Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

AbstractUnderstanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.</jats:p

Nivelación de Lenguaje - HU24 - 201702

Descripción: Nivelación de Lenguaje es un curso de formación general, de carácter práctico, dirigido a estudiantes de primeros ciclos. Esta asignatura busca desarrollar habilidades de redacción prácticas, aterrizadas en un correlato real de escritura determinado: un correo electrónico, una publicación de Facebook, etc. Para ello, el curso se orienta a afianzar las habilidades relacionadas con la organización del texto, así como los conocimientos básicos sobre la normativa de la lengua española. Lo aprendido en esta asignatura ofrecerá al estudiante las herramientas lingüísticas básicas idóneas para desarrollarse con suficiencia en una redacción cotidiana, en un comentario en sus redes sociales o en un examen de algún curso. Propósito: El curso desarrolla la competencia de Comunicación Escrita, en el nivel 1; es decir, el estudiante es capaz de construir mensajes coherentes y sólidos que se adecúan a la situación y propósito comunicativo. Este desarrollo le permite la generación y construcción de nuevas ideas, lo cual es relevante para su vida académica y profesional. La actual sociedad de la información y el conocimiento, caracterizada por la disrupción, la innovación y la complejidad en las formas de comunicación mediadas por la tecnología, enfrenta al estudiante y al profesional a nuevos retos en las maneras de comunicar aquello que conoce y que construye. En este escenario, la competencia comunicativa escrita adquiere protagonismo como herramienta para transmitir el conocimiento creado. El curso se alinea con esta exigencia, pues contribuye a que el estudiante responda exitosamente a las demandas comunicativas del contexto académico, y a que el egresado pueda desenvolverse idóneamente en el campo profesional y laboral

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P &lt; 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)