Accounting training professionalization: TIC, social networks and mentoring

[EN] This study is based on the latent need of implementing a high-performance teaching-learning system that promotes digital skills. For this reason, the present teaching innovation is developed in the first academic course of the Degree in Business Administration and Management, subject “Financial Accounting”. The sample consists of 412 undergraduates divided into 5-member groups. Teaching innovation is based on the implementation of an Accounting Information System in Excel (SICE) to develop students’ professional skills. Likewise, a mentoring program with Finance and Accounting students for peer learning, and Instagram as a communication tool by using learning pills, complements that. The results reveal a very significant and positive reception of the project by the students, both from SICE, the use of Instagram and the presence of mentors. Students have improved their technical and soft-skills, getting higher marks and seeing themselves more qualified in the accounting field.[ES] El presente estudio se fundamenta en la necesidad latente de implantar un sistema de enseñanza-aprendizaje de alto rendimiento que fomente las competencias digitales. Por ello, se desarrolla la presente innovación docente en la asignatura de Contabilidad Financiera de primer curso del Grado en ADE con una muestra de 412 estudiantes divididos en equipos de 5 miembros. La innovación docente se basa en la implementación de un Sistema de Información Contable en Excel (SICE) para desarrollar las competencias profesionales de los estudiantes. Asimismo, se complementa con un programa de mentoría con estudiantes de Finanzas y Contablidad para un aprendizaje entre iguales, y con el uso de Instagram como herramienta de comunicación de píldoras de aprendizaje. Los resultados revelan una acogida muy significativa y positiva del proyecto por parte de los alumnos, tanto del SICE, del uso de Instagram, como de la presencia de las mentoras participantes. En este sentido, los estudiantes han mejorado sus competencias técnicas y las soft-skills obteniendo mejores resultados y viéndose más capacitados en el ámbito de la contabilidad.Este trabajo ha sido desarrollado bajo el proyecto de innovación docente NOU_PID, UV-SFPIE_PID-2073598 de la Universitat de València.Porcuna-Enguix, R.; Merello, P.; Porcuna-Enguix, L.; Fullana, O.; Escrivà, M.; Alcaide, MÁ.; Ferrairó, E.... (2023). Profesionalización de la formación contable: las TIC, redes sociales y mentoría. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 715-729. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2023.2023.1658571572

The Poly I:C maternal immune stimulation model shows unique patterns of brain metabolism, morphometry, and plasticity in female rats

Introduction: Prenatal infections are associated with an increased risk of the onset of schizophrenia. Rodent models of maternal immune stimulation (MIS) have been extensively used in preclinical studies. However, many of these studies only include males, omitting pathophysiological features unique to females. The aim of this study is to characterize the MIS model in female rats using positron emission tomography (PET), structural magnetic resonance imaging (MR), and neuroplasticiy studies.Methods: In gestational day 15, Poly I:C (or Saline) was injected into pregnant Wistar rats to induce the MIS model. Imaging studies: [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-PET scans of female-offspring were acquired at post-natal day (PND) 35 and PND100. Furthermore, T2-MR brain images were acquired in adulthood. Differences in FDG uptake and morphometry between groups were assessed with SPM12 and Regions of Interest (ROI) analyses. Ex vivo study: The density of parvalbumin expressing interneurons (PV), perineuronal nets (PNN), and parvalbumin expressing interneurons surrounded by perineuronal nets (PV-PNN) were evaluated in the prelimbic cortex and basolateral amygdala using confocal microscopy. ROIs and neuroplasticity data were analyzed by 2-sample T-test and 2-way-ANOVA analyses, respectively.Results: A significant increase in brain metabolism was found in all animals at adulthood compared to adolescence. MIS hardly modified brain glucose metabolism in females, highlighting a significant hypometabolism in the thalamus at adulthood. In addition, MIS induced gray matter (GM) enlargements in the pituitary, hippocampus, substantia nigra, and cingulate cortex, and GM shrinkages in some thalamic nuclei, cerebelar areas, and brainstem. Moreover, MIS induced white matter shrinkages in the cerebellum, brainstem and corpus callosum, along with cerebrospinal fluid enlargements in the lateral and 4th ventricles. Finally, MIS reduced the density of PV, PNN, and PV-PNN in the basolateral amygdala.Conclusion: Our work showed in vivo the differential pattern of functional and morphometric affectation in the MIS model in females, as well as the deficits caused at the synaptic level according to sex. The differences obtained highlight the relevance of including both sexes in psychiatric research in order to consider their pathophysiological particularities and successfully extend the benefits obtained to the entire patient population

Effectiveness of an intervention for improving drug prescription in primary care patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy:Study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial (Multi-PAP project)

This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias ISCIII (Grant Numbers PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996), REDISSEC (Project Numbers RD12/0001/0012, RD16/0001/0005), and the European Regional Development Fund ("A way to build Europe").Background: Multimorbidity is associated with negative effects both on people's health and on healthcare systems. A key problem linked to multimorbidity is polypharmacy, which in turn is associated with increased risk of partly preventable adverse effects, including mortality. The Ariadne principles describe a model of care based on a thorough assessment of diseases, treatments (and potential interactions), clinical status, context and preferences of patients with multimorbidity, with the aim of prioritizing and sharing realistic treatment goals that guide an individualized management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that implements the Ariadne principles in a population of young-old patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention seeks to improve the appropriateness of prescribing in primary care (PC), as measured by the medication appropriateness index (MAI) score at 6 and 12months, as compared with usual care. Methods/Design: Design:pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial. Unit of randomization: family physician (FP). Unit of analysis: patient. Scope: PC health centres in three autonomous communities: Aragon, Madrid, and Andalusia (Spain). Population: patients aged 65-74years with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs prescribed in ≥3months). Sample size: n=400 (200 per study arm). Intervention: complex intervention based on the implementation of the Ariadne principles with two components: (1) FP training and (2) FP-patient interview. Outcomes: MAI score, health services use, quality of life (Euroqol 5D-5L), pharmacotherapy and adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green, Haynes-Sackett), and clinical and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis: primary outcome is the difference in MAI score between T0 and T1 and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Adjustment for confounding factors will be performed by multilevel analysis. All analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: It is essential to provide evidence concerning interventions on PC patients with polypharmacy and multimorbidity, conducted in the context of routine clinical practice, and involving young-old patients with significant potential for preventing negative health outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02866799Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

High Rates of STIs in HIV-Infected Patients Attending an STI Clinic

To evaluate the rates and types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attending a public STI clinic in Miami, Florida as compared with HIV-uninfected patients attending the same clinic. This was a retrospective review of medical records of individuals attending the Miami-Dade County Health Department STI clinic from March 2012 to May 2012. Demographic and clinical information was abstracted and transferred to an electronic database. Consecutive age-matched HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients were identified during the study period. Demographics, risk factors, and history and rates of STIs for HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients and for those with newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed HIV infection were compared. A total of 175 medical records were reviewed (89 HIV-infected patients and 86 HIV-uninfected patients). The median age was 37 years. A history of STIs, including syphilis, was more common in HIV-infected than in HIV-uninfected patients. Individuals with a prior diagnosis of HIV were more likely to be older (older than 37 years of age, χ(2) = 15.3, P < 0.01), male (χ(2) = 4.74, P = 0.05), to have a new STI (χ(2) = 5.83, P = 0.01), to have a new diagnosis of syphilis (χ(2) = 5.15, P = 0.01), and to be under medical care (χ(2) = 31.19, P < 0.001) than those newly diagnosed as having HIV. HIV-infected individuals who attended this urban STI clinic had high rates of new and past STIs, suggesting the persistence of high-risk sexual behaviors. STI clinics could be a premier site to identify individuals with HIV and high-risk sexual behaviors who could benefit from additional targeted interventions

Cavitary pneumonia secondary to Tsukamurella in an AIDS patient. First case and a review of the literature

Tsukamurella is a Gram-positive, variable rod-shaped, weakly acid-alcohol-fast, non motile, aerobic bacterium that belongs to the genus Rhodococcus. Tsukamurella has been reported as a cause of infections in humans with immunosuppression and indwelling foreign bodies. It has also been isolated in one patient with AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) as a saprophytic organism. Optimal management of infections secondary to this micro-organism is still uncertain due to the paucity of cases. The combination of a beta-lactam and an aminoglycoside, along with removal of medical devices, appear to be the treatment of choice. We report the case of an AIDS patient who presented with multiple lung cavitary lesions secondary to Tsukamurella. This is the first case reported of Tsukamurella as a pathogenic agent in an AIDS patient. We also propose a successful oral antibiotic regimen with fluoroquinolone and rifampin to treat infections secondary to this uncommon micro-organism

HIV patients' perceptions of a potential multi-component mindfulness-based smoking cessation smartphone application intervention.

OBJECTIVES: Cigarette smoking rates among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the US is triple that of the general population. PLWH smokers are a high-risk group for smoking-related health disparities and should be a prime focus for smoking cessation efforts. Our team has developed a novel evidence-based Mindfulness Training (MT) smoking cessation smartphone application (app), "Craving-to-Quit." Using qualitative focus groups among PLWH smokers, this study aims to tailor and optimize the app's content and design to PLWH's unique psychosocial profile and needs. METHODS: We conducted 8 focus groups among PLWH smokers (n = 59; 47.5% females; ≥18 years) to gain insight into participants' perceptions about the app, MT, and the feasibility and acceptability of adding two additional strategies (CM: Contingency Management; self-monitoring of anti-retroviral therapies intake [ART]) to further optimize the app. Participants were asked to practice MTs and watch videos from the app presented on a screen in the conference room to discuss their experience. Sessions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo. RESULTS: Most participants were non-Hispanic black (67.8%), on a federal health insurance program (61.0%). Participants considered it easy to learn the app and thought that MT is helpful in reducing stress and motivating quit attempts and were supportive of adding CM and recommended providing $20-$50 weekly cash incentives to help in quitting. Participants felt that adding self-monitoring of ART is helpful but were concerned about confidentiality in case they lost their phone. Participants recommended making the app cost-free and adding information about smoking cessation medications and the negative effects of smoking among PLWH. CONCLUSIONS: Findings will guide the development of a novel multi-component smoking cessation intervention app integrating MT, CM, and ART self-monitoring strategies. This intervention has the potential to address several barriers to quitting in PLWH. Further clinical research is needed to test this intervention

Sociodemographics and health-literacy as predictors of cervical cancer screening practices among Haitian women: A secondary data analysis of 2016–17 DHS surveys

Cervical cancer screening rates in Haiti are concerningly low. Access to health-related information and health literacy may be important determinants of engagement in cervical cancer screening. This study explored the relationship between sociodemographics,literacy, and sources of information on cervical cancer screening among Haitian women. A secondary data analysis was conducted using USAID Demographics and Health Survey Haiti household data from 2016–2017. Univariate logistic regressions identified significant predictor covariates measuring sociodemographics and sources of information in cervical cancer screening uptake.Two multivariate logistic regression models with adjusted odds ratios were developed using the significant predictor variables from the univariate analysis. N = 610 women responded to questions pertaining to cervical cancer screening. The first multivariate model evaluating sociodemographics demonstrated an economic background of poorer (aOR = 4.06, 95% CI [1.16,14.27]) and richest (aOR = 19.10 , 95% CI[2.58,141.57]), higher education levels (aOR 7.58 , 95% CI [1.64,34.97]), and having insurance (aOR = 16.40, [95% CI 2.65, 101.42]) were significant predictors of cervical cancer screening. The second model evaluating literacy and sources of information indicated that access to a television (aOR = 4.28, 95% CI [1.21,9.34]), mobile phone ownership (aOR = 4.44, 95% CI [1.00,5.59]), and reading the newspaper (aOR = 3.57, [95% CI 1.10,11.59]) were significant predictors of cervical cancer screening. Diverse health communication initiatives that are adapted for literacy level and that incorporate multimedia components may effective in raising women’s cervical cancer knowledge and awareness , and increasing intention and uptake of cervical cancer screening in Haiti

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards HPV vaccination among reproductive age women in a HIV hotspot in the US.

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the US, responsible for cervical cancer and increased risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition. Despite an effective HPV vaccine, women's HPV vaccination coverage and rates remain far below desired levels. This study aimed to evaluate HPV knowledge, attitudes, and vaccination practices as well as factors associated with HPV vaccination among women of reproductive age living in Miami, Florida, a Southern US city with a high incidence of STIs and low HPV vaccination coverage.MethodsFrom April to June 2022, 100 HIV-negative, cisgender, sexually active women aged 18-45 years were recruited from the Miami community. Participants completed validated questionnaires using REDCap© electronic surveys, assessing socio-demographics and sexual behaviors; HPV knowledge, screening, vaccination practices; barriers and motivators to HPV vaccination. A cumulative HPV knowledge score (HPV score) was generated. Factors associated with HPV vaccination were analyzed by Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, studentized t-test, and multivariate logistic regression (MLR).ResultsA total of 100 participants were enrolled, and 84 who knew their vaccination status were included in the analysis. Of these, 43 reported receiving at least 1 HPV vaccine dose (vaccinated group) and 41 reported never being vaccinated (unvaccinated group). Mean age was 24.7 (SD 4.03) years for the vaccinated group and 31.4 (SD 8.33) for the unvaccinated group. Mean HPV score was 18.9/29 (SD 6.05) for the vaccinated group and 9.1/29 (SD 8.82) for the unvaccinated group. Amongst vaccinated participants, 76.74% reported a history of HPV/Pap smear screening vs 87.80% in the unvaccinated group. Barriers to HPV vaccination included: 14.6% low-risk perception, 29.3% healthcare barriers, and 46.3% vaccine hesitancy and personal beliefs. Motivators t HPV vaccination included: risk perception and vaccine beliefs (71.42%), healthcare-related (60.71%) and social motivators (55.95%). In the first MLR, one-point increases in HPV score were significantly associated with higher odds of HPV vaccination until an HPV score of 16, and a one-year increase in age was associated with a 16% lower odds of HPV vaccination (aOR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.72, 0.99]; p = 0.035). Contraception use was also associated with HPV vaccination (aOR 8.36 (95% CI [1.41, 49.62]; p = 0.020). Race, ethnicity, college education status, and number of sexual partners were not significant predictors of HPV vaccination. In the second MLR evaluating vaccination motivators as predictors of HPV vaccination, we found that individuals who were motivated by healthcare had 3.03 (95% CI [1.02, 9.00]; p = 0.046) times the odds of HPV vaccination compared to individuals without healthcare-related motivators.ConclusionFindings suggest suboptimal HPV knowledge and low vaccination rates among women of reproductive age. Public health efforts should focus on increasing basic HPV knowledge among women with little-to-no HPV knowledge to increase vaccine uptake

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards HPV vaccination among reproductive age women in a HIV hotspot in the US

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the US, responsible for cervical cancer and increased risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition. Despite an effective HPV vaccine, women’s HPV vaccination coverage and rates remain far below desired levels. This study aimed to evaluate HPV knowledge, attitudes, and vaccination practices as well as factors associated with HPV vaccination among women of reproductive age living in Miami, Florida, a Southern US city with a high incidence of STIs and low HPV vaccination coverage. Methods From April to June 2022, 100 HIV-negative, cisgender, sexually active women aged 18–45 years were recruited from the Miami community. Participants completed validated questionnaires using REDCap© electronic surveys, assessing socio-demographics and sexual behaviors; HPV knowledge, screening, vaccination practices; barriers and motivators to HPV vaccination. A cumulative HPV knowledge score (HPV score) was generated. Factors associated with HPV vaccination were analyzed by Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, studentized t-test, and multivariate logistic regression (MLR). Results A total of 100 participants were enrolled, and 84 who knew their vaccination status were included in the analysis. Of these, 43 reported receiving at least 1 HPV vaccine dose (vaccinated group) and 41 reported never being vaccinated (unvaccinated group). Mean age was 24.7 (SD 4.03) years for the vaccinated group and 31.4 (SD 8.33) for the unvaccinated group. Mean HPV score was 18.9/29 (SD 6.05) for the vaccinated group and 9.1/29 (SD 8.82) for the unvaccinated group. Amongst vaccinated participants, 76.74% reported a history of HPV/Pap smear screening vs 87.80% in the unvaccinated group. Barriers to HPV vaccination included: 14.6% low-risk perception, 29.3% healthcare barriers, and 46.3% vaccine hesitancy and personal beliefs. Motivators t HPV vaccination included: risk perception and vaccine beliefs (71.42%), healthcare-related (60.71%) and social motivators (55.95%). In the first MLR, one-point increases in HPV score were significantly associated with higher odds of HPV vaccination until an HPV score of 16, and a one-year increase in age was associated with a 16% lower odds of HPV vaccination (aOR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.72, 0.99]; p = 0.035). Contraception use was also associated with HPV vaccination (aOR 8.36 (95% CI [1.41, 49.62]; p = 0.020). Race, ethnicity, college education status, and number of sexual partners were not significant predictors of HPV vaccination. In the second MLR evaluating vaccination motivators as predictors of HPV vaccination, we found that individuals who were motivated by healthcare had 3.03 (95% CI [1.02, 9.00]; p = 0.046) times the odds of HPV vaccination compared to individuals without healthcare-related motivators. Conclusion Findings suggest suboptimal HPV knowledge and low vaccination rates among women of reproductive age. Public health efforts should focus on increasing basic HPV knowledge among women with little-to-no HPV knowledge to increase vaccine uptake

National Estimates of Prevalence, Time-Trend, and Correlates of Smoking in US People Living with HIV (NHANES 1999-2016)

Approximately one in four deaths among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the United States can be attributed to cigarette smoking. Using a nationally representative sample of PLWH, this study examines the prevalence, time-trends, and correlates of current cigarette smoking among PLWH compared to people without HIV. Secondary analysis of population-based cross-sectional biobehavioral survey. Data were pooled from the 1999-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). All adults (20-59 years) who self-reported their smoking status and were tested for HIV (HIV+ = 152; HIV- = 26 305) were included in the analysis. Prevalence with 95% confidence interval (95% CI), trend analysis by year and group (HIV+/HIV-), and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed with the complex survey design adjustments. Overall, 47.0% of PLWH were current smokers compared to 25.5% of those without HIV. From 1999 to 2016, the decline in smoking in PLWH was comparable to those without HIV (10.7% vs. 8.0%). PLWH smokers were more likely than PLWH nonsmokers to be substance users (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 17.52; 95% CI = 2.04 to 27.8). Compared to smokers without HIV, PLWH smokers were more likely to be older (1.10; 1.06 to 1.14), males (7.96; 2.50 to 25.40), non-Hispanic Black (10.45; 4.13 to 26.45), with depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 sum score ≥5) (3.79; 1.22 to 11.79), and less likely to be gay (0.02; 0.00 to 0.07). Cigarette smoking among PLWH is a major public health problem in the United States. Targeted and tailored smoking cessation interventions that incorporate assessment and treatment of depression and co-occurring substance use are critical for PLWH, especially among those who are disproportionately affected by smoking and HIV (sexual minority). This study offers important research implications in four areas:1. The decline in smoking among PLWH over 18 years has been modest, and half of PLWH are still smokers.2. More resources and efforts should be allocated to reduce cigarette smoking among PLWH.3. There is a critical need to develop and test culturally tailored smoking cessation interventions for minority subgroups who are most impacted by HIV infection and smoking (non-Hispanic Blacks and men who have sex with men)4. Smoking cessation interventions designed for PLWH should incorporate assessment and treatment of depression and substance use