Nuevas herramientas para la toma de decisiones: Vigilancia Tecnológica e Inteligencia Estratégica

En el contexto actual donde existe una aparición permanente de competidores a nivel global, nuevos escenarios sin fronteras generados por las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC), la generación permanente de grandes volúmenes de datos e información, la libre circulación del conocimiento, y otros factores, obligan a las organizaciones a implementar nuevas estrategias que permitan incrementar sus niveles de competitividad y así poder tomar mejores decisiones estratégicas. De acuerdo a esto, es que en los últimos 20 años, han resurgidos nuevas herramientas estratégicas, la Vigilancia Tecnológica y la Inteligencia Estratégica (VTeIE). Estas herramientas buscan potenciar desde distintos puntos de vistas, la dinámica central de desarrollo de un Sistema Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SNCTI). La VTeIE resultan ser entonces herramientas claves en los procesos de innovación y en el fortalecimiento de los SNCTI, por lo cual, existe la necesidad de posicionar y lograr un alto nivel de difusión de estas herramientas en los distintos actores sociales, e instrumentarlas mediante la implementación de procesos organizados y sistematizados dentro de las organizaciones. El Programa Nacional de Vigilancia Tecnológica e Inteligencia Competitiva (VINTEC) de la actual Secretaría de Gobierno de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva (SGCTIP) es la primera y única iniciativa en la Argentina que promociona, sensibiliza, difunde y gestiona la VTeIE en distintas organizaciones e instituciones, brindando instrumentos claves para transformar datos en información y ésta en nuevos conocimientos para la toma de decisiones. El presente artículo expone una breve descripción del alcance y la importancia que tiene la implementación de los procesos de VTeIE en tiempos actuales para cualquier organización e institución. Además, se describen las características esenciales y principales del proyecto “Antena Tecnológica” del VINTEC, como caso de éxito a nivel Nacional y Latinoamericano de Vigilancia Tecnológica e Inteligencia Estratégica

Cultural Differences between University Students in Online Learning Quality and Psychological Profile during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, educational systems had to adapt to the social and health situation immediately. This led to the appearance of the asynchronous teaching model. Throughout the pandemic at an educational level, we can distinguish three phases, eminently online, hybrid, and face-to-face. However, the perception of educational quality in these three educational moments, considering the psychometric profile and cultural differences comparing Ibero-American countries, has not been studied. The study aims to analyze the psychological profile, and perception of quality in the teaching–learning processes at the university stage, during the three processes of educational transition during COVID-19: online, hybrid, and face-to-face. Thus, 1093 university students from Ibero-American countries were studied. Through a questionnaire, demographic, academic, and psychological variables were analyzed during three phases of the pandemic. Data suggest that Latin American students had higher levels of trait anxiety and stress perception, as well as higher levels of loneliness, during the online teaching phase (lockdown), but higher grades and higher levels of motivation compared to Europeans. Indeed, Latin Americans showed greater convenience, and preference for online learning methods. However, during the face-to-face teaching phase, European students presented greater motivation and grades, showing a greater preference for this method of learning than Latin American students. Factors such as resilience, a more unfavorable and pronounced pandemic evolution, and greater social inequities, may explain the present results. Furthermore, the present study suggests that despite the effect of the pandemic on mental health, online education is postulated as an effective teaching–learning alternative. Indeed, online teaching models have come to stay, not as a substitute, but as a tool, an essential focus of attention on these models should be conducted in European countries, while the governments of Latin American countries ensure that the infrastructures and resources are equitable to be able to correctly implement this teaching model

Gender Differences of University Students in the Online Teaching Quality and Psychological Profile during the COVID-19 Pandemic

With the arrival of COVID-19, educational systems have had to adapt to the social and health situation immediately. This led to the appearance of the asynchronous teaching model. Throughout the pandemic, at the educational level, we can distinguish three phases, eminently online, hybrid, and finally, face-to-face. However, the perception of educational quality in these three educational moments, taking into account the psychometric profile and gender, has not been studied. Thus, 1093 university students from Ibero-American countries were analyzed. Through a questionnaire, demographic, academic, and psychological variables were analyzed at three moments during the evolution of the pandemic. Data suggest that, during the lockdown phase, while teaching was eminently online, students presented higher levels of stress and higher difficulty of learning; class attendance, convenience, preferred method of learning, grading score, and motivation were lower, compared to other phases of teaching (hybrid and face-to-face). During this period, females presented higher stress levels than males, as well as higher levels of anxiety and loneliness, without gender differences among the other studied variables. During the hybrid and face-to-face phases, male students presented higher values in the results of difficulty learning and demanding activities. No differences were seen regarding motivation, synchronous class attendance, learning level, grades, convenience, or preferred learning method. The results from the present study suggest that, despite the effect of the pandemic on mental health, asynchronous education is postulated as an effective teaching–learning alternative. Yet, a special focus should be given to female students

Consenso colombiano para el manejo de pacientes con Hipofosfatasia

La hipofosfatasia (HPP) es una enfermedad metabólica, de tipo hereditario, causada por mutaciones en el gen ALPL. Teniendo en cuenta los retos del manejo adecuado de los pacientes con HPP, se realizó un consenso interdisciplinario de expertos (endocrocrinólogos pediatras, nefrólogos pediatras, ortopedistas infantiles y genetistas clínicos) con el fin de proponer recomendaciones de utilidad clínica para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes colombianos con HPP. Estas sugerencias se realizan en el contexto de los diferentes tipos de presentaciones y las edades de los pacientes.Q41-7Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a hereditary metabolic disease caused by mutations in the ALPL gene. Taking into account the challenges found in the adequate management of patients with HPP, an interdisciplinary consensus of experts (pediatric endocrinologists, pediatric nephrologists, pediatric orthopedists and clinical geneticists) was carried out, in order to propose recommendations of clinical utility for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of Colombian patients with HPP. These suggestions are made in the context of the different types of presentations and the ages of the patients

Psychological Impacts of Teaching Models on Ibero-American Educators during COVID-19

Educational systems globally, and notably in the Ibero-American context, underwent significant adaptations in response to the myriad challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pedagogical evolution unfolded through three discernible phases: predominantly online, hybrid, and ultimately, a return to face-to-face instruction. While these phases were universally apparent, cultural, socio-economic, and health disparities across regions subtly influenced the quality and experiential aspects of teaching and learning within these models. This study seeks to illuminate the psychological profiles and evaluative perspectives regarding teaching and learning quality among university educators during COVID-19’s tri-phase educational transformation. Engaging 601 university instructors from various Ibero-American countries, a comprehensive questionnaire mapped demographic, academic, and psychological landscapes across the pandemic’s distinctive epochs. The pivot to online educational methodologies, supplanting traditional modalities, permeated numerous facets of the educational endeavor, particularly impacting faculty life and wellbeing. Data underscored a prevalent sentiment of loneliness, indicative of broader mental health challenges, especially pronounced among educators in Latin American nations. Notwithstanding these hurdles, Latin American educators demonstrated a predilection towards online instruction, in stark contrast to their European peers, who exhibited a preference for in-person pedagogy. This study unveils the divergent pedagogical preferences and mental health challenges among university educators in the Ibero-American realm during COVID-19’s educational shifts, underlining the need for adaptable educational frameworks and robust mental health support, attuned to the region’s distinct socio-cultural and economic contexts.Revisión por pare

Fall Risk, Sleep Behavior, and Sleep-Related Movement Disorders in Young Urbanites Exposed to Air Pollution

BACKGROUND: Quadruple aberrant hyperphosphorylated tau, amyloid-β, α-synuclein, and TDP-43 pathology had been documented in 202/203 forensic autopsies in Metropolitan Mexico City ≤40-year-olds with high exposures to ultrafine particulate matter and engineered nanoparticles. Cognition deficits, gait, equilibrium abnormalities, and MRI frontal, temporal, caudate, and cerebellar atrophy are documented in young adults. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify an association between falls, probable Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder (pRBD), restless leg syndrome (RLS), and insomnia in 2,466 Mexican, college-educated volunteers (32.5±12.4 years). METHODS: The anonymous, online study applied the pRBD and RLS Single-Questions and self-reported night-time sleep duration, excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and falls. RESULTS: Fall risk was strongly associated with pRBD and RLS. Subjects who fell at least once in the last year have an OR = 1.8137 [1.5352, 2.1426] of answering yes to pRBD and/or RLS questions, documented in 29% and 24% of volunteers, respectively. Subjects fell mostly outdoors (12:01 pm to 6:00 pm), 43% complained of early wake up hours, and 35% complained of sleep onset insomnia (EOI). EOI individuals have an OR of 2.5971 [2.1408, 3.1506] of answering yes to the RLS question. CONCLUSION: There is a robust association between falls, pRBD, and RLS, strongly suggesting misfolded proteinopathies involving critical brainstem arousal and motor hubs might play a crucial role. Nanoparticles are likely a significant risk for falls, sleep disorders, insomnia, and neurodegenerative lethal diseases, thus characterizing air particulate pollutants' chemical composition, emission sources, and cumulative exposure concentrations are strongly recommended

Brainstem Quadruple Aberrant Hyperphosphorylated Tau, Beta-Amyloid, Alpha-Synuclein and TDP-43 Pathology, Stress and Sleep Behavior Disorders

Quadruple aberrant hyperphosphorylated tau (p-τ), amyloid-β peptide, alpha-synuclein and TDP-43 brainstem and supratentorial pathology are documented in forensic ≤40y autopsies in Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC), and p-τ is the major aberrant protein. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an elevated risk of subsequent dementia, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is documented in PD, AD, Lewy body dementia and ALS. This study aimed to identify an association between PTSD and potential pRBD in Mexico. An anonymous online survey of 4502 urban college-educated adults, 29.3 ± 10.3 years; MMC, n = 1865; non-MMC, n = 2637, measured PTSD symptoms using the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) and pRBD symptoms using the RBD Single-Question. Over 50% of the participants had IES-R scores ≥33 indicating probable PTSD. pRBD was identified in 22.6% of the participants across Mexico and 32.7% in MMC residents with PTSD. MMC subjects with PTSD had an OR 2.6218 [2.5348, 2.7117] of answering yes to the pRBD. PTSD and pRBD were more common in women. This study showed an association between PTSD and pRBD, strengthening the possibility of a connection with misfolded proteinopathies in young urbanites. We need to confirm the RBD diagnosis using an overnight polysomnogram. Mexican women are at high risk for stress and sleep disorders

Consenso colombiano de expertos sobre recomendaciones informadas en la evidencia para la prevención, diagnóstico y manejo de infección por SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 en pacientes con Enfermedad Renal Crónica en diálisis

La declaración de pandemia por parte de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) a causa del virus SARS-CoV-2 es un problema de salud pública sin precedentes para la humanidad con gran impacto en la calidad de vida, morbimortalidad y sostenibilidad para todos los sistemas de salud a nivel global. Las personas con diálisis de mantenimiento se consideran una población de alto riesgo  de infección por SARS CoV2, en virtud de las implicaciones que suponen la  multimorbilidad  y las condiciones asociadas al envejecimiento. La periodicidad de la diálisis, la necesidad de viajar con frecuencia a las unidades de diálisis, el contacto comunitario, la agrupación inevitable de pacientes durante los turnos de diálisis, además del impacto humano, social y económico de la pandemia aumentan aún más el riesgo de transmisión viral. En Colombia se reportan más de 3.000 casos de enfermedad renal en niños y cerca de 40 mil personas en estadio 5 o con requerimiento de terapia remplazo renal, de las cuales, aproximadamente 56% corresponden a adultos mayores de 60 años con dos o más comorbilidades (1). Por lo tanto,  la Asociación Colombiana de Nefrología e Hipertensión Arterial y la Asociación de Nefrología Pediátrica conscientes de la responsabilidad académica y científica y alineados con la propuesta del consenso nacional (2),  generamos a través del Comité de Gestión de Conocimiento una  convocatoria multidisciplinaria de expertos, con el fin de desarrollar mediante un consenso multidisciplinario de expertos,  recomendaciones informadas en evidencia  para la prevención, diagnóstico y manejo de infección por SARS CoV2/COVID-19, generando un estándar colombiano que permita orientar la toma de decisiones clínicas y estratégicas en el cuidado centrado en las personas con enfermedad renal crónica, aportando con rigurosidad y pragmatismo en los aspectos de  impacto en la gestión de la población de alto riesgo, los cuales no están cubiertos en profundidad en las recomendaciones nacionales

Consenso colombiano de expertos sobre recomendaciones informadas en la evidencia para el manejo de la infección por SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 en adulto mayor multimorbido con enfermedad renal crónica

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection is a pandemic with a significant impact on the elderly population with multiple morbidities. Objective: To develop evidence-informed recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of SARS CoV2 / COVID-19 infection in multimorbed elderly patients with chronic kidney disease, through a consensus of experts. Methodology: Based on the evidence collected through a literature review in Pubmed, Embase and scientific societies, recommendations were formulated that were submitted to the consultation of experts in nephrology, geriatrics and palliative care. The quality of evidence was evaluated with tools based on the type of document. The approved recommendations were classified according to their direction and strength. Results: Twenty-two experts declared their conflict of interest and filled out the consultation tool between August 02 and 10, 2020. The percentage of agreement for each recommendation ranged between 90.9 and 100%.Thirty-two recommendations are presented for the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multimorbed elderly patients with chronic kidney disease. Conclusion: The recommendations formulated guide the decision-making of health professionals involved in the care of elderly patients with chronic kidney disease and other morbidities with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Introducción: La infección por SARS-CoV-2 es una pandemia con importante impacto en población adulta mayor con múltiples morbilidades. Objetivo: Desarrollar mediante un consenso de expertos, recomendaciones informadas en evidencia para la prevención, diagnóstico y manejo de infección por SARS CoV2/COVID-19 en paciente adulto mayor multimorbido con enfermedad renal crónica. Metodología: A partir de la evidencia recolectada a través de una revisión de literatura en Pubmed, Embase y sociedades científicas, se formularon recomendaciones que fueron sometidas a la consulta de expertos en nefrología, geriatría y cuidados paliativos. La calidad de evidencia se evalúo con herramientas en función del tipo de documento. Las recomendaciones aprobadas fueron clasificadas de acuerdo a su dirección y fuerza. Resultados: Veintidós expertos declararon su conflicto de interés y diligenciaron la herramienta de consulta entre el 02 y 10 de agosto de 2020. El porcentaje de acuerdo por cada recomendación oscilo entre el 90.9 y 100%. Se presentan 32 recomendaciones para el manejo de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en paciente adulto mayor multimorbido con enfermedad renal crónica.  Conclusión: Las recomendaciones formuladas orientan la toma de decisiones de los profesionales de la salud involucrados en la atención de pacientes mayores con enfermedad renal crónica y otras morbilidades que presentan infección por SARS-CoV-2