Global landscape of the host response to SARS-CoV-2 variants reveals viral evolutionary trajectories (preprint)

A series of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have evolved in humans during the COVID-19 pandemic: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. Here, we used global proteomic and genomic analyses during infection to understand the molecular responses driving VOC evolution. We discovered VOC-specific differences in viral RNA and protein expression levels, including for N, Orf6, and Orf9b, and pinpointed several viral mutations responsible. An analysis of the host response to VOC infection and comprehensive interrogation of altered virus-host protein-protein interactions revealed conserved and divergent regulation of biological pathways. For example, regulation of host translation was highly conserved, consistent with suppression of VOC replication in mice using the translation inhibitor plitidepsin. Conversely, modulation of the host inflammatory response was most divergent, where we found Alpha and Beta, but not Omicron BA.1, antagonized interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), a phenotype that correlated with differing levels of Orf6. Additionally, Delta more strongly upregulated proinflammatory genes compared to other VOCs. Systematic comparison of Omicron subvariants revealed BA.5 to have evolved enhanced ISG and proinflammatory gene suppression that similarly correlated with Orf6 expression, effects not seen in BA.4 due to a mutation that disrupts the Orf6-nuclear pore interaction. Our findings describe how VOCs have evolved to fine-tune viral protein expression and protein-protein interactions to evade both innate and adaptive immune responses, offering a likely explanation for increased transmission in humans.

An intercultural analysis of the websites and tourist destinations profiles on social networks, from the perspective of digital accessibility and inclusive communication. Case study for Andalusia and Northern Morocco. (preprint)

Tourists with disabilities, representing approximately 15% of the world's population, especially need everything planned for their tourist experiences. Therefore, the contents and level of digital accessibility are vital and significantly impact the final decision to travel to one destination. This work aims to analyse the digital accessibility content developed by destinations in Andalusia and Northern Morocco from the perspective of web accessibility and inclusive communication in social media. The method used is multidisciplinary, carrying out a series of analyses through the statistical language R, TAW as an online tool to analyse the website's accessibility and synthesise guidelines for communicating inclusively in social networks. The main results show the scarce involvement of public bodies to communicate inclusively designing content from the universal design perspective. There is no substantial difference between the two regions studied, by identifying that European legislation and national regulatory framework in Andalusia's case do not favour a better level of web accessibility, although this is a mandatory aspect. Furthermore, we have found very few differences in analysing the performance level of destinations under the umbrella of Smart Tourism Destinations when accessibility is fundamental in their conceptualisation. Finally, this research can be identified as state-of-the-art in tourism marketing as a conceptual approach and a starting point for measuring inclusive communication in social networks. Nowadays, accessible tourism is an opportunity to be placed at the centre of recovery plans in the post-Covid 19 eras. Therefore, let us facilitate more inclusive societies, using tourism as a lever to achieve this goal.

Prevalence of bleeding secondary to anticoagulation and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection Prevalencia de hemorragia secundaria a anticoagulación y mortalidad en pacientes con fibrilación auricular ingresados por infección por SARS-CoV-2

Introduction and purpose Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients admitted with severe COVID-19. However, there is limited data about the management of chronic anticoagulation therapy in these patients. We assessed the anticoagulation and incidence of major cardiovascular events in hospitalized patients with AF and COVID-19. Methods We retrospectively investigated all consecutive patients with AF admitted with COVID-19 between March and May 2020 in 9 Spanish hospitals. We selected a control group of non-AF patients consecutively admitted with COVID-19. We compared baseline characteristics, incidence of major bleeding, thrombotic events and mortality. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to minimize potential confounding variables, as well as a multivariate analysis to predict major bleeding and death. Results 305 patients admitted with AF and COVID-19 were included. After PSM, 151 AF patients were matched with 151 control group patients. During admission, low-molecular-weight heparin was the principal anticoagulant and the incidence of major bleeding and mortality were higher in the AF group [16 (10.6%) vs 3 (2%), p = 0.003;52 (34.4%) vs 35 (23.2%), p = 0.03, respectively]. The multivariate analysis showed the presence of AF as independent predictor of in-hospital major bleeding and mortality in COVID-19 patients. In AF group, a secondary multivariate analysis identified high levels of D-dimer as independent predictor of in-hospital major bleeding. Conclusions AF patients admitted with COVID-19 represent a population at high risk for bleeding and mortality during admission. It seems advisable to individualize anticoagulation therapy during admission, considering patient specific bleeding and thrombotic risk.

The e-Learning Method for Teaching Mathematical Content in the COVID-19 Era

The technological progress in the social field in a sudden way, specifically in the pedagogical field due to the spread of COVID-19, has had to force and use new teaching and learning strategies. As one of these many teaching processes is the method known as e-learning, which has become more valuable and very important in these times due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research method applied is descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional and predictive. The sample applied in this research is 608 students of the 5th grade of secondary education in the province of Sullana, Piura region of Peru. The results reveal the existence of a very significant influence in almost all the dimensions of the study. The dimensions with the highest association values are participation-autonomy, outcome resolution, decision concepts and decision outcomes. The dimensions with the lowest strength of association are undoubtedly the motivation rating, which can be interpreted as meaning that motivation does not have a strong influence on the results. It can be concluded that the application of the e-learning method in the teaching of 5th grade high school students in the area of mathematics is positively valued, although a strong incidence of the method on the grades is not observed, due to the fact that a lower percentage of students were unaware of the application of information and communication technologies for online learning. In addition, women tend to rate autonomy and participation more positively than men when the aforementioned teaching method is applied.

Do Saharan Dust Intrusions Affect the Incidence and Severity of COVID-19 in Spain? (preprint)

Scientific evidence suggests that Saharan dust intrusions in Southern Europe contribute to the worsening of multiple pathologies and increase the concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and other pollutants. However, few studies have examined whether Saharan dust intrusions influence the incidence and severity of COVID-19 cases. To address this question, in this study we carried out generalized linear models with Poisson link between incidence rates and daily hospital admissions and average daily concentrations of PM10 and NO2 in nine Spanish regions for the period from February 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020. The models were adjusted by maximum daily temperature and average daily absolute humidity. Furthermore, we controlled for trend, seasonality and the autoregressive nature of the series. The variable relating to Saharan dust intrusions was introduced using a dichotomous variable, NAF, averaged across daily lags in ranges of 0–7 days, 8–14 days, 14–21 days and 22–28 days. The results obtained in this study suggest that chemical air pollutants, and especially NO2, are related to the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in Spain. Furthermore, Saharan dust intrusions have an additional effect beyond what is attributable to the variation in air pollution; they are related, in different lags, to both the incidence and hospital admissions rates for COVID-19. These results serve to support public health measures that minimize population exposure on days with particulate matter advection from the Sahara.