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.

Microcephaly in north-east Brazil: a retrospective study on neonates born between 2012 and 2015.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the number of children born with microcephaly in the State of Paraíba, north-east Brazil. METHODS: We contacted 21 maternity centres belonging to a paediatric cardiology network, with access to information regarding more than 100 000 neonates born between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015. For 10% of these neonates, nurses were requested to retrieve head circumference measurements data from delivery-room books. We used three separate criteria to classify whether a neonate had microcephaly: (i) the Brazilian Ministry of Health proposed criterion: term neonates (gestational age ≥ 37 weeks) with a head circumference of less than 32 cm; (ii) Fenton curves: neonates with a head circumference of less than -3 standard deviation for age and gender; or (iii) the proportionality criterion: neonates with a head circumference of less than ((height/2))+10) ± 2. FINDINGS: Between 1 and 31 December 2015, nurses obtained data for 16 208 neonates. Depending on which criterion we used, the number of neonates with microcephaly varied from 678 to 1272 (4.2-8.2%). Two per cent (316) of the neonates fulfilled all three criteria. We observed temporal fluctuations of microcephaly prevalence from late 2012. CONCLUSION: The numbers of microcephaly reported here are much higher than the 6.4 per 10 000 live births reported by the Brazilian live birth information system. The results raise questions about the notification system, the appropriateness of the diagnostic criteria and future implications for the affected children and their families. More studies are needed to understand the epidemiology and the implications for the Brazilian health system.

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.

A telemedicine network for remote paediatric cardiology services in north-east Brazil.

PROBLEM: Providing health care for children with congenital heart diseases remains a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries. APPROACH: In October 2011, the Government of Paraíba, Brazil, established a paediatric cardiology network in partnership with the nongovernmental organization Círculo do Coração. A cardiology team supervised all network activities, using the Internet to keep in contact with remote health facilities. The network developed protocols for screening heart defects. Echocardiograms were performed by physicians under direct online supervision of a cardiologist; alternatively, a video recording of the examination was subsequently reviewed by a cardiologist. Cardiovascular surgeons came to a paediatric hospital in the state capital once a week to perform heart surgeries. LOCAL SETTING: Until 2011, the State of Paraíba had no structured programme to care for children with heart disease. This often resulted in missed or late diagnosis, with adverse health consequences for the children. RELEVANT CHANGES: From 2012 to 2014, 73,751 babies were screened for heart defects and 857 abnormalities were identified. Detection of congenital heart diseases increased from 4.09 to 11.62 per 1000 live births (P < 0.001). Over 6000 consultations and echocardiograms were supervised via the Internet. Time to diagnosis, transfers and hospital stays were greatly reduced. A total of 330 operations were carried out with 6.7% (22/330) mortality. LESSONS LEARNT: Access to an echocardiography machine with remote supervision by a cardiologist improves the detection of congenital heart disease by neonatologists; virtual outpatient clinics facilitate clinical management; the use of Internet technology with simple screening techniques allows resources to be allocated more efficiently.

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.

Busca ativa por cardiopatias congênitas é factível? Experiência em oito cidades Brasileiras / Active search for congenital heart disease is possible? Experience from eight brazilian cities

Fundamentos: As cardiopatias congênitas são causa de alta morbimortalidade na faixa etária pediátrica. Em regiões em desenvolvimento, a falta de diagnóstico precoce pode acarretar a piora do quadro; uma busca ativa por cardiopatias congênitas pode colaborar na resolução dessa situação.Objetivo: Descrever os principais achados de uma busca ativa por cardiopatias na infância, realizada em oito cidades brasileiras do estado da Paraíba. Métodos: Estudo realizado em oito cidades brasileiras do estado da Paraíba. A busca ativa compreendeu duas fases. Na primeira, os centros de saúde locais realizaram a triagem de crianças com sintomas ou história clínica de doenças cardiovasculares. Na segunda fase, realizada uma consulta clínica com posterior realização de ecocardiograma para identificação de cardiopatias. As frequências obtidas foram analisadas. Variáveis categóricas foram comparadas utilizando-se o teste do qui-quadrado. Resultados: Atendidas 440 crianças. Destas, 192 (43,63%) apresentaram alterações ao ecocardiograma. As presenças de sopro e da síndrome de Down mostraram correlação significativa (p<0,05) com a cardiopatia congênita. A maioria dos casos era de cardiopatia congênita por shunt (64,1%), seguida pelos defeitos valvares (12,5%) e pelas cardiopatias obstrutivas acianogênicas (8,3%). Conclusão: A busca ativa realizada foi capaz de identificar um número expressivo de cardiopatias congênitas na infância, não reconhecidas previamente, e inserir esses pacientes nos serviços de saúde para o tratamento adequado, garantindo-lhes melhor qualidade de vida.

Background: Congenital heart defects are the cause of high morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. In developing regions, the lack of early diagnosis may lead to worsening of the condition; an active search for congenital heart diseases can assist in resolving this situation. Objective: To describe the key findings of an active search for heart diseases in childhood, held in eight Brazilian cities in the state of Paraíba. Methods: A study conducted in eight Brazilian cities in the state of Paraíba. The active search included two phases. In the first, local health centers screened children with symptoms or a history of cardiovascular diseases. In the second phase, a clinical consultation with echocardiogram to identify diseases was conducted. The frequencies were then analyzed. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. Results: 440 children were assisted. Of these, 192 (43.63%) had abnormalities on echocardiogram. The presence of heart sounds and Down’s syndrome showed a significant correlation (p <0.05) with the congenital heart disease. Most cases were congenital heart disease by shunt (64.1%), followed by valve defects (12.5%) and acyanogenic obstructive heart diseases (8.3%). Conclusion: The active search conducted was able to identify a significant number of congenital heart diseases in childhood not previously recognized and inserting these patients in health services for appropriate treatment, thus ensuring them a better quality of life.

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.

Tratamento empírico da pneumonia comunitária na infância / Empiric treatment of the community pneumoniae in childhood

Os autores deste estudo, analisam o tratamento empírico de 119 casos de pneumonias em crianças internadas na enfermaria de Pneumologia Infantil (Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley - Universidade Federal da Paraíba), enfatizando a importância deste trabalho, uma vez que o início da terapêutica antibiótica neste grupo de doença é realizada sem a identificação do agente causal e, apesar dos avanços das técnicas de identificação de agentes etiológicos das pneumonias, dificuldades técnicas e custos tornam proibitivos tais exames na maioria dos serviços de nosso Estado. A penicilina cristalina foi, de forma isolada, a droga mais utilizada nos tratamentos da pneumonia nos pacientes estudados. Os autores concluem ser a penicilina cristalina droga de escolha no tratamento das pneumonias comunitárias da criança, com menores tempo de internação e custo terapêutico

Fibrohistiocitoma maligno padrão inflamatório / Malignant fibrous histiocytoma inflammatory standard

Os autores relatam um caso de Fibrohistiocitoma Maligno padrão inflamatório em uma menina de 01 ano e 03 meses de idade, admitida no Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley - Universidade Federal da Paraíba (João Pessoa - Paraíba - Brasil) com história de dor abdominal, náuseas, vômitos, anemia e tumoração no abdome. A paciente apresentava estado geral regular, mucosas descoradas, anictéricas, temperatura axilar 37,6 ºC, com evolução de 03 meses. O exame clínico revelava um tumor abdominal irregular, duro, móvel e indolor nas regiões umbilical e fossa ilíaca direita. Depois dos resultados da radiografia simples de abdome e ultrassonografia e da estabilização das condições clínicas foi realizada um laparotomia infraumbilical transversa com ressecção total de um tumor nodular e irregular localizado na área ilíaca direita, retroperitonial e cólon ascendente. A paciente foi tratada com quimioterapia com 02 drogas sendo acompanhada por 06 meses