Crossings in University Teaching in the Context of the Pandemic: Pedagogical Innovations in Question

The objective of this article is to present an analysis of the process of reflection-action of teachers in the context of the SarsCov 2 pandemic and, to this end, we compare some educational policies and practices of teacher training developed in the Faculty of Education and other spaces of the Fluminense Federal University. We conduct research in action and about action, experiencing intercultural and interdisciplinary dialogues to understand, produce and intervene in university educational culture. The debate led us to collectively define democratic, innovative, intercultural and interdisciplinary strategies. The analysis of the conjuncture and the didactic-methodological resizing demanded, predominantly virtual, made us conclude that between crossings, the construction of intersubjective actions boosted instituting and insurgent actions in the face of the tensions of a time of human suffering that required us to build strategies to, in this collective action, celebrate and value life. For writing, we adopted a descriptive-analytical perspective, historicizing some of the processes ofparticipatory and dialogical self-organization.

Technological Mapping of Plant-Derived Immunomodulator Drugs: A Patent-Guided Overview about Species and its Main Compounds

Research on natural products has investigated and employed many (bio)technologies to find out plant active fractions and optimize extraction and isolation of molecules looking for innovative clinical therapies for several clinical conditions, as well as immune-related diseases. Indeed, the world incidence and prevalence of autoimmune diseases have increased over the last years, while immune therapy has arisen as a new promising tool for cancer treatment. Also, in the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, immunomodulation has been proved effective to reduce the "cytokine storm” and avoid worsening the clinical condition of patients in the acute stage of respiratory syndrome. These health issues have also driven the search for new immunomodulatory compounds. In this context, prospective analysis is an important tool to identify the most relevant opportunities and demands in research and development (R&D) of pharmaceutical medicines, including substances able to modulate immune and inflammatory responses. In addition, prospection allows understanding the landscape of immunomodulatory plant-derived drugs and the associated technologies described in patents. This chapter employed the descriptors "Immunomodulator*” and "drug” and "plant” in search strategy to map the technological potential of immunomodulatory herbal drugs, using the software VantagePoint, Cortellis Competitive Intelligence, and Orbit Intelligence, respectively. The results provided quantitative data and technological indicators to drive future strategies for the development of these drugs. In conclusion, the most cited plant species in patents expressing molecules with immunomodulatory properties were Curcuma longa, Moringa oleifera, Remirea maritima, Maytenus ssp., Angelica sp., Fagopyrum esculentum, as well as plants from the families Leguminosae, Rosaceae, Iridaceae, Moraceae, and Amaranthaceae, among others. The main chemical classes implicated in immunomodulation were xanthones, coumarins, flavonoids, and (tri)terpenes. The technological mapping also showed that in the year 2002, there was an increased deposit of patents, reaching the highest peak in 2009 with 56 patents. Nowadays, the United States is the country with the biggest number of patents, followed by Canada, Australia, and Korea. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.

The Effect of Telerehabilitation on Physical Fitness and Depression/Anxiety in Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of a telerehabilitation program on physical fitness, muscle strength, and levels of depression and anxiety in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: Thirty-two individuals recovered from COVID-19 (48.20±12.82 years) were allocated into either a telerehabilitation (TG n=16) or control (CG n=16) group. Physical fitness, handgrip strength, depression and anxiety levels were assessed before and after an 8-week intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in muscle strength in both groups. Physical fitness significantly increased compared to the CG at the end of the intervention. Levels of anxiety and depression significantly decreased after the intervention when compared to the CG. Conclusion: Eight weeks of functional telerehabilitation training is a viable and efficient way to rehabilitate patients affected by COVID-19, as it improved physical conditioning and mental health. © 2023, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh. All rights reserved.

Working from home during COVID-19 Lockdown: Changing Competencies and work-home life Boundaries

Crisis situations often introduces drastic lifestyle changes. This study is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to shed light on an unprecedented context of forcing employees to work from home with a short notice of companies and the government. The goal is three-fold: i) to understand the extent to which employees were indeed prepared to work from home;ii) to uncover the most important competencies that enabled employees to deal better with a crisis situation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic;and iii) to discuss the real impact that working from home had in the employees' lives during the pandemic situation and the quarantine period. Using narrative inquiry, this study explores the experiences of 18 young adult consultants working in different business areas, in Portugal. Semi-structure interviews were conducting during the third wave (12/2020 - 03/2021) and thematic analysis was used to analysis the transcripts. The analysis revealed three main themes: 'management competencies', 'work-life balance' and 'work flexibility'. Each theme consisted of several subthemes which illustrates how the participants perceived working from home and the factors that reflect their experiences and understanding. The research findings illustrate that interpersonal communication, anxiety and stress management, time management, and e-leadership are vital skills to cause a great impact on participants' productivity and well-being at work. Participants all appeared to notice that working from home provides a better work-life balance (e.g. saving time on daily commute) and more flexibility with regards to the work schedule and home commitments. Nonetheless, their experiences of home working depend on the personal situation, personality and the perceived management support offered during the COVID-19 lockdown. The research highlights a need to train employees on soft skills and prepare them to future crisis situations. Theoretical implications suggest that academics should expand research and interventions to include not only the work environment but also other external factors that affect employees. The limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are suggested. © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.

Physical activity and long COVID: findings from the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health in Adults cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The study investigated the longitudinal association between physical activity and the risk of long COVID in patients who recovered from COVID-19 infection. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed longitudinal data of the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health cohort, a prospective cohort study with adults living in Southern Brazil. METHODS: Participants responded to an online, self-administered questionnaire in June 2020 (wave 1) and June 2022 (wave 4). Only participants who self-reported a positive test for COVID-19 were included. Physical activity was assessed before (wave 1, retrospectively) and during the pandemic (wave 1). Long COVID was assessed in wave 4 and defined as any post-COVID-19 symptoms that persisted for at least 3 months after infection. RESULTS: A total of 237 participants (75.1% women; mean age [standard deviation]: 37.1 [12.3]) were included in this study. The prevalence of physical inactivity in baseline was 71.7%, whereas 76.4% were classified with long COVID in wave 4. In the multivariate analysis, physical activity during the pandemic was associated with a reduced likelihood of long COVID (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69-0.99) and a reduced duration of long COVID symptoms (odds ratio: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.26-0.75). Participants who remained physically active from before to during the pandemic were less likely to report long COVID (PR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.95), fatigue (PR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.32-0.76), neurological complications (PR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27-0.80), cough (PR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.22-0.71), and loss of sense of smell or taste (PR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.21-0.87) as symptom-specific long COVID. CONCLUSION: Physical activity practice was associated with reduced risk of long COVID in adults.

The precariousness of teaching in the Covid-19 pandemic: impacts on the inclusion of visually impaired university students

This article aims to explain the challenges and barriers imbricated in teaching practice regarding the inclusion of visually impaired university students in times of the Covid-19 pandemic. It follows the foundations of Socio-Historical Psychology and Dialectical Historical Materialism. Six university students with visual impairments from different undergraduate courses at a public university in the Northeast of the country, participated in the research. The data were produced through a semi-structured interview, which was carried out individually by Google Meet. For data analysis we used the meaning nuclei. The results showed that the lack of knowledge about the inclusion of people with visual impairment, combined with the lack of appropriation of digital tools and the multiple demands contributed to an excluding pedagogical practice that is guided by an ideological bias of the normative body. However, we consider that remote teaching enhanced the precariousness of teaching practice, and that it exacerbated the exclusion of students with visual impairments.

The influence on the fermentation process of bread with the addition of almond chestnut (Terminalia catappa L.): practical experiment in a domestic environment

This study verified the influence of the addition of castanets almond flour (Terminalia catappa L.) in the fermentation process of bread, analyzing attributes such as volume, weight, color, and flavor. The actions were coordinated remotely, in a domestic environment, in the city of Fortaleza (Ceara, Brazil) due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). About 2 kg of castanets were collected and the processing process included washing, pulp extraction, drying, roasting, and endocarp breaking. The ingredients were placed in a bowl and homogenized until completely incorporated, following the process of kneading, resting, kneading, shaping, fermentation and cooking. For the study, the evaluation was carried out in quadruplicate, with four samples of each dough, these being named Basic Bread (PB) and Chestnut Bread (PC). The dough showed growth between minutes 0 to 60, however, there was a regression between minutes 90 to 120. It is possible to observe that the dough reached its peak of fermentation between 30 and 60 minutes. The PB samples showed an external golden color and white crumb caused by the Maillard Reaction, possibly from the added butter, and had small alveoli. The PB sample had a neutral taste but was salty. No interference was observed in the bread fermentation process with the addition of castanets flour.

Impact of Hiv Infection on Mpox-Related Hospitalizations in Brazil

Background: Late presentation to care remains a major public health problem in Brazil, despite the countrys longstanding commitment to universal access to ART to all PLWH. The COVID-19 pandemic severely hit the country and further impacted the HIV care continuum, with worse disparities observed by gender and sexual orientation. By December 28th 2022, Brazil reported 10,493 and 14 mpox cases and deaths ranking second globall. Although mpox lethality is low, HIV-related immunosuppression may negatively impact mpox outcomes, increasing hospitalizations and fatalities. We aim to describe mpox hospitalization rates and explore the impact of HIV-infection on mpox-related hospitalizations and clinical outcomes. Method(s): Prospective, observational cohort study of individuals with confirmed mpox infection followed at the major mpox referral center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Demographic and clinical data including reasons for hospitalization were systematically collected. Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests for qualitative variables and the Moods median test for quantitative variables were used. Result(s): From June 12 to December 12, 2022, 402 participants had a laboratory-confirmed mpox diagnosis. Median age was 34 years, 365 (91%) were cisgender men, and 197 (49%) were PLWH. Overall, 39 (10%) participants were hospitalized due to mpox-related causes;20 (51%) were PLWH. All PLWH with CD4 counts< 200 cells/mm3 required hospitalization. Compared to nonhospitalized PLWH, a higher proportion of hospitalized PLWH had concomitant opportunistic infections (4/20 [20%] vs. 1/177 [0.6%];p< 0.001), were not virologically suppressed (7/20 [35.0%] vs. 22/177 [15.3%];p=0.1) and were not on ART (4/20 [20%] vs. 15/177 [7.6%];p=0.03). Among all hospitalized participants, PLWH were more frequently hospitalized due to severe proctitis than HIV-negative participants (12/20 [60%] vs. 5/19 [26.3%];p=0.03), with no differences regarding hospitalizations for pain control (Table). PLWH accounted for all cases of hospitalized individuals who required intensive care support (n=4), had deep tissue involvement (n=3) and had a mpox related death (n=2). Conclusion(s): Our findings suggest an association between worse outcomes in the HIV care continuum and mpox-related hospitalizations. Advanced immunosuppression (CD4< 200) contributed to more severe clinical presentations and death. Public health strategies to mitigate HIV late presentation and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the HIV care continuum are urgently needed. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of mpox cases according to HIV and hospitalization status.

Chemical Safety Knowledge Assessment of Academic Researchers from Brazil During Covid-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Laboratories are inextricably dangerous work environ-ments, as fatal incidents are reported in both academic and non-aca-demic environments worldwide, where poor safety culture has been rec-ognized as the major accident contributor. Workers can be exposed to chemical, biological, physical, or radioactive hazards, in addition to mus-culoskeletal stresses. In Brazil, hundreds of thousands of workers are employed in laboratories, either in private or public institutions. Alt-hough laboratory safety can be governed by local, state, or federal regu-lations, learning how to identify common laboratory hazards is the first step to preventing accidents in the lab environment. Methods: The study aimed to assess the degree level of safety culture in an academic population of research laboratories, located in the largest city in Brazil, and their compliance with occupational safety regulations during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study was carried out between Oc-tober and November 2020. The results were obtained from the standard-ized questionnaire used to assess 98 researchers working in laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The majority of respondents (95%) reported being exposed to more than two risks, simultaneously. About two-thirds (66%) of them were not fully aware of the laboratory's risk map. About half of the re-searchers (50%) were lacking in safety culture, and 57%and 43% were preoccupied with chemical and non-chemical hazards, respectively. Per-sonal protective equipment (PPE) during laboratory work was used by most researchers, but 75% of researchers claim that security awareness learning should be a high priority for admission to laboratories. About 39% of researchers agreed that awareness of security must be improved in their laboratories Conclusion: The survey proves the lack of information and attitudes about chemical safety, especially among less experienced researchers, even if they use personal protective equipment when necessary. © 2023 by Animal Bioscience.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on HLA serological phenotyping level in southern Portuguese solid organ donors

HLA molecules play a key role in transplant medicine and disease pathogenesis, being a useful tool in predicting disease progression and identifying potential solid organ donors (SOD). The Coronavirus disease 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic had a huge worldwide impact, which strongly affected the activity of different transplant programs. So far, it has been shown that HLA type may be a crucial differentiator between individuals who have varying occurrence, morbidity, and mortality response to SARS-CoV-2. In this work, we investigated if differences in the frequency of SOD HLA alleles, were impacted during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed a retrospective file audit of all HLA-typings done in 2 subsets of SOD pre-pandemic period (ppp) (n = 379) and pandemic period (pp) (n = 351), collected in equivalent timeframes. We discuss data for the major HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, and HLA-DRB1 allele groups at serological phenotyping level. Overall, there was a 7% SOD decrease in the pp. Considering both periods, the most common allele groups were HLA-A2, HLA-B35, HLA-Cw7, HLA-DR7 and HLA-DQ2. For the ppp group, the most common alleles were HLA-A2, HLA-B35, HLA-Cw7, HLADR13 and HLA-DQ2, while in the pp group the most common alleles were HLA-A2, HLA-B44, HLA-Cw7, HLA-DR4 and HLA-DQ2. When comparing both populations at the serological phenotyping level an increased in relative frequency was found for 10, 12, 8, 8 and 2, and a decreased was found for 10, 24, 8, 6 and 5 for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR and -DQ, respectively. The significant variation within the HLA frequencies between the different pre-pandemic and pandemic groups highlights the value of population-specific HLA-typing. Furthermore, the identification of different frequencies among both populations will impact in patients HLA compatibility with SOD thus impacting their transplantability.

Biosurfactant: A Biodegradable Antimicrobial Substance

The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 increased the use of cleaning agents by residential individuals and businesses that maintained their operation even remotely. In formulating these products, one of the key ingredients is the surfactant molecule. Surfactants, in general, due to their characteristics, can act as antimicrobial agents. The presence of this active in cleaning products facilitates the process of removing dirt and reduces the occurrence of infections and health risks. However, most surfactants present in the consumer market, when used, require high consumption of water for removal and are also discharged into domestic sewage, without treatment, causing toxicity in different organisms due to their recalcitrance in the environment. Thus, the knowledge and use of biosurfactants, amphipathic molecules that can be obtained by plants and microbes, is important. Since, in addition to the same properties found in common surfactants, biosurfactants are highly biodegradable. This chapter discusses biosurfactants with a focus on their biodegradability, the different types of tests applied to assess this parameter and recent studies with importance in the applications of biosurfactants as antimicrobial agents. © 2022 Scrivener Publishing LLC.

The aging seen from prison: psychosocial analysis of LGBT old age with womens and men deprived of freedom at the brazilian context of COVID-19

Old age is a universal phenomenon that has notably expanded in the Brazilian population, including within the prison system. However, the arrival of the coronavirus in Brazilian prisons reinforced the need to pay attention to the psychosocial vulnerabilities that permeate this environment and affect the population in prison. The study aimed to analyze and compare the social representations of women and men in deprivation of liberty about the conditions that LGBT elderly people have to experience a safe old age in the context in which they live. It is characterized as a qualitative research, based on the Theory of Social Representations, of a descriptive and comparative nature, with cross-sectional data and a non-probabilistic convenience sample. There were 28 people living in deprivation of liberty in male and female penal units, during the pandemic period in a Brazilian state. It is evident that in the representations of the participants, old age is not a phase full of tranquility, as there are conditions and resources necessary to live it well. It is concluded that there is a predominance of many stereotypes about sexual orientation, lifestyle, loneliness in old age and sexuality among the elderly, which can be justified by the lack of knowledge on the subject or even the lack of contact with people LGBT's. © 2022, Sociedad Interamericana de Psicologia. All rights reserved.

Interaction with Immersive Cultural Heritage Environments: Using XR Technologies to represent multiple perspectives on Serralves Museum

Museums have increasingly been using digital approaches to explore new ways to provide new experiences with Cultural Heritage (CH). The need for these solutions exploded with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing museums and cultural organizations to move towards a digital transformation to engage their audiences. Although, with a lack of guidelines on how to create eXtended Reality (XR) experiences with multiple perspectives for CH environments. This project aims to provide Museums with novel approaches to include interactive and immersive activities targeted at the cultural assets of their exhibitions and educational activities. Firstly, we will map and critically access current participatory practices in museums;then, we will develop a new methodology for creating and implementing experiences using XR technology in a range of workshops. The concept of multiple perspectives on cultural heritage will be explored through the application of co-creation practices, towards engaging different communities with cultural heritage contents from Serralves Museum. © 2022 ACM.

Characterization of food patterns during the COVID 19 pandemic in Chile.

Background: Confinement to prevent contagion by COVID-19 has been shown to have a negative impact on different components of the population's health, food being one of the most notable. The objective of this work was to characterize the intake of certain foods according to sex, age, and educational and socioeconomic level during the COVID 19 pandemic in Chile.. Method(s): cross-sectional study through an online survey. Each person answered a food intake questionnaire on the self-administered form, and questions about the type and duration of confinement and sociodemographic data. Result(s): 1722 people participated (82.5% female). When evaluating the% of compliance with the recommendations for each food, fruit and dairy, it is less than 10%, but being significantly higher in women, whereas the consumption of sugary drinks, caffeinated drinks and alcohol, the highest in men. When comparing by age, it was observed that in those over 55 years of age the majority of healthy foods were reduced, more unhealthy foods such as sugary drinks and junk food and when comparing by socioeconomic level, a lower consumption of healthy foods was observed in people of lower level Socioeconomic, on the contrary, the consumption of unhealthy foods was higher, except for alcohol, caffeinated beverages and sugar. Conclusion(s): There is a high consumption of unhealthy foods during the pandemic, and there are differences in intake according to sex, age and socioeconomic level.Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Comunitaria. All rights reserved.

Terminology Management for Social Media Communication During Covid 19 Pandemic: A Case Study with a Portuguese Higher Education Institution

The process of attracting new students is a constant challenge for Portuguese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It is challenging because it implies the definition of a communication strategy that uses both traditional and digital tactics to promote the institution and its educational offer. Considering the constraints resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, HEIs had to change their strategies and, in a short period, create digital communication mechanisms to facilitate new students' access to relevant information about the institution. This paper intends thus to determine and evaluate which are the predominant factors in seeking information about a degree in business sciences, specifically regarding the Porto Accounting and Business School in Portugal. To do that, we will consider the various factors that tend to influence the decision-making process of choosing a higher education degree, namely: the institutional website, social networks (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube), other contact mechanisms (live chat, e-mail, text messages, ZOOM videoconference) and alumni testimonials. This study will also consider the role of terminology and positive language to obtain a successful communication strategy for social media. The analysis of these factors, combined with research developed with a focus group of high school students' graduates to assess their online preferences, will allow the presentation of a digital communication proposal whose purpose is to attract and retain new students. This proposal will consider the role of a strategic terminology management approach to capture students' attention when responding to their social media preferences. This paper results from the perception that being aware of the students' online preferences and communication skills and needs is essential to enhance the quality of the digital communication that HEIs promote in social media channels, especially in a time frame as specific and multifaceted as the one that we are currently experiencing. © The Authors, (2022). All Rights Reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission may be made without written permission from the individual authors.

Patterns of Progression and Treatment Discontinuation in a Real Life Latin American Prospective Cohort Study of Intermediate-Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Second Interim Analysis

Introduction and Objectives: Previously published regional real-world results of overall survival (OS) in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) B and C patients demanded a prospective cohort study nested in a systematic and continuous medical educational networking group. This study aimed to describe and evaluate the treatment decisions in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within BCLC B and C stages. Material(s) and Method(s): A multicenter prospective cohort study, conducted in different Latin American centers from Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, started on 15th May 2018 (delayed recruitment during COVID locked-down period). Patients within BCLC B or C stages were included. Survival, tumor progression and patterns of treatment suspension were evaluated. Result(s): At this second interim analysis (projected final analysis March 2023), 390 HCC BCLC-B or C patients were included (n=15 excluded);mean age 65 years, 75.6% males and 89.5% cirrhotic. Median OS since HCC diagnosis was 27.2 months. Among BCLC-B patients, the most frequent therapy was transarterial chemoembolization (TACE, 42.3%);51.8% using drug-eluting beads and 47.4% conventional TACE;with a median OS since 1st TACE of 41.9 months. Similar radiological responses after 1st TACE were observed between both modalities. Overall, 48.2% of the cohort received systemic therapy for HCC (n=188), 23.7% still on BCLC-B stage. The most frequent systemic treatments were Sorafenib (74.5%), atezolizumab bevacizumab (17.5%), and lenvatinib (12.2%), with a median OS since systemic therapy of 15.7 months. Lenvatinib or atezolizumab bevacizumab was used as the second line following sorafenib in 5 and 3 patients, respectively. The most common causes of systemic treatment discontinuation were tumor progression and liver function deterioration (15% to 36.4%). Patterns of tumor progression were not specifically associated with prognosis or treatment discontinuation. Conclusion(s): Liver function deterioration occurs in a third of patients following systemic therapies. The complexity of treatment decisions underly the need for a multidisciplinary team and the role of hepatologists.Copyright © 2023

What changed between the peak and plateau periods of the first COVID-19 pandemic wave? A multicentric Portuguese cohort study in intensive care

Objective: To analyze and compare COVID-19 patient characteristics, clinical management and outcomes between the peak and plateau periods of the first pandemic wave in Portugal. Methods: This was a multicentric ambispective cohort study including consecutive severe COVID-19 patients between March and August 2020 from 16 Portuguese intensive care units. The peak and plateau periods, respectively, weeks 10 - 16 and 17 - 34, were defined. Results: Five hundred forty-one adult patients with a median age of 65 [57 - 74] years, mostly male (71.2%), were included. There were no significant differences in median age (p = 0.3), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (40 versus 39;p = 0.8), partial arterial oxygen pressure/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (139 versus 136;p = 0.6), antibiotic therapy (57% versus 64%;p = 0.2) at admission, or 28-day mortality (24.4% versus 22.8%;p = 0.7) between the peak and plateau periods. During the peak period, patients had fewer comorbidities (1 [0 - 3] versus 2 [0 - 5];p = 0.002) and presented a higher use of vasopressors (47% versus 36%;p < 0.001) and invasive mechanical ventilation (58.1 versus 49.2%;p < 0.001) at admission, prone positioning (45% versus 36%;p = 0.04), and hydroxychloroquine (59% versus 10%;p < 0.001) and lopinavir/ ritonavir (41% versus 10%;p < 0.001) prescriptions. However, a greater use of high-flow nasal cannulas (5% versus 16%, p < 0.001) on admission, remdesivir (0.3% versus 15%;p < 0.001) and corticosteroid (29% versus 52%, p < 0.001) therapy, and a shorter ICU length of stay (12 days versus 8, p < 0.001) were observed during the plateau. Conclusion: There were significant changes in patient comorbidities, intensive care unit therapies and length of stay between the peak and plateau periods of the first COVID-19 wave. © 2023 Associacao de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB. All rights reserved.

The Devil in the Details: Looking for Tough Moments in Unusual Places

Critical moments from a youth transitions' point of view, narrative turning points from a life course perspective, and biographical crisis from a subjective and reflexivity approach have been of interest for those concerned in biographical approaches, life histories, and social trajectories. It has been rightfully associated with qualitative approaches: the life stories that are told are the channel for researchers to identify and analyze the role of these specific moments in the course of lives. But is this the only route to identify, tackle and understand these moments of life? In this article we argue there are other means to analyze them. Using data from the longitudinal project "Linked Lives", where 15 family histories (with a sum of 15 young people from 18 to 25 years of age) were collected through individual interviews, and qualitative oriented surveys were applied during and after the 2020 and the 2021 pandemic lockdowns;we explore two additional avenues. One is through the interaction during the interview. Based on ethnographic notes on postures, emotions, and interactions, during the interview as a whole, and in the moments where those tough life moments were shared, another layer of understanding is achievable. Not only regarding how these moments impact the lives of young people, but also in relation to the way they are capable and willing to express them. In another approach, we suggest that qualitative-driven surveys are capable of providing stories of tough moments. Using the collected information on self-reported wellbeing and reflections of the several phases of COVID-19 lockdowns, we are able to uncover differences and oscillations of young people in difficult contexts. This may also be an ante-camera of Pandemic long lasting hardship stories. These arguments are contextualized in longitudinal, intergenerational and household scopes, since tough moments are a result of accumulated and inter-personal dynamics.Copyright © 2023 The Child Care in Practice Group.

Mild COVID-19 symptoms in a patient with multiple sclerosis in uninterrupted treatment with fingolimod

Introduction The use of fingolimod as a long-term therapy in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) is associated with a small increase in the risk of herpes virus reactivation and respiratory tract infections. At the moment, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 brings new challenges to physicians when deciding to continue or stop the treatment with fingolimod. Objective We report one MS patient tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 that has not discontinued fingolimod treatment and developed only mild symptoms from COVID-19. Method(s): Descriptive observational study. Discussion and conclusion The effects of COVID-19 infection on MS patients treated with fingolimod are still uncertain. This case report outlines promising results by demonstrating a patient who didn't stop the fingolimod treatment during COVID-19 infection and developed only mild symptoms. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary to evaluate the risks and benefits of fingolimod in MS patients infected with COVID-19.Copyright © 2022 The Authors

Morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 patients from Luanda, Angola

Background: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa is still unclear. Objective(s): Study the diseases associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Luanda, Angola. Method(s): A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,683 patients >=18 years old, treated at the Military Hospital in Luanda, from March 2020 to March 2021. The survey includes sociodemographic and clinical data. The chi-square test, Fisher's exact test or logistic regression were performed and considered significant when p<0.05. Result(s): Patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (39%) were mostly men (64%), mean age 51.2+/-14.7 years. RT PCR positivity was associated with age >=46 years, arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases (aOR:1.75;p<0.001) and Diabetes Mellitus (aOR:1.96;p<0.001) however, HIV infection (aOR:0.26;p<0.001), pulmonary tuberculosis (aOR:0.33;p=0.037) and its sequelae (aOR:0.34;p=0.025) were associated with a protective effect. There were no significant association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or smoking. Of the 663 positive patients, 14% died. The main comorbidities significantly related to mortality were only malignant diseases (aOR:12.00;p=0.023). There were no significant association between COVID-19 mortality and HIV infection, pulmonary tuberculosis and its sequelae, asthma, allergic rhinitis, COPD, or smoking. Conclusion(s): Infectious diseases were associated with a protective effect for SARS-CoV-2 infection and were not associated with mortality, while chronic respiratory diseases were not associated with infection or mortality by COVID-19. Future studies should be carried out to better understand these aspects.