Contribution of the School of Biology of the University of Havana in the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 at IPK

At the end of 2019, the existence and spread of a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, responsible of the disease COVID-19 was known worldwide. From the beginning, the Cuban governmental and health authorities drawn up epidemiological control strategies, in which the molecular diagnosis by real-time PCR was of paramount importance for the control of the disease in our country. A large number of young professionals and students from the School of Biology of the University of Havana joined this task. This paper deals with the main activities performed by the students related to the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV- 2 at the "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) in the first months of the pandemic in our country. The exercise of the profession in the implementation of the skills, and theoretical and practical knowledge;the acquisition of new knowledge;and the promotion of ethical and moral values such as solidarity, companionship, and joint work characterized this experience full of challenges and achievements.

Contribution of the School of Biology of the University of Havana in the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 at IPK

At the end of 2019, the existence and spread of a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, responsible of the disease COVID-19 was known worldwide. From the beginning, the Cuban governmental and health authorities drawn up epidemiological control strategies, in which the molecular diagnosis by real-time PCR was of paramount importance for the control of the disease in our country. A large number of young professionals and students from the School of Biology of the University of Havana joined this task. This paper deals with the main activities performed by the students related to the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 at the "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) in the first months of the pandemic in our country. The exercise of the profession in the implementation of the skills, and theoretical and practical knowledge;the acquisition of new knowledge;and the promotion of ethical and moral values such as solidarity, companionship, and joint work characterized this experience full of challenges and achievements. Copyright © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Clinical outcomes in patients with severe respiratory failure due to novel coronavirus disease 2019 treated with non-invasive respiratory support: observational, prospective study

BACKGROUND: In the present study we aimed to analyze the response to non-invasive respiratory support in patients stratified with acute respiratory failure due to novel coronavirus disease. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was carried out in Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos from February 1st to June 30th, 2020. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Fundacion Jimenez Diaz. We included patients over 18 years of age with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who required non-invasive respiratory support (N.=130). We classified patients included in the sample according to the three clinical scenarios established by the Spanish Respiratory Society. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 64.3 +/- 12.9 years;43.8% were older than 70, and the majority were male (N.=88;67.7%). Eighty percent of the study population (N.=104) presented comorbidities. The most used device was the continuous positive airway pressure (54.6%, N.=71). Non-invasive respiratory support-based treatment avoided Intensive Care Unit admission in 68% of the acute respiratory failure cases studied. Treatment-failure occurred in 43.8% of patients (37% clinical scenario 1, de-novo acute respiratory failure, P=0.04) and the overall rate of mortality was 36.2% (14.8% clinical scenario 1, P<0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The used of non-invasive respiratory support was safe and clinically effective treatment (68% of ICU admissions prevented, lower rate of TF than that reported for other viral pneumonias, and a mortality rate of 14.8% within clinical scenario 1). Non-invasive respiratory support may be considered a first-line therapy for patients with severe COVID-19.

RESILIENT COPING AND FEAR OF MISSING OUT IN TIMES OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A PILOT STUDY ABOUT THE MODERATING ROLE OF EMOTIONAL REGULATION

The Covid-19 pandemic period has had a strong impact on people's lives, it has been associated with problematic phenomena, including FoMO (Fear of Missing Out). This fear has been related to numerous psychological problems, both internalizing and externalizing. However, to date, few studies have focused on variables that can play a protective role to deal with this fear. The objective of the present study was to explore the protective role that Resilient Coping and Emotional Regulation could play as personal resources against FoMO. A sample of 146 young adults, aged between 18 and 25 years (74% women), completed different questionnaires regarding resilient coping (BRS), emotional regulation (WLEIS-S) and fear of missing out (FoMO). Correlation analysis was carried out among the variables, as well as a moderation analysis using the PROCESS macro (Hayes, 2018). The results indicated significant associations between the variables in the expected direction. In addition, Emotional Regulation moderated the main effect of Resilient Coping on FoMO. These findings suggest the potential benefits of training and developing both personal resources to protect against negative emotions such as FoMO. © 2022 Instituto de Investigacion de Drogodependencias. All rights reserved.

LESSON STRUCTURE FOR VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES IN TIMES OF COVID-19

Currently, the structure of lessons in virtual communities needs to be transformed into a mixed or blended-learning modality in full interactivity-interaction with the support of telematic resources of synchronous and asynchronous communication, through the realization of several actions to be implemented according to their diagnosis with the dynamics of the process itself, the collaboration and dialogue among the participants in correspondence with the teaching and learning needs, the decision making to contribute to the solution of activities of assessing and evaluative character of two subjects that were object of study developed in the Computer Science (study plan E) Bachelor of Education degree course, to students in the first and third years of the of four and five-year study programs of the Encounter-type Course modality at the University of Cienfuegos. In this practice, lessons are structured under a collaborative-dialogical method using Moodle, WhatsApp and Facebook, supporting the exchange of knowledge, ideas and publication of tasks developed by the students according to the guidelines indicated by the teacher. The results are seen as positive, although they require greater dissemination in the field of contemporary pedagogy, involving changes in the traditional way of structuring lessons respecting the established methodology. © 2022, University of Cienfuegos, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

Acute liver infarct with a superimposed liver abscess as a consequence of hypercoagulable state in a patient with COVID-19 without respiratory manifestations

Introduction: COVID-19 infection have been associated to a hypercoagulable state. We present a case of a 66-year-old man with SARS-CoV-2 infection without respiratory symptoms that debuted with thrombosis of the portal vein and branches of the hepatic artery, liver infarction and superimposed hepatic abscess as the only clinical manifestation. Hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cirrhosis, intra-abdominal and pelvic inflammation or infection were absent. No history of coagulopathies reported. We postulate that the hypercoagulable state associated to COVID-19 led to thrombosis of the portal vein and branches of the hepatic artery leading to patient's clinical presentation and ultimate complications. Case Description/Methods: A 66-year-old man presented to the ED complaining of fever, night sweats, generalized malaise, unintentional weight loss, and epigastric pain. Ten days prior, a COVID- 19 PCR test was done with positive results. Physical examination demonstrated bilateral clear lungs and a benign abdomen. Labs showed neutrophilic leukocytosis, reactive thrombocytosis, normocytic normochromic anemia, elevation of liver enzymes and inflammatory markers. Abdominal US revealed acute PVT. He was admitted and started on vancomycin, piperacillin/tazobactam and full anticoagulation with enoxaparin. Chest CT scan excluded pulmonary consolidations and ground glass opacities. Abdominopelvic contrast CT scan confirmed the PVT involving the main, right and left portal veins without collateral vessels. No other infectious foci was identified. Contrast MRI findings were consistent with a multiseptated liver abscess within the left liver lobe lateral segment and PVT associated with a large infarction involving the right liver lobe anterior segment and the left liver lobe medial and lateral segments. Blood and urine cultures, stool ova and parasite, E. histolytica IgG ELISA and viral hepatitis panel were negative. After 12 days, the patient was discharged to complete 4 weeks of antibiotics and 6 months of full anticoagulation. Follow-up contrast CT scan showed new cavernous transformation of the porta hepatis and resolution of the liver abscess. Discussion: Physicians should be aware that patients with COVID-19 infection can debut with thromboembolic phenomenon and potential involvement of hepatic circulation as the only clinical manifestation of COVID-19. Prompt recognition can help physicians to direct appropriate therapy earlier for these complications, which can have a significant impact in patient's outcomes and prognosis. (Table Presented).

[Contingency plan for the intensive care services for the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Plan de contingencia para los servicios de medicina intensiva frente a la pandemia COVID-19.

In January 2020, the Chinese authorities identified a new virus of the Coronaviridae family as the cause of several cases of pneumonia of unknown aetiology. The outbreak was initially confined to Wuhan City, but then spread outside Chinese borders. On 31 January 2020, the first case was declared in Spain. On 11 March 2020, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. On 16 March 2020, there were 139 countries affected. In this situation, the Scientific Societies SEMICYUC and SEEIUC have decided to draw up this Contingency Plan to guide the response of the Intensive Care Services. The objectives of this plan are to estimate the magnitude of the problem and identify the necessary human and material resources. This is to provide the Spanish Intensive Medicine Services with a tool to programme optimal response strategies.

Reflections arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. / Reflexiones derivadas de la pandemia COVID-19.

While we were drafting the recommendations for the joint contingency plan between the Spanish Society of Intensive Care and Coronary Unit Nursing (SEEIUC) and the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC), predictions were overtaken by events with regard to the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members informed us of the lack of personal protection equipment (PPE), the rapid provision of improvised ICUs in various hospital areas and the recruitment of nurses to cover shifts. The failure to recognise the specialty of critical care nursing, included in the macro-specialty of medical-surgical nursing and not yet developed, has highlighted the urgent need to learn from our mistakes: specialisation, increase the number of nurses in teams and protect the public health system.