LINYA: Name Entity Recognition Web-based Text Annotation

The world was put in disarray when the novel coronavirus first began. Furthermore, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), people prepared safety protocols to minimize the effect of the virus. One of these is the implementation of e-learning in countries, including the Philippines. As this contactless learning began, students' motivation decreased due to a lack of private space/classroom and face-to-face communication with their teachers. Learners' motivation is as crucial as this influences their pace to learn. The researchers developed a tool to help students with their studies and motivate them. LINYA is a web-based text annotation tool in machine learning. The tool was developed using an NLP method in machine learning. The researchers used automated Agile testing with four phases in testing the web tool. It began with component testing and progressed to integration, system, and acceptance testing. Based on the results from simulated data, the tests showed favorable results, with mean scores ranging from 3.8 to 4.6, for all areas of a usability test. It further shows that the developed system is ready for implementation. © 2022 IEEE.

Sex-biased expression of the TLR7 gene in severe COVID-19 patients: Insights from transcriptomics and epigenomics.

There is abundant epidemiological data indicating that the incidence of severe cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is significantly higher in males than females worldwide. Moreover, genetic variation at the X-chromosome linked TLR7 gene has been associated with COVID-19 severity. It has been suggested that the sex-biased incidence of COVID-19 might be related to the fact that TLR7 escapes X-chromosome inactivation during early embryogenesis in females, thus encoding a doble dose of its gene product compared to males. We analyzed TLR7 expression in two acute phase cohorts of COVID-19 patients that used two different technological platforms, one of them in a multi-tissue context including saliva, nasal, and blood samples, and a third cohort that included different post-infection timepoints of long-COVID-19 patients. We additionally explored methylation patterns of TLR7 using epigenomic data from an independent cohort of COVID-19 patients stratified by severity and sex. In line with genome-wide association studies, we provide supportive evidence indicating that TLR7 has altered CpG methylation patterns and it is consistently downregulated in males compared to females in the most severe cases of COVID-19.

Developing Community Public Health Interventions by Pharmacy Students during the SARS-COV2 Pandemic in Costa Rica

Objective: To describe the development of virtual community interventions within the framework of public health interventions in community pharmacies, as a didactic strategy in university education from a constructivist approach for its subsequent implementation at times when these initiatives cannot be carried out face to face. Method: The students developed virtual interventions in communities or specific population groups on the topics of vaccination, asthma, depression, and fibromyalgia, previously chosen by the professors. The interventions were developed in accord with the 10 essential services in public health and with the mandatory participation of the community or interested stakeholders;interventions consisted of six phases: description of the community, problem identification, proposal of an action plan, construction of the interventions, marketing plan development, and the evaluation of interventions. To identify the problem, students conducted interviews on people familiar with each assigned topic, to identify common needs or concerns. These common needs or concerns were considered the aspects on which the participating population agreed were considered as the problem to work on. Results: The interventions developed were mainly talks, workshops, and virtual educational campaigns through infographics, posters, and social networks. Conclusions: The activities of the course were easily adapted to the virtuality, which could mean a reconsideration of the course modality. The use of virtuality for the development of health interventions in the community is an important resource that facilitates access to health education for the population especially for those who live in rural or remote areas. It constitutes a way of providing people with digital tools for self-care in health.

Emerging Pollutants in Wastewater, Advanced Oxidation Processes as an Alternative Treatment and Perspectives

Emerging pollutants are present in wastewaters treated by conventional processes. Due to water cycle interactions, these contaminants have been reported in groundwater, surface water, and drinking waters. Since conventional processes cannot guarantee their removal or biotransformation, it is necessary to study processes that comply with complete elimination. The current literature review was conducted to describe and provide an overview of the available information about the most significant groups of emerging pollutants that could potentially be found in the wastewater and the environment. In addition, it describes the main entry and distribution pathways of emerging contaminants into the environment through the water and wastewater cycle, as well as some of the potential effects they may cause to flora, fauna, and humans. Relevant information on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its potential spread through wastewater is included. Furthermore, it also outlines some of the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) used for the total or partial emerging pollutants removal, emphasizing the reaction mechanisms and process parameters that need to be considered. As well, some biological processes that, although slow, are effective for the biotransformation of some emerging contaminants and can be used in combination with advanced oxidation processes. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Impact of COVID-19 in immunosuppressed children with neuroimmunologic disorders

Objective: To investigate whether children receiving immunosuppressive therapies for neuroimmunologic disorders had (1) increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV2 infection or to develop more severe forms of COVID-19, (2) increased relapses or autoimmune complications if infected, and (3) changes in health care delivery during the pandemic. Methods: Patients with and without immunosuppressive treatment were recruited to participate in a retrospective survey evaluating the period from 14 th March 2020 to 30 th March 2021. Demographics, clinical features, type of immunosuppressive treatment, suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the patients or cohabitants, and changes in care delivery were recorded. Results: 153 children were included;84 [55%] female, median age 13 years (IQR [8-16]), 79 (52%) on immunosuppressive treatment. COVID-19 was suspected or confirmed in 17 (11%) (all mild), with a frequency similar in patients with and without immunosuppressive treatment (11/79 [14%] vs 6/74 [8%], p=0.3085). The frequency of neurologic relapses was similar in patients with (18%) and without (21%) COVID-19. Factors associated with COVID-19 included having cohabitants with COVID- 19 (p<0.001), and lower blood levels of vitamin D (p=0.039). Return to face-to-face schooling or mask type did not influence the risk of infection even though 43(28%) children had contact with a classmate with COVID-19. Clinic visits changed from face-to-face to remote for 120(79%) patients;142(93%) were satisfied with the change. Conclusions: In this cohort of children with neuroimmunologic disorders the frequency of COVID-19 was low and not affected by immunosuppressive therapies. Main risk factors for developing COVID-19 were having cohabitants with COVID-19 and low vitamin D levels.

Anca vasculitis induction management in the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of an international retrospective cohort study

Background: Induction therapy for severe ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) combines glucocorticoids (GC) with either rituximab (RTX) or cyclophosphamide (CYC). The coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic has increased concern around using aggressive immunosuppression;whether this concern has impacted AAV management is unknown. Here, we report treatment regimens and outcomes of patients with active AAV receiving induction immunosuppression during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively studied AAV patients with new or relapsing disease receiving remission induction therapy during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic across sites in the US, UK and Europe. Primary outcome was achievement of complete remission at 6 months. Results: Of 191 patients with a mean age of 65 years old, 52% were female and a majority (89%) were Caucasian. Standard induction was deployed across all sites. Out of the US, UK, and European patient populations, the US used higher GC pulses leading to a higher average cumulative GC dose for remission induction (4153 mg, 2174 mg, 3408 mg, respectively, p<0.001) and had the highest proportion of patients given RTX induction therapy (64%;p=0.005). Complete remission was achieved in 90% of patients. Improvement in kidney function at 6 months was similar with all treatment regimens (6 ml/min2 increase, p=0.68). Sixteen patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 and had similar exposures to CYC and RTX. There were no differences in remission rates, ESKD or death when stratified by induction therapy type. Conclusions: Induction immunotherapy practices differ across the world, but specialists continued their standard management during the COVID-19 pandemic. AAV outcomes or rates of COVID-19 infection were not influenced by different induction regimens.

[User satisfaction with telephonic consultations carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic.]

OBJECTIVE: To face the COVID-19 pandemic, our intensive care and hospitalization units were expanded, surgical activity was limited to urgent and non-delayed procedures and teleconsultations were increased in order to minimize face-to-face consultations. The objective of this work was to learn users' satisfaction with teleconsultations performed during the pandemic as well as its benefits, applications and areas for improvement. METHODS: Cross-sectional study through a questionnaire with 26 closed questions and 5 open ones, grouped in 9 dimensions: patient characteristics;the query;treatment;utility;resolution;security;satisfaction;face-to-face modality and opportunities for improvement. Necessary sample size: 307 (confidence: 95%;error: 3%;expected satisfaction: 92%). Definitive sample: 352. Stratified random sampling by specialty. Period: March 16th-May 25th 2020. The statistical analysis was done with the statistical program SPSS vs.27.0. 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Statistical significance was established at p<0.05. RESULTS: Patient profile: age 54 (SD: 18.6) years;213 (60.5%) women. Calls made by doctors (298;84.7%) and nurses (15;4.3%);342 (97.2%) attended at home. Reasons: follow-up (223;63.4%);first consultation (45;12.8%);result's report (23;6.5%) and manage an appointment (50;14.2%). 29 (8.62%) were directed to another center. 335 (95.44%;95% CI: 93.26%-97.62%) patients were satisfied and 309 (91.96%;95% CI: 89.06%-94.87%) would recommend them. 351 (99.72%;95% CI: 99.16%-99.99%) felt they were treated with kindness;336 (95.96%;95% CI: 93.81%-98.11%) considered sufficient care;309 (95.96%;95% CI: 93.81%-98.11%) were able to solve doubts;311 (96.58%;95% CI: 94.60%-98.57%) calmed down;for 245 (69.6%;95% CI: 65.98%-74.67%) it was as useful as the face-to-face session;equally safe (240;69.57%;95% CI: 64.71%-74.42%) and beneficial (338;96.02%;95% CI: 94.25%-98.26%). CONCLUSIONS: The high satisfaction expressed by users, the benefits verified and the high resolution of the teleconsultations, makes us consider expanding these services after the pandemic.

Survive the COVID-19. Experiences of confinement in penitentiary centers in mexico city

This is a reflection about the value and importance of the philosophy workshops, registered in the Boethius Project, which have been carried out at the Santa Martha Acatitla´s Womens Prison and East Men´s Prison both of them in Mexico City. The contents and learning from these workshops will be mentioned, which have been signicant for the people in prison, to survive their judicial process and “confinement”, as well as the way in which their family and friends have been benefitied with these learnings from their loved ones in jail, by providing then with tools to support “Stay in home” by the COVID-19 quarantine. Copyright © 2020 Angel Alonso Salas.