Impact of a simulator-based training program on the success rate of external cephalic version.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the success and complication rates of external cephalic version before and after the implementation of a simulator-based training program at a tertiary care university centre with a dedicated external cephalic version team. STUDY DESIGN: In this single-center intervention study, the success rate and the complication rates of external cephalic version in the two years before the implementation of a simulation-based training program for all specialists and residents, were compared with the two years following the event. T- student, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests were used. All data were extracted from the hospital's electronic patient records. RESULTS: A total of 96 external cephalic versions were performed in the 2 years before the training program, and 74 after the training program. The overall success rates were similar between the two groups: 44.8 % before training and 43.2 % after training (p = 0.824). No major complications occurred, and no emergency cesarean deliveries were performed in either period. CONCLUSION: In a tertiary care university training center with a dedicated team in external cephalic version, a structured simulation-based training program did not impact the success rate or the complication rates of the procedure.

Optimization of high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing: an assessment of PCR pooling, mastermix use and contamination.

16S rRNA gene sequencing is widely used to characterize human and environmental microbiomes. Sequencing at scale facilitates better powered studies but is limited by cost and time. We identified two areas in our 16S rRNA gene library preparation protocol where modifications could provide efficiency gains, including (1) pooling of multiple PCR amplifications per sample to reduce PCR drift and (2) manual preparation of mastermix to reduce liquid handling. Using nasal samples from healthy human participants and a serially diluted mock microbial community, we compared alpha and beta diversity, and compositional abundance where the PCR amplification was conducted in triplicate, duplicate or as a single reaction, and where manually prepared or premixed mastermix was used. One hundred and fifty-eight 16S rRNA gene sequencing libraries were prepared, including a replicate experiment. Comparing PCR pooling strategies, we found no significant difference in high-quality read counts and alpha diversity, and beta diversity by Bray-Curtis index clustered by replicate on principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and non-metric dimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis. Choice of mastermix had no significant impact on high-quality read and alpha diversity, and beta diversity by Bray-Curtis index clustered by replicate in PCoA and NMDS analysis. Importantly, we observed contamination and variability of rare species (<0.01 %) across replicate experiments; the majority of contaminants were accounted for by removal of species present at <0.1 %, or were linked to reagents (including a primer stock). We demonstrate no requirement for pooling of PCR amplifications or manual preparation of PCR mastermix, resulting in a more efficient 16S rRNA gene PCR protocol.

Prophylaxis of Infective Endocarditis: A Cross Sectional Survey among Physician Members of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology.

INTRODUCTION: In the last decade, the downgrading of indications for antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis caused an uncertain impact on the incidence of this condition. Since no data is available on the practice of infective endocarditis prophylaxis in Portugal, we aimed to characterize the pattern of antibiotic use for infective endocarditis prophylaxis and the compliance/awareness of scientific guidelines among physician members of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional observational study was conducted. An online self-completed questionnaire with 12 items on infective endocarditis prophylaxis was sent to 1330 physicians, specialists and residents, members of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. In addition, descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-three valid questionnaires were responded. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents were cardiologists (specialists or residents), mostly between 30 and 40 years old (26.7%) and 50 to 80 years old (44.3%). The majority (83.0%) follow the European scientific guidelines. Still, 61.0% had or may have had doubts regarding prophylaxis of infective endocarditis in certain patients. Variable adherence to scientific guidelines was noted. Further scientific evidence was required by 60.6% of respondents. CONCLUSION: Infective endocarditis prophylaxis was generally guided by European scientific guidelines among physicians of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. There was, however, an evident discrepancy between the guidelines and real-world perception of the risk of infective endocarditis. This highlights the sensed gap in accessing more robust scientific evidence.

Introdução: Na última década, a restrição das indicações para a profilaxia antibiótica na endocardite infeciosa teve um impacto incerto na incidência desta condição. Uma vez que não existem dados sobre a prática da profilaxia da endocardite infeciosa em Portugal, procurámos caracterizar o padrão de utilização antibiótica para a profilaxia da endocardite infeciosa e a conformidade/sensibilização das orientações científicas entre médicos, membros da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Material e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal. Um questionário online de autopreenchimento com 12 itens sobre profilaxia da endocardite infeciosa foi enviado a 1330 médicos, especialistas e internos, sócios da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Foi realizada uma análise estatística descritiva. Resultados: Foram validados 253 questionários respondidos. Oitenta e sete por cento dos inquiridos eram cardiologistas (especialistas ou internos), a maioria entre os 30 e os 40 anos (26,7%) e os 50 e 80 anos (44,3%). A maior parte (83,0%) segue as orientações científicas europeias. Ainda assim, 61,0% admitiu ter ou poder ter dúvidas sobre a profilaxia da endocardite infeciosa em determinados doentes. Verificou-se uma adesão variável às orientações científicas. A necessidade de mais evidência científica foi defendida por 60,6% dos respondedores. Conclusão: Entre médicos da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia, a profilaxia da endocardite infeciosa foi geralmente orientada pelas orientações científicas europeias. Existiu, no entanto, uma evidente discrepância entre as orientações e a perceção do risco de endocardite infeciosa na prática clínica. Isto reforça a necessidade de acesso a dados científicos mais robustos.

Infective Endocarditis as the Cause of Death: A Populationbased Study in Portugal, from 2002 to 2018.

INTRODUCTION: Infective endocarditis presents a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Population-based studies addressing mortality caused by infective endocarditis in Portugal are scarce. We aimed to study deaths caused by Infective endocarditis, as well as corresponding demographics and temporal trends. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of all patients whose main cause of death was Infective endocarditis in Portugal from 2002 to 2018. The data was obtained from the national death certificate information system. RESULTS: In Portugal, 3634 people died from infective endocarditis throughout the 17-year study period - infective endocarditis specific mortality rate of 2.1 per 100 000 habitants. Of all deceased, 89% were at least 60 years old, and most were women (55%). Overall, 72% died in a healthcare institution. An annual 9% increase in the incidence death rate from Infective endocarditis was observed, with a significant upward trend during the colder months. DISCUSSION: In Portugal, mortality by infective endocarditis increased, mainly affecting older patients and women, and which can partially be explained by factors such as ageing of the population. The management of older patients with infective endocarditis is challenging as they present a higher number of comorbidities, more valvular heart disease and valve implants, invasive medical procedures and are less likely to undergo cardiac surgery. CONCLUSION: In addition to data on the evolution of demographics in Portugal, it is crucial to study the incidence of infective endocarditis over time to help explain these findings. The identification of factors that can be used to better model national health policies to improve clinical outcomes of infective endocarditis in Portugal is also required.

Introdução: A endocardite infeciosa apresenta uma taxa substancial de morbilidade e mortalidade. Estudos populacionais que abordam a mortalidade por endocardite infeciosa em Portugal são escassos. O nosso objetivo foi estudar as mortes causadas por endocardite infeciosa e os dados demográficos e tendências temporais correspondentes. Material e Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospetivo de todos os doentes cuja causa de óbito foi endocardite infeciosa em Portugal entre 2002 e 2018. Os dados foram obtidos no sistema nacional de informação de certificados de óbito. Resultados: Em Portugal, 3634 pessoas morreram de endocardite infeciosa ao longo de um período de 17 anos - taxa de mortalidade específica da endocardite infeciosa de 2,1 por 100 000 habitantes. De todos os falecidos, 89% tinham pelo menos 60 anos, a maior parte dos quais do género feminino (55%) e morreram por endocardite infeciosa. Globalmente, 72% morreram numa instituição de saúde. Foi demonstrado um aumento anual de 9% na taxa de mortalidade por endocardite infeciosa, com uma tendência ascendente significativa nos meses mais frios. Discussão: Em Portugal, a mortalidade por endocardite infeciosa aumentou, afetando principalmente doentes mais idosos e mulheres, o que pode ser parcialmente explicado pelo envelhecimento da população. O manejo de doentes idosos com endocardite infeciosa é exigente, pois apresentam maior número de comorbidades, mais valvulopatia e próteses valvulares, procedimentos médicos invasivos e menor probabilidade de serem submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca. Conclusão: Para além dos dados sobre a evolução demográfica de Portugal, é indispensável rever a incidência da endocardite infeciosa e a sua tendência, de forma a melhor interpretar estes resultados. É fundamental identificar indicadores que possam ser usados para melhor modelar as políticas nacionais de saúde, de forma a melhorar os resultados clínicos na endocardite infeciosa no nosso país.

The burden of infective endocarditis in Portugal in the last 30 years - a systematic review of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION: Infective endocarditis affects cardiac valves or devices and has a potentially uncertain prognosis. Little information is available on the epidemiology of this disease in Portugal. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of all evidence published in the last 30 years to assess epidemiological data in patients hospitalized with infective endocarditis in Portuguese hospital centers. METHODS: Extensive search of all published evidence using Medline, Scopus, general search databases and in addition Portuguese medical journals was performed. All relevant studies in Portuguese or English that reported short- or long-term mortality were included. RESULTS: Eighteen retrospective cohort studies (15 medical and three surgical series) were included with a total of 1872 patients assessed. The medical series included 1279 patients. Older males with predominant native left heart valve involvement were identified. Staphylococcus and streptococcus were the most frequent reported pathogens. Surgical intervention was performed on average in 29.8% of cases. The short-term mortality rate ranged from three to 37.2% (average 21.9%). Surgical cases involved older males with affected native left heart valves, emergent/urgent indication was dominant and short-term mortality ranged from 13.6 to 16%. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides a descriptive analysis of the published series of infective endocarditis in Portugal over the last 30 years. Therefore, it may serve as a starting point for the development and implementation of a multicentric prospective registry on infective endocarditis patients in Portugal that will allow a better and more accurate characterization of this special patient population.

Uterine cavity embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare solid tumor in childhood and adolescence. The higher incidence is predominant during the first two decades of life. According to the Intergroup RMS Study Group, the embryonal RMS (ERMS), botryoidal variant, constitutes a histological subtype characterized as a "grape-like" lesion of 2.0 cm to 9.5 cm. The treatment involves chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. We present the case of a 14-year-old female patient diagnosed with ERMS, botryoidal variant, which originated in the uterine cervix with vaginal externalization. The initial therapeutic approach comprised an initial prolapsed mass excision followed by Wertheim-Meigs surgery due to the tumor extension. No consensual protocol to ERMS treatment is found in the medical literature; however, a combined approach seems to offer a better result. The postoperative time period was uneventful and the patient followed an adjuvant therapy with vincristine, d-actinomycin, and cyclophosphamide. A comprehensive evaluation of the therapeutic options preserving the reproductive function-unfortunately not always possible-is part of a multi-disciplined care team concerning the pediatric patients.