Evaluation of future estuarine floods in a sea level rise context.

Reliable predictions of future inundation extent within estuaries require a precise evaluation of future extreme sea levels and the application of accurate numerical models that account for the physical processes driving estuarine hydrodynamics. In this study, a methodology that integrates the estimation of local extreme sea levels with high-resolution numerical modeling was applied to assess the future inundation extent in five estuarine systems located on the Portuguese Coast. The main findings obtained were compared with available results from the popular bathtub approach, that disregards the physical processes driving estuarine hydrodynamics and therefore provide imprecise predictions of inundation extent and associated socio-economic impacts. The inundation extent is revealed to be highly dependent on the extreme sea levels and on the estuarine geomorphology, which controls the propagating long-wave. As the long-wave height is highly attenuated within estuaries that have adjacent low-lying areas, restricted inlets, or extensive tidal flats, the results of this study revealed that the extent of inundation is considerably smaller than that obtained by the bathtub approach. The uncertainties associated with mean sea level rise and the estuarine geomorphological evolution constitute the greatest difficulty in assessing the extent of flooding, posing major challenges to the efficient and sustainable management of estuaries.

Upper gastrointestinal alterations in kidney transplant candidates / Alterações digestivas altas em candidatos a transplante renal

ABSTRACT Introduction: The incidence of gastrointestinal disorders among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high, despite the lack of a good correlation between endoscopic findings and symptoms. Many services thus perform upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy on kidney transplant candidates. Objectives: This study aims to describe the alterations seen on the upper endoscopies of 96 kidney-transplant candidates seen from 2014 to 2015. Methods: Ninety-six CKD patients underwent upper endoscopic examination as part of the preparation to receive kidney grafts. The data collected from the patients' medical records were charted on Microsoft Office Excel 2016 and presented descriptively. Mean values, medians, interquartile ranges and 95% confidence intervals of the clinic and epidemiological variables were calculated. Possible associations between endoscopic findings and infection by H. pylori were studied. Results: Males accounted for 54.17% of the 96 patients included in the study. Median age and time on dialysis were 50 years and 50 months, respectively. The most frequent upper endoscopy finding was enanthematous pangastritis (57.30%), followed by erosive esophagitis (30.20%). Gastric intestinal metaplasia and peptic ulcer were found in 8.33% and 7.30% of the patients, respectively. H. pylori tests were positive in 49 patients, and H. pylori infection was correlated only with non-erosive esophagitis (P = 0.046). Conclusion: Abnormal upper endoscopy findings were detected in all studied patients. This study suggested that upper endoscopy is a valid procedure for kidney transplant candidates. However, prospective studies are needed to shed more light on this matter.

RESUMO Introdução: A incidência de doenças gastrointestinais altas em pacientes com doença renal crônica é elevada, porém não há boa correlação entre achados endoscópicos e sintomas. Assim, muitos serviços preconizam a realização de Endoscopia Digestiva Alta (EDA) nos candidatos a transplante renal. Objetivos: Descrever alterações endoscópicas presentes em 96 candidatos a transplante renal no período de 2014 a 2015. Métodos: Noventa e seis pacientes renais crônicos submetidos à EDA como preparo para transplante renal. Prontuários médicos dos pacientes foram revisados, os dados tabulados no programa Microsoft Office Excel 2016 e apresentados de maneira descritiva. Calculou-se média, mediana, intervalo interquartílico e intervalo de confiança de 95% das variáveis utilizadas. Alterações endoscópicas foram apresentadas quanto ao número, intervalo de confiança e valor de P, e correlacionadas com a presença ou ausência de infecção por Helicobacter pylori. Resultados: Dos 96 pacientes, 54,17% eram homens e 45,83% mulheres. As medianas de idade e tempo em diálise foram 50 anos e 50 meses, respectivamente. O achado mais comum na EDA foi pangastrite enantematosa (57,30%), seguida de esofagite erosiva (30,20%). Metaplasia intestinal gástrica e úlcera péptica foram encontradas em 8,33% e 7,30% dos pacientes, respectivamente. Pesquisa para H. pylori foi positiva em 49 pacientes, e somente houve correlação entre infecção por H. pylori e esofagite não erosiva (P = 0,046). Conclusão: Afecções gastrointestinais foram detectadas em todos os pacientes estudados. Os achados deste estudo sugerem que a realização de EDA em candidatos a receber transplante renal é desejável. Entretanto, estudos prospectivos são necessários para responder a esta questão.

Upper gastrointestinal alterations in kidney transplant candidates.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of gastrointestinal disorders among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high, despite the lack of a good correlation between endoscopic findings and symptoms. Many services thus perform upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy on kidney transplant candidates. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe the alterations seen on the upper endoscopies of 96 kidney-transplant candidates seen from 2014 to 2015. METHODS: Ninety-six CKD patients underwent upper endoscopic examination as part of the preparation to receive kidney grafts. The data collected from the patients' medical records were charted on Microsoft Office Excel 2016 and presented descriptively. Mean values, medians, interquartile ranges and 95% confidence intervals of the clinic and epidemiological variables were calculated. Possible associations between endoscopic findings and infection by H. pylori were studied. RESULTS: Males accounted for 54.17% of the 96 patients included in the study. Median age and time on dialysis were 50 years and 50 months, respectively. The most frequent upper endoscopy finding was enanthematous pangastritis (57.30%), followed by erosive esophagitis (30.20%). Gastric intestinal metaplasia and peptic ulcer were found in 8.33% and 7.30% of the patients, respectively. H. pylori tests were positive in 49 patients, and H. pylori infection was correlated only with non-erosive esophagitis (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Abnormal upper endoscopy findings were detected in all studied patients. This study suggested that upper endoscopy is a valid procedure for kidney transplant candidates. However, prospective studies are needed to shed more light on this matter.

Study of scattered radiation during fluoroscopy in hip surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the scattered radiation dose at different positions simulating hip surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We simulated fluoroscopy-assisted hip surgery in order to study the distribution of scattered radiation in the operating room. To simulate the patient, we used a anthropomorphic whole-body phantom, and we used an X-ray-specific detector to quantify the radiation. Radiographs were obtained with a mobile C-arm X-ray system in continuous scan mode, with the tube at 0º (configuration 1) or 90º (configuration 2). The operating parameters employed (voltage, current, and exposure time) were determined by a statistical analysis based on the observation of orthopedic surgical procedures involving the hip. RESULTS: For all measurements, higher exposures were observed in configuration 2. In the measurements obtained as a function of height, the maximum dose rates observed were 1.167 (± 0.023) µSv/s and 2.278 (± 0.023) µSv/s in configurations 1 and 2, respectively, corresponding to the chest level of health care professionals within the operating room. Proximal to the patient, the maximum values were recorded in the position occupied by the surgeon. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that, in the scenario under study, health care professionals workers are exposed to low levels of radiation, and that those levels can be reduced through the use of personal protective equipment.

OBJETIVO: Medir a intensidade da dose de radiação espalhada em diferentes posições simulando uma intervenção cirúrgica no quadril. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Simulou-se uma intervenção cirúrgica no quadril com apoio da fluoroscopia para estudar a distribuição da radiação espalhada no bloco operatório. Para simular o paciente foi utilizado um simulador antropomórfico de corpo inteiro e para medir a radiação utilizou-se um detector específico para medir raios X. Realizaram-se incidências com um equipamento de raios X tipo arco em C móvel, em modo de escopia contínua, com a ampola a 0º (configuração 1) e a 90º (configuração 2). Os parâmetros operacionais utilizados (voltagem, corrente, tempo de exposição) foram determinados por meio de um estudo estatístico resultante da observação de cirurgias ortopédicas de quadril. RESULTADOS: Em todas as medições observaram-se exposições mais elevadas na configuração 2. Nas medições em função da altura, observaram-se os valores máximos da taxa de dose de 1,167 (± 0,023) µSv/s e 2,278 (± 0,023) µSv/s nas configurações 1 e 2, respectivamente, correspondendo à altura do tórax dos profissionais. No estudo em torno do paciente os valores máximos registraramse na posição ocupada pelo médico cirurgião. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que a exposição à radiação dos profissionais é baixa, podendo ainda ser reduzida mediante o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual.

Study of scattered radiation during fluoroscopy in hip surgery / Estudo da radiação espalhada em fluoroscopia durante procedimentos cirúrgicos no quadril

Abstract Objective: To measure the scattered radiation dose at different positions simulating hip surgery. Materials and Methods: We simulated fluoroscopy-assisted hip surgery in order to study the distribution of scattered radiation in the operating room. To simulate the patient, we used a anthropomorphic whole-body phantom, and we used an X-ray-specific detector to quantify the radiation. Radiographs were obtained with a mobile C-arm X-ray system in continuous scan mode, with the tube at 0º (configuration 1) or 90º (configuration 2). The operating parameters employed (voltage, current, and exposure time) were determined by a statistical analysis based on the observation of orthopedic surgical procedures involving the hip. Results: For all measurements, higher exposures were observed in configuration 2. In the measurements obtained as a function of height, the maximum dose rates observed were 1.167 (± 0.023) µSv/s and 2.278 (± 0.023) µSv/s in configurations 1 and 2, respectively, corresponding to the chest level of health care professionals within the operating room. Proximal to the patient, the maximum values were recorded in the position occupied by the surgeon. Conclusion: We can conclude that, in the scenario under study, health care professionals workers are exposed to low levels of radiation, and that those levels can be reduced through the use of personal protective equipment.

Resumo Objetivo: Medir a intensidade da dose de radiação espalhada em diferentes posições simulando uma intervenção cirúrgica no quadril. Materiais e Métodos: Simulou-se uma intervenção cirúrgica no quadril com apoio da fluoroscopia para estudar a distribuição da radiação espalhada no bloco operatório. Para simular o paciente foi utilizado um simulador antropomórfico de corpo inteiro e para medir a radiação utilizou-se um detector específico para medir raios X. Realizaram-se incidências com um equipamento de raios X tipo arco em C móvel, em modo de escopia contínua, com a ampola a 0º (configuração 1) e a 90º (configuração 2). Os parâmetros operacionais utilizados (voltagem, corrente, tempo de exposição) foram determinados por meio de um estudo estatístico resultante da observação de cirurgias ortopédicas de quadril. Resultados: Em todas as medições observaram-se exposições mais elevadas na configuração 2. Nas medições em função da altura, observaram-se os valores máximos da taxa de dose de 1,167 (± 0,023) µSv/s e 2,278 (± 0,023) µSv/s nas configurações 1 e 2, respectivamente, correspondendo à altura do tórax dos profissionais. No estudo em torno do paciente os valores máximos registraramse na posição ocupada pelo médico cirurgião. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que a exposição à radiação dos profissionais é baixa, podendo ainda ser reduzida mediante o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual.