Perceptions of why Malawians engage in concurrent sexual partnerships among a select population of radio listeners: findings from an exploratory study

Concurrent sexual partnerships have been identified as a potential driver in the HIV epidemic in Southern Africa. This study utilised an innovative approach to explore perceptions of why Malawians may engage in these relationships, and their suggestions for reducing the practice among a select population of radio listeners. Using radio listener feedback in the form of text messages, we analysed approximately 1 000 text messages sent by individuals who listened to a reality radio programme that included real stories, told by Malawians, on topics related to HIV/AIDS. Listeners suggested that lack of satisfaction with one’s partner was the overarching reason why individuals had concurrent sexual partnerships. Within the context of lack of satisfaction, listeners cited alcohol use, poor communication and gendered norms as factors related to satisfaction. Listeners suggested that couple communication could increase satisfaction, which, in turn, could reduce concurrent sexual partnerships. Prevention efforts should consider how to utilise couple communication to improve satisfaction as an approach to reduce HIV risk in Southern Africa.     

Two cases of primary non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma of female breast: Role of fine‐needle aspiration cytology and cell‐block immunohistochemistry

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is an uncommon neoplastic condition. Though HIV‐infection is a known risk factor for the development of extranodal lymphomas, mammary involvement is still a rarity. Radiologically, PBL appears as well circumscribed, heteroechoic, noncalcifying mass. Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is commonly used to diagnose this neoplasm; however, subcategorization requires immunophenotypic characterization of the neoplastic cells. Herein, we report two cases of PBL, including a HIV‐infected lady; in both the cases FNAC expressed features of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. Finally, immunohistochemistry on cell‐block with CD20 diagnosed both the cases as diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:235–240. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Acute pesticide-related illness among emergency responders, 1993-2002

BACKGROUND: Emergency responders are among the first to arrive at a pesticide-related release event. Magnitude, severity, and risk factor information on acute pesticide poisoning among those workers is needed. METHODS: Survey data collected from the SENSOR-Pesticides, CDPR and HSEES programs between 1993 and 2002 from 21 states were reviewed. Acute occupational pesticide-related illness incidence rates for each category of emergency responder were calculated, as were incidence rate ratios (IRR) among emergency responders compared to all other workers employed in non-agricultural industries. RESULTS: A total of 291 cases were identified. Firefighters accounted for 111 cases (38%), law enforcement officers for 104 cases (36%), emergency medical technicians for 34 cases (12%), and 42 cases (14%) were unspecified emergency responders. Among the 200 cases with information on activity responsible for exposure, most were exposed while performing activities related to a pesticide release event (84%) and not involving patient care, while the remainder involved exposure to pesticide-contaminated patients. A majority of cases were exposed to insecticides (51%). Most had low severity illnesses (90%). The incidence rate was highest for firefighters (39.1/million) and law enforcement officers (26.6/million). The IRRs were also elevated for these professions (firefighters, IRR = 2.67; law enforcement officers, IRR = 1.69). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the need for greater efforts to prevent acute occupational pesticide-related illness among emergency responders.     

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura complicating pregnancy

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a relatively common but unrecognised auto-immune disorder among women of child bearing age. Nearly one-third of patients present with bleeding tendency in pregnancy. Management necessitates care of mother during pregnancy and delivery and care of the baby. Steroids remain the chief, economical and effective method of raising platelet counts, but platelet transfusion and human intravenous high dose alpha-globulin may be required. Neonatal thrombocytopenia must be expected and managed. Management of patient, since it concerns two lives, should be individualised and carefully planned in consultation with haematologist and paediatrician.     

Craniosacral therapy: the effects of cranial manipulation on intracranial pressure and cranial bone movement

STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental design. OBJECTIVES: To determine if physical manipulation of the cranial vault sutures will result in changes of the intracranial pressure (ICP) along with movement at the coronal suture. BACKGROUND: Craniosacral therapy is used to treat conditions ranging from headache pain to developmental disabilities. However, the biological premise for this technique has been theorized but not substantiated in the literature. METHODS: Thirteen adult New Zealand white rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus) were anesthetized and microplates were attached on either side of the coronal suture. Epidural ICP measurements were made using a NeuroMonitor transducer. Distractive loads of 5, 10, 15, and 20 g (simulating a craniosacral frontal lift technique) were applied sequentially across the coronal suture. Baseline and distraction radiographs and ICP were obtained. One animal underwent additional distractive loads between 100 and 10,000 g. Plate separation was measured using a digital caliper from the radiographs. Two-way analysis of variance was used to assess significant differences in ICP and suture movement. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted between baseline and distraction suture separation (F = 0.045; P>.05) and between baseline and distraction ICP (F = 0.279; P>.05) at any load. In the single animal that underwent additional distractive forces, movement across the coronal suture was not seen until the 500-g force, which produced 0.30 mm of separation but no corresponding ICP changes. CONCLUSION: Low loads of force, similar to those used clinically when performing a craniosacral frontal lift technique, resulted in no significant changes in coronal suture movement or ICP in rabbits. These results suggest that a different biological basis for craniosacral therapy should be explored.     

Image digitization of discontinuous and degraded electrocardiogram paper records using an entropy-based bit plane slicing algorithm

Background

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are routinely recorded and stored in a variety of paper or scanned image format. Current ECG recording machines record ECG on graph paper, also it provides digitized ECG signal along with automated cardiovascular diagnosis (CVD). However, such recording machines cannot analyse preserved paper ECG records as it requires input in terms of digitized signal. Therefore, it is important to extract ECG signal from these preserved paper ECG records using digitization method. There are different paper degradations that adversely affect digitization process. The purpose of this work is to perform an image enhancement and digitization of the degraded ECG images to extract continuous ECG signal.