Predicting post-discharge complications in cardiothoracic surgery: A clinical decision support system to optimize remote patient monitoring resources.

Cardiac surgery patients are highly prone to severe complications post-discharge. Close follow-up through remote patient monitoring can help detect adverse outcomes earlier or prevent them, closing the gap between hospital and home care. However, equipment is limited due to economic and human resource constraints. This issue raises the need for efficient risk estimation to provide clinicians with insights into the potential benefit of remote monitoring for each patient. Standard models, such as the EuroSCORE, predict the mortality risk before the surgery. While these are used and validated in real settings, the models lack information collected during or following the surgery, determinant to predict adverse outcomes occurring further in the future. This paper proposes a Clinical Decision Support System based on Machine Learning to estimate the risk of severe complications within 90 days following cardiothoracic surgery discharge, an innovative objective underexplored in the literature. Health records from a cardiothoracic surgery department regarding 5 045 patients (60.8% male) collected throughout ten years were used to train predictive models. Clinicians' insights contributed to improving data preparation and extending traditional pipeline optimization techniques, addressing medical Artificial Intelligence requirements. Two separate test sets were used to evaluate the generalizability, one derived from a patient-grouped 70/30 split and another including all surgeries from the last available year. The achieved Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve on these test sets was 69.5% and 65.3%, respectively. Also, additional testing was implemented to simulate a real-world use case considering the weekly distribution of remote patient monitoring resources post-discharge. Compared to the random resource allocation, the selection of patients with respect to the outputs of the proposed model was proven beneficial, as it led to a higher number of high-risk patients receiving remote monitoring equipment.

Trajetorias: a dataset of environmental, epidemiological, and economic indicators for the Brazilian Amazon.

The Trajetorias dataset is a harmonized set of environmental, epidemiological, and poverty indicators for all municipalities of the Brazilian Legal Amazon (BLA). This dataset is the result of a scientific synthesis research initiative conducted by scientists from several natural and social sciences fields, consolidating multidisciplinary indicators into a coherent dataset for integrated and interdisciplinary studies of the Brazilian Amazon. The dataset allows the investigation of the association between the Amazonian agrarian systems and their impacts on environmental and epidemiological changes, furthermore enhancing the possibilities for understanding, in a more integrated and consistent way, the scenarios that affect the Amazonian biome and its inhabitants.

[Ethnic and racial iniquities in infant mortality: implications of changes in recording color/race in national health information systems in Brazil]. / Iniquidades étnico-raciais na mortalidade infantil: implicações de mudanças do registro de cor/raça nos sistemas nacionais de informação em saúde no Brasil.

This descriptive study aimed to discuss the repercussions of the change in the methodology for recording the color/race variable in the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC) on infant mortality rates (IMR) according to color/race in Brazil. Annual variations were analyzed in the rates of live births and infant deaths according to color/race from 2009 to 2017. The IMR according to color/race were estimated using three strategies: (1) direct method; (2) for every year, setting the same proportions of live births by color/race as observed in 2009; and (3) for every year, setting the same proportions of deaths by color/race as observed in 2009. The strategies aimed to explore the single effect of the variations in the proportions of live births or of deaths according to color/race on the estimated IMR before and after the change in the color/race variable in the SINASC database. Between 2011 and 2012 (the year of the change in the color/race variable in SINASC), there was a sudden increase in birthdates with black, brown, and indigenous color/race, along with a reduction in birthdates with white color/race, without no corresponding variations in deaths. The increase of more socially vulnerable color/race categories in the IMR denominator resulted in the attenuation of IMR for black and indigenous infants and in an increase in the IMR for white infants and consequently an artificial reduction in iniquities in infant mortality according to color/race. The change in the color/race variable in SINASC interrupted the historical series of live births by color/race, affecting indicators that potentially depend on these data for their calculation, in this case the IMR. The resulting argument is that infant mortality rates by color/race before versus after the change in the SINASC database are distinct and noncomparable indicators.

Trata-se de estudo descritivo que teve como objetivo discutir as repercussões da mudança na metodologia de coleta da variável cor/raça no Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) sobre as taxas de mortalidade infantil (TMI) segundo cor/raça no Brasil. Foram analisadas as variações anuais nas frequências de nascidos vivos e óbitos infantis por cor/raça entre 2009 e 2017. As TMI por cor/raça foram estimadas segundo três estratégias: (1) método direto; (2) fixando-se, em todos os anos, as proporções de nascidos vivos por cor/raça observadas em 2009; e (3) fixando-se, em todos os anos, as proporções de óbitos por cor/raça observadas em 2009. As estratégias visaram explorar o efeito isolado das variações nas proporções de nascidos vivos ou de óbitos por cor/raça sobre as estimativas de TMI antes e após a mudança da variável cor/raça no SINASC. De 2011 para 2012 (ano de mudança da variável cor/raça no SINASC), verificou-se súbito incremento das Declarações de Nascidos Vivos (DNV) de cor/raça preta, parda e indígena, acompanhado de redução de DNV de cor/raça branca, sem variações correspondentes nos óbitos. O incremento do denominador da TMI das categorias de cor/raça socialmente mais vulnerabilizadas resultou na atenuação das TMI de pretos e indígenas, no incremento da TMI de brancos e, consequentemente, na redução artificial das iniquidades na mortalidade infantil por cor/raça. A mudança da variável cor/raça no SINASC interrompeu a série histórica de nascidos vivos por cor/raça, afetando os indicadores que potencialmente dependem desses dados para seu cálculo, como a TMI. Argumenta-se que as TMI por cor/raça antes e após a mudança no SINASC são indicadores distintos e não comparáveis.

Estudio descriptivo que tuvo como objetivo discutir las repercusiones del cambio en la metodología de recogida de la variable color/raza en el Sistema de Información sobre Nacidos Vivos (SINASC) sobre las tasas de mortalidad infantil (TMI), según color/raza en Brasil. Se analizaron las variaciones anuales en las frecuencias de nacidos vivos y óbitos infantiles por color/raza entre 2009 y 2017. Las TMI por color/raza se estimaron según tres estrategias: (1) método directo; (2) fijándose, en todos los años, las proporciones de nacidos vivos por color/raza observadas en 2009; y (3) fijándose, en todos los años, las proporciones de óbitos por color/raza observadas en 2009. Las estrategias tuvieron como objetivo explorar el efecto aislado de las variaciones en las proporciones de nacidos vivos o de óbitos por color/raza sobre las estimaciones de TMI antes y tras el cambio de la variable color/raza en el SINASC. De 2011 a 2012 (año de cambio de la variable color/raza en el SINASC), se verificó un súbito incremento de las Declaraciones de Nacidos Vivos (DNV) de color/raza negra, mestiza e indígena, acompañado de una reducción de DNV de color/raza blanca, sin variaciones correspondientes en los óbitos. El incremento del denominador de la TMI de las categorías de color/raza socialmente más vulnerabilizadas resultó en la atenuación de las TMI de negros e indígenas y en el incremento de la TMI de blancos y, consecuentemente, en la reducción artificial de las inequidades en la mortalidad infantil por color/raza. El cambio de la variable color/raza en el SINASC interrumpió la serie histórica de nacidos vivos por color/raza, afectando los indicadores que potencialmente dependen de esos datos para su cálculo, como la TMI. Se argumenta que las TMI por color/raza antes y después del cambio en el SINASC son indicadores distintos y no comparables.

Iniquidades étnico-raciais na mortalidade infantil: implicações de mudanças do registro de cor/raça nos sistemas nacionais de informação em saúde no Brasil / Ethnic and racial iniquities in infant mortality: implications of changes in recording color/race in national health information systems in Brazil / Inequidades étnico-raciales en la mortalidad infantil: implicaciones de cambios del registro de color/raza en los sistemas nacionales de información en salud en Brasil

Trata-se de estudo descritivo que teve como objetivo discutir as repercussões da mudança na metodologia de coleta da variável cor/raça no Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) sobre as taxas de mortalidade infantil (TMI) segundo cor/raça no Brasil. Foram analisadas as variações anuais nas frequências de nascidos vivos e óbitos infantis por cor/raça entre 2009 e 2017. As TMI por cor/raça foram estimadas segundo três estratégias: (1) método direto; (2) fixando-se, em todos os anos, as proporções de nascidos vivos por cor/raça observadas em 2009; e (3) fixando-se, em todos os anos, as proporções de óbitos por cor/raça observadas em 2009. As estratégias visaram explorar o efeito isolado das variações nas proporções de nascidos vivos ou de óbitos por cor/raça sobre as estimativas de TMI antes e após a mudança da variável cor/raça no SINASC. De 2011 para 2012 (ano de mudança da variável cor/raça no SINASC), verificou-se súbito incremento das Declarações de Nascidos Vivos (DNV) de cor/raça preta, parda e indígena, acompanhado de redução de DNV de cor/raça branca, sem variações correspondentes nos óbitos. O incremento do denominador da TMI das categorias de cor/raça socialmente mais vulnerabilizadas resultou na atenuação das TMI de pretos e indígenas, no incremento da TMI de brancos e, consequentemente, na redução artificial das iniquidades na mortalidade infantil por cor/raça. A mudança da variável cor/raça no SINASC interrompeu a série histórica de nascidos vivos por cor/raça, afetando os indicadores que potencialmente dependem desses dados para seu cálculo, como a TMI. Argumenta-se que as TMI por cor/raça antes e após a mudança no SINASC são indicadores distintos e não comparáveis.

This descriptive study aimed to discuss the repercussions of the change in the methodology for recording the color/race variable in the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC) on infant mortality rates (IMR) according to color/race in Brazil. Annual variations were analyzed in the rates of live births and infant deaths according to color/race from 2009 to 2017. The IMR according to color/race were estimated using three strategies: (1) direct method; (2) for every year, setting the same proportions of live births by color/race as observed in 2009; and (3) for every year, setting the same proportions of deaths by color/race as observed in 2009. The strategies aimed to explore the single effect of the variations in the proportions of live births or of deaths according to color/race on the estimated IMR before and after the change in the color/race variable in the SINASC database. Between 2011 and 2012 (the year of the change in the color/race variable in SINASC), there was a sudden increase in birthdates with black, brown, and indigenous color/race, along with a reduction in birthdates with white color/race, without no corresponding variations in deaths. The increase of more socially vulnerable color/race categories in the IMR denominator resulted in the attenuation of IMR for black and indigenous infants and in an increase in the IMR for white infants and consequently an artificial reduction in iniquities in infant mortality according to color/race. The change in the color/race variable in SINASC interrupted the historical series of live births by color/race, affecting indicators that potentially depend on these data for their calculation, in this case the IMR. The resulting argument is that infant mortality rates by color/race before versus after the change in the SINASC database are distinct and noncomparable indicators.

Estudio descriptivo que tuvo como objetivo discutir las repercusiones del cambio en la metodología de recogida de la variable color/raza en el Sistema de Información sobre Nacidos Vivos (SINASC) sobre las tasas de mortalidad infantil (TMI), según color/raza en Brasil. Se analizaron las variaciones anuales en las frecuencias de nacidos vivos y óbitos infantiles por color/raza entre 2009 y 2017. Las TMI por color/raza se estimaron según tres estrategias: (1) método directo; (2) fijándose, en todos los años, las proporciones de nacidos vivos por color/raza observadas en 2009; y (3) fijándose, en todos los años, las proporciones de óbitos por color/raza observadas en 2009. Las estrategias tuvieron como objetivo explorar el efecto aislado de las variaciones en las proporciones de nacidos vivos o de óbitos por color/raza sobre las estimaciones de TMI antes y tras el cambio de la variable color/raza en el SINASC. De 2011 a 2012 (año de cambio de la variable color/raza en el SINASC), se verificó un súbito incremento de las Declaraciones de Nacidos Vivos (DNV) de color/raza negra, mestiza e indígena, acompañado de una reducción de DNV de color/raza blanca, sin variaciones correspondientes en los óbitos. El incremento del denominador de la TMI de las categorías de color/raza socialmente más vulnerabilizadas resultó en la atenuación de las TMI de negros e indígenas y en el incremento de la TMI de blancos y, consecuentemente, en la reducción artificial de las inequidades en la mortalidad infantil por color/raza. El cambio de la variable color/raza en el SINASC interrumpió la serie histórica de nacidos vivos por color/raza, afectando los indicadores que potencialmente dependen de esos datos para su cálculo, como la TMI. Se argumenta que las TMI por color/raza antes y después del cambio en el SINASC son indicadores distintos y no comparables.

Chemical Exposure: European Citizens' Perspectives, Trust, and Concerns on Human Biomonitoring Initiatives, Information Needs, and Scientific Results.

Over the last few decades, citizen awareness and perception of chemical products has been a topic of interest, particularly concerning national and international policy decision makers, expert/scientific platforms, and the European Union itself. To date, few qualitative studies on human biomonitoring have analysed communication materials, made recommendations in terms of biomonitoring surveillance, or asked for feedback in terms of specific biomonitoring methods. This paper provides in-depth insight on citizens' perceptions of knowledge of biomonitoring, impact of chemical exposure on daily life, and claims on how results of research should be used. Four semi-structured focus groups were held in Austria, Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom (UK). The cross-sectional observational qualitative design of this study allows for better understanding of public concern regarding chemicals, application, and use of human biomonitoring. The main findings of this study include citizens' clear articulation on pathways of exposure, the demand on stakeholders for transparent decision-making, and sensitivity in communication of results to the public. Validated and trustful communication is perceived as key to empowering citizens to take action. The results can be used to facilitate decision-making and policy development, and feeds into the awareness needs of similar and future projects in human biomonitoring. Furthermore, it also brings to light ideas and concepts of citizens' in shaping collaborative knowledge between citizens', experts, scientists, and policy makers on equal terms.

Thoracic aortic size in Brazilian smokers: measures using low-dose chest computed tomography anatomical and epidemiological assessment.

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) represent one-third of the hospitalizations for aortic diseases. The prevalence rate depends on the definition of the normal size of the aorta, which is quite variable, depending on the population studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of the thoracic aorta of Brazilian smokers, identifying the normal size of the aorta, presence of anatomical variations, and prevalence of TAA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 711 patients underwent radiological evaluation with low-dose computed tomography (CT) from January 2013 to July 2014 with the initial objective of lung nodule tracking. Two examiners evaluated these images, and measurements of maximum and serial diameters were performed manually in true orthogonal planes. Serial diameter measurements were taken every 2 cm in the ascending aorta and 5 cm in the descending segment. We searched for anatomical variations, aortic arch type, and correlations between anatomical characteristics, sex, body mass index, and body surface area (BSA). RESULTS: The maximum diameters were 33.61 (standard deviation [SD] 3.88), 28.66 (SD 2.89), and 28.36 mm (SD 3.09) for the ascending segment, aortic arch, and descending segment, respectively. A positive correlation was found between male sex, age, and BSA and aorta diameter. The bovine arch was the most common variation of the aortic arch type, and we found one (0.14%) case of TAA. CONCLUSIONS: This study with low-dose CT allowed the determination of the mean diameters of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta in Brazilian smokers and TAA prevalence.

Quantitative Ultrasound Assessment of Hyoid Bone Displacement During Swallowing Following Thyroidectomy.

The aim of this study was to investigate temporal ultrasound measurements of the hyoid bone displacement during swallowing following thyroidectomy in women and to relate these measures to age, clinical outcomes, and upper digestive airway symptoms. The sample was divided into an experimental group (EG) of 20 women who underwent thyroidectomy (mean age = 49.55 years ± 15.14) and a control group (CG) of 20 healthy women volunteers (mean age = 40.75 years ± 15.92). Both groups were submitted to ultrasound assessment to obtain four temporal measurements of hyoid bone displacement during swallowing: elevation, anteriorization, maximum displacement, and maintenance of maximum displacement. In both groups, swallowing of ten milliliters of liquid and the same volume of thickened liquid (honey) were analyzed. The images were recorded on video (30 frames/second) and analyzed according to a standardized protocol. Temporal measurements of hyoid bone elevation and maximum displacement during swallowing of thickened liquid were significantly shorter in EG (p = 0.034 and p = 0.020, respectively). There were no differences in the swallowing of liquid, and no other variable was related to the ultrasound temporal measurements investigated. This study concludes that women who undergo thyroidectomy have a shorter time of hyoid bone elevation and maximum displacement during swallowing of 10 mL of thickened liquid.

Insegurança alimentar e perfil socioeconômico de domicílios acompanhados por Equipes de Saúde da Família / Food insecurity and socioeconomic profile of households accompanied by Family Health Teams

Introdução: A insegurança alimentar (IA) envolve dimensões psicológicas e manifestações físicas que comprometem e colocam a saúde das pessoas em risco. Objetivo: A pesquisa objetivou caracterizar os fatores determinantes da IA em domicílios de Lagarto, Sergipe. Método: Trata-se de estudo do tipo transversal conduzido entre agosto de 2018 e julho de 2019 com 94 domicílios acompanhados pelas Equipes de Saúde da Família de três Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Para isso, foram aplicados a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar e um questionário socioeconômico estruturado, que foram analisados por meio do SPSS 20.0 através de medidas descritivas e de tendência central, além do teste de normalidade de Shapiro-Wilk e do coeficiente de correlação de Spearman. Resultado: Verificou-se que 27,60% dos domicílios estavam em segurança alimentar (SA), 51,10% em insegurança alimentar (IA) leve, 12,80% em IA média, e 8,50% em IA grave. Houve associação significativa do sexo, escolaridade do chefe da família, ganhos totais estratificados por salário-mínimo com as características demográficas e de trabalho do chefe de família com a situação de SA. Conclusão: A prevalência de insegurança alimentar (IA) nos domicílios analisados se mostrou maior que a média nacional, e a renda familiar confirmou ser o maior determinante das experiências de IA vivenciadas pelas famílias, além das características dos chefes da família, como sexo e escolaridade e das baixas classes econômicas.

Introduction: Food Insecurity (FI) encompasses psychological aspects and physical manifestations that impairs and places the health of individuals at risk. Objective: The research aimed to characterize the determining factors of FI in households of Lagarto, Sergipe. Method: A cross-sectional study carried out between August 2018 and July 2019 with 94 households, accompanied by the Family Health Teams of three Primary Healthcare Units. For this purpose, the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar - EBIA) was used, and a structured socio-economic questionnaire, the results of which were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0, through descriptive measures and central trend, as well as the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and the Spearman coefficient of correlation. Results: It was verified that 27.60% of the households had food security (FS), 51.10% with light food insecurity (FI), 12.80% average FI, and 8.50% severe FS. There was a significant association between gender, schooling level of the head of the family, total earnings stratified by minimum-wage with the demographical characteristics and the occupation of the head of the family with the FI situation. Conclusion: The prevalence of food insecurity (FI) in the domiciles under analysis was demonstrated to be higher than the national average, and family income being the major determinant of the FI experienced by the families, as well as the characteristics of the heads of the families, such as gender and schooling levels and of low economic classes.

Birth weight of indigenous children in Brazil: results of the First National Survey of Indigenous People's Health and Nutrition / Peso ao nascer de crianças indígenas no Brasil: resultados do Primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Saúde e Nutrição dos Povos Indígenas / Peso al nacer de niños indígenas en Brasil: resultados de la Primera Encuesta Nacional sobre la Salud y Nutrición de los Pueblos Indígenas

Birth weight is an important predictor of perinatal, infant, and preschool-age children morbimortality. However, information about indigenous children's birth weight is still scarce. This study aimed to analyze the birth weight of indigenous children based on data from the First National Survey of Indigenous People's Health and Nutrition, Brazil (2008-2009). This is the first study to address indigenous children's birth weight based on a nationwide representative sample. Mean birth weights and the respective standard deviations were calculated according to geopolitical region, sex, type of birth, and birthplace. The chi-square test was used to analyze differences in proportions, and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests in means, considering sample design and data normality. We found no records on birth weight in the researched documents for 26.7% of the 6,128 sampled children. The mean birth weight for the 3,994 children included in the analyses was 3,201g (standard deviation - SD ± 18.6g), regardless of sex, type of birth, and birthplace. The prevalence of low birth weight was 7.6% (n = 302) and was significantly higher among girls. Boys presented significantly higher mean birth weight than girls, regardless of the geopolitical region. Low birth weight was slightly less frequent among indigenous children when compared to Brazilian children in general. Our study indicates the need to improve prenatal care and the quality of consultation records for indigenous women as a strategy to promote safe pregnancy and childbirth.

O peso ao nascer é um importante preditor de morbimortalidade perinatal, infantil e pré-escolar. São escassas as informações sobre o peso ao nascer das crianças indígenas no Brasil. O estudo teve como objetivo analisar o peso ao nascer das crianças indígenas, com base nos dados do Primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Saúde e Nutrição dos Povos Indígenas, Brasil (2008-2009). Este é o primeiro estudo a avaliar o peso ao nascer de crianças indígenas com base em uma amostra nacional representativa. Foram calculadas as médias e desvios-padrão de acordo com macrorregião, sexo, tipo e parto e local do parto. Foram utilizados o teste de qui-quadrado para analisar as diferenças de proporções e os testes de Kruskal-Wallis e U de Mann-Whitney para diferenças nas médias, considerando o desenho amostral do estudo e a normalidade dos dados. Para 26,7% das 6.128 crianças da amostra, não foi possível localizar qualquer registro de peso ao nascer nos documentos consultados. Entre as 3.994 crianças incluídas nas análises, o peso médio ao nascer, independentemente de sexo, tipo de parto e local do parto, foi 3.201g (desvio padrão - DP ± 18,6g). A prevalência de baixo peso ao nascer foi 7,6% (n = 302), significativamente mais alta em meninas. Os meninos apresentaram peso médio ao nascer significativamente mais alto que as meninas, independentemente de região. A frequência de baixo peso ao nascer foi ligeiramente mais baixa que nas crianças brasileiras em geral. O estudo aponta para a necessidade de melhorar a assistência pré-natal e a qualidade dos registros das consultas das mulheres indígenas, como estratégia para promover a segurança na gravidez e no parto.

El peso al nacer es un predictor importante de morbimortalidad perinatal, infantil y preescolar. La información sobre el peso al nacer de niños indígenas es escasa. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el peso al nacer de los niños indígenas, basado en datos de la Primera Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición de los Pueblo Indígenas, Brasil (2008-2009). Se trata del primer estudio dirigido al peso al nacer de niños indígenas, basado en una muestra representativa nacionalmente. Las medias y las respectivas desviaciones estándar del peso al nacer se calcularon según la región geopolítica, sexo, tipo de nacimiento y localización del mismo. Se usó un test chi-cuadrado para analizar las diferencias en proporciones y las pruebas Kruskal-Wallis y de la U de Mann-Whitney para las diferencias en las medias, considerando el diseño de la muestra del estudio y normalidad de los datos. Para un 26,7% de los 6.128 niños incluidos en la muestra no fue posible localizar ningún registro de peso al nacer en los documentos investigados. De los 3.994 niños incluidos en el análisis, la media de peso al nacer, independiente del sexo, tipo de nacimiento, y lugar de nacimiento, fue 3.201g (desviación estándar - SD ± 18,6g). La prevalencia del bajo peso al nacer fue 7,6% (n = 302) y fue significativamente más alta entre niñas. Los niños presentaron significativamente una media más alta de peso al nacer que las niñas, independientemente de la región. La frecuencia del bajo peso al nacer fue ligeramente más baja que la observada en niños brasileños en general. Este estudio presenta aspectos que se necesitan mejorar en el cuidado prenatal y en la calidad de los registros de las consultas de mujeres indígenas, como una estrategia para promover un embarazo y parto seguros.

Thoracic aortic size in Brazilian smokers: measures using low-dose chest computed tomography anatomical and epidemiological assessment

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) represent one-third of the hospitalizations for aortic diseases. The prevalence rate depends on the definition of the normal size of the aorta, which is quite variable, depending on the population studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of the thoracic aorta of Brazilian smokers, identifying the normal size of the aorta, presence of anatomical variations, and prevalence of TAA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 711 patients underwent radiological evaluation with low-dose computed tomography (CT) from January 2013 to July 2014 with the initial objective of lung nodule tracking. Two examiners evaluated these images, and measurements of maximum and serial diameters were performed manually in true orthogonal planes. Serial diameter measurements were taken every 2 cm in the ascending aorta and 5 cm in the descending segment. We searched for anatomical variations, aortic arch type, and correlations between anatomical characteristics, sex, body mass index, and body surface area (BSA). RESULTS: The maximum diameters were 33.61 (standard deviation [SD] 3.88), 28.66 (SD 2.89), and 28.36 mm (SD 3.09) for the ascending segment, aortic arch, and descending segment, respectively. A positive correlation was found between male sex, age, and BSA and aorta diameter. The bovine arch was the most common variation of the aortic arch type, and we found one (0.14%) case of TAA. CONCLUSIONS: This study with low-dose CT allowed the determination of the mean diameters of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta in Brazilian smokers and TAA prevalence.

Health reform and Indigenous health policy in Brazil: contexts, actors and discourses.

Given the challenges related to reducing socio-economic and health inequalities, building specific health system approaches for Indigenous peoples is critical. In Brazil, following constitutional reforms that led to the universalization of health care in the late 1980s, a specific health subsystem was created for Indigenous peoples in 1999. In this paper, we use a historical perspective to contextualize the creation of the Indigenous Health Subsystem in Brazil. This study is based on data from interviews with Indigenous and non-Indigenous subjects and document-based analysis. In the 1980s, during the post-dictatorship period in Brazil, the emergence of Indigenous movements in the country and the support for pro-Indigenous organizations helped establish a political agenda that emphasized a broad range of issues, including the right to a specific health policy. Indigenous leaders established alliances with participants of the Brazilian health reform movement, which resulted in broad debates about the specificities of Indigenous peoples, and the need for a specific health subsystem. We highlight three main points in our analysis: (1) the centrality of a holistic health perspective; (2) the emphasis on social participation; (3) the need for the reorganization of health care. These points proved to be convergent with the development of the Brazilian health reform and were expressed in documents of the Indigenist Missionary Council (CIMI) and the Union of Indigenous Nations (UNI). They were also consolidated in the final report of the First National Conference on the Protection of Indigenous Health in 1986, becoming the cornerstone of the national Indigenous health policy declared in 1999. Our analysis reveals that Indigenous people and pro-Indigenous groups were key players in the development of the Indigenous Health Subsystem in Brazil.

Condições sanitárias entre domicílios indígenas e não indígenas no Brasil de acordo com os Censos nacionais de 2000 e 2010 / Sanitation conditions of indigenous and nonindigenous households in Brazil according the 2000 and 2010 national censuses

Resumo Este estudo apresenta uma comparação entre domicílios indígenas e não indígenas no tocante à presença de infraestrutura de saneamento básico em áreas urbanas e rurais do Brasil a partir dos dados dos Censos de 2000 e 2010. As análises se basearam em estatísticas descritivas e modelos de Regressões Logísticas Múltiplas (RLM). Os resultados indicam o aumento da presença dos serviços analisados nos domicílios brasileiros ao longo da década. Não obstante, domicílios indígenas apresentaram piores condições sanitárias em 2010. Esgotamento sanitário foi o serviço mais precário registrado em ambos os Censos, com ocorrência ainda menos pronunciada nos domicílios indígenas. Os modelos de RLM confirmaram os resultados descritivos, no sentido de que os domicílios indígenas apresentaram piores condições quanto à presença de serviços de saneamento básico. Observou-se que, em algumas áreas, como o Norte urbano, Sudeste urbano e Centro-Oeste rural, houve o aumento das desigualdades entre domicílios indígenas e não indígenas de 2000 para 2010. O presente estudo não apenas aponta para condições de saneamento menos adequadas em domicílios indígenas no Brasil, como também evidencia a persistência de expressivas desigualdades associadas à cor ou raça.

Abstract This study compares the availability of basic sanitation infrastructure in indigenous and nonindigenous household located in urban and rural areas using data from the 2000 and 2010 Brazilian National Censuses. The analyses were based on descriptive statistics and modelling with multiple logistic regression. While there was an increase in the availability of basic sanitation in Brazilian households over the decade, indigenous households continued to have worse conditions in 2010. Sewage was the sanitation service with the lowest coverage in both censuses, and indigenous households had a lower rate of sewage services than nonindigenous households did. Logistic regression results confirmed the findings of the descriptive analyses, attesting to the fact that sanitation conditions are worse in indigenous households. In some areas, such as the urban North and Southeast and rural areas of the Central-West region, the gap in basic sanitation infrastructure between indigenous and nonindigenous households increased from 2000 to 2010. This study not only indicates the less-adequate sanitation conditions in indigenous households in Brazil but also attests to the persistence of major inequalities associated with race or color in the country.

Sanitation conditions of indigenous and nonindigenous households in Brazil according the 2000 and 2010 national censuses. / Condições sanitárias entre domicílios indígenas e não indígenas no Brasil de acordo com os Censos nacionais de 2000 e 2010.

This study compares the availability of basic sanitation infrastructure in indigenous and nonindigenous household located in urban and rural areas using data from the 2000 and 2010 Brazilian National Censuses. The analyses were based on descriptive statistics and modelling with multiple logistic regression. While there was an increase in the availability of basic sanitation in Brazilian households over the decade, indigenous households continued to have worse conditions in 2010. Sewage was the sanitation service with the lowest coverage in both censuses, and indigenous households had a lower rate of sewage services than nonindigenous households did. Logistic regression results confirmed the findings of the descriptive analyses, attesting to the fact that sanitation conditions are worse in indigenous households. In some areas, such as the urban North and Southeast and rural areas of the Central-West region, the gap in basic sanitation infrastructure between indigenous and nonindigenous households increased from 2000 to 2010. This study not only indicates the less-adequate sanitation conditions in indigenous households in Brazil but also attests to the persistence of major inequalities associated with race or color in the country.

Este estudo apresenta uma comparação entre domicílios indígenas e não indígenas no tocante à presença de infraestrutura de saneamento básico em áreas urbanas e rurais do Brasil a partir dos dados dos Censos de 2000 e 2010. As análises se basearam em estatísticas descritivas e modelos de Regressões Logísticas Múltiplas (RLM). Os resultados indicam o aumento da presença dos serviços analisados nos domicílios brasileiros ao longo da década. Não obstante, domicílios indígenas apresentaram piores condições sanitárias em 2010. Esgotamento sanitário foi o serviço mais precário registrado em ambos os Censos, com ocorrência ainda menos pronunciada nos domicílios indígenas. Os modelos de RLM confirmaram os resultados descritivos, no sentido de que os domicílios indígenas apresentaram piores condições quanto à presença de serviços de saneamento básico. Observou-se que, em algumas áreas, como o Norte urbano, Sudeste urbano e Centro-Oeste rural, houve o aumento das desigualdades entre domicílios indígenas e não indígenas de 2000 para 2010. O presente estudo não apenas aponta para condições de saneamento menos adequadas em domicílios indígenas no Brasil, como também evidencia a persistência de expressivas desigualdades associadas à cor ou raça.

Epidemiological analysis of spinal cord injury in the city of joinville (sc) / Análise epidemiológica de trauma raquimedular na cidade de joinville (sc) / Análisis epidemiológico de trauma raquimedular en la ciudad de joinville (sc)

ABSTRACT Objective This paper proposes a retrospective analysis of the spinal cord trauma at a regional hospital that is a Unified Health System (SUS) reference in Orthopedics and Traumatology, considering epidemiological data and comparing treatments and hospitalization costs. Methods This study is a retrospective, analytical-descriptive, exploratory documental analysis, using data from the medical records of patients treated for spinal cord trauma during 2016 at the São José Municipal Hospital (Joinville, SC). Results Twenty-three patients were included in the study, 20 of whom (87%) were male. As to etiology, traffic accidents accounted for 47.8% of the cases and gunshot wounds were in second place with 26.1% of the injuries. The correlation between the cost of hospitalization and the days of hospitalization was statistically significant (p = 0.013), as was the correlation between the cost of hospitalization and the number of procedures (p = 0.000). Conclusions Surgical treatment demands greater amounts of financial and human resources. The purpose of this study is to provide local epidemiological data to encourage discussion about other studies, as well as planning for resource allocation and public policy. Level of evidence II; Retrospective Study.

RESUMO Objetivo O presente estudo propõe uma análise retrospectiva relacionada ao traumatismo raquimedular de um hospital de referência regional em Ortopedia e Traumatologia pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), considerando dados epidemiológicos, comparações entre tratamentos e custos das internações. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo, analítico-descritivo de análise exploratória documental, utilizando dados de prontuários médicos de pacientes atendidos com traumatismo raquimedular durante o ano de 2016 no Hospital Municipal São José (Joinville - SC). Resultados Foram incluídos no estudo 23 pacientes, sendo 20 (87%) do sexo masculino. Quanto à etiologia, os acidentes de trânsito foram responsáveis por 47,8% dos casos e os ferimentos por arma de fogo ocuparam o segundo lugar com 26,1% dos agravos. A correlação entre o custo da internação e os dias da internação foi estatisticamente significativa (p=0,013), assim como a correlação entre o custo da internação e o número de procedimentos (p=0,000). Conclusões O tratamento cirúrgico demanda maior quantidade de recursos financeiros e humanos. O propósito do presente trabalho consiste em fornecer os dados epidemiológicos locais para fomentar a discussão de outros trabalhos, assim como o planejamento para alocação de recursos e de políticas públicas. Nível de evidência II; Estudo Retrospectivo.

RESUMEN Objetivo El presente estudio propone un análisis retrospectivo relacionado al traumatismo raquimedular de un hospital de referencia regional en Ortopedia y Traumatología por el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), considerando datos epidemiológicos, comparaciones entre tratamientos y costos de las internaciones. Métodos Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo, analítico-descriptivo de análisis exploratorio documental, utilizando datos de prontuarios médicos de pacientes atendidos con traumatismo raquimedular durante el año 2016 en el Hospital Municipal São José (Joinville - SC). Resultados Fueron incluidos en el estudio 23 pacientes, siendo 20 (87%) del sexo masculino. Cuanto a la etiología, los accidentes de tránsito fueron responsables por 47,8% de los casos y las heridas por arma de fuego ocuparon el segundo lugar, con 26,1% de los agravios. La correlación entre el costo de la internación y los días de internación fue estadísticamente significativa (p=0,013), así como la correlación entre el costo de internación y el número de procedimientos (p=0,000). Conclusiones El tratamiento quirúrgico demanda mayor cantidad de recursos financieros y humanos. El propósito del presente trabajo consiste en suministrar los datos epidemiológicos locales para fomentar la discusión de otros trabajos, así como la planificación para la asignación de recursos y de políticas públicas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudio Retrospectivo.

Avaliação da adequação energética dos cardápios programados para a alimentação escolar / Assessment of energy adequacy of menus programmed for school meals

Introdução: O Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar busca, entre outros objetivos, atender às necessidades nutricionais dos escolares das diferentes modalidades de ensino durante sua permanência em sala de aula. Objetivo: Comparar os valores estimados para adequação do valor calórico total (VCT) dos cardápios da alimentação escolar de um município. Métodos: Foram incluídas no estudo as seis modalidades de ensino do município, e foram analisados 12 cardápios, totalizando 60 dias, através de duas tabelas de composição centesimal de alimentos, a fim de comparar as diferenças existentes nos valores fornecidos por cada uma delas. Os valores encontrados foram comparados com as recomendações por modalidade de ensino e faixa etária da Resolução CD/FNDE nº 26/2013 e categorizados em "adequado", "acima" ou "abaixo" da recomendação. Resultados: Dos dias analisados pela tabela do IBGE, cinco semanas (41,7%) estavam com a média semanal do VCT adequada para o valor preconizado pelo FNDE. A média das semanas restantes ficou acima do recomendado (58,3%). Já de acordo com a TACO, nenhuma média semanal se adequou ao FNDE. Conclusão: A avaliação dos cardápios revelou predominantemente valores calóricos acima daqueles preconizados para a alimentação escolar. Sobressai-se assim a importância do nutricionista na alimentação escolar e, neste caso, na avaliação do programa, que requer respeito à cultura alimentar local, mas também a abordagem da alimentação como estratégia educacional. (AU)

Introduction: The National School Feeding Program seeks, among other goals, to meet the nutritional needs of students of different teaching modalities during their stay in the classroom. Objective: To compare the estimated values for adequacy of the Total Caloric Value (VCT) of the school feeding menus of a municipality. Methods: The six teaching modalities of the municipality were included in the study, and 12 menus were analyzed, totaling 60 days, through two tables of centesimal food composition, in order to compare the differences in the values provided by each one of them. The values found were compared with the recommendations by teaching modality and age group of Resolution CD/FNDE nº 26/2013 and categorized as "adequate", "above" or "below" the recommended values. Results: Of the days analyzed by the IBGE table, five weeks (41.7%) were with the appropriate weekly VCT average for the value recommended by the FNDE. The average of the remaining weeks was above recommended (58,3%). Already according to TACO, no weekly average fit the FNDE. Conclusion: The evaluation of the menus revealed predominantly caloric values above those recommended for school feeding. Within this, the importance of the nutritionist in school feeding stands out and, in this case, in the evaluation of the program, which requires respect for the local food culture, but also the approach of food as an educational strategy. (AU)

Indigenous children and adolescent mortality inequity in Brazil: What can we learn from the 2010 National Demographic Census?

Indigenous peoples worldwide are highly disadvantaged compared to national baseline populations. Given historical challenges to accessing relevant data for Brazil, the present study innovates by using 2010 Brazilian National Demographic Census data to estimate mortality curves in Indigenous children and adolescents <20 years. The non-parametric smoothing approach TOPALS (tool for projecting age-specific rates using linear splines) was employed. Analyses included stratifications by sex, rural or urban residence, and geopolitical region. The mortality of children and adolescents classified as Indigenous was higher for all analyzed strata. Mortality of Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals in rural areas was higher than those in urban areas in almost all strata analyzed. Mortality levels in the Indigenous segment exceed those of children and adolescents classified as non-Indigenous in all four geopolitical regions, with few exceptions. This is the first study to compare mortality curves of children and adolescents in Brazil according to social variables based on national census data. More Indigenous children and adolescents die than their non-Indigenous counterparts, including those classified as black or brown, in both rural and urban residential settings. Indigenous children and adolescents are consistently at the most disadvantaged end of a marked gradient of ethnic-racial inequality in Brazil, independently of sex, age, and geopolitical region.

The Xavante Longitudinal Health Study in Brazil: Objectives, design, and key results.

OBJECTIVE: The Xavante Longitudinal Health Study was developed to permit granular tracking of contemporary health challenges faced by indigenous communities in Brazil, taking into consideration ongoing historical processes that may be associated with increases in child undernutrition, adult obesity, and cardiovascular disease risks. METHODS: This was an open-cohort study with six semiannual data collection waves from 2009 to 2012. The study was undertaken in two Xavante villages, Pimentel Barbosa and Etênhiritipá, State of Mato Grosso, Central Brazil. No sampling technique was used. Data collection placed emphasis on growth and nutrition of children under five and nutrition status, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels of adolescents and adults. RESULTS: Baseline data collection began in July/August 2009 with a population census (656 individuals). Between the first and final waves, the study population increased by 17%. At baseline, stunting and wasting was elevated for most age groups <10 years. Overweight, obesity, and increased risk of metabolic complications were expressive among individuals >17 years, disproportionately affecting females. Anemia was elevated in most age groups, especially among females. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was moderate. The overall prevalence of high blood pressure was relatively low. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal marked health disparities relative to the Brazilian national population and a complex dietary health epidemiology involving the double burden of malnutrition, rapidly changing nutritional indicators, and elevated metabolic disease risk. The topically broad multidisciplinary focus permitted construction of the richest longitudinal data set of socio-epidemiological information for an indigenous population in Brazil.