Educators by proxy: Emergency remote teaching and learning in the voice of parents

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led educational systems worldwide to transpose activities planned for face-to-face education to mediated contexts - through what is known as Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERTL). This posed unprecedented challenges to schools, teachers, families, and students. In this context, it was relevant to describe and understand how parents perceived this process, including what challenges to themselves and their children they faced and what advantages they acknowledged in the process. The present study focuses on Portuguese parents' views on this process. Methods: Data were gathered in April and May 2020 through an online questionnaire answered by 184 parents of preschool, basic, and secondary education students (ages 3–18). The present paper presents data from open questions analyzed by deductive and inductive content analysis using MaxQDA. Results and discussion: Results evidence three overarching themes: equity, parental labor, and the meaning of school. Parents reveal substantial difficulties juggling the role of proxy educator and parent and point to inequalities - including those concerning very young children, children with disabilities or learning difficulties, students enrolled in professional education, families with insufficient access to technologies, and parents working from home. The school is portrayed as a crucial environment for development, a designated space for learning and caretaking, but also a relational and emotional context. Despite this scenario, parents acknowledge ERTL as having positive aspects and as the possible outlet to keep education going even in extreme situations. Copyright © 2023 Seabra, Abelha, Aires and Teixeira.

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.

Cervical cancer screening in a basic health unit in South of Brazil: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: About 90% of the estimated cervical cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. In Brazil, cervical cytology (i.e Pap smear) is a widely used strategy for its early detection. Considering the crucial role of the primary care in women's health in Brazil and the COVID-19 pandemic related health crisis, this cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in cervical cancer screening in a teaching Basic Health Unit (BHU) from South of Brazil, in the city of Pelotas. Method(s): This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee (5.706.229). We analyzed records of Pap smears performed between February 2019 to February 2020 and March 2020 to April 2022, referred to as pre-pandemic and pandemic period. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program. Result(s): The sample mean age was 43.6 years and they were mostly residents of the area covered by the BHU (94.35%). During the pre-pandemic and pandemic period 339 and 653 exams were collected, respectively. A 42% reduction in tests performed in 2020 compared to 2019 was observed as well as an increase of 107% in 2021 compared to 2020. An increase was assessed in the rate of non-residents (of the area of responsibility of the BHU) performing Pap tests in the Unit during the pandemic period (p = 0.001). Most of the results were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM). A significant difference in abnormal results in the pre-pandemic and pandemic period, respectively, was seen (p = 0.012). [Formula presented] Conclusion(s): The crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated pre-existing health disparities in cervical cancer already present in Brazil in pre-pandemic periods. Recovery strategies in primary care are needed to prioritize high-risk patients and lessen the burden of cervical cancer in the future. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding(s): Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.Copyright © 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology

HD-tDCS in acute and long-term COVID-19

Symposium title: The potential role of tDCS in the management of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-COV-2 (PASC) Symposium description: The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected millions of people worldwide. Post-infectious symptoms, referred to as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), affect a large and growing segment of survivors, lasting months or even years without recovery. With continuous COVID-19 infections, PASC is a growing problem for public health. Therefore, effective and accessible treatment options need to be evaluated urgently. PASC symptoms are multi-systemic and can vary by the individual in clinical presentation, and its underlying pathological mechanisms remain uncharacterized. tDCS is a well-tolerated and extensively characterized noninvasive neuromodulation technique, and is effective in targeting the neuropsychiatric symptoms that define PASC (i.e., fatigue, cognitive, pain, emotional) including in other post-viral conditions. In addition, tDCS may have a larger role in the management of persisting respiratory symptoms. We will provide an overview of the theoretical basis and work to date supporting tDCS as a tool for PASC management, and present initial findings from recently completed and ongoing clinical trials. When COVID-19 first emerged, many researchers were focused on its impact on the lungs. As we have learned more about SARS-CoV-2 and resulting COVID-19, we have discovered that patients present a greater complexity in the context of the neurotrauma and the pulmonary lesions can become an aggravation of the neuroinvasion of the coronavirus and originate from cerebral injury. Recently, it has been suggested that noninvasive brain stimulation could be a valuable tool for the management of the early and postacute phase of patients with COVID-19. This session will present the results of our investigation of the High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation effects during the acute and chronic recovery phase from COVID-19. The prognostic factors and clinical predictors that contribute to greater response to treatment will be presented and directions for future research will be discussed. Research Category and Technology and Methods Clinical Research: 9. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Keywords: HD-tDCS, Coronavirus disease, Noninvasive brain stimulation, Long COVID-19Copyright © 2023

The Frailty of the Invincible.

The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled the frailty of our societies from too many points of view to look away. We need to understand why we were all caught unprepared. On the one hand, we have all short memories. As we forget too quickly, we were unable to recognize key factors influencing response and preparedness to public health threats. For many years, economic evaluation pushed governments all over the world to cut resources for public health systems, with COVID-19 pandemic the question arises: do we spend too much or too little on health care? What is the right amount to spend on health? Moreover, in many countries, the privatisation, or semi-privatisation, of healthcare may give rise to inequitable access to health care for everyone. Although COVID-19 is very "democratic", its consequences aren't. According to OECD, income inequality in OECD countries is at its highest level for the past half century. Three main causes have been recognized, technological revolution, globalization, and "financialisation". In this scenario, lockdown measures adopted to save lives are showing dramatic economic consequences. To address post COVID-19 reconstruction we need to go beyond GDP. As an economic measure this has many shortcomings in describing the real well-being of a country, and since what we measure affects what we do, new paradigms will have to guide the post COVID-19 reconstruction strategies, as the fate of countries and their citizens is at stake.

Choice criteria for different methodologies of Sars-CoV-2 diagnosis in clinical laboratories

In the end of 2019, we were startled by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a virus that causes symptoms like other respiratory viruses. Therefore, the correct diagnosis through laboratory tests became necessary. However, there are many tests available on the market, and laboratories must choose the ones to employ. This study aimed to highlight the ways clinical analysis laboratories of the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, choose each type of test to provide. This was a quantitative, retrospective study. The survey was carried out through an electronic form at the laboratories that were providing COVID-19 exams from 03/2020 to 02/2021. The form was applied in two phases. The first questions about the exams were carried out in the establishment itself, and the second in the outsourced exams. They were asked about the importance of reasons for choosing these tests from zero to five for some parameters. The analysis was simply descriptive. Of the 42 invited, 13 laboratories (31%) participated in the research;of these, 12 performed tests in their own laboratory, four only performed in their laboratory, and 8, in addition to performing in their laboratory, also outsourced, and 1 only outsourced. The most important choice reasons were performance characteristics and validation of the service itself, respectively. The nine laboratories that outsourced the tests presented the methodology used for diagnosis as the most important parameter. The parameters: partner support laboratory, registration within Anvisa, performance characteristics, and reliability in the partner laboratory were very relevant. The price was of average importance in both phases. © 2022, Conselho Federal de Medicina. All rights reserved.

“I Was... Put in a Cage”: The Experience of COVID-19 Home Confinement among Older Adults Living Alone in Portugal

This article presents findings of a qualitative study reporting older adults’ experiences of solitary home confinement during Portugal’s first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Home confinement was marked by negative experiences, with the exception of one participant who had a particularly favorable combination of resources and circumstances. Negative experiences involved losses in several areas, such as being deprived of out-of-home activities, independence and face-to-face social interactions. Losing out-of-home activities and independence promoted a sense of imprisonment, while losing face-to-face social interactions triggered a feeling of physical loneliness. Considering the potential negative implications of these losses, it is crucial to create innovative solutions that can mitigate them in future lockdowns. © 2022 Centro de Estudos Sociais da Universidade de Coimbra. All rights reserved.

The sociologies of pandemics: contributions on Covid-19 and society

The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global event whose effects will extend over time in the most diverse spheres of life in society. This dossier aims to go beyond description of events and advance the empirical analysis of the effects of the pandemic by facing the theoretical and methodological uncertainties that cross different research agendas. It presents articles that, in a plural and complementary way, discuss the role of the State in the tackling the health crisis, the (re)production of inequalities, the uses of science and sociocultural changes in the pandemic context. © 2022, Sociologias. All Rights Reserved.

“Cleaning the world” in times of Covid-19: domestic workers between social reproduction and expropriation

The aim of this article is to think about paid domestic work in Brazil in the midst of the pandemic crisis associated with the new coronavirus, in light of theoretical perspectives that reposition, on new epistemic bases, the intersections of class, gender and race oppressions as structural elements of the capitalist system. Statistical data show the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent economic crisis in deepening the devaluation, precariousness, and impoverishment of domestic workers, mostly black women with poor schooling and limited access to social policies. The pandemic, in its serious consequences, made latent racial and gender hierarchies tributaries of the experience of coloniality and slavery, prolonged and maintained in permanent reinvention in the Brazilian context. Finally, the article draws on Nancy Fraser’s innovative theoretical proposition about the category “expropriation”, proposing that it could be applied in combination with the notion of “social reproduction”, as conceived by Marxist feminism four decades ago to situate paid domestic work at the convergence of these two “conditions of possibility” of contemporary capitalism. © 2022, Sociologias. All Rights Reserved.

Corporate simulation and the articulation of the problem-based learning methodology with the continuous assessment model

Academic success is a priority, and according to the literature review, it is associated with the application of problem-based learning methodologies or the continuous assessment model. The case study performed was based on the course unit Corporate Simulation (CS), part of the Accounting and Finance course academic curriculum. After describing the functioning process, objectives, and assessment model of CS, it was shown that from 2014/15 to 2019/20, the level of approval of CS was 94.8%. Also, from the results of the survey conducted with the students who completed CS, from 2007/08 to 2018/19, on a scale of 1 to 5, in options 4 and 5 (good and very good), the objectives weigh on average, 85.3%, and that, in the academic year 2019/20, the specific characteristics of functioning, as a consequence of COVID 19, did not cause changes in the trends of assessment and approval in CS. © 2022, IGI Global.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lives of Women with Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds and Victimization Experiences in Portugal

The heavy economic, social, and psychological toll of pandemic lockdowns around the world and their disproportionate effect on women are widely acknowledged, but different socioeconomic backgrounds and contexts may influence the degree to which stay-at-home measures impact their lives. Additionally, knowing that violence against women tends to increase during times of crisis, we are testing if the additional burden of victimization represents an added load to the perceived social impacts of the lockdown. Using 2021 survey data from a random sample of 1541 Portuguese women, the paper explores, through logistic regression models, the social impact of the lockdown on the lives of women, its socioeconomic determinants, and the role played by violence against women during the pandemic. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown did not equally affect all facets of women's social lives, and women with higher education status and that experienced income reductions due to the measures taken to control the pandemic are more prone to experience a more severe negative impact of the lockdown on the various facets of their lives. Additionally, having been a victim during the pandemic partially mediates the effect of education and income reduction on the social outcomes of the lockdown.

The primordial importance of motivating administrative decisions in Covid-19 times

In 2020, the coronavirus outbreak became a health emergency of international importance, due to its intercontinental spread and the lack of knowledge about the recent disease. There was global concern about the new pathology. In legal terms, it was noticed the issue of confrontation measures by countries, including Brazil. In the national context, the situation of public calamity was recognized by Legislative Decree 6/2020 and Law 13.979/2020 was published to govern the period. In this scenario, there was a leading role in administrative decisions, which imply the need for research on adequate motivation in the current situation. Thus, through a bibliographic survey, the present work will investigate the limits and possibilities of the motivation of administrative decisions during the health crisis in Brazil, sensitive to the importance of public decisions in the context. In the end, it was concluded that the importance of motivating administrative decisions in Covid-19 times, is reflected in the need for public control (social, technical and political), in addition to the need to avoid fraud and corruption in public contracts and in health regulation, which must be guided by the public interest, which, in the environment in question, must contemplate a minimum of scientific consensus. © 2021 Editora Fórum Ltda.

SARS CoV-2 seroprevalence and diagnostic accuracy during a COVID-19 outbreak in a major penitentiary complex in Brazil, June to July 2020

Purpose: This study aims to estimate the overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and evaluate the accuracy of an antibody rapid test compared to a reference serological assay during a COVID-19 outbreak in a prison complex housing over 13,000 prisoners in Brasília. Design/methodology/approach: The authors obtained a randomized, stratified representative sample of each prison unit and conducted a repeated serosurvey among prisoners between June and July 2020, using a lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA). Samples were also retested using a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLIA) to compare SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and 21-days incidence, as well as to estimate the overall infection fatality rate (IFR) and determine the diagnostic accuracy of the LFIA test. Findings: This study identified 485 eligible individuals and enrolled 460 participants. Baseline and 21-days follow-up seroprevalence were estimated at 52.0% (95% CI 44.9–59.0) and 56.7% (95% CI 48.2–65.3) with LFIA;and 80.7% (95% CI 74.1–87.3) and 81.1% (95% CI 74.4–87.8) with CLIA, with an overall IFR of 0.02%. There were 78.2% (95% CI 66.7–89.7) symptomatic individuals among the positive cases. Sensitivity and specificity of LFIA were estimated at 43.4% and 83.3% for IgM;46.5% and 91.5% for IgG;and 59.1% and 77.3% for combined tests. Originality/value: The authors found high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies within the prison complex. The occurrence of asymptomatic infection highlights the importance of periodic mass testing in addition to case-finding of symptomatic individuals;however, the field performance of LFIA tests should be validated. This study recommends that vaccination strategies consider the inclusion of prisoners and prison staff in priority groups. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

TOXOPLASMOSE AGUDA COM MANIFESTAÇÃO OCULAR EM PACIENTE COM SOROLOGIA POSITIVA PARA LEISHMANIOSE: RELATO DE CASO

O diagnóstico de doenças infecciosas é um desafio mediante semelhança clínica entre diversas patologias e possibilidade de reações cruzadas em exames diagnósticos, principalmente em regiões de alta endemicidade. Paciente MIP, sexo feminino, 58 anos, natural de Abaeté/MG. Encaminhada ao Hospital Felício Rocho após consulta médica por quadro de dor abdominal intensa, febre vespertina de até 38,5°C e fadiga com início em 18/06/2021. Sem outros sintomas associados. Sua história patológica pregressa inclui hipertensão arterial, diabetes mellitus tipo II, Herpes Zoster em 2018, COVID-19 em outubro de 2020. Foi internada em 30/06/2021 para propedêutica. Exames laboratoriais evidenciaram anemia, linfocitose, plaquetopenia, proteína C reativa elevada. Em exames de imagem foi observado hepatoesplenomegalia, paniculite mesentérica e linfonodomegalia intra-abdominal. Não foi realizado nenhum tratamento específico, paciente evoluiu com melhora da dor abdominal, último pico febril em 05/07/21, mantendo apenas fadiga. Recebeu alta hospitalar com proposta de cobrar resultado de sorologias ambulatorialmente. Dignos de nota os exames: HSV IgM e IgG reagentes, CMV IgM reagente, CMV IgG indeterminado, PCR CMV negativo, Toxoplasmose IgM e IgG reagentes, Leishmaniose Visceral IgG reagente. Realizado aspirado e biópsia de medula óssea com pesquisas diretas para microorganismos e culturas negativas, PCR de Leishmania negativo. Diante de evidente melhora clínica foi optado por não realizar o tratamento de leishmaniose visceral. Após 6 semanas do início dos sintomas paciente relatou visão turva em olho direito. Foi avaliada pela oftalmologia com lesões sugestivas de toxoplasmose ocular. Tratada com clindamicina (sulfadiazina indisponível no mercado na época), pirimetamina, ácido folínico e prednisona por 28 dias com melhora da acuidade visual. Comentários: Frente a possibilidade de reações cruzada, a busca em realizar métodos diagnósticos mais específicos em pacientes com estabilidade clínica pode evitar tratamentos errôneos e de alta toxicidade. A manifestação ocular na toxoplasmose aguda é rara, mas foi importante no caso relatado para definição diagnóstica.

How physical activity behavior affected well-being, anxiety and sleep quality during COVID-19 restrictions in Iran

OBJECTIVE: The Islamic Republic of Iran has displayed one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the world and the highest rate of mortality in the Middle East. Iran has used a stringent package of preventive health measures to mitigate the spread of infection, which however has negatively affected individuals' physical and psychological health. This study aimed at examining whether physical-activity (PA) behavior, anxiety, well-being, and sleep-quality changed in response to the COVID-19-related public health restrictions enforced in Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was disseminated to adults residing in Iran from November 17, 2020, to February 13, 2021 (88 days), during Iran's strictest public health restrictions. Main outcome measures included Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: A total of 3,323 adults (mean age 30 +/- 11 years, 54.3% female) participated in the survey. Firstly, the restrictions generally reduced PA behavior: (a) among inactive participants (IPs), 60.6% became less active vs. 5.1% who became more active;and (b) among active participants (APs), 49.9% became less active vs. 22.8% who became more active. Secondly, PA behavior was associated with higher well-being and sleep quality during the restrictions: (a) APs reported higher (or lower) levels of well-being and sleep quality (or anxiety) than did IPs;and (b) among IPs as well Corresponding as among APs, the more active the participants, the greater (or lower) the levels of well-being and sleep quality (or anxiety). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the beneficial role of PA behavior for well-being, anxiety, and sleep quality during the COVID-19 restrictions, whereas such restrictions appeared to decrease PA participation. Active lifestyle should be then encouraged during the COVID-19 outbreak while taking precautions.

Learning in troubled times: Parents’ perspectives on emergency remote teaching and learning

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered profound social consequences, affecting all aspects of human activity, including education. The process of remote teaching that was implemented in response to this crisis is known as emergency remote teaching and learning (ERTL). The present study focuses on Portuguese parents’ perspectives about this process. Data were gathered through an online questionnaire, answered by 203 parents of preschool, basic, and secondary education students (ages 3–18), focusing on self-perceived digital competence, satisfaction with ERTL, and pedagogical activities developed with their children. Parents were moderately satisfied with ERTL but expressed a marked increase in their workload, particularly those working from home. Parents of children in the second cycle of basic education (ages 10–12) were less satisfied with the process. A variety of activities was promoted, responding to different educational levels’ characteristics. Results show the importance of promoting parents’ digital competence and directing support policies, particularly to parents of younger children (ages 3–12), and raise concerns about equity. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Satisfaction and loyalty evaluation towards health and wellness destination

Nowadays, successful tourism destinations must offer diversity and new tourism products, addressing special interest niches, where it is possible to frame health and wellness tourism, with special emphasis on thermal tourism. It has been observed some changes regarding the customer characteristics, treatments, products, and services made available, as a strategy to overcome imbalances in physical and psychological well-being, diagnosed in the consumer. It is in the spas, with body and mind recovery treatments offer, complementary to the classic treatments, that individuals recover their well-being and, consequently, improve their quality of life. The quantitative research was based on a sample of 201 participants in the North and Centre of Portugal, in a pandemic context (COVID'19). The results conformed that the socio-demographic profile of the participants influences the choice of the available services;the most valued aspects in the selection of the thermal establishment influence the degree of satisfaction regarding the trip and the thermal experience, and the intention to recommend and revisit the destination;and, Finally, overall satisfaction with the thermal destination significantly influences the loyalty to the health and wellness destination. Main contributions were identified, concerning the quality and variety of treatments, infrastructure, price, location, access and service, and the need for product design and proposals directed at identified target markets.

Motives for thermal tourism: An application to north and central Portugal

Health and wellness tourism should be particularly valued in the post‐pandemic phase. It has the potential to be a strategic product that enhances the population’s well‐being and quality of life, on social, physical, and environmental levels. Different proposals for specialized experiences that complement what the destination offers allow to position regions as health and wellness destinations. Thermal tourism should thus be encouraged as a specific product designed on the innovation and diversification observed in the related services and the benefits recognized for all ages. Considering the relevance of thermal springs and thermal tourists for the image, positioning, and development of touristic destinations, this research aims to identify the specific motivations of tourists that attract them to the practice of thermal tourism, to understand how the benefits for which thermal tourists search and their sociodemographic profile influence the motivations of tourists, and how those motivations determine the characteristics of travel. This research was developed on the North and Centre of Portugal for their relevance in the context of thermal springs and related touristic activities. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire survey was conducted among thermal tourists, through a non‐probability by convenience sampling, using bivariate tests, such as Pearson’s chi‐squared test, one‐way ANOVA, and t‐Student test. The results highlight that most respondents practiced thermal tourism due to leisure and relaxation benefits, such as the escape from daily stress, spend time with family, and being “pampered”;relaxation is the most valued motivation, followed by the search for psychological and physical well‐being. The research found relations between the benefits expected by thermal tourists and their travel characteristics, such as the composition of the group, the general travel motivation, the chosen thermal destination, and the number of nights spent at the location. In thermal tourism, new challenges emerge, demanding the development of strategies, products, and services that respond to the needs of specific market sections. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.