Topical treatment for plantar warts: A systematic review

There are a wide variety of treatments for plantar warts, but none has been shown to be effective in all patients. We aimed to perform a systematic review of the efficacy of different topical treatments on plantar warts. Systematic electronic searches (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science) were conducted in April 2020. Meta‐analyses, systematic reviews, and retrospective or prospective clinical trials of the effects of topical and nonsurgical treatments of plantar warts were included. Two authors performed the study selection and data extraction. Any discrepancies between the two reviewers were discussed with a third reviewer. Forty‐four studies were included. The average cure rates of the most frequent treatments were variable across the studies: cryotherapy (45.61%), salicylic acid (13.6%), cantharidin‐podophyllin‐salicylic acid formulation (97.82%), laser (79.36%), topical antivirals (72.45%), intralesional bleomycin (83.37%), and intralesional immunotherapy (68.14%). Twenty‐two studies (50%) had a level of evidence 1b and grade of recommendation A, five studies (11.4%) had a level of evidence 2b and grade of recommendation B, two studies (4.5%) had a level of evidence 3b and grade of recommendation B, and 15 studies (34,1%) with a level of evidence 4 and grade of recommendation C. First‐choice treatments for common warts, such as cryotherapy and salicylic acid, have low‐cure rates for plantar warts. Other treatments, such as CPA formulation, immunotherapy, and intralesional bleomycin, which have compassionate use, have higher cure rates. This review should stimulate future high‐quality research to evaluate these specialized treatments.     

Application of Plastic Wastes in Construction Materials: A Review Using the Concept of Life-Cycle Assessment in the Context of Recent Research for Future Perspectives

The urbanization process contributes to the growth of solid waste generation and causes an increase in environmental impacts and failures in the management of solid waste. The number of dumps is a concern due to the limited implementation and safe disposal of this waste. The interest in sustainable techniques has been growing in relation to waste management, which is largely absorbed by the civil construction sector. This work aimed to review plastic waste, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET), that can be incorporated with construction materials, such as concrete, mortars, asphalt mixtures, and paving. The use of life-cycle assessment (LCA) is related, as a tool that allows the sustainability of products and processes to be enhanced in the long term. After analyzing the recent literature, it was identified that studies related to plastic wastes in construction materials concentrate sustainability around the alternative destination of waste. Since the plastic waste from different production chains are obtained, it was possible to affirm the need for a broader assessment, such as the LCA, providing greater quantification of data making the alternative processes and products more sustainable. The study contributes to enhance sustainability in alternative building materials through LCA.     

Adaptation to different noninvasive ventilation masks in critically ill patients

OBJECTIVE:

To identify which noninvasive ventilation (NIV) masks are most commonly used and the problems related to the adaptation to such masks in critically ill patients admitted to a hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS:

An observational study involving patients ≥ 18 years of age admitted to intensive care units and submitted to NIV. The reason for NIV use, type of mask, NIV regimen, adaptation to the mask, and reasons for non-adaptation to the mask were investigated.

RESULTS:

We evaluated 245 patients, with a median age of 82 years. Acute respiratory failure was the most common reason for NIV use (in 71.3%). Total face masks were the most commonly used (in 74.7%), followed by full face masks and near-total face masks (in 24.5% and 0.8%, respectively). Intermittent NIV was used in 82.4% of the patients. Adequate adaptation to the mask was found in 76% of the patients. Masks had to be replaced by another type of mask in 24% of the patients. Adequate adaptation to total face masks and full face masks was found in 75.5% and 80.0% of the patients, respectively. Non-adaptation occurred in the 2 patients using near-total facial masks. The most common reason for non-adaptation was the shape of the face, in 30.5% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

In our sample, acute respiratory failure was the most common reason for NIV use, and total face masks were the most commonly used. The most common reason for non-adaptation to the mask was the shape of the face, which was resolved by changing the type of mask employed.     

Visual Biofeedback Balance Training Using Wii Fit after Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of balance training with visual biofeedback on balance, body symmetry, and function among individuals with hemiplegia following a stroke. [Subjects and Methods] The present study was performed using a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded evaluator. The subjects were twenty adults with hemiplegia following a stroke. The experimental group performed balance training with visual biofeedback using Wii Fit^® together with conventional physical therapy. The control group underwent conventional physical therapy alone. The intervention lasted five weeks, with two sessions per week. Body symmetry (baropodometry), static balance (stabilometry), functional balance (Berg Balance Scale), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go test), and independence in activities of daily living (Functional Independence Measure) were assessed before and after the intervention. [Results] No statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups. In the intragroup analysis, both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in all variables studied. [Conclusion] The physical therapy program combined with balance training involving visual biofeedback (Wii Fit^®) led to an improvement in body symmetry, balance, and function among stroke victims. However, the improvement was similar to that achieved with conventional physical therapy alone.Key words: Postural balance, Stroke, Visual biofeedback     

Demolition Waste Potential for Completely Cement-Free Binders

Due to renovation and fighting in the world, a huge accumulation of construction and demolition waste is formed. These materials are effectively used as aggregates, but there is very little information about the use of scrap concrete to create cementless binders. The purpose of the work is to be a comprehensive study of the composition and properties of concrete wastes of various fractions with the aim of their rational use as cementless binders. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the nature of the processes of structure formation of a cementless binder based on sandy fractions of the screening of fragments of destroyed buildings and structures, as a complex polyfunctional system, has been theoretically substantiated and experimentally confirmed. Different percentages of non-hydrated clinker minerals in concrete scrap were determined. In the smallest fraction (less than 0.16 mm), more than 20% of alite and belite are present. Waste of the old cement paste is more susceptible to crushing compared to the large aggregate embedded in it, therefore, particles of the old cement paste and fine aggregate predominate in the finer fractions of the waste. Comprehensive microstructural studies have been carried out on the possibility of using concrete scrap as a completely cementless binder using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and differential thermal analysis. It has been established that for cementless samples prepared from the smallest fractions (less than 0.315 mm), the compressive strength is 1.5–2 times higher than for samples from larger fractions. This is due to the increased content of clinker minerals in their composition. The compressive strength of the cementless binder after 28 days (7.8 MPa), as well as the early compressive strength at the age of 1 day after steaming (5.9 MPa), make it possible to effectively use these materials for enclosing building structures.     

SarCNU在MGMT耐药基因高表达荷瘤鼠中抗瘤作用分析

目的 ２－氯乙基－３－肌氨酸酰胺－１－亚硝脲（ＳａｒＣＮＵ）是一类新型亚硝脲类抗癌药,探讨其对ＭＧＭＴ耐药基因高表达胶质瘤的疗效。方法 腹腔注射ＳａｒＣＮＵ（５００ｍｇ／ｍ＾２）,ＢＣＮＵ（４０ｍｇ／ｍ＾２）,Ｏ＾６－ＢＧ（３００ｍｇ／ｍ＾２）,观察其在动物体内胶质瘤的生长情况。结果 ＳａｒＣＮＵ处理组生长缓延３４．７天,ＢＣＮＵ组生长延缓２０．７５天,差异有显著性,ＳａｒＣＮＵ与Ｏ＾６－ＢＧ联合     

Identification of previously unrecognized FAP in children with Gardner fibroma

Fibromatous soft tissue lesions, namely desmoid-type fibromatosis and Gardner fibroma, may occur sporadically or as a result of inherited predisposition (as part of familial adenomatous polyposis, FAP). Whereas desmoid-type fibromatosis often present β-catenin overexpression (by activating CTNNB1 somatic variants or APC biallelic inactivation), the pathogenetic mechanisms in Gardner fibroma are unknown. We characterized in detail Gardner fibromas diagnosed in two infants to evaluate their role as sentinel lesions of previously unrecognized FAP. In the first infant we found a 5q deletion including APC in the tumor and the novel APC variant c.4687dup in constitutional DNA. In the second infant we found the c.5826_5829del and c.1678A>T APC variants in constitutional and tumor DNA, respectively. None of the constitutional APC variants occurred de novo and both tumors showed nuclear staining for β-catenin and no CTNNB1 variants. We present the first comprehensive characterization of the pathogenetic mechanisms of Gardner fibroma, which may be a sentinel lesion of previously unrecognized FAP families.