5 research outputs found
Accelerating the Performance of a Novel Meshless Method Based on Collocation With Radial Basis Functions By Employing a Graphical Processing Unit as a Parallel Coprocessor
No full textIn recent times, a variety of industries, applications and numerical methods including the meshless method have enjoyed a great deal of success by utilizing the graphical processing unit (GPU) as a parallel coprocessor. These benefits often include performance improvement over the previous implementations. Furthermore, applications running on graphics processors enjoy superior performance per dollar and performance per watt than implementations built exclusively on traditional central processing technologies. The GPU was originally designed for graphics acceleration but the modern GPU, known as the General Purpose Graphical Processing Unit (GPGPU) can be used for scientific and engineering calculations. The GPGPU consists of massively parallel array of integer and floating point processors. There are typically hundreds of processors per graphics card with dedicated high-speed memory. This work describes an application written by the author, titled GaussianRBF to show the implementation and results of a novel meshless method that in-cooperates the collocation of the Gaussian radial basis function by utilizing the GPU as a parallel co-processor. Key phases of the proposed meshless method have been executed on the GPU using the NVIDIA CUDA software development kit. Especially, the matrix fill and solution phases have been carried out on the GPU, along with some post processing. This approach resulted in a decreased processing time compared to similar algorithm implemented on the CPU while maintaining the same accuracy
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Neuro-oncology access in Sub-Saharan Africa: A literature review of challenges and opportunities
No full textBackground: Ensuring equitable access to treatments and therapies in the constantly evolving field of neuro-oncology is an imperative global health issue. With its unique demographic, cultural, socioeconomic, and infrastructure characteristics, Sub-Saharan Africa faces distinct challenges. This literature review highlights specific barriers to neuro-oncology care in the region and explores potential opportunities for enhancing access. Methods: Predetermined keyword searches were employed to screen titles and abstracts using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework. Inclusion criteria were studies published between January 1, 2003, and June 20, 2023, specifically addressing the capacity and challenges of neuro-oncology in the Sub-Saharan African region. The data sources queried were PubMed and Google Scholar. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were deliberately excluded. All authors conducted independent screening and structured data extraction meticulously. Results: Our paper identified multiple challenges that impede access to quality treatment for brain tumors. These include constrained resources, insufficient training of healthcare professionals, certain cultural beliefs, and a general lack of awareness about brain tumors, all contributing to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the lack of detailed data on the incidence and prevalence of primary central nervous system tumors impairs the accurate assessment of disease burden and precise identification of areas requiring improvement. However, we discovered that ongoing research, advocacy, enhanced training, mentorship, and collaborative efforts present valuable opportunities for substantial progress in neuro-oncology access. Conclusions: While we provide a glimpse of the current state, we hope these results will help stimulate dialogue and catalyze initiatives to surmount highlighted obstacles and improve neuro-oncology outcomes across Sub-Saharan Africa.</p
Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Central Nervous System Metastases in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textBackground: Central nervous system (CNS) metastases are a significant health challenge, particularly in Africa. This study evaluates the preclinical characteristics, primary causes, management strategies, and outcomes of CNS metastases in Africa.
Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science following PRISMA guidelines to identify studies on CNS metastases in Africa.
Results: Thirty-one articles were reviewed, including 28 retrospective studies and 3 case reports. The retrospective studies comprised 12 552 patients, with 681 (5.42%) diagnosed with CNS metastases. Nigeria reported the highest number of cases (323), followed by Tunisia (180). The mean patient age was 48.20 years (range: 44.48-51.93), with a higher proportion in women (69.97%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.59-85.35). Common symptoms were headaches (44.87%, 95% CI: 20.76-68.97) and motor deficits (21.39%, 95% CI: 6.40-36.38). Diagnostic tools included MRI (38.27%, 95% CI: 18.08-58.47) and CT (51.28%, 95% CI: 29.13-73.42). The most common primary tumor sites were breast (41.33%, 95% CI: 24.87-57.79) and lung (14.85%, 95% CI: 4.90-24.79). Treatment strategies involved surgery (62.01%, 95% CI: 33.01-91.01), radiotherapy (68.97%, 95% CI: 41.31-96.63), and chemotherapy (60.72%, 95% CI: 32.95-88.50). Outcomes included improved disease status in 34.99% (95% CI: 13.92-56.07), mortality in 44.88% (95% CI: 20.88-68.89), and loss to follow-up in 1.83% (95% CI: 0-3.72).
Conclusion: CNS metastases in Africa show a higher proportion in women, with breast and lung cancers as the primary sources. Improved diagnostic and treatment strategies are essential to better patient outcomes
Brain tumor programs in Asia and Africa: current status, challenges, and future perspectives
No full textObjective: To assess the status of brain tumor programs in Asia and Africa and propose comprehensive evidence-based short- and long-term measures for improving the existing systems.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in June 2022 by the Asia-Africa Neurosurgery Collaborative. A 27-item questionnaire was designed and distributed to gain insight into the status and future directions of brain tumor programs in Asia and Africa. Six components of brain tumor programs were identified-surgery, oncology, neuropathology, research, training, and finances-and assigned scores of 0-14. The total scores allowed subclassification of each country into levels of brain tumor program from I to VI.
Results: A total of 110 responses from 92 countries were received. These were subdivided into 3 groups: group 1, countries with response from neurosurgeons (73 countries); group 2, countries with no neurosurgeons (19 countries); and group 3, countries without a neurosurgeon response (16 countries). The components associated with the highest level of brain tumor program were surgery, neuropathology, and oncology. Most countries in both continents had level III brain tumor programs with a mean surgical score of 2.24. The major lag between each group was with respect to the advances in neuropathology and financial support.
Conclusions: There is an urgent need to improve and develop existing and nonexistent neuro-oncology infrastructure, personnel, and logistics in countries across the continents, especially for the countries with no neurosurgeons
Defining the bellwether procedures and processes for global trauma care: an international Delphi study
No full textBackground The complexity of delivering trauma care makes the assessment of its provision challenging. The identification of bellwether procedures has previously been successful in the evaluation of global surgical care; however, any equivalent in assessing trauma care is currently lacking. Through a Delphi process, we aimed to produce the bellwether procedures and processes for global trauma care.Methods A global Delphi process was undertaken with healthcare professionals and academics involved in trauma care from across the world. A list of potential procedures and processes was identified through literature review and expert opinion, along with subsequent additional options suggested by respondents. Three successive rounds were completed, with respondents rating the importance of each procedure or process to be undertaken at any hospital that cares for trauma patients using a five-point Likert scale.Results A total of 411 respondents from 78 countries completed the initial round of the Delphi process, with minimal attrition observed across rounds. Following three successive rounds of the Delphi and functional aggregation, nine bellwethers of global trauma care were determined, subdivided into three functional categories: ‘Resuscitation & Stabilisation’—(1) Advanced Airway Management, (2) Short-term C-spine Immobilisation, (3) Long Bone Immobilisation; ‘Diagnosis & Monitoring’—(4) Blood Gas Analysis, (5) Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) Scanning, (6) Continuous Access to CT Imaging; ‘Optimisation & Intervention’—(7) Blood Transfusion, (8) Tube Thoracostomy, (9) Laparotomy and Splenectomy.Conclusion The Global Trauma Care Delphi study has produced nine metrics that provide pragmatic indicators for the overall assessment of trauma care capabilities at any healthcare setting worldwide. These bellwethers of global trauma care can enable hospitals, local managers and health ministries to identify institutions or regions that may require more in-depth assessment, allowing standards in the management of traumatic injuries to improve
