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The covid-19 pandemic is a manifestation of the current ecological crisis, whose ultimate origin can be traced to human exceptionalism-based ontology. This text echoes the environmental humanities perspective to address two pertinent concepts, kinship and topophilia, to re-signify the interdependence of humanity with the web of life and the abiotic elements that sustain it. Likewise, mourning is proposed as an element that can bring us closer to this vital framework by reestablishing kinships and a rooted sense of belonging to a place. It is concluded that the most promising approach for preventing future pandemics requires the extension of kinship to the non-human. © 2023 Oles Honchar Dnipro National University. All rights reserved.
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Background: To describe characteristics of COVID-19 infection among patients requiring admission to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in the USA. Method(s): Observational surveillance study of COVID-19 infected patients admitted to PICUs in 27 US states between April 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021. Result(s): Four hundred fifty-three patients were included;the majority were from institutions in the South and Midwest regions (40% and 34%). The population was mainly male (57%) and Hispanic (36%), with a median age of 10 years (IQR 4-15). 76% had 1 or more comorbidity. Patient's or caregiver's reported sources for COVID-19 infection were household and community contacts (31% and 24%). One hundred sixty-seven (40%) individuals were diagnosed with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MISC) within 7 days of PICU admission. Compared to COVID-19 cases without MISC, gastrointestinal, mucocutaneous, and neurological signs and symptoms were more frequent at PICU admission. Nasal cannula (20%) and high-flow oxygen (12.4%) were the most common respiratory support strategies at day 1 of admission, and mechanical ventilation by day 7. Overall, 104 (23%) and 8 (1.8%) individuals were placed on mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) within the interval of observation. Steroids and remdesivir were the most delivered COVID-19 targeted therapies (60% and 33%), and only 3% of the patients received convalescent plasma;IVIG (86.8%) and anakinra (61%) were commonly used among individuals with MISC. The overall mortality proportion (MP) was 2.65 (n= 12), and mortality was more frequent among individuals > 2 years old. Of the 167 children with MISC, only 1 died, MP (0.6). Conclusion(s): Mortality associated with pediatric COVID-19 infection is less frequent than in critically ill COVID-19-infected adults. Among pediatric/ adolescent patients, children > 2 years are the most vulnerable to adverse COVID-19-associated outcomes. MISC cases were frequent, yet mortality was low.
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BACKGROUND: Since the first reports in November 2019, coronavirus 2 has represented a priority health problem causing severe acute respiratory syndrome and other extrapulmonary manifestations, originating a pandemic with millions of deaths. Therefore, vaccines represent the most effective means of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Skin reactions to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been observed. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the morphology of the cutaneous manifestations and to carry out a review on the current recommendations for their management. CLINICAL CASE: Case 1: A 25-year-old male patient who presented a morbilliform rash after the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, which remitted without sequelae at 24 hours. Case 2: A 65-year-old female patient with erythema at the puncture site 10 days after the first dose of the Modern vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 with complete remission on the 4th day after its onset. CONCLUSION(S): Some of the dermatological manifestations to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were identified as mimicking the SARS-CoV-2 infection itself. As the administration of vaccines increases, it is essential to recognize and understand their adverse effects.Copyright © 2022 Comunicaciones Cientificas Mexicanas S.A. de C.V.. All rights reserved.
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Online discussion of the ensuing pandemic exemplifies the extent and complexity of information required to understand human perception. Social media has proven to be a viable medium for identifying actionable data and analyzing public perception. As health sectors all over the world battled to obtain accurate information regarding COVID-19, this research focused on gauging public perceptions of the vaccine. The public reception of the vaccine can be determined by public perception. This study explores how to use machine learning to understand human perceptions in the context of the COVID-19 vaccine. Natural Language Processing (NLP) was employed to detect pro- and anti-vaccine tweets, while two machine learning classification models were used to study the patterns derived from the analysis. The study analyzed people's perceptions of the vaccine by presenting the results from a geographic region, while learning patterns that are likely to be associated with pro- or anti-vaccine perceptions. © 2022 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.
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Objective: To determine the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its association with sociodemographic, clinical, and occupational characteristics in health workers (HCWs) in the COVID-19 risk area. Material(s) and Method(s): Longitudinal analytical study in a cohort of TS from the "Zafiro" area of patients with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The identification of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 was carried out with the RT-PCR test. Result(s): The cohort was made up of 114 SWs, with an average age of 35.3+/-7.4 years, with positions as general practitioner (26.3%), nursing assistant (21.1%) and nurse (19.3%). The incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 (31.6%) and reinfection (1.8%) during seven months. The factors jointly associated with SARS-CoV-2: cohabitation with people at high risk of contagion (HR=2.406, 95% CI: 1.225, 4.726, p=0.011), the lowest educational level (HR=2.241, 95% C: 1.051, 4.782, p=0.037) and a higher consumption of sleep medications (HR=4.680, 95% CI: 1.328,16.486, p=0.016). Conclusion(s): The contagion rate of SARS-CoV-2 during seven months of the pandemic, in health workers was high (one in three SW) associated with cohabitation with high-risk people, lower educational level and higher consumption of medications for to sleep. A situation of concern in the HCWs was the suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection.Copyright © 2022 Asociacion Colombiana de Infectologia. All rights reserved.
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Background: The cellular inflammation generated by SARS-COV-2 has been linked with different psychological impairments to long-term. The Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can generate positive changes in these patients. Aim(s): To know the effects of a brief behavioural cognitive e-therapy on emotional symptoms, and cellular inflammation in COVID-19 survivors. Method(s): A quasi-experimental study was carried out. Participated two groups of survivors COVID-19 patients;experimental group (TG;4) and wait-list group (WLG;6). Both groups were evaluated using The General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the brief Davidson Trauma Scale. Cellular inflammation was evaluated by an assessment of salivary IL-6 in a three-phase paradigm: baseline, stress, and recovery. The TG has received eight virtual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy sessions lasting two hours. The statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS version 26. Result(s): The average age was about 58+/-11.57 years (TG), and 44.33+/- 17.18 years (WLG). The TG showed a only a clinical differences in the psychological symptoms (anxiety;Mepre = 15.50, Mepost = 8, depression;Mepre =13, Mepost =6 and PTSD;Mepre = 10, Mepost = 5.50), and in the il-6 levels (Base line Mepre = 7.11 pg/mL, Mepost = 16 pg/mL, stress phase Mepre = 10.07 pg/mL, Mepost = 8.77 pg/mL, and recovery phase Me = 14.08 pg/mL, Me = 16.29 pg/mL). Conclusion(s): This type of therapy can helps to reduce the levels of the emotional alterations and generate a modulation of the il-6 levels. The effects of this type of treatment need to continue in research as a therapeutic option for the population that survives COVID-19.
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Background: The post-COVID syndrome generates physical and respiratory complications that can be accompanied by psychological impairments, which can affect long-term mental and physical health. Objective(s): Know the prevalence and severity of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in surviving COVID-19 patients in a follow-up evaluation. Method(s): A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. 227 survivors COVID-19 patients participated, were assessed three months following discharge hospital. The following questionnaires were used: The Brief Davidson Trauma Scale, the General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire. A descriptive and statically analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS version 26. Result(s): The 64.5% of the patients were men, 60.9% required of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) during the hospitalization, the average age was about 48.23+/-14.33 years old. The 40% of the patients showed symptoms associated with PTSD, 38.4% anxiety symptoms, 36.6% depression symptoms. There were statistically significant differences between the type of treatment during hospitalization (IMV vs without IMV), in PTSD (t=2.482, df=223, p=.014, XIMV = 5.21, XWIMV = 6.08) and anxiety (t= -2.006, df=223, p=.046, XIMV = 4.05, XWIMV =5.44). Conclusion(s): Survivors of COVID-19 experience a high prevalence of PTSD, anxiety, and depression even three months after discharge from hospital. Patients who did not require IMV during hospitalization experienced a high prevalence and severity of PTSD and anxiety symptoms. Screening for PTSD and other emotional disturbances should be considered in follow-up evaluations in patients discharged from the hospital.
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Background: The third wave of COVID-19 in Mexico produced a high demand for hospital care, which is why it was created a multidisciplinary group to optimize decision-making: the Interinstitutional Command for the Health Sector (COISS, according to its initials in Spanish). So far, there is no scientific evidence of the COISS processes or their effect on the behavior of epidemiological indicators and the hospital care needs of the population in the context of COVID-19 in the entities involved. Objectives: To analyze the trend on epidemic risk indicators throughout the COISS group's management in the third wave of COVID-19 in Mexico. Material and methods: Mixed study: 1) non-systematic review of information from technical documents issued by COISS, 2) secondary analysis of open-access institutional databases through the description of healthcare needs of cases notified with COVID-19 symptoms, and an ecological analysis by each Mexican state on the behavior of hospital occupancy, RT-PCR positivity, and COVID-19 mortality in two-time points. Results: The COISS activity in identifying states with epidemic risk generated actions aimed at a reduction in hospital occupancy of beds, positivity by RT-PCR, and mortality from COVID-19. Conclusions : The decisions of the COISS group reduced the indicators of epidemic risk. Continuing the work of the COISS group is an urgent need. Conclusions: The decisions of the COISS group reduced the indicators of epidemic risk. Continuing the work of the COISS group is an urgent need. Copyright © 2023 Revista Medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.
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Introduction: Cognitive impairment is observed in patients for Covid-19;derived from both multiple organic dysfunctions due to the disease and its management during hospital stay. Existing literature reports greater cognitive impairment (60-80%) in patients with invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), compared to those who did not require it (50-70%). Objective(s): To compare cognitive impairment among COVID-19 survivors with and without IMV during hospital stay. Method(s): A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. A total of 211 COVID-19 survivors participated, 64.9% required IMV (G1) and 35.1% did not (G2). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) was used to assess cognitive functions at a 9 month follow-up after hospital discharge. Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS V25. Result(s): Patients presented the following characteristics: male sex (G1: 61.8%, G2: 54.1%), and average age G1: 54.05+/-11.89, G2: 57.21+/-11.90 years. In both groups (G1 vs. G2) no significant differences (p<0.05) were found in the prevalence of probable mild cognitive impairment (72.3% vs. 82.4%), neither in the mean of principal affections reports: attention (4. 70+/-1.23 vs. 4.80+/-1.03) and memory (2.69+/-1.53 vs. 2.86+/-1.59). Orientation (5.60+/-.71 vs. 5.82+/-.41), was the only value that reached statistically significant differences (p=.013), but without clinical significance. Conclusion(s): Both groups have high prevalence of patients with probable mild cognitive impairment yet nine months after discharge, contrasting with the prevalence reported to patients with IMV and to the recovery time (3-6 months). Cognitive sequelae have a greater impact than reported in all patients regardless of treatment.
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Introduction: COVID-19 survivor patients report a complaint subjectively related to memory and attentionconcentration problems when carry out their daily activities. Objective(s): To investigate the presence of cognitive sequelae associated with COVID-19. Method(s): An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. Participated 229 COVID-19 survivor patients, who were evaluated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and classified into three groups: a) severe cognitive impairment (G1, <13points, n=11), b) mild cognitive impairment (G2, 13-21 points, n=34), and c) without cognitive alterations (G3, 22-30 points, n=184). Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS V25. Result(s): Average age and male sex: G1: 67.36+/-10.71, 63.6%;G2: 58.76+/-11.55, 61.8%;G3: 53.32+/-11.39, 58.7%. G1 presented statistically differences (p <0.001) in all cognitive functions with the other groups (G1, G2, G3): visuospatial/executive ability (0.09+/-0.30, 0.53+/-0.50, 0.83+/-0.38), identification (2.00+/-0.89, 2.82+/-0.38, 2.92+/-0.32), attention (2.45+/-0.82, 3.97+/-1.16, 5.02+/-0.97), repetition (0.18+/-0.40, 0.29+/-0.46, 1.02+/-0.79), fluency (0.18+/-0.40, 0.68+/-0.47, 0.93+/-0.24), abstraction (0.18+/-0.40, 0.68+/-0.72, 1.41+/-0.77), deferred remembering (0.73+/-1.10, 1.44+/-1.37, 3.13+/-1.36) and orientation (4.64+/-0.92, 5.35+/-0.73, 5.79+/-0.49);except in executive ability, identification, repetition, abstraction and deferred remembering with respect to G2 (p<0.05). Conclusion(s): Cognitive alterations were found in patients post- COVID, especially in attention and deferred remembering, which could be related to errors of execution in other areas. In the case of the severe cognitive impairment, age may be a related variable. Necessary integrate this variable in the rehabilitation plan for a better prognosis and quality of life of patients.
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Introduction: The presence of anxious, depressive and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) symptoms are the most reported psychological sequelae in post-COVID patients. The use of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) may contribute to the appearance of these symptoms. Objective(s): To know the differences in anxious, depressive, PTSD and fear of COVID symptoms among surviving COVID-19 patients with or without IMV, 3 months after hospital discharge. Method(s): An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. 239 surviving COVID-19 patients participated: 146 with IMV at hospitalization (67.80% men and 32.20% women) (G1) and 93 without IMV (61.29% men 38.70% women) (G2), who were evaluated with: GAD-7 for anxious symptomatology, PHQ-9 for depressive symptomatology, EMACOVID scale to measure fear of COVID-19, and the brief Davidson scale as screening for EPT. Statistical analyzes were performed in the statistical package SPSS V25. Result(s): Average age: G1= 48.62+/-13.62, G2= 48.49+/-15.43. There was a statistically significant difference in the EPT scores (G1: Md=4 [4.00-6.00];G2: Md=5 [4.00-7.00]). No statistically significant differences were found (P<0.05, G1 vs G2) in depression (Md=3 [0.00-6.00] vs Md=3 [0.00-8.50], anxiety (Md=2 [0.00-6.00] vs Md=3 [1:00-7:50]), nor fear of COVID (Md= 9 [7:00-15:00] vs Md=11.80 [7:00-14:00]), although there were clinical differences. Conclusion(s): Patients without IMV have a conscious experience of their hospitalization, which may lead to a higher level of PTSD compared to sedated patients with IMV.
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Background. Healthcare workers are at high risk of Covid-19 (C19) infection and received priority for C19 vaccinations. Therefore, we conducted a serosurvey to determine anti-C19 antibodies and evidence of C19 infection in health care employees who did or did not have direct contact with patients. Methods. 49 participants provided finger stick blood samples collected onto filter papers and tested for antibodies to C19 using Bio-Plex Pro Human SARS-CoV-2 IgG reagents. Antibodies to C19 nucleocapsid (N), receptor-binding domain (RBD), spike 1 (S1), and spike 2 (S2) were measured. Samples were collected 8 to 11 months after C19 vaccines were made available. Results. All participants received two doses of Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna RNA-based C19 vaccines, and all showed serological evidence of antibodies to C19 RBD, S1, and S2. Antibodies to N, considered a marker of C19 infection, were detected in 16 individuals, of whom 10 reported having a PCR documented C19 infections. 6 individuals had evidence of C19 infection of which they were not aware. Antibody levels were notably higher following infection and for not infected participants following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. There was a 20% higher infection rate in participants with direct patient contact. Conclusion. This vaccinated population had significant rates of strong antibody responses to C19 infection and a notable rate of C19 infections, most notable in those providing direct patient care.
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The COVID-19 contingency transformed face-to-face classes into remote classes via the Internet. The teachers of the Bachelor's Degree in Architecture at the Universidad Veracruzana (UV) in Mexico stated in the meetings that they had observed low performance indicators in their students, assuming disinterest as the cause. In order to determine the main factors that affected their performance, an exploratory descriptive qualitative research was carried out, using a questionnaire as an instrument. The sampling was non-probabilistic by convenience. The results show that the most important obstacles for the students were the family and emotional effects of physical isolation due to the pandemic, while the motivation to study allowed them to face the changes and give continuity to their courses. Therefore, the teacher can favor external motivation by implementing didactic strategies that interest the students in their learning. © Legado de Arquitectura y Diseno 2022.
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Introduction: Among the different psychological sequelae of post-COVID syndrome are symptoms related to emotional impairment, mostly depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: To describe and compare the prevalence and severity of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of COVID-19 in survivors 3 months after discharge from the hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, a total of 227 survivors of COVID-19 participated;they were assessed 3 months after being discharged from the hospital. A psychological evaluation focused on anxiety, depression, PTSD, and fear was conducted. Statistical analysis through the t-test for independent samples was performed. Results: Of the patients, 64.5% were men, 60.9% required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) during hospitalization, and the average age was about 48.23 ± 14.33 years. Also, 40% showed symptoms associated with PTSD, 38.4% exhibited anxiety, 36.6% depression, and 36.12% exhibited fear of COVID-19. There were statistically significant differences between men and women, in PTSD (t = -3.414, df = 224, p = 0.001, x̅m = 5.10, x̅w = 6.32), depression (t = -4.680, df = 225, p = 0.000, x̅m = 3.64, x̅w = 7.18), anxiety (t = -3.427, df = 152.53, p = 0.001, x̅m = 3.78, x̅w = 6.20), and fear of COVID-19 (t = -3.400, df = 224, p = 0.001, x̅m = 11.88, x̅w = 15.19). Furthermore, there were also statistically significant differences between the type of treatment during hospitalization (IMV vs. without IMV), in PTSD (t = 2.482, df = 223, p = 0.014, x̅IMV = 5.21, x̅WIMV = 6.08) and anxiety (t = -2.006, df = 223, p = 0.046, x̅IMV = 4.05, x̅WIMV = 5.44). Conclusion: Survivors of COVID-19 experience a high prevalence of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear, even 3 months after discharge from the hospital. Females and patients who did not require IMV during hospitalization are the most affected population, presenting more severe symptoms of these psychological alterations. More research is required to know and observe the long-term evolution of these psychological alterations in this population. Copyright © 2022 Luna-Rodríguez, Peláez-Hernández, Orea-Tejeda, Ledesma-Ruíz, Casarín-López, Rosas-Trujillo, Domínguez-Trejo and Tepepa-Flores.
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Introduction: Anti-vaccine disinformation is highly dangerous due to its direct effects on society. Although there is relevant research on typologies of hoaxes, denialist discourses on networks or the popularity of vaccines, this study provides a complementary and pioneering vision about the anti-vaccine discourse of COVID-19 on Twitter, focused on its spreaders’ behavior. Methodology: Given an initial sample of a hundred hoaxes (from December 2020 to September 2021) for the download of 200,246 tweets, around 36,000 tweets (N=36.292) that support or deny disinformation have been filtered through an algorithm for Natural Language Inference (NLI) to analyze their spreaders’ through their metrics in the platform. Results: In relative numbers, the results show, among others, more hoaxes with original content (not retweets) among accounts with more followers and those verified;more irruption of disinformation opposed to its objection by accounts created between 2013 and 2020, and the association of the acknowledgement (more presence in lists or many more followers than followed users) to the preference for denying false information instead of approving it. Discussion: The article shows how the typology of the accounts can be a predictive factor about the behavior of users who spread disinformation. Conclusions: Similar behavioral patterns of anti-vaccine discourse are revealed according to the accounts’ Twitter-related indicators. The size of the sample and the techniques used give a solid foundation for other comparative studies on disinformation about health and on other phenomena on social networks. © 2023, University of La Laguna. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: Professional exam is a theoretical and practical evaluation with high consequences and carried out at the end of medical training. Due to COVID-19 face-to-face exams were suspended. Telesimulation is a strategy that uses telecommunications and simulation resources to create learning and assessment environments at distant sites. In the School of Medicine in Mexico City, a high-consequence exam was carried out by telesimulation to assess clinical skills. Objective: To analyze the correlation between results of the online theoretical phase (National Center for Higher Education Evaluation, CENEVAL carried out) and the practical phase by telesimulation (the School of Medicine carried out). Method: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study. It included students who applied practical and theoretical phases during the 2020 year. Pearson or Spearman correlation and simple linear regression analysis were carried out. Results: 75 students participated. On a scale from 700 to 1300, the theoretical exam score was 1014.62 ± 26.38. On a scale from 0 to 100, the practical exam score was 69.18 ± 13.93. Correlation was 0.70 (p≤0.01, 95% CI 0.50- 0.77). R2 0.43 (p≤0.01). This study showed a moderately high correlation between online theoretical assessment and practical assessment by telesimulation. The theoretical result phase determined 43% of result practical phase result. Conclusions: Using simulation with learning and knowledge technologies has eliminated some barriers derived from social distancing;therefore, it has been possible to assess clinical skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telesimulation is a useful tool to evaluate some dimensions of clinical competence and since it favors measures to contain COVID-19, in the current educational context it can be used in high-consequence exams at the end of medical training. © 2022, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. All rights reserved.