Translation, transcultural adaptation, and validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire.

PURPOSE: To analyse the psychometric properties of the translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the OSAKA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes) questionnaire in the Brazilian Portuguese language. METHODS: The OSAKA instrument was translated by two independent translators, and the back-translated conciliated version was presented and approved by Washington University, which holds the intellectual property for the OSAKA questionnaire. Physicians from different specialties electronically completed the OSAKA instrument and the ASKME (Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education) questionnaire, which was used as an auxiliary instrument to analyse the construct validity. RESULTS: The questionnaire was tested with 176 physicians. The items from the knowledge and attitudes domains presented acceptable internal consistency values, with McDonald's omega coefficients (Ω) of 0.70 and 0.73, respectively. The OSAKA questionnaire showed a moderate correlation with the ASKME instrument (r = 0.60, p < 0.001) and excellent retest reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.81. There were differences in knowledge between the medical specialties (p < 0.001). Regarding attitudes, most respondents considered obstructive sleep apnoea and its diagnosis to be important and felt confident in identifying it, but the same majority did not feel confident in treating the disease. CONCLUSION: The OSAKA instrument, as a translated and cross-culturally adapted Brazilian Portuguese version, presented psychometric properties with adequate reliability and validity.

Acute and Time-Course Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Vascular and Autonomic Function in Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purposed of this study was to valuate the effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on flow-mediated dilation and heart rate variability of patients with heart failure. BACKGROUND: Osteopathic manipulative treatment modulates both the vascular and autonomic nervous system (ANS) in healthy volunteers. However, the acute and time-course effects of the OMT on patients with an overactive ANS remain unclear. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial study included 20 patients with heart failure aged 50 to 60 years, allocated to a single session of OMT (base of the skull, retromaxillary region, heart, and thoracic duct) or sham. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at the brachial artery, hemodynamic measures, and heart rate variability were assessed in 3 periods (baseline, immediately after the intervention, and after 15 minutes). Multivariate analysis of variance procedure was used to compare intervention and periods. RESULTS: The OMT group had a greater FMD modulation compared with the sham (FMD,% =  9.5 vs. -5.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): [6.6, -12.35] vs. [-14.25, 2.8]; p = 0.001) and grater peak diameter (PD, mm =  0.77 vs -0.16 mm, 95% CI: [0.31,-1.24] vs [-0.63, 0.29]; P =  0.001), suggesting an important acute and time-course vascular effect from OMT. We also found some relevant heart rate variability modulation after 15 minutes from OMT: high frequency (HF, ms2 = 295 vs -354, 95% CI: [144.2, -769]; P = .001) and low frequency (LF, ms2) = 670 vs 775, 95% CI: [-98, 3591]; P = .001), suggesting a time-course ANS modulation after OMT. CONCLUSIONS: Osteopathic manipulative treatment was effective at increasing brachial blood flow and stimulating the vagal system in patients with heart failure. Moreover, vascular changes seem to precede the autonomic modulation.

A arte de nascer (The art of being born).

In 2008, this project began with a small group of volunteers in a poor rural community in northeastern Brazil using art therapy to increase the knowledge of pregnant women about gestation, birth, and care of their babies. After positive results were seen within that community, the methodology was published as a book to be replicated in other states of Brazil. In 2010/2011, after being selected as a "Young Champions of Maternal Health" winner by Ashoka and Maternal Task Force competition, the project was adapted for the local culture in Mali and replicated in villages in West Africa with workshops using songs, poems, stories, crafts, and cinema. It continues to be implemented throughout Brazil, and since 2012, at the Institute Santos Dumont, a health, teaching, and research center in a rural area in Northeast Brazil. It is also used as a teaching strategy for students of medicine, physiotherapy, psychology, resident doctors, and multiprofessionals. It contributes to the development of attitudes, health education skills, and interprofessional education experience. It also provides information and educates groups to empower women about their health and rights to make informed choices regarding pregnancy and childbirth.

Resistance exercise enhances oxygen uptake without worsening cardiac function in patients with systolic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent literature suggests that resistance training (RT) improves peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text] peak), similarly to aerobic exercise (AE) in patients with heart failure (HF), but its effect on cardiac remodeling is controversial. Thus, we examined the effects of RT and AE on [Formula: see text] peak and cardiac remodeling in patients with heart failure (HF) via a systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and CINAHL, AMEDEO and PEDro databases search were extracted study characteristics, exercise type, and ventricular outcomes. The main outcomes were [Formula: see text] peak (ml kg-1 min-1), LVEF (%) and LVEDV (mL). Fifty-nine RCTs were included. RT produced a greater increase in [Formula: see text] peak (3.57 ml kg-1 min-1, P < 0.00001, I 2 = 0%) compared to AE (2.63 ml kg-1 min-1, P < 0.00001, I 2 = 58%) while combined RT and AE produced a 2.48 ml kg-1 min-1 increase in [Formula: see text]; I 2 = 69%) compared to control group. Comparison among the three forms of exercise revealed similar effects on [Formula: see text] peak (P = 0.84 and 1.00, respectively; I 2 = 0%). AE was associated with a greater gain in LVEF (3.15%; P < 0.00001, I 2 = 17%) compared to RT alone or combined exercise which produced similar gains compared to control groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that AE reduced LVEDV (- 10.21 ml; P = 0.007, I 2 = 0%), while RT and combined RT and AE had no effect on LVEDV compared with control participants. RT results in a greater gain in [Formula: see text] peak, and induces no deleterious effects on cardiac function in HF patients.

Aerobic exercise effect on prognostic markers for systolic heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

From previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses, there is consensus about the positive effect of exercise training on exercise capacity for systolic heart failure (HF); however, the effect on actual prognostic markers such as NTproBNP and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope has not been evaluated. The primary aim of the proposed study is to determine the effect of aerobic exercise training (AEX) on the VE/VCO2 slope and NTproBNP. The following databases (up to February 30, 2013) were searched with no language limitations: CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2013, issue 2), MEDLINE (from January 1966), EMBASE (from January 1980), and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) (from January 1929). We screened reference lists of articles and also conducted an extensive hand search of the literature. Randomized controlled trials of exercise-based interventions with 2-month follow-up or longer compared to usual medical care or placebo were included. The study population comprised adults aged between 18 and 65 years, with evidence of chronic systolic heart failure (LVEF < 45 % and baseline NTproBNP > 300 pg/ml). Two review authors independently extracted data on study design, participants, interventions, and outcomes. We assessed the risk of bias using PEDro scale. We calculated mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences between intervention and control groups for outcomes with sufficient data; for other outcomes, we described findings from individual studies. Eight studies involving a total of 408 participants met the inclusion criteria across the NTproBNP (5 studies with 191 patients) and VE/VCO2 slope (4 studies with 217 patients). Aerobic exercise significantly improved NTproBNP by a MD of -817.75 [95 % confidence interval (CI) -929.31 to -706.19]. Mean differences across VE/VCO2 slope were -6.55 (95 % CI -7.24 to -5.87). Those patients' characteristics and exercise were similar (frequency = 3-5 times/week; duration = 20-50 min/day; intensity = 60-80 % of VO2 peak) on the included studies. Moreover, the risk of bias across all studies was homogeneous (PEDro scale = 7-8 points). However, based on the statistical analysis, the heterogeneity among the studies was still high, which is related to the variable characteristics of the studies. Aerobic exercise may be effective at improving NTproBNP and the VE/VCO2 slope in systolic HF patients, but these effects are limited to a specific HF population meeting specific inclusion criterion in a limited number of studies. Future randomized controlled studies including diastolic and HF overleap with pulmonary diseases are needed to better understand the exact influence of AEX.

DNA barcoding assessment of genetic variation in two widespread skinks from Madagascar, Trachylepis elegans and T. gravenhorstii (Squamata: Scincidae).

Trachylepis elegans and T. gravenhorstii are two of the most widespread reptiles in Madagascar, inhabiting a wide variety of habitats. Previous studies have indicated a considerable mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation within these species, but the geographic distribution of the major haplotype lineages is poorly known. Herein we analyse the phylogeography of these lizards based on 107 sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, 101 of which newly determined. As in previous mtDNA assessments, T. elegans and T. gravenhorstii were not reciprocally monophyletic, although recent analyses including nuclear markers indicated their probable monophyly, respectively. The main lineages within T. gravenhorstii were found in strict allopatry and could be divided into a subclade of roughly northern and eastern distribution (lineages 1 and 2) and a subclade of roughly southern and western distribution (lineages 3, 4a, 4b, and 5, plus T. elegans). Our data serve to identify more precisely the probable contact zones among T. gravenhorstii lineages. The two main mtDNA clades (represented by lineages 2 and 3, respectively) can be expected to come into close contact in the area of the upper Mangoro river and Alaotra Lake, and (lineages 2 and 4a) in the Southern Central East between Mananjary and Ranomafana. Future studies intensively sampling these contact zones have the potential to assess hybridization and admixture among these lineages, and to test whether they are deep conspecific lineages of T. gravenhorstii as currently understood, or might represent distinct species.

Longitudinal strain and myocardial work in symptomatic patients having recovered from COVID-19 and possible associations with the severity of the disease.

COVID-19 may have residual consequences in multiple organs, including the cardiovascular system. The purpose of the present investigation is to quantify myocardial function in symptomatic individuals with long COVID and investigate the association between illness severity and myocardial function. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in which symptomatic individuals with previous COVID-19 underwent echocardiographic analysis of left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and myocardial work (MW). Individuals also performed cardiopulmonary testing (CPX) to assess peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Differences between illness severity subgroups were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test. Correlations were calculated using the Spearman correlation test. Multilinear regressions were performed to evaluate the influences of COVID-19 severity, body mass index, age, and sex on MW. Fifty-six individuals were included (critical subgroup: 17; moderate/severe subgroup: 39), 59% females; median age: 56 years (IQR: 43-63). CPX revealed a substantial reduction in VO2peak (median of 53% of predicted values). LVGLS were not statistically different between subgroups. Global wasted work (GWW) was higher in the critical subgroup [146 (104-212) versus 121 (74-163) mmHg%, p = 0.01], and global work efficiency (GWE) was lower in this subgroup [93 (91-95) versus 94 (93-96), p = 0.03]. Illness severity was the only independent predictor of GWW and GWE (GWW: r2 = 0.167; p = 0.009; GWE: r2 = 0.172; p = 0.005) in multilinear regressions. In our study with long COVID-19 individuals, despite having a similar LVGLS, patients had subclinical LV dysfunction, demonstrated only by an increase in GWW and a decrease in GWE.

Phylogenetic relationships of Trachylepis skink species from Madagascar and the Seychelles (Squamata: Scincidae).

Lizards of the genus Trachylepis are a species-rich group of skinks mainly inhabiting Africa, Madagascar, and several other islands in the western Indian Ocean. All except one probably introduced species of Madagascan Trachylepis are endemic. Two species groups have been distinguished on the basis of subocular scale shape but their phylogenetic relationships remained unclear. We inferred a multilocus phylogeny of the Madagascan Trachylepis species, based on a concatenated dataset of 3261 bp from 3 mitochondrial and 4 nuclear genes with a dense Madagascan taxon sampling and find high support for the monophyly of the endemic Madagascan Trachylepis. The two species groups in Madagascar are highly supported as clades. The highland species T. boettgeri is nested in the T. aureopunctata species group of mainly arid-adapted species, suggesting a colonization of highland swamps by ancestors inhabiting dry western Madagascar. The Seychellois species were sister to the T. maculilabris/T. comorensis clade, suggesting their origin directly out of Africa as with Seychellois chameleons. In Madagascar, a high intraspecific molecular variation was confirmed for T. gravenhorstii, T. elegans, and T. vato, indicating a need for taxonomic revision.

Association between physical activity measurements and key parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: A hallmark characteristic of heart failure (HF) is reduced physical activity (PA) patterns. The relationship between key cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) variables and PA patterns has not been investigated. Therefore, we evaluated PA patterns in patients with ischemic HF and its relationship to peak oxygen consumption (VO2), the minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope, and the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES). METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixteen patients with HF wore an accelerometer for six days to measure total steps/day as well as percentage of time at light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Symptom-limited CPX was performed on a treadmill using a ramping protocol. Total steps correlated with VO2 (r = 0.64 P < .05), the VE/VCO2 slope (r = -0.72; P < .05), and the OUES (0.63; P < .05). The percentage of time at light-intensity PA correlated with the VE/VCO2 slope (r = 0.58; P < .05) and the OUES (r = -0.51; P < .05). The percentage of time at vigorous-intensity PA correlated with peak VO2 (r = 0.55; P < .05) and the VE/VCO2 slope (r = -0.52; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: PA assessed by accelerometer is significantly associated with key CPX variables in patients with HF.

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with heart failure: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is no definition for strain deformation values in relation to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in different heart failure (HF) phenotypes. AIM: To identify the relationship between echocardiographic systolic function measurements and CRF in HF patients. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA recommendations. Studies reporting echocardiographic assessments of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and direct measurement of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in HF patients with reduced or preserved LVEF (HFrEF, HFpEF) were included. The patients were divided into Weber classes according to VO2peak. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies involving a total of 2,136 patients (70.5% with HFpEF) were included. Mean LVEF and LVGLS were similar in HFpEF patients in Weber Class A/B and Class C/D. In HFrEF patients, a non-significant difference was found in LVEF between Weber Class A/B (30.2% [95%CI: 29.6 to 30.9%]) and Class C/D (25.2% [95%CI: 20.5 to 29.9%]). In HFrEF patients, mean LVGLS was significantly lower in Class C/D compared to Class A/B (6.5% [95%CI: 6.0 to 7.1%] and 10.3% [95%CI: 9.0 to 11.5%], respectively). The correlation between VO2peak and LVGLS (r2 = 0.245) was nearly twofold stronger than that between VO2peak and LVEF (r2 = 0.137). CONCLUSIONS: Low LVGLS values were associated with low CRF in HFrEF patients. Although a weak correlation was found between systolic function at rest and CRF, the correlation between VO2peak and LVGLS was nearly twofold stronger than that with LVEF, indicating that LVGLS may be a better predictor of CRF in patients with HFrEF.

Muscle-Skeletal Abnormalities and Muscle Oxygenation during Isokinetic Strength Exercise in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Phenotype: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Exercise intolerance, a hallmark of patients with heart failure (HF), is associated with muscle weakness. However, its causative microcirculatory and muscle characteristics among those with preserved or reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF or HFrEF) phenotype is unclear. The musculoskeletal abnormalities that could result in impaired peripheral microcirculation are sarcopenia and muscle strength reduction in HF, implying lowered oxidative capacity and perfusion affect transport and oxygen utilization during exercise, an essential task from the microvascular muscle function. Besides that, skeletal muscle microcirculatory abnormalities have also been associated with exercise intolerance in HF patients who also present skeletal muscle myopathy. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the muscle microcirculation dynamics via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) response during an isokinetic muscle strength test and ultrasound-derived parameters (echo intensity was rectus femoris muscle, while the muscle thickness parameter was measured on rectus femoris and quadriceps femoris) in heart failure patients with HFpEF and HFrEF phenotypes and different functional severities (Weber Class A, B, and C). Twenty-eight aged-matched patients with HFpEF (n = 16) and HFrEF (n = 12) were assessed. We found phenotype differences among those with Weber C severity, with HFrEF patients reaching lower oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb, µM) (-10.9 ± 3.8 vs. -23.7 ± 5.7, p = 0.029) during exercise, while HFpEF reached lower O2Hb during the recovery period (-3.0 ± 3.4 vs. 5.9 ± 2.8, p = 0.007). HFpEF with Weber Class C also presented a higher echo intensity than HFrEF patients (29.7 ± 8.4 vs. 15.1 ± 6.8, p = 0.017) among the ultrasound-derived variables. Our preliminary study revealed more pronounced impairments in local microcirculatory dynamics in HFpEF vs. HFrEF patients during a muscle strength exercise, combined with muscle-skeletal abnormalities detected via ultrasound imaging, which may help explain the commonly observed exercise intolerance in HFpEF patients.

Relationship of Lung Function and Inspiratory Strength with Exercise Capacity and Prognosis in Heart Failure. / Relação da Função Pulmonar e da Força Inspiratória com Capacidade Aeróbica e com Prognóstico na Insuficiência Cardíaca.

BACKGROUND: Spirometry is underused in heart failure (HF) and the extent to which each defect associates with exercise capacity and prognosis is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the distinct relationship of continuous %predicted FVC (ppFVC) and FEV1/FVC with: 1) maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), exercise performance; and 2) prognosis for the composite of cardiovascular death, heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implant. METHODS: A cohort of 111 HF participants (AHA stages C/D) without diagnosed pneumopathy, spirometry, manovacuometry and maximum cardiopulmonary test. The association magnitudes were verified by linear and Cox (HR; 95% CI) regressions, age/sex adjusted. A p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Age was 57±12 years, 60% men, 64% in NYHA III. Every 10%-point increase in FEV1/FVC [ß 7% (95% CI: 3-10)] and ppFVC [4% (2-6)] associated with ventilatory reserve (VRes), however only ppFVC associated with MIP [3.8 cmH2O (0.3-7.3)], LVEF [2.1% (0.5-3.8)] and VO2peak [0.5 mL/kg/min (0.1-1.0)], accounting for age/sex. In 2.2 years (mean), 22 events occurred, and neither FEV1/FVC (HR 1.44; 95% CI: 0.97-2.13) nor ppFVC (HR 1.13; 0.89-1.43) was significantly associated with the outcome. Only in the LVEF ≤50% subgroup (n=87, 20 events), FEV1/FVC (HR 1.50; 1.01-2.23), but not ppFVC, was associated with greater risk. CONCLUSIONS: In chronic HF, reduced ppFVC associated with lower MIP, LVEF, VRes and VO2peak, but no distinct poorer prognosis over 2.2 years of follow-up. Distinctively, FEV1/FVC was associated only with VRes, and, in participants with LVEF ≤50%, FEV1/FVC reduction proportionally worsened prognosis. Therefore, FEV1/FVC and ppFVC add supplementary information regarding HF phenotyping.

FUNDAMENTO: A espirometria é subutilizada na insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e não está claro o grau de associação de cada defeito com a capacidade de exercício e com o prognóstico desses pacientes. OBJETIVO: Determinar a relação da %CVF prevista (ppCVF) e do VEF1/CVF contínuos com: 1) pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx), fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) e desempenho ao exercício; e 2) prognóstico, para o desfecho composto de morte cardiovascular, transplante cardíaco ou implante de dispositivo de assistência ventricular. MÉTODOS: Coorte de 111 participantes com IC (estágios AHA C/D) sem pneumopatia; foram submetidos a espirometria, manovacuometria e teste cardiopulmonar máximo. As magnitudes de associação foram verificadas por regressões lineares e de Cox (HR; IC 95%), ajustadas para idade/sexo, e p <0,05 foi considerado significativo. RESULTADOS: Com idade média 57±12 anos, 60% eram homens, 64% em NYHAIII. A cada aumento de 10% no VEF1/CVF [ß 7% (IC 95%: 3-10)] e no ppCVF [4% (2-6)], foi associado à reserva ventilatória (VRes); no entanto, apenas o ppCVF associado à PImáx [3,8cmH2O (0,3-7,3)], à fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) [2,1% (0,5-3,8)] e ao VO2 pico [0,5mL/kg/min (0,1-1,0)], considerando idade/sexo. Em 2,2 anos (média), ocorreram 22 eventos; tanto FEV1/FVC (HR 1,44; IC 95%: 0,97-2,13) quanto ppCVF (HR 1,13; 0,89-1,43) não foram associados ao desfecho. Apenas no subgrupo FEVE ≤50% (n=87, 20 eventos), VEF1/CVF (HR 1,50; 1,01-2,23), mas não ppCVF, foi associado a risco. CONCLUSÃO: Na IC crônica, ppCVF reduzido associou-se a menor PImáx, FEVE, VRes e VO2 pico, mas não distinguiu pior prognóstico em 2,2 anos de acompanhamento. Entretanto, VEF1/CVF associou-se apenas com VRes, e, em participantes com FEVE ≤50%, o VEF1/CVF reduzido mostrou pior prognóstico proporcional. Portanto, VEF1/CVF e ppFVC contribuem para melhor fenotipagem de pacientes com IC.

Effects of Home-Based Electrical Stimulation on Plasma Cytokines Profile, Redox Biomarkers, and Metalloproteinases in the Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Randomized Trial.

Background: Low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) is an adjuvant method for heart failure (HF) patients with restrictions to start an exercise. However, the impact on molecular changes in circulating is unknown. We investigated the effects of 10 weeks of home-based LFES on plasma cytokines profile, redox biomarkers, metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity, and exercise performance in HF patients. Methods: Twenty-four HF patients (52.45 ± 9.15 years) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (EF < 40%), were randomly assigned to a home-based LFES or sham protocol. Plasma cytokines profile was assessed through interleukins, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor levels. Oxidative stress was evaluated through ferric reducing antioxidant power, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The MMPs activity were analyzed by zymography. Cardiorespiratory capacity and muscle strength were evaluated by cardiopulmonary test and isokinetic. Results: LFES was able to increase the active-MMP2 activity post compared to pre-training (0.057 to 0.163, p = 0.0001), while it decreased the active-MMP9 (0.135 to 0.093, p = 0.02). However, it did not elicit changes in cytokines, redox biomarkers, or exercise performance (p > 0.05). Conclusion: LFES protocol is a promising intervention to modulate MMPs activity in HFrEF patients, although with limited functional effects. These preliminary responses may help the muscle to adapt to future mechanical demands dynamically.

Ankle-brachial index and subclinical atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of altered ankle-brachial index (<0.9 or >1.3) in patients with type 1 diabetes and to compare it with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis by carotid ultrasound. METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional study in which 45 adults with type 1 diabetes were evaluated (age 34±10 years, 46.7% men). The data collected included anamnesis, clinical evaluation, calculation of the ankle-brachial index (relationship between systolic blood pressure in the ankle and brachial artery), and performance of carotid ultrasound. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients had ankle-brachial index >1.3 (66.7%) and no patient had ankle-brachial index <0.9. Carotid echocardiography was performed on 21 patients, 4 (19%) of whom had atherosclerosis. Age >35 years and ankle-brachial index >1.4 showed a good correlation with atherosclerosis (r=0.49, p=0.021; r=0.56, p=0.008, respectively). A model associating age >35 years and ankle-brachial index >1.4 showed an excellent relationship with atherosclerosis (r=0.59, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that vascular calcification (ankle-brachial index >1.4) was frequent in this population with type 1 diabetes and associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. A model combining ankle-brachial index >1.4 and age >35 years showed an excellent correlation with atherosclerosis and can assist in clinical suspicion and optimize the request for additional tests.

Moderate-intensity exercise with blood flow restriction on cardiopulmonary kinetics and efficiency during a subsequent high-intensity exercise in young women: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training applied prior to a subsequent exercise has been used as a method to induce changes in oxygen uptake pulmonary kinetics (O2P) and exercise performance. However, the effects of a moderate-intensity training associated with BFR on a subsequent high-intensity exercise on O2P and cardiac output (QT) kinetics, exercise tolerance, and efficiency remain unknown.This prospective physiologic study was performed at the Exercise Physiology Lab, University of Brasilia. Ten healthy females (mean ±â€ŠSD values: age = 21.3 ±â€Š2.2 years; height = 1.6 ±â€Š0.07 m, and weight = 55.6 ±â€Š8.8 kg) underwent moderate-intensity training associated with or without BFR for 6 minutes prior to a maximal high-intensity exercise bout. O2P, heart rate, and QT kinetics and gross efficiency were obtained during the high-intensity constant workload exercise test.No differences were observed in O2P, heart rate, and QT kinetics in the subsequent high-intensity exercise following BFR training. However, exercise tolerance and gross efficiency were significantly greater after BFR (220 ±â€Š45 vs 136 ±â€Š30 seconds; P < .05, and 32.8 ±â€Š6.3 vs 27.1 ±â€Š5.4%; P < .05, respectively), which also resulted in lower oxygen cost (1382 ±â€Š227 vs 1695 ±â€Š305 mL min-1).We concluded that moderate-intensity BFR training implemented prior to a high-intensity protocol did not accelerate subsequent O2P and QT kinetics, but it has the potential to improve both exercise tolerance and work efficiency at high workloads.

Adjunctive inspiratory muscle training for patients with COVID-19 (COVIDIMT): protocol for randomised controlled double-blind trial.

INTRODUCTION: A significant number of patients with COVID-19 may experience dyspnoea, anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue and physical impairment symptoms, raising the need for a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach, especially for those with advanced age, obesity, comorbidities and organ failure. Traditional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), including exercise training, psychosocial counselling and education, has been employed to improve pulmonary function, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with COVID-19. However, the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in PR programmes remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether the addition of a supervised IMT in a PR is more effective than PR itself in improving dyspnoea, health-related quality of life and exercise capacity in symptomatic patients with post-COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial, powered for superiority, aimed to assess exercise capacity as the primary outcome. A total of 138 are being recruited at two PR centres in Brazil. Following baseline testing, participants will be randomised using concealed allocation, to receive either (1) standard PR with sham IMT or (2) standard PR added to IMT. Treatment effects or differences between the outcomes (at baseline, after 8 and 16 weeks, and after 6 months) of the study groups will be analysed using an ordinary two-way analysis of variance. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial was approved by the Brazilian National Ethics Committee and obtained approval on 7 October 2020 (document number 4324069). The findings will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04595097.

SARS-CoV-2 has been circulating in northeastern Brazil since February 2020: evidence for antibody detection in asymptomatic patients.

We screened stored samples collected before COVID-19 had been reported in Brazil. 989 samples were tested for SAR-CoV-2 antibodies using two different methods; 16 (1.6%) were positive (7 (43.8%) IgM, 3 (18.8%) IgG and 6 (37.5%) IgG/IgM positive), suggesting SARS-CoV-2 had circulated before the first reported COVID-19 case in Brazil.

Maximal Dynamic Inspiratory Pressure Evaluation in Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Reliability and Agreement Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the reliability (interrater and intrarater) and agreement (repeatability and reproducibility) properties of tapered flow resistive loading (TFRL) measures in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited from the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program at the University of Brasilia from July 2015 to July 2016. All patients participated in the study, and 10 were randomly chosen for intrarater and interrater reliability testing. The 124 participants with HF (75% men) were 57.6 (SD = 1.81) years old and had a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 38.9% (SD = 15%) and a peak oxygen consumption of 13.05 (SD = 5.3) mL·kg·min-1. The main outcome measures were the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) measured with a standard manovacuometer (SM) and the MIP and maximal dynamic inspiratory pressure (S-Index) obtained with TFRL. The S-Index reliability (interrater and intrarater) was examined by 2 evaluators, the S-Index repeatability was examined with 10 repetitions, and the reproducibility of the MIP and S-Index was measured with SM and TFRL, respectively. RESULTS: The reliability analysis revealed high S-Index interrater and intrarater reliability values (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] of 0.89 [95% CI = 0.58-0.98] and 0.97 [95% CI = 0.89-0.99], respectively). Repeatability analyses revealed that 8 maneuvers were required to reach the maximum S-Index in 75.81% (95% CI = 68.27-83.34) of the population. The reproducibility of TFRL measures (S-Index = 68.8 [SD = 32.8] cm H2O; MIP = 66 [SD = 32.3] cm H2O) was slightly lower than that of the SM measurement (MIP = 70.1 [SD = 35.9] cm H2O). CONCLUSIONS: The TFRL device provided a reliable intrarater and interrater S-Index measure in patients with HF and had acceptable repeatability, requiring 8 maneuvers to produce a stable S-Index measure. The reproducibilities of the S-Index, MIP obtained with SM, and MIP obtained with TRFL were similar. IMPACT: TRFL is a feasible method to assess both MIP and the S-index as measures of inspiratory muscle strength in patients with HF and can be used for inspiratory muscle training, making the combined testing and training capabilities important in both clinical research and the management of patients with HF.

Family COVID-19 cluster analysis of an infant without respiratory symptoms.

Diagnosing cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with only non-respiratory symptoms has been challenging. We reported the diagnosis of a child who tested positive for COVID-19 with abdominal pain/diarrhea and tracked his family cluster. One member of the family tested positive for COVID-19 on real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay and three other family members had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Competências comuns para a prática interprofissional no cuidado às pessoas em situação de violência sexual / Common skills for the interprofessional practice in care for people in sexual violence

Resumo Introdução: A violência sexual é um grave problema na sociedade brasileira cujas repercussões no âmbito da saúde pública tornam imperativa a abordagem dessa questão no contexto da formação das suas profissões. Igualmente, a integralidade do cuidado destinado às pessoas em situação de violência sexual requer a atuação conjunta de diversas profissões, além da integração em rede e articulação de diferentes equipamentos sociais. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo reconhecer quais competências - entendidas como o conjunto de conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes - são necessárias para o desenvolvimento do cuidado integral destinado às pessoas em situação de violência sexual, segundo os melhores padrões de qualidade e segurança para a saúde delas. Método: Realizou-se um estudo qualitativo de caráter exploratório e descritivo que envolveu a aplicação de um formulário prévio sobre os conhecimentos acerca das competências, seguido da dinâmica da construção da figura humana, que consiste na confecção de um boneco no qual os conhecimentos estariam representados pela cabeça, as habilidades pelos membros e as atitudes pelo corpo, na realização de uma oficina com 76 participantes de diferentes profissões. Adicionalmente, aplicou-se um questionário a 32 profissionais com reconhecida expertise na área de violência sexual e com experiência prática no atendimento às pessoas nessa situação. Foi empregada a análise temática categorial. Resultado: Identificaram-se desafios a serem superados nas três dimensões constituintes das competências, com nítida deficiência de conhecimentos para a atuação em rede visando à efetividade e à integralidade do cuidado. Reconheceram-se 15 competências comuns aos profissionais que lidam com a violência, e o produto final foi representado num infográfico de disposição radial com a organização dos conhecimentos, das habilidades e das atitudes identificados como necessários para o desenvolvimento de tais competências. Conclusão: Reconhecer competências comuns e identificar, separadamente, quais conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes as constituem representa estratégias promotoras da abordagem transversal desses conteúdos na formação das profissões, sobretudo da saúde. A proposição de uma matriz de competências comuns para prática interprofissional no cuidado destinado às pessoas em situação de violência sexual pode orientar a qualificação desse cuidado e alicerçar a interprofissionalidade em cenários cruciais de atuação coletiva para o enfrentamento da flagrante injustiça social que a violência sexual significa.

Abstract Introduction: Sexual violence is a serious problem in Brazilian society whose repercussions on public health make it imperative to address this issue in the context of training in professions. Likewise, comprehensive care for people in situations of sexual violence requires the joint action of different professions, in addition to network integration and articulation of different social facilities. Objective: This study aimed to reflect which competencies - understood as the set of knowledge, skills and attitudes - are permitted for the development of comprehensive care for people in situations of sexual violence, according to the best standards of quality and health safety they. Method: A qualitative study of an exploratory and descriptive nature was carried out, which involved the application of a preliminary form on knowledge about skills, followed by the dynamics of the construction of the human figure, which consists of manufacturing a doll in which the knowledge would be represented by the head, by the skills of the members and by the attitudes of the body, in the creation of an office with 76 participants from different professions. Furthermore, a questionnaire was administered to 32 professionals with experience in the area of sexual violence and with practical experience in caring for people in this situation. Categorical thematic analysis was used. Result: Result: Challenges were identified to be overcome in the three dimensions that constitute competencies, with a clear lack of knowledge for working in a network aiming at the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of care. 15 competencies common to professionals who deal with violence were recognized, and the final product was represented in a radially arranged infographic with the organization of knowledge, skills and attitudes identified as necessary for the development of such competencies. Conclusion: Recognizing common competencies and identifying, separately, which knowledge, skills and attitudes constitute them represent strategies that promote a transversal approach to these contents in the training of professions, especially in health. Proposing a matrix of common competencies for interprofessional practice in care for people in situations of sexual violence can guide the qualification of this care and support interprofessionality in crucial scenarios of collective action to combat the blatant social injustice that sexual violence means.