Mortality And Morbidity Burden Of Covid-19 Infection In Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than 6.1 million deaths and more than 480 million infections worldwide (1). Left ventricular assist device patients (LVAD) with their multiple co-morbidities are at high risk for morbidity and mortality from the COVID-19 infection. Few studies and case reports demonstrating the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in LVAD patients have been published, with the most recent study in 2021 (2-4). However, none of these studies spanned the entire stretch of the pandemic. Hypothesis: : COVID-19 infection would result in significant mortality and multi-system complications among patients with an LVAD. Method(s): IRB approval was obtained for our retrospective cohort study. 225 LVAD patients across two large centers in Texas, USA were screened for COVID-19 infection from December 1, 2019 to February 28, 2022. 68 events of COVID-19 infection were identified among 64 patients. One patient was excluded due to false positive test and 3 patients were infected twice and counted as separate events. Outcomes including mortality, respiratory failure, bleeding, and thromboembolic complications were assessed. Result(s): Baseline characteristics and results are summarized in Table 1. 51% of the patients needed hospitalization or emergency department visit for COVID infection. Five patients were intubated (7.4%). 6 patients developed chronic hypoxic respiratory failure requiring outpatient supplemental oxygen. 4 patients suffered from ventricular tachycardias while three other patients had Implantable cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) shocks during COVID infection. 9 patients had epistaxis or gastrointestinal bleeding within 1 month of testing COVID positive. One HM2 patient had confirmed LVAD outflow cannula thrombus on CT heart and another patient with HeartWare had confirmed inflow cannula thrombus requiring emergent exchange to HM3 due to pump stoppage. Three patients suffered a stroke (5%). No events of pulmonary emboli or DVTs were noted. The mortality rate among this cohort was 14% (9 out of 64 patients). Four patients died during the same hospitalization. 33% had HM2 and 67% had HM3 LVADs, making a mortality rate of 37% (3 out of 8) for HM2 patients and 9% for HM3 (6 out of 55). 88% were males, 56% were African Americans, 67% had NICM, and 78% had at least moderate RV dysfunction at baseline. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 infection resulted in significant mortality and complications including stroke, pump thrombus, arrhythmias, respiratory failure, and bleeding events among LVAD patients.Copyright © 2022

Mental Health and Emotional Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemics: Prevalence and Extent in PICU Staff.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of burnout, anxiety and depression symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in PICU workers in Brazil during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. To compare the results of subgroups stratified by age, gender, professional category, health system, and previous mental health disorders. DESIGN: Multicenter, cross-sectional study using an electronic survey. SETTING: Twenty-nine public and private Brazilian PICUs. SUBJECTS: Multidisciplinary PICU workers. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Self-reported questionnaires were used to measure burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [PCL-5]) in 1,084 respondents. Subjects were mainly young (37.1 ± 8.4 yr old) and females (85%), with a median workload of 50 hours per week. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 33% and 19%, respectively, whereas PTSD was 13%. The overall median burnout scores were high in the emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment dimensions (16 [interquartile range (IQR), 8-24] and 40 [IQR, 33-44], respectively) whereas low in the depersonalization one (2 [IQR, 0-5]), suggesting a profile of overextended professionals, with a burnout prevalence of 24%. Professionals reporting prior mental health disorders had higher prevalence of burnout (30% vs 22%; p = 0.02), anxiety (51% vs 29%; p < 0.001), and depression symptoms (32.5% vs 15%; p < 0.001), with superior PCL-5 scores for PTSD ( p < 0.001). Public hospital workers presented more burnout (29% vs 18.6%, p < 0.001) and more PTSD levels (14.8% vs 10%, p = 0.03). Younger professionals were also more burned out ( p < 0.05 in all three dimensions). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of mental health disorders in Brazilian PICU workers during the first 2020 peak of COVID-19 was as high as those described in adult ICU workers. Some subgroups, particularly those reporting previous mental disorders and younger professionals, should receive special attention to prevent future crises.

Exploring Engineering Students' Perceptions About the Use of ICTs and Educational Technologies in VET

At the institutional level, Chilean universities and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions have made significant investments in information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as virtual platforms, learning technologies, and streamlining bureaucratic processes related to university management among others. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was already a significant use of ICT resources, especially in many post-graduate programs, which were offered in online or blended learning modalities. The main goals of the study were to explore students' perceptions from a Chilean vocational school (post-secondary education) and university of applied sciences, with campuses (more than 27) in all regions of Chile about the use of ICTs and educational technologies, and to know about the participants' attitudes towards the educational use of ICTs and other educational software. Based on scientific literature and their previous experience in research projects about the use of ICTs and the development of a didactical strategy to incorporate educational technologies in the learning process of engineering students, the authors developed a categories system with indicators for the instrument design. The instrument consists of a questionnaire with closed (25 items) and open-ended questions (3) organized into eight main categories with their respective items. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Colchicine reduces the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether colchicine treatment was associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We present a post hoc analysis from a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT) on the effect of colchicine for the treatment of COVID-19. Serum levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome products-active caspase-1 (Casp1p20), IL-1ß, and IL-18-were assessed at enrollment and after 48-72 h of treatment in patients receiving standard-of-care (SOC) plus placebo vs. those receiving SOC plus colchicine. The colchicine regimen was 0.5 mg tid for 5 days, followed by 0.5 mg bid for another 5 days. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients received SOC plus colchicine, and thirty-six received SOC plus placebo. Colchicine reduced the need for supplemental oxygen and the length of hospitalization. On Days 2-3, colchicine lowered the serum levels of Casp1p20 and IL-18, but not IL-1ß. CONCLUSION: Treatment with colchicine inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, an event triggering the 'cytokine storm' in COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: RBR-8jyhxh.

"It Just Kind of Feels Like a Different World Now:" Stress and Resilience for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes in the Era of COVID-19.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major stressor for adolescents. Given the unique implications of the pandemic for youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), who already navigate multiple stressors as a function of their chronic condition, we aimed to describe the impact of the pandemic on adolescents with T1D and describe their coping strategies and resilience resources. Research Method: In a 2-site (Seattle WA, Houston TX) clinical trial of a psychosocial intervention targeting stress/resilience, adolescents 13-18 years old with T1D ≥ 1 year and elevated diabetes distress were enrolled August 2020 - June 2021. Participants completed a baseline survey about the pandemic, including open-ended questions about the effects of the pandemic, what was helping them navigate, and how it impacted T1D management. Hemoglobin A1c (A1c) was extracted from clinical records. Free text responses were analyzed using an inductive content approach. Survey responses and A1c were summarized using descriptive statistics and associations were assessed by Chi-squared tests. Results: Adolescents (n=122) were 56% female. 11% of adolescents reported diagnosis of COVID-19 and 12% had a family member/other important person die from COVID-19 complications. Adolescents described Social Relationships, Personal Health/Safety Practices, Mental Health, Family Relationships, and School to be primary areas affected by COVID-19. Helpful resources included: Learned Skills/Behaviors, Social Support/Community, and Meaning-Making/Faith. Among participants indicating that the pandemic had an impact on their T1D management (n=35), the most commonly described areas were: Food, Self-Care, Health/Safety, Diabetes Appointments, and Exercise. Compared to adolescents who reported minimal difficulty managing T1D during the pandemic (71%), those reporting moderate to extreme difficulty (29%) were more likely to have A1C ≥ 8% (80% vs. 43%, p<.01). Conclusions: Results underscore the pervasive impact of COVID-19 on teens with T1D across multiple major life domains. Their coping strategies aligned with stress, coping, and resilience theories and suggest resilient responses in the face of stress. Despite experiencing pandemic-related stressors in many areas, diabetes-related functioning was relatively protected for most teens, highlighting their diabetes-specific resilience. Discussing the pandemic impact on T1D management may be an important focus for clinicians, especially for adolescents with diabetes distress and above-target A1C.

Correlacao Entre Os Grupos Sanguineos E as Alteracoes Imuno-Hematologicas Na Covid-19

Objetivo: Identificar padroes entre os grupos sanguineos e as alteracoes imuno-hematologicas em pacientes com COVID-19 atendidos no Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (HCFMB), no periodo marco de 2020 a outubro de 2021. Material e metodos: Avaliou-se 186 pacientes internados com o teste RTq-PCR positivo para COVID-19 e esses foras separados em dois grupos: 105 pacientes nao transfundidos e 81 pacientes transfundidos. Selecionou-se os resultados dos exames de tipagem ABO e RhD, pesquisa de anticorpos irregulares (PAI), marcadores de hemolise (hematocrito, hemoglobina e bilirrubina), desidrogenase lactica (DHL) e hemocomponentes transfundidos. Resultados: No que tange a tipagem sanguinea ABO e RhD, em pacientes nao transfundidos, foi observado que 39 eram do tipo A (37%), 19 do tipo B (18%), 4 do tipo AB (4%) e 43 do tipo O (41%). Desses, 93 pacientes eram RhD positivos (89%) e 12 eram RhD negativos (11%). Ja para os pacientes transfundidos, 35 pacientes eram do tipo A (43%), 13 do tipo B (16%), 4 do tipo AB (5%) e 29 do tipo O (36%). Em relacao ao fator RhD, 69 pacientes eram positivos (85%) e 12 negativos (15%). Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com a frequencia da tipagem sanguinea presente na populacao brasileira, sendo observado que houve menos pacientes do tipo O infectados pelo novo Coronavirus (p = 0,0071), como tambem para transfusoes sanguineas realizadas (p = 0,0235). Os pacientes transfundidos apresentaram maior frequencia estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,0001) de anticorpos irregulares quando comparados com os pacientes nao transfundidos, com destaque para presenca de crioaglutinina. Observou-se diferenca estatistica significativa de alteracoes dos valores dos marcadores de hemolise nos pacientes transfundidos, em que as medias dos valores encontrados foram de 28,93% para hematocrito, 9,41g/dL para hemoglobina e 1,4mg/dL para bilirrubina, indicando a existencia de anemia e destruicao celular. Discussao: Em relacao a tipagem sanguinea ABO, observou-se que houve mais pacientes do tipo A transfundidos quando comparados com as outras tipagens, enquanto mais pacientes com tipagem O nao necessitaram de transfusoes sanguineas. Para ambos houve o predominio do fator Rh positivo. Segundo a literatura, o grupo sanguineo A foi associado a um risco aumentado de infeccao em relacao ao grupo O, devido a presenca de anticorpos naturais anti-A, os quais sao capazes de inibir de forma especifica a proteina Spike do virus de se ligar efetivamente aos receptores da ECA2. Na identificacao de anticorpos irregulares, as crioaglutininas estiveram presentes na maioria dos pacientes com PAI positivo e sua presenca prejudicou as analises laboratoriais, atrasando a liberacao dos resultados dos testes imuno-hematologicos. Conclusao: Portanto, identificou-se correlacao entre os resultados alterados dos marcadores de hemolise com o desenvolvimento da forma mais grave da COVID-19 e a necessidade de transfusao de hemocomponentes, sendo o concentrado de hemacias (CH) o mais utilizado para tratar a anemia estabelecida nesses pacientes. Copyright © 2022

Analise Retrospectiva Dos Fatores Associados as Reacoes Transfusionais Imediatas Ocorridas No Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmb Nos Anos De 2020 E 2021 Na Pandemia De Covid-19

Objetivo: O presente trabalho busca realizar uma analise retrospectiva dos fatores associados as reacoes transfusionais imediatas (RTIs) ocorridas no Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu nos anos de 2020 e 2021 durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Materiais e Metodos: Os dados pertinentes foram coletados atraves dos formularios de notificacao a ANVISA das reacoes transfusionais ocorridas nos anos de 2020 e 2021 (periodo de pandemia de COVID-19) juntamente com dados dos pacientes disponiveis no sistema informatizado do hospital HCFMB (idade, gravidade da reacao, sexo, ano de ocorrencia, tipo de reacao, tipo de hemocomponente, quantidade, transfusao realizada no passado, COVID-19 nos ultimos 3 meses da reacao e diagnostico clinico de admissao). Resultados: No ano de 2020 foram transfundidos 12.394 hemocomponentes e foram notificadas 48 RTIs, acarretando em uma incidencia de 0,39%. Em 2021 foram transfundidos 11.658 hemocomponentes e foram notificados 36 RTIs, incidencia de 0,31%. Atraves da analise dos dados obtidos, foi possivel observar que a RT febril nao hemolitica foi a mais recorrente 47 (56%), seguida da RT alergica 28 (33%) e da RT por sobrecarga volemica 9 (11%). A maioria das RTIs foram classificadas como leves 75 (89%) e ocorreram principalmente em adultos de 30 a 59 anos 35 (41%). Observou-se associacao estatisticamente significativa entre a gravidade e o tipo de RTI (p <= 0,05), gravidade com a faixa etaria (p = 0.02) e correlacao entre o tipo do hemocomponente recebido e o tipo de RTI (p = 0.004). Discussao: Em concordancia com os dados disponiveis na literatura, foi observado a maior ocorrencia da RTI febril nao hemolitica, o que pode ser justificado principalmente pela presenca de leucocitos e citocinas pro-inflamatorias nos hemocomponentes que nao passaram pelo processo de filtracao. Ademais, verificou-se a associacao entre a gravidade e o tipo de reacao, uma vez que, algumas RTI possuem maior gravidade que outras. A correlacao entre a gravidade da RTI e a faixa etaria do paciente tambem foi observada no estudo, mostrando que pacientes idosos (60 anos ou mais) possuem reacoes moderadas e graves com maior frequencia do que as demais faixas etarias, o pode estar relacionado com a maior suscetibilidade atrelada ao processo de senescencia biologica. A correlacao entre o tipo de hemocomponente recebido e o tipo da RTI tambem se sustenta, ao passo que algumas RTIs ocorrem com maior frequencia quando o paciente recebe um determinado hemocomponente, como por exemplo a maior ocorrencia de RTI alergica associada com a transfusao de concentrado de plaquetas. Conclusao: Com base no estudo realizado foi possivel identificar uma incidencia media de RTIs de 0,35% para os anos de 2020 e de 2021. A RTI mais recorrente foi a febril nao hemolitica que corrobora com dados previos da literatura, pois tambem podem estar associados a fatores intrinsecos do receptor. A maioria das RTIs foram leves e acometeram principalmente adultos. Observou-se associacoes entre gravidade e tipo da reacao, gravidade e a faixa etaria e entre o tipo do hemocomponente recebido e o tipo da RTI. Copyright © 2022

Strategies to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Ohio Nursing Home Staff.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite federal legislation requiring nursing home (NH) staff members to be vaccinated against COVID-19, unvaccinated staff pose an ongoing public health risk. The research question guiding this study is as follows: What is the relationship between strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and vaccination rates among staff? We used the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory as a theoretical framework. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample (N=627) included Ohio-based NHs. Using national and state NH data, multivariable linear regression techniques demonstrated the relationship between strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and vaccination rates among NH staff. RESULTS: Peer counseling and providing sick time or time off for vaccine symptoms were both statistically significant strategies. Compared to facilities that did not engage in peer counseling, those that did saw an average increase of 3.2% of their staff vaccinated. Those that provided sick time or time off saw an average increase of 3.9% of their staff vaccinated. There was no statistically significant relationship between hiring full- or part-time facility infection preventionists and vaccination rates. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: In order to foster vaccine confidence among long-term services staff, peer counseling and providing sick time or time off are examples of strategies that can impact vaccination rates among staff. According to DOI, these strategies target the communication channels and social system of an organization. While this study focuses on NHs, results remain critically important to the remainder of the long-term services system, which does not have vaccine requirements similar to the NH industry.

WIP: Scaffolding the Design Process for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Students: Towards a Self-Regulated Design Learning

This is a work in progress. Biomedical engineering undergraduates use the design process to solve open-ended problems in studio-based courses, cornerstone design experiences, or senior capstones. Some professional skills that are acquired through these ABET accredited courses are: the abilities to design a technology-based product or service, to address a real-world problem, and to communicate effectively. The forced transition to online education due to the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the fact that higher education students need more self-regulated learning (SRL) skills to engage in effective time management, prioritize their tasks, watch lectures, and complete assignments. Most literature concerning self-regulated learning has not acknowledged the underpinnings of how design pedagogy and the studio culture can play significant roles in achieving these important skills in engineering design. As in many other subdisciplines, the deployment of design education is often informed by folk pedagogy, rendering it limited in scope, non-replicable and difficult to transfer to other disciplines and areas. This article looks to explain some of the theoretical and practical underpinnings of Self-Regulated Learning Design and to describe techniques implemented in 2021 to scaffold the design learning process in our well-known Design Teams biomedical engineering course. We use a Design Based Research approach to describe some of the scaffolding techniques and to assess and propose possible improvements to these teaching practices. Future work will include thorough qualitative assessments of the experiences of past and current students as well as an expansion of the theoretical framework and literature involved. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022.

Assessment of Resilience Training for Hospital Employees in the Era of COVID-19.

Importance: Health care workers face serious mental health challenges as a result of ongoing work stress. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated that stress, resulting in high rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout. To date, few evidence-based programs targeting mental health outcomes in health care workers have been described. Objective: To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a skills-based coaching program designed to reduce stress and build resilience. Design, Setting, and Participants: A pilot cohort study was conducted between September 2020 and April 2021 using preprogram and postprogram assessments and a mixed-methods analysis. Duration of follow-up was 7 weeks. The coaching program was delivered via video conferencing. Participants were health care workers and staff from a large urban health system. Intervention: The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) program, a manualized, skills-based coaching program originally developed for adolescents and young adults with serious/chronic illness, was adapted to support health care workers and staff ("PRISM at Work"). It included 6 weekly 1-hour group sessions. Main Outcomes and Measures: Feasibility was defined a priori as 70% completion rates. Acceptability was defined quantitatively (satisfaction scores) and qualitatively (open-ended questions regarding experience with program). Preliminary outcomes were assessed with preprogram and post program assessments of self-reported resilience, stress, anxiety, and burnout using validated instruments. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic variables and feasibility and acceptability. Linear mixed effects regression models examined preliminary outcomes, controlling for relevant covariates. Results: A total of 153 participants (median [SD] age, 40.6 [10.1] years; 142 [92%] were female; 128 [84%] identified as having White race; 81 [53%] were in patient-facing roles) enrolled. Of the 132 health care workers who provided follow-up surveys, 120 (91%) had completed the program, and 116 (88%) reported being satisfied. Answers to open-ended questions suggested that participants wanted more PRISM either with longer or additional sessions. Participant-reported resilience (ß = 1.74; 95% CI, 1.00-2.48), stress (ß = -2.40; 95% CI, -3.28 to -1.51), anxiety (ß = -2.04; 95% CI, -2.74 to -1.34), and burnout-exhaustion (ß = -0.37; 95% CI, -0.56 to -0.18) improved after the program. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this study suggest that PRISM at Work may have utility for health care workers and staff in that the program was found to be feasible, acceptable, and associated with improved outcomes.

Attitudes and Perceptions of Teaching Staff About the Online Learning During the COVID19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Engineering Education

The general objective of the present research is to know the perceptions and evaluations that academic teaching staff from a engineering faculty have about the emergency online teaching-learning process that occurred in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic. Based on several previous works related to online learning (OL) and recently in the literature on emergency online learning (EOL), an instrument (questionnaire) was developed and implemented with the participation of 126 teachers from a Chilean university. The research is quantitative-descriptive and had the following specific objectives: (1) To know about the disposition (readiness) of the teaching staff towards the EOL, (2) To know about the their interactions with others during EOL, (3) To characterize the use of different Self-management skills during EOL, (4) To characterize the interaction with LMS and ICTs., and (5) To know about the available resources for EOL. In general, the results show that teaching staff show mastery in aspects related to self-management of learning, but a low level of motivation and readiness for EOL and a "loss" in aspects related to interaction with others (students and peers). These results provide a first approximation to university teachers' perceptions of EOL and allow us to identify several aspects that should be improved. This research was financially supported by DAAD as part of the project Praxispartnerschaften zwischen Hochschulen und Unternehmen in Deutschland und in Entwicklungslandern ab 2017 (Project Nr. 57334905).

Perceptions of Teaching Staff About the Online Learning in Engineering During SARS CoV Pandemic

The general objective of the present research is to know the perceptions and evaluations that academic teaching staff from an engineering faculty have about the emergency online teaching-learning process that occurred in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic. Based on several previous works related to online learning (OL) and recently in the literature on emergency online learning (EOL), an instrument (questionnaire) was developed and implemented with the participation of 126 teachers from a Chilean university. The research is quantitative-descriptive and had the following specific objectives: (1) To know about the disposition (readiness) of the teaching staff towards the EOL, (2) To know about their interactions with others (peers and students) during EOL, (3) To characterize the use of different Self-management skills during EOL, (4) To characterize the interaction with LMS and ICTs., and (5) To know about the available resources for EOL. In general, the results show that teaching staff show mastery in aspects related to self-management of learning, but a low level of motivation and readiness for EOL and a "loss" in aspects related to interaction with others (students and peers). These results provide a first approximation to university teachers ' perceptions of EOL and allow us to identify several aspects that should be improved. This research was financially supported by DAAD as part of the project Praxispartnerschaften zwischen Hochschulen und Unternehmen in Deutschland und in Entwicklungslandern ab 2017 (Project Nr. 57334905).

Validation of an Instrument to Measure Students' Perceptions of Online Learning

In the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the health measures derived from it, emergency online learning (EOL) became the only possible alternative to be able to continue the training process in the university context. The general objective of the present research is to know the perceptions and evaluations of students at a Chilean public university about the "emergency" online learning process that occurred in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on several previous works related to online learning (OL), an instrument (questionnaire) was developed and implemented with the participation of 117 students. The research is quantitative-descriptive and had the following specific objectives: (1) To determine the attitude of university students towards EOL;(2) To characterize the learning experience of students in online modality;(3) To know about the available resources of students for EOL;and (4) To validate the developed questionnaire through a factor structure analysis. In general, the results show that students are proficient in the aspects related to self-management of learning, but have a low level of motivation for EOL and suffer a deficit in aspects related to interaction with others (teachers and peers). These results provide a first approximation of Chilean students' perceptions of EOL and allow us to identify several aspects that should be improved by professors and university authorities. This research was financially supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of the project "Praxispartnerschaften zwischen Hochschulen und Unternehmen in Deutschland und in Entwicklungslandern ab 2017" (Project Nr. 57334905).

An Analysis of Students' Perceptions of the Educational Use of ICTs and Educational Technologies during the Online Learning

The impact of the use of ICTs in the university context has been investigated for decades, as they are not only tools in themselves, but also generate a new social space and, therefore, a new educational space known among others as virtual education or online learning (OL). Precisely, OL has been presented as an alternative in the historical context originated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created an unexpected situation for social structures and their educational institutions. The main goals of the study was to know about the students' perceptions of the educational use of ICTs and educational technologies in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some specific objectives of the research were (i) to identify the disposition of the students towards the use of ICTs, (ii) to characterize the Interaction with others through the use of ICTs, and to (iii) identify the interaction of the students with LMS and ICTs. An in-depth theoretical review allowed the authors of this paper to construct an instrument to measure students' perceptions about the use of ICTs and educational technologies in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. This research was financially supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of the project "Praxispartnerschaften zwischen Hochschulen und Unternehmen in Deutschland und in Entwicklungslandern ab 2017" (Project Nr. 57334905).

Outbreak of Ralstonia pickettii Bacteremia Caused by Contaminated Hydromorphone in a Universitary Hospital in Bogota, Colombia

Background. Ralstonia pickettii are aerobic non fermenter gram negative bacilli isolated in water and soil. It is related to nosocomial infection outbreaks and considered an opportunistic pathogen. There have been outbreaks reports due to contaminated water systems and sterile drug solutions which mainly occurs during manufacturing. We present the report of an outbreak of R. pickettii bacteremia secondary to a contamination of hydromorphone vials. Methods. In February 2021 an outbreak of R. pickettii bacteremia was identified. All isolates were from blood cultures with slow growth, thus indicating the culturing of liquid inputs, intravenous administration solutions and commonly used drugs among patients including hydromorphone. Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) was used for the identification and automated microdilution to determine sensitivity to antimicrobials of the isolates and clonality analysis of genetic relationships was carried out using the DICE coefficient, UPGMA algorithm Results. During the outbreak, 19 patients with R. pickettii bacteremia were identified The global attack rate was 1,9%. 11/19 (58%) were women and 13/19 (68%) of the isolations were from inward patients and 6/19 (32%) were from intensive care unit. Factors that could contribute to the appearance of the outbreak were underlying pathology, 2 patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, 10 patients with a diagnosis of arterial hypertension, 5 patients with obesity, 6 patients with heart disease, additionally 7 patients with a diagnosis of SARS COV 2 and 6 patients with the use of corticosteroids. The global attack rate was 1,9% and mortality was 31.5% (6 patients). R. pickettii was identified from two batches of hydromorphone by MALDI-TOF and the clonality study concluded that the isolates analyzed, were clonal with a 100% similarity. The associated mortality rate was 5/29 (26.3%). Conclusion. We confirmed an outbreak of R. pickettii due to the contamination of two hydromorphone badges in Colombia. It is crucial to acknowledge the importance of infection control and surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as maintaining adequate quality control of medication production in order to avoid presenting this kind of outbreaks.

Online Engineering Education: A Proposal for Specialization of the Teacher Training in Engineering

Y The context of the COVID-19 pandemic produced new immediate needs in the field of university teaching related to distance learning and forces the universities to transform their "traditional" face-to-face teaching methods, particularly with the implementation of online education. This situation represented a challenge not only for the universities but also for the teachers because they need to transform their teaching work in the classroom to online strategies for online learning environments. To meet these needs for effective online education an online pilot training course in Engineering Education based on the IGIP Curriculum of the TU Dresden was designed and implemented. The course "Introduction to online teaching and learning in engineering" (in Spanish: "Introduccion a la Ensenanza-Aprendizaje Online en Ingeniena") consisted of 4 modules implemented on a mix of online communication strategy of synchronous activities carried out on the Zoom platform, together with asynchronous work on a Moodle-based LMS platform. The course was offered between May and June 2020 for a group of academics of the Faculty of Engineering of a public Chilean University. This paper describes the designed online pilot training course in Engineering Pedagogy and presents the results of the evaluation of its implementation. For this a survey was applied and filled by the participants to evaluate the course and to know their perceptions about their competencies development to improve online learning in engineering.

Socioeconomic Status, Parental Involvement and Implications for Subjective Well-Being During the Global Pandemic of Covid-19

School closures prompted by the global outbreak of COVID-19 have impacted children’s subjective well-being. In this context, a growing number of studies has pointed out that the experience of learning at home is an essential factor influencing their subjective well-being, raising the importance of parental involvement in the educational process of their children. This article explores the formal and informal parental practices of home learning during school closures period in 19 countries and their explanatory factors, with the further aim of discussing their implications for children’s subjective well-being. The study uses the International COVID-19 Impact on Parental Engagement Study (ICIPES) database and develops a regression analysis of family, child, and school factors predicting parental involvement in homeschooling. The main findings show that parents’ socioeconomic status is a critical predictor of both formal and informal parental practices. In addition, the results denote the impact of other factors, such as the level of parental confidence with the use of technology and children’s age and gender (in the case of informal activities). Based on these findings, the article discusses policy implications to promote parental involvement and children’s subjective well-being. © Copyright © 2021 Treviño, Miranda, Hernández and Villalobos.

First report of Candida auris in Peru

Candida auris is an emerging fungus that has gained great relevance as a global public health problem in a short time. The presence of Candida auris in 3 adult patients admitted to a national hospital of high complexity in the last quarter of 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is reported for the first time in Peru. The patients were hospitalized in the ICU, however, this germ was isolated in only 2 patients while they were hospitalized in the ICU. The patients had various comorbidities and long hospitalization times from admission to having their first culture positive for C. auris. All patients acquired a bacterial nosocomial infection at some point during their hospitalization and received broad-spectrum antibiotics. All isolates were resistant to fluconazole. The hospital’s infection control team reinforced containment measures and the Ministry of Health of Peru issued an epidemiological alert.

Social class and parental support strategies for students in pandemic: Results for Chile from the International COVID-19 Impact on Parental Engagement Study

The irruption of the pandemic (COVID-19) and the transition to remote education positions families in the educational process and experience of their children as one of special importance (Bonal & Gonzalez, 2020). The aim of the article is to explore the educational practices of the Chilean middle-professional class in a period of health crisis. For this purpose, we used the database of the transnational study, International COVID-19 Impact on Parental Engagement Study (ICIPES), which included 23 countries. In the Chilean case, 1,597 responses were collected to describe the educational practices carried out by the social groups, as well as to test the relationship between the two variables. It is concluded that there is a transversal parental involvement in the learning process and experience during the pandemic. However, there are differences in educational practices. While non-professional parents seek educational reinforcement practices, those in the professional group prioritise the child's participation in extra-educational activities that stimulate cognitive learning. Moreover, some formal and non-formal educational practices are associated with the social class of the families and thus reaffirm the educational inequality that is reproduced according to the economic resources a person has.