Modelling the SARS-COV-2 outbreak: assessing the usefulness of protective measures to reduce the pandemic at population level

A new bioinspired computational model was developed for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic using the available epidemiological information, high-resolution population density data, travel patterns, and the average number of contacts between people. The effectiveness of control measures such as contact reduction measures, closure of communities (lockdown), protective measures (social distancing, face mask wearing, and hand hygiene), and vaccination were modelled to examine possibilities for control of the disease under several protective vaccination levels in the population. Lockdown and contact reduction measures only delay the spread of the virus in the population because it resumes its previous dynamics as soon as the restrictions are lifted. Nevertheless, these measures are probably useful to avoid hospitals being overwhelmed in the short term. Our model predicted that 56% of the Spanish population would have been infected and subsequently recovered over a 130 day period if no protective measures were taken but this percentage would have been only 34% if protective measures had been put in place. Moreover, this percentage would have been further reduced to 41.7, 27.7, and 13.3% if 25, 50 and 75% of the population had been vaccinated, respectively. Finally, this percentage would have been even lower at 25.5, 12.1 and 7.9% if 25, 50 and 75% of the population had been vaccinated in combination with the application of protective measures, respectively. Therefore, a combination of protective measures and vaccination would be highly efficacious in decreasing not only the number of those who become infected and subsequently recover, but also the number of people who die from infection, which falls from 0.41% of the population over a 130 day period without protective measures to 0.15, 0.08 and 0.06% if 25, 50 and 75% of the population had been vaccinated in combination with protective measures at the same time, respectively.This study was partially funded by the University of Lleida (UdL). The comments of four anonymous reviewers improved a previous version of this article

Modeling of Vaccination and Contact Tracing as Tools to Control the COVID-19 Outbreak in Spain

We developed an agent-based stochastic model, based on P Systems methodology, to decipher the effects of vaccination and contact tracing on the control of COVID-19 outbreak at population level under different control measures (social distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene) and epidemiological scenarios. Our findings suggest that without the application of protection social measures, 56.1% of the Spanish population would contract the disease with a mortality of 0.4%. Assuming that 20% of the population was protected by vaccination by the end of the summer of 2021, it would be expected that 45% of the population would contract the disease and 0.3% of the population would die. However, both of these percentages are significantly lower when social measures were adopted, being the best results when social measures are in place and 40% of contacts traced. Our model shows that if 40% of the population can be vaccinated, even without social control measures, the percentage of people who die or recover from infection would fall from 0.41% and 56.1% to 0.16% and 33.5%, respectively compared with an unvaccinated population. When social control measures were applied in concert with vaccination the percentage of people who die or recover from infection diminishes until 0.10% and 14.5%, after vaccinating 40% of the population. Vaccination alone can be crucial in controlling this disease, but it is necessary to vaccinate a significant part of the population and to back this up with social control measures.This research was funded by University of Lleida

Does Influenza Vaccination Reduce the Risk of Contracting COVID-19?

The concurrent timing of the COVID-19 pandemic and the seasonal occurrence of influenza, makes it especially important to analyze the possible effect of the influenza vaccine on the risk of contracting COVID-19, or in reducing the complications caused by both diseases, especially in vulnerable populations. There is very little scientific information on the possible protective role of the influenza vaccine against the risk of contracting COVID-19, particularly in groups at high-risk of influenza complications. Reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19 in high-risk patients (those with a higher risk of infection, complications, and death) is essential to improve public well-being and to reduce hospital pressure and the collapse of primary health centers. Apart from overlapping in time, COVID-19 and flu share common aspects of transmission, so that measures to protect against flu might be effective in reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19. In this study, we conclude that the risk of contracting COVID-19 is reduced if patients are vaccinated against flu, but the reduction is small (0.22%) and therefore not clinically important. When this reduction is analysed based on the risk factor suffered by the patient, statistically significant differences have been obtained for patients with cardiovascular problems, diabetics, chronic lung and chronic kidney disease; in all four cases the reduction in the risk of contagion does not reach 1%. It is worth highlighting the behaviour that is completely different from the rest of the data for institutionalized patients. The data for these patients does not suggest a reduction in the risk of contagion for patients vaccinated against the flu, but rather the opposite, a significant increase of 6%. Socioeconomic conditions, as measured by the MEDEA deprivation index, explain increases in the risk of contracting COVID-19, and awareness campaigns should be increased to boost vaccination programs

Differences in Free-Living Patterns of Sedentary Behaviour between Office Employees with Diabetes and Office Employees without Diabetes: A Principal Component Analysis for Clinical Practice

Aims: To identify principal components of free-living patterns of sedentary behaviour in office employees with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to normal glucose metabolism (NGM) office employees, using principal component analysis (PCA). Methods: 213 office employees (n = 81 with T2D; n = 132 with NGM) wore an activPAL inclinometer 24 h a day for 7 consecutive days. Comparions of sedentary behaviour patterns between adults with T2D and NGM determined the dimensions that best characterise the sedentary behaviour patterns of office employees with T2D at work, outside work and at weekends. Results: The multivariate PCA technique identified two components that explained 60% of the variability present in the data of sedentary behaviour patterns in the population with diabetes. This was characterised by a fewer number of daily breaks and breaks in time intervals of less than 20 min both at work, outside work and at weekends. On average, adults with T2D took fewer 31 breaks/day than adults without diabetes. Conclusion: Effective interventions from clinical practice to tackle prolonged sedentary behaviour in office employees with T2D should focus on increasing the number of daily sedentary breaks.The study was funded by Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI17/01788), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (DEP2021-37169), grant Jose Luís Torres from redGDPS Foundation (redgdps/BJLTB/02/2022), the predoctoral research grant Isabel Fernández 2020 from the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) and another grant from the Càtedra Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)—Novartis for research in Family and Community Medicine. The funders had no role in the design, analysis, data interpretation or writing of the manuscript

Effectiveness of a healthcare-based mobile intervention on sedentary patterns, physical activity, mental well-being and clinical and productivity outcomes in office employees with type 2 diabetes: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Prolonged sedentary time is associated with an increased incidence of chronic disease including type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Given that occupational sedentary time contributes signifcantly to the total amount of daily sedentariness, incorporating programmes to reduce occupational sedentary time in patients with chronic disease would allow for physical, mental and productivity benefts. The aim of this study is to evaluate the short-, medium- and long-term efectiveness of a mHealth programme for sitting less and moving more at work on habitual and occupational sedentary behaviour and physical activity in ofce staf with DM2. Secondary aims. To evaluate the efectiveness on glycaemic control and lipid profle at 6- and 12-month follow-up; anthropometric profle, blood pres‑ sure, mental well-being and work-related post-intervention outcomes at 3, 6 and 12months. Methods: Multicentre randomized controlled trial. A sample size of 220 patients will be randomly allocated into a control (n=110) or intervention group (n=110), with post-intervention follow-ups at 6 and 12months. Health professionals from Spanish Primary Health Care units will randomly invite patients (18–65 years of age) diagnosed with DM2, who have sedentary ofce desk-based jobs. The control group will receive usual healthcare and information on the health benefts of sitting less and moving more. The intervention group will receive, through a smartphone app and website, strategies and real-time feedback for 13weeks to change occupational sedentary behaviour. Variables: (1) Subjective and objective habitual and occupational sedentary behaviour and physical activity (Workforce Sit‑ ting Questionnaire, Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool, activPAL3TM); 2) Glucose, HbA1c; 3) Weight, height, waist circumference; 4) Total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides; (5) Systolic, diastolic blood pressure; (6) Mental well being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being); (7) Presenteeism (Work Limitations Questionnaire); (8) Impact of work on employees´ health, sickness absence (6th European Working Conditions Survey); (9) Job-related mental strain (Job Content Questionnaire). Diferences between groups pre- and post- intervention on the average value of the vari‑ ables will be analysed. Discussion: If the mHealth intervention is efective in reducing sedentary time and increasing physical activity in ofce employees with DM2, health professionals would have a low-cost tool for the control of patients with chronic disease.The study was funded by Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI17/01788) and the predoctoral research grant Isabel Fernández 2020 from the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC). The funders had no role in the design, analysis, data interpretation or writing of the manuscript

Espècies singulars del Jardí de la Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació

Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia , Assignatura: Plantes Medicinals, Etnobotànica i Bioprospecció , Curs: 2018-2019, Coordinadors: Joan Simon i Carles BenedíEl grup d’innovació GIBAF, ha dut a terme una activitat acadèmica amb els estudiants de l’assignatura de Plantes Medicinals, Etnobotànica i Bioprospecció que s’inscriu en un projecte d’innovació docent que pren com a base les espècies del campus de la Facultat i que s’orienta en l’àmbit de l’aprenentatge-servei (ApS). Aquesta activitat ha consistit en la redacció d’una vintena de fitxes d’espècies presents al jardí i, de manera especial, la redacció d’unes monografies sobre espècies que considerem com a singulars. Aquesta singularitat ve determinada per aspectes botànics, com en el cas del Ginkgo biloba i Dracaena drago, per ser plantes emblemàtiques, com ara l’exemplar d’olivera (Olea europaea) plantada amb motiu del 150è aniversari de la Facultat, o del grup de margallons (Chamaerops humilis) trasplantat amb motiu del centenari de la mort de Pius Font i Quer, o bé per ser espècies pròpies de la mediterrània, com ara en el cas del baladre (Nerium oleander), el garrofer (Ceratonia siliqua) i el llorer (Laurus nobilis) o per tenir una presència destacada en el campus, con ara el ficus de cautxú (Ficus elàstica)

Ús de wearables i aplicacions mòbils de salut a l'atenció primària: efectivitat per a modificar el comportament sedentari d'adults amb diabetis tipus 2

Programa de Doctorat: Cures Integrals i Serveis de SalutLa baixa efectivitat de les intervencions tradicionals per augmentar l´activitat física i la manca d’evidència científica de les intervencions per limitar el comportament sedentari en poblacions clíniques a l´atenció primària, ja sobrecarregada, contribueix a l’augment de la pressió assistencial causada per malalties que es podrien prevenir mitjançant l´increment de persones físicament actives. Concretament, en adults amb DM2, les estratègies de prevenció situen l’adopció d’un estil de vida físicament actiu com una part important del pla de gestió de la DM2, prevenció de complicacions i maneig de la malaltia a la pràctica clínica. L’ús de dispositius wearables i programes de salut mòbil senzills i fàcils d'utilitzar poden esdevenir eines eficaces, econòmiques i factibles de ser implementades a les consultes d'atenció primària per millorar l´eficàcia i adherència de les intervencions en activitat física i abordar el comportament sedentari. Aquesta tesi doctoral va avaluar l’eficàcia d’un programa mHealth per a modificar el patró del comportament sedentari d’adults amb DM2 des de la pràctica clínica a l’atenció primària. La principal conclusions es que els programes mHealth, prescrits des de la pràctica clínica com a complement de l’atenció clínica habitual, poden ser una eina eficaç per modificar estils de vida sedentaris, i millorar el control glucèmic i factors de risc cardiovascular en adults amb DM2. Futurs estudis haurien d’explorar les barreres i el factors facilitadors per integrar els programes mHealth a la pràctica clínica a l’APS.La baja efectividad de las intervenciones tradicionales para aumentar la actividad física y la falta de evidencia científica de las intervenciones para limitar el comportamiento sedentario en poblaciones clínicas en la atención primaria, ya sobrecargada, contribuye al aumento de la presión asistencial causada por enfermedades que podrían prevenirse mediante el incremento de personas físicamente activas. Concretamente, en adultos con DM2, las estrategias de prevención sitúan la adopción de un estilo de vida físicamente activo como parte importante del plan de gestión de la DM2, prevención de complicaciones y manejo de la enfermedad en la práctica clínica. El uso de dispositivos wearables y programas de salud móvil sencillos y fáciles de utilizar pueden convertirse en herramientas eficaces, económicas y factibles de ser implementadas en las consultas de atención primaria para mejorar la eficacia y adherencia de las intervenciones en actividad física y abordar el comportamiento sedentario. Esta tesis doctoral evaluó la eficacia de un programa mHealth para modificar el patrón del comportamiento sedentario de adultos con DM2 desde la práctica clínica a la atención primaria. La principal conclusión es que los programas mHealth, prescritos desde la práctica clínica como complemento de la atención clínica habitual, pueden ser una herramienta eficaz para modificar estilos de vida sedentarios, y mejorar el control glucémico y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en adultos con DM2. Futuros estudios deberían explorar las barreras y los factores facilitadores para integrar los programas mHealth en la práctica clínica en el APS