Safety and efficacy of apremilast in adults hospitalized with COVID-19

Introduction: Apremilast, a nonbiologic oral phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, was evaluated as a treatment for the hyperinflammatory response in patients (pts) hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Aims and Objectives: To assess the safety and effectiveness of apremilast plus standard of care (SoC) in pts hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Method(s): COMMUNITY (EudraCT 2020-002594-10) was a phase 3, double-blind, randomized, multinational, platform trial in adult pts hospitalized with COVID-19. Pts received apremilast 30 mg BID (APR) or placebo (PBO) for 14 days or until hospital discharge, whichever occurred first. Supportive care (per study center practices) was allowed except for CYP3A inducers and concurrent PDE4 antagonists. Result(s): From November 24, 2020 to June 4, 2021, 384 pts were enrolled (APR+SoC: n=194;PBO+SoC: n=190);enrollment halted early due to futility. Mean age was 56.5 years;59% were men. Most pts had a COVID-19 clinical severity score of 4 (48%) or 3 (29%) (range: 1-8, 1=death). Median (95% CI) time to confirmed clinical recovery through Day 29 (primary endpoint) was 14 (11-15) days for both groups (P=0.8779). All-cause mortality incidence rates through Day 29 (key secondary endpoint) were 18% (APR+SoC) and 17% (PBO+SoC) (P=0.9665). Treatmentemergent adverse event (TEAE) rates were similar between APR+SoC (54%;n=189) and PBO+SoC (55%;n=187) groups. TEAEs Common Terminology Criteria AE grade >=3 occurred in 25% of APR+SoC pts and 30% of PBO+SoC pts. Serious TEAE rates were 27% (APR+SoC) and 30% (PBO+SoC). Conclusion(s): Although APR+SoC did not improve survival in pts hospitalized with severe COVID-19, APR was well tolerated with a safety profile consistent with the established safety profile.

Pandemia COVID-19: impacto y reacción rápida de la Urología COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact and rapid reaction of Urology

La pandemia COVID-19 causada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 ha ocasionado decenas de miles de muertos en España y logrado colapsar los hospitales de la red sanitaria en la Comunidad de Madrid, debido en gran parte a su particular tendencia a causar neumonías graves con necesidad de soporte ventilatorio. Este hecho ha ocasionado el colapso de nuestro centro, llegando a tener una ocupación del 130% de sus camas por enfermos COVID-19, y causando por tanto el cese absoluto de actividad del servicio de urología, la práctica desaparición de la docencia de los residentes y la incorporación de buena parte de la plantilla de urología al grupo de personal médico que atiende a estos pacientes. Para la recuperación de esta elevada cantidad de actividad suspendida será necesaria una priorización de la patología en base a criterios puramente clínicos, para la cual se proponen tablas que recogen la relevancia de cada patología dentro de cada área de la urología. Herramientas brindadas por la tecnología como la formación online o los simuladores quirúrgicos podrán ser útiles para la necesaria restitución de la formación de residentes.

Risk factors for mental health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: A cohort study : Pere Castellvi

Background Data comparing the populations’ mental health from before, during and after the pandemic is needed. We aim to assess the risk factors for the first-onset and persistence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) during the first year of the pandemic among the Spanish general population. Methods Cohort study through two online surveys from before the pandemic (N = 2,005, October/November 2019) and 12-months later (N = 1,357) on an adult Spanish, nationally representative, population-based sample. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the association between socio-demographic, COVID-19 related variables and healthcare received during the pandemic with the onset and persistence of MDD and STB. Results Women have more than 3-fold risk for the onset (OR 3.18;CI95% 1.40 -7.22) and persistence (OR 8.62;CI95% 1.74-42.48) of MDD. Studying and working at the same time (OR 10.13;CI95% 2.17-47.35) and having close relatives/friends with COVID-19 infection (OR 14.84;CI95% 1.91-115.18) or death (OR 5.26;CI95% 1.56-17.73) due to COVID-19 are risk factors for MDD onset. Sick-leave (OR 17.19;CI95% 2.65-112.56) and unemployment (OR 7.01;CI95% 1.85-26.43) increased the risk for MDD persistence. Death of friends/colleagues due to COVID-19 (OR 8.40;CI95% 1.47-48.07) increased the risk for STB onset, and being on sick-leave (OR 7.91;CI95% 1.80-34.66) for STB persistence. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, women were consistently more at risk of having worse mental health than men. Direct and indirect consequences caused or aggravated by the pandemic are common risk factors for the increased risk for the onset and persistence of both MDD and STB. Identification of high-risk subgroups and risk factors for MDD and STB among the Spanish general population will allow the developing and implementing of evidence-driven strategies for reducing the long-term impact of the pandemic in populations’ mental health. Key messages • The pandemic consequences, whether due to having had COVID-19, having close people affected or who have died from the infection and the social consequences increase the risk for worse mental health. • Evidence-driven strategies for reducing the long-term impact of the pandemic in populations’ mental health should be a public health priority.

Communicative frames in the online strategy of European political parties during the coronavirus crisis: a polyhedral look at the far right

The current debate in the academic sphere regarding the role of extreme right-wing parties during the coronavirus pandemic extends to its communicative aspect. While some authors argue that these parties have focused their messages on the perspectives of fear, the threat represented by immigrants, or conspiracies in an unsuccessful way, even considering them to be the "losers of the crisis," others emphasize their ability to build a sense of community through resilience. The present research aims to take up these discussions and delve deeper into the study of the communicative frames of European political parties, with a particular focus on the far right, to draw more nuanced conclusions. For this purpose, a double methodology has been implemented through the coding of the frames used in a total of 2,757 Twitter posts during the month of March 2020 from the major government and extreme right-wing parties in Germany, France, Spain, and Poland. The results show that the parties studied present differences in their communicative frames, not according to their position on the ideological spectrum, as might be expected, but rather to their role as the executive power in the government or as part of the opposition of their respective legislative chambers.

Public Transport Passenger’s Density Estimation Tool for Supporting Policy Responses for COVID-19

We propose a strategy for estimating the public transport system occupancy using open data. Specifically, we use the origin–destination matrix, the population density, and routes’ data to determine the traveler’s density in the public transportation vehicles. This density estimation is intended to serve as a data supply for the government and entities in charge of analyzing the contagions and the policies required to avoid the global propagation of COVID-19. We have taken as a study case, the Metropolitan area of the Aburrá Valley located in the department of Antioquia, Colombia. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Preparing Future Engineers Through Project Based Learning

A significant amount of research suggests the common reasons students leave an engineering major include lack of faculty mentoring, lack of a sense of belonging, financial hardships, and course difficulties in the prerequisite STEM courses [1]. Project-based learning (PBL) potentially addresses several of these reasons and increases the chances of a student completing an engineering major. Engineering students are more likely to persist when they feel a sense of belonging and community engagement, when they have early interactions with faculty mentors, and when they experience a series of successes [2]. The research question involves whether student research projects with small, faculty-mentored groups promotes student retention. Students participating in Contra Costa College's Center for Science Excellence (CSE) STEM mentoring program are encouraged to apply for external internships and internal research projects. As of the last cycle before the interruption of internship opportunities associated with COVID-19, 79% of participating students intended to apply for summer internships. Students are also able to work on internal research projects mentored by CSE faculty mentors. Over the past three years, engineering students that have participated in research projects have remained in our program and transferred at a high rate. Of thirty student research participants, fourteen have transferred into engineering majors (47%), two have transferred into other STEM majors (7%), eleven continue to take transfer preparatory courses at Contra Costa College (37%), and the educational status of three students is unknown (10%). For the college as a whole, the transfer rate is 32%, the graduation rate is 24%, and the retention rate after one year is 67%. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2021

P0121 Urological surgery remained safe during the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a high incidence area

Introduction & Objectives: COVID-19 incidence and mortality among patients undergoing surgery has risen concerns about surgical safety, especially during the peaks of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Our objective isto describe the outcomes at theurology department of a tertiary hospital during the second wave of the pandemic and its comparison with the first one. Materials & Methods: Observational, prospective cohort study including all patients undergoing urological surgery from 1st March to 15th November. According to the hospital organization and local epidemiological situation we delimitate the first wave from 1st March to 3rd May and the second wave from 14th August to 25th October. A set of screening and protective measures was applied from 4th May onwards. Demographic, baseline, surgical and perioperative variables, as well as postoperative outcomes, were collected. Telephone follow-up was performed at least 3 weeks after hospital discharge. Results: 624 urological surgeries were performed, 26 patients developed COVID-19 (4.17% incidence) and 6 died because of the disease (23.1% mortality). Mean time to symptom onset was 62.4 days after discharge. Prognosis was worse for those patients diagnosed during admission or up st to 14 days after discharge (statistically significant variables in Table) which happened only during the 1 wave (12% incidence, 10/83). In contrast, the 2nd wave brought 2 mild community cases (1.1% incidence, 2/186). TheFigure displays the 14-day cumulative incidence of COVID-19 cases in the population attended by our hospital and the operated urological patients, according to the date in which symptoms began or positive PCR was documented. (Table presented.) (Figure presented.) Conclusions: After implementing complete protective measures, no postoperative in-hospital COVID-19 cases were detected, even during the second wave. Most of the cases were due to community transmission and thus driven by the general epidemiological situation. While hospitals follow recommendations to avoid COVID-19 infection, urological surgery remains safe and can be maintained.

The preventive behaviour of youth in the face of Covid-19

As of March 2020, following the declaration of a state of alarm throughout the whole country by activating Royal Decree 463/2020, the Spanish Government set out several measures aimed at addressing the health and social crisis caused by Covid-19, which demanded a social commitment from various sectors of the population. Social work has been providing knowledge not only through intervention but also in the field of research based on reality to look at preventive measures, amongst others, to tackle the pandemic. A quantitative cross-sectional study is now presented that was conducted in collaboration with Malaga City Council's Department of Youth Services and the Civic Association for Prevention (Asociacion Civica para la Prevencion, or ACP) for the purpose of measuring the behaviours and attitudes of 1,066 youngsters in Malaga with respect to the preventive measures put forward to alleviate contagion and the spread of the virus to more people. The results show that young people in the city of Malaga are more committed to slowing down the spread of the virus rather than merely to avoid being punished for not wearing a face mask, there being a greater concern about not infecting people close to them or becoming infected themselves. It is concluded that there is a need to continue to raise awareness to the prevention of personal and social contagion and thus reduce the likelihood of passing Covid on to someone else. Such measures may have a greater impact than merely meting out punishment, where, in addition, young people are not the only ones to be blamed for increasing the rate of infection.

Telephone consultation service in orthopedics during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The current COVID-19 pandemic scenario has driven surgical departments to a transformation.The worldwide spread of the disease has led to a public health quarantine where health care professionals are at high risk of infection. In this context, telemedicine has been promoted and scaled up to reduce the risk of transmission. This study aims to demonstrate that a combined framework based on telematics and in-person clinical encounter not only ensures medical care but the safety of healthcare professionals and patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Descriptive observational study on the follow-up of patients during the COVID19 Pandemic, combining telephone and traditional. RESULTS: A total of 5031 telephone calls were made, differentiating between medical referrals, specialised primary care visits, and outpatient consultation.They were classified as successful, required an in-person visit, or no successful telephone contact. Furthermore, we divided them into 2 groups: resolved and unresolved.53% of all telematic visits were successful. CONCLUSIONS: Telematic medical systems are a feasible option in a orthopedics department and an interesting resource to preserve once the pandemic is resolved. Future lines of research should be opened to improve system success, analyze its cost-effectiveness ratio, and correct any legal conflicts that may exist.

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: Durante la pandemia COVID-19 la actividad de los servicios quirúrgicos se ha visto obligada a adaptarse y transformarse. La telemedicina se está implantando como nunca antes en esta nueva situación en la que los pacientes están confinados y los profesionales sanitarios presentan riesgo de infectarseEl objetivo es mostrar que una reestructuración combinada telemática y presencial de las visitas permite asegurar la asistencia médica, garantizando la protección del personal sanitario y de los pacientes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo observacional sobre el seguimiento de pacientes durante la Pandemia COVID combinando la consulta telefónica con la presencial. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron un total de 5031 llamadas telefónicas diferenciando entre Derivaciones, Visitas de atención primaria especializada y Consulta externa hospitalaria.Se registraron como efectivas, tributarias de visita presencial y no se logra contacto telefónico. Y las dividimos en 2 grupos resueltas y no resueltas.Del total de visitas no presenciales telefónicas fueron efectivas un 53%. CONCLUSIONES: La medicina telemática es una opción factible en un servicio de traumatología y de manera adecuada será una opción interesante de mantener tras la pandemia.Futuras líneas de investigación deberían ser abiertas para mejorar la capacidad de resolución de este sistema, analizar su relación coste-efectividad y subsanar los conflictos legales que pudieran existir.

Mechatronics Teaching through Virtual Platforms for Home Confinement due to COVID-19

The pandemic that has been unleashed all over the world has forced us to change our way of life, this includes to avoid face-to-face classes. Therefore, an important question arises: how to carry out the online classes of a subject in which the main focus is on developing projects such as the Mechatronics course? This document presents the platforms used in the online course that include: Factory I/O, Overleaf, Tinkercad and FluidSIM, for replacing face-to-face practices. The course development, its characteristics and even the practices that have been done during the online course on the platforms are explained. The main idea is to show that it is possible to substitute the face-to-face practices, using appropriate online tools for each topic within the course. The use of online platforms and simulation software allows obtaining new skills of teaching regarding laboratory subjects. In general, online platforms allow having an alternative and new tools to transform the most of the course to the online mode. © 2020 IEEE.

Mechatronics Class through Virtual Platforms under COVID-19

Due to the contingency caused by COVID-19, face-to-face courses were unable to be held and have been taught through various online platforms. This represented a particular difficulty for students of the Universidad Panamericana enrolled in the Energy Technologies Engineering degree that were taking their mechatronics classes. In this article, different online platforms were proposed for practices and simulations, alongside document writing and editing;processes that would normally be done physically. The students, coursing their eighth semester at university, were able to successfully complete their mechatronics course using online platforms like Autodesks Tinkercad (for Arduino practices programming and simulation), Factory I/O (for learning and simulating automation processes of a production line), FluidSIM (to gain an understanding of pneumatic actuators and perform practices) and finally, Overleaf, in order to acquire knowledge into writing an investigation article, with an IEEE format. It is important to highlight that there are diverse alternatives for face-to-face classes that can assure and guarantee effective learning, even in courses that can be seen at first glance impossible to be taught in an online modality. The experiences, implementation methodologies, examples and results are presented and described in this paper. © 2020 IEEE.