Does the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Measure Coronaphobia the Same Way for Mourners With and Without Dysfunctional Grief?

Deaths from COVID-19 have exceeded 6.5 million people globally. Although many people are mourning the loss of loved ones to this deadly disease, little is known about the validity of measuring coronavirus-related anxiety with this particular group of people. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine if the coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS) measures the coronaphobia construct the same way for mourners with and without dysfunctional levels of grief. The results indicated that the four-item version of the CAS has acceptable fit indices and is partially invariant between people with dysfunctional and non-dysfunctional grief. Moreover, the CAS demonstrated adequate criterion validity and reliability with this group of bereaved adults. In conclusion, the CAS can be used to measure anxiety due to COVID-19 in people who are going through dysfunctional and non-dysfunctional grieving processes. © The Author(s) 2023.

Diagnosis by levels of organizational flexibility. Case study: Meat Company of Camaguey

The study of organizational flexibility in companies, as well as its dimensions, is an increasingly recurrent and relevant topic in business sustainability, whatever its size or nature, given the need to adapt to changes. The COVID19 pandemic was a filter between flexible and non-flexible companies, unable to reinvent themselves. This paper presents a study dedicated to understanding organizational flexibility by levels, using a meat products company as a case study. From there, the objective is planted: to evaluate the level of organizational flexibility as a capacity to adapt to changes in the environment. The evaluation is carried out through the contextualization and application of a methodological instrument, finding that it is viable, resulting in the assessment of flexibility at a medium level.

Mortality and Bleeding Complications of COVID-19 Critically Ill Patients with Venous Thrombo-Embolism

Introduction: Venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) disease in critically ill COVID-19 patients is a remarkable issue, especially its relationship with bleeding events and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU) in relationship with VTE during their stay. The secondary objective was to describe prognostic factors in relation with these outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of critically ill COVID-19 patients in two Spanish university hospitals that underwent, at the beginning of the study, venous ultrasound of both lower limbs in April 2020. When there was clinical suspicion of new VTE during the 30 day follow up, additional ultrasound or thoracic computed tomography were performed. Global VTE frequency, major bleeding events, and survival were collected, and their predictors were studied. Results: In total, 230 patients were included. Mean age was 60.1 ± 9.9 years and 77% of them were men. After 30 days of follow up, there were 95 VTE events in 86 patients (37.4%). Of these, 60 patients (69.8%) presented with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 17 patients with pulmonary embolism (PE;19.8%), and nine patients with DVT and PE (10.5%). VTE was related to a longer hospital stay: 50.3 days in VTE patients and 47.2 days in non-VTE patients (p =.014). D-dimer at admission was significantly related to VTE development (p =.007). Major bleeding complications were found in 13 patients (5.7%). None of the demographic variables, treatments, or classic risk factors were related to a higher risk of major bleeding. During the 30 day follow up, 42 patients (18.3%) died. Variables related to mortality were older age (67.4 vs. 58.4 years;p <.001), lower weight (77.9 vs. 87.5 kg;p <.001), lower body mass index (28.2 vs. 30,8 kg/m2;p =.006), hypertension (43.1% vs. 69% of patients;p =.002), lymphocyte count at admission < 0.45 ×109/L (p =.003) and D-dimer at admission > 1 500 ng/mL (p =.014). Patients with VTE at any moment during the follow up tended to die more frequently (50%) than non-VTE patients (34.6%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p =.062). Independent predictors of mortality in the regression model were older age (> 66 years), D-dimer at admission (> 1 500 ng/mL), and low lymphocyte count (< 0.45 ×109/L) with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.73 – 0.89). Patients presenting these three conditions presented a mortality of a 100% in the predictive model. Conclusion: VTE frequency in ICU COVID-19 patients is high and the risk of major bleeding is low. Comorbidities and laboratory parameters of admission in these patients can be a useful tool to predict mortality.

COVID-19 and Singularity: Can the Philippines Survive Another Existential Threat?

In general, existential threats are those that may potentially result in the extinction of the entire human species, if not significantly endanger its living population. Among the said threats include, but not limited to, pandemics and the impacts of a technological singularity. As regards pandemics, significant work has already been done on how to mitigate, if not prevent, the aftereffects of this type of disaster. For one, certain problem areas on how to properly manage pandemic responses have already been identified, like the following: (a) not being able to learn from previous experiences, (b) the inability to act on warning signals, and (c) the failure to reach a global consensus on a problem (i.e., in a timely manner). In terms of a singularity, however, it may be said that further research is still needed, specifically on how to aptly respond to its projected negative outcomes. In this paper, by treating the three problem areas noted above as preliminary assessment measures of a country’s capacity to coordinate a national response to large-scale disasters, we examine the readiness of the Philippines in preparing for an intelligence explosion. By citing certain instances of how the said country, specifically its national government, faced the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, it puts forward the idea that the likely Philippine disaster response towards a singularity needs to be worked on, appealing for a more comprehensive assessment of such for a more informed response plan. © 2022 by De La Salle University.

Economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on household vegetable consumption in the city of C..cuta, Colombia

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the agrifood system of the country, in its productive chains from the supply, marketing and consumption of food in households. Within this ontological framework, the research project "Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in the agrifood security of the department of Norte de Santander 2020-2021" is being developed, obtaining partial results on the effects of the pandemic in the consumption of vegetables in the homes of the city of C..cuta, capital of the department. Databases of (CENABASTOS and MINIAGRICULRURA 2019, 2020) and heads of families were consulted through an online survey of 323 households of members of the community of the University of Santander (UDES) in the period January-July 2021 on variations in the quantity, quality, price and frequency of consumption of the main vegetables produced in the department (potato, tomato, paprika, onion and garlic). Results indicate that when comparing the prices of the years 2019 (before the pandemic) and 2021 (third peak of the pandemic), price increases of potato by 97.90%, tomato by 2.39%, white onion by 105.02%, garlic by 23.79% and carrot by 2.53% are evidenced. In the surveys, the perception of the heads of household indicates that the quantity of vegetables consumed has been affected by 42.48%, quality by 37.08%, prices by 49.59% and frequency by 33.08%.

Promoting Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Teaching Using Co-classes for General Chemistry

The shift to remote teaching induced by the COVID-19 pandemic has increased pre-existing academic disparities in the student community, augmenting the disadvantages for students who already experience opportunity gaps. This work describes the implementation of an online chemistry co-class focused on providing educational and social support to first-generation, low-income underrepresented students enrolled in a General Chemistry course at the University of California Davis. The co-class offered concurrently with the General Chemistry course aimed to address the academic disparities induced by remote learning and the loss of classroom community during isolation. Students in the co-class were prepared academically in a smaller setup than their General Chemistry course (10-20 vs 500-600 students), which facilitated their engagement and participation in academic and community-building activities. Results from Fall 2020-Spring 2021 quarters show that students who participated in the CHE 98 co-class obtained higher grades in general, where 61% of the students received a C+ or higher in the General Chemistry course, compared to only 47% for the comparison group. Students also identified having a network of support as one of the class's strengths and had an interest in taking a similar course again. Our results highlight that providing an educational environment that is inclusive, culturally responsive, and supportive could promote equity among the student community and have a positive influence on underrepresented student retention in STEM. Therefore, the strategies discussed herein could be applied to develop analogous courses in remote and in-person teaching environments. © 2021 American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc.

[Evaluation of the validity of Ag PANBIO-COVID19 in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic or mildly infected patients]. / Evaluación de la validez del Ag PANBIO-COVID19 de Abbott en el diagnóstico de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes asintomáticos o con infección leve.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen (Ag) detection for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mildly infected or asymptomatic patients. METHODS: Observational study to evaluate diagnostic tests. Non-hospitalized patients with indication for diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. The diagnostic test to be evaluated was the determination of Ag and as a reference standard to determine the presence of viral RNA the RT-PCR was used. RESULTS: A total of 494 patients were included. Of these 71.5% (353/494) had symptoms and 28.5% (141/494) were asymptomatic (presurgery screening (35/494) and confirmed case-contact (106/494). The overall sensitivity of the Ag test was 61.1% and the specificity was 99.7%. The sensitivity and specificity in the asymptomatic group were 40% and 100% respectively, and in the symptomatic group 63.5% and 99.6% respectively. In turn, the sensitivity and specificity in the group of symptomatic patients varied according to the time of symptom evolution: in patients with recent symptoms, they were 71.4% and 99.6% respectively, while in patients with symptoms of more than 5 days of evolution, they were 26.7% and 100% respectively. In all groups studied, the presence of antigen is associated with a high viral load (Ct<30 cycles). CONCLUSIONS: The use of Ag detection test is not indicated for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic patients or with symptoms of more than 5 days of evolution, but it could be useful in patients with symptoms of 1-5 days of evolution.

Solidarity business model for micro-businesses that allows economic reactivation due to COVID-19 in Colombia

One of the main most notable problems that the situation that the world is going through with COVID-19 has generated is the increase in the shortage of personal protection elements for the face, such as masks, which are the means of protection primary for the general population. This is due to the fact that each country did not have the current situation the world is going through, but micro-enterprises in the textile manufacturing sector can reinvent themselves to support the crisis so that they can manufacture and market said personal protection elements, thinking about a common good, contributing to a solidarity economy founded to achieve a common benefit. The methodology used was mixed, where it has both qualitative and quantitative components, with a type of descriptive research in order to contribute with a supportive business model for micro-apparel companies that allows economic reactivation from the manufacture and commercialization of protection elements personal to face, in order to contribute to the health emergency present by COVID - 19. © International Research Publication House

Risk factors for mortality among patients with COVID-19 needing ECMO: Observational study including 24 patients supported in a high volume center with an ICU-based ECMO program

Objectives: Analyze the outcomes of our series of patients with COVID-19 supported with ECMO during pandemic and to identify the variables associated with outcomes. Methods: Prospective observational study including all the COVID-19 patients with ECMO support in the ICU of the VHUH from 15 March to 30 July. ECMO was considered if PaO2/FIO2 <80 mmHg, refractory to prone position, and/or PaCO2 >80 mmHg and pH <7.25 for >6h. Continuous variables expressed as median (ICR) and categorical variables as number (percentage). Differences in variables were analyzed using Chi Square test or T-test, as appropriate. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of ICU mortality. Results: Twenty-four patients [55 (46-57) years, 58% male, BMI 32.1 (27-35)] with a PaO2/FIO2 of 66 (60-71) mmHg received ECMO support, 23 (96%) venovenous. Mechanical ventilation (MV) time prior to cannulation ranged from 1 to 17 days. Fifteen (63%) patients suffered hemorrhagic complications and 12 (48%) thrombotic events. These complications were not associated with a significant increase of mortality (P=1.0 and P=0.6, respectively). Eighteen (75%) patients could be decannulated and 16 (67%) were discharged alive from the ICU. Longer time on MV before cannulation was associated with a higher risk for ICU death (OR 1.31 [ICR 1.11-1.67];p=0.02). We found an association between age and mortality, but it did not reach significance (OR 1.05 [ICR 1.0-1.25];p= 0.36). Conclusions: ECMO may be useful in those COVID-19 patients with refractory hypoxemia. Time on MV prior to cannulation should be considered when indicating the technique.

COVID-19 incidence and outcomes in hemodialysis patients in Mexico

Background: HD pts are at high risk for COVID-19. High incidence and death rate were reported in China and Europe with more than 20% of asymptomatics. We report incidence, features and outcomes of COVID-19 in HD patients in a network of 8 clinics in Mexico. A protocol was started on Mar 15 with hygiene measures;symptoms triage;separation by age;use of PPE and isolation of suspected cases. We use a more inclusive case definition, different from Mexico Health Ministry's(SSA). All cases are referred for PCR but most aren't tested. Methods: Retrospective analysis of cases (suspect or PCR(+)) from mar 15 to may 22 2020 compared to controls. T-test and Chi2 were used. Hospitalization, IMV and deaths were registered. Overall mortality from mar - may 2020 compared to same period of 2019. We compared the number of cases using our case definition with that using the SSA's. Incidence of COVID-19 in staff was also analyzed. Results: Total 1276 pts;Of 102 suspects 25 (24%) had PCR and 16 (64%) were(-). 13 (12%) non-tested were discarded based on alternative dx. 2 pts with (-) PCR were cases based on CT. Total 75 cases (10 (+)PCR, 65 w/o test) were analyzed and compared to controls. No differences in HD vintage, DM, CVD, HD session length, VA, BUN or Kt/V. Less age, fem gender, HTN, more sessions/wk, ACEi/ARB and lower Hb were found in the cases. 7 (9%) hospitalized and 2 (3%) required IMV. There were 6 (8%) deaths, only 1 (1.3%) attributed to COVID-19. Overall mortality minimally higher than that of the same period of 2019 (1.35% vs 1.30%). 31% of cases had only 1 symptom. Only 1 PCR(+) and 14 PCR(-) cases fulfilled SSA's definition. Among 231 staff members, 31 cases (13.8%), 11 (35%) PCR(+) and 20 non tested. Conclusions: Incidence of probable or confirmed COVID-19 was 5.9%;probably overestimated suggested by scarce testing and low mortality. ACEi/ARB use more frequent in cases, adjusted for HTN and age. Our protocol helps prevent in-clinic contagion. A more comprehensive probable case definition appears more useful for HD patients.

Prognostic value of lung ultrasound and its link with inflammatory biomarkers in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: Lung ultrasound (LUS) has shown to correlate well with the findings obtained by chest computed tomography (CT) in acute-phase COVID-19. Although there is a significant correlation between blood biomarkers and CT radiological findings, a potential correlation between biochemical parameters and LUS images is still unknown. Our purpose was to evaluate whether mortality can be predicted from either of two lung ultrasound scoring systems (LUSS) as well as the potential association between lung lesions visualised by LUS and blood biomarkers. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study on 45 patients aged>70 years with SARS-CoV-2 infection who required hospitalisation. LUS was carried out at admission and on day 7, when the clinical course was favourable or earlier in case of worsening. Disease severity was scored by means of LUSS in 8 (LUSS8) and in 12 (LUSS12) quadrants. LUS and blood draw for inflammatory marker analysis were performed at the same time. RESULTS: LUSS8 vs LUSS12 predicted mortality in 93.3% vs 91.1% of the cases; their associated odds ratios (OR) were 1.67 (95% CI 1.20-2.31) and 1.57 (95% CI 1.10-2.23), respectively. The association between biochemical parameters and LUSS scores was significant for ferritin; the OR for LUSS12 was 1.005 (95% CI 1.001-1.009) and for LUSS8 1.005 (95% CI 1.0-1.1), using thresholds for both of them. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic capacity of LUSS12 does not surpass that of LUSS8. There is a correlation between ferritin levels and LUSS.