Fast left ventricle tracking in CMR images using localized anatomical affine optical flow

"Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging, vol. 16, nr. 41"In daily cardiology practice, assessment of left ventricular (LV) global function using non-invasive imaging remains central for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Despite the different methodologies currently accessible for LV segmentation in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images, a fast and complete LV delineation is still limitedly available for routine use. In this study, a localized anatomically constrained affine optical flow method is proposed for fast and automatic LV tracking throughout the full cardiac cycle in short-axis CMR images. Starting from an automatically delineated LV in the end-diastolic frame, the endocardial and epicardial boundaries are propagated by estimating the motion between adjacent cardiac phases using optical flow. In order to reduce the computational burden, the motion is only estimated in an anatomical region of interest around the tracked boundaries and subsequently integrated into a local affine motion model. Such localized estimation enables to capture complex motion patterns, while still being spatially consistent. The method was validated on 45 CMR datasets taken from the 2009 MICCAI LV segmentation challenge. The proposed approach proved to be robust and efficient, with an average distance error of 2.1 mm and a correlation with reference ejection fraction of 0.98 (1.9 ± 4.5%). Moreover, it showed to be fast, taking 5 seconds for the tracking of a full 4D dataset (30 ms per image). Overall, a novel fast, robust and accurate LV tracking methodology was proposed, enabling accurate assessment of relevant global function cardiac indices, such as volumes and ejection fraction.The authors acknowledge funding support from FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal, in the scope of the PhD grant SFRH/BD/93443/2013 and the project EXPL/BBB-BMD/2473/2013. D. Barbosa would also like to acknowledge the kind support of the Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento (FLAD), which has funded the travel costs for participation at SPIE Medical Imaging 2015.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Porous zirconia blocks for bone repair: an integrative review on biological and mechanical outcomes

The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review of the biological and mechanical outcomes of porous zirconia structures for extensive bone repair. An electronic search was performed on the PubMed database using a combination of the following scientific terms: porous, scaffold, foam, zirconia, bone regeneration, bone repair, bone healing. Articles published in the English language up to December 2021 and related to porosity, pore interconnectivity, biocompatibility and strength of the material, and the manufacturing methods of zirconia porous structures were included. Randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies were also evaluated. The research identified 145 studies, of which 23 were considered relevant. A high percentage of pores and the size and interconnectivity of pores are key factors for cell migration, attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. In addition, pore interconnectivity allows for the exchange of nutrients between cells and formation of blood vessels. However, a decrease in strength of the porous structures was noted with an increase in the number and size of pores. Therefore, yttria-stabilized zirconia tetragonal polycrystal (Y-TZP) has mechanical properties that make it suitable for the manufacture of highly porous structures or implants for extensive bone repair. Additionally, the porous structures can be coated with bioactive ceramics to enhance the cell response and bone ingrowth without compromising pore networking. Porous structures and mesh implants composed of zirconia have become a strategy for extensive bone repair since the material and the pore network provide the desired biological response and bone volume maintenance.This study was supported by the following FCT projects (Portugal): UID/EEA/04436/2013, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031035_LaserMULTICER, SFRH/BPD/123769/2016, and LIBPhys-FCT UID/ FIS/04559/2013. Also, it was supported by the following CNPq project (Brazil): CNPq/UNIVERSAL/ 421229/2018-7

Os profissionais de informação nos arquivos municipais em Portugal: identificação e caraterização

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Influence of seagrass meadows on nursery and fish provisioning ecosystem services delivered by Ria Formosa, a coastal lagoon in Portugal

This study is the first to evaluate the fish provisioning services of a whole transitional landscape (Ria Formosa lagoon, Portugal), in parallel with the enhancement of growth, survival and production of single cohorts of the most important commercial fish species by vegetated and unvegetated sub-tidal habitats. Based on monthly beach seine samples, total density and biomass of 96 species of fishes were 1.89 and 3.03 times greater in vegetated habitats than unvegetated habitats, respectively. Vegetated habitat enhanced survival in six of eight commercial species for which survival could be estimated in both habitats. The total production of all 12 commercially important species within vegetated habitat was approximately double that of unvegetated habitat, with production enhancement in 7 of 12 species ranging from 1.8 to 169-fold for the vegetated habitats. Within the lagoon, vegetated sub-tidal habitat covers an area 5-fold smaller than unvegetated habitat, yet it accounts for 27.1 % of fish production. Estimated total lifetime economic values of the single cohorts of the 12 commercial species were between 30 million and 59 million EUR. An exceptionally strong year class of the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a species with higher density and biomass in unvegetated habitat, accounts for the higher overall values per hectare for unvegetated habitat (Low natural mortality (M): EUR 32,844 ha-1; High M: EUR 16,751 ha-1) than for vegetated habitat (Low M: EUR 22,028 ha-1; High M: EUR 10,700 ha-1). These results highlight the enormous importance of temperate coastal lagoons as a nursery and source of recruits for coastal fisheries. Our evaluation of fish provisioning services based on data for individual cohorts of fish for a whole transitional landscape is a stronger and more valid approach for estimating future biomass and value than previous studies based on mean densities and biomasses of fish that did not distinguish between cohorts.ICTIORIA (Recruitment of sea breams) DG XIV C1/99/061; LA/P/0101/2020;info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efeito antimicrobiano e modulador do extrato hidroalcoólico de Genipa americana (Jenipapo)

Genipa americana, belonging to the family Rubiaceae, a large tree that is found in several areas of Brazil, popularly known as Jenipapeiro being used to combat liver and inflammatory diseases, and reduce cholesterol This study has as main objective to evaluate the phytochemical, antibacterial and modulatory prospection of the hydroalcoholic extract of the stem bark of Genipa americana against strains of standard and multiresistant bacteria. For the analysis of the antibacterial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract, the broth microdilution test was carried out to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the antimicrobial modulation by means of gentamicin, amikacin and clindamycin. The results obtained from the MIC by the bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were ≥ 1024 μg / mL. In the modulation modulation of the concentration of two antibiotics for each bacterial strain. Thus, it is a fact to conclude that this extract has remarkable modulatory activity, especially when tested against bacteria of clinical interest, such as P. aeruginosa, opportunistic bacteria, stressing that more research should be done on the potential of this species, which has important phytochemical compounds capable to reduce antimicrobial resistance.Genipa americana, pertencente à família Rubiaceae, árvore de grande porte que é encontrada em várias áreas do Brasil, popularmente conhecida como Jenipapeiro sendo utilizada para no combate à doenças hepáticas e inflamatórias, além de reduzir o colesterol. Este estudo tem como principal objetivo avaliar a prospecção fitoquímica, antibacteriana e modulatória do extrato hidroalcoólico da casca do caule de Genipa americana frente a cepas de bactérias padrões e multirresistentes. Para a análise da atividade antibacteriana do extrato hidroalcoólico, foi realizado o teste de microdiluição em caldo para determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM), e a modulação de antimicrobianos por meio de gentamicina, amicacina e clindamicina. Os resultados obtidos da CIM pelas bactérias Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa foram ≥ 1024µg/mL. Na modulação modificação da concentração de dois antibióticos para cada cepa bacteriana. Assim, é fato rematar que este extrato tem notável atividade moduladora principalmente quando testados contra bactérias de interesse clínico como a P. aeruginosa, bactérias oportunista, ressaltando que deve-se ser realizados mais estudo sobre o potencial desta espécie, que possui compostos fitoquímicos importantes capazes de reduzir a resistência a antimicrobianos

estudos artísticos

A revista de estudos artísticos GAMA encontra, neste terceiro número, um caminho mais definido dentro do projeto global da comunicação de artistas sobre as obras de outros artistas. A Revista GAMA percorre tradições, registos, ações e intervenções artísticas, que assinalaram diversos momentos, com diferentes graus de difusão. Visa-se resgatar, recuperar a arte: é voltar a olhar, pelo escopo particular de um artista, a intervenção de um outro artista, com algum tempo de intervalo entre ambos. Este intervalo é um tempo de sedimentação, de filtragem, ou de recuperação de valores quase esquecidos. O tempo pode fornecer um ponto de vista privilegiado que permite novas interpretações, valorizações, interligações. Permite-se a reativação, o restauro: restauro não no sentido material, mas no sentido da reapresentação do conteúdo possibilitando reforçar um “museu imaginário,” livre de fronteiras e de hierarquias estabelecidas (Malraux). Os objetos de arte anteriores podem ter originado, ou vir a originar, novas obras, na sequência imprevisível dos discursos humanos mais significativos, reagrupando-se em termos de “ação” ou de “orientação,” de “imagem” ou de “palavra,” (Warburg) permitindo “restituir ao discurso o caráter de acontecimento” (Foucault). Entre a história e a memória, o arquivo e a deriva, a viagem e a identidade, a permanência e a resistência, a Revista GAMA vem assinalando um percurso de salvaguarda, de marcação de registos, de preservação de uma riqueza, ora material ora conceptual: a arte detém-se e debruça-se sobre as suas marcas, os seus projetos, os seus registos, as suas transições. Debruçamo-nos sobre os homens.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Significance of glycolytic metabolism-related protein expression in colorectal cancer, lymph node and hepatic metastasis

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies and a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Most cancer cells display high rates of glycolysis with production of lactic acid, which is then exported to the microenvironment by monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). The main aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of MCT expression in a comprehensive series of primary CRC cases, lymph node and hepatic metastasis. Methods: Expressions of MCT1, MCT4, CD147 and GLUT1 were studied in human samples of CRC, lymph node and hepatic metastasis, by immunohistochemistry. Results: All proteins were overexpressed in primary CRC, lymph node and hepatic metastasis, when compared with non-neoplastic tissue, with exception of MCT1 in lymph node and hepatic metastasis. MCT1 and MCT4 expressions were associated with CD147 and GLUT1 in primary CRC. These markers were associated with clinical pathological features, reflecting the putative role of these metabolism-related proteins in the CRC setting. Conclusion: These findings provide additional evidence for the pivotal role of MCTs in CRC maintenance and progression, and support the use of MCTs as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in primary and metastatic CRC.This work was supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) grant ref. PTDC/SAU-FCF/104347/2008, under the scope of ‘Programa Operacional Temático Factores de Competitividade’ (COMPETE) of ‘Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III’ and co-financed by the Fundo Europeu De Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER). Ricardo Amorim was recipient of the fellowship SFRH/BD/98002/2013, from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT Portugal).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

COOPEDU IV — Cooperação e Educação de Qualidade

O quarto Congresso Internacional de Cooperação e Educação-IV COOPEDU, organizado pelo Centro de Estudos Internacionais (CEI) do Instituto Universitário de Lisboa e pela Escola Superior de Educação e Ciências Sociais do Instituto Politécnico de Leiria decorreu nos dias 8 e 9 de novembro de 2018, subordinado à temática Cooperação e Educação de Qualidade. Este congresso insere-se numa linha de continuidade de intervenção por parte das duas instituições organizadoras e dos elementos coordenadores e este ano beneficiou do financiamento do Instituto Camões, obtido através de um procedimento concursal, que nos permitiu contar com a participação presencial de elementos dos Países Africanos de Língua Portuguesa, fortemente implicados nas problemáticas da Educação e da Formação. Contou também com a participação do Instituto Camões e da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, entidades que sistematizaram a sua intervenção nos domínios da cooperação na área da educação nos últimos anos. A opção pela temática da qualidade pareceu aos organizadores pertinente e actual. Com efeito os sistemas educativos dos países que constituem a Comunidade de países de língua portuguesa têm implementado várias reformas mas em vários domínios mantem-se a insatisfação de responsáveis políticos, pedagogos, técnicos sociais face aos resultados obtidos. Aliás o caminho de procura da Qualidade é interminável porque vai a par da aposta na exigência e na promoção da cidadania e responsabilidade social. As comunicações que agora se publicam estão organizadas em dois eixos: o das Políticas da Educação e Formação e o das dimensões em que se traduzem essas políticas. Neste último eixo encontramos fios condutores para agregarmos as comunicações apresentadas