Effects of multisite anodal transcranial direct current stimulation combined with cognitive stimulation in patients with Alzheimer's disease and its neurophysiological correlates: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the effects of multisite anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with cognitive stimulation (CS) over 2 months on cognitive performance and brain activity, and the relationship between them, in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Patients with AD were randomly assigned to an active tDCS+CS (n=18) or a sham tDCS+CS (n=18) group. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) and brain activity using EEG (spectral power and coherence analysis) before and after the intervention. Multisite anodal tDCS (2 mA, 30 min) was applied over six brain regions [left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 and F4), Broca's area (F5), Wernicke's area (CP5), left and right somatosensory association cortex (P3 and P4)] for 24 sessions (three times a week). Both groups performed CS during tDCS. RESULTS: Anodal tDCS+CS delays cognitive decline (ADAS-cog change) to a greater extent than sham tDCS+CS (-3.4±1.1 vs. -1.7±0.4; p=.03). Bilateral EEG coherence at high and low frequencies was greater for the active tDCS+CS than sham+CS group for most electrode pairs assessed (p < .05). The post-intervention ADAS-cog change score was predictive for EEG coherence at different sites (R²=.59 to .68; p < .05) in the active but not in the sham tDCS+CS group. CONCLUSION: Anodal tDCS+CS improved overall cognitive function and changed EEG brain activity compared to sham tDCS+CS. Changes in cognitive performance were associated with changes in EEG measures of brain activity. Anodal tDCS+CS appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy to modulate cortical activity and improve cognitive function in patients with AD.

Echocardiography Learning by Pediatricians While Screening Congenital Heart Disease with the Aid of Telemedicine.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects 1% of all newborns and is a major public health problem. Most children with CHD benefit from early diagnosis to optimize management. However, in many places there are no specialized professionals to do so. Introduction: A screening method for CHD was developed between two states in Northeast Brazil. It was based upon the performance of an echocardiogram by local pediatricians with support of pediatric cardiologists through telemedicine. Objective: To determine if the continuous performance of examinations together with online supervision increased the level of understanding of the pediatricians about the echocardiograms. Methods: Pediatricians received online support to perform echocardiograms for 7 years (2012-2018). Although the project aimed to teach them to acquire images and send to the cardiologists for analysis and interpretation, they were encouraged to describe their own diagnostic impressions. The level of agreement between pediatricians and cardiologists was calculated. Results: A large number (n = 3,951) echocardiograms was analyzed. From them, 2,818 were classified as abnormal, inconclusive, or normal by both the pediatricians and the cardiologists. The 7-year analysis demonstrated an overall agreement of 63.7%. As for the final diagnosis, it was possible to compare 1,457 echocardiograms. The combined analysis of the 7 years demonstrated agreement in 62.2%. Discussion: The screening of CHD under online support led to more in-depth learning of echocardiography by the pediatricians. This approach potentialized the accuracy of the screening through the years. Conclusion: By enrolling in a telemedicine-based screening program, the pediatricians' degree of understanding of echocardiography increased considerably.

Correlation between cephalic circumference at birth and ocular alterations in patients with microcephaly potentially associated with Zika Virus infection.

INTRODUCTION: The Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus isolated for the first time in 1947 and transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In Brasil, it was first detected in May 2015. Since then, ZIKV has been identified as the etiological agent of acute exanthematous disease in Brasil, and Neuropediatricians of the Recife warned about an epidemic of microcephaly, and the Brazilian Ministry of Health confirmed the association between ZIKV and Congenital malformations and neurological syndromes. The eye, as an extension of the developing brain, has been examined in patients with microcephaly and maternal history of ZIKV infection. METHODS: Twenty newborn patients with microcephaly, whose mothers had presumed Zika virus during pregnancy, were analyzed through medical records. The nonparametric chi-square statistic was used to verify the association between head circumference and ocular alteration at a significance level of 0.0001. RESULTS: The significance of P = 0.000 in the value of non-parametric chi-square statistics was lower than the value of α = 0.0001, demonstrating that, at a level of 0.0001, there is an association between head circumference and ocular alteration. CONCLUSION: Although the knowledge of the natural evolution of the disease is still scarce, the current evidence is strong enough to establish a causal relationship between ZIKV infection during pregnancy and the increased incidence of the microcephaly and serious eye alterations that lead to the severe lower vision of these children.

Correlation between cephalic circumference at birth and ocular alterations in patients with microcephaly potentially associated with Zika Virus infection

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: The Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus isolated for the first time in 1947 and transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In Brasil, it was first detected in May 2015. Since then, ZIKV has been identified as the etiological agent of acute exanthematous disease in Brasil, and Neuropediatricians of the Recife warned about an epidemic of microcephaly, and the Brazilian Ministry of Health confirmed the association between ZIKV and Congenital malformations and neurological syndromes. The eye, as an extension of the developing brain, has been examined in patients with microcephaly and maternal history of ZIKV infection. METHODS: Twenty newborn patients with microcephaly, whose mothers had presumed Zika virus during pregnancy, were analyzed through medical records. The nonparametric chi-square statistic was used to verify the association between head circumference and ocular alteration at a significance level of 0.0001. RESULTS: The significance of P = 0.000 in the value of non-parametric chi-square statistics was lower than the value of α = 0.0001, demonstrating that, at a level of 0.0001, there is an association between head circumference and ocular alteration. CONCLUSION: Although the knowledge of the natural evolution of the disease is still scarce, the current evidence is strong enough to establish a causal relationship between ZIKV infection during pregnancy and the increased incidence of the microcephaly and serious eye alterations that lead to the severe lower vision of these children.

RESUMO: INTRODUÇÃO: O vírus Zika (ZIKV) é um arbovírus isolado pela primeira vez no ano de 1947, sendo transmitido para o homem pelo mosquito Aedes aegypti. No Brasil foi detectado pela primeira vez em maio de 2015. Desde então, ZIKV foi identificado como o agente etiológico da doença exantemática aguda no Brasil, e neuropediatras do Recife deram o sinal de alerta sobre uma epidemia de microcefalia, tendo o Ministério da Saúde do Brasil confirmado a associação entre ZIKV e malformações congênitas e síndromes neurológicas. O olho, sendo uma extensão do cérebro em desenvolvimento, tem sido examinado em pacientes com microcefalia e história materna de infecção por ZIKV. MÉTODO: Foram analisados, por meio de prontuário médico, 20 pacientes recém-nascidos, portadores de microcefalia, cujas mães tiveram presumidamente Zika vírus durante a gestação. A estatística não paramétrica Qui-Quadrado foi utilizada para verificar a associação entre perímetro cefálico e alteração ocular, no nível de significância de 0,0001. RESULTADOS: A significância de P=0,000 no valor da estatística não paramétrica de Qui-Quadrado foi menor do que o valor de α = 0,0001, demonstrando que podemos afirmar que, em um nível de 0,0001, há uma associação entre o perímetro cefálico e a alteração ocular. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de ainda serem escassos os conhecimentos sobre a evolução natural da doença, as evidências atuais são fortes o suficiente para estabelecermos a relação causal entre a infecção pelo ZIKV durante a gravidez e o aumento da frequência da microcefalia e alterações oculares graves que levam à baixa severa da visão dessas crianças.

Impact of Telemedicine in the Screening for Congenital Heart Disease in a Center from Northeast Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the incidence of congenital heart disease before and after the establishment of a telemedicine screening program, in a reference center from Northeast Brazil. METHODS: This is a descriptive, retrospective and comparative study based on the institutional data from a reference center in perinatology for a period of 16 years. Institutional data were collected from a 16-year period (2001-15). Data were divided into two periods: prior to (2001-11) and after (2012-15) the establishment of a telemedicine screening program. RESULTS: After the implementation of the screening process, almost all kinds of heart disease showed a significant increase in their incidence (p < 0.05). With this, the incidence of major heart diseases approached those specified in developed regions. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a screening process model for congenital heart diseases can change the context of patients with congenital heart diseases in poor regions.

Impact of a Virtual Clinic in a Paediatric Cardiology Network on Northeast Brazil.

Introduction. Congenital heart diseases (CHD) affect approximately 1% of live births and is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Despite that, there is a shortage of paediatric cardiologists in Brazil, mainly in the northern and northeastern regions. In this context, the implementation of virtual outpatient clinics with the aid of different telemedicine resources may help in the care of children with heart defects. Methods. Patients under 18 years of age treated in virtual outpatient clinics between January 2013 and May 2014 were selected. They were divided into 2 groups: those who had and those who had not undergone a screening process for CHD in the neonatal period. Clinical and demographic characteristics were collected for further statistical analysis. Results. A total of 653 children and teenagers were treated in the virtual outpatient clinics. From these, 229 had undergone a neonatal screening process. Fewer abnormalities were observed on the physical examination of the screened patients. Conclusion. The implementation of pediatric cardiology virtual outpatient clinics can have a positive impact in the care provided to people in areas with lack of skilled professionals.

Oximetria de pulso em triagem de cardiopatias congênitas: conhecimento e atuação do enfermeiro / Pulse oximetry in triaging congenital cardiopathies: the nurse's knowledge and role / Oximetría de pulso en selección de cardiopatías congénitas: conocimiento y actuación del enfermero

A oximetria de pulso nas unidades neonatais apresenta-se como um processo de triagem de cardiopatias congênitas graves. O estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o nível de informação e a atuação dos enfermeiros na oximetria de pulso realizada nos recém-nascidos de uma maternidade pública do município de João Pessoa, Paraíba. Trata-se de estudo descritivo com abordagem quanti-qualitativa, realizado com 13 enfermeiras assistenciais através de entrevista semiestruturada no período de janeiro a março de 2015. Os resultados mostraram que a maioria das enfermeiras tem conhecimento sobre o teste do coraçãozinho, a justificativa para realizá-lo, os parâmetros de normalidades da saturação de oxigênio, assim como as condutas que devem ser tomadas diante de um resultado alterado. No entanto, 84,6% referiram dificuldades na sua implantação em virtude de modificar a rotina da assistência de enfermagem. Acredita-se que o teste do coraçãozinho para triagem de cardiopatias congênitas traz bons resultados na captação precoce dessas malformações (AU).

Pulse oximetry in the neonatal units is presented as a process for triaging serious congenital cardiopathies. The study aims to assess the level of information, and the work, of the nurses in pulse oximetry undertaken on the newborns in a public maternity unit in the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba. It is a descriptive study with a quanti-qualitative approach, undertaken with 13 staff nurses through the use of a semistructured interview in January ­ March 2015. The results showed that the majority of the nurses have knowledge regarding the 'little heart test' (teste do coraçãozinho), the rationale for undertaking it, and the normal parameters for oxygen saturation, as well as the conducts to be taken in the event of a result outside these parameters. However, 84.6% mentioned difficulties in implementing it due to having to alter the routine of the nursing care. It is believed that the little heart test for triaging congenital cardiopathies brings good results in the early identification of these malformations (AU).

La oximetría de pulso en las unidades neonatales se presenta como un proceso de selección de cardiopatías congénitas severas. El estudio tiene como finalidad evaluar el nivel de información y la actuación de los enfermeros en la oximetría de pulso realizada en recién nacidos de una maternidad pública del municipio de João Pessoa, Paraíba. Es un estudio descriptivo con abordaje cuantitivo cualitativo, realizado con 13 enfermeras asistenciales a través de entrevista semiestructurada en el periodo de enero a marzo de 2015. Los resultados mostraron que la mayoría de las enfermeras tiene conocimiento sobre el test del corazoncito, la justificativa para realizarlo, los parámetros de normalidad de la saturación de oxígeno, así como las conductas delante de un resultado alterado. Sin embargo, 84,6% hablaron de dificultades en su implantación por el hecho de cambiarse la rutina de la asistencia de enfermería. Se cree que el test del corazoncito para selección de cardiopatías congénitas trae buenos resultados en la captación precoz de esas malas formaciones (AU).

Satisfação de mulheres hipertensas na atenção primária com relação aos atributos essenciais família e comunidade / Satisfaction of hypertensive women assisted in primary care with regard to family and community essential attributes

A Estratégia Saúde da Família propõe assistência integral e resolutiva por meio da interação entre usuários, profissionais de saúde e comunidade no cuidado ao hipertenso. Utilizou-se uma adaptação do Primary Care Assessment Tool para avaliar a satisfação das usuárias com relação a duas dimensões essenciais da atenção primária: o 'Enfoque na Família' que apresentou índice composto satisfatório, enquanto a 'Orientação para a Comunidade' revelou menor satisfação em um dos Distritos Sanitários. A avaliação permitiu identificar os distritos que apresentam o melhor e o pior desempenho. Sugere-se a intervenção dos gestores de saúde para a melhoria da assistência às hipertensas assistidas na área com o pior desempenho.

The Family Health Strategy proposes a comprehensive and effective care of hypertensive patients by means of the interaction among users, health professionals and community. An adaptation of the Primary Care Assessment Tool was applied to assess users' satisfaction with respect to two key dimensions of primary care: 'Focus on Family' showed satisfactory composite index, while 'Community Guidance' revealed a lesser satisfaction index in one of the health districts. This study provided for the identification of the districts presenting the best and the worst performances. We suggest that health care managers take action so to improve care for hypertensive users in the district presenting the worst performance.

Cardiopatia congênita no nordeste brasileiro: 10 anos consecutivos registrados no Estado da Paraíba, Brasil / Congenital heart disease in northeast Brazil: 10 consecutive years of records in Paraiba State, Brazil

Fundamentos: Diferentes índices de incidência das cardiopatias congênitas são descritos na literatura dependendo da idade da população analisada e dos tipos de malformações incluídas. No Brasil, notadamente nas regiões norte e nordeste, não existem dados sobre a real incidência de cardiopatias congênitas. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil das cardiopatias congênitas (CC) num serviço público de referência do estado da Paraíba, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo descritivo e retrospectivo baseado em dados institucionais referentes ao Estudo Colaborativo Latino-Americano de Malformações Congênitas (ECLAMC), coletados entre janeiro 2001 e dezembro 2011. As variáveis estudadas foram: peso ao nascer, idade gestacional, sexo, município de origem, tipo de cardiopatia, faixa etária e escolaridade dos pais, história de malformações na família, consanguinidade e antecedentes familiares. Resultados: Dos 70 857 nascimentos consecutivos analisados, o diagnóstico de CC foi relatado em 290, e o tipo do defeito foi determinado em 232. Destas, 37,8 % eram cardiopatias de shunt esquerdo-direito, 9,1 % obstrutivas acianogênicas, 5,6 % obstrutivas cianogênicas e 10,3 % cardiopatias complexas. A cardiopatia foi achado isolado em 81,0 % dos casos. Conclusão: A incidência de CC nesta série foi inferior àquela relatada na literatura. Isto provavelmente reflete a dificuldade para a realização do diagnóstico precoce.

Background: Different congenital heart disease rates are described in the literature, depending on the age of the population studied and the types of malformations included. In Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast, there are no data on actual congenital heart disease rates. Objective: To describe the profile of congenital heart diseases (CHD) observed in a government-run reference facility in Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study based on institutional data drawn from the Collaborative Latin American Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC) compiled between January 2001 and December 2011. The variables analyzed were: birthweight, gestational age, gender, birthplace (municipality), type of congenital heart defect, age and education levels of parents, family history of congenital defects, consanguinity and family precedents. Results: Through an analysis of 70,857 consecutive births, 290 diagnoses of CHD were reported, with defect types established for 232 of them: 37.8% left-to-right shunt lesions, 9.1% acyanotic obstructive lesions, 5.6% cyanotic obstructive and 10.3% complex congenital heart diseases. Heart defects were an isolated finding in 81% of cases. Conclusion: The CHD rate in this series was below that reported in the literature, probably reflecting difficulties is establishing early diagnoses.

Controle pressorico e adesao/vinculo em hipertensos usuarios da Atencao Primaria a Saude / Control de presion arterial y adhesion/vinculo en hipertensos pacientes de la Atencion Primaria de Salud / Blood pressure control and adherence/attachment in hypertensive users of Primary Healthcare

Estudo descritivo e analítico, de base populacional, realizado com uma amostra aleatória e probabilística de 340 hipertensos, representativa da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) de João Pessoa, PB. O estudo compõe a primeira parte de uma coorte iniciada em 2008. O instrumento utilizado foi adaptado do Primary Care Assessment Tool, revalidado no Brasil. A regressão logística avaliou a associação entre o controle pressórico, as variáveis sócio-demográficas e o indicador de adesão/vínculo. Dentre os 340 hipertensos, 32,6% era acompanhado pela ESF e 89,1% apresentou adesão/vínculo satisfatória. Os idosos apresentaram maior chance de controlar a pressão, o que sugere uma percepção melhor do autocuidado e maior adesão ao tratamento. O estudo permitiu dar visibilidade à problemática do controle da hipertensão por meio da avaliação do serviço. Espera-se que esse modelo possa ser adotado em outras localidades, gerando parâmetros para comparações entre municípios distintos.

Estudio descriptivo y analítico, de base poblacional, realizado con muestra aleatoria y probabilística de 340 hipertensos, representativa de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF) de João Pessoa-PB. El estudio consiste en la primera parte de una cohorte iniciada en 2008. El instrumento utilizado fue adaptado del Primary Care Assessment Tool, revalidado en Brasil. La regresión logística evaluó la asociación entre el control de presión, las variables sociodemográficas y el indicador de adhesión/vínculo. Entre los 340 hipertensos, 32,6% recibía seguimiento de la ESF y 89,1% presentó adhesión/vínculo satisfactorio. Los ancianos presentaron mayores posibilidades de controlar la presión, lo que sugiere una mejor percepción del autocuidado y mayor adhesión al tratamiento. El estudio permitió poner en evidencia la problemática del control de la hipertensión mediante la evaluación del servicio. Se espera que este modelo pueda adoptarse en otras localidades, generando parámetros para comparaciones entre distintos municipios.

This is a population-based, descriptive, and analytic study conducted with a randomized and probabilistic sample comprising 340 hypertensive individuals representative of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) Service in João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. The present study corresponds to the first part of a cohort started in 2008. The instrument used was an adaptation of the Primary Care Assessment Tool revalidated in Brazil. Logistic regression was used to investigate the associations between blood pressure (BP) control, sociodemographic variables, and an indicator of adherence/attachment. Among the 340 hypertensive participants, 32.6% were followed up at the FHS, and 89.1% exhibited satisfactory adherence/attachment. The older adults were more likely to control BP, which suggests a more accurate self-care perception and greater adherence to treatment. The present study highlights the problem posed by the control of hypertension by means of the assessment of services. We expected the present model to be applied at other locations to generate parameters to compare different municipalities.

[Blood pressure control and adherence/attachment in hypertensive users of primary health care]. / Controle pressórico e adesão/vínculo em hipertensos usuários da atenção primária à saúde.

This is a population-based, descriptive, and analytic study conducted with a randomized and probabilistic sample comprising 340 hypertensive individuals representative of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) Service in Joio Pessoa, PB, Brazil. The present study corresponds to the first part of a cohort started in 2008. The instrument used was an adaptation of the Primary Care Assessment Tool revalidated in Brazil. Logistic regression was used to investigate the associations between blood pressure (BP) control, sociodemographic variables, and an indicator of adherence/ attachment. Among the 340 hypertensive participants, 32.6% were followed up at the FHS, and 89.1% exhibited satisfactory adherence/ attachment. The older adults were more likely to control BP, which suggests a more accurate self-care perception and greater adherence to treatment. The present study highlights the problem posed by the control of hypertension by means of the assessment of services. We expected the present model to be applied at other locations to generate parameters to compare different municipalities.