Impact and risk factors related to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in older adults

Objective: To identify and describe the risk factors that increase susceptibility in older adults to infection by SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). Material(s) and Method(s): Descriptive, cross-sectional study in adults over 60 years, patients with a positive result (RT-PCR) were analysed to detect SARS-CoV-2. The study was carried out from May 17 to July 21, 2020. A multiple logistic regression model was used to analyse the risk factors of the study population. Result(s): 102 older adults were included with a mean age of 82.5 +/- 8.8 years, 55 (54%) were positive and 47 (46%) were negative. When analysing the risk factors related to higher mortality coupled with Covid-19 infection, the statistically significant variable was frailty, with an OR of 11.6 in frail adults compared to robust individuals (p-value = 0.024.) Conclusion(s): In the vulnerable population, risk factors must be identified and treated, but above all, such factors must be prevented in advance;early detection, isolation, effective treatment must be carried out as well as follow-up of contacts and prevention of the spread of the new virus to reduce mortality in vulnerable groups.Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Medica del Hospital General de Mexico. Published by Permanyer.

Allergology assessment prior to administration of COVID-19 vaccine in patients with allergy history

Background: The diagnosis of drug allergy requires a previous medical history suggestive of a Drug Hypersensitivity Reaction (DHR). DHRs caused by vaccines are rare (< 1/100.000 doses) and are mainly due to excipients. At the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination, occasional cases of severe reactions were reported in patients with allergy history. This warning led to an increased demand for allergy testing to evaluate pre-vaccination risk assessment, especially due to the refusal of allergic patients to receive the vaccine. Method(s): Twenty patients were evaluated between May to July 2021, referred for allergology study prior to receiving the vaccine against COVID-19. All patients tested had allergy history. Skin tests were performed with the available excipients of the COVID-19 vaccine: polyethylene glycol (PEG-1500, 10% prick ROXALL), polysorbate 80 (tween 80 prick 0.04 -ID 0.004 mg/ml), and trometamol (prick 1 -ID 0.1 mg/ml). A telephone follow-up was subsequently performed to assess tolerance to the vaccine. Result(s): The median age of the patients was 54.5 years and ninety percent were female. (Table 1) The most frequent allergy history was adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in 18 patients (90%), followed by bronchial asthma (35%), rhinitis (25%), food allergy (25%), and dermatitis (15%). 12 patients (60%) had multiple allergic diseases. The drugs implicated in these ADRs were beta-lactam antibiotics (40%), NSAIDs (20%), radiographic contrast media (15%), and vaccines (15%). Skin tests with the excipients studied were negative in all cases. Subsequently, the COVID-19 vaccine was administered in 16 patients (80%). Six patients (30%) reported side effects expected from the vaccine and no DHRs were described. Although vaccination was recommended to all patients after the study, 4 patients (20%) refused the administration. Conclusion(s): Patients with atopic history do not require an allergology study prior to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Exceptionally, it may be necessary if the patient has a history of suspected DHRs to the excipients involved. The previous allergology assessment did not prevent refusal of vaccination in 20% of the patients. (Table Presented).

Prevalence of Infant Regurgitation: Experience of the Working Group on Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (LASPGHAN).

Introduction. The prevalence of infant regurgitation in Latin American children is between 8.0% and 9.4% according to the Rome III criteria. Objective. To determine the prevalence of infant regurgitation in Latin American children according to the Rome IV criteria and its possible as-sociations. Materials and methods. A descriptive observational study of prevalence type was carried out in seven Latin American countries. The Functional International Digestive Epidemiological Research Survey database was used to select the sample. Children under 12 months of age who were diagnosed with infant regurgitation using the Pediatric Rome IV Gastrointestinal Symptoms Questionnaire were included in the study. Results. 1802 infants (80.7% from South America, 6.7 +/- 3.8 months of age) were analyzed. Infant regurgitation was diagnosed in 6.8% (52.5% women;39.8% mixed race;46.7% Colombians);peak age: 6 months. There was a greater chance to present infant regurgitation in infants between 1 and 6 months of age, of indigenous race, from Central America, born by C-section, premature, treat-ed in a public institution, by a pediatric gastroenterologist and during the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a lower chance to present infant regurgitation in infants with complementary feeding. Conclusion. Infant regurgitation is frequent in Latin American infants, its prevalence is lower compared to that described in other countries, with risk factors such as race, origin, C-section, prematurity, site and level of care, and the Covid-19 pandemic. The protective factor is complementary feeding.Copyright © 2023, Sociedad Argentina de Gastroenterologia. All rights reserved.

Admission Hemoglobin as a Prognostic Factor for Major Adverse Kidney Events in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19 and Acute Kidney Injury

Introduction: AlthoughCOVID-19 and anemia are associated with higher risk for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), to the best of our knowledge no studies have analyzed the association of admission hemoglobin with Major Adverse Kidney Events (MAKE) in patients with COVID-19 and AKI. Method(s): Retrospective cohort study of 412 hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. MAKE was defined as a composite of 28-day mortality, progression to AKI stage 3, and renal replacement therapy. A COX regression analysis was used to determine the independent association of hemoglobin level with risk of MAKE. Result(s): The mean age of the 412 patients was 55+/-15 years, 35.9% were male, had a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28.2+/-5.5 kg/m2, and median in-hospital stay was 10 (6-17) days. Overall, patients had a mean hemoglobin level of 12.8+/-2.8g/dL, and 62.1%, 23.8%, 8.7%, and 5.3% presented a 24-hour hemoglobin >13g/dL, 10-13g/dL, 9.9-8g/dL, and < 8g/dL, respectively. Likewise, the 28-day mortality was 20.4%, 22.3% progressed to AKI stage 3 and 9.5% required RRT. The univariate analysis showed that a 24-hour hemoglobin >13 g/dL had a lower risk for 28-day mortality (HR=0.634 [0.503-0.800]), AKI at any stage (0.457 [0.304-687]), progression to AKI stage 3 (0.666 [0.527-0.841]) and RRT requirement (0.626 [0.489-0.801]). After COX regression analysis, a hemoglobin >13g/dL was associated with lower risk to present MAKE (0.541 [0.338-0.866]), independently of age, sex, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, mechanical ventilation, and proinflammatory markers. Conclusion(s):A hemoglobin >13 g/dL level was independently associated with lower risk to present MAKE in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. [Formula presented] Conclusion(s): A hemoglobin >13 g/dL level was independently associated with lower risk to present MAKE in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023

Territorial Cooperation for European Cohesion (In What Measure Can ETC Contribute to Achieving the EU Goal of Territorial Cohesion?)

Although the single market is at the core of the European Union, borders keep on causing friction to the freedoms of movement and everyday interaction. Most public policies, including economic ones, are designed and implemented within a national framework and end, therefore, at the national boundaries. However, when the citizens' daily life embraces a cross-border territory, they are confronted with fragmented national policies instead of a cohesive and integrative common framework. There have been significant achievements for border regions within an integrated EU, with milestones like Schengen or territorial cooperation and cohesion, but there is a long way to go. Still, the COVID-19 pandemic has also shown how weak these achievements could be towards the free will of nation-states. To be "natural” laboratories of European cohesion and integration, and they have shown they can, cross-border regions need a different approach, being considered functional areas and guaranteed a minimum operativity for daily cross-border activities even in emergency situations. Interreg, the funding arm of European Territorial Cooperation, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020. Hundreds of programmes and projects have significantly triggered territorial cohesion across the continent over three decades. Cross-border structures and their networks have made this possible. Other EU instruments like the EGTCs have amplified the opportunities already opened by pioneer Euroregions well before the first earmarking of European funds for territorial cooperation. In particular, border regions today are starting to be seen as laboratories where innovative solutions for cohesion are developed and piloted. In no other territory like a (cross-)border region do citizens daily feel the benefits and the challenges of the European single market, still a utopia in many fields. But its perception in cross-border territories would mean effective cohesion. This chapter discusses how European territorial cooperation (ETC) has managed to be a key factor for territorial cohesion, a crucial but relatively recent component of European cohesion. And how it has overcome many difficulties to progress while notoriously drawing the attention of policymakers (and scholars) as a very genuine, valuable and promising cohesion tool. It also discusses the interference with national sovereignty conceptions and how going beyond financial support in search of trust across borders could be a tool of evermore importance. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

REMOTE CONFERENCES IN PARASITOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY DURING THE PANDEMIC: ELIMINATE OR MAINTAIN IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD? THAT IS THE DILEMMA!

The COVID-19 pandemic brought enormous challenges for health, scientists and academic world two years ago. Social isolation and the inabilities of face-to-face activities generated the emergence of many educational and scientific initiatives. Remote activities gave information and brought company and affection to people which allowed students and professionals from different parts of the world to integrate. In this report we are showing the experience from three initiatives in South America of scientific dissemination in infectious diseases. We discuss the scope of having a permanent practice for access and integration in science using remote communication, which can give great benefits in unequal societies. © 2022 Brazilian Society of Parasitology. All rights reserved.

Methodology for Monitoring the Energy Consumption of Computer Services in Health Centers Based on IoT Technology Applied to Decision Making

Health centers, in recent times, are being considered as important resources to take care of people's health, with greater importance with the arrival of the pandemic produced by COVID-19, where one of the main concerns was to be able to increase their medical equipment. These actions are very helpful, but in some cases, the requirement on the consumption of electrical energy is ignored, which can cause a decrease in voltage levels, which would cause a malfunction of the medical equipment and current surges, which would lead to much of the equipment connected to the electrical network being affected. The proposed methodology is based on being able to monitor and evaluate the consumption of electrical energy, organized under an IoT network configuration, to measure by areas and by critical services that may be affected, and to measure the current and voltage at each critical point. To test the methodology, current and voltage sensors will be used. As an IoT interface, the 16-bit PIC-IoT, a module, was made in LabVIEW to monitor and evaluate the measurements. Copyright © 2022, IGI Global.

Association of Dysnatremia with Morbidity and Mortality of Covid-19 Patients Admitted in the Intensive Care Units of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread globally and infected millions, with increasing infection rates and mortality. In our institution, there have been several cases of COVID-19 patients who, in the initial laboratory exam at the ED (Emergency Department), turned out to be dysnatremic. On admission, most patients with normal serum Na+ developed dysnatremia during their ICU (Intensive Care Unit) stay. This study aimed to determine the relationship between serum Na+ levels on presentation and any point during hospitalization with morbidity and mortality in critically ill COVID-19 subjects. Method(s): This retrospective cohort study included 261 patients aged 18 years and above diagnosed with COVID-19 infection confirmed by positive real-time RT PCR test, who were admitted from January 2020 to December 2021 in the critical care units of a tertiary care hospital. The outcomes were evaluated after 8 weeks of hospitalization as to AKI (Acute Kidney Injury), length of hospital stay, length of ICU stay, need for ventilator support, vasopressor support, COVID recovery, and mortality. Subjects' serum Na+ levels were obtained on admission, day 3, day 7, day 14, and the last serum Na+ before death or discharge. Result(s): Among the 261 COVID-19 cases analyzed, the number of patients with either hyponatremia or hypernatremia on presentation and anytime during hospitalization was 67.05%. The predominant disorder was hyponatremia, seen in 51.34% of patients (95% CI 45.10% to 57.55%). Hypernatremia was seen in 36 patients, or 13.79%. The most common etiology of both disorders was hypovolemia, mostly from poor oral intake, followed by insensible losses from fever and tachypnea, and GI losses. Mortality rates were higher in hypovolemic patients compared to euvolemic patients (86.21% vs. 42.86% in hypernatremic patients;62.77% vs. 53.85% in hyponatremic patients). Patients with dysnatremia had a significantly higher proportion of AKI (80% vs. 31.4%, p < 0.001), a longer length of ICU stay (19 vs. 12 days, p < 0.001), a higher proportion that required ventilator support (80% vs. 28%, p < 0.001) or vasopressor support (73.71% vs. 20.93%, p < 0.001), and death (64% vs. 2.33%, p < 0.001) after 8 weeks of hospitalization. In a subgroup analysis of hypernatremic and hyponatremic patients, it appeared that hypernatremia had worse outcomes in terms of AKI (94.44% vs. 75.37%), length of ICU stay (IQR 16-35 vs. 14-25), need for ventilator support (91.67% vs. 77.61%), vasopressor support (86.11% vs. 70.9%), and death (77.78% vs. 60.45%). [Formula presented] Conclusion(s): Dysnatremia at any time point during the ICU stay is related to excess mortality. Hypernatremia was a significant risk factor for mortality, especially for the subgroup of hypovolemic patients. Dysnatremia was found to be more frequent on the day of presentation in the ED, making it a potential risk stratification tool for determining COVID-19 severity and poor outcomes. Clinicians managing COVID-19 patients should know that dysnatremia anytime during hospitalization confers a higher risk for death than those presenting with normal Na+ levels, and early nephrology referral may provide benefit. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023

Infectious comorbidities in severity and mortality from Covid-19: analysis of the scientific contribution in The Lancet Publishing Group

The number of total cases of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) continues to rise rapidly, threatening thousands or millions of people with pre-existing chronic conditions who are disproportionately affected. As of 2020, the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center reported that worldwide more than 180 countries have been affected with COVID-19 with more than twelve million confirmed cases and more than 500,000 deaths. As research related to potential risk factors for mortality from COVID-19 continues, it becomes clear that people with underlying comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and HIV/AIDS may be at increased risk of death from COVID-19. The objective of this work is to determine the infectious comorbidities in severity and mortality from Covid-19, especially associated with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, answering the following question: Has the world scientific community been concerned about infectious comorbidity in covid-19 severe and fatal cases? An analysis made to the reference group The Lancet Publishing Group was carried out to answer this question. © 2022 Instituto de Altos Estudios de Salud Publica. All rights reserved.

Association of electrocardiographic abnormalities with in-hospital mortality in adult patients with COVID-19 infection

Objectives: The study aims to determine the association between electrocardiographic abnormalities and in-hospital mortality of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection admitted in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. Material(s) and Method(s): We conducted a retrospective study of confirmed COVID-19-infected patients. Demographic, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes were extracted from the medical records. Electrocardiographic analysis was derived from the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded upon admission. The frequencies and distributions of various clinical characteristics were described, and the ECG abnormalities associated with in-hospital mortality were investigated. Result(s): A total of 163 patients were included in the study, most were female (52.7%) with a median age of 55 years old. Sinus rhythm (40%), nonspecific ST and T wave changes (35%), and sinus tachycardia (22%) were the frequently reported ECG findings. The presence of any ECG abnormality was detected in 78.5% of patients and it was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (p = 0.038). The analysis revealed a statistically significant association between in-hospital mortality and having atrial fibrillation or flutter (p = 0.002), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (p = 0.011), ventricular tachycardia (p = 0.011), third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) (p = 0.011), T wave inversion (p = 0.005) and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) (p = 0.011). Conclusion(s): The presence of any ECG abnormality in patients with COVID-19 infection was associated with in-hospital mortality. ECG abnormalities that were associated with mortality were atrial fibrillation or flutter, SVT, ventricular tachycardia, third-degree AVB, T wave inversion, and RVH. Supporting Documents Association of electrocardiographic abnormalities with in-hospital mortality in adult patients with COVID-19 infection TARRANZA, Jannah Lee [1];RAMIREZ, Marcellus Francis [1,2];YAMAMOTO, Milagros [1] 1 Section of Adult Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines 2 Division of Electrophysiology, Section of Adult Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines.

Digital planning in the treatment of juvenile maxillary psamomatoid ossifying fibroma Presentation of a case

Ossifying fibromas are benign fibro-osseous neoplasms that affect the craniofacial and mandibular skeleton. Juvenile psamomatoid ossifying fibroma is a rare variant of ossifying fibroma, which can be locally aggressive, and with a high recurrence rate. We present the clinical case of a 15-year-old patient with a morbid history of hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism, who consulted for increased volume and displacement of teeth in the right maxilla. The histopathological result was consistent with juvenile psamomatoid ossifying fibroma. Owing to the hospital situation during the COVID-19 the treatment consisted of hemimaxillectomy with iliac crest autograft using digital planning. © 2022 SECOM CyC.

Preliminary Study of Self-Esteem and Subjective Well-Being in Sports and Physical Exercise Students before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Social isolation has been an important strategy to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the practice of sports and physical exercise and has also had an impact on perception of variables such as self-esteem and subjective well-being (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule [PANAS], and life satisfaction). Even though these variables have a significant relation, they may also give rise to affect mediation, which is not conclusive in this pandemic era. For this reason, this research's objective is to compare those variables before and during confinement, in addition to analyzing the mediation effect within a structural model in SmartPLS. By conducting a quantitative, correlational, and comparative research, a sample of 200 sports and physical exercise students from a university located to the northeast of Mexico was obtained. Significant differences were found in variables such as self-esteem (pre-pandemic [M= 3.65;DE= .272] and during [M= 3.23;DE= .543];p< .001) and positive (pre-pandemic [M= 3.64;DE= .601] and during [M= 3.41;DE= .797];p< .05) and negative (pre-pandemic [M= 2.37;DE= .733] and during [M= 2.11;DE= .765];p< .01) affects before and during the pandemic, as well as a mediation effect of positive affect in the relation between self-esteem and life satisfaction (t= 3.772;p< .001). This is intended to contribute to the understanding of the pandemic effects on the relation between sports practice and positive psychology variables, perspective which has gained great relevance in the last years.

From understanding a simple DC motor to developing an electric vehicle AI controller rapid prototype using MATLAB-Simulink, real-time simulation and complex thinking

Electric drives have been used in several applications, such as electric vehicles, industry 4.0, and robotics. Thus, it is mandatory to promote updated electric drive courses that allow students to design novel solutions in these engineering areas. However, traditional undergraduate courses that only cover theoretical aspects and do not allow students to interact and produce practical results through experimentation are insufficient today. The students are not exposed to educational innovation, so they have difficulties proposing original solutions. On the other hand, conventional theoretical and laboratory courses in which students follow specific directions for achieving predefined goals do not allow students to create novel solutions and integrate the innovation process as a standard methodology. Moreover, beginning in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced professors to implement digital tools and materials to continue education intensively. This proposed course presents an alternative to promote practical and theoretical knowledge in students. Besides, engineering students must create innovative solutions to increase the quality of life in rural and urban communities, which calls for novel experimental approaches. Electric drives are fundamental elements in electric systems and industrial processes proposed to save energy or control electric machines. In addition, industries urge specialized engineers who can tackle complex industrial problems. The proposed educational methodology can be implemented in manufacturing, agriculture, robotics, and aerospace. Hence, low-cost devices to validate the proposed solutions became used by students to achieve novel solutions using electric drives. This paper describes an undergraduate course called "Digital Control of Electric Machines" (electric drives) and its implementation of the Tec21 Educational Model of Tecnologico de Monterrey, V Model, MATLAB/ Simulink, low-cost hardware, and complex thinking. The content of the course begins with electric machine models and power electronics that allow students to move from the basic to the advanced industrial electric drive problems in a friendly manner. In addition, the V-model and Modelo Tec 21 are used as fundamental pillars of the leading innovative structure of the proposed course. The results showed that students mastered several soft and hard skills to accomplish complex design goals, including controlling an electric rapid prototype vehicle.

Detection of COVID-19 in diagnostic tests carried out on patients

Diagnostic tests to detect the coronavirus allow the identification of the virus in addition to the antibodies generated by the body of the person who has previously been infected, so the objective of the research is to detect COVID-19 in diagnostic tests carried out in patients. It is a quantitative, descriptive experimental cross-sectional study, which was carried out with a total population of 560 patients from hospital centers. In its results, we observed that 83.4% (n=467) of patients were non-reactive to the Antigen Test and 66.8% (n=374) of patients were negative in the PCR test. In conclusion, the strengths of the COVID-19 detection tests should be complemented since it allows for an accurate and timely diagnosis of patients. © 2022 The Authors.

Outcomes Among Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 and AKI: Role of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

Background: COVID-19 and Acute kidney injury (AKI) are associated with increased mortality and worse kidney outcomes. Although vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have decreased the rate COVID-19 morbimortality, the role of immune protection against SARS-CoV-2 in the setting of AKI has not been fully yielded Methods: Retrospective case-control study that included clinical and biochemical data of 412 (78 vaccinated and 334 non-vaccinated) patients with severe COVID-19. Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of the vaccine in mortality and AKI outcomes Results: The mean age of the patients was 55+/-15 years, 64% were women, the mean body mass index was 28+/-5 kg/m2, and median in-hospital stay was 10(6-16) days. The rate of mortality and AKI 3 was 29% vs 10% and 27% vs 13%, for unvaccinated and vaccinated patients, respectively. Cox proportional hazard ratios for survival and prevention of AKI are shown in table 1 Conclusion(s): The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was independently associated with lower mortality and AKI progression in patients with severe COVID-19.

Transition to virtual education at University of San Carlos of Guatemala 2020

The transition from traditional teaching to virtual teaching in public institutions of higher education (PIHE) is a process that began with the first computers in the 20th century, which has been accelerated by the Covid 19 pandemic, forcing the PIHE to adopt new virtual learning environments for which the traditional educational model was not designed at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC). The global characteristics of the Covid 19 pandemic have affected USAC teachers, students, administrative and service workers, and authorities, who had to adapt various methodologies with the support of ICT to continue the educational process. The implementation and use of these technologies evidenced a digital divide both in cognitive processes and in the use and access of digital tools. The study addressed the trends of use and access to technology in three case studies at the campus of USAC in Guatemala City: Architecture, Humanities and Economic Sciences, with a sample of 2,128 students, who responded through a Google form survey instrument, interviews and a forum, from February to may 2020. The results show that the different socioeconomic levels affect the access and use of technology for the educational process, which is why it is necessary for PIHE to adopt policies and strategies that guarantee education.

Boosting industry 4.0 in times of COVID-19: case of costa rican tech companies

Costa Rican technological organizations must take advantage of the development opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution, taking into consideration the challenges that exist in Latin America and the impact of the accelerating elements. This research has a qualitative approach in which sources of information are explored and analyzed to achieve a general perspective on the Industry 4.0. The results indicate that Costa Rica has a leading role in the region and has the support of various areas of the country to continue in the right direction and promote the national industry. It is concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic, despite creating a great crisis and being a current challenge in different sectors, should be taken as a growth opportunity for companies in the information and communication technologies.

Construct validity of an instrument to assess assertive feedback in initial teacher training

Feedback in the evaluation process has become more important in teaching practice since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of the present study is to analyse the construct validity and reliability of the Sociofor-mative Analytical Rubric for the Assessment of Assertive Feedback (RASERA). This instrument was applied to a sample of 525 students from normal schools in Mexico. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to analyse its construct validity. Its reliability was analysed using Cronbach’s alpha. The results of the first analysis revealed the formation of two factors;the first, we called execution of assertive feedback and the second, representativeness of assertive feedback. These two factors explained more than 65% of nificant factor loadings were found in them (FL > 0.50). For its part, the CFA revealed a good fit of this model (Ratio χ2 /df: 2.284;GFI: 0.909;RMSEA: 0.068;RMR: 0.035;CFI: 0.966;TLI: 0.955). For each factor, the average variance extracted, and the composite reliability were pertinent (AVE > 0.50 and CR > 0.70) and each item showed an adequate standardised factor load (SFL > 0.50). The reliability analysis gave optimal factor values (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega > 0.85). We conclude that the RASERA instrument has adequate psychometric properties. © 2022, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja. All rights reserved.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders as a Post-Covid Infection Sequel in Pediatric Patients in Mexico

INTRODUCTION: The rate of pediatric patients diagnosed with Sars Cov 2 has increased since the early stages of the pandemic. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been demonstrated to be relatively common in pediatric COVID-19 patients as well as severe complications like PIMS syndrome because of the expression of ACE II in different areas of the digestive tract which serves as a receptor for their entry and infection in the body. During the last months of the omicron variant wave, we observed some gastrointestinal conditions in pediatric patients days after the resolution of the Sars Cov 2 acute infection period, sparking our interest to execute further research and analysis. OBJECTIVE(S): Describe the presence of functional gastrointestinal disorders as a post-covid infection sequel METHODS: We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study, were we recollected the clinical and epidemiological data from the medical records of pediatric patients with a history of Sars cov-2 infection confirmed with positive PCR or antigen (sars cov-2) tests at Hospital Angeles Lomas, Mexico City. We included children from 6 months up to 16 years of age, who presented functional gastrointestinal disorders at a minimum 15 days after the infection that fulfilled Rome IV criteria. We evaluated the frequency and proportion of the qualitative variables;we obtained the arithmetic mean and the standard deviation for the quantitative variables with normal distribution RESULTS: We included data from 30 patients with confirmed covid 19 diseases by positive pcr or antigen (sars cov-2) tests, with a mean age 5.327 +/- 3.8 years Min: 7 months Max: 16 years, with a female predominance of 56.7% vs 43% male patients. During the acute infection by covid, 20% presented respiratory symptoms, 13.3% gastrointestinal symptoms, 36.7% only fever, 3.3% dysgeusia and 26.7% were asymptomatic. Adequate nutritional status was detected in 93% of the patients. The mean days the patients presented manifestations was 32 +/- 14 days, at a minimum 15 days, with a maximum of 63 days, being the most frequent functional gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal pain 90%, bloating 76%, vomit and reflux 33%, diarrhea 30%, constipation 26.7%. There was no weight loss in the patients, the appropriate treatment was given for each case. There was no complication in 90% of the patients, 10% presented acute abdominal pain and were transferred to the emergency room, 1 patient was diagnosed with appendicitis and 2 patients with mesenteric lymphadenitis. CONCLUSION Special attention must be paid to toddler and preschooler patients with Sars Cov 2 infection, regardless of the clinical manifestation in acute infections, mild or asymptomatic, functional gastrointestinal disorders may occur in the first 2 months after a positive PCR test. The ileum and the colon are places in which there is a greater expression of the ACE II, so when the enterocytes are invaded by SARS CoV-2, they may produce alterations in absorption and other mechanisms that could be the cause of these consequences. It is of vital importance that all pediatricians are aware of the consequences of the disease to prevent misdiagnosis.

First outbreak of COVID-19 in Cuban pediatric patients

Introduction: Until June 11, 2020, 10.4% of the total positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Cuba corresponded to patients under 18 years of age. Clinical manifestations in children affected by SARS-CoV-2 are usually mild and few deaths occur compared to other age groups. Objective: Characterize from the clinical, epidemiological and immunological point of view the Cuban pediatric patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 until June 11, 2020. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study in 137 pediatric patients infected with COVID-19, who were epidemiologically discharged. Results: 56.9 % of the patients presented asymptomatic form of the disease. Havana was the most affected province and the average age was 11.3 years. The most frequent symptoms were: fever, cough and diarrhea and occurred more frequently in patients with black skin (Odd Ratio = 3.40). Antibody concentrations for tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b provided protection in 92.7% to 100% of children, while for diphtheria 24.8% had no reliable protection. Of the symptomatic patients, 62.5% developed specific total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: Patients in pediatric ages can contribute significantly to the transmission dynamics. Reliable protection for specific vaccines, the development of total antibodies to SAR-Cov-2, and general favorable prognosis without complications require continued research to identify biological and immunological differences between children and other age groups. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.