Perspectives of integrated pest management in CDMX urban agriculture and impacts of SARS-CoV-2 health emergency

<p>The objective of this work was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on productive activities of farmers and extensionist, and the level of application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in urban agriculture in Xochimilco, Milpa Alta, Tláhuac, Tlalpan, Magdalena Contreras and Cuajimalpa at Mexico City, a metropolitan area with a high SARS-CoV-2 positive cases. In 2020, a digital survey was applied to a total of 108 farmers and extensionists during the first COVID-19 epidemic wave. The sanitary emergency reduced the continuity of the extension service. However, this was carried out with digital technologies including photographs submitted by WhatsApp for pest diagnosis purposes. During the maximum COVID-19 peak (July, 2020), only 14% of farmers declined to sowing the summer fall season 2020. The majority established corn and, to a lesser extent, vegetables in mixed topologies. However, the activity of agricultural workers was reduced to 50%. Up to 75% of farmers reported losses of 20% derived from the epidemic. The major pest control strategy was mechanical, mainly for preventive purposes (67%) followed by chemical control (52%), biological at both preventive (8%) and curative (25%) levels, and the combination of more than one strategy in less than 10%. The data indicate an intuitive understanding of the IPM benefit, although the farmer is unaware of its principles. Faced with the growing demand for fresh, quality and safe food as a COVID-19 preventive strategy, urban agriculture has great development prospects by supplying local markets without transport problems caused by regional and global contingencies such as that caused by SARS[1]CoV-2. However, public and institutional policies of great vision are required. This work recognizes the work of farmers, as well as extensionists in favor of food security.</p>

Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance from the Perspective of Public Policy: A Multinational Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Survey to Determine Global Awareness

Minimizing the effect of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires an adequate policy response that relies on good governance and coordination. This study aims to have a better comprehension of how AMR is understood and perceived by policy-makers and stakeholders in a multinational context. A digital survey was designed to capture the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) towards AMR, and it was distributed to politicians, policy advisors, and stakeholders. A total of 351 individuals from 15 different countries participated, 80% from high-income countries (HICs) and 20% from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Netherlands, Spain, and Myanmar were the top 3 represented countries. Participants had sufficient knowledge regarding AMR and reported the importance of political willingness to tackle AMR. Overall, LMIC participants demonstrated better knowledge of AMR but showed poor perception and attitude towards antimicrobial use compared to HIC participants. In addition, level of education and field of expertise were significantly associated with knowledge, perception, and practices regardless of demographic characteristics. Inter-regional differences in KAP regarding AMR exist among politicians, policy advisors, and relevant stakeholders. This study captures multinational policy-maker and stakeholder mapping that can be used to propose further policy implementation on various governance levels.

Factors Affecting Pandemic Biosecurity Behaviors of International Travelers: Moderating Roles of Gender, Age, and Travel Frequency

Research undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic has identified a number of significant factors that affect international travelers’ biosecurity behavior. Tourists’ age and gender as well as travel frequency have been found to have significant impacts on consumers’ non-pharmaceutical intervention practices. However, despite the importance of age, gender, and travel frequency, such studies have overlooked international tourists’ values, attitudes, interventions, and behaviors relevant to biosecurity during a pandemic. In order to bridge this gap, the purposes of this study are to build and test a conceptually comprehensive framework on the relationships between values, attitudes, interventions, and behaviors, along with the moderating effects of age, gender, and travel frequency. To meet the study objectives, a digital survey was administered during 1–5 September 2020, which generated n = 386 total useable responses. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares approach. The results revealed that tourists’ values have the greatest effect on their attitudes toward COVID-19 biosecurity for travel, which in turn positively influences interventions and behaviors. Interventions also have a significant impact on travelers’ COVID-19 biosecurity behavior. This study expands the theoretical understanding of biosecurity and pandemic behavior. The findings of this research also provide significant insights to the literature as well as stakeholders, such as governments, health organizations, international health and tourism agencies, and destinations, with respect to managing international travel biosecurity measures.

P060 TROCAR SITE HERNIA AFTER GASTRIC SLEEVE

Aim Laparoscopy is common in abdominal surgery. Trocar site hernia (TSH) is a most likely underestimated complication. Among risk factors, obesity, the use of larger trocars and the umbilical trocar site has been described. In a previous study, CT scan in the prone position upon a ring was found to be a reliable method for the detection of TSH in obese. Our aim was to examine the incidence of TSH after gastric sleeve. Material and Methods 79 patients subjected to laparoscopic gastric sleeve in 2011-2016 were examined using CT in the prone position upon a ring. Symptoms of TSH were assessed using a digital survey. Results The incidence of trocar site hernia was 17 out of 79 (21,5 %), all at the umbilical trocar site. The mean follow-up time was 37 months. There was no clear correlation between symptomatic TSH and TSH on CT. Conclusions The incidence of TSH is high in this group of patients. Up to follow-up, none of the patients had been subjected to hernia repair. Although the consequence of trocar site hernia can be serious, the proportion of symptomatic TSH is unknown.

Trocar site hernia after gastric sleeve

Background Laparoscopy is common in abdominal surgery. Trocar site hernia (TSH) is a most likely underestimated complication. Among risk factors, obesity, the use of larger trocars and the umbilical trocar site has been described. In a previous study, CT scan in the prone position was found to be a reliable method for the detection of TSH following gastric bypass (LRYGB). In the present study, our aim was to examine the incidence of TSH after gastric sleeve, and further to investigate the proportion of symptomatic trocar site hernias. Methods Seventy-nine patients subjected to laparoscopic gastric sleeve in 2011–2016 were examined using CT in the prone position upon a ring. Symptoms of TSH were assessed using a digital survey. Results The incidence of trocar site hernia was 17 out of 79 (21.5%), all at the umbilical trocar site. The mean follow-up time was 37 months. There was no significant correlation between patient symptoms and a TSH. Conclusions The incidence of TSH is high after laparoscopic gastric sleeve, a finding in line with several recent studies as well as with our first trial on trocar site hernia after LRYGB. Up to follow-up, none of the patients had been subjected to hernia repair. Although the consequence of a trocar site hernia can be serious, the proportion of symptomatic TSH needs to be more clarified.

Prescription preferences of antiepileptic drugs in brain tumor patients: an international survey among EANO members

Background This study aimed at investigating antiepileptic drug (AED) prescription preferences in patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE) among the European neuro-oncology community, the considerations that play a role when initiating AED treatment, the organization of care, and practices with regard to AED withdrawal. Methods A digital survey containing 31 questions about prescription preferences of AEDs was set out among members of the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO). Results A total of 198 respondents treating patients with BTRE participated of whom 179 completed the entire survey. Levetiracetam was the first choice in patients with BTRE for almost all respondents (90% [162/181]). Levetiracetam was considered the most effective AED in reducing seizure frequency (72% [131/181]) and having the least adverse effects (48% [87/181]). Common alternatives for levetiracetam as equivalent first choice included lacosamide (33% [59/181]), lamotrigine (22% [40/181]), and valproic acid (21% [38/181]). Most crucial factors to choose a specific AED were potential adverse effects (82% [148/181]) and interactions with antitumor treatments (76% [137/181]). In the majority of patients neuro-oncologists were involved in the treatment of seizures (73% [132/181])). Other relevant findings were that a minority of respondents ever prescribe AEDs in brain tumor patients without epilepsy solely as prophylaxis (29% [53/181]), but a majority routinely considers complete AED withdrawal in BTRE patients who are seizure free after antitumor treatment (79% [141/179]). Conclusions Our results show that among European professionals treating patients with BTRE levetiracetam is considered the first choice AED, with the presumed highest efficacy and least adverse effects.

A Practical 10-Step Guide to Conducting Digital Survey Research (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Background: The use of digital surveys for research in clinical settings is increasing, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when much data collection planned to be done in-person is now occurring digitally. Successfully preparing and conducting a digital survey can be challenging for even the most experienced researcher, given the number of platforms available to choose from, intricacies of designing an effective and user-friendly tool, and factors affecting participant response rates. OBJECTIVE Objective: In this article, we present a practical, step-by-step guide to conduct digital survey research. METHODS Methods: Over time, our clinician-led research team has developed a standard process and tools for conducting digital survey research, which we have synthesized into a single resource accessible to all team members. Specific considerations and recommendations unique to digital surveys are included. RESULTS Results: The step-by-step guide has been used successfully by our team to design and carry out high-quality survey research. It can guide the novice or experienced researcher from protocol development through to data collection and knowledge dissemination. CONCLUSIONS Conclusion: We present a practical guide for digital survey research, based on the experience of a clinician-led research team. Researchers, trainees, students, and others conducting health research may find our process and resources helpful to inform their work. Communication templates and tools are provided (see Appendices).

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Anesthesia and Critical Care Residents in Spain

Background: The pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has substantially changed the activity in Spanish healthcare centers. Residents who face pandemics are vulnerable physicians with different knowledge and experience. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Anesthesia and Critical Care residents and to establish its formative and personal consequences. Methods: A 35-question digital survey was developed, and was distributed among Anesthesia and Critical Care residents in Spain. The quantitative variable "Objective Formative Impact Score" (PIOF) was defined, being proportional to the impact on formative routines. Results: Several parameters were associated to a higher formative impact, such as the exposition to patients with COVID-19 (P = 0,020), an increase in the autonomy (P = 0,001), fear to contagion due to lack of protective equipment (P = 0,003), working in higher incidence areas (P < 0,001), being assigned to COVID-19 critical care units (P < 0,001), or to other departments different from Anesthesia and Critical Care. Residents experienced feelings of loneliness from the social distancing or ethical conflicts when working in suboptimal conditions. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on Anesthesia and Critical Care residents both personally and formatively. The designed parameter PIOF brings an objective value about residents' formation.