A Proposed Phonography-Based Measurement of Fetal Breathing Movement Using Segmented Structures with Frequency Splitting

This paper proposes a detection method of fetal breathing movement (FBM) as an important data of fetal well-being. To analyze the chaotic nature of the individual episodes, the frequency band has been split into single test frequencies in order to find its starting point (SP) as a signal free (quiet) zone. Computing some features of the signal the sound will be distinguishable from the disturbing signals as hiccups, body's rotation and limb movements or even additional noises of maternal heart beats. The SPs of the episodes are characterized by an approximation process in order to select the real ones.Clinical relevance- The method is an irradiation free measurement, carried out on the maternal abdomen. Furthermore, connected with the fetal phonocardiographic (fPCG) monitoring the method offers a non-invasive way for FBM detection applicable also at home. More than 50 pregnancies were examined with the proposed method for at least for 20-min with synchronous measurements by the proposed phonographic device and a 3D ultrasound machine in the third trimester.

Higher Grades and Repeated Recurrence of Hepatic Encephalopathy May Be Related to High Serum Manganese Levels

Hepatic encephalopathy is a serious complication of liver failure. Until now, the precise pathophysiologic mechanisms are not fully determined. It has been demonstrated that manganese plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore, we studied manganese levels in serum of cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy in relation to grading and recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy. One hundred persons were enrolled in the study, 80 cirrhotic patients with or without encephalopathy and 20 healthy controls. Hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed clinically and by laboratory findings. Serum manganese levels were measured in all participants. The grading of hepatic encephalopathy was significantly correlated to the severity of liver dysfunction. The mean serum manganese level was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls and in cirrhotic patients with encephalopathy than in those without encephalopathy. It was also significantly higher in patients with advanced grading of hepatic encephalopathy. Serum manganese level was positively correlated to number of recurrences of encephalopathy during a 6-month follow-up period. Serum manganese levels were able to predict recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy within 6 months following the episode. Serum manganese levels are positively correlated to the modified Child-Pugh score of cirrhosis as well as grading and number of recurrences of hepatic encephalopathy. Higher manganese levels seem to be related to worsening of the condition, and its measurement may be used as a predictor of repeated recurrences.