Spatial analyses of the effect of insecticide (permethrin)-treated bed nets (ITNs) on nearby households both with and without ITNs was performed in the context of a large-scale, group-randomized, controlled mortality trial in Asembo, western Kenya. Results illustrate a protective effect of ITNs on compounds lacking ITNs located within 300 meters of compounds with ITNs for child mortality, moder...

Venous ulcers are characterised by longstanding and recurrent loss of skin integrity. Once occurred, healing is slow and recurrence is high because of inappropriate conditions of the wound bed. This study involves 20 patients with chronic venous ulcers at least 6 weeks of duration treated with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Patients underwent a radical debridement of all devitalised ti...

BACKGROUND Antibodies towards placental-binding P. falciparum are thought to protect against pregnancy malaria; however, environmental factors may affect antibody development. METHODS AND FINDINGS Using plasma from pregnant Malawian women, we measured IgG against placental-binding P. falciparum parasites by flow cytometry, and related results to intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) regime...

BACKGROUND Despite gains in malaria control through impregnated treated nets (ITN), malaria remains a major concern. Netting is expensive and impractical for many communities. Here we present the findings of a community-based trial of impregnated bedsheets (shukas) in Kenya. METHODS A total of 472 individuals were enrolled in a randomized community trial where the unit of randomization was th...

Sulfur was impregnated onto activated carbon fibers ACFs through H2S oxidation catalyzed by the sorbent surface in a fixed-bed reactor. By changing the temperature and duration of the sulfur impregnation process, ACFs with different sulfur contents were developed. Characterization of ACFs before and after sulfur impregnation was conducted by surface area analysis, energy dispersive X-ray analys...

We studied the effect on malaria incidence, mosquito abundance, net efficacy, net use rate, chemical analysis, and holes of a long lasting insecticide treated bed net (Netprotect) in western Kenya, 2007-2010. Nets were hung in 150 households 6 months before they were hung in a second, 2 km away. Indoor resting densities were monitored by pyrethrum spray catch and malaria cases by passive detect...

Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) impregnated with pyrethroid insecticides have become one of the most promising interventions to prevent malaria in highly endemic areas. Despite the large body of experience documenting their health impact and the best way to distribute them, some key practical issues remain unresolved. For example, the duration of effective life of a net under field conditions i...