Performance and applications of lightweight geopolymer and alkali activated composites with incorporation of ceramic, polymeric and lignocellulosic wastes as aggregates: A review.

As the construction industry moves towards greater sustainability, the application of more durable and environmentally friendly materials, capable of providing comfort in buildings and infrastructure, is a key element to consider. In this context, the use of alkali-activated binders (AAB) and geopolymers (GP), which have a lower carbon footprint than ordinary Portland cement (OPC), has emerged as an important alternative. Moreover, the addition of waste-based lightweight aggregates (LWA) to AAB and GP matrices produces lightweight composites that offer enhanced mechanical performance and improved comfort as building materials, while offering an alternative use to the increasing number of waste materials from diverse sources. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on the above-mentioned topics (waste LWA in an AAB/GP matrix) published between 2012 and 2023, mainly indexed in the Scopus database. The waste-based LWA reported in the literature were categorized, and their properties and morphology presented. Then, the influence of the size, quantity, and nature of the LWA on the composite's properties and performance was analyzed. Fresh state performance, mechanical performance, density, and thermal and acoustic insulation were considered. This review is complemented by a bibliometric analysis, where keyword correlation and co-authorship networks on this field are established. The review highlights the potential of cementitious composites including waste-based LWA as a sustainable building material for structural and non-structural applications. However, more studies are required to further understand the behaviour of these composites under innovative manufacturing processes, such as extrusion and 3D printing.

Surgical outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer undergoing thyroidectomy: A single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at increased risk for thyroid disease, and many require definitive management with thyroid surgery. Despite this, there is limited evidence on surgical outcomes among CCS. We sought to evaluate postoperative outcomes at our institution among CCS undergoing thyroid surgery compared to patients without a history of primary childhood malignancy. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for 638 patients treated at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Pediatric Thyroid Center between 2009 and 2020. Rates of surgical complications, including recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis and hypoparathyroidism, among CCS were compared to patients with sporadic/familial thyroid cancer, Graves' disease, and other benign thyroid conditions. Operative time and intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in long-term surgical complication rates, such as permanent RLN paralysis and hypoparathyroidism, between CCS and patients without a history of primary childhood malignancy (all p > .05). For all surgical outcomes, there were no significant differences in complication rates when CCS were compared to those undergoing surgery for sporadic/familial thyroid cancer or Graves' disease (all p > .05). CCS with benign final pathology had significantly higher rates of transient hypoparathyroidism compared to patients with benign thyroid conditions (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that CCS are not at higher risk of long-term complications from thyroid surgery when treated by high-volume surgeons within a multidisciplinary team.

Evaluation of the pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment in rectal cancer. Experience at the Instituto de Cancerología de Medellín (Colombia, 2011-2017). / Evaluación de la respuesta patológica al tratamiento neoadyuvante en cáncer de recto. Experiencia del Instituto de Cancerología de Medellín (Colombia, 2011-2017).

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer is associated with a decrease in tumor size and is the therapeutic indication for patients with T3 or T4 tumors or lymph node involvement. Our aim was to describe the frequency of pathologic response and the survival rate in patients that underwent neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study with a survival analysis was conducted. Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer that received neoadjuvant treatment and were operated on at the Instituto de Cancerología Las Américas (Medellín, Colombia) were analyzed. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients were included. Mean patient age was 59 years (12.8 SD), 53.9% were men, and 58.6% of the patients were diagnosed with stage IIIB disease. The pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 17% of the patients. A total of 146 (96.1%) patients received the chemoradiotherapy protocol. Fifty-two (34.2%) patients developed metastasis and/or relapse, and one (3.8%) of those patients had presented with pCR. The median follow-up period was 33 months (Q1-Q3: 20-45), with an overall survival rate of 79.5% (95% CI 70.9-85.8). The 5-year survival rate for the patients that had pCR was 80% (95% CI 20.3-96.9). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of pCR was similar to that in other published studies and disease recurrence was lower, compared with patients with no response. The 5-year survival rate in patients with pCR was high, albeit lower than that reported in other studies.

Hipertensión severa y taquicardia por bloqueo del ganglio estrellado: a propósito de un caso / Severe hypertension and tachycardia after a stellate blockage: a case report

El bloqueo de ganglio estrellado es un procedimiento frecuentemente utilizado para aliviar los dolores crónicos del miembro superior, cabeza y cuello. Las complicaciones de este procedimiento son poco frecuentes y de presentarse suelen ser leves y tener una corta duración; entre las más comunes están la ronquera temporal y hematomas. Debido a que el ganglio estrellado se encuentra anatómicamente cerca de estructuras importantes como los nervios frénicos, larínge o recurrente, vago y grandes arterias, la distribución del anestésico aplicado pueden afectar más de una estructura. A continuación se describe el caso clínico de una mujer de 39años con síndrome doloroso regional complejo (SDRC) en su extremidad superior derecha. Se le realizó un bloqueo de ganglio estrellado con 10 ml de procaína al 1 % sin epinefrina y minutos después presentó taquicardia e hipertensión severas, la presión arterial incrementó de 135/80 a 235/135 mmHg. Se han descrito en la literatura pocos casos de hipertensión severa y taquicardia después de un bloqueo de ganglio estrellado. El anestésico local utilizado pudo haberse diseminado hacia las estructuras del cuello cercanas al ganglio, las cuales juegan un papel importante en el mantenimiento de la presión arterial, tales como el seno carotideo, el nervio glosofaríngeo y el vago; el bloqueo pudo haber producido una actividad simpática sin oposición (AU)

Stellate Ganglion Block is a procedure frequently used toalleviate chronic pain from the upper limb, head and neck. Complications of this procedure are uncommon but when they occur generally have a mild severity and short duration. The most reported complications are: temporal dysphony and hematomas. Because the stellate ganglion is near important structures of the neck; such as the phrenic, laryngeal and vagusnerves and big arteries, the distribution of local anesthetic can affect one or more of these structures. We describe the clinical case of a 39 years old woman with complex regional pain syndrome in the left upper limb. A stellate ganglion block was perform with 10 ml of procaine 1% without epinephrine, some minutes later she develops a severe hypertension and tachycardia, the arterial pressure of the patient increased from135/80 to 235/135 mm Hg. Few cases of severe hypertension and tachycardia after stellate ganglion block have been reported in literature. The anesthetic may have disseminated to structures in the neck that play an important function in the maintenance of the arterial pressure, such as the carotid sinus and glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. The blockage may have produced an unopposed sympathetic activity (AU)

Expresión de azúcares endometriales y del oviducto durante el ciclo reproductivo de la coneja / Expression of endometrial and oviductal glycoproteins during the reproductive cycle of female rabbit

Antecedentes: Numerosos factores han sido implicados en el proceso de implantación, entre ellos se destaca la presencia de glicoproteínas de superficie. Se ha demostrado en ratones, entre otros, que los tipos y cantidades de azúcares de superficie varían según el período del ciclo reproductivo en el que se encuentran, lo que podría sugerir un importante papel de estas variaciones en la mayor receptividad del útero al blastocisto. Objetivos: Describimos los carbohidratos de superficie del aparato reproductor de la coneja, correlacionándolos con los cambios en sus genitales externos, y con los distintos períodos de su ciclo reproductivo. Métodos: Se usaron 15 conejas, ovuladoras coitales, en las que se identifica el período del ciclo según cambios en sus genitales externos; 5 tenían vulva blanca (poca receptividad al macho y bajo índice de embarazos), 5 tenían vulva rosa, y 5 roja (máxima receptividad al macho y alto índice de embarazos). Se estudiaron variaciones en los azúcares de superficie en el oviducto, útero distal, útero medio y cuello uterino, representados por el grado de tinción de 5 lectinas: eritrina cristagalli (ECL), dolichos biforus agglutinin (DBA), ulex europaeus aglutinin-1(UEA-1), pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) y artocarpus integrifolia (Jacalin). Resultados: Hubo predominio del disacárido N-acetilgalactosamina alfa 1-3N-acetilgalac-tosamina (DBA) en todos los períodos y lugares del aparato reproductor, exceptuando el período de vulva roja en útero medio, donde prevalece la beta galactosa (Jacalina). Los residuos de manosa/alfa glucosa (PSA), presentan alta reacción en los períodos de vulva rosa y roja en el oviducto y útero distal. La galactosa beta 1-4 N-acetil glucosamina (ECL) y la L-fucosa (UEA-1) tienen bajo nivel de expresión en todos los sitios y períodos. Conclusión: La ausencia del disacárido N-acetilgalactosamina alfa 1-3N-acetilgalac-tosamina en el período de vulva roja y en el útero medio y la prevalencia de la beta galactosa en...

Alpha-interferon as induction and maintenance therapy in hairy cell leukemia: a long-term follow-up analysis.

Although in recent years the use of purine analogues has increased the percentage of long-term complete response the effect on overall survival of patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is not yet clear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome (mean follow up of 92 months) of 64 patients receiving IFN as first-line therapy. IFN was well tolerated and effective. The overall response rate was 91% (PR 65%, CR 13%, GPR 13%). Forty-one patients (63%) received IFN 3 MU/ wk as maintenance therapy. The 10-yr projected survival rate of responding patients (CR and GPR 100%; PR 95%) and non-responders (SD, PD 80%) clearly shows that type of response does not affect survival. Patients receiving IFN maintenance had a statistically higher PFS than those who did not (p <0.01). This study shows that IFN is still one of the standard therapies for this disease, that achieving CR has no primary relevance for the control of the disease, and that good utilization of therapeutic resources may assure HCL patients a survival rate comparable to that of a normal, healthy population.

Comparable TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and GM-CSF production by purified normal marrow CD3 cells in response to horse anti-lymphocyte and rabbit antithymocyte globulin.

In vitro priming of T cell with horse antilymphocyte globulin (HALG) results in cytokine release, and this has been associated with its clinical efficacy in patients with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA). Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) has been studied less extensively. In this study we compare the in vitro priming effect of HALG and RATG on purified normal marrow T cells: end-points of the study were 1) levels of TNF-alpha (TNF-alpha), IFN-gamma (IFN-gamma) GM-CSF in T cell supernatants, and 2) effect of T cell supernatants on colony formation with or without exogenous GM-CSF TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and GM-CSF levels were comparable for HALG, RATG and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). T cell supernatants showed comparable enhancement of colony formation in the presence of recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF) and supported colony forming unit granulomacrophage (CFU-GM) growth in the absence of growth factor. This study shows that horse and rabbit derived ALG/ATG and PHA have a comparable in vitro priming effect on T cells: both agents should probably be tested for their clinical efficacy in SAA patients.

Five day intermittent vs seven day continuous 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine infusion for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia. A study by Italian Group for the Hairy Cell Leukemia.

The new purine-analogue 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) has proved to induce an high CR rate and a long lasting disease free survival. In this study we compare the efficacy and toxicity of 2-CdA employed in two different schedules (A and B). Forty-one patients have been enrolled from 1994: 22 p. (group A) were treated with a single cycle of 2-CdA given as two hour i.v. infusion on 5 consecutive days (0.15 mg/kg/die); while 19 p. (group B) with continuous i.v. infusion for 7 consecutive days (0.10 mg/kg/die). Response criteria were those proposed by NCI. The Hairy Cell Index (HCI) was calculated using DBA44 MoAb. At three months, the responses in group A (19/22) were: 5 CR (26.3%), 6 GPR (31.5%), 5 PR and 3 NR.; in group B (17/19): 6 CR (35.3%), 3 GPR (17.6%), 4 PR and 4 NR. Overall response at six months was respectively 84.2% and 76.5%. At six months the responses were: in group A (18/22): 9 CR (50%), 4 GPR (22.2%), 3 PR, 2 NR; in group B (16/19): 4 CR (25%), 6 GPR (37.5%), 3 PR, 3 NR. Overall response at 6 months was respectively 88.8% (group A) and 81.2% (group B). The 5 day intermittent schedule appears efficient, well tolerated and suitable for out-patient treatment. DBA44 MoAb appears useful to better define the HCI and to distinguish CR from GPR.

Combined foscarnet -ganciclovir treatment for cytomegalovirus infections after allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (Hsct).

Thirty two allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients, aged 16-55 (median 35), with CMV antigenemia (= > 5 positive cells) developing at a median interval from BMT of 49 days, were given combined treatment with foscarnet and ganciclovir for 15 days. Maintenance was given with foscarnet and ganciclovir on alternate days for an additional 2 weeks. 31/32 patients were on cyclosporin 30 on systemic antibiotics and 9 were on intravenous amphotericin Median laboratory values on day 1 and 15 of treatment were respectively creatinine 1.0-1.1 mg%; WBC 5.7-4.1 x 10(9)/l; platelets 78 72 x 10(9)/l. All patients cleared CMV-antigenemia by day +15, though 5 reactivated on and 14 off maintenance: the dose of foscarnet (but not ganciclovir) received in the first 15 days was significantly lower in patients reactivating within 30 days (p = 0.0002). Six patients died, one with i.p., one with multiorgan failure, and four with infections. Eighteen patients survive 119-1051 days post-transplant. The actuarial TRM at 1 year is 23%. This study shows that combined foscarnet-ganciclovir is one therapeutic option for allogeneic BMT recipients developing CMVAg-emia with a high number of CMVAg+ cells: treatment can be given together with cyclosporin and antibiotics with appropriate dose reductions; it produces prompt clearing of CMV infection, and may reduce transplant related mortality when compared to single agent therapy.

Combined foscarnet-ganciclovir treatment for cytomegalovirus infections after allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation.

In a previous study, we showed that patients undergoing allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) who had cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia with more than 4 CMV antigen-positive cells/200,000 have a high transplant-related mortality (TRM) rate, despite treatment with ganciclovir or foscarnet. In an attempt to reduce TRM, 32 allogeneic HSCT recipients, between the ages of 16 and 55 years (median, 35 years), with CMV antigenemia (> or = 5 positive cells) developing at a median interval from HSCT of 49 days, were given combination treatment with foscarnet and ganciclovir for 15 days. The prescribed dose was 180 mg/kg/day of foscarnet and 10 mg/kg/day of ganciclovir: the median administered dose in the first 15 days, after adjusting for creatinine levels and peripheral blood counts, was 64% for foscarnet and 53% for ganciclovir. Maintenance was given with foscarnet and ganciclovir on alternate days for an additional 2 weeks. Thirty-one of 32 patients were on cyclosporine, 30 were on systemic antibiotics, and 9 were on intravenous amphotericin. Median laboratory values on days 1 and 15 of treatment were 1.0 and 1.1 mg/100 ml creatinine, 5.7 x 10(9)/L, and 4.1 x 10(9)/L white blood cells, and 78 x lO(9)/L and 72 x 10(9)/L platelets. All patients cleared CMV antigenemia by day +15, although CMV antigenemia recurred in 5 patients on maintenance therapy and in 14 patients off maintenance therapy: the dose of foscarnet (but not ganciclovir) received in the first 15 days was significantly lower in patients in whom antigenemia recurred within 30 days (P=0.0002). Six patients died, one with interstitial pneumonia, one with multiorgan failure, and four with infections. Twenty-six patients survived 119-1051 days after transplant. The actuarial TRM rate at 1 year is 23%. Eighteen patients who had received unmanipulated bone marrow transplants from HLA-identical siblings were compared with 15 matched controls who had been treated with a single drug (either foscarnet or ganciclovir) for CMV antigenemia (> or = 5 cells): the actuarial 1 year TRM rate was 13% for patients receiving combined treatment, compared with 47% for controls receiving a single drug (P=0.02). This study shows that combined foscarnet-ganciclovir is one therapeutic option for allogeneic HSCT recipients who develop CMV antigenemia with a high number of CMV antigen-positive cells. Treatment can be given together with cyclosporine and antibiotics with appropriate dose reductions. It produces prompt clearing of CMV infection, and may reduce TRM rates in comparison to single-agent therapy.

CMV-antigenemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: correlation of CMV-antigen positive cell numbers with transplant-related mortality.

One hundred and thirty-four consecutive patients undergoing HLA-identical BMT were prospectively followed on a weekly basis for the development of CMV antigenemia (CMVAg-emia). End-points of the study were (1) incidence, (2) risk factors, and (3) predictive effect on transplant-related mortality (TRM). Fifty-six patients developed CMVAg-emia between day 8-366 (median 40) with an overall actuarial risk of 43%. The median number of positive cells a diagnosis was 4 (range 1-48) the median maximum number was 6.5 (range 1-435). Positive cells are expressed as number/2.5 x 10(5) cells. In multivariate analysis, T cell depletion (TCD) (RR 2.9, P = 0.0009) and acute graft-versus-host disease (RR 2.1, P = 0.01) were the two risk factors predictive for CMVAg-emia. The risk of developing CMV-IP was significantly higher in patients with, as compared to patients without, CMVAg-emia (P = 0.0005) and occurred mostly in patients who received TCD marrow (P = 0.0009) despite treatment with gancyclovir or foscarnet at the time of CMVAg-emia. TRM was 24% in patients not developing CMVAg-emia; it was 21 and 47% in patients with "4" positive cells at diagnosis of CMV (P = 0.008), and 12 vs 54% for patients with "6" positive cells during infection (P = 0.0003). Both were predictive of TRM in multivariate analysis (P = 0.04 and P = 0.002). In conclusion, the risk of developing CMVAg-emia post-allo BMT is influenced by the marrow T cell content and by the occurrence of acute GVHD. High numbers of CMV antigen positive cells are associated with considerable transplant-related mortality, and may therefore identify patients eligible for early aggressive therapy.

Versión cefálica externa en la presentación podálica en embarazos mayores o iguales a 36 semanas, en el Hospital General de Medellín. 1990 – 1992 / Cephalic external version in podalic position in pregnancies of 36 weeks or longer terms. Medellín General Hospital 1990 -1992

Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, descriptivo, en el servicio de gineco-obstetricia en el Hospital General de Medellín, en pacientes con embarazo – 36 semanas y presentación podálica, a quienes se sometió a versión cefálica externa (V.C.E.) en el periodo comprendido entre Noviembre de 1990 a Noviembre de 1992. Se ejecutaron 45 versiones, de las cuales 18 (40 por ciento) fueron exitosas: 12 (26.67 por ciento) terminaran en parto vaginal en cefálica y 6 (13.33 por ciento) en parto por cesárea en cefálica. 27 (60 por ciento) versiones fueron no exitosas: 2 (4.44 por ciento) de ellas terminaron en parto vaginal en podálica y 25 (55.56 por ciento) en parto por cesárea en podálica...