Interdisciplinary pedagogical activity, collaborative teaching under COVID-19

The Mundial Higher Education System is facing diverse and several challenges in a very short period of time. The pandemic situation of COVID-19 the world is facing imposed some really important changes in the Higher Education System: (i) The presence of a hybrid classes system (the online class combined with face-to-face classes); (ii) The acquisition of appropriate technologies and skills in order to use online platforms; (iii) The social distaimposed between students, teachers and between students and teachers; and (iv) the continuous teaching/learning process is complemented with the utilization of different tools of communications that support online classes. In these circumstances, it is important to adopt innovative pedagogies that can better prepare students to ingress in the tourism profession, particularly in the context of the crisis that the tourism sector is facing. In order to bridge the gap between how different Tourism subjects can be taught in university and how Tourism Professional Teams Works in a real-life context under a pandemic situation, interdisciplinary pedagogical activities implemented within the classroom. This article aims to describe and present interdisciplinary pedagogical practices within the Planning and Politics of Tourism and Introduction of EconoTourism classes, under a particular context, in order to develop important competencies that will allow students to be better prepared to work in the tourism sector. Specifically, the principal goal is to investigate the students’ perception of competencies acquired through interdisciplinary active under a collaborative learning activity within a pandemic situation. This investigation adopted a case study method. In a quantitative approach, the students answered a questionnaire about self-assessment, motivatiskills, and competencies acquired along diff erent stages of collaborative teamwork between peers. Complementing these fi ndings, we used a qualitatapproach. We describe teacher’s and students´ cooperation, and coordination eff orts throughout the activity carried out along two diff erent disciplines This research also provides important and novel insights to understand how students can develop important competencies, under a pandemic contexts learning from a hybrid process using interdisciplinary pedagogies. Teachers cooperation working through collaborative teaching activities and design considered as a proper interdisciplinary activity in order to graduate better students. The world is living a unique moment within a pandemic situation. Ait has a strong impact on the Higher Education System and all academic communities. In this sense, teachers must be open-minded regarding the learn process, as well as the use of new technologies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Project-based learning in distance learning: an appoach to organize events and develop competencies

Today the world is facing a great challenge that has a strong impact on the Mundial Educational System, the COVID-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the learning process and required that all students have to learn through online platforms which implies a distance learning process between teachers and students. In order to minimize this impact of COVID-19 on the students’ learning, the educational system has been forced to change, and new pedagogical activities have emerged, everything was adjusted to the digital learning environment. Teachers during the year 2020 were forced to adapt their pedagogical activities as well as learn a new one to become attractive and motivating for students to actively participate in the distance learning process. The objective of this article is to present an application of the Project-Based Learning (PBL) and understand the perception of students about the development of their transversal competencies acquired during this collaborative work. The project involved students from the second curricular year of a Higher Professional Training Course (HPTC) of Management Applied to the Development of Touristic Products (MADTP) at University of Aveiro, Portugal, during the fall/winter of 2020. Teachers shared the PBL methodology to join two disciplines for the same students: Animation, and Itineraries and Tourist Events and Tourism Quality Management. It was purposed as a practical activity that students should organize four webinars with different themes. The aim of this project was to explore how collaborative work within PBL methodology can motivate students and engage them in distance learning using several digital tools to support the learning process, team coordination, and interpersonal communication. The methodology used was initiated with exploratory research as a case study. One questionnaire was applied to better understand the perception of students to their competencies developed with this project. Implementing this methodology, teachers have a deeper knowledge about the transversal competencies that can be developed under this particular context. The study shows some evidence of the students’ perceptions about their competencies developed during a real-life learning context, such as communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, time management, collaboration, leadership, responsibility, self-direction, and work ethic. The results aggregate organizational and behavioural competencies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The rapid spread of SARS-COV-2 Omicron variant in Italy reflected early through wastewater surveillance

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged in South Africa in November 2021, and has later been identified worldwide, raising serious concerns. A real-time RT-PCR assay was designed for the rapid screening of the Omicron variant, targeting characteristic mutations of the spike gene. The assay was used to test 737 sewage samples collected throughout Italy (19/21 Regions) between 11 November and 25 December 2021, with the aim of assessing the spread of the Omicron variant in the country. Positive samples were also tested with a real-time RT-PCR developed by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), and through nested RT-PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Overall, 115 samples tested positive for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant. The first occurrence was detected on 7 December, in Veneto, North Italy. Later on, the variant spread extremely fast in three weeks, with prevalence of positive wastewater samples rising from 1.0% (1/104 samples) in the week 5-11 December, to 17.5% (25/143 samples) in the week 12-18, to 65.9% (89/135 samples) in the week 19-25, in line with the increase in cases of infection with the Omicron variant observed during December in Italy. Similarly, the number of Regions/Autonomous Provinces in which the variant was detected increased from one in the first week, to 11 in the second, and to 17 in the last one. The presence of the Omicron variant was confirmed by the JRC real-time RT-PCR in 79.1% (91/115) of the positive samples, and by Sanger sequencing in 66% (64/97) of PCR amplicons. In conclusion, we designed an RT-qPCR assay capable to detect the Omicron variant, which can be successfully used for the purpose of wastewater-based epidemiology. We also described the history of the introduction and diffusion of the Omicron variant in the Italian population and territory, confirming the effectiveness of sewage monitoring as a powerful surveillance tool

Goodbye Hartmann trial: a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study on the current use of a surgical procedure developed a century ago

Background: Literature suggests colonic resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) instead of Hartmann's procedure (HP) for the treatment of left-sided colonic emergencies. We aim to evaluate the surgical options globally used to treat patients with acute left-sided colonic emergencies and the factors that leading to the choice of treatment, comparing HP and RPA. Methods: This is a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A total 1215 patients with left-sided colonic emergencies who required surgery were included from 204 centers during the period of March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. with a 1-year follow-up. Results: 564 patients (43.1%) were females. The mean age was 65.9 ± 15.6 years. HP was performed in 697 (57.3%) patients and RPA in 384 (31.6%) cases. Complicated acute diverticulitis was the most common cause of left-sided colonic emergencies (40.2%), followed by colorectal malignancy (36.6%). Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were higher in the HP group (P < 0.001). 30-day mortality was higher in HP patients (13.7%), especially in case of bowel perforation and diffused peritonitis. 1-year follow-up showed no differences on ostomy reversal rate between HP and RPA. (P = 0.127). A backward likelihood logistic regression model showed that RPA was preferred in younger patients, having low ASA score (≤ 3), in case of large bowel obstruction, absence of colonic ischemia, longer time from admission to surgery, operating early at the day working hours, by a surgeon who performed more than 50 colorectal resections. Conclusions: After 100 years since the first Hartmann's procedure, HP remains the most common treatment for left-sided colorectal emergencies. Treatment's choice depends on patient characteristics, the time of surgery and the experience of the surgeon. RPA should be considered as the gold standard for surgery, with HP being an exception

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research