Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020

[EN] Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3,4,5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes.S

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Narrative Setting in the Berserk Crossmedia Franchise

[EN] The crossmedia narrative in the Japanese cultural industry is a phenomenon that adapts the same story through different formats, such as comics, animation films and series or video games, among others. Although the content tends to be similar, each medium has certain characteristics. The manga is a static graphic medium, while anime is an audiovisual medium, which creates an illusion of movement; however they lack interactivity on the part of readers or spectators. Instead, video games provide the audience with the possibility of interacting with the characters and elements of those stories. This article tries to find out the similarities and differences of the formal narrative aspect in a specific case: the manga of Kentaro Miura, Berserk (1988), its last cinematographic adaptations, that have relaunched the franchise, and the video game that followed that trilogy.[ES] La narrativa “crossmedia” en la industria cultural japonesa es un fenómeno que adapta una misma historia a través de distintos formatos, como el cómic, la animación o los videojuegos, entre otros. Aunque el contenido se unifica mediante una serie de elementos comunes, cada medio aporta unas características específicas. El manga es un medio gráfico, estático. El anime es un medio audiovisual, que crea una ilusión de movimiento. Sin embargo, ambos carecen de interactividad por parte de los lectores o espectadores. Los videojuegos, en cambio, ofrecen al público la posibilidad de interactuar con los personajes y elementos de dichas historias. Este artículo trata de averiguar las similitudes y diferencias del aspecto formal narrativo en un caso concreto: el manga de Kentaro Miura, Berserk (1988-en publicación), las últimas adaptaciones cinematográficas que han relanzado la franquicia y el videojuego que siguió a dicha trilogía.Villa Gracia, AD. (2019). Configuración narrativa en la franquicia “crossmedia”de Berserk. Con A de Animación. (9):132-143. https://doi.org/10.4995/caa.2019.11339SWORD1321439AUMONT, Jaques, 1992 [1990]. La imagen, trad. Antonio López Ruiz, Barcelona: Paidós (L'image, París: Nathan).CARRIER, David, 2000. The Aesthetics of Comics, University Park: The Pennsylvania State University Press.CASETTI, Francesco, DI CHIO, Federico, 1994 [1990]. Cómo analizar un film, trad. español Carlos Losilla, Barcelona: Paidós (Analisi del film, Bompiani: Grupo Editoriale Fabbri).CHATMAN, Seymour, 1990 [1978]. Historia y discurso, trad. María Jesús Fernández Prieto, Madrid: Taurus (Story and Discurse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film, Ithaca: Cornell University Press).CLEMENTS, Jonathan y McCARTHY, Helen, 2015. The Anime Enciclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition: A Century of Japanese Animation, Berkley: Stone Bridge Press.DÍEZ PUERTAS, Emeterio, 2006. Narrativa Fílmica, Madrid: Fundamentos.GAUDREAULT, André y JOST, François, 1995 [1990]. El relato cinematográfico, trad. Núria Pujol, Barcelona: Paidós (Lé récit cinématographique, París: Nathan).GENETTE, Gerard, 1989 [1972]. Figuras III, trad. español Carlos Manzano, Barcelona: Editorial Lumen, (Figures III, París: Seuil).GROUPE μ, 1993 [1992]. Tratado del signo visual, trad. Manuel Talens Carmona, Madrid: Cátedra (Traité du signe visuel. Pour une réthorique de l'image, París: Seuil).HORNO LÓPEZ, Antonio, 2017. El lenguaje del anime, Madrid: Diábolo.JENKINS, Henry, 2016. "Transmedia What?", en Immerse, 15 de noviembre de 2016 (https://immerse.news/transmedia-what-15edf6b61daa [acceso: octubre, 2018]).LEITCH, Thomas, 2007. Film Adaptation & its Discontentes. From Gone With the Wind to The Passion of the Crhrist, Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.LUBBOCK, Percy, 1959. The Craft of Fiction, Londres: Eleven Glower Street.McCLOUD, Scott, 2006. Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels. Nueva York: Harper Collins.MURO MUNILLA, Miguel Ángel, 2004. Análisis e interpretación del cómic: ensayo de metodología semiótica, Logroño: Universidad de Logroño.RATTRAY, Tim, 2017. "Trascending CGI Shackles with Kemono Friends", en Wave Motion Cannon, 8 de junio de 2017 (https://wavemotioncannon.com/2017/06/08/trancending-cgi-shackles-with-kemono-friends/ [acceso: mayo, 2018]).SANTIAGO, José Andrés, 2010. Manga: del cuadro flotante a la viñeta japonesa, Pontevedra: DX5.SESE, Makiko y VILLA GRACIA, Daniel (trad.) en VILLA GRACIA, Daniel, 2015. Relaciones formales entre el cómic japonés contemporáneo y su adaptación animada. Madrid: Universidad Complutense de Madrid.STEINBERG, Marc, 2006. "Immobile Sections and Trans-Series Movement: Astroboy and the Emergence of Anime", en Animation: an Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol. 1-2, pp. 190-206.ZUNZUNEGUI, Santos, 1989. Pensar la imagen, Madrid: Cátedra

Evolution of the popularity of Donald Trump and other international leaders on Google Trends (2016-2019)

Las estructuras de poder internacionales presentan un patrón de transición donde Estados Unidos ya no es capaz de afianzar su poder de manera global. Los eslóganes de Donald Trump: Make America great again o America first, ejemplifican el interés mediático del presidente norteamericano en que sus electores piensen que es posible recuperar la hegemonía perdida. Este artículo examina los encuentros bilaterales de Donald Trump con los políticos Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Shinzō Abe, Theresa May, Justin Trudeau, Giuseppe Conte y Jean-Claude Juncker. Unas reuniones marcadas por saludos extravagantes y comportamientos políticamente incorrectos que parecen más propias de un reality show que de un encuentro bilateral de líderes políticos. Mediante los datos extraídos de la plataforma Google Trends se estudia el impacto de las reuniones entre Donald Trump y los jefes de estado del G7 para examinar las variaciones de popularidad del presidente norteamericano y otros mandatarios internacionales.International power structures present a pattern of transition, where the United States is no longer able to consolidate its power globally. The slogans of Donald Trump: “Make America great again” or “America first” are an example of the media interest of the American president in that his electors think that it’s possible to gain the lost hegemony. This article examines Donald Trump’s bilateral encounters with politicians Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Shinzō Abe, Theresa May, Justin Trudeau, Giuseppe Conte, and Jean-Claude Juncker. Meetings marked by extravagant greetings and politically out of place behaviors that seem more like a reality show than a bilateral encounter between political leaders. Using data results from Google Trends platform, we study the resonance of the meetings between Donald Trump and the heads of state of the G7 countries to examine the variations in Trump’s popularity after these meetings.Depto. de Ciencias de la Comunicación AplicadaFac. de Ciencias de la InformaciónTRUEpu

Fake news during the Covid-19 pandemic in Spain: a study through Google Trends

Introducción: El 14 de marzo de 2020 se declaró el estado de alarma en España para frenar la expansión de un nuevo tipo de coronavirus. Ante la proliferación de fake news sobre la pandemia y la situación política y social, el Gobierno español manifestó su intención de luchar contra los bulos que pudieran perjudicar el clima social. Metodología: Esta investigación realiza un análisis cuantitativo sobre las búsquedas en España de los términos “bulo” y “fake” en Google durante un periodo histórico y los compara con el de la pandemia en España a través de un análisis de regresión. Resultados: Se aprecia un pico histórico de búsquedas de “bulo” un mes antes de que se alcanzaran los peores datos de fallecidos en España y una correlación positiva (R =0,966) entre la comparación de las búsquedas de la palabra “bulo” y las víctimas por Covid-19. Discusión: El análisis indica que los datos de las búsquedas en Google por la palabra “bulo” y las muertes diarias tienen una correlación estadística durante el periodo de expansión de la pandemia en España. Conclusiones: El análisis de regresión demuestra que durante el desarrollo de la pandemia existió una tendencia correlativa entre el interés de los ciudadanos españoles por las noticias falsas y el incremento de muertes por Covid-19.Introduction: On March 14, 2020, the state of alarm was declared in Spain to stop the expansion of a new type of coronavirus. Facing the proliferation of fake news about the pandemic and the political and social situation, the Spanish government declared a plan to fight hoaxes that could harm the social climate. Methodology: This research performs a quantitative analysis of searches in Spain for the terms “bulo” and “fake” on Google during a historical period and compares them with the pandemic in Spain through a regression analysis. Results: A historical peak of searches for “bulo” was observed one month before the worst data on deaths in Spain were reached and a positive correlation (r = 0.966) in the comparison of searches for the word “bulo” and the victims by Covid19. Discussion: The analysis indicates that statistically the data from Google searches for the word “bulo” and daily deaths have a similar growth relationship during the period of the pandemic's expansion in Spain. This does not happen in "fake". Conclusions: the interest in “bulo” and “fake” increases the day after the implementation of the alarm state. The citizens were interested in looking for information related to hoaxes and fakes. Furthermore, citizens' interest in both terms precedes the government's statements about its intention to fight against false news.Depto. de Ciencias de la Comunicación AplicadaFac. de Ciencias de la InformaciónTRUEpu

Creation of a social awareness format for Spanish public television: "Héroes Invisibles"

Se analiza Héroes Invisibles, una serie de documentales, producida por RTVE en colaboración con Taifas Comunicación, que retrata en cada capítulo la vida de un español expatriado que trabaja en diferentes proyectos de ayuda humanitaria. Metodología: Mediante las tipologías del documental de Nichols y los modelos de montaje de Bordwell y Thompson, y Aumont, Bergala, Marie y Vernet, los autores analizan la creación y evolución de este formato televisivo. El objetivo principal es averiguar, desde un enfoque cualitativo y cuantitativo, cual ha sido la evolución de la narrativa audiovisual del programa. Resultados: se evidencia un paso de la predominancia de las secuencias observacionales y entrevistas organizadas de manera narrativa a las dinámicas de manera expresiva en la segunda temporada. Conclusiones: hay una evolución en el formato de acuerdo a las exigencias de la cadena, que no muestra un cambio significativo en los niveles de audiencia de una temporada a otra.Produced by RTVE in collaboration with Taifas Comunicación, Héroes Invisibles is a documentary series that portrays the life of expatriate Spaniards working on different humanitarian aid projects. Each episode focuses on one or several social conflicts such as: child malnutrition in Africa, the consequences of the war in Syria, irregular immigrants in the United States, and rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean. Methods: Based on Nichols’s documentary modes of representing reality and the editing styles of Bordwell and Thompson, and Aumont, Bergala, Marie and Vernet, the authors analyse the creation and evolution of this format produced for Spanish public television. The main objective is to evaluate, from a mix-methods approach, the evolution of the audiovisual narrative of this television format, which had an audience of over 110,000 viewers on the International Channel of TVE and RTVE 2, and on the official online platform of this channel. Results: The format has transitioned from the predominance of observational sequences and interviews in the first season to the use of expressive narrative dynamics during the second season.Depto. de Ciencias de la Comunicación AplicadaFac. de Ciencias de la InformaciónTRUEpu