Measurements of natural radionuclide levels and hazards in the Lega Dembi gold mine, Oromia, Ethiopia.

This study aimed to evaluate natural radioactivity levels and hazards of radionuclides Th, Ra and K in soil samples taken from 15 locations in the Lega Dembi gold mining, Oromia, Ethiopia, using gamma-ray spectroscopy coupled with an HPGe detector. It was observed that the respective mean specific activities for Ra, Th and K determined in the mining site were 23.87 ± 0.

Predicting Potentially Fatal COVID-19 Disease in Pregnant Patients Using the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR).

Objective: To evaluate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values' possible predictive role in fatal and severe cases of COVID-19 disease in pregnant women. Design and data collection: A case-control study was conducted with the inclusion of 45 pregnant COVID-19 patients. All the data were obtained from the hospital information system of Semmelweis University by two of the authors.

The Role of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance in Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiation Therapy Planning for Prostate Cancer Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy: A Pilot Study.

Background And Purpose: Volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (RT) has become pivotal in the treatment of prostate cancer recurrence (RPC) to optimize dose distribution and minimize toxicity, thanks to the high-precision delineation of prostate bed contours and organs at risk (OARs) under multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) guidance. We aimed to assess the role of pre-treatment mpMRI in ensuring target volume coverage and normal tissue sparing.

Material And Methods: Patients with post-prostatectomy RPC eligible for salvage RT were prospectively recruited to this pilot study.

Unexpected response to palliative radiotherapy for subcutaneous metastases of an advanced small cell pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma: a case report of two different radiation schedules.

Background: Skin metastases from pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PNEC) are rare and their palliative treatment is challenging. We report our experience in the multimodal management of one of the few reported cases of metastatic PNEC with multiple visceral and subcutaneous secondary lesions, focusing on the effectiveness of palliative radiotherapy for skin metastases.

Case Presentation: A 61-years old woman affected by a metastatic PNEC - with subcutaneous growing and bleeding secondary lesions (at the scalp, right scapular region and at the back of the left thoracic wall, respectively) - obtained a successful control of visceral metastases with the use of chemotherapy and an unexpected local response of her skin metastases with palliative radiotherapy.

Proton therapy in the most common pediatric non-central nervous system malignancies: an overview of clinical and dosimetric outcomes.

Radiation therapy represents an important approach in the therapeutic management of children and adolescents with malignant tumors and its application with modern techniques - including Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) - is of great interest. In particular, potential radiation-induced injuries and secondary malignancies - also associated to the prolonged life expectancy of patients - are still questions of concern that increase the debate on the usefulness of PBT in pediatric treatments. This paper presents a literary review of current applications of PBT in non-Central Nervous System pediatric tumors (such as retinoblastoma, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Wilms tumor, bone and soft tissues sarcomas).

Association between quality of life, physical activity, use of medication and costs of treatment for chronic diseases in Primary Care.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the costs and the health outcomes of primary care treatments for chronic diseases and to analyze the association between domains of quality of life (QoL), physical activity and healthcare costs.

Methods: The sample encompassed 292 patients aged 50 years or more in Brazilian primary care facilities, categorized in three groups: no drug treatment or only regular physical activity, only drug treatment, and drug treatment with regular physical activity. Patients were assessed in relation to quality of life, healthcare costs, regular physical activity, and use of medications.

Sleep pattern, obesity and healthcare expenditures in Brazilian adults.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between sleep pattern and healthcare expenditures in adults, as well as to identify whether physical activity, biochemical markers and obesity affect this relationship. The sample was composed of 168 adults aged ≥ 50 years attended by two Basic Healthcare Units in Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil. Health expenditure, sleep pattern, anthropometry, adiposity index, physical activity, metabolic and cardiovascular variables were assessed.

Patterns of Physical Activity and Screen Time Among Brazilian Children.

Objective: To investigate the patterns of physical activity (PA) and screen time among children and adolescents attended by the Brazilian National Health System.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample was composed of 270 children and adolescents attending 5 basic health care units.

Time trends in physical activity of adult users of the Brazilian National Health System: 2010-2014. Longitudinal study.

Context And Objective:: In this longitudinal study, we aimed to describe time trends of physical activity (PA) in different domains from 2010 to 2014 among users of the Brazilian National Health System, taking into account the effects of sex, age and economic status (ES).

Design And Setting:: Longitudinal study conducted in five primary care units in Bauru (SP), Brazil.

Methods:: The sample was composed of 620 men and women who were interviewed in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Predictive parameters in hypofractionated whole-breast 3D conformal radiotherapy according to the Ontario Canadian trial.

Aim: To evaluate the possible role of dosimetric parameters according Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) model as predictive of late toxicity and cosmesis in hypofractionated whole-breast three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis on 215 consecutive early breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery and adjuvant hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy (according the Ontario Canadian trial), with a 6 years median follow-up was conducted. To assess the impact of 10%-20% dose hotspots on different percent values of planning target volume (PTV) of the breast, we retrospectively employed the NTCP model of Lyman.

Determinants of outpatient expenditure within primary care in the Brazilian National Health System.

Context And Objective:: One of the big challenges facing governments worldwide is the financing of healthcare systems. Thus, it is necessary to understand the factors and key components associated with healthcare expenditure. The aim here was to identify demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and clinical factors associated with direct healthcare expenditure within primary care, among adults attended through the Brazilian National Health System in the city of Bauru.

TV viewing time is associated with increased all-cause mortality in Brazilian adults independent of physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between television (TV) viewing and all-cause mortality among Brazilian adults after 6 years of follow-up. This longitudinal study started in 2010 in the city of Bauru, SP, Brazil, and involved 970 adults aged ≥50 years. Mortality was reported by relatives and confirmed in medical records of the Brazilian National Health System.

Association Between Costs Related to Productivity Loss and Modified Risk Factors Among Users of the Brazilian National Health System.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between costs related to productivity losses and its risk factors among users of the Brazilian National Health System.

Methods: The public cost associated with productivity losses of 342 adults has been estimated, taking into account a period of 18 months. Costs related to productivity loss were estimate using data provided by the Brazilian National Health System (disability retirements) and absenteeism.

Effect of Moderate-Intensity Exercise on Inflammatory Markers Among Postmenopausal Women.

Background: Declines in ovarian function in postmenopausal women may contribute to increase inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to chronic diseases. However, studies have shown that exercise interventions are important to manage inflammatory conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the effect of exercise intervention on inflammatory markers among obese and postmenopausal women.

Association of Different Physical Activity Domains on All-Cause Mortality in Adults Participating in Primary Care in the Brazilian National Health System: 4-Year Follow-up.

Background: Evidence has shown that physical activity (PA) is associated with low mortality risk. However, data about reduced mortality due to PA are scarce in developing countries and the dose-response relationship between PA from different domains and all-cause mortality remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the association of PA from different domains on all-cause mortality among Brazilian adults.

Low levels of physical activity and metabolic syndrome: cross-sectional study in the Brazilian public health system.

This study investigated whether low levels of physical activity in different domains is associated with risk factors for the occurrence of metabolic syndrome or metabolic syndrome itself. Habitual physical activity level was assessed among 963 participants, aged 50 years old or more, using Baecke's questionnaire. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome followed the recommendations of "The IDF Consensus Worldwide Definition of the Metabolic Syndrome".

Walking and health care expenditures among adult users of the Brazilian public healthcare system: retrospective cross-sectional study.

Physical inactivity is a major public health challenge due to its association with chronic diseases and the resulting economic impact on the public healthcare system. However, walking can help alleviate these problems. Aim To verify associations between walking during leisure-time, risk factors and health care expenditure among users of the Brazilian public health care system.

The Impact of Physical Activity on Mitigation of Health Care Costs Related to Diabetes Mellitus: Findings from Developed and Developing Settings.

Over the last decades, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasing globally such that nowadays the disease constitutes an important outcome related to early mortality among adults. In parallel with the high prevalence, healthcare costs related to DM treatment have increased significantly, exacerbating its burden on modern society. The scientific literature points out that obesity and physical inactivity have a central role in the development of most DM cases.

Accumulation of Domain-Specific Physical Inactivity and Presence of Hypertension in Brazilian Public Healthcare System.

Background: Hypertension is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide, and physical inactivity is a risk factor predisposing to its occurrence and complications. However, it is still unclear the association between physical inactivity domains and hypertension, especially in public healthcare systems. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between physical inactivity aggregation in different domains and prevalence of hypertension among users of Brazilian public health system.

Physical inactivity of adults and 1-year health care expenditures in Brazil.

Objectives: To analyze the association between physical inactivity in different domains and direct public healthcare expenditures in adults and to identify whether the clustering of physical inactivity in different domains would contribute to increased public healthcare.

Methods: The sample composed of 963 adults randomly selected in a middle-size Brazilian city. Annual healthcare expenditure was estimated including all items registered in the medical records in the last 12 months prior to the interview.

Physical activity, adiposity and hypertension among patients of public healthcare system.

Introduction: Hypertension is a chronic disease that requires special attention in identifying comorbidities or risk factors including inactivity and obesity. Considering that a large proportion of the Brazilian population is hypertensive, obese, and sedentary, the relationship among these variables in the context of the public health system is unclear.

Objective: To assess the association among physical activity, markers of adiposity, and hypertension in adult users of the public healthcare system in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.

[Adherence to statin treatment and associated factors in female users from the Unified Health System (SUS)].

Objective: To identify the adherence rate of a statin treatment and possible related factors in female users from the Unified Health System.

Method: Seventy-one women were evaluated (64.2 ± 11.

Breast carcinoma in elderly women. Our experience.

Purpose: To analyze the biological features of breast cancer in women aged more than 70 years and to evaluate the utility of complete breast examination in elderly patients.

Patients And Methods: In the period between January 2000 and March 2009, 147.189 women aged more than 39 years underwent breast examination.

Evidences of precession and obliquity orbital forcing in oxygen-18 isotope composition of Montalbano Jonico section (Basilicata, southern Italy).

Quantitative signal processing methods have been applied to a delta(18)O profile for a land-based stratigraphic section, extending from the upper part of lower Pleistocene to the lower part of middle Pleistocene. The section is well exposed with a continuous succession of muds and muddy silts, about 400 m thick, located in the southernmost part of Bradano Trough, near Montalbano Jonico in Basilicata (south Italy). The sampled part of the section is about 240 m thick, in which a foram benthic species (Cassidulina carinata) is continuously available for oxygen isotope ratio measurements.