Genetic architecture of spatial electrical biomarkers for cardiac arrhythmia and relationship with cardiovascular disease.

The 3-dimensional spatial and 2-dimensional frontal QRS-T angles are measures derived from the vectorcardiogram. They are independent risk predictors for arrhythmia, but the underlying biology is unknown. Using multi-ancestry genome-wide association studies we identify 61 (58 previously unreported) loci for the spatial QRS-T angle (N = 118,780) and 11 for the frontal QRS-T angle (N = 159,715). Seven out of the 61 spatial QRS-T angle loci have not been reported for other electrocardiographic measures. Enrichments are observed in pathways related to cardiac and vascular development, muscle contraction, and hypertrophy. Pairwise genome-wide association studies with classical ECG traits identify shared genetic influences with PR interval and QRS duration. Phenome-wide scanning indicate associations with atrial fibrillation, atrioventricular block and arterial embolism and genetically determined QRS-T angle measures are associated with fascicular and bundle branch block (and also atrioventricular block for the frontal QRS-T angle). We identify potential biology involved in the QRS-T angle and their genetic relationships with cardiovascular traits and diseases, may inform future research and risk prediction

Evaluation of an educational technology regarding clinical evaluation of preterm newborns

AIM: To evaluate, from the students' point of view, educational software developed as a tool to help teachers and students in neonatal nursing. METHOD: The study evaluates the contents and simulations addressed in the software. A total of 57 undergraduate nursing students affiliated with five Brazilian public colleges participated. RESULTS: The general assessment of the software was highly satisfactory: 82.4% of the sample characterized the software as quite effective as a teaching tool. Most components were assessed as good or very good. The participants' suggestions and comments are being considered in the improvement and adaptation of the new software version. CONCLUSION: The results show that the product is adequate for use in neonatal nursing courses and nursing training on the physical examination techniques and semiology of preterm newborns, falling within the pedagogical framework of active methods

Diversity of sandflies (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) captured in sandstone caves from central amazonia, Brazil

In the present paper we describe the diversity of phlebotomine sandflies collected in three sandstone caves in the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, state of Amazonas, Brazil. The phlebotomines were captured during 2006 with CDC light traps. Guano samples from inside the Gruta Refúgio do Maruaga were collected to investigate the presence of immature specimens. A total of 2,160 adult phlebotomines representing 15 species were captured. Pintomyia pacae was the dominant species in Gruta dos Animais (1,723 specimens) and Gruta dos Lages (50 specimens) and Deanemyia maruaga new comb (280 specimens) was the dominant species in Gruta Refúgio do Maruaga. A total of 18 guano samples were collected and seven of these samples included immature specimens. A total of 507 immature specimens were captured; 495 of these specimens were larvae and 12 were pupae. The presence of paca (Agouti paca) footprints near Gruta dos Animais and Gruta dos Lages suggests the association of Pi. pacae with this rodent. This finding may explain the abundance of Pi. pacae in these locations, while the species is relatively rare in the forest. Deanemyia maruaga is a cave species that uses guano to breed during its immature stages. Adult specimens of this species are apparently parthenogenetic and autogenous and represent the second record of parthenogenesis for the subfamily Phlebotominae

Construção e validação de vídeo educativo para orientação de pais de crianças em cateterismo intermitente limpo

RESUMO Objetivo: Construir e validar vídeo educativo para orientação de pais de crianças em cateterismo intermitente limpo. Método: Estudo metodológico, desenvolvido em duas etapas: construção e validação de vídeo com juízes expertises no período de março a dezembro de 2016. A construção da tecnologia teve como referencial teórico a Teoria de Adaptação. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se do índice de correlação intraclasse. Resultados: A primeira versão do vídeo foi composta por 12 minutos, a validação indicou a substituição de termos técnicos por linguagem coloquial, dinamismo nos diálogos e menção à lavagem das mãos antes de reunir o material. No que se refere à confiabilidade total, o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse para todas as categorias avaliadas obteve o valor de 0,768, considerado razoável. Na avaliação de clareza de linguagem, pertinência à prática e relevância teórica, os resultados foram 0,745, 0,771 e 0,777, respectivamente, considerados razoáveis, com p<0,0001. Conclusão: O vídeo educativo mostrou-se válido quanto à aparência e ao conteúdo, com potencial para mediar práticas educativas em contexto hospitalar e ambulatorial