Implementation of mobile devices in higher education: Cases of good teaching practices

Mobile devices have become very prominent in education in recent years. Moreover, their use has intensified in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this sense, given the multitude of educational experiences, it is necessary to discern between a good use of the mobile device to carry out teaching practice. The purpose of this paper was to analyse learning strategies using mobile devices to provide models of good teaching practice. To this end, a cross-sectional study design was applied based on the distribution of an online survey including a standardised scale and an open-ended questionnaire. A total of 14 teachers, aged between 28 and 64 years (M = 48.42, SD = 10.67), participated in the study. The results obtained show that socio-demographic factors did not influence the development of good teaching practices with mobile devices. On the other hand, only five teachers identified themselves as agents of good teaching practices and the experience carried out in the classroom was collected. Finally, good teaching practices are a topic of interest in order to have practical models that can serve as a reference for other teachers and can be implemented at the University.

Inclusive Active Methodologies in Spanish Higher Education during the Pandemic

The period of pandemic caused by the arrival of COVID-19 had a series of repercussions at the personal, social, cultural and educational levels. The confinement declared by government agencies caused a shift from face-to-face to virtual learning, which led to certain adaptations and the use of digital tools in order to carry out the teaching-learning process. This technological proliferation became a challenge for the educational community and for the development of pedagogical and inclusive models that could ensure pedagogical continuity. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to analyse the scientific production on active and innovative methodologies that were used during the COVID-19 pandemic period and their effect on the personal, academic and social performance of Higher Education students in the Spanish context. A systematic review of the scientific literature was carried out in accordance with the criteria established in the PRISMA declaration. Among the results obtained, flipped learning stands out as the most used methodology, which increases motivation among other aspects. In terms of knowledge areas, Social Sciences prevails. Finally, it should be noted that the use of active and innovative methodologies improves performance at academic, personal and social levels. © 2023 by the authors.

Causes of academic dropout in higher education in Andalusia and proposals for its prevention at university: A systematic review

Introduction: One of the main problems facing the university system is the high student dropout rate due to a number of variables, accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a problem not only in Spanish universities but is prevalent worldwide. It is therefore important to understand and analyze the underlying reasons for dropout so that it can be addressed and mechanisms implemented to limit dropout in higher education to the greatest extent possible. Method: A systematic review was carried out summarizing the results of studies and reports on university dropout in Spain and specifically in the universities of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement by searching the scientific databases Scopus and Web of Science, limiting the search to articles published between 2010 and 2022. Results: The main publications in both Spain and the Autonomous Community of Andalusia were identified. The review included the main causes of university dropout indicated in each of the selected studies and the proposals to reduce it, including educational policies, the rise of distance education, academic failure in basic educational stages, and social, personal, psychological, and economic variables. Conclusion: There is a lack of research on university dropout, with only 25% of Spanish universities having carried out research on this subject in the last 12 years. The studies analyzed conclude that the most frequent causes of university dropout are associated with low academic performance, poor social support in the new academic environment, low socio-economic status, pessimism, and lack of motivation, together with other less significant factors such as poor relationships with teachers, lack of vocation, work incompatibility, and previous academic performance. Further research on the causes of university dropout and its prevention is needed both before university entrance, by providing meaningful information to secondary school students, and during the university stay, through institutional and teaching policies that improve family support and social roots, produce positive academic experiences, favor associationism, and encourage activities that improve planning and time management, together with cognitive learning strategies, motivational strategies and the use of advanced learning materials [such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools]. Copyright © 2023 de la Cruz-Campos, Victoria-Maldonado, Martínez-Domingo and Campos-Soto.

Background rates of 41 adverse events of special interest for COVID-19 vaccines in 10 European healthcare databases - an ACCESS cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In May 2020, the ACCESS (The vACCine covid-19 monitoring readinESS) project was launched to prepare real-world monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines. Within this project, this study aimed to generate background incidence rates of 41 adverse events of special interest (AESI) to contextualize potential safety signals detected following administration of COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: A dynamic cohort study was conducted using a distributed data network of 10 healthcare databases from 7 European countries (Italy, Spain, Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, France and United Kingdom) over the period 2017 to 2020. A common protocol (EUPAS37273), common data model, and common analytics programs were applied for syntactic, semantic and analytical harmonization. Incidence rates (IR) for each AESI and each database were calculated by age and sex by dividing the number of incident cases by the total person-time at risk. Age-standardized rates were pooled using random effect models according to the provenance of the events. FINDINGS: A total number of 63,456,074 individuals were included in the study, contributing to 211.7 million person-years. A clear age pattern was observed for most AESIs, rates also varied by provenance of disease diagnosis (primary care, specialist care). Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia rates were extremely low ranging from 0.06 to 4.53/100,000 person-years for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) with thrombocytopenia (TP) and mixed venous and arterial thrombosis with TP, respectively. INTERPRETATION: Given the nature of the AESIs and the setting (general practitioners or hospital-based databases or both), background rates from databases that show the highest level of completeness (primary care and specialist care) should be preferred, others can be used for sensitivity. The study was designed to ensure representativeness to the European population and generalizability of the background incidence rates. FUNDING: The project has received support from the European Medicines Agency under the Framework service contract nr EMA/2018/28/PE.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in a Large Cohort of Lung Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Study

Background: Early reports of COVID-19 in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) showed high hospitalization and mortality rates. However, the outcomes of COVID-19 in LTRs since the advent of newer therapies and vaccines have been poorly defined. Methods: We evaluated the risks for SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization and mortality in a cohort of LTRs at the Henry Ford Lung Transplant Program in Detroit, Michigan during the study period March 2020–March 2022. Univariate logistic regression, followed by multivariable modeling were performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confident intervals (CI). Results: Sixty-four laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections were identified in 59 patients. For the primary analysis of the hospitalization and mortality risks, we included these 59 patients with symptomatic COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infections were confirmed with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from a nasopharynx swab. The mean age (±STD) was 61 (±12), 63% were males, 27% were African Americans, and the time from lung transplant to COVID-19 was 5.5 (±4.8) years. Thirty-four (57.6%) patients were hospitalized, and the inpatient mortality rate was 24% (8/34). A multivariable analysis showed that patients with a higher baseline forced expiratory volume (FEV1) were less likely to be hospitalized (OR = 0.91 and 95% CI 0.87–0.98, p = 0.02). Seventy-five percent (75%;6/8) of patients on invasive mechanical ventilation died, compared with only 8% mortality rate in those without mechanical ventilation (OR = 36.0 and 95% CI 4.2–310.4, p < 0.01). Although a trend toward a higher risk of death was observed in those infected during the Alpha (p = 0.17) and Delta (p = 0.22) waves, no significant risk was detected after adjusting for other covariates. Five LTRs were diagnosed with COVID-19 twice. Thirty of the sixty-four COVID-19 cases (46.8%) occurred in LTRs that had received at least two doses of any of the available mRNA vaccines at a median of 123 days (IQR 98–164 days) after vaccination. Twelve of the thirty (40%) were hospitalized, and four patients (33%) died during their hospitalizations. Conclusions: In our LTR population, the hospitalization and mortality rates associated with COVID-19 were high despite the increased use of new therapies. Vaccine-breakthrough infections were common and were associated with poor outcomes. Studies are needed to determine optimal prevention and therapeutic strategies to improve COVID-19 outcomes in LTRs.

“And though our dreams may be shattered to pieces, I will resist”: digital storytelling to analyse emotional impact of the pandemic on university students

Covid-19 generated an important impact on the mental health of university students. In this context, a double need arises: to analyse the effects of this impact and to work on emotional education with this educational sector. This study is part of a broader educational innovation project focused on working on the emotional education of university students. In this case, our purpose was to analyse the experiences of university students (N=6) during the pandemic through Digital Storytellings. The results showed revealing aspects regarding the influence that the pandemic had on students: the shortcomings of virtuality in teaching, the development of coping strategies, the lessons learned from the pandemic, etc. Finally, it was set out a number of implications for higher education, like the promotion of emotional education plans, the optimisation of online educational resources, and increased teacher training in digital issues and emotional support. © 2022, Universidad Compultense Madrid. All rights reserved.

Description of a One-Year Succession of Variants of Interest and Concern of SARS-CoV-2 in Venezuela.

Some of the lineages of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, exhibit higher transmissibility or partial resistance to antibody-mediated neutralization and were designated by WHO as Variants of Interests (VOIs) or Concern (VOCs). The aim of this study was to monitor the dissemination of VOIs and VOCs in Venezuela from March 2021 to February 2022. A 614 nt genomic fragment was sequenced for the detection of some relevant mutations of these variants. Their presence was confirmed by complete genome sequencing, with a correlation higher than 99% between both methodologies. After the introduction of the Gamma VOC since the beginning of the year 2021, the variants Alpha VOC and Lambda VOI were detected as early as March 2021, at a very low frequency. In contrast, the Mu VOI, detected in May 2021, was able to circulate throughout the country. After the detection of the Delta VOC in June 2021, it became the predominant circulating variant. With the arrival of the Omicron VOC in December, this variant was able to displace the Delta one in less than one month.

Predictions of three mathematical models related with the COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy in Spain. June 2021

The Ministry of Health has coordinated three studies that have estimated the impact of the COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy in Spain. The models aim to help how to establish priority population groups for vaccination, in an initial context of dose limitation. With the same epidemiological and vaccine information, the results of this three different mathematical models point in the same direction: combined with physical distancing, staggered vaccination, starting with the high risk groups, would prevent 60% of infections, 42% of hospitalizations and 60% of mortality in the population. These models, which can be adapted to the new available scientific evidence, are dynamic and powerful tools for the evaluation and adjustment of immunization programs, promoting research on this field, and helping to achieve more efficient results in health.

Description of a One-Year Succession of Variants of Interest and Concern of SARS-Cov-2 in Venezuela (preprint)

Some of the lineages of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, exhibit higher transmissibility or partial resistance to antibody mediated neutralization and were des-ignated by WHO as Variants of Interests (VOIs) or Concern (VOCs). The aim of this study was to monitor the dissemination of VOIs and VOCs in Venezuela during a year. A 614 nt genomic fragment was sequenced for the detection of some relevant mutations of these variants. Their presence was confirmed by complete genome sequencing, with a correlation higher than 99% between both methodologies. After the previously reported introduction of the Gamma VOC since the beginning of the year 2021, the variants Alpha VOC and Lambda VOI were detected as early as March 2021, at a very low frequency. In contrast, the Mu VOI, detected in May 2021, was able to circulate throughout the country. After the detection of Delta VOC in June 2021, it be-came the predominant circulating variant. With the arrival of the Omicron VOC in December, this variant was able to displace the Delta one in less than one month. This succession of variants was accompanied by a reduction in the Cycle threshold (Ct) values, in agreement with the in-crease in transmissibility described for these variants.

A center experience with lung transplantation for COVID-19 ARDS.

COVID-19 can cause irreversible lung damage from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic respiratory failure associated with post COVID-19 de novo fibrosis or worsening of an underlying fibrotic lung disease. Pregnant women are at increased risk for invasive mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 22,000 hospitalizations and 161 deaths for COVID-19 in pregnant women. Between August 2020 and September 2021, five patients underwent bilateral lung transplant (LT) for COVID-19 ARDS at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. De-identified demographics data, clinical characteristics, perioperative challenges, explanted lung pathology, and post-transplant outcomes are described. In post-hospitalization follow-up (median survival 273 days), we see improving endurance and excellent lung function. One patient did not survive to hospital discharge and succumbed to complications 5 months after LT. We report the first cases of bilateral LT in two postpartum women.

Introduction and rapid dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 Gamma Variant of Concern in Venezuela

In less than two years since SARS-CoV-2 emerged, the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, has accumulated a great number of mutations. Many of these mutations are located in the Spike protein and some of them confer to the virus higher transmissibility or partial resistance to antibody mediated neutralization. Viral variants with such confirmed abilities are designated by WHO as Variants of Concern (VOCs). The aim of this study was to monitor the introduction of variants and VOCs in Venezuela. A small fragment of the viral genome was sequenced for the detection of the most relevant mutations found in VOCs. This approach allowed the detection of Gamma VOC. Its presence was confirmed by complete genome sequencing. The Gamma VOC was detected in Venezuela since January 2021, and in March 2021 was predominant in the East and Central side of the country, representing more than 95% of cases sequenced in all the country in April–May 2021. In addition to the Gamma VOC, other isolates carrying the mutation E484K were also detected. The frequency of this mutation has been increasing worldwide, as shown in a survey of sequences carrying E484K mutation in GISAID, and was detected in Venezuela in many probable cases of reinfection. Complete genome sequencing of these cases allowed us to identify E484K mutation in association with Gamma VOC and other lineages. In conclusion, the strategy adopted in this study is suitable for genomic surveillance of variants for countries lacking robust genome sequencing capacities. In the period studied, Gamma VOC seems to have rapidly become the dominant variant throughout the country.

Impact of Lockdown during COVID-19 Pandemic on Central Activation, Muscle Activity, Contractile Function, and Spasticity in People with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from symptoms related to neural control, such as reduced central activation, lower muscle activity, and accentuated spasticity. A forced 9-week home confinement related to COVID-19 in Spain may have worsened these symptoms. However, no study has demonstrated the impact of home confinement on neuromuscular mechanisms in the MS population. This study was aimed at analyzing the effects of a 9-week home confinement on central activation, muscle activity, contractile function, and spasticity in MS patients. METHODS: Eighteen participants were enrolled in the study. Left and right knee extensor maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), maximal neural drive via peak surface electromyography (EMG) of the vastus lateralis, central activation ratio (CAR), and muscle contractile function via electrical stimulation of the knee extensor muscles, as well as spasticity using the pendulum test, were measured immediately before and after home confinement. RESULTS: Seventeen participants completed the study. CAR significantly decreased after lockdown (ES = 1.271, p < 0.001). Regarding spasticity, there was a trend to decrease in the number of oscillations (ES = 0.511, p = 0.059) and a significant decrease in the duration of oscillations (ES = 0.568, p = 0.038). Furthermore, in the left leg, there was a significant decrease in the first swing excursion (ES = 0.612, p = 0.027) and in the relaxation index (ES = 0.992, p = 0.001). Muscle contractile properties, MVIC, and EMG variables were not modified after confinement. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a home confinement period of 9 weeks may lead to an increase in lower limb spasticity and a greater deficit in voluntary activation of the knee extensors.

How Spanish biobanks have adapted the informed consent process during the Covid-19 pandemic

Due to the situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, biobanks have adapted, among other processes, the obtaining of informed consents (IC). This paper details the most relevant elements of the applicable regulations, describes the adaptations done by some of the biobanks of the Spanish Biobank Network to manage the IC process, which have been approved by their Ethics Committees, and draws some conclusions from the results obtained from the survey carried out on these biobanks. © 2021

The impact of COVID-19 home confinement on neuromuscular performance, functional capacity, and psychological state in Spanish people with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global confinement of more than 2 months in Spain. As a result, the general population has significantly decreased their physical activity levels. The consequences of this abrupt, sedentary lifestyle in Spanish people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) were unknown. Our aim was to examine the impact of COVID-19 home confinement on neuromuscular performance, functional capacity, physical self-perception, and anxiety in pwMS. METHODS: Eighteen pwMS (8:10 men/women, age: 43.41±10.88 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2.85±1.34) participated in the study. Rate of force development (RFD) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction during knee extension in both legs, Timed-Up and Go test (TUG), sit-to-stand test, 6 min walk test, 10 m walk test, Physical-Self Perception Questionnaire (PSPQ) and State-Train Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were performed just before and after home confinement. RESULTS: A non-significant moderate effect (p = 0.07; ES = -0.48) was observed in the time in the sit-to-stand test compared to pre-home confinement. There was a significant increase in the time in TUG (p = 0.02; ES = -0.67). The PSQP score decreased (p = 0.01; ES = 0.79) and STAI-state increased (p = 0.01; ES = -0.65) following home confinement. CONCLUSION: Home confinement had an impact on functional capacity, physical self-perception and state anxiety. However, neuromuscular performance was not altered after home confinement.

COVID-19 in cancer patients: Risk factors for the development of severe clinical event (SCE)

Background: Some studies have suggested a higher risk of respiratory complications related to COVID-19 (C-19) in cancer patients (pts), but there is a lack of knowledge concerning the outcomes and prognostic factors. We evaluated whether various factors can predict a more serious C-19 infection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including 51 pts diagnosed of C-19 between March 10 and April 7, 2020. All pts present tumor disease at diagnosis of C-19: advanced disease, neoadjuvant treatment (ttm) or maintenance ttm after definitive chemoradiotherapy. It has been evaluated whether certain factors may present an increased risk for the development of a SCE, defined as death, the need of high oxygen flow (FiO2≥50%), non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation or Intensive Care Unit admission. These factors have been age, ECOG, ttm line, type of ttm, time from last ttm to C-19 diagnosis, smoke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiopathy, body mass index, fever, cough, dyspnea, myalgia, gastrointestinal symptoms, infiltrates in chest radiography, CURB65 ≥1, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and D-Dimer elevated, lymphopenia and PaO2/FiO2 <300 mmHg. Results: At the time of the data cut-off on May 16 2020, we have collected 51 cancer pts. Most of them were men (61%) with a median age of 68 years (range 19-86). Lung cancer was the most frequent type of cancer (22%), and the most common ttm was chemotherapy (51%). Eighteen pts (35%) developed a SCE, with 13 deaths (25%). Only dyspnea and PaO2/FiO2 <300 mmHg showed an increased risk to develop a SCE. [Formula presented]. Conclusions: Despite our retrospective analysis and the limited number of pts, we conclude that advanced cancer pts receiving antitumoral ttm have a higher risk for the development of SCE when considering the presence of PaO2/FiO2 <300 mmHg and dyspnea on admission. Therefore, it is crucial to screen for C-19 infection in any cancer patient who reports dyspnea, given the potential risk of poor evolution. Legal entity responsible for the study: Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Madrid. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.