be a coincidental event. However, all skin lesions were analogous to previous descriptions and photographs of dermatologic reactions, which resolved spontaneously with no medical intervention, in people who had been vaccinated with other COVID-19 vaccines. Our aim is that this short report contributes to the enhancement of parental awareness about the possibility of similar skin rashes in breastfed children when the mothers receive a vaccination and the importance of reporting those adverse reactions to the competent authorities.
ABSTRACT
Purpose - The quest for sustainable cultural tourism is undoubtedly connected with local communities. This paper presents the approaches taken by IMPACTOUR Project Pilots Community members to overcome COVID- 19 issues. Methodology - A conceptual framework for this research is applied. The data gathering for this paper followed a methodology based on surveys, webinars and workshops, inside the IMPACTOUR project pilots. Findings - A common belief is that digital is the key to sustainable Cultural Tourism. Different solutions were reported, such as digitalization of museums content, digital campaigns towards tourists, more and easily understandable digital information, digital events, or digital marketing. Several destinations suffered a considerable reduction in international mass tourism, but an increase of local and cross-border tourism was found as the new normal. Also, the proposed Sustainability-Green-Digital triangle could be the key to unlock hidden treasures and move towards new and more sustainable Cultural Tourism business models. Contribution -Based on our research, the results of this paper are applicable as a resilient strategy for Cultural Tourism Communities. The findings are a new approach, the sustainability-greendigital triangle, which can be seen as an instrument for decision and policymakers to boost their strategies and find best practices for any future unpredictable situation.
ABSTRACT
A 63-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with an acute history of fever, prostration and dyspnea. She was diagnosed with severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome and, despite optimized critical care support, met the indications for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. On day 34, after 7 days of wean sedation with a positive evolution of neurologic status, she presented a limited generalized tonic-clonic seizure not related to hydroelectrolytic or metabolic imbalance, which led to a diagnostic investigation; her brain imaging tests showed a posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. This case emphasizes the issue of neurological complications in patients with severe COVID-19 infection and the importance of early diagnosis and support.
Uma mulher com 63 anos de idade compareceu ao pronto-socorro com história aguda de febre, prostração e dispneia. Recebeu diagnóstico de quadro grave da COVID-19 e síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo. Apesar de suporte clínico intensivo, cumpriu os critérios para ser submetida à oxigenação venovenosa por membrana extracorpórea. No dia 34, após 7 dias de desmame da sedação com evolução positiva de seu quadro neurológico, apresentou uma crise tônico-clônica generalizada limitada, não relacionada com desequilíbrio hidroeletrolítico ou metabólico, que levou à necessidade de investigação diagnóstica. Seus exames de imagem cerebral revelaram síndrome da encefalopatia posterior reversível. Este caso enfatiza a questão das complicações neurológicas em pacientes com COVID-19 grave e a importância do diagnóstico e suporte precoces.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation , Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome , Respiratory Distress Syndrome , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome/diagnosis , Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome/etiology , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/etiology , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/therapy , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted adolescents’lives, leading to unprecedented changes in their routines, especially in education. Face-to-face physical education (PE) classes during COVID-19 were affected in organization, possibly conditioning students’participation, motivation and learning. Based on the achievement goal and self-determination theories, the aim of this study was to analyze and compare the motivational indicators of adolescents in face-to-face PE classes during COVID-19, according to gender, educational level and physical activity (PA). A total of 1369 students participated in the study (621 boys and 748 girls;mean age: 14.4 years;SD: 1.74). Data were collected via an online questionnaire and analyzed using MANCOVAs adjusted for age, pre- and post-COVID-19 PA, socioeconomic status and BMI (Z-score). Differences in achievement goals, motivational climate and motivational regulation levels were found in different groups by gender, PA and educational level, favoring older and more active participants. A more positive motivational profile was found for girls in general and, specifically, for active boys, regarding more self-determined motivations and mastery goal orientations. Overall, this study’s findings suggest that the restrictions related to face-to-face PE classes during the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on students’motivation.
ABSTRACT
This position statement was prepared to guide endocrinologists on the best approach to managing thyroid disorders during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The most frequent thyroid hormonal findings in patients with COVID-19, particularly in individuals with severe disease, are similar to those present in the non-thyroidal illness syndrome and require no intervention. Subacute thyroiditis has also been reported during COVID-19 infection. Diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism during the COVID-19 pandemic may follow usual practice; however, should avoid frequent laboratory tests in patients with previous controlled disease. Well-controlled hypo and hyperthyroidism are not associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severity. Newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism during the pandemic should be preferably treated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), bearing in mind the possibility of rare side effects with these medications, particularly agranulocytosis, which requires immediate intervention. Definitive treatment of hyperthyroidism (radioiodine therapy or surgery) may be considered in those cases that protective protocols can be followed to avoid COVID-19 contamination or once the pandemic is over. In patients with moderate Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) not at risk of visual loss, glucocorticoids at immunosuppressive doses should be avoided, while in those with severe GO without COVID-19 and at risk of vision loss, intravenous glucocorticoid is the therapeutic choice. Considering that most of the thyroid cancer cases are low risk and associated with an excellent prognosis, surgical procedures could and should be postponed safely during the pandemic period. Additionally, when indicated, radioiodine therapy could also be safely postponed as long as it is possible.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Thyroid Diseases/therapy , Brazil , Graves Ophthalmopathy/therapy , Humans , Hyperthyroidism/therapy , Iodine Radioisotopes , Pandemics , Thyroid GlandABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Syndromic surveillance allows early detection of changes in the population's morbidity pattern. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of indicators related to access to healthcare services, in COVID-19 surveillance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A time series analysis was performed using the weekly incidence rate of COVID-19 in Mainland Portugal, between weeks 14/2020 (March 30 to April 5) and 25/2020 (June 15 to 21), and six indicators: 1) COVID-19 consultations in primary healthcare; 2) number of COVID-19 emergency department visits; 3) number of emergency department visits due to viral pneumonia; 4) number of hospitalizations due to viral pneumonia; 5) proportion of emergency department visits due to viral pneumonia; and 6) proportion of hospitalizations for viral pneumonia. Pearson correlation and cross-correlations were computed. RESULTS: A strong correlation was found between the weekly incidence rate of COVID-19 and all indicators. [(1) 0.76; (2) 0.82; (3) 0.77; (4) 0.84; (5) 0.86; e (6) 0.90]. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations for viral pneumonia detect variations in the frequency of the disease with a one week lag compared to the incidence rate of COVID-19, in one week. COVID-19 consultations in primary healthcare and emergency department visits trail behind the incidence rate of COVID-19, in one week. The proportion of viral pneumonias in emergency department visits, or hospitalizations, is temporally aligned with the weekly incidence rate of COVID-19. DISCUSSION: The delay found in the COVID-19 primary healthcare consultations and emergency department visits, may be related to changes in access to healthcare services and clinical coding. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations for viral pneumonia may be useful in the early detection of COVID-19. Viral pneumonia may have been coded as being of unknown origin. Future monitoring of these indicators is necessary to ascertain whether the incidence of COVID-19 is significantly influenced by changes in testing strategies. The indicators described in this study will be an asset for the optimization of testing strategies, allocation of healthcare resources to the communities that are most vulnerable to severe morbidity and assessing vaccination impact. As such, surveillance systems based on clinical data will be a valuable complementary tool to SINAVE. CONCLUSION: The indicators under analysis could be used regularly, with special attention to viral pneumonias, to detect outbreaks of COVID-19. Information on pneumonia of unknown etiology may be considered in the surveillance of COVID-19.
Introdução: A vigilância sindrómica permite a identificação precoce de alterações no padrão de morbilidade da população. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a utilidade de indicadores relativos a cuidados de saúde primários e hospitalares, na vigilância da COVID-19.Material e Métodos: Foi realizada uma análise de séries temporais utilizando a taxa de incidência semanal de COVID-19 em Portugal Continental, entre as semanas 14/2020 (30 março a 05 abril) e 25/2020 (15 a 21 junho), e seis indicadores: 1) consultas em cuidados de saúde primários por COVID-19; 2) número de episódios de urgência por COVID-19; 3) número de episódios de urgência por pneumonia vírica; 4) número de internamentos por pneumonia vírica; 5) proporção de episódios de urgência por pneumonia vírica face ao total de episódios de urgência por pneumonia; e 6) proporção de internamentos por pneumonia vírica face ao total de internamentos por pneumonia. Foram calculadas correlações de Pearson e correlações cruzadas.Resultados: Foi encontrada uma correlação forte entre a taxa de incidência semanal de COVID-19 e todos os indicadores [(1) 0,76; (2) 0,82; (3) 0,77; (4) 0,84; (5) 0,86; e (6) 0,90]. Os episódios de urgência e internamento por pneumonias víricas detetam variações na frequência da doença, com uma semana de antecedência. As consultas em cuidados de saúde primários e urgências por COVID-19 registam uma semana de atraso relativamente à evolução da taxa de incidência. A proporção de pneumonias víricas face ao número de pneumonias em episódios de urgência, ou internamentos, encontra-se alinhada temporalmente com a evolução da taxa de incidência semanal de COVID-19.Discussão: O atraso encontrado no padrão de evolução de consultas em CSP, e de episódios de urgência por COVID-19 face à incidência de COVID-19, poderá estar relacionado com a reorganização dos serviços de saúde e criação de códigos específicos para estas consultas. Episódios de urgência e internamentos por pneumonia vírica poderão ser úteis para a deteção precoce de possíveis surtos de COVID-19. Pneumonias víricas poderão ter sido classificadas como pneumonias de causa indeterminada. A monitorização futura destes indicadores é necessária de modo a averiguar se a incidência de COVID-19 é influenciada significativamente por alterações na estratégia de testagem. Os indicadores deste trabalho serão uma mais valia para a adequação de estratégias de testagem, alocação de recursos de saúde a comunidades mais vulneráveis à morbilidade severa e avaliação de programas de vacinação. Como tal, os sistemas de vigilância com base em registos de saúde serão um complemento valioso ao SINAVE.Conclusão: Sugere-se que os indicadores em análise sejam utilizados de forma regular, com especial atenção à informação relativa a pneumonias víricas, como forma de detetar precocemente surtos de COVID-19. A informação relativa a pneumonias de causa indeterminada poderá ser considerada na monitorização da COVID-19.