Consensus Document on Coding of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Examinations in Portugal

Um dos obstáculos a uma utilização mais frequente e apropriada da ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) em Portugal tem sido a ausência de códigos específicos que descrevam adequadamente os exames tal como são efetuados actualmente. Este documento de consenso fornece recomendações para a atualização e uniformização dos códigos empregues na RMC. São igualmente feitas recomendações quanto às técnicas e códigos a utilizar nas indicações clínicas mais frequentes

Salmonella sp. in pigs’ skin, external and internal carcass surface at slaughterhouse

Salmonella spp. is one of the major foodborne pathogen in Europe, being pork meat the second main vehicle of human infection. In this study it was analysed the occurrence of Salmonella spp. on pigs’ skin and in the respective carcasses surfaces (internal and external). For that, matched samples were collected in 120 animals. In each animal, sponge swabs were performed on the skin and in the corresponding carcass surfaces (approximate area 1000 cm2). A total of 360 samples were microbiologically analyzed according to ISO 6579. Salmonella isolates (45) were serotype by Kauffmann-White scheme at the National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella in Portugal. The main serotype identified was the monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium: S. 4,[5],12:i:- (46.7%), followed by S. Rissen (42.2%) and S. Derby (11.1%). The highest value of Salmonella occurrence was observed in pigs’ skin (29.2%; 35/120) underlining its importance as a potential source of Salmonella contamination to slaughterhouse. Nevertheless, since from these 34 pigs, only 2 presented this bacteria in the respective carcass external surface, the achieved results minimizes its importance for the direct contamination of the respective carcass. Salmonella sp. occurred more in the internal carcass surface (13.3 %; 16/120) than in the external (4.1%; 5/120) and, only in two cases, Salmonella sp. was simultaneously found in both carcass surfaces, equating different contamination sources. Curiously, S. 4,[5],12:i:-, a preoccupant serotype, was only identified in the pigs’ skin (12/34; 35.3%) and in the internal carcass surface (9/16; 56.3%). In these pigs, 4 presented simultaneously this serotype in both matched samples. This study suggest that more attention should be dedicated the skin as an important source of Salmonella contamination and to the internal carcass surface, which analysis is not under mandatory control defined in the Commission Regulation 2073⁄2005

Documento de consenso sobre codificação de exames de ressonância magnética cardíaca em Portugal

One of the obstacles to more frequent and appropriate use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in Portugal has been the lack of specific codes that accurately describe these examinations as they are currently performed. In this consensus document, recommendations are made for updating and standardizing CMR codes in Portugal. Guidance on which techniques and codes should be used in the most common clinical scenarios is also provided

Prosociality in business: a human empowerment framework

This study introduces a human empowerment framework to better understand why some businesses are more socially oriented than others in their policies and activities. Building on Welzel’s theory of emancipation, we argue that human empowerment—comprised of four components: action resources, emancipative values, social movement activity, and civic entitlements—enables, motivates, and entitles individuals to pursue social goals for their businesses. Using a sample of over 15,000 entrepreneurs from 43 countries, we report strong empirical evidence for two ecological effects of the framework components on prosociality. We find that human empowerment (1) lifts entrepreneurs’ willingness to choose a social orientation for their business, and (2) reinforces the gender effect on prosociality in business activity. We discuss the human empowerment framework’s added value in understanding how modernization processes fully leverage the potential of social business activities for societies

High resolution sagittal T2 in the study of the female pelvis by MRI: comparative study of motion-artifact reduction techniques

The high contrast resolution, possibility of tissue characterization, multiplanar imaging, lack of ionizing radiation and the increasing availability of scanners, made MRI an important tool in female pelvis diagnostic, specifically in ovarian and uterine pathology. Fasting, empty bladder and compression by a pelvic band, reduce the movement and phase artifacts caused by peristaltic movements of the intestine and other organs (fig.1), as well as pelvic respiratory artifacts. However, other resources, such as the intravenous administration of anti-spasmodic drugs (glucagon or hyoscine butyl-bromide) are often required to increase imaging quality, and its routine application is often recommended . These drugs have few contraindications, such as glaucoma and myasthenia gravis, and low incidence of allergic reactions. The most common side effect is blurred vision, which occurs in about 10 % of the patients and is reversible in 30-45 minutes. The majority of modern MRI scanners include advances in image acquisition, such as the sequences PROPPLER / BLADE (General Electric and Siemens terms, respectively). These sequences have a radial k-space sampling concept with parallel data lines rotating around the k-space center, which allows spatial inconsistencies. Data indicating through-plane motion based on correlation measurement are rejected. Motion artifacts are further reduced through averaging in low spatial frequencies. Thus, considering the side effects that antispasmodic drugs can provoke, and the existence of modern scanners with advanced acquisition techniques that minimize movement artifacts, the aim of our study was to compare image quality, anatomic detail and presence of artifacts on high resolution sagittal T2-turbo-spin-echo (TSE), T2-TSE-BLADE and on T2-TSE after intravenous administration of an antispasmodic drug, hereby referred as T2-TSE-iv, in the female pelvic MRI study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prognostic utility and characterization of left ventricular hypertrophy using global thickness

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can accurately measure left ventricular (LV) mass, and several measures related to LV wall thickness exist. We hypothesized that prognosis can be used to select an optimal measure of wall thickness for characterizing LV hypertrophy. Subjects having undergone CMR were studied (cardiac patients, n = 2543; healthy volunteers, n = 100). A new measure, global wall thickness (GT, GTI if indexed to body surface area) was accurately calculated from LV mass and end-diastolic volume. Among patients with follow-up (n = 1575, median follow-up 5.4 years), the most predictive measure of death or hospitalization for heart failure was LV mass index (LVMI) (hazard ratio (HR)[95% confidence interval] 1.16[1.12–1.20], p < 0.001), followed by GTI (HR 1.14[1.09–1.19], p < 0.001). Among patients with normal findings (n = 326, median follow-up 5.8 years), the most predictive measure was GT (HR 1.62[1.35–1.94], p < 0.001). GT and LVMI could characterize patients as having a normal LV mass and wall thickness, concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy, or eccentric hypertrophy, and the three abnormal groups had worse prognosis than the normal group (p < 0.05 for all). LV mass is highly prognostic when mass is elevated, but GT is easily and accurately calculated, and adds value and discrimination amongst those with normal LV mass (early disease)

The Amphibian Genomics Consortium: advancing genomic and genetic resources for amphibian research and conservation

Amphibians represent a diverse group of tetrapods, marked by deep divergence times between their three systematic orders and families. Studying amphibian biology through the genomics lens increases our understanding of the features of this animal class and that of other terrestrial vertebrates. The need for amphibian genomic resources is more urgent than ever due to the increasing threats to this group. Amphibians are one of the most imperiled taxonomic groups, with approximately 41% of species threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, changes in land use patterns, disease, climate change, and their synergistic efects. Amphibian genomic resources have provided a better understanding of ontogenetic diversity, tissue regeneration, diverse life history and reproductive modes, anti-predator strategies, and resilience and adaptive responses. They also serve as essential models for studying broad genomic traits, such as evolutionary genome expansions and contractions, as they exhibit the widest range of genome sizes among all animal taxa and possess multiple mechanisms of genetic sex determination. Despite these features, genome sequencing of amphibians has signifcantly lagged behind that of other vertebrates, primarily due to the challenges of assembling their large, repeat-rich genomes and the relative lack of societal support. The emergence of long-read sequencing technologies, combined with advanced molecular and computational techniques

The Amphibian Genomics Consortium: advancing genomic and genetic resources for amphibian research and conservation

Amphibians represent a diverse group of tetrapods, marked by deep divergence times between their three systematic orders and families. Studying amphibian biology through the genomics lens increases our understanding of the features of this animal class and that of other terrestrial vertebrates. The need for amphibian genomic resources is more urgent than ever due to the increasing threats to this group. Amphibians are one of the most imperiled taxonomic groups, with approximately 41% of species threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, changes in land use patterns, disease, climate change, and their synergistic effects. Amphibian genomic resources have provided a better understanding of ontogenetic diversity, tissue regeneration, diverse life history and reproductive modes, anti-predator strategies, and resilience and adaptive responses. They also serve as essential models for studying broad genomic traits, such as evolutionary genome expansions and contractions, as they exhibit the widest range of genome sizes among all animal taxa and possess multiple mechanisms of genetic sex determination. Despite these features, genome sequencing of amphibians has significantly lagged behind that of other vertebrates, primarily due to the challenges of assembling their large, repeat-rich genomes and the relative lack of societal support. The emergence of long-read sequencing technologies, combined with advanced molecular and computational techniques that improve scaffolding and reduce computational workloads, is now making it possible to address some of these challenges. To promote and accelerate the production and use of amphibian genomics research through international coordination and collaboration, we launched the Amphibian Genomics Consortium (AGC, https://mvs.unimelb.edu.au/amphibian-genomics-consortium) in early 2023. This burgeoning community already has more than 282 members from 41 countries. The AGC aims to leverage the diverse capabilities of its members to advance genomic resources for amphibians and bridge the implementation gap between biologists, bioinformaticians, and conservation practitioners. Here we evaluate the state of the field of amphibian genomics, highlight previous studies, present challenges to overcome, and call on the research and conservation communities to unite as part of the AGC to enable amphibian genomics research to “leap” to the next level

Salmonella sp. in pigs’ skin, external and internal carcass surface at slaughterhouse

Salmonella spp. is one of the major foodborne pathogen in Europe, being pork meat the second main vehicle of human infection. In this study it was analysed the occurrence of Salmonella spp. on pigs’ skin and in the respective carcasses surfaces (internal and external). For that, matched samples were collected in 120 animals. In each animal, sponge swabs were performed on the skin and in the corresponding carcass surfaces (approximate area 1000 cm2). A total of 360 samples were microbiologically analyzed according to ISO 6579. Salmonella isolates (45) were serotype by Kauffmann-White scheme at the National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella in Portugal. The main serotype identified was the monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium: S. 4,[5],12:i:- (46.7%), followed by S. Rissen (42.2%) and S. Derby (11.1%). The highest value of Salmonella occurrence was observed in pigs’ skin (29.2%; 35/120) underlining its importance as a potential source of Salmonella contamination to slaughterhouse. Nevertheless, since from these 34 pigs, only 2 presented this bacteria in the respective carcass external surface, the achieved results minimizes its importance for the direct contamination of the respective carcass. Salmonella sp. occurred more in the internal carcass surface (13.3 %; 16/120) than in the external (4.1%; 5/120) and, only in two cases, Salmonella sp. was simultaneously found in both carcass surfaces, equating different contamination sources. Curiously, S. 4,[5],12:i:-, a preoccupant serotype, was only identified in the pigs’ skin (12/34; 35.3%) and in the internal carcass surface (9/16; 56.3%). In these pigs, 4 presented simultaneously this serotype in both matched samples. This study suggest that more attention should be dedicated the skin as an important source of Salmonella contamination and to the internal carcass surface, which analysis is not under mandatory control defined in the Commission Regulation 2073⁄2005.</p