[Evidence of the validity of a Brazilian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale]. / Evidências de validade de uma versão brasileira da Fear of COVID-19 Scale.

This study sought to analyze the evidence of the validity of a Brazilian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), based on indicators relating to: (1) the internal structure; (2) the internal consistency; (3) the relation with external variables; and (4) the content. The instrument was culturally adapted, focusing on semantic and specifically Brazilian linguistic aspects. The Brazilian version of the FCV-19S was then applied, in a virtual environment, to 211 participants (72.98% female) with an average age of 37.07 years (SD=13.03), together with the Self-Perception Questionnaire on Mental Health in Pandemics and the Sociodemographic and Functional Questionnaire. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed one-dimensionality. The internal consistency indices obtained (Cronbach's alpha =0.921; McDonald's omega =0.926) can be considered high. The correlation between fear and obsessive thinking of the disease, generalized anxiety, generalized stress, phobic-avoidant behavior and bereavement due to the pandemic was found to be statistically significant. Evidence of the validity related to content, derived from a qualitative approach, were satisfactory. The conclusion drawn is that the Brazilian version of the FCV-19S proved to be adequate regarding the evidence of the expected validity.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar evidências de validade de uma versão brasileira da Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), com base em indicadores concernentes: (1) à estrutura interna; (2) à consistência interna; (3) à relação com variáveis externas; e (4) ao conteúdo. Procedeu-se a adaptação cultural do instrumento, com foco em aspectos semânticos e linguísticos próprios do Brasil. A seguir, esta versão brasileira da FCV-19S foi aplicada, em um ambiente virtual, em 211 participantes (72,98% do sexo feminino), com idade média de 37,07 anos (DP=13,03), juntamente com o Questionário de Autopercepção de Saúde Mental em Pandemia e o Questionário Sociodemográfico e Funcional. A análise fatorial confirmatória atestou unidimensionalidade. Os índices de consistência interna obtidos (alfa de Cronbach =0,921; ômega de McDonald =0,926) podem ser considerados elevados. Constatou-se correlação estatisticamente significativa entre medo e pensamento obsessivo, ansiedade generalizada, estresse generalizado, comportamento fóbico-evitativo e vivência de luto pela pandemia. As evidências de validade relativas ao conteúdo, oriundas de uma abordagem qualitativa, foram satisfatórias. Conclui-se que esta versão brasileira da FCV-19S mostrou-se adequada quanto às evidências de validade contempladas.

Breastfeeding in times of COVID-19: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced postpartum women in breastfeeding. METHOD: a scoping review, with a search in seven databases. Studies available in full, in English, Portuguese or Spanish, published from December/2019-April/2021 were included. The analysis was carried out by categorizing common themes. RESULTS: 25 studies were included, grouped into five categories, presenting the influence of the pandemic: in the routine of breastfeeding care, evidencing preventive measures against COVID-19; in breastfeeding rates, highlighting changes in dietary practices; in the support network for breastfeeding, indicating a lack of service care; in the postpartum women's emotions, with predominance of concern and stress; in the use of technology to support breastfeeding, with teleservice facilitating care. CONCLUSION: the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced new forms of care, in the offer and duration of breastfeeding, in emotional health and in the support network fragility. It is expected to contribute so that health professionals provide care with greater assertiveness in the face of this new situation.

Parenting and child mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online study with Portuguese and British Families

COVID-19 and the subsequent public health response created many additional stresses for families. We examined parental behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in two European Countries and explored the association between parents' behaviour and children's anxiety and quality of life. Caregivers of children and adolescents (N = 442;86.7% mothers) between 6 and 16 years old (M = 10, SD = 2.85) participated in an online cross-sectional survey in Portugal and the United Kingdom. Results show that higher children's anxiety and lower quality of life were associated with higher levels of unrealistic parental demands, lower parental self-care, and higher parental emotional dysregulation. Encouragement of children's emotion expression and management of exposure to COVID-19 information was negatively associated with children's anxiety. Promotion of routines, support of children's emotion modulation and promotion of children's healthy lifestyles were positively associated with children's quality of life. The predictors differed according to country and age group. These results highlight the importance of specific parenting behaviours on children's mental health during COVID-19. The need to moderate unrealistic demands and attend to parental self-care to reduce parental emotional dysregulation is important. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (Spanish) COVID-19 y la subsiguiente respuesta de salud publica crearon muchas tensiones adicionales para las familias. Examinamos el comportamiento de los padres durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en dos paises europeos y exploramos la asociacion entre el comportamiento de los padres y la ansiedad y la calidad de vida del nino. Cuidadores de ninos y adolescentes (N = 442;86.7% madres) entre 6 y 16 anos (M = 10, DT = 2,85) participaran en una online encuesta en Portugal y en el Reino Unido. En los resultados se observa que la mayor ansiedad y una menor calidad de vida de los ninos se asociaron con niveles mas altos de demandas parentales poco realistas, menor autocuidado y mayor desregulacion emocional de los padres. El estimulo a la expresion de las emociones de los ninos y el manejo de la exposicion a la informacion de COVID-19 se asocio negativamente con la ansiedad de los ninos. La promocion de rutinas, el apoyo a la modulacion de las emociones de los ninos y la promocion de estilos de vida saludables de los ninos se asociaron positivamente con la calidad de vida de los ninos. Los predictores difirieron segun el pais y el grupo de edad. Estos resultados resaltan la importancia de comportamientos parentales especificos en la salud mental de los ninos durante el COVID-19. La necesidad de moderar las demandas poco realistas y prestar atencion al autocuidado de los padres para reducir la desregulacion emocional de los padres es importante. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Antiepileptogenesis after stroke-trials and tribulations: Methodological challenges and recruitment results of a Phase II study with eslicarbazepine acetate.

There is currently no evidence to support the use of antiseizure medications to prevent unprovoked seizures following stroke. Experimental animal models suggested a potential antiepileptogenic effect for eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL), and a Phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to test this hypothesis and assess whether ESL treatment for 1 month can prevent unprovoked seizures following stroke. We outline the design and status of this antiepileptogenesis study, and discuss the challenges encountered in its execution to date. Patients at high risk of developing unprovoked seizures after acute intracerebral hemorrhage or acute ischemic stroke were randomized to receive ESL 800 mg/d or placebo, initiated within 120 hours after primary stroke occurrence. Treatment continued until Day 30, then tapered off. Patients could receive all necessary therapies for stroke treatment according to clinical practice guidelines and standard of care, and are being followed up for 18 months. The primary efficacy endpoint is the occurrence of a first unprovoked seizure within 6 months after randomization ("failure rate"). Secondary efficacy assessments include the occurrence of a first unprovoked seizure during 12 months after randomization and during the entire study; functional outcomes (Barthel Index original 10-item version; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale); post-stroke depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9); and overall survival. Safety assessments include the evaluation of treatment-emergent adverse events; laboratory parameters; vital signs; electrocardiogram; suicidal ideation and behavior (PHQ-9 question 9). The protocol aimed to randomize approximately 200 patients (1:1), recruited from 21 sites in seven European countries and Israel. Despite the challenges encountered, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study progressed and included a remarkable number of patients, with 129 screened and 125 randomized. Recruitment was stopped after 30 months, the first patient entered in May 2019, and the study is ongoing and following up on patients according to the Clinical Trial Protocol.

Ultraviolet C irradiation: A promising approach for the disinfection of public spaces?

Ultraviolet irradiation C (UVC) has emerged as an effective strategy for microbial control in indoor public spaces. UVC is commonly applied for air, surface, and water disinfection. Unlike common 254 nm UVC, far-UVC at 222 nm is considered non-harmful to human health, being safe for occupied spaces, and still effective for disinfection purposes. Therefore, and allied to the urgency to mitigate the current pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, an increase in UVC-based technology devices appeared in the market with levels of pathogens reduction higher than 99.9 %. This environmentally friendly technology has the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional chemical-based disinfection approaches. The novel UVC-based devices were thought to be used in public indoor spaces such as hospitals, schools, and public transport to minimize the risk of pathogens contamination and propagation, saving costs by reducing manual cleaning and equipment maintenance provided by manpower. However, a lack of information about UVC-based parameters and protocols for disinfection, and controversies regarding health and environmental risks still exist. In this review, fundamentals on UVC disinfection are presented. Furthermore, a deep analysis of UVC-based technologies available in the market for the disinfection of public spaces is addressed, as well as their advantages and limitations. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable inputs and strategies for the development of effective, reliable, and safe UVC disinfection systems.

Monitoring COVID-19 and Influenza: The Added Value of a Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System in Portugal.

Background: Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) surveillance is recommended to assess the severity of respiratory infections disease. In 2021, the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, in collaboration with two general hospitals, implemented a SARI sentinel surveillance system based on electronic health registries. We describe its application in the 2021/2022 season and compare the evolution of SARI cases with the COVID-19 and influenza activity in two regions of Portugal. Methods: The main outcome of interest was the weekly incidence of patients hospitalized due to SARI, reported within the surveillance system. SARI cases were defined as patients containing ICD-10 codes for influenza-like illness, cardiovascular diagnosis, respiratory diagnosis, and respiratory infection in their primary admission diagnosis. Independent variables included weekly COVID-19 and influenza incidence in the North and Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions. Pearson and cross-correlations between SARI cases, COVID-19 incidence and influenza incidence were estimated. Results: A high correlation between SARI cases or hospitalizations due to respiratory infection and COVID-19 incidence was obtained (ρ = 0.78 and ρ = 0.82, respectively). SARI cases detected the COVID-19 epidemic peak a week earlier. A weak correlation was observed between SARI and influenza cases (ρ = -0.20). However, if restricted to hospitalizations due to cardiovascular diagnosis, a moderate correlation was observed (ρ = 0.37). Moreover, hospitalizations due to cardiovascular diagnosis detected the increase of influenza epidemic activity a week earlier. Conclusion: In the 2021/2022 season, the Portuguese SARI sentinel surveillance system pilot was able to early detect the COVID-19 epidemic peak and the increase of influenza activity. Although cardiovascular manifestations associated with influenza infection are known, more seasons of surveillance are needed, to confirm the potential use of cardiovascular hospitalizations as an indicator of influenza activity.

Patients' Satisfaction with Remote Asthma Medical Follow-Up Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced the change of health care services, favoring the use of remote consultations. Objective: To assess the differences in asthma medical follow-up before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate patients' satisfaction regarding remote consultations. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, web-based study, including 335 Portuguese patients with self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma, was conducted. The survey was available between February and May 2021 and included questions about patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and follow-up (consultations' type and satisfaction in 2019 and 2020). Satisfaction was assessed using 10 statements on different aspects of patient experience (Likert scale 1-5), with a total score between 10 and 50. Results: The 335 patients included had a median [P25-P75] age of 27 [21-43] years and 75% had uncontrolled asthma. Overall, fewer participants had consultations during the pandemic compared to 2019 (161 vs. 185; p < 0.001). Most patients had ≥1 face-to-face consultation both in 2020 and 2019 (131 vs. 184; p < 0.001). In 2020, there was an increase in the proportion of participants reporting ≥1 remote (telephonic plus video) consultation (40% vs. 3%; p < 0.001). This increase was mainly attributed to the use of telephonic consultation (38% vs. video 3%, p < 0.001). Patients' satisfaction was similar in 2020 and 2019 for face-to-face consultations (44 [38-47] and 44 [39-48], p = 0.136). In 2020, satisfaction with remote consultations was slightly lower than with face-to-face (43 [37-46] vs. 44 [38-47], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Even though patients were slightly more satisfied with face-to-face consultations, remote consultations can be an alternative in follow-up services for patients with asthma in the near future.

Cumulative Risk Exposure and Social Isolation as Correlates of Carer and Child Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Study with Families from Various Europeans Countries.

This study adopted a cumulative risk approach to examine the relations between various domains of risk factors (i.e., social isolation and home confinement, other pandemic-related risk factors, and pre-existing psychosocial risk factors) and carers' and children's mental health during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. The sample consisted of 1475 carers of 6- to 16-year-old children and adolescents residing in five European countries (Portugal, United Kingdom, Romania, Spain, and The Netherlands) who completed an online survey. The results showed that each of the three domains of adversity accounted for unique variation in carers' and children's mental health outcomes. Also, the results indicated that pre-existing psychosocial risk factors moderated the relationship between pandemic-related risk factors and children and carers' anxiety and between social isolation and confinement and carers' well-being. Simple slopes analysis suggested a stronger relationship between these domains of adversities and mental health outcomes in already more vulnerable families. It is important to consider the implications of social isolation measures and confinement for families' mental health, paying special attention to families with pre-existing psychosocial vulnerabilities.

Idiopathic Scoliosis Trends One Year After COVID-19: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction The reorganization of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with compromised management of conditions not related to the pandemic. Methods A retrospective descriptive case series study was carried out that included patients followed up at the Spine Deformities (SD) consultation at Centro Hospitalar e Universitário Lisboa Central from January 2019 through December 2021 regarding diagnosis, treatment, referral, and the number of consultations performed. Results Referrals significantly dropped in 2020 (p<0.001). The average number of consultations per patient was found to not vary significantly in 2020 despite the reorganization of our healthcare unit due to the pandemic. 22% of the consultations were performed online. Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) was the primary diagnosis in 50% of the patients observed for the first time during the three-year time period. An increase of 18% was found in the number of IS patients that required bracing in 2021. However, late referrals, defined as the patient meeting surgical criteria at the time of initial presentation, did not increase. Conclusion Despite the significant decrease in primary care referrals during 2020, an overcompensation increase in referrals was not observed in 2021. However, the increase in the percentage of patients needing bracing might reflect a delayed initial presentation to the SD consultation.

Neurological Complications Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Single-Centre Experience.

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can range from mild or moderate disease (80% of the cases) to severe disease (15%) requiring oxygen support, and critical disease (5%), associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). In critically ill patients, prone positioning can be used to optimize oxygenation. Although there is a favourable response to this strategy, being a life-saving measure, additional associated complications may appear, including compressive neuropathies. Despite respiratory affection being more common, SARS-CoV-2 infection can also attack other systems and can, under certain conditions, affect the central or peripheral nervous system. It has been described that neurological manifestations can result from the neuroinvasive properties of the SARS-CoV-2 or as an indirect consequence of multiorgan dysfunction. AIMS: We intend to report the patients who presented with neurological complications associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and/or complications of its treatment, followed in our physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) service. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the PRM ward with outpatient consultation in the context of post-COVID-19 status between April 2020 and November 2021 (the period of the highest prevalence of infection) was carried out. Patients with neurological complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection and consequently a decline in previous functionality were identified. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (23.6%) admitted to the PRM ward had peripheral neurological complications, documented by electroneuromyography, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, sensory-motor polyneuropathy, peroneal nerve injury, femoral nerve injury, and lumbar plexus injury. The neurological complications of the patients followed in a post-COVID-19 consultation were also evaluated. Eight patients (20%) reported neurological sequelae. Five patients presented peripheral nerve damage (peroneal, accessory, ulnar, and recurrent laryngeal) of undefined aetiology, diagnosed after the acute phase of hospitalization. Two patients had COVID-19 infection followed by ischemic stroke (vertebrobasilar and middle cerebral artery), requiring hospitalization in the acute phase. One patient had COVID-19 infection followed by longitudinal myelitis, with positive anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). All patients required follow-up by the rehabilitation team with partial recovery of deficits. CONCLUSIONS:  All patients admitted to the PRM ward with neurological manifestations had critical disease and symptoms compatible with peripheral nervous system involvement. Patients admitted to the PRM consultation had different levels of viral disease severity and had sequelae related to peripheral and central nervous system disorders. Identifying the aetiology of these injuries is essential for us to act on their prevention, particularly with regard to indirect complications, such as compressive neuropathies. It will be necessary to maintain the follow-up of these patients to understand the evolution of the neurological consequences associated with COVID-19.

Parenting and child mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online study with Portuguese and British Families

(Spanish) COVID-19 y la subsiguiente respuesta de salud publica crearon muchas tensiones adicionales para las familias. Examinamos el comportamiento de los padres durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en dos paises europeos y exploramos la asociacion entre el comportamiento de los padres y la ansiedad y la calidad de vida del nino. Cuidadores de ninos y adolescentes (N = 442;86.7% madres) entre 6 y 16 anos (M = 10, DT = 2,85) participaran en una online encuesta en Portugal y en el Reino Unido. En los resultados se observa que la mayor ansiedad y una menor calidad de vida de los ninos se asociaron con niveles mas altos de demandas parentales poco realistas, menor autocuidado y mayor desregulacion emocional de los padres. El estimulo a la expresion de las emociones de los ninos y el manejo de la exposicion a la informacion de COVID-19 se asocio negativamente con la ansiedad de los ninos. La promocion de rutinas, el apoyo a la modulacion de las emociones de los ninos y la promocion de estilos de vida saludables de los ninos se asociaron positivamente con la calidad de vida de los ninos. Los predictores difirieron segun el pais y el grupo de edad. Estos resultados resaltan la importancia de comportamientos parentales especificos en la salud mental de los ninos durante el COVID-19. La necesidad de moderar las demandas poco realistas y prestar atencion al autocuidado de los padres para reducir la desregulacion emocional de los padres es importante. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Development of colorimetric cellulose-based test-strip for the rapid detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV2 virus.

Given the pandemic situation, there is an urgent need for an accurate test to monitor antibodies anti-SARS-CoV-2, providing crucial epidemiological and clinical information to monitor the evolution of coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) and to stratify the immunized and asymptomatic population. Therefore, this paper describes a new cellulose-based test strip for rapid and cost-effective quantitative detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV2 virus by colorimetric transduction. For this purpose, Whatman paper was chemically modified with sodium metaperiodate to introduce aldehyde groups on its surface. Subsequently, the spike protein of the virus is covalently bound by forming an imine group. The chemical control of cellulose paper modification was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and contact angle analysis. Colorimetric detection of the antibodies was performed by a conventional staining method using Ponceau S solution as the dye. Color analysis was performed after image acquisition with a smartphone using Image J software. The color intensity varied linearly with the logarithm of the anti-S concentration (from 10 ng/mL to 1 µg/mL) in 500-fold diluted serum samples when plotted against the green coordinate extracted from digital images. The test strip was selective in the presence of nucleocapsid antibodies, urea, glucose, and bovine serum albumin with less than 15% interference, and detection of antibodies in human serum was successfully performed. Overall, this is a simple and affordable design that can be readily used for mass population screening and does not require sophisticated equipment or qualified personnel. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10570-022-04808-y.

Development of colorimetric cellulose-based test-strip for the rapid detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV2 virus

Given the pandemic situation, there is an urgent need for an accurate test to monitor antibodies anti-SARS-CoV-2, providing crucial epidemiological and clinical information to monitor the evolution of coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) and to stratify the immunized and asymptomatic population. Therefore, this paper describes a new cellulose-based test strip for rapid and cost-effective quantitative detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV2 virus by colorimetric transduction. For this purpose, Whatman paper was chemically modified with sodium metaperiodate to introduce aldehyde groups on its surface. Subsequently, the spike protein of the virus is covalently bound by forming an imine group. The chemical control of cellulose paper modification was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and contact angle analysis. Colorimetric detection of the antibodies was performed by a conventional staining method using Ponceau S solution as the dye. Color analysis was performed after image acquisition with a smartphone using Image J software. The color intensity varied linearly with the logarithm of the anti-S concentration (from 10 ng/mL to 1 μg/mL) in 500-fold diluted serum samples when plotted against the green coordinate extracted from digital images. The test strip was selective in the presence of nucleocapsid antibodies, urea, glucose, and bovine serum albumin with less than 15% interference, and detection of antibodies in human serum was successfully performed. Overall, this is a simple and affordable design that can be readily used for mass population screening and does not require sophisticated equipment or qualified personnel. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10570-022-04808-y.

Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Negative Mood: A Cross-Sectional Study in Older and Younger Adults

Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) has been associated with emotional processing and affective psychopathology. Negative and withdrawal stimuli and behaviors have been related to high levels of right cortical activity, while positive and approach stimuli and behaviors have been related to increased left cortical activity. Inconsistent results in terms of depressive and anxious symptoms and their relationship to FAA have been previously observed, especially at older ages. Additionally, no studies to date have evaluated whether loneliness, a negative feeling, is related to FAA. Therefore, this study aimed (i) to compare FAA between younger and older adults and (ii) to investigate the possible relationships between loneliness, depressive and anxious symptomatology with FAA in young and older adults. Resting electroencephalogram recordings of 39 older (Mage = 70.51, SD = 7.12) and 57 younger adults (Mage = 22.54, SD = 3.72) were analyzed. Results showed greater left than right cortical activity for both groups and higher FAA for older than younger adults. FAA was not predicted by loneliness, depressive or anxious symptomatology as shown by regression analyses. Findings bring clarity about FAA patterns at different ages and open the discussion about the relationship between negative emotional processing and frontal cortical imbalances, especially at older ages.

Preparation and Characterization of Disulfiram and Beta Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes for Potential Application in the Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 via Nebulization.

Disulfiram (DS), known as an anti-alcoholism drug, has shown a potent antiviral activity. Still, the potential clinical application of DS is limited by its low water solubility and rapid metabolism. Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been widely used to improve the solubility of drugs in water. In this study, five concentrations of hydroxypropyl ß-cyclodextrin (HP) and sulfobutyl ether ß-cyclodextrin (SBE) were used to form inclusion complexes of DS for enhanced solubility. Solutions were freeze-dried, and the interaction between DS and CD was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, the nebulization properties of the DS-CD solutions were studied. The aqueous solubility of DS increased significantly when loaded to either of both CDs. The phase solubility of both complexes was a linear function of the CD concentration (AL type). Furthermore, physicochemical characterization studies showed a potent inclusion of the drug in the CD-DS complexes. Aerosolization studies demonstrated that these formulations are suitable for inhalation. Overall, the CD inclusion complexes have great potential for the enhancement of DS solubility. However, further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of DS-CD inclusion complexes against SARS-CoV-2 via nebulization.

Os desafios do uso da tecnologia digital na educação em tempos de pandemia

Com as medidas de prevenção adotadas em decorrência da Covid-19, os sistemas educativos viram-se frente à uma reestruturação que envolveu a incorporação súbita das tecnologias digitais para o desenvolvimento do processo ensino-aprendizagem realizadas exclusivamente de forma virtual. Assim, o artigo teve por objetivo relatar as experiências pedagógicas de uma professora, adaptadas para o ensino remoto, síncrono e assíncrono, no período de julho de 2020 a maio de 2021, em duas instituições de ensino superior, localizadas no estado da Bahia. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, qualitativo, do tipo Relato de Experiência, elaborado através da observação participante, cujas análises assumiram a forma de um balanço das atividades realizadas por meio das tecnologias digitais, tais como o Blackboard, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Socrative, Kahoot, Mentimeter e o Padlet. Autores como Lévy (2005), Virilio (1997), Ortiz (2007), e Trindade e Moreira (2017), ajudaram-nos a problematizar a situação relativa ao acesso às tecnologias da informação e da comunicação e ao ensino remoto entre nós. Foi possível identificar potencialidades e desafios no uso dessas ferramentas tecnológicas, tais como o desenvolvimento da autonomia, do protagonismo e do engajamento dos estudantes;a necessidade de formação dos(as) professores(as) para o uso pedagógico das Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação (TDIC), e de políticas públicas que transformem a aquisição de equipamentos e o acesso à internet em direito, para que milhares não sejam excluídos do processo educativo, colaborando para aprofundar ainda mais as desigualdades educacionais e sociais no Brasil contemporâneo.Alternate : With the preventive measures adopted as a result of Covid-19, educational systems faced a restructuring that involved the sudden incorporation of digital technologies for the development of the teaching-learning process carried out exclusively in a virtual way. Thus, the article aimed to report the pedagogical experiences of a teacher, adapted for remote, synchronous and asynchronous teaching, from July 2020 to May 2021, in two higher education institutions, located in the state of Bahia. This is an exploratory, qualitative study, of the Experience Report type, elaborated through participant observation, whose analyzes took the form of a balance of activities carried out through digital technologies, such as Blackboard, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Socrative, Kahoot, Mentimeter and the Padlet. Authors such as Lévy (2005), Virilio (1997), Ortiz (2007), and Trindade and Moreira (2017), helped us to problematize the situation regarding access to information and communication technologies and remote teaching among us. It was possible to identify potentialities and challenges in the use of these technological tools, such as the development of students' autonomy, protagonism and engagement;the need for teacher training for the pedagogical use of Digital Information and Communication Technologies (TDIC), and public policies that make the acquisition of equipment and access to the Internet a right, so that thousands are not excluded from the educational process, collaborating to further deepen educational and social inequalities in contemporary Brazil.Alternate : Con las medidas preventivas adoptadas como resultado de Covid-19, los sistemas educativos enfrentan una reestructuración que implicó la incorporación repentina de las tecnologías digitales para el desarrollo del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje llevado a cabo exclusivamente en forma virtual. Así, el artículo tuvo como objetivo presentar las experiencias pedagógicas de una maestra, adaptadas para la enseñanza remota, sincrónica y asincrónica, de julio de 2020 a mayo de 2021, en dos instituciones de educación superior, ubicadas en el estado de Bahía. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio, cualitativo, del tipo Informe de Experiencia, elaborado a través de la observación participante, cuyos análisis tomaron la forma de un balanc de actividades realizadas a través de las tecnologías digitales, como Blackboard, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Socrative, Kahoot, Mentimeter y el Padlet. Autores como Lévy (2005), Virilio (1997), Ortiz (2007) y Trindade y Moreira (2017), nos ayudaron a problematizar la situación del acceso a las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación y de la enseñanza remota entre nosotros. Se logró identificar potencialidades y desafíos en el uso de estas herramientas tecnológicas, como el desarrollo de la autonomía, el protagonismo y el compromiso de los estudiantes;la necesidad de formación docente para el uso pedagógico de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación Digitales (TDIC), y políticas públicas que hagan de la adquisición de equipos y acceso a Internet un derecho, para que miles no queden excluidos del proceso educativo, colaborando para profundizar aún más las desigualdades educativas y sociales en el Brasil contemporáneo.

Portuguese Volunteer Firefighters in the Context of the Challenges Posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is producing not only epidemiological consequences on a global scale, but also political, economic, and social repercussions. The health care professionals that have been on the front lines fighting the pandemic need the support and assistance of other organizations to meet the many daily challenges. Volunteer firefighters stand out for their outreach approach and implementation of the Human2Human paradigm that has enabled them to meet the needs of the most vulnerable population that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. This study adopts an ethnographic-action method considering Portuguese volunteer firefighters to explore the characteristics and relevance of these initiatives in areas such as combating isolation, medical assistance, containing the spread of COVID-19, and promoting public–private partnerships. The findings reveal that factors associated with altruism are central elements in the emergence of these initiatives, although some locally or nationally coordinated initiatives have been replicated in other contexts. It is also noteworthy that volunteer firefighters also present initiatives that can be fit into more than one category.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Anxious and Depressive Symptomatology in the Postpartum Period.

BACKGROUND: Women in the postpartum period may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on postpartum depression and anxiety levels and the role of the fear of COVID-19 in its development. METHODS: Women who delivered at the Bissaya Barreto Maternity Hospital, between 16 March and 16 June 2020 (Group 1: Birth in COVID-19 period, n = 207), recruited in the postpartum period, filled in a set of self-reported validated questionnaires: Perinatal Depression Screening Scale, Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale, Profile of Mood States, Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire, Dysfunctional Beliefs Towards Maternity Scale, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Levels of depressive and anxious symptomatology, negative affect, negative repetitive thinking, and the dysfunctional beliefs towards motherhood of these women were compared with data from samples of previous studies that included women whose delivery had occurred at the same Maternity Hospital before the COVID-19 pandemic period (Group 2: Birth before the COVID-19 period, n = 212). RESULTS: Based on the cutoff points of the screening scales, the prevalence of clinically relevant depressive and anxious symptoms in Group 1 was 40.1% and 36.2%, respectively. Women in Group 1 had significantly higher levels of anxious and depressive symptoms, negative affect, negative repetitive thinking, and dysfunctional beliefs towards motherhood than women in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Fear of COVID-19 in the postpartum period was a predictor of depressive (ß = 0.262) and anxious (ß = 0.371) symptoms, explaining 6.9% and 13.7% of their variability, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, women in the postpartum period present greater depressive and anxious symptomatology, as well as increased risk factors.