Latent profiles of global electrical heterogeneity: the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Aims: Despite the highest prevalence of stroke, obesity, and diabetes across races/ethnicities, paradoxically, Hispanic/Latino populations have the lowest prevalence of atrial fibrillation and major Minnesota code-defined ECG abnormalities. We aimed to use Latent Profile Analysis in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) population to obtain insight into epidemiological discrepancies. Methods and results: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline HCHS/SOL visit. Global electrical heterogeneity (GEH) was measured as spatial QRS-T angle (QRSTa), spatial ventricular gradient azimuth (SVGaz), elevation (SVGel), magnitude (SVGmag), and sum absolute QRST integral (SAIQRST). Statistical analysis accounted for the stratified two-stage area probability sample design. We fitted a multivariate latent profile generalized structural equation model adjusted for age, sex, ethnic background, education, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidaemia, obesity, chronic kidney disease, physical activity, diet quality, average RR' interval, median beat type, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) to gain insight into the GEH profiles. Among 15 684 participants (age 41 years; 53% females; 6% known CVD), 17% had an increased probability of likely abnormal GEH profile (QRSTa 80 ± 27°, SVGaz -4 ± 21°, SVGel 72 ± 12°, SVGmag 45 ± 12 mVms, and SAIQRST 120 ± 23 mVms). There was a 23% probability for a participant of being in Class 1 with a narrow QRSTa (40.0 ± 10.2°) and large SVG (SVGmag 108.3 ± 22.6 mVms; SAIQRST 203.4 ± 39.1 mVms) and a 60% probability of being in intermediate Class 2. Conclusion: A substantial proportion (17%) in the Hispanic/Latino population had an increased probability of altered, likely abnormal GEH profile, whereas 83% of the population was resilient to harmful risk factors exposures.

Optoelectronics Interfaces for a VLC System for UHD Audio-Visual Content Transmission in a Passenger Van: HW Design.

This work aims to provide the hardware (HW) design of the optoelectronics interfaces for a visible-light communication (VLC) system that can be employed for several use cases. Potential applications include the transmission of ultra-high-definition (UHD) streaming video through existing reading lamps installed in passenger vans. In this use case, visible light is employed for the downlink, while infrared light is used for the uplink channel, acting as a remote controller. Two primary components -a Light Fidelity (LiFi) router and a USB dongle-were designed and implemented. The 'LiFi Router', handling the downlink channel, comprises components such as a visible Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and an infrared receiver. Operating at a supply voltage of 12 V and consuming current at 920 mA, it is compatible with standard voltage buses found in transport vehicles. The 'USB dongle', responsible for the uplink, incorporates an infrared LED and a receiver optimized for visible light. The USB dongle works at a supply voltage of 5 V and shows a current consumption of 1.12 A, making it well suited for direct connection to a universal serial bus (USB) port. The bandwidth achieved for the downlink is 11.66 MHz, while the uplink's bandwidth is 12.27 MHz. A system competent at streaming UHD video with the feature of being single-input multiple-output (SIMO) was successfully implemented via the custom hardware design of the optical transceivers and optoelectronics interfaces. To ensure the system's correct performance at a distance of 110 cm, the minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNRmin) for both optical links was maintained at 10.74 dB. We conducted a proof-of-concept test of the VLC system in a passenger van and verified its optimal operation, effectively illustrating its performance in a real operating environment. Exemplifying potential implementations possible with the hardware system designed in this work, a bit rate of 15.2 Mbps was reached with On-Off Keying (OOK), and 11.25 Mbps was obtained with Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) using Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) obtaining a bit-error rate (BER) of 3.3259 × 10-5 in a passenger van at a distance of 72.5 cm between the LiFi router and the USB dongle. As a final addition, a solar panel was installed on the passenger van's roof to power the user's laptop and the USB dongle via a power bank battery. It took 13.4 h to charge the battery, yielding a battery life of 22.3 h. This characteristic renders the user's side of the system entirely self-powered.

Echocardiographic Findings in Children of Patients Diagnosed with PRKAG2 Syndrome. / Achados Ecocardiográficos em Crianças de Pacientes com Diagnóstico de Síndrome do PRKAG2.

BACKGROUND: PRKAG2 syndrome typically manifests in adolescence and early adulthood, progressing with left ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmias, and risk of sudden death. Findings of echocardiographic markers before clinical manifestation in children of patients affected by the disease can facilitate prevention strategies and therapeutic planning for this patient group. OBJECTIVE: To identify the existence of echocardiographic findings that manifest early in children of parents affected by PRKAG2 syndrome, while they are still asymptomatic. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, 7 participants who were children of parents with established diagnosis of PRKAG2 syndrome, between the ages of 9 months and 12 years, with proven genetic diagnosis, underwent conventional and advanced echocardiography. Their findings were compared to those of a control group composed of 7 age- and sex-matched volunteers who were healthy from a cardiovascular point of view. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Conventional echocardiography showed statistically significantly higher values in the case group for left atrium, interventricular septum, left ventricular posterior wall, indexed ventricular mass, and relative wall thickness (p < 0.05). Global longitudinal systolic strain on 2-dimensional echocardiography did not show statistical significance between the case and control groups. None of the parameters on 3-dimensional echocardiography showed statistical significance between groups. CONCLUSION: Children diagnosed with PRKAG2 showed echocardiographic findings indicative of a tendency toward cardiac hypertrophy. Echocardiography can be a useful tool in the evaluation and follow-up of this patient group before the onset of clinical manifestations.

FUNDAMENTO: A síndrome do PRKAG2 tipicamente se manifesta na adolescência e início da idade adulta, cursando com hipertrofia ventricular esquerda, arritmias e risco de morte súbita. O achado de marcadores ecocardiográficos antes da manifestação clínica nos filhos de pais acometidos pela doença pode facilitar a estratégia de prevenção e planejamento terapêutico para esse grupo de pacientes. OBJETIVO: Identificar a existência de achados ecocardiográficos que se manifestem precocemente nos filhos de pais acometidos por síndrome do PRKAG2, enquanto ainda assintomáticos. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional transversal em que sete participantes, filhos de pais com diagnóstico estabelecido de síndrome do PRKAG2, com idades entre 9 meses e 12 anos e diagnóstico genético comprovado, foram submetidos à ecocardiografia convencional e por técnicas avançadas, tendo seus achados comparados aos de grupo controle composto por sete voluntários pareados por sexo e idade, hígidos do ponto de vista cardiovascular. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado significante. RESULTADOS: A ecocardiografia convencional mostrou valores aumentados com significância estatística no grupo caso para átrio esquerdo, septo interventricular, parede posterior do ventrículo esquerdo, massa ventricular indexada e espessura relativa da parede (p < 0,05). O strain sistólico longitudinal global obtido pelo ecocardiograma bidimensional não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos caso e controle. Nenhum dos parâmetros ao ecocardiograma tridimensional apresentou significância estatística entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Crianças diagnosticadas com PRKAG2 demonstraram achados ecocardiográficos indicativos de tendência à hipertrofia cardíaca. A ecocardiografia pode ser uma ferramenta útil na avaliação e seguimento desse grupo de pacientes, antes do início de manifestações clínicas.

COVID-19 and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults with High-Cardiovascular Risk: A Post Hoc Analysis.

Cognitive decline has been reported as a short-term sequela in patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Whether COVID-19 is associated with late cognitive impairment in older free-living individuals with high cardiovascular risk, a group at greater risk of cognitive decline, is unknown. We determined this association of COVID-19 through a longitudinal evaluation of post-COVID-19 cognitive performance and impairment as post hoc analysis in 5,179 older adults (48% female) with mean (SD) age 68.5 (5.0) years, body mass index 31.7 (3.7) kg/m2, harboring ≥ 3 criteria for metabolic syndrome (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia etc.) enrolled in PREDIMED-Plus trial. Pre- and post-COVID-19 cognitive performance was ascertained from scheduled assessments conducted using a battery of neuropsychological tests, including 5 domains: Global Cognitive Function, General Cognitive Function, Execution Function, Verbal Fluency and Attention domains, which were standardized for the cohort. Cognitive impairment was defined as the bottom 10 percentile of the sample. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models assessed the association of COVID-19 with cognitive decline and impairment, respectively. After a mean 50-week follow-up, no significant associations were observed between COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 scores of all tapped neuropsychological domains, except Global Cognitive Function (GCF). When fully adjusted, COVID-19 was marginally associated with higher (better) post-pandemic GCF score (ßadj (95% CI): 0.06 (0.00, 0.13) p=.05). However, the odds for post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment in GCF domain were not associated with the disease (ORadj (95% CI): 0.90 (0.53, 1.51) p=.68). In the PREDIMED-Plus cohort, COVID-19 status and cognitive impairment determined 50 weeks post-infection showed no association in older adults at high cardiovascular risk. This suggests that cognitive changes observed shortly after COVID-19 revert over time. However, cautious interpretation is warranted as these data were obtained within the framework of a clinical trial encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Lactase persistence in the Jordanian population: Potential effects of the Arabian Peninsula and Sahara's aridification.

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) -13910 C > T has proved a good predictor of the incidence of lactase persistence in Europe and South Asia. Yet, this is not the case in the Near East, although this region is a passageway between the two continents. Lactase persistence is associated with cattle breeding, which originated in the Fertile Crescent of the Near East and spread later during the Middle Neolithic throughout Europe. Here we analyzed five SNPs (-13915 T > G (rs41380347), -13910 C > T (rs4988235), -13907 C > G (rs41525747), -14009 T > G (rs869051967), and -14010 G > C (rs145946881)) in three Jordanian human groups, namely the Bedouins, Jordan valley farmers, and Jordanian urban people. The SNPs -14009 T > G and -14010 G > C were not detected in the sample, -13907 C > G was virtually non-existent, -13910 C > T showed low frequencies, and -13915 T > G exhibited salient frequencies. The estimated incidence of lactase persistence was lower in the urban population (16 %), intermediate in the Jordan Valley's farmer population (30 %), and higher among the Bedouins (62 %). In explaining our findings, we postulated climatic change brought about by the aridification episode of the Arabian Peninsula and the Sahara 4200 years ago. This climatic milestone caused the collapse of the Akkadian Empire and the Old Kingdom in Egypt. Also, it could have led to a drastic decline of cattle in the region, being replaced by the domestication of camels. Loss of traditional crops and increasing dependence on camel milk might have triggered local selective pressures, mainly associated with -13915 T > G and differentiated from the ones in Europe, associated with -13910 C > T.

More Adult Women than Men at High Cardiometabolic Risk Reported Worse Lifestyles and Self-Reported Health Status in the COVID-19 Lockdown.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 lockdown represented an immense impact on human health, which was characterized by lifestyle and dietary changes, social distancing and isolation at home. Some evidence suggests that these consequences mainly affected women and altered relevant ongoing clinical trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status and changes in diet, physical activity (PA), sleep and self-reported health status (SRH) as perceived by older adult men and women with metabolic syndrome during the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: We analyzed data from 4681 Spanish adults with metabolic syndrome. We carried out a telephone survey during May and June 2020 to collect information on demographics, dietary habits, PA, sleep, SRH and anthropometric data. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 64.9 years at recruitment, and 52% of participants were men. Most participants (64.1%) perceived a decrease in their PA during confinement. Regarding gender-specific differences, a higher proportion of women than men perceived a decrease in their PA (67.5% vs. 61.1%), Mediterranean diet adherence (20.9% vs. 16.8%), sleep hours (30.3% vs. 19.1%), sleep quality (31.6% vs. 18.2%) and SRH (25.9% vs. 11.9%) (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 lockdown affected women more negatively, particularly their self-reported diet, PA, sleep and health status.

Demographic Trends in Liver Transplant Survivors After 3 Decades of Program Implementation: The Impact of Cohort and Period Effects on Life Expectancy.

Background: Demographic analyses may reveal current patterns of change in the outcomes of rapidly developing medical procedures because they incorporate the period perspective. Methods: We analyzed the changes in size, age structure, and hospitalizations in the population of liver transplantation (LT) survivors in our center during the last 30 y (n = 1114 patients) and generated projections, including life expectancy (LE), considering cohort and period effects. Life tables were used to project the complete LE (overall 1990-2020 experience), the cohort LE (according to the decade of surgery: 1990-2000, 2000-2010, and 2010-2020), and the period LE (current 2015-2020 experience). Results: The population of LT recipients in follow-up continued to experience progressive growth and aging since 1990 (492 patients [41.9% >65 y] in 2020), and the magnitude of these phenomena may double in the next 30 y. However, the number of admissions and days of admission has been decreasing. The complete LE at LT was 12.4 y, whereas the period LE was 15.8 y. The cohort LE (limited to 10 y) was 5.3, 6.3, and 7.3 y for the 1990-2000, 2000-2010, and 2010-2020 cohorts, respectively. Conclusions: The target population of our medical care after LT is growing and aging. The prevalence of both of these phenomena is expected to increase in the coming years and is associated with a current improvement in LE. However, the hospitalization burden associated with LT survivors is declining. The period effect should be considered for generating up-to-date information on these current trends, which are crucial when designing health policies for LT survivors.

Values of peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness are different in children and adults.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The detection of abnormal values of peripapillary nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) is important for detecting optic nerve disease in children. BACKGROUND: To evaluate the level of agreement between the adult reference database supplied with an OCT device and the present paediatric study database for the measurement of pRNFL thickness in children. This study also aimed to provide reference values for pRNFL thickness according to the spherical equivalent in the paediatric population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. One hundred and twenty-six healthy children were included, who had undergone a full ophthalmological examination including cycloplegic refraction and examination of pRNFL thickness using the Topcon 3D OCT 2000 device (Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Values equal to or below the fifth percentile (≤p5) and above the 95th percentile (>p95) were considered abnormal. Observed agreement and specific agreement were investigated between OCT measurements classified with paediatric and adult reference values for normality. RESULTS: Values ≤ p5 in the adult database were recorded for 2 of the 30 values (6.6%) of the pRNFL values by quadrants ≤p5 in the paediatric database and 17 of the 88 (19.3%) values by sectors ≤p5. For values >p95 in the adult database, 88% by quadrants and 72% by sectors would have been classified as being within the normal range using the paediatric database. CONCLUSION: The use of adult reference values currently available in OCT devices can lead to classification errors concerning the normal range of pRNFL thickness in a large proportion of paediatric patients. The use of normative paediatric databases, such as the one discussed in this study, should be taken into consideration.

Internal and external validation of indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate to discard liver grafts before procurement.

Backgrounds/Aims: Thirty percent of liver grafts in donors after brain death (DBD) in Spain are rejected by procurement surgeons owing to marginal graft quality. Poor donor indocyanine green (ICG) clearance has been associated with graft discard and malfunction. This study aimed to internally and externally validate the predictive value of ICG-plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR) to reject grafts before donation and set a cut-off to avoid missing any potential effective donors. Methods: Between March 2017 and August 2023, ICG clearance test was performed immediately before procurement in 71 DBD. The surgeon was blinded to test results. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to detect independent predictors of graft discard. Discrimination and calibration of predictors were assessed and a cut-off with 100% specificity was set. External validation was performed on 17 donors evaluated by three other transplantation teams. Results: In the training cohort, 30 of 71 grafts were discarded for transplantation. ICG-PDR was the only donor variable independently associated with graft discard. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for ICG-PDR was 0.875 (95% confidence interval: 0.768-0.947) and good calibration was observed. Below a PDR of 13.5%/min, no graft was accepted for transplantation. These results were successfully validated using the external cohort of donors. Conclusions: ICG clearance test performed in DBD was internally and externally validated to predict liver graft discard. It could be used as a screening tool before donation to avoid unnecessary costs of travel and human resources.

Mediterranean diet as a strategy for preserving kidney function in patients with coronary heart disease with type 2 diabetes and obesity: a secondary analysis of CORDIOPREV randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is recognized an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The precise contribution and differential response to treatment strategies to reduce kidney dysfunction, depending on whether obesity is present alongside T2DM or not, remain to be fully clarified. Our objective was to improve our understanding of how obesity contributes to kidney function in patients with T2DM and coronary heart disease (CHD), who are highly predisposed to CKD, to assign the most effective dietary approach to preserve kidney function. METHODS: 1002 patients with CHD and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)≥30 ml/min/1.73m2, were randomized to consume a Mediterranean diet (35% fat, 22% MUFA, < 50% carbohydrates) or a low-fat diet (28% fat, 12% MUFA, > 55% carbohydrates). Patients were classified into four groups according to the presence of T2DM and/or obesity at baseline: Non-Obesity/Non-T2DM, Obesity/Non-T2DM, Non-Obesity/T2DM and Obesity/T2DM. We evaluated kidney function using serum creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) before and after 5-years of dietary intervention. RESULTS: Patients with Obesity/T2DM had the lowest baseline eGFR and the highest baseline uACR compared to non-diabetics (p < 0.05). After dietary intervention, the Mediterranean diet induced a lower eGFR decline in patients with Obesity/T2DM, compared to a low-fat diet but not in the other groups (p = 0.014). The Mediterranean diet, but not the low-fat diet, also reduced uACR only in patients with Obesity/T2DM (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity provided an additive effect to T2DM resulting in a more pronounced decline in kidney function compared to T2DM alone when compared to non-diabetics. In patients with concomitant presence of T2DM and obesity, with more metabolic complications, consumption of a Mediterranean diet seemed more beneficial than a low-fat diet in terms of preserving kidney function. These findings provide valuable insights for tailoring personalized lifestyle modifications in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL, http://www.cordioprev.es/index.php/en . CLINICALTRIALS: gov number, NCT00924937.

Aortic pulse wave analysis and functional capacity of heart transplantation candidates: a pilot study.

We compared cardiovascular parameters obtained with the Mobil-O-Graph and functional capacity assessed by the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) before and after Heart Transplantation (HT) and also compared the cardiovascular parameters and the functional capacity of candidates for HT with a control group. Peripheral and central vascular pressures increased after surgery. Similar results were observed in cardiac output and pulse wave velocity. The significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) postoperatively was not followed by an increase in the functional capacity. 24 candidates for HT and 24 controls were also compared. Functional capacity was significantly lower in the HT candidates compared to controls. Stroke volume, systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure measured peripherally and centrally were lower in the HT candidates when compared to controls. Despite the significant increase in peripheral and central blood pressures after surgery, the patients were normotensive. The 143.85% increase in LVEF in the postoperative period was not able to positively affect functional capacity. Furthermore, the lower values of LVEF, systolic volume, central and peripheral arterial pressures in the candidates for HT are consistent with the characteristics signs of advanced heart failure, negatively impacting functional capacity, as observed by the lower DASI score.

Multinational experience with next-generation sequencing: opportunity to identify transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis and Fabry disease.

Background: Sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) must be differentiated from phenotypically similar conditions because clinical management and prognosis may greatly differ. Patients with unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy require an early, confirmed genetic diagnosis through diagnostic or predictive genetic testing. We tested the feasibility and practicality of the application of a 17-gene next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel to detect the most common genetic causes of HCM and HCM phenocopies, including treatable phenocopies, and report detection rates. Identification of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) and Fabry disease (FD) is essential because of the availability of disease-specific therapy. Early initiation of these treatments may lead to better clinical outcomes. Methods: In this international, multicenter, cross-sectional pilot study, peripheral dried blood spot samples from patients of cardiology clinics with an unexplained increased left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) of ≥13 mm in one or more left ventricular myocardial segments (measured by imaging methods) were analyzed at a central laboratory. NGS included the detection of known splice regions and flanking regions of 17 genes using the Illumina NextSeq 500 and NovaSeq 6000 sequencing systems. Results: Samples for NGS screening were collected between May 2019 and October 2020 at cardiology clinics in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Out of 535 samples, 128 (23.9%) samples tested positive for pathogenic/likely pathogenic genetic variants associated with HCM or HCM phenocopies with double pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants detected in four samples. Among the 132 (24.7%) detected variants, 115 (21.5%) variants were associated with HCM and 17 (3.2%) variants with HCM phenocopies. Variants in MYH7 (n=60, 11.2%) and MYBPC3 (n=41, 7.7%) were the most common HCM variants. The HCM phenocopy variants included variants in the TTR (n=7, 1.3%) and GLA (n=2, 0.4%) genes. The mean (standard deviation) ages of patients with HCM or HCM phenocopy variants, including TTR and GLA variants, were 42.8 (17.9), 54.6 (17.0), and 69.0 (1.4) years, respectively. Conclusions: The overall diagnostic yield of 24.7% indicates that the screening strategy effectively identified the most common forms of HCM and HCM phenocopies among geographically dispersed patients. The results underscore the importance of including ATTR-CA (TTR variants) and FD (GLA variants), which are treatable disorders, in the differential diagnosis of patients with increased LVWT of unknown etiology.

Exploring the intersection of obesity and gender in COVID-19 outcomes in hospitalized Mexican patients: a comparative analysis of risk profiles using unsupervised machine learning.

Introduction: Obesity and gender play a critical role in shaping the outcomes of COVID-19 disease. These two factors have a dynamic relationship with each other, as well as other risk factors, which hinders interpretation of how they influence severity and disease progression. This work aimed to study differences in COVID-19 disease outcomes through analysis of risk profiles stratified by gender and obesity status. Methods: This study employed an unsupervised clustering analysis, using Mexico's national COVID-19 hospitalization dataset, which contains demographic information and health outcomes of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. Patients were segmented into four groups by obesity and gender, with participants' attributes and clinical outcome data described for each. Then, Consensus and PAM clustering methods were used to identify distinct risk profiles based on underlying patient characteristics. Risk profile discovery was completed on 70% of records, with the remaining 30% available for validation. Results: Data from 88,536 hospitalized patients were analyzed. Obesity, regardless of gender, was linked with higher odds of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions. Men tended to have higher frequencies of ICU admissions and pneumonia and higher mortality rates than women. Within each of the four analysis groups (divided based on gender and obesity status), clustering analyses identified four to five distinct risk profiles. For example, among women with obesity, there were four profiles; those with a hypertensive profile were more likely to have pneumonia, and those with a diabetic profile were most likely to be admitted to the ICU. Conclusion: Our analysis emphasizes the complex interplay between obesity, gender, and health outcomes in COVID-19 hospitalizations. The identified risk profiles highlight the need for personalized treatment strategies for COVID-19 patients and can assist in planning for patterns of deterioration in future waves of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission. This research underscores the importance of tackling obesity as a major public health concern, given its interplay with many other health conditions, including infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Single trial Bayesian inference by population vector readout in the barn owl's sound localization system.

Bayesian models have proven effective in characterizing perception, behavior, and neural encoding across diverse species and systems. The neural implementation of Bayesian inference in the barn owl's sound localization system and behavior has been previously explained by a non-uniform population code model. This model specifies the neural population activity pattern required for a population vector readout to match the optimal Bayesian estimate. While prior analyses focused on trial-averaged comparisons of model predictions with behavior and single-neuron responses, it remains unknown whether this model can accurately approximate Bayesian inference on single trials under varying sensory reliability, a fundamental condition for natural perception and behavior. In this study, we utilized mathematical analysis and simulations to demonstrate that decoding a non-uniform population code via a population vector readout approximates the Bayesian estimate on single trials for varying sensory reliabilities. Our findings provide additional support for the non-uniform population code model as a viable explanation for the barn owl's sound localization pathway and behavior.

Redes sociais institucionais frente à infodemia causada pela covid-19: uma análise das interações dos usuários / Institutional social networks against the infodemia caused by covid-19: an analysis of user interactions / Redes sociales institucionales ante la infodemia provocada por covid-19: un análisis de las interacciones de los usuários

Objetivo: Analisar a interação dos usuários em publicações de saúde com informações sobre covid-19 nas redes sociais da Prefeitura Municipal de Macapá (capital do estado do Amapá). Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, do tipo descritivo-exploratório, realizada com os usuários que interagiram com as publicações sobre covid-19 das redes sociais do Facebook, Instagram e Twitter da Prefeitura de Macapá. A coleta de dados ocorreu através de entrevista semiestruturada e os dados foram analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Com base nos discursos dos participantes, emergiram quatro categorias: 1 - Importância de informação clara e de fácil compreensão para todos os tipos de público; 2 - O compartilhamento de informações nas redes sociais como incentivo à prevenção; 3 - A responsabilidade de checar as informações nas redes sociais de fontes não oficiais; e 4 - A comunicação como uma via de mão dupla: postagem e resposta. Conclusão: As redes sociais institucionais podem ser um importante espaço para a disseminação de informações relacionadas à covid-19, porém se torna necessário qualificar o trabalho dessas redes através de estratégias que articulem a gestão destas em todos os âmbitos. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the interaction of users in publications of health with informations about covid-19 in Macapá's city hall (capital of the state of Amapá) social media. Methods: It is about a qualitative approach research, exploratory-descriptive type, performed with users that interacted with publications about covid-19 at this social medias: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter's city hall. The data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews and the data were analyzed through the Bardin' content analysis. Results: Based on the participants' speeches, four categories emerged: 1 - Importance of clear and easy-to-understand information for all types of public; 2 - Sharing information on social networks as an incentive for prevention; 3 - The responsibility to check information on social networks from unofficial sources; and 4 - Communication as a two-way street: post and reply. Conclusion: The institutional social medias are able to be an important space for the dissemination of information related to covid-19, however, it becomes necessary to qualify the work of those networks through strategies that can articulate better with the management of those in the whole sphere. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar la interacción de los usuarios de publicaciones de salud con información sobre covid-19 en las redes sociales del Municipio de Macapá (capital del estado de Amapá). Métodos: Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, de tipo descriptiva-exploratoria, realizada con usuarios que interactuaron con las publicaciones sobre covid-19 de las redes sociales de Facebook, Instagram y Twitter del Municipio de Macapá. La recolección de datos ocurrió a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y los datos fueron analizados utilizando el análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: Con base en los discursos de los participantes, surgieron cuatro categorías: 1 - Importancia de la información clara y fácil de entender para todo tipo de público; 2 - Compartir información en las redes sociales como incentivo para la prevención; 3 - La responsabilidad de verificar la información en las redes sociales de fuentes no oficiales; y 4 - La comunicación como vía de doble sentido: post y respuesta. Conclusión: Las redes sociales institucionales pueden ser un espacio importante para la difusión de información relacionada con Covid-19, sin embargo, se hace necesario capacitar el trabajo de estas redes a través de estrategias que articulen su gestión en todos los ámbitos. (AU)

Espiritualidade e religiosidade como recurso de enfrentamento para pessoas com doença oncológica / Spirituality and religiosity as a coping resource for people with cancer / Espiritualidad y religiosidad como recurso de afrontamiento para las personas con câncer

Objetivo: O estudo visa analisar como a espiritualidade/religiosidade são importantes recursos de enfrentamento no processo de adoecimento e reabilitação em pessoas que recebem cuidados oncológicos. Visa-se descrever a percepção do papel desses recursos para as pessoas que recebem esses cuidados e investigar como ocorre a integração da fé na abordagem recebida por parte dos profissionais de saúde. Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo, descritiva e de cunho qualitativo, por meio de entrevistas com pessoas com doença oncológica assistidas pelo Instituto de prevenção do câncer Joel Magalhães-IJOMA nos meses de agosto/ setembro de 2021 e foram utilizados como instrumentos para a coleta de dados os questionários de caracterização e o questionário FICA. Resultados: Percebeu-se a importância de agregar a temática da espiritualidade/religiosidade no cuidado da pessoa com doença oncológica. Através das falas, identificou-se como a rede de apoio, os instrumentos para enfrentamento e a abordagem adequada do profissional são importantes recursos no decorrer do cuidado. Conclusão: É necessário ampliar a percepção dos profissionais de saúde acerca do cuidado holístico que abrange também a dimensão espiritual. Bem como propor uma intervenção consciente nos cuidados, ampliando os aspectos sociais e espirituais da pessoa, sem desprezar as práticas de Enfermagem e Ciência atuais. (AU)

Objective: The study aims to analyze how spirituality/religiosity are important coping resources in the process of illness and rehabilitation in people receiving cancer care. The aim is to describe the perception of the role of these resources for people who receive this care and investigate how the integration of faith in the approach received by health professionals occurs. Methods: This is a field research, descriptive and qualitative, through interviews with people with oncological disease assisted by the Joel Magalhães-IJOMA Cancer Prevention Institute in August/September 2021 and were used as instruments for data collection, the characterization questionnaires and the FICA questionnaire. Results: It was noticed the importance of adding the theme of religiosity/spirituality in the care of people with cancer. Through the speeches, it was identified as the support network, the coping instruments and the appropriate approach of the professional are important resources in the course of care. Conclusion: It is necessary to expand the perception of health professionals about holistic care that also encompasses the spiritual dimension. As well as proposing a conscious intervention in care, expanding the person's social and spiritual aspects, without neglecting current Nursing and Science practices. (AU)

Objetivo: El estudio tiene como objetivo analizar cómo la espiritualidad/religiosidad son importantes recursos de afrontamiento en el proceso de enfermedad y rehabilitación en personas que reciben atención oncológica. El objetivo es describir la percepción del papel de estos recursos para las personas que reciben este cuidado e investigar cómo se da la integración de la fe en el enfoque recibido por los profesionales de la salud. Métodos: Se trata de una investigación de campo, descriptiva y cualitativa, a través de entrevistas a personas con enfermedad oncológica asistidas por el Instituto de Prevención del Cáncer Joel Magalhães-IJOMA en agosto / septiembre de 2021 y se utilizaron como instrumentos para la recolección de datos, los cuestionarios de caracterización y el cuestionario FICA. Resultados: Se notó la importancia de incorporar el tema de la espiritualidad/religiosidad en la atención de las personas con cáncer. A través de los discursos, se identificó como la red de apoyo, los instrumentos de afrontamiento y el adecuado abordaje del profesional son recursos importantes en el curso de la atención. Conclusion: Es necesario ampliar la percepción de los profesionales de la salud sobre el cuidado holístico que englobe también la dimensión espiritual. Además de proponer una intervención consciente en el cuidado, ampliando los aspectos sociales y espirituales de la persona, sin descuidar las prácticas actuales de Enfermería y Ciencia. (AU)

Association between Diet Quality and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: Findings from the CORDIOPREV Study.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is growing in Western countries. Nutritional interventions that promote high-quality dietary patterns could help reverse this trend. We aimed to evaluate whether changes in Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 (NRF9.3) were related to the risk of developing T2DM in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The study was carried out in the context of two healthy dietary interventions (a Mediterranean and a low-fat diet). For this purpose, we evaluated all the patients in the CORDIOPREV study without T2DM at baseline. Data were obtained during the first 5 years of dietary intervention. The score was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaires at baseline and after 1 year of intervention. After 5 years of follow-up, 106 patients developed T2DM (incident-T2DM), while 316 subjects did not (non-T2DM). Total NRF9.3 score and changes during the first year of intervention were compared between incident-T2DM and non-T2DM. Incident-T2DM showed less improvement in NRF9.3 than non-T2DM (p = 0.010). In the multi-adjusted Cox proportional hazard study, patients with greater improvement in NRF9.3 had over 50% less risk of developing T2DM compared with the lowest tertile (HR 2.10, 95%, CI = 1.12-3.56). In conclusion, improved diet quality in terms of nutrient density after the dietary intervention was associated with a lower risk of T2DM in patients with CHD.