scholarly journals Neonatal innovations in resource-limited settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 82-86
Author(s):  
Neha Agarwal ◽  
Rakesh Kumar ◽  
Girish Gupta

In the year 2000, Millennium Declaration was signed by the world leaders to reduce the under-5 mortality rate by two-thirds from the baseline figure in 1990. Millennium Development Goal 4 was replaced by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) in 2015. Reduction in the neonatal mortality, which accounts for majority of the deaths in children under the age of 5 years, was an imminent goal of SDG. Despite these initiatives, the current trends in neonatal mortality are far away from the expected targets. To curb the rate of neonatal mortality, the neonatal services are expanding in India at a rapid pace. To bridge the gap between the availability and accessibility to the health care technology between the developed and developing countries, the current focus is toward the development of low-cost and effective technological innovations in neonatal care and ensuring their patenting and effective publicity. This should facilitate the translation of innovations into mass production and availability for practice with significant effect in low- and middle-income countries. Generation of evidence will increase the acceptability of these innovations by demonstrating their benefit over the currently available technologies. Fortuitously, India has developed many innovations in the neonatal health care. However, majority of the neonatologists are still unaware of the existing technological solutions, and the ways to optimally utilize them. This review is, therefore, an attempt to recognize such low-cost, effective, and sustainable innovations done in the field of neonatology, over the past few decades.

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maziar M. Nourian ◽  
Patrick Kolbay ◽  
Soeren Hoehne ◽  
Ahrash E. Poursaid ◽  
Ann E. Rowley ◽  
...  

Background. Access to basic anesthetic monitoring in the developing world is lacking, which contributes to the 100 times greater anesthesia-related mortality in low- and middle-income countries. We hypothesize that an environmental sensor with a lower sampling rate could provide some clinical utility by providing CO2 levels, respiratory rate, and support in detection of clinical abnormalities. Materials and Methods. A bench-top lung simulation was created to replicate CO2 waveforms, and an environmental sensor was compared with industry-available technology. Sensor response time and respiratory rates were compared between devices. Additionally, an in silico model was created to replicate capnography pathology as waveforms would appear using the environmental sensor. Results and Conclusion. Breath simulations using the bench-top lung simulation produced similar results to industry standards with a degree of variability. Respiratory rates did not differ between the environmental sensor and all other devices tested. Finally, pathological waveforms created in silico carried a certain level of detail regarding ventilatory pathology, which could provide some clinical insight to an anesthesiologist. We believe our prototype is the first step toward making low-cost and portable capnography available in the resource-limited setting, and future efforts should focus on bridging the gap to safer anesthesia and surgery globally.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Oberhagemann ◽  
A. M. Aminul Haque ◽  
Angela Thompson

Protecting against riverbank erosion along the world’s largest rivers is challenging. The Bangladesh Delta, bisected by the Brahmaputra River (also called the Jamuna River), is rife with complexity. Here, an emerging middle-income country with the world’s highest population density coexists with the world’s most unpredictable and largest braided, sand-bed river. Bangladesh has struggled over decades to protect against the onslaught of a continuously widening river corridor. Many of the principles implemented successfully in other parts of the world failed in Bangladesh. To this end, Bangladesh embarked on intensive knowledge-based developments and piloted new technologies. After two decades, successful, sustainable, low-cost riverbank protection technology was developed, suitable for the challenging river conditions. It was necessary to accept that no construction is permanent in this morphologically dynamic environment. What was initially born out of fund shortages became a cost-effective, systematic and adaptive approach to riverbank protection using improved knowledge, new materials, and new techniques, in the form of geobag revetments. This article provides an overview of the challenges faced when attempting to stabilize the riverbanks of the mighty rivers of Bangladesh. An overview of the construction of the major bridge crossings as well as riverbank protection schemes is detailed. Finally, a summary of lessons learned concludes the impressive progress made.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1299-1306
Author(s):  
F. Ewere ◽  
D.O. Eke

Reducing the rate of mortality in neonates to as low as 12 per 1,000 live births is one of the clearly spelt out aims of the third tenet of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) because of its importance to the dynamics of population. While there have been various studies focused majorly on the causes, rates and determinants of neonatal mortality in Nigeria, studies on the impact of maternal/child care characteristics on neonatal mortalityand the potential implication of failing to attain the SDG target for neonatal mortality have seemingly been neglected. In this study, we undertake an analysis of the impact of maternal / child care characteristics on neonatal mortality using the logistic regression model. Results from the study showed that antenatal care (P-value = 0.000, odds ratio = 0.546 for women who visited the hospital during pregnancy on more than 5 occasions), post natal care (P-value = 0.004, odds ratio = 0.402 for women who received early neonatal care from skilled medical personnel), place ofdelivery (P-value = 0.000, odds ratio = 0.592 for babies that were delivered in a government hospital) and skill of birth attendant (P-value = 0.000, odds ratio = 0.706 for babies who were delivered by trained doctors/nurses/midwives) had significant impact on neonatal mortality at the 95% confidence level implying that improved maternal health care: before, during and immediately after delivery as well as the quality of care to motherand child are both important and necessary to the reduction of neonatal mortality in Nigeria. To achieve the sustainable development target for neonatal mortality, it is therefore recommended that stake holders in the public health sector improve the quality of existing health care facilities and access to quality services. Keywords: Neonatal mortality, logistic regression, maternal care, child health care, Nigeria


2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (5) ◽  
pp. 656-670
Author(s):  
Francis Zerd ◽  
Brian E Moore ◽  
Atuganile E Malango ◽  
Patrick W Hosokawa ◽  
Kevin O Lillehei ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Since neuropathologic diagnosis in the developing world is hampered by limitations in technical infrastructure, trained laboratory personnel, and subspecialty-trained pathologists, the use of telepathology for diagnostic support, second-opinion consultations, and ongoing training holds promise as a means of addressing these challenges. This study aims to assess the utility of static teleneuropathology in improving neuropathologic diagnoses in low- and middle-income countries. Methods Consecutive neurosurgical biopsy and resection specimens obtained at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, were selected for retrospective, blinded static-image neuropathologic review followed by on-site review by an expert neuropathologist. Results A total of 75 neuropathologic cases were reviewed. The agreement of static images and on-site glass diagnosis was 71% with strict criteria and 88% with less stringent criteria. This represents an overall improvement in diagnostic accuracy from 36% by general pathologists to 71% by a neuropathologist using static telepathology (or from 76% to 88% with less stringent criteria). Conclusions Telepathology offers a promising means of providing diagnostic support, second-opinion consultations, and ongoing training to pathologists practicing in resource-limited countries. Moreover, static digital teleneuropathology is an uncomplicated, cost-effective, and reliable way to achieve these goals.


2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (99) ◽  
pp. 17588-17591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Yu ◽  
Qiong Chen ◽  
Yun Li Tian ◽  
An Xiu Gao ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
...  

Versatile chemical and biological inks were printed using a cost-effective flash foam stamp (FFS) for one-post patterning of multiple protein gradients, demonstrating an accessible solution for resource-limited laboratories conducting molecular patterning experiments.


2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeongchi Wu ◽  
Hector R. Casanova ◽  
Andrea J. Ikeda

This paper describes a new fabrication process for making low-cost transradial sockets using recyclable plastic soda bottles. Easy, fast, and inexpensive to fabricate, the resulting socket can be used as a temporary device for stump care. Multiple sockets can be made and individually incorporated with various terminal devices for light-duty self-care or functional activities, such as feeding, showering, typing, swimming, or gardening. The formed socket is lightweight and also suitable for use with a cosmetic passive hand prosthesis. This process has been developed as a potential cost-effective assistive technology appropriate for individuals with transradial amputation in resource-limited countries.


10.2196/18555 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. e18555
Author(s):  
Evangelia Kalaitzoglou ◽  
Edna Majaliwa ◽  
Margaret Zacharin ◽  
Carine de Beaufort ◽  
Jean-Pierre Chanoine ◽  
...  

Background Electronic learning (e-learning) is a widely accessible, low-cost option for learning remotely in various settings that allows interaction between an instructor and a learner. Objective We describe the development of a free and globally accessible multilingual e-learning module that provides education material on topics in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes and that is intended for first-line physicians and health workers but also trainees or medical specialists in resource-limited countries. Methods As complements to concise chapters, interactive vignettes were constructed, exemplifying clinical issues and pitfalls, with specific attention to the 3 levels of medical health care in resource-limited countries. The module is part of a large e-learning portal, ESPE e-learning, which is based on ILIAS (Integriertes Lern-, Informations- und Arbeitskooperations-System), an open-source web-based learning management system. Following a review by global experts, the content was translated by native French, Spanish, Swahili, and Chinese–speaking colleagues into their respective languages using a commercial web-based translation tool (SDL Trados Studio). Results Preliminary data suggest that the module is well received, particularly in targeted parts of the world and that active promotion to inform target users is warranted. Conclusions The e-learning module is a free globally accessible multilingual up-to-date tool for use in resource-limited countries that has been utilized thus far with success. Widespread use will require dissemination of the tool on a global scale.


PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Robertson ◽  
James Dalton ◽  
Siouxsie Wiles ◽  
Marija Gizdavic-Nikolaidis ◽  
Simon Swift

Tuberculosis is considered a leading cause of death worldwide. More than 95% of cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. In resource-limited countries, hospitals often lack adequate facilities to manage and isolate patients with infectious tuberculosis (TB), relying instead on personal protective equipment, such as facemasks, to reduce nosocomial transmission of the disease. Facemasks impregnated with an antimicrobial agent may be a cost-effective way of adding an extra level of protection against the spread of TB by reducing the risk of disease transmission. Conducting polymers, such as polyaniline (PANI), and their functionalised derivatives are a novel class of antimicrobial agents with potential as non-leaching additives to provide contamination resistant surfaces. We have investigated the antimicrobial action of PANI and a functionalised derivative, poly-3-aminobenzoic acid (P3ABA), against mycobacteria and have determined the optimal treatment time and concentration to achieve significant knockdown ofMycobacterium smegmatisandMycobacterium tuberculosison an agar surface. Results indicated that P3ABA is a potential candidate for use as an anti-tuberculoid agent in facemasks to reduce TB transmission.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farwa Altaf ◽  
Shourong Wu ◽  
Vivi Kasim

Thrombosis, a major cause of deaths in this modern era responsible for 31% of all global deaths reported by WHO in 2017, is due to the aggregation of fibrin in blood vessels which leads to myocardial infarction or other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Classical agents such as anti-platelet, anti-coagulant drugs or other enzymes used for thrombosis treatment at present could leads to unwanted side effects including bleeding complication, hemorrhage and allergy. Furthermore, their high cost is a burden for patients, especially for those from low and middle-income countries. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop novel and low-cost drugs for thrombosis treatment. Fibrinolytic enzymes, including plasmin like proteins such as proteases, nattokinase, and lumbrokinase, as well as plasminogen activators such as urokinase plasminogen activator, and tissue-type plasminogen activator, could eliminate thrombi with high efficacy rate and do not have significant drawbacks by directly degrading the fibrin. Furthermore, they could be produced with high-yield and in a cost-effective manner from microorganisms as well as other sources. Hence, they have been considered as potential compounds for thrombosis therapy. Herein, we will discuss about natural mechanism of fibrinolysis and thrombus formation, the production of fibrinolytic enzymes from different sources and their application as drugs for thrombosis therapy.


Author(s):  
Qingfeng Li ◽  
Adnan A Hyder

Injuries are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity for children 10–19 years old globally. Low and middle-income countries account for a burden of injuries disproportionate to their population, vehicle possession, and economic activities. Common types of unintentional injuries include road traffic crashes, drowning, burns, and falls. Self-harm is the most common type of intentional injury globally. Major barriers to injury prevention are lack of quality data on injury epidemiology, misperception of injuries as ‘accidents’, insufficient funding, and the multi-sectorial nature of injury prevention. Previous studies and experience, mostly from high-income countries, have identified a set of effective and cost-effective interventions to prevent child injuries. Evidence-based and well-enforced legislation is a highly effective tool in preventing injuries. Enhanced multi-sectorial effort is required to achieve development goals on injuries, including the sustainable development goal (SDG) target 3.6: by 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic injuries.


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