To present the results of occupational radiation doses investigated through a national survey promoted by the National Society of Interventional Radiology in Spain.
The monthly dosimetric records of ...28 interventional radiologists from 10 hospitals were analyzed and filtered to remove inconsistent dosimeter readings. The evaluation of the results includes different workloads as well as different radiation protection habits.
Poor use of personal dosimetry by some interventional radiologists was brought to light. Most professionals do not use an over-apron dosimeter as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Ceiling-suspended protective screens are used irregularly in many cases. All interventionalists perform digital subtraction angiographic imaging from a control room in more than 80% of procedures. The maximum monthly doses recorded were 3.8 mSv under the apron, 20.2 mSv over the apron, and 63.1 mSv to the hands.
For under-apron and hand readings, extrapolated median values were below 30% of annual dose limits, but in the case of over-apron readings, the extrapolated median dose was higher than the newly recommended limit for the eye lens of 20 mSv per year. This study mainly highlights the need to use radiation protection tools and personal dosimeters to protect staff and monitor eye lens doses.
Ethanol increases iron absorption. Therefore, increased amount of iron reaches the liver, and exerts pro-oxidant effects and stimulates ferritin synthesis and hepatic stellate cell activation, ...promoting fibrosis and inflammation. These mechanisms would theoretically support a role of ferritin as a marker of the transition to liver cirrhosis, and, consequently, as a prognostic factor, but there is controversy regarding its behavior in alcoholics. We analyzed among 238 severe alcoholics the prognostic value of iron, ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation index (TSI) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and the relationships of these variables with liver function, proinflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α), and the presence of cirrhosis. Patients showed higher serum ferritin (
Z
= 2.50,
p
= 0.031) but lower transferrin (
t
(264) = 4.81,
p
< 0.001), TIBC (
t
(262) = 4.44,
p
< 0.001), and iron (
Z
= 3.19,
p
= 0.001) values compared with 32 age- and sex-matched controls. Ferritin was related to inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 (
ρ
= 0.18,
p
= 0.012) and to IL-6 (
ρ
= 0.16,
p
= 0.016), but not to liver function. On the contrary, cirrhotics showed lower transferrin (
t
(234) = 4.77,
p
< 0.001) and TIBC (
t
(232) = 4.67,
p
< 0.001), but higher TSI (
Z
= 3.35,
p
< 0.001) than non-cirrhotics. Transferrin, TSI, and TIBC were related to liver function impairment (marked differences among the Child’s groups regarding transferrin (KW (2) = 22.83,
p
< 0.001), TSI (KW (2) = 15.81,
p
< 0.001), and TIBC (KW (2) = 21.38,
p
< 0.001) but only weakly to inflammation (inverse relationships between IL-6 and total iron (
ρ
= − 0.16,
p
= 0.017), TIBC (
ρ
= − 0.20,
p
= 0.002), and transferrin (
ρ
= − 0.20,
p
= 0.003). In accordance, albumin, IL-6, alcohol quitting, and TSI, in this order, were independently related to mortality, but not ferritin or iron.
Terrestrial gamma absorbed dose rates as well as spatial distribution of gamma-emitting radionuclides 40K, 226Ra and 232Th and 137Cs in soils, are provided in detail for the first time in the Western ...Canary Islands.
The distribution of terrestrial gamma absorbed dose rates and the activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th are discussed with respect to the main lithologies and geological features of each island. The average terrestrial absorbed dose rate (71.4 nGy·h−1) reported here was slightly higher to previously reported values for the Eastern islands of this archipelago (43 nGy·h−1) and close to the world's average (59 nGy·h−1).
Relatively high 137Cs activity concentrations, up to 100 Bq·kg−1, were measured in some of the collected samples. To understand the origin of these activities, we compared the results from two different field surveys performed in 1991 and in 2013. The activity concentrations were found to be rather similar despite the 22 years gap between the measurements. Complementary radiometric data from aerosol samples collected at this site show that there are additional contributions of 137Cs to this site produced by the deposition of dust particles brought by Saharan dust storms.
In terms of radiological risk, the gamma absorbed doses reported (external exposure) pose no risk to the local population. However, the contribution of the soil 137Cs activity concentrations to the gamma absorbed dose were as high as 50% in some few locations.
Display omitted
•The spatial distribution of gamma radionuclides in 4 volcanic islands was determined.•Natural radionuclides in soils were compared against the main geological features.•137Cs in collected soil samples was compared with other sites in Europe.•137Cs has not decreased in a period of 22 years due to African dust intrusions.•Absorbed doses were linked with the concentrations of gamma radionuclides in soils.
Hospitals and healthcare centers are experiencing a remarkable implementation of new systems based on wireless communications technologies. Many of these systems provide location services and ...identification of materials, instrumentation and even patients, which promotes the increase of the quality and the efficiency of healthcare. A tracking system based on short-range radio frequency, UHF-RFID is evaluated. This system helps with location of orthopedic prosthesis according to the criteria and requirements of a specific hospital environment. It is characterized the influence of UHF-RFID system in the electromagnetic environment by measuring the parameters and characteristics of the emission levels. The results of the assessment are represented through 2D contour maps and simulations have been performed by means of an in-house 3D-RL algorithm. The proposed graph aims to provide a methodology of studying the electromagnetic environments and the evaluation of the safety conditions of workers, patients, and people in general. E field exposure levels due to the RFID localization system were analyzed in order to verify regulations concerning the safety of patients and the general public in the labor and healthcare fields. Localized electromagnetic field exposure at levels which may cause electromagnetic hazards in the specific healthcare environment have been found and potentially excessive exposure to EMF emitted by UHF RFID devices may apply to patients or bystanders. In all cases, insufficient electromagnetic immunity of electronic devices (including AIMD and other medical devices) should be considered and the electromagnetic hazards may be limited also by relevant preventive measures, as also shown in this paper, together with the principles of an in-situ evaluation of electromagnetic hazards near the UHF-RFID devices.
Update of diuretics in the treatment of hypertension Padilla, María Cristina Armas; Armas-Hernández, María José; Hernández, Rafael Hernández ...
American journal of therapeutics,
2007 Mar-Apr, Letnik:
14, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Diuretics, which are primarily used to modify the volume and the composition of body fluids, are widely used to treat hypertension. The diuretics include a) the thiazides and thiazide-like agents, ...which are the most common drugs used to treat high blood pressure (these drugs inhibit sodium reabsorption in the early distal convoluted tubule); b) loop diuretics, such as furosemide, block chloride and sodium reabsorption by inhibition of the Na/K/2Cl cotransport system in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle; and c) potassium-sparing (retaining) diuretics, including aldosterone receptor blockers (such as spironolactone and eplerenone) and epithelial sodium channel blockers (such as amiloride and triamterene, which interfere with the reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium and hydrogen that takes place in the late distal tubule, the connecting tubule, and the cortical collecting duct). Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg once daily or equivalent low dosages of other similar agents reduce blood pressure in approximately one-half to two-thirds of patients who are responsive to this class of drugs; higher doses add little to the effect on blood pressure and also increase side effects. Some combinations of very small doses of thiazide diuretics - for example, 6.25 mg hydrochlorothiazide or 0.625 mg indapamide, with a low dose of an antihypertensive drug of a different class - have average antihypertensive efficacy when used once daily. Furosemide is used in patients with renal failure or severe heart failure and is best given by continuous intravenous infusion. The potassium-sparing diuretics are generally used in combination with thiazide diuretics to treat hypertension. Side effects occur at about the same frequency and severity with equipotent doses of all diuretics. The incidence of side effects is dose-dependent and also increases as a function of the duration of the renal excretory and antihypertensive actions. However, longer-acting diuretics provide better 24-hour control of blood pressure and increase compliance and adherence to the treatment regimen.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the most common genetic disorder associated with premature coronary artery disease due to the presence of LDL-C cholesterol increased from birth. It is ...underdiagnosed and undertreated. The primary objective of the ARIAN project was to determine the number of patients diagnosed with FH after implementing a new screening procedure from the laboratory.
This project was designed as a retrospective analysis by consulting the computer system. We selected from databases serum samples from patients ≥ 18 years with direct or calculated LDL-C>250mg/dL from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018. Once secondary causes had been ruled out, the requesting primary care physician was notified that their patient might have FH and to arrange a priority appointment in the lipid unit. All patients with a score of ≥ 6 points according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Criteria were proposed for a genetic study RESULTS: By December 30th, 2020, 24 centres out of the initial 55 had submitted results. The number of patients analysed up to that point was 3,266,341, which represents 34% of the population served in those health areas (9,727,434).
The identification of new subjects with FH through this new strategy from the laboratory and their referral to lipid units should increase the number of patients treated in lipid units and initiate familial cascade screening.
Cardiovascular diseases constitute the main morbidity and mortality cause of death worldwide. The best tool to set priorities in primary cardiovascular prevention is the precise estimation of the ...global cardiovascular risk. This work was aimed at explaining the predictive value for cardiovascular diseases, for which a documentary review of a total of 27 bibliographic sources was done. Among these 26 international impact articles from journals and a thesis, among other sources were reviewed, to which it was accessed through the main information managers. Risk mobility prediction has been an essential element in preventive clinical guidelines for these diseases and has become a useful tool for the family doctor, to set priorities in primary health care, which will allow making progress in studying complex associations that may impact cardiovascular risk.
To evaluate the overall survival rate and renal function in our series after radical nephrectomy (RN) and partial nephrectomy (PN) in renal tumors in an early stage.
We retrospectively reviewed the ...medical records of 229 patients who underwent RN or PN for renal cancer T1-T2N0M0 in our center between 1995 and 2015. We described demographic factors, first symptom, TNM, histology, post-surgery data, recurrence rate and renal function. We utilized Fisher test, Chi square test and T-Student and we considered statistical significance when p<0.05.
203 patients underwent RN and 26 PN. 39.4% of the tumors who received RN were T1bN0M0 and 76.92% of PN were T1aN0M0. We report nine complications grade II of modified Clavien System for RN and only one grade I for PN. We detected an 11.3% recurrence in RN and none in PN. 66%of patients from RN are alive today, 12.81% died as result of renal cancer and 22.7% suffered a non-cancer-specific death. No deaths were observed in PN group. We observed similar mean preoperative serum creatinine (Cr) in both groups. Creatinine after the first post-operative month was 1.81mg/dL and 1.06mg/dL for RN and PN, respectively; At one year post-operative we registered Cr 1.82mg/dL and Cr 0.97mg/dL, respectively.
Both methods provide excellent oncologic results for renal carcinoma in an early stage. PN is safe and reduces the incidence of renal dysfunction with a lower rate of non-cancer-specific death.
Background: several studies show the influence of physical activity as a protective factor of the cardiovascular system. New evidence forcorroborating this are needed to ensure the prevention of ...cardiovascular disease.
Objective: to determine the relationship between cardiovascular hyperactivity, physical activity and some homodynamic and anthropometric variables in normotensive individuals.
Methods: a descriptive correlational cross-sectional study was conducted. The universe of the study consisted of the population between 15 and 74 of the municipality of Cienfuegos in 2010, the sample was 644. The variables were considered: sex, skin colour, age, height, weight, index of body mass, abdominal waist, blood pressures: systolic, diastolic, average and differential (basal and sustained weight test) and physical activity. Pearson Chi- square test was calculated and t was applied for comparison of average independent samples with a significance level of p = 0,05. Prevalence ratios were determined with a confidence interval of 95 %.
Results: the prevalence of cardiovascular hyperactivity was higher in the group of 65-74 years and males. Cardiovascular hyperactives showed values of the average hemodynamic variables studied cardiovascular over normoreactive. There is an association between physical activity and better cardiovascular response in normal weight individuals.
Conclusions: there is an association between increased blood pressure and obesity in cardiovascular hyperactivity. Physical activity is associated with cardiovascular normoreactivity in normal weight.
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