The Psychological Sequelae of COVID-19 Among Disease Survivors in Argentina

Background: While more than a year has passed since the COVID-19 outbreak, it is still a growing health concern. Moreover, ample consensus exists for the presence of not only a physical but also a psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those reported as hardest hit were individuals who had been infected with COVID-19. Survivors have exhibited a higher prevalence of psychological morbidity i.e., PTSD, depression, and anxiety-as compared with the general population and health workers. Additionally, COVID-19 patients and survivors have been psychologically impacted by a staggering number of disease-related stressors. Objective(s): The study was aimed at analyzing COVID-19's impact on the psychological state of Argentinian disease survivors. Method(s): Two hundred and ninety-six COVID-19 survivors (67.2% female;Mage = 44.81;SDage = 12.16) from a major Buenos Aires hospital completed a questionnaire and a set of psychological measures-COVID-19 emotional impact, psychological sequelae, disease-related stressors, PTSD, and psychological distress. Result(s): The most impactful psychological sequelae and disease stressors revolved around having the disease awaiting test results, fear of infecting loved ones, being apart from family and friends during the disease, fear of physical sequelae and symptoms, and returning to isolation. PTSD prevalence rates were 33.8%. Survivor's psychological distress levels were moderately higher than pre-COVID-era general population levels, yet not significantly different from preCOVID-era clinical inpatients. Female gender, age, and hospital admission emerged as significant predictors of increased adverse psychological outcomes. Conclusion(s): Intervention for COVID-19 survivors is urgently needed, with particular attention to the alarming PTSD prevalence rates, as discussed in the study.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

A Questionnaire Survey of Personal and Occupational Variables Associated With SARS-COV-2 Infection in Health Care Personnel of the Spanish Central Military Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Spain is the country with the highest number of health care workers affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the world. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection in health care worker (HCW) at the Gómez Ulla Military Hospital (HCDGU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted during the first outbreak of COVID 19 at GUMH. The study was extended to the total number of HCW in the hospital who met the inclusion criteria. Health care worker of the HCDGU were civilian and military personnel that included nursing and medicine students of Spanish Military Academy, medicine specialty residents, and nursing residents of Medical Surgical Specialty in Operations (EMQO). A questionnaire of 33 items was prepared. The questionnaire was sent by e-mail to the entire population of study. With this questionnaire personnel were classified into sick (cases) or healthy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: One hundred fifty professionals answered the questionnaire. Cases were defined as those who tested positive in the diagnostic tests (n = 28, 20.7%) and no cases were those who tested negative (n = 107, 79.3%). Therefore, the percentage of SARS-CoV-2 in the GUMH was 20.7%. Of the total number of cases, 64.3% were men (P < .05), with a mean age of 47.1 years (SD 13.3), a mean BMI of 25.3 (SD 3.8), and 48.2% being overweight. Of the total cases, 59.3% had "A" blood group type and 69.2% were Rh positive. 50% were physicians, 32.1% were nurses, and 17.9% were auxiliary nurses (P < .05). Cases and controls with vitamin D deficiency and who took supplements had a lower risk of suffering COVID-19, with significant differences. Fever, cough, and diarrhea were found in at least 50% of the samples with significant differences.

Relationship of body and emotional perception with food consumption of university students during social distance in the covid-19 pandemic

Introduction: In early 2020, the world was exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic, with social isolation being one of the preventive measures to control the spread of the disease. The pandemic and social isolation generated several implications in the usual routine of the population, among them, changes in eating habits. Objective: To evaluate the food consumption of university students during the period of social isolation and analyze its relationship with bodily and emotional perceptions. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional research was carried out with 445 university students from Guarapuava-PR of both genders. Data collection took place through an online questionnaire, with social, emotional, food, body satisfaction, feelings and weekly food intake questions. Results: There was a prevalence of 81.2% females aged between 18 and 21 years. Comparing food consumption before and during the pandemic, significant changes in chocolate consumption were observed. Regarding feelings and body image, those who consumed more ultra -processed foods were stressed, anxious, tired and dissatisfied with their bodies. On the other hand, those who were calm, willing and satisfied with their bodies, increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion: Food consumption had significant relationships with the emotions and body perception of university students analyzed during the period of social isolation.

Periods of confinement and personal factors that condition the transfer of teacher training

The crisis caused by COVID-19 has posed a major challenge for teacher training, with technology being the driving force behind the transformation of the education system. However, the use of this type of resource is influenced by several factors, including personal factors. This research analyses the influence of periods of confinement on the personal factors that condition the process of transfer of continuous training of non-university teachers in the field of application of new information and communication technologies. The sample consisted of 1,826 non-university teachers from the Region of Murcia, selected using the non-probabilistic convenience sampling technique. The data treatment followed a quantitative-correlational. The results show that the internal factors that influence the process of transfer of permanent training in the use of ICT by teachers at non-university levels have been reinforced after the period of confinement. Therefore, the confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed teachers to develop skills after training that have allowed them to adapt to the complexity of the context. © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.

SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein 7b forms homotetramers in detergent.

A global pandemic is underway caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 genome, like its predecessor SARS-CoV, contains open reading frames that encode accessory proteins involved in virus-host interactions active during infection and which likely contribute to pathogenesis. One of these accessory proteins is 7b, with only 44 (SARS-CoV) and 43 (SARS-CoV-2) residues. It has one predicted transmembrane domain fully conserved, which suggests a functional role, whereas most variability is contained in the predicted cytoplasmic C-terminus. In SARS-CoV, 7b protein is expressed in infected cells, and the transmembrane domain was necessary and sufficient for Golgi localization. Also, anti-p7b antibodies have been found in the sera of SARS-CoV convalescent patients. In the present study, we have investigated the hypothesis that SARS-2 7b protein forms oligomers with ion channel activity. We show that in both SARS viruses 7b is almost completely α-helical and has a single transmembrane domain. In SDS, 7b forms various oligomers, from monomers to tetramers, but only monomers when exposed to reductants. Combination of SDS gel electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) in both equilibrium and velocity modes suggests a dimer-tetramer equilibrium, but a monomer-dimer-tetramer equilibrium in the presence of reductant. This data suggests that although disulfide-linked dimers may be present, they are not essential to form tetramers. Inclusion of pentamers or higher oligomers in the SARS-2 7b model were detrimental to fit quality. Preliminary models of this association was generated with AlphaFold2, and two alternative models were exposed to a molecular dynamics simulation in presence of a model lipid membrane. However, neither of the two models provided any evident pathway for ions. To confirm this, SARS-2 p7b was studied using Planar Bilayer Electrophysiology. Addition of p7b to model membranes produced occasional membrane permeabilization, but this was not consistent with bona fide ion channels made of a tetrameric assembly of α-helices.

Periods of confinement and personal factors that condition the transfer of teacher training

The crisis caused by COVID-19 has posed a major challenge for teacher training, with technology being the driving force behind the transformation of the education system. However, the use of this type of resource is influenced by several factors, including personal factors. This research analyses the influence of periods of confinement on the personal factors that condition the process of transfer of continuous training of non-university teachers in the field of application of new information and communication technologies. The sample consisted of 1,826 non-university teachers from the Region of Murcia, selected using the non-probabilistic convenience sampling technique. The data treatment followed a quantitative-correlational. The results show that the internal factors that influence the process of transfer of permanent training in the use of ICT by teachers at non-university levels have been reinforced after the period of confinement. Therefore, the confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed teachers to develop skills after training that have allowed them to adapt to the complexity of the context.

Tools for simultaneous online and in-person teaching in a Linear Circuit Analysis subject

During the first semester of 2020–2021, classes for Linear Circuit Analysis subjects (Mechanical Engineering Degree, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Spain) were taught in a dual way because of the COVID-19 pandemic: students were able to attend in-person or online, as long as the in-person attendance limit was not surpassed. The same strategy was used for exams: each student decided whether to take the exam in-person or online. Specific software tools were used for the in-advance seat reservation and simultaneous online and in-person class attendance, and examination tools and strategies, with a special emphasis on avoiding online cheating. Online attendance was preferred by students (averaging 64.9% of global attendance for lectures and 84.5% for exams), with abrupt increases during the worst episodes of the pandemic. Video recordings of the lectures were made available to all of the students, with the most viewed video being accessed over 200 times. Concerning evaluation, no statistically significant differences were found between in-person or online average examination marks (p =.133), which may be an indicator of low online cheating. Student feedback showed their satisfaction with the dual teaching strategy, despite their initial doubts at the beginning of the course. © 2022 The Authors. Computer Applications in Engineering Education published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

SARS-CoV 2 accessory protein 7b forms homotetramers in detergent (preprint)

A global pandemic is underway caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 genome, like its predecessor SARS-CoV, contains open reading frames that encode accessory proteins involved in virus-host interactions active during infection and which likely contribute to pathogenesis. One of these accessory proteins is 7b (p7b), with only 44 and 43 residues in SARS-CoV and SAR-CoV-2, respectively. It has one predicted transmembrane domain fully conserved, which suggests a functional role, whereas most variability is contained in the predicted cytoplasmic C-terminus. In SARS-CoV, 7b protein is expressed in infected cells where the transmembrane domain was necessary and sufficient for Golgi localization. Also, anti-p7b antibodies have been found in the sera of SARS-CoV convalescent patients. In the present study, we have investigated the hypothesis that SARS-2 7b protein forms oligomers with ion channel activity. We show that 7b protein is almost completely α-helical in both SARS viruses and has a single transmembrane domain. In SDS, p7b forms various oligomers, from monomers to tetramers, but only monomers when exposed to reductants DTT or TCEP. Combination of SDS gel electrophoresis and and analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) in both equilibrium and velocity modes suggests a dimer-tetramer equilibrium, and an equilibrium between monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric forms in the presence of reductant. Inclusion of pentamers or higher oligomers in the SARS-2 7b model worsened the fits. Although sensitivity to reductants suggests the involvement of disulfide-linked dimers, the presence of disulfide bonds was not essential to form tetramers. A preliminary model of this association was generated with Alpha-Fold, which was exposed to a molecular dynamics simulation in presence of a model lipid membrane. However, neither of the two models provide any evident pathway for ions. To confirm this, SARS-2 p7b was studied using Planar Bilayer Electrophysiology. Addition of p7b produced occasional membrane permeabilization that is not consistent with bona fide ion channels made of a tetrameric assembly of α-helices.

Impact of COVID-19 infection on the outcome of patients with ischemic stroke

Background and Aims: We evaluated whether stroke severity, functional outcome and mortality are different in patients with ischemic stroke with or without COVID-19 infection. Methods: A prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study in Catalonia, Spain. Recruitment was consecutive from mid-March to mid-May 2020. Patients had had an acute ischemic stroke within 48 hours and a previous modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0 to 3. We collected demographic data, vascular risk factors, prior mRS score, NIHSS score, rate of reperfusion therapies, logistics and metrics. Primary end-point was functional outcome at 3 months. Favourable outcome was defined depending on the previous mRS score. Secondary outcome was mortality at 3 months. We performed mRS shift and multivariate analyses. Results: We evaluated 701 patients (mean age 72.3±13.3 years, 60.5% men), and 91 (13%) had COVID-19 infection. Median baseline NIHSS score was higher in COVID-19 patients compared to patients without COVID-19 [8 (3-18) vs 6 (2-14), p=0.049)]. Proportion of patients with a favourable functional outcome was 33.7% in the COVID-19 and 47% in the non-COVID-19 group. However, after a multivariate logistic regression analysis, COVID-19 infection did not increase the probability of unfavourable functional outcome. Mortality rate was 39.3% among COVID-19 patients and 16.1% in the non-COVID-19 group. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, COVID-19 infection was a risk factor for mortality (HR 3.14 (95% CI, 2.10-4.71;p<0.001). Conclusions: Patients with ischemic stroke and COVID-19 infection have more severe strokes and higher mortality than stroke patients without COVID-19 infection. However, functional outcome is comparable in both groups.

Arterial thrombotic complications in COVID-19 patients

Objectives: to describe our experienced incidence, prognosis and management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with peripheral arterial thrombosis in a major teaching hospital in Madrid (Spain). Material and methods: we designed an observational cohort study of confirmed (PCR-test) COVID-19 patients at the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre.We analyzed all symptomatic periheral arterial thrombosis diagnosed and treated during March and April 2020, which corresponds to the first wave of the pandemic. All elective scheduled surgery was canceled during this period due to absence of postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) or resuscitation beds and only urgent surgeries were performed. Results: from March 1 to April 30, 2,943 COVID-19 patients were admitted in our hospital and 261 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). During this period, 154 urgent operations were performed on COVID-19 patients in our hospital. Fourteen COVID-19 patients were diagnosed with symptomatic peripheral arterial thrombosis. The average age was 74 (range, 50-92) and these events were more common in men than in women (12:2). Out of these 14 patients, only 7 underwent vascular surgery by acute limb isc hernia. This represented 4.5 %of all urgent operations performed in our hospital. Postoperative mortality was 4 of 7 patients due to re-thrombosis despite anticoagulation. Among the non-operated patients, 2 had floating aortic thrombus and evolved satisfactorily with anticoagulation, while the other 5 patients were managed by palliatives measures due to the poor clinical conditions until they died. No analytical parameter was predictive of arterial thrombosis. No bleedings were recorded in this series. Conclusions: the surgical trauma increased the vulnerability of these patients with COVID-19, and therefore, surgery should be avoided whenever possible. The mortality rate in vascular surgery was dramatically high. The high thrombogenicity of these patients discourages bypass or other revascularization procedures. All hospitalized COVID-19 patients should receive a ntithrombotic prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), and those at high risk should be fully anti coagulated.

Prevalence and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a Spanish HIV cohort

Background: Within a prospective cohort of people with HIV (PWH) in Spain, we assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Ab), the proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19, and identified predictors of infection. Methods: We determined SARS-CoV-2 Ab in plasma samples collected from April 1st to September 30th, 2020, from enrollees in the Spanish HIV Research Network Cohort (CoRIS), a prospective national cohort of PWH, naive to ART at study entry, seen for the first time from January 1st, 2004. Samples were stored at-80°C in the Spanish HIV BioBank, and serology was performed using the Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab assays (BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA). Illness severity (NIH criteria) was assessed by medical records review and, if needed, participant interviews. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of seropositivity among the following variables: sex, age, country of birth, education level, comorbidities (hypertension, chronic heart disease, diabetes, non-AIDS related cancer, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis), route of HIV acquisition, prior AIDS, CD4+ cell count, HIV viral load, and N(t)RTI backbone. Results: During the study period, blood samples were collected and stored in the HIV BioBank from 1,076 consecutive PWH in CoRIS: 88.0% male at birth, median age 43 yr., 72.3% MSM, 97.7% on ART, median CD4+ 688 cells/mm3, 91.4% undetectable HIV viral load. SARS-CoV-2 Ab were detected in 91 PWH, for a seroprevalence of 8.5% (95%CI: 6.9%-10.3%). A total of 41 PWH (45.0%) had asymptomatic infections;the disease was mild in 43 (47.3%), moderate in 4 (4.4%), severe in 3 (3.3%), and 0 critical. Seven PWH (7.7%) were hospitalized. COVID-19 was confirmed by RT-PCR in 22 (24.2%) PWH. Variables independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity were birth in Latin American (LA) Countries vs. Spain (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.34, 95%CI: 1.42-3.85;P=.001);arterial hypertension (aOR: 1.63, 95%CI: 1.00-2.67;P=.050);and therapy with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) vs tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/FTC as the N(t)RTI backbone (aOR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.12-0.84;P=.021). (Table). Conclusion: A large proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections among PWH were asymptomatic. Birth in LA-countries and arterial hypertension were associated with increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Our analysis, adjusted by comorbidities and other variables, suggest that TDF/FTC may prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection among PWH. (Figure Presented).

Transport mechanisms of SARS-CoV-E viroporin in calcium solutions: Lipid-dependent Anomalous Mole Fraction Effect and regulation of pore conductance.

The envelope protein E of the SARS-CoV coronavirus is an archetype of viroporin. It is a small hydrophobic protein displaying ion channel activity that has proven highly relevant in virus-host interaction and virulence. Ion transport through E channel was shown to alter Ca2+ homeostasis in the cell and trigger inflammation processes. Here, we study transport properties of the E viroporin in mixed solutions of potassium and calcium chloride that contain a fixed total concentration (mole fraction experiments). The channel is reconstituted in planar membranes of different lipid compositions, including a lipid mixture that mimics the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) membrane where the virus localizes within the cell. We find that the E ion conductance changes non-monotonically with the total ionic concentration displaying an Anomalous Mole Fraction Effect (AMFE) only when charged lipids are present in the membrane. We also observe that E channel insertion in ERGIC-mimic membranes - including lipid with intrinsic negative curvature - enhances ion permeation at physiological concentrations of pure CaCl2 or KCl solutions, with a preferential transport of Ca2+ in mixed KCl-CaCl2 solutions. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that the presence of calcium modulates the transport properties of the E channel by interacting preferentially with charged lipids through different mechanisms including direct Coulombic interactions and possibly inducing changes in membrane morphology.

Potential of pulsed light technology for control of SARS-CoV-2 in hospital environments.

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its potential transmission through touching surfaces in clinical environments have impelled the use of conventional and novel methods of disinfection to prevent its spreading. Among the latter, pulsed light may be an effective, non-chemical decontamination alternative. Pulsed light technology inactivates microorganisms and viruses by using high intensity polychromatic light pulses, which degrades nucleic acids and proteins. This review describes this technology, compiles and critically analyzes the evidence about the virucidal efficacy of pulsed light technology with view on its potential use against SARS-CoV-2 in touching surfaces in health-care facilities. The efficacy of pulsed light proved against many different kind of viruses allows to conclude that is a suitable candidate to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 as long as the required fluence is applied and the appropriated exposure to contaminated surfaces is guaranteed.