Metacognition and Music: A Scoping Review

Although many people pursue formal music studies in Spanish conservatories, only one in ten manages to complete them. The aim of this review is to know the effectiveness of the use of metacognitive strategies in the improvement of learning and motivation of students in this field and if this influences the abandonment of the studies. A strategic search was carried out by consulting the following scientific database: PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, ERIC, and Springer. Thirteen papers were selected from a set of 420 identified sources, with a total of 327 participants aged between 8 and 60 years. It is assumed that, through the deliberate teaching of metacognitive strategies, it is possible to improve meaningful learning, increasing the well-being, autonomy, and motivation of music students, thus avoiding high dropout rates. The results are discussed, limitations are exposed and proposals for future research are included.Aunque muchas personas cursan estudios de música en conservatorios españoles, solo una de cada diez logra concluirlos. El objetivo de esta revisión es conocer la eficacia del uso de estrategias metacognitivas en la mejora del aprendizaje y motivación del alumnado en este campo y si ello influye en el abandono de los estudios. Se realizó una búsqueda estratégica consultando las siguientes bases de datos científicas: PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, ERIC y Springer. Se seleccionaron 13 trabajos entre un conjunto de 420 fuentes identificadas, con un total de 327 participantes con edades comprendidas entre los 8 y 60 años. Se presupone que, mediante la enseñanza deliberada de estrategias metacognitivas, se consigue mejorar el aprendizaje significativo, incrementando el bienestar, autonomía y motivación del alumnado de música evitando, de este modo, el elevado abandono de sus estudios. Se discuten los resultados, exponen limitaciones e incluyen propuestas para futuras investigaciones

An approach to Social Work from the perspective of Positive Psychology (virtues and strengths)

La Psicología positiva es una ciencia social de desarrollo relativamente reciente que analiza las bases del bienestar psicológico a partir de las fortalezas y virtudes de cada individuo y de sus potencialidades de influir en los otros para el logro de la plenitud y desarrollo personal. En el marco de la Psicología positiva se aplicó el test VIA-IS a 186 estudiantes de primer curso de Grado en Trabajo Social en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid durante el curso 2011-2012. El objetivo de la presente investigación era establecer el perfil de virtudes y fortalezas que el estudiante de Grado considera claves en su futuro desempeño como trabajador social. Las virtudes de Humanidad y Justicia fueron las que se consideraron más relevantes por parte de los estudiantes, tal y como se esperaba, puesto que estas virtudes son básicas a la hora de influir en la voluntad de otras personas, desde el respeto de la individualidad del usuario, hacia un estado de bienestar (Peterson & Seligman, 2004)Positive psychology is a social science of relatively recent development that analyzes the bases of psychological wellbeing from the strengths and virtues of each individual and their potential to influence others to achieve the fullness and personal development. In the context of Positive Psychology VIA-Is test was applied to 186 first grade of Social Work students at the University Complutense of Madrid during 2011-2012. The aim of this investigation was to establish the profile of virtues and strengths which the student considers the key for the future performance as a social worker. The virtues of Humanity and Fairness were considered the most relevant by the students, as expected, because of these virtues are essential when they come to influence the will of others, respecting the individuality of user to a state of wellbeing (Peterson &Seligman, 2004).Depto. de Psicobiología y Metodología en Ciencias del ComportamientoFac. de PsicologíaTRUEpu

Randomized Clinical Trial of the Need for Antibiotic Treatment for Low-Risk Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Caused by Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

According to clinical guidelines, the management of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) due to coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) includes catheter removal and antibiotic treatment for 5 to 7 days. However, in low-risk episodes, it remains uncertain whether antibiotic therapy is necessary. This randomized clinical trial aims to determine whether the non-administration of antibiotic therapy is as safe and effective as the recommended strategy in low-risk episodes of CRBSI caused by CoNS. With this purpose, a randomized, open-label, multicenter, non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted in 14 Spanish hospitals from 1 July 2019 to 31 January 2022. Patients with low-risk CRBSI caused by CoNS were randomized 1:1 after catheter withdrawal to receive/not receive parenteral antibiotics with activity against the isolated strain. The primary endpoint was the presence of any complication related to bacteremia or to antibiotic therapy within 90 days of follow-up. The secondary endpoints were persistent bacteremia, septic embolism, time until microbiological cure, and time until the disappearance of a fever. EudraCT: 2017-003612-39 INF-BACT-2017. A total of 741 patients were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 27 were included in the study; 15 (55.6%) were randomized to the intervention arm (non-antibiotic administration) and 12 (44.4%) to the control arm (antibiotic therapy as per standard practice). The primary endpoint occurred in one of the 15 patients in the intervention group (septic thrombophlebitis) and in no patients in the control group. The median time until microbiological cure was 3 days (IQR 1-3) in the intervention arm and 1.25 days (IQR 0.5-2.62) in the control arm, while the median time until fever resolution was zero days in both arms. The study was stopped due to the insufficient number of recruited patients. These results seem to indicate that low-risk CRBSI caused by CoNS can be managed without antibiotic therapy after catheter removal; efficacy and safety are not affected

Incentivar y potenciar la generación colectiva de conocimiento y la participación del alumnado a través de herramientas digitales en línea

El surgimiento de herramientas en línea para la participación del alumnado constituye un recurso con enorme potencial de innovación para la docencia y los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje en la educación superior. Por un lado, porque aumenta las posibilidades de generar conocimiento de forma colectiva a través de la colaboración del alumnado con los y las docentes, no solo preguntando y respondiendo de forma anónima (si se quiere que así sea) a las cuestiones que puedan ir planteándose a lo largo del curso, sino también evaluando el propio desarrollo del mismo y las metodologías empleadas. Herramientas que posibilitan esta línea, mediante la llamada gamificación, tan motivante; y metodología de trabajo, como Kahoot o Mentimeter, presentan además una interfaz atractiva y muy fácil de utilizar, tanto por parte del alumnado como del profesorado, a través de cualqiuier dispositivo móvil con posibilidad de conexión a Internet. No obstante, la primera (Kahoot) es mucho más limitada en sus posibilidades que la segunda (Mentimeter). Por este motivo, en este Proyecto de Innovación Docente apostamos por utilizar Mentimeter Estos instrumentos en línea se adaptan de forma muy sencilla tanto a la docencia presencial y sincrónica, como a la docencia semipresencial o en línea (con una cierta asincronicidad), por lo que aparecen como un recurso muy útil en el contexto de incertidumbre respecto a la articulación de la metodología de enseñanza debido a la pandemia de la covid-19. Este proyecto congrega a un grupo de docentes interdisciplinar, interdepartemental, interfacultativo que incluye, además, la participación de un docente experto en la herramienta de otra universidad (URJC).

Novel genes and sex differences in COVID-19 severity

[EN] Here, we describe the results of a genome-wide study conducted in 11 939 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive cases with an extensive clinical information that were recruited from 34 hospitals across Spain (SCOURGE consortium). In sex-disaggregated genome-wide association studies for COVID-19 hospitalization, genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8) was crossed for variants in 3p21.31 and 21q22.11 loci only among males (P = 1.3 × 10−22 and P = 8.1 × 10−12, respectively), and for variants in 9q21.32 near TLE1 only among females (P = 4.4 × 10−8). In a second phase, results were combined with an independent Spanish cohort (1598 COVID-19 cases and 1068 population controls), revealing in the overall analysis two novel risk loci in 9p13.3 and 19q13.12, with fine-mapping prioritized variants functionally associated with AQP3 (P = 2.7 × 10−8) and ARHGAP33 (P = 1.3 × 10−8), respectively. The meta-analysis of both phases with four European studies stratified by sex from the Host Genetics Initiative (HGI) confirmed the association of the 3p21.31 and 21q22.11 loci predominantly in males and replicated a recently reported variant in 11p13 (ELF5, P = 4.1 × 10−8). Six of the COVID-19 HGI discovered loci were replicated and an HGI-based genetic risk score predicted the severity strata in SCOURGE. We also found more SNP-heritability and larger heritability differences by age (<60 or ≥60 years) among males than among females. Parallel genome-wide screening of inbreeding depression in SCOURGE also showed an effect of homozygosity in COVID-19 hospitalization and severity and this effect was stronger among older males. In summary, new candidate genes for COVID-19 severity and evidence supporting genetic disparities among sexes are provided.S

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide