Xanthinol nicotinate in the management of leg ulcers associated with haemoglobinopathies

The therapeutic role of xanthinol nicotinate, with its potent action on the peripheral circulation, in promoting healing of leg ulcers when added to conservative measures of ulcer treatment in adult beta-thalassaemia major and sickle cell thalassaemia, was evaluated in a double-blind crossover trial in 16 patients suffering from multiple leg ulcers. Conservative measures of ulcer treatment were leg raising in horizontal position for 14 hours, bed-rest, local antiseptic dressings and antibiotics. Xanthinol nicotinate or placebo was administered in a daily dose of 8 tablets (2400 mg) for 10 weeks. Comparison of the treatment results of conservative measures plus xanthinol nicotinate and those of conservative measures plus placebo revealed a statistically significant higher rate of complete ulcer healing during xanthinol nicotinate therapy (p less than 0.01). Apart from a low incidence of generalized itching and flushing at the start of the trial, xanthinol nicotinate was well tolerated in the prescribed dose.     

Bone voyage: an expedition into the molecular and cellular parameters affecting bone graft fate

The demand for bone grafts in orthopaedic and craniofacial surgery is steadily increasing. Estimations suggest that about 500,000 are performed annually in the United States that include bone grafting as a component of the surgery, and the majority of these surgeries employ autografts. This perspective focuses on the biological events that occur during osseointegration of such bone grafts. Here, three key factors of graft osseointegration--the embryonic origin, the inclusion of skeletal progenitor cells, and the integrity of the recipient site--are discussed. Altogether, they form the foundation for survival of the bone graft and eventually for a positive clinical outcome of the procedure.     

Prevalence,predictors and reasons for home delivery amongst women of childbearing age in Dodoma Municipality in central Tanzania

IntroductionThe objective was to determine the prevalence, predictors and reasons for home delivery amongst women of childbearing age in Dodoma, Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted amongst women living in Dodoma Municipality. Data were collected using adapted questionnaires and analysed using SPPS version 23. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the independent predictors of home delivery.ResultsA total of 425 women of childbearing age were enrolled in this study. The mean (± SD) age of the participants was 28.7 (±7.1) years. The prevalence of home delivery was 35.5% (n=150, 95% CI 30.9 – 40.2). Women with secondary school and above had 93% less odds of home delivery than women who had no education (AOR=0.0795% CI: 0.03–0.18). Women who lived in rural areas (AOR=3.49, 95% CI: 2.12–5.75), and women living more than 5km from health facilities (AOR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.65–4.37) had higher odds of home delivery. The main reasons for home delivery were transportation cost, and long distance to the nearest health facilities.ConclusionIn this population, the prevalence of home delivery remained to be high. To address this more collaborative multisectoral effort like strengthening health education and strengthening maternity waiting homes are needed.     

Statistical Approach for Brain Cancer Classification Using a Region Growing Threshold

In brain cancer, a biopsy as an invasive procedure is needed in order to differentiate between malignant and benign brain tumor. However, in some cases, it is difficult or harmful to perform such a procedure, to the brain. The aim of this study is to investigate a new method in maximizing the probability of brain cancer type detection without actual biopsy procedure. The proposed method combines both image and statistical analysis for tumor type detection. It employed image filtration and segmentation of the target region of interest with MRI to assure an accurate statistical interpretation of the results. Statistical analysis was based on utilizing the mean, range, box plot, and testing of hypothesis techniques to reach acceptable and accurate results in differentiating between those two types. This method was performed, examined and compared on actual patients with brain tumors. The results showed that the proposed method was quite successful in distinguishing between malignant and benign brain tumor with 95% confident that the results are correct based on statistical testing of hypothesis.     

Utilizing wavelet transform and support vector machine for detection of the paradoxical splitting in the second heart sound

Paradoxical splitting occurs when pulmonic valve (P2) closes before the aortic valve (A2). This causes second heart sound (S2) to be a single sound during inspiration and split during exhalation. Etiology delay in aortic closure: aortic stenosis, volume overload of left ventricle (LV), conduction defects in LV, and left bundle branch block (LBBB). In this article, a method was proposed in early detection of a reverse in the appearance of A2 and P2 within S2. This method is based on the time–frequency maps obtained with the continuous wavelet transform (CWT), namely, the Meyer wavelet. A number of patients with LBBB and others with fitted pacemakers were studied. The above method is combined with the support vector machine (SVM) and performance of this method is evaluated using classification accuracy (Ca), sensitivity (Se), specificity, positive, and negative predicted values. Results show that it is relatively easy to detect the reverse in A2 and P2 and the Ca and Se is 90.97 and 94.44%, respectively, for the sample of 42 patients whose data were collected from the Cardiology Department at Brighton and Sussex University Hospital in England.     

A multi-bundle concentric coil wirelessly transferring power to in vivo implantable devices

Biomedical devices implanted inside the human body have a heavy demand on battery power. The internal batteries are charged wirelessly through two coils. The primary is placed outside the chest and is fed with an electromagnetic field, while the implanted secondary delivers current to the batteries. Increasing the number of turns in the internal secondary induces an increased amount of localized heat. A new approach proposed by the authors involves implanting a specifically designed multi-bundle concentric coil inside the body. It is shown that this newly proposed coil produces less localized heat. The total number of turns in the proposed coil is the same as that in the single-bundle coil except that it is divided into four equal bundles. Each bundle has a different diameter and is spatially concentric. Since the turns are divided into thinner bundles, they are easier to isolate with a biocompatible material and offer much better heat dissipation and fewer hotspots. Electromagnetic simulation using finite element analysis proved that the performance of the proposed coil is no lower than the single-bundle ordinary coil. Thermal simulation showed the improvement of temperature distribution using the multi-bundle coil, compared to the single-bundle coil.