eHBB: a randomised controlled trial of virtual reality or video for neonatal resuscitation refresher training in healthcare workers in resource-scarce settings

Objective To assess the impact of mobile virtual reality (VR) simulations using electronic Helping Babies Breathe (eHBB) or video for the maintenance of neonatal resuscitation skills in healthcare workers in resource-scarce settings. Design Randomised controlled trial with 6-month follow-up (2018–2020). Setting Secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. Participants 274 nurses and midwives assigned to labour and delivery, operating room and newborn care units were recruited from 20 healthcare facilities in Nigeria and Kenya and randomised to one of three groups: VR (eHBB+digital guide), video (video+digital guide) or control (digital guide only) groups before an in-person HBB course. Intervention(s) eHBB VR simulation or neonatal resuscitation video. Main outcome(s) Healthcare worker neonatal resuscitation skills using standardised checklists in a simulated setting at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Results Neonatal resuscitation skills pass rates were similar among the groups at 6-month follow-up for bag-and-mask ventilation (BMV) skills check (VR 28%, video 25%, control 22%, p=0.71), objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) A (VR 76%, video 76%, control 72%, p=0.78) and OSCE B (VR 62%, video 60%, control 49%, p=0.18). Relative to the immediate postcourse assessments, there was greater retention of BMV skills at 6 months in the VR group (−15% VR, p=0.10; −21% video, p<0.01, –27% control, p=0.001). OSCE B pass rates in the VR group were numerically higher at 3 months (+4%, p=0.64) and 6 months (+3%, p=0.74) and lower in the video (−21% at 3 months, p<0.001; −14% at 6 months, p=0.066) and control groups (−7% at 3 months, p=0.43; −14% at 6 months, p=0.10). On follow-up survey, 95% (n=65) of respondents in the VR group and 98% (n=82) in the video group would use their assigned intervention again. Conclusion eHBB VR training was highly acceptable to healthcare workers in low-income to middle-income countries and may provide additional support for neonatal resuscitation skills retention compared with other digital interventions

A New Formulae Method For Solving The Simultaneous Equations

ABSTRACT: Actually there are too many Methods which are used for solving the various types of equations by various methods. The equations may be like linear, quadratic, simultaneous, radial, and exponential as well as the equations with the number of variables. And for the Simultaneous Equation the methods are like Addition, Substitution, Elimination as well as Graphical Method also. We know there are too many methods like Gauss Elimination, Gauss Seidal, and Jacobi used for solving the Simultaneous Equations. But here we are going to introduce a new Method for solving the Simultaneous Equations as well as the comparison between the Methods above told and the new one. The paper will show you a new easy method for solving the Simultaneous Equation and the difference between the methods that are being used in the colleges which are Gauss Elimination, Gauss Seidal etc

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of Allopurinol-Gelucire 50/13 solid dispersions

The rate-limiting step to absorption of drugs from the gastrointestinal tract is often dissolution from the dosage form. Allopurinol is a commonly used drug in the treatment of chronic gout or hyperuricaemia associated with leukaemia, radiotherapy, anti-neoplastic agents. One of the major problems with allopurinol is that, it is practically insoluble in water, which results in poor bioavailability after oral administration. In the present study, solid dispersions of allopurinol were prepared by solvent evaporation method, kneading method, co-precipitation method, co-grinding method and closed melting method to increase its water solubility. In the present study amphiphilic carrier like gelucire 50/13 was used in the ratio of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. Prepared solid dispersions were characterized in the liquid state by phase solubility studies and in the solid state by Differential Scanning calorimetric analysis, Powder X-ray diffractometry and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The aqueous solubility of allopurinol was preferential by the presence polymer with increasing concentration. Solid state characterizations indicated that allopurinol was present as an amorphous material and entrapped in polymer matrix.Mathematical modeling of in vitro dissolution data indicated the best fitting with Korsemeyer-Peppas model and the drug release kinetics primarily as Non-Fickian diffusion. Therefore, the current study showed that gelucire 50/13 has a significant solubilizing effect on allopurinol.Keywords: Allopurinol, gelucire 50/13, closed melting-method, co-grinding, dissolution study, powder X-ray diffraction analysi

Distribution and abundance of benthic macroorganisms in and around Visakhapatnam Harbour on the east coast of India

Benthic communities form an important component of the marine food chain. Their occurrence also provides information on the health of the ecosystem. A study was carried out to understand the distribution and abundance of macrobenthos along with sediment characteristics and physicochemical parameters in Visakhapatnam Harbour, a major port along the east coast of India. In all 84 macrobenthic taxa were reported from the port area of which 60 were polychaetes and 24 were other invertebrate taxa. Our observations revealed an increase in the number of polychaete species observed over the last 20 years from this region. An earlier study reported 38 polychaete species in 1975 and a year later the number of polychaete species reported was 12, indicating an increase in the number of polychaete species in the present study by about 150%. The macrobenthic abundance and dominance of species varied with the seasons. Pre-monsoon was dominated by Cirratulus sp., during monsoon tanaids were dominant indicating a seasonal shift in the occurrence and dominance of macrobenthos. During post-monsoon, Cossura coasta was dominant followed by Nephtys dibranchis and amphipods. Sediment characteristics (sand, silt and clay), organic carbon and dissolved oxygen were the important factors influencing the abundance and species diversity. The abundance of macrobenthic forms also varied with inner and outer harbour region. Higher species diversity was observed in the outer harbour suggesting the outer harbour has semi-polluted conditions such as higher dissolved oxygen (DO) and salinity, low nutrients (nitrite, nitrate and silicate) and low organic carbon in the sediment

Recent Advancements in Microneedle Technology for Multifaceted Biomedical Applications

Microneedle (MNs) technology is a recent advancement in biomedical science across the globe. The current limitations of drug delivery, like poor absorption, low bioavailability, inadequate skin permeation, and poor biodistribution, can be overcome by MN-based drug delivery. Nanotechnology made significant changes in fabrication techniques for microneedles (MNs) and design shifted from conventional to novel, using various types of natural and synthetic materials and their combinations. Nowadays, MNs technology has gained popularity worldwide in biomedical research and drug delivery technology due to its multifaceted and broad-spectrum applications. This review broadly discusses MN&rsquo;s types, fabrication methods, composition, characterization, applications, recent advancements, and global intellectual scenarios