RESUMEN

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of "semiocclusive dressing (SOD)" treatment using plastic wrap or low-adherent absorbent wound dressings with that of occlusive dressing (OD) treatment for National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel stage III/IV pressure injuries in the inflammatory phase. Approach: This 12-week, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted at one hospital and three care facilities. Seventy-seven participants were enrolled; 40 comprised the SOD group and 37 comprised the OD group. The primary outcome was the surface area reduction. Secondary outcomes included the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) score reductions, incidence of adverse events, and material cost. This trial met the recommendations of the CONSORT 2010 statement. Results: The surface area reduction of the SOD group was greater than that of the OD group throughout the study period. The significant interaction was revealed between treatment and time course (p < 0.0001). The 95% confidence interval of the difference at 12 weeks was 3.4 to 21.9. The median BWAT score reduction of the SOD group at 12 weeks was 23, and that of the OD group was 18.5 (p = 0.0077). The incidence of adverse events was comparable between groups. The OD treatment cost was 3.0 times higher than the SOD treatment cost (p = 0.0012). Innovation: Because the SOD does not completely occlude the wound, excess exudate drains from the wound. Therefore, SOD can treat the wound with abundant exudate effectively and safely. Conclusion: SOD treatment is more effective and less expensive than OD treatment for stage III/IV pressure injuries. Clinical Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry [UMIN000023412]. Registered on July 31, 2016.

RESUMEN

Objective:To develop a new type of detection window protective device for surface contamination monitor,and to verify its testing effect.Methods:The new type of surface contamination monitor detection window protection device was composed of the protective film and fixed frame,which was of integrated design and one-off production.The protective film was made of transparent flat Myra film,thickness≤2.5μm,the fixed frame was a rectangular hollow structure surrounded by four edges and provided with a working surface and a mounting surface.The protective film was pasted on the inner wall of the working surface of the fixed frame by adhesive,and the protective film and fixed frame were installed on the outside of the detection window of the surface contamination monitor by means of fixing buckles.Two commonly used surface contamination detection instruments,RDa150 and Como170,were selected to measure artificial radiation sources under three protection states:no film protection,plastic wrap protection and new protection device to test the detection efficiency and operability of the new surface contamination monitor's detection window protection device.Results:Compared with the traditional protective measures of plastic wrap,the detection efficiency of α,β and γ rays was more effectively ensured by the new detection window protective device for surface contamination monitor,and the detection efficiency of α rays was increased from about 40%to about 70%.Conclusion:The new detection window protection device for surface contamination monitor can significantly improve the detection efficiency of radioactive contamination,especially alpha-ray pollution,and effectively protect the instrument and equipment,and effectively improve the detection efficiency of surface contamination detection operators.

RESUMEN

Developing ultraflexible sensors using metal oxides is challenging due to the high-temperature annealing step in the fabrication process. Here, we demonstrate the ultraflexible relative humidity (RH) sensor on food plastic wrap by using 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser annealing for 1 min at a low temperature (26.2-40.8 °C). The wettability of plastic wraps coated with sol-gel solution is modulated to obtain uniform films. The surface morphology, local temperature, and electrical properties of the SnO2 resistor under NIR laser irradiation with a power of 16, 33, and 84 W/cm2 are investigated. The optimal device can detect wide-range RH from 15% to 70% with small incremental changes (0.1-2.2%). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals the relation between the surface binding condition and sensing response. Finally, the proposed sensor is attached onto the face mask to analyze the real-time human breath pattern in slow, normal, and fast modes, showing potential in wearable electronics or respiration monitoring.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Background: Autologous non-cultured cell (ANCC) spray has been used to treat burns, chronic wounds, and vitiligo, but its use in junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) has not been published previously. Chronic wounds in JEB are caused by mutations of laminin 332 (L322), whose function is to attach and act as a glue in the basal membrane. It is proposed that ANCC applications can provide keratinocytes and fibroblasts required to improve epithelization and spontaneously correct revertant keratinocytes in the wound area. Purpose: To develop a modified procedure of ANCC spray and improve epithelization using silver sulfadiazine covered with plastic wrap to treat chronic wounds of JEB. Patients and Methods: Shave excision of the donor site was performed on a 19-year-old girl with JEB. The ANCC spray was prepared and applied to the chronic wound, which was then covered with silver sulfadiazine occluded with plastic wrap. Results: Following the ANCC spray application, epithelization was successfully initiated. Unfortunately, the wounds recurred after four months of follow-up. Conclusion: The modified application method of ANCC spray provides a good alternative to treat chronic wounds in JEB.

RESUMEN

Objective: We developed a leak-proof puncture technique for giant ovarian cysts by instantly mounting a plastic wrap to the cysts using cyanoacrylates and aspirating cyst fluid over the wrap. Here, we modified it by inserting a gauze between the wrap and cyst to strengthen the mounting. This study aimed to clarify the feasibility of the modified procedure. Method: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a single center. Surgical outcomes of 35 women who underwent the modified procedure from December 2013 to July 2020 were compared with those of 51 women who underwent the original procedure. Results: Mean long-axis diameters of the cysts were 233.1 mm and 229.8 mm in the modified and original procedures, respectively. The median of surgical time, blood loss, and aspirated fluid volume were 109 min, 50 ml, and 3,050 ml, in the modified procedure, all of which were not significantly different from those of the original procedure. One case of mounting disruption and two (5.7%) cases of intraperitoneal spillage of the cyst fluid were observed in the modified procedure, whereas four (7.8%) cases of mounting disruption and five (9.8%) cases of intraperitoneal spillage occurred in the original procedure. These events were caused by aspiration difficulty of the high viscosity fluid and/or multilocular cysts. Laparotomy conversion was observed in five (14.3%) cases in the modified procedure. Conclusion: Our modified procedure is feasible in select cases. The high viscosity of the cyst fluid and multilocular cyst may cause mounting disruption and intraperitoneal spillage of the cyst fluid.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether early polyethylene bag use with skin-to-skin care compared with skin-to skin care alone reduce hypothermia among infants born at term in resource-limited settings. STUDY DESIGN: Infants born at term in the tertiary referral center in Lusaka, Zambia, were randomized using sequentially numbered sealed opaque envelopes in 2 phases: after birth (phase 1) and at 1 hour after birth (phase 2) to either skin-to-skin care with polyethylene bags or skin-to-skin care alone. Infant and maternal temperatures were recorded at birth, 1 hour, and every 4 hours until discharge or 24 hours. RESULTS: We enrolled 423 infants from May 2017 to August 2017. The rate of moderate-severe hypothermia (temperature <36.0°C) at 1 hour was 72 of 208 (34.6%) in the skin-to-skin care with a polyethylene bag group compared with 101 of 213 (47.4%) in the skin-to-skin care alone group (relative risk, 0.71; 95% CI 0.56-0.90; P < .01; number needed to treat = 8). phase 1 treatment assignment significantly modified the effect of phase 2 treatment (P = .02 for interaction effect). Among infants randomized to skin-to-skin care with a polyethylene bag in phase 1, the risk of moderate-severe hypothermia was decreased in infants randomized to continue this intervention until discharge compared with infants randomized to skin-to-skin care alone. The rates of severe hypothermia, hyperthermia, and other adverse events did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low-cost polyethylene bags started after birth in combination with skin-to-skin care reduced moderate or severe hypothermia at 1 hour and at discharge among infants born at term in a resource-limited setting compared with skin-to-skin care alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03141723.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

An increasing accumulation of microplastics and further degraded nanoplastics in our environment is suspected to have harmful effects on humans and animals. To clarify this problem, we tested the cytotoxicity of two types of plastic wrap on human cultured liver cells and mouse primary cultured liver cells. Alcohol extracts from plastic wrap, i.e., polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), showed cytotoxic effects on the cells. Alcohol extracts of polyethylene (PE) wrap were not toxic. The commercially available PVDC wrap consists of vinylidene chloride, epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized linseed oil as a stiffener and stabilizer; we sought to identify which component(s) are toxic. The epoxidized soybean oil and epoxidized linseed oil exerted strong cytotoxicity, but the plastic raw material itself, vinylidene chloride, did not. Our findings indicate that plastic wraps should be used with caution in order to prevent health risks.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This study explores the practicability and usability of the cling film plastic wrap on the dead body with decomposition changes, whereby the feasibility of wrapping the remains to ensure the containment of the decomposition fluid within the cling film plastic wrap. Unknown and unclaimed dead bodies were used. Wrapping and preservation of human remains using the cling film plastic wrap could be the best operational practices for first responders rather than leaving bodies exposed on the disaster site, when the supplies of the cadaver body bags are inadequate. Thinking out of the box, the conventional way of using cadaver body bags to the cling film plastic wrap forms a new perspective in managing the dead and facilitating the human identification needs. New inventive idea of adopting the cling film plastic wrap as means of protecting the dignity of the dead person, could be the way forward in humanitarian forensic action.

RESUMEN

In order to fabricate a digital microfluidic (DMF) chip, which requires a patterned array of electrodes coated with a dielectric film, we explored two simple methods: Ballpoint pen printing to generate the electrodes, and wrapping of a dielectric plastic film to coat the electrodes. For precise and programmable printing of the patterned electrodes, we used a digital plotter with a ballpoint pen filled with a silver nanoparticle (AgNP) ink. Instead of using conventional material deposition methods, such as chemical vapor deposition, printing, and spin coating, for fabricating the thin dielectric layer, we used a simple method in which we prepared a thin dielectric layer using pre-made linear, low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) plastic (17-µm thick) by simple wrapping. We then sealed it tightly with thin silicone oil layers so that it could be used as a DMF chip. Such a treated dielectric layer showed good electrowetting performance for a sessile drop without contact angle hysteresis under an applied voltage of less than 170 V. By using this straightforward fabrication method, we quickly and affordably fabricated a paper-based DMF chip and demonstrated the digital electrofluidic actuation and manipulation of drops.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of polyethylene skin wrapping on thermoregulation in preterm neonates. METHODS: Total 151 neonates were enrolled in this randomized control trial. In the control group, neonates were transferred to the radiant warmer and covered with warm cloth after initial care. In the study group, neonates were transferred to the radiant warmer and placed in a food-grade polyethylene bag for 1 h. Axillary temperature of all neonates was recorded for first 24 h at frequent time intervals. RESULTS: Mean temperature reached to normal range earlier and remained significantly higher in the study group for most time intervals, and this difference persisted even at 24 h. Significantly less number of preterm newborns suffered from hypothermia in the study group as compared with the control group [50 (67.6%) vs. 67 (87%), p = 0.004]. CONCLUSIONS: Polyethylene wraps achieved rapid, sustained thermal control and were effective in preventing hypothermia in preterm newborns.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Cadaver body bags are the conventional method to contain a human body or human remains, which includes the use for storage and transportation of the deceased at any crime scene or disaster scene. During disasters, most often than not, the first responders including the police will be equipped with cadaver body bags to do scene processing of human remains and collection of personal belongings at the disaster site. However, in an unanticipated large scale disasters involving hundreds and thousands of fatalities, cadaver body bags supplies may be scarce. The authors have therefore innovated the cling film plastic wrap as an alternative for the cadaver body bag used at the disaster site. The plastic wrap was tested on six different experimental subjects, i.e. both adult and child mannequins; body parts of the mannequin figure (arm and hand); a human adult subject and an unknown dead body. The strengths of the cling film plastic wrap are discussed in comparison with the cadaver body bag in the aspects of costing, weight, duration of the wrap, water and body fluid resistant properties, visibility and other advantages. An average savings of more than 5000% are noted for both adult body wrap and child body wrap compared to the cadaver body wrap. This simply means that the authors can either wrap 25 adult dead bodies or 80 children dead bodies with the cost of 1 cadaver body bag. The cling film plastic wrap has proven to have significant innovation impact for dead body management particularly by the first responders in large scale disasters. With proper handling of dead bodies, first responders can manage the dead with dignity and respect in an overwhelmed situation to facilitate the humanitarian victim identification process later.

RESUMEN

Cadaver body bags are the conventional method to contain a human body or human remains, which includes the use for storage and transportation of the deceased at any crime scene or disaster scene. During disasters, most often than not, the first responders including the police will be equipped with cadaver body bags to do scene processing of human remains and collection of personal belongings at the disaster site. However, in an unanticipated large scale disasters involving hundreds and thousands of fatalities, cadaver body bags supplies may be scarce. The authors have therefore innovated the cling film plastic wrap as an alternative for the cadaver body bag used at the disaster site. The plastic wrap was tested on six different experimental subjects, i.e. both adult and child mannequins; body parts of the mannequin figure (arm and hand); a human adult subject and an unknown dead body. The strengths of the cling film plastic wrap are discussed in comparison with the cadaver body bag in the aspects of costing, weight, duration of the wrap, water and body fluid resistant properties, visibility and other advantages. An average savings of more than 5000% are noted for both adult body wrap and child body wrap compared to the cadaver body wrap. This simply means that the authors can either wrap 25 adult dead bodies or 80 children dead bodies with the cost of 1 cadaver body bag. The cling film plastic wrap has proven to have significant innovation impact for dead body management particularly by the first responders in large scale disasters. With proper handling of dead bodies, first responders can manage the dead with dignity and respect in an overwhelmed situation to facilitate the humanitarian victim identification process later.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Buruli ulcer is the third most common mycobacterial infection next to tuberculosis and leprosy caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Although it affects the skin, subcutaneous tissues, muscles and sometimes bones, there is no reliable evidence to determine the extent of debridement. We present here a case of Buruli ulcer treated successfully with a preoperative mapping biopsy procedure, which had been self-medicated with occlusive dressing. Because Buruli ulcer is accompanied by subtle pain, patients and clinicians tend to initially treat the ulcer with occlusive dressing therapy, which leads to the misdiagnosis of Buruli ulcer as a common bacterial infection only judging from bacterial culture of the surface of the ulcer. We propose the efficacy of mapping biopsy for treating Buruli ulcer.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Semitransparent solar cells are highly attractive for application as power-generating windows. In this work, we present semitransparent perovskite solar cells that employ conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT: PSS) film as the transparent counter electrode. The PEDOT: PSS electrode is prepared by transfer lamination technique using plastic wrap as the transfer medium. The use of the transfer lamination technique avoids the damage of the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite film by direct contact of PEDOT: PSS aqueous solution. The semitransparent perovskite solar cells yield a power conversion efficiency of 10.1% at an area of about 0.06 cm(2) and 2.9% at an area of 1 cm(2). The device structure and the fabrication technique provide a facile way to produce semitransparent perovskite solar cells.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Domestic plastic wrap has been recommended as an appropriate acute burn wound dressing in the Emergency Management of Severe Burns course. There remain limited studies reporting the risk of infection associated with this dressing. AIM: To determine the potential infection risk of domestic plastic wrap used to treat acute burns wounds by assessment for the presence of clinically significant micro-organisms. METHODS: Ten plastic wrap samples were collected from a roll that had been opened for several months on the burns ward at our institution. Plastic wrap was imprinted directly onto horse-blood agar plates. The plates were incubated for 72h in aerobic conditions with 5% CO2. RESULTS: We found no significant growth on any agar plate after incubation. A sufficient amount of plastic wrap was sampled to be confident that areas up to 12cm×12cm from the centre of the plastic sheet were aerobically sterile. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the potential for plastic wrap to act as a fomite when used as an acute burn wound dressing is extremely low.

Asunto(s)