Treatment of electrographic seizures versus clinical seizures in neonates: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Electrographic seizures in neonates are commonly associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, there is conflict in evidence whether control of electrographic seizures translate into improved neurodevelopmental outcome. We aimed to evaluate whether treating all electrographic seizures compared with treating clinical seizures leads to a better neurodevelopmental outcome at 18-24 months in neonates.

Comparative efficacies of vitamin D supplementation regimens in infants: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Vitamin D deficiency in infants is widely prevalent. Most paediatric professional associations recommend routine vitamin D prophylaxis for infants. However, the optimal dose and duration of supplementation are still debated.

Synthesis of anthracene-bridged expanded rosarin.

The newly synthesized precursor 1,8-di(1-pyrrol-2-yl)anthracene was condensed with pentafluorobenzaldehyde under acid-catalyzed conditions to afford the first example of a unique anthracenyl-bridged rosarin. The X-ray structure revealed a coil-like arrangement of three dipyrromethene moieties and three anthracenyl units in the rosarin framework, which exhibits a weak fluorescence at 676 nm.

Phenothiazine Embedded Dithiasmaragdyrins.

Two different types of novel phenothiazine-embedded dithiasmaragdyrins containing one phenothiazine ring, two thiophene rings and two pyrrole rings connected via three meso carbons and two direct bonds in the macrocyclic framework were synthesized over the sequence of synthetic steps starting with phenothiazine. Three examples of phenothiazine-embedded dithiasmaragdyrins were synthesized by condensing appropriate phenothiazine-based pentapyrrane with pentafluorobenzaldehyde and two examples of phenothiazine sulfone embedded dithiasmaragdyrins were synthesized by condensing phenothiazine-based diol with appropriate meso-aryl dipyrromethane under mild acid-catalysed conditions. 1D&2D NMR studies revealed that the thiophene rings adopted inverted orientation in phenothiazine sulfone embedded dithiasmaragdyrins whereas in phenothiazine-embedded dithiasmaragdyrins, the thiophene rings were in normal orientation.

Implementing the practice of early skin-to-skin contact among infants ≥35 weeks gestation born vaginally: a quality improvement study.

Background: Early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) at birth has been shown to improve neonatal outcomes due to enhanced cardiorespiratory stability, thermoregulation and breastfeeding success.

Local Problem: The practice of early SSC was virtually non-existent in our delivery room (DR).

Methods And Interventions: The study was conducted in a newly established tertiary care teaching hospital in Western Rajasthan, India.

Porphyrinoid framework embedded with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: new synthetic marvels.

The highly conjugated tetrapyrrolic porphyrin macrocycle and its contracted and expanded congeners have been extensively used for a wide range of applications across diverse research domains because of their captivating and intriguing features. Over the years, the porphyrin framework and electronic properties of porphyrinoids have been modified and tuned by replacing one or more pyrrole ring(s) with five- and six-membered heterocycles/carbacycles, and their resulting properties have been explored. In recent times, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as biphenyl, terphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluorene, pyrene and dibenzo[,]chrysene, have been used to replace one or more pyrrole rings of porphyrinoids, and resulting polycyclic-aromatic-embedded porphyrinoids show unique features that differ from those of other modified porphyrinoids.

Implications of organophosphate pesticides on brain cells and their contribution toward progression of Alzheimer's disease.

The most widespread neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by severe behavioral abnormalities, cognitive and functional impairments. It is inextricably linked with the deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques and tau protein in the brain. Loss of white matter, neurons, synapses, and reactive microgliosis are also frequently observed in patients of AD.

Periodic Rotation versus Continuous Application of Same Nasal Interface for Non-invasive Respiratory Support in Preterm Neonates: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objectives: To review whether the periodic rotation of nasal mask with binasal prongs is superior to continuous application of either of the interfaces in preterm infants on non-invasive positive pressure respiratory support.

Method: The authors searched Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing periodic rotation of the two interfaces (mask or prongs) against the continuous application of either, in preterm infants on nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). They performed a random-effects meta-analysis using RevMan 5.

Levetiracetam versus Phenobarbitone for Management of Neonatal Seizures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objectives: To review whether levetiracetam is non-inferior to phenobarbitone as the first-choice antiseizure medication (ASM).

Methods: The authors searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until May 31, 2023. RCTs comparing the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam and phenobarbitone as first-line ASM in neonatal seizures were included.

90 versus 60 min of early skin-to-skin contact on exclusive breastfeeding rate in healthy infants' ≥35 weeks: A randomised controlled trial.

Aim: To compare the effect of 90 versus 60 min of early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) among vaginally born healthy infants ≥35 weeks of gestation on their exclusive breastfeeding rates and breastfeeding behaviour.

Methods: This parallel-group, open-label, randomised controlled trial enrolled healthy term and late preterm infants born vaginally. Infants in the intervention group received early SSC for 90 min compared to 60 min in the control group.

Understanding the neuronal synapse and challenges associated with the mitochondrial dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Synaptic mitochondria are crucial for maintaining synaptic activity due to their high energy requirements, substantial calcium (Ca) fluctuation, and neurotransmitter release at the synapse. To provide a continuous energy supply, neurons use special mechanisms to transport and distribute healthy mitochondria to the synapse while eliminating the damaged mitochondria from the synapse. Along the neuron, mitochondrial membrane potential (ψ) gradient exists and is highest in the somal region.

Sonographic assessment of diaphragmatic thickness and excursion to predict CPAP failure in neonates below 34 weeks of gestation: A prospective cohort study.

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of sonographic assessment of diaphragmatic dimensions and excursions in predicting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) failure in preterm neonates with respiratory distress.

Methods: Prospective cohort study among preterm neonates less than 34 weeks of gestation who were hemodynamically stable and either admitted with respiratory distress or who developed respiratory distress shortly after admission to the NICU and having Silverman-Anderson Score (SAS) ≥ 3/10 were included. We performed sonographic assessment of diaphragmatic dimensions and excursions before and one hour ±30 minutes after application of CPAP.

Understanding the multifaceted role of miRNAs in Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Small non-coding RNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by binding to mRNA and mediating its degradation or inhibiting translation. Since miRNAs can regulate the expression of several genes, they have multiple roles to play in biological processes and human diseases. The majority of miRNAs are known to be expressed in the brain and are involved in synaptic functions, thus marking their presence and role in major neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Anthriporphyrinoids: Design, Synthesis, and Reactivity towards Diels-Alder Reaction.

A series of non-aromatic anthripentaphyrins containing an anthracene unit, two thiophenes, and two pyrrole rings as a part of a macrocyclic framework connected via three -carbons were synthesized. The crystal structure of one of the anthripentaphyrins revealed that the two thiophene rings were in an inverted orientation, and the macrocycle adopts a nonplanar Z-like ruffled structure. These anthriporphyrinoids act as dienes and undergo Diels-Alder reaction with dienophiles to form stable non-aromatic Diels-Alder adducts.

Systematic rotation versus continuous application of 'nasal prongs' or 'nasal mask' in preterm infants on nCPAP: a randomized controlled trial.

To compare whether alternate rotation of nasal mask with nasal prongs every 8 h as compared to continuous use of either interface alone decreases the incidence of nasal injury in preterm infants receiving nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (nCPAP). This was an open-label, three-arm, stratified randomized controlled trial where infants < 35 weeks receiving nCPAP were randomized into three groups using two different nasal interfaces (continuous prongs group, continuous mask group, and rotation group). All infants were assessed for nasal injury six hours post-removal of nCPAP using grading suggested by Fischer et al.

Viscoplastic Modeling of Surface Relief Grating Growth on Isotropic and Preoriented Azopolymer Films.

We report on solving of two intriguing issues concerning the inscription of surface relief gratings within azopolymer thin films under irradiation with SS, PP and RL interference patterns. For this, we utilize the orientation approach and viscoplastic modeling in combination with experimental results, where the change in surface topography is acquired in situ during irradiation with modulated light. First, the initial orientation state of polymer backbones is proved to be responsible for the contradictory experimental reports on the efficiency of the SS interference pattern.

Synthesis and Studies of Fused Benzo-Benzisapphyrins.

A series of rare examples of fused benzo-benzisapphyrins were synthesized readily by (3 + 2) condensation of benzodipyrrole-derived diol and -benzitripyrrane in the presence of 0.5 equiv of TFA in CHCl under inert atmosphere conditions accompanied by DDQ oxidation in open air. The crude compounds were separated by basic alumina column chromatography and afforded pure fused benzo-benzisapphyrins in 20-22% yields.

Synthesis and Studies of Di(p-Benzi)Decaphyrin and Di(9,10-Anthracenyl)Decaphyrin.

Two novel macrocycles, di(p-benzi)decaphyrin and di(9,10-anthracenyl)decaphyrin have been synthesized by condensing appropriate p-phenylene based pentapyrrane or 9,10-anthracenyl based pentapyrrane with pentafluorobenzaldehyde under acid catalyzed conditions. The pentapyrrane precursors were synthesized over sequence of steps starting with commercially available 1,4-dibromobenzene and 9,10-dibromoanthracene. The decaphyrin macrocycles were freely soluble in common organic solvents and characterized and studied by HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, absorption, cyclic voltammetry and computational techniques.

800 IU versus 400 IU per day of vitamin D in term breastfed infants: a randomized controlled trial from an LMIC.

This open-label, block-randomized controlled trial compared the effect of 800 IU/day and 400 IU/day of oral vitamin D supplementation in reducing vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) among healthy-term breastfed infants at 14 weeks of postnatal age. All eligible infants were randomized to receive either 800 or 400 IU/day of oral vitamin D (starting within the first week until 14 weeks). The primary outcome was the proportion of infants with VDI (25-OH-D < 20 ng/ml) at 14 weeks.

Synthesis and Studies of Structural Isomers of meso-Fused Dicarbahexaphyrins.

Two close structurally related isomers of nonaromatic meso-fused dicarbahexaphyrins were synthesized by condensing one equivalent of fluorene based tripyrrane with one equivalent of pentafluorobenzaldehyde in CH Cl under BF .OEt catalyzed conditions. The cis and trans isomers of meso-fused dicarbahexaphyrins were separated by preparative thin-layer chromatography and isolated pure macrocycles as green solids in 6-7% yields.

25% Dextrose Versus 24% Sucrose for Heel Lancing in Preterm Infants: A Noninferiority RCT.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of 25% dextrose with 24% sucrose for heel-lance analgesia in preterm infants admitted to the NICU.

Methods: In this noninferiority, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, preterm infants born at 28 weeks and 0 days to 35 weeks and 6 days of gestation who were due for a scheduled heel-lance procedure were enrolled. Infants randomly assigned to the intervention arm received 0.

Ameliorative role of naringenin against lead-induced genetic damage and oxidative stress in cultured human lymphocytes.

Lead (Pb) is a ubiquitous toxic heavy metal that is known to induce damage to major macromolecules (lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) by enhancing the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Naringenin, a predominant flavonoid primarily found in citrus fruits has attained increasing attention due to its various pharmacological properties. Thus, the present investigation aimed to explore the ameliorative role of naringenin against Pb-induced toxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) under in vitro conditions.

Neonatal dengue: an under-diagnosed entity.

Neonatal dengue is an under-diagnosed disease likely due to low index of suspicion along with its resemblance to sepsis. We hereby report two cases of neonatal dengue, highlighting the need of high degree of suspicion in infants born to febrile mothers even with maternal serology being negative. Moreover, severity of neonatal illness positively correlates with the maternal disease.