Use of business simulators as a significant learning tool in marketing students: results and experiences

Los simuladores de negocios son herramientas virtuales enfocadas a generar un escenario empresarial lo más cercano posible a la realidad, recreando situaciones que requieran poner en práctica las habilidades directivas de los usuarios, son ampliamente usados en el mundo actual, sobre todo a nivel educativo, el problema surge, porque en México la implementación de la tecnología es escasa, por lo que su aplicación dentro de este ámbito depende de las escuelas y docentes. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo, conocer la experiencia de los estudiantes de un grupo de la licenciatura en mercadotecnia en una universidad privada, durante la incorporación de simuladores de negocio como herramientas para el aprendizaje significativo, mediante un instrumento elaborado por los autores, enfocado a valorar el diseño instruccional, implementación didáctica y motivación, obteniendo un alto grado de satisfacción general, demostrando la funcionalidad de estos en el ámbito educativo.Business simulators are virtual tools focused on generating a business scenario as close to reality as possible, recreating situations that require practicing management skills by the students, they are widely used in today's world, especially at an educational level, the problem arises since in Mexico the implementation of technology is scarce, so its application within this area depends on schools and teachers. The objective of this study is to know the experience of the students of a group of college students in marketing at a private university during the incorporation of business simulators as tools for meaningful learning, through an instrument elaborated by the authors focused on assessing the instructional design, didactic implementation and motivation, obtaining a high degree of general satisfaction, demonstrating the functionality of these in the educational field

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

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2