Selective or routine face mask application for breathing support of preterm infants at birth: a randomised trial.

Background: Most preterm infants breathe spontaneously at birth. Despite this, the majority have a face mask immediately applied for breathing support. Face mask application may inhibit spontaneous breathing in newborn infants.

Investigation of Biological Activity of Fucoidan and Laminarin as Bioactive Polysaccharides from Irish Brown Macroalgae.

This study aimed to investigate the biological activity of crude and purified laminarin and fucoidan samples extracted from Irish brown macroalgae species and . The antioxidant capacity of the samples was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. The anti-inflammatory potential of the samples was analysed using the cyclooxygenases inhibition activity, and the antidiabetic activity was evaluated using a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor screening assay.

Calibration of visible and near-infrared spectral imaging technology to predict the quality evolution of retail fresh pork bellies with different fat content.

This study investigates quality changes occurred in sliced pork belly with different fat content during refrigerated storage, and the potential of spectral imaging technology in predicting quality properties. Pork bellies with different fat levels (low 'LF', medium 'MF' and high 'HF') were selected from slaughtering houses and directly transferred to the laboratory. The sliced bellies were packed in modified atmosphere packages with high oxygen levels (80 %) and the essential visual and olfactory characteristics, microbiological load, pH, lipid oxidation and colour values were assessed throughout 20 days of refrigerated storage.

Enhancing the stability and functionality of phycobiliproteins as natural food colourants through microparticle formulation.

The food industry is increasingly turning to microalgae pigments as natural functional colourants to replace potentially harmful synthetic dyes. Among those, phycobiliproteins offer deep and vibrant colours with bioactivities, showing to be a promising alternative. However, incorporating them into a food matrix can be challenging due to their inherent instability, low bioavailability, and off-flavours.

Direct laryngoscopy versus indirect videolaryngoscopy for intubating newborn manikins: a randomised crossover study.

Gaining and maintaining proficiency at endotracheal intubation is challenging. Recent clinical trials suggest videolaryngoscopy is beneficial for teaching inexperienced clinicians to intubate newborn infants, but may take longer compared to standard laryngoscopy. Preferences for devices among clinicians are unclear.

Vibrational spectroscopy data fusion for enhanced classification of different milk types.

The aim of this study is to classify seven types of Irish milk (butter, fresh, heart active, lactose free, light, protein, and slimline), supplied by a specific company, using vibrational spectroscopy methods: Near infrared (NIR), mid infrared (MIR), and Raman spectroscopy. In this regard, chemometric methods were used, and the impact of spectral data fusion on prediction accuracy was evaluated. A total of 105 samples were tested, with 21 used in the test set.

Application of in-line Raman spectroscopy to monitor crystallization and melting processes in milk fat.

Anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and its fractions are used as ingredients in a wide range of food applications. Obtaining the appropriate solid fat content (SFC) is essential to achieve the desired product texture. At present, in-line monitoring techniques to control milk fat crystallization and melting are largely unavailable.

Effect of conventional and novel techniques on extraction yield, chemical characterisation and biological activities of proteins from bitter gourd (Momordica charantia).

The study investigates the effect of conventional and novel extraction techniques on the protein extraction yield from bitter gourd seeds (Momordica charantia). Ultrasound assisted-extraction (UAE) treatment for 30 min at 4 °C using a 20 kHz ultrasound probe resulted in the highest extraction yield of crude proteins. After purification, 9.

Video versus Direct Laryngoscopy for Urgent Intubation of Newborn Infants.

Background: Repeated attempts at endotracheal intubation are associated with increased adverse events in neonates. When clinicians view the airway directly with a laryngoscope, fewer than half of first attempts are successful. The use of a video laryngoscope, which has a camera at the tip of the blade that displays a view of the airway on a screen, has been associated with a greater percentage of successful intubations on the first attempt than the use of direct laryngoscopy in adults and children.

Maternal Graves Disease Postthyroidectomy With Fetal Thyrotoxicosis and Goiter.

Fetal thyrotoxicosis is a rare condition with high morbidity and mortality. It may complicate pregnancies in women with a history of Graves disease (GD) when transplacental passage of maternal TSH receptor antibodies stimulate the fetal thyroid gland and cause hyperthyroidism. We report the case of a 34-year-old woman with a history of GD and prior thyroidectomy, where fetal thyrotoxicosis at 21 weeks of gestation was suspected due to prenatal ultrasound findings of cardiac failure and fetal goiter.

Conventional extraction of fucoidan from Irish brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus followed by ultrasound-assisted depolymerization.

Fucoidan has attracted considerable attention from scientists and pharmaceutical companies due to its antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and health-enhancing properties. However, the extraction of fucoidan from seaweeds often involves the use of harsh chemicals, which necessitates the search for alternative solvents. Additionally, the high viscosity and low cell permeability of high molecular weight (Mw) fucoidan can limit its effectiveness in drug action, while lower Mw fractions exhibit increased biological activity and are also utilized as dietary supplements.

Thermoregulation for very preterm infants in the delivery room: a narrative review.

Abnormal temperature in preterm infants is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Infants born prematurely are at risk of abnormal temperature immediately after birth in the delivery room (DR). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the temperature of newly born infants is maintained between 36.

Polyethylene bags before cord clamping in very preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Hypothermia on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with an increased risk of death in preterm infants. There are currently no evidence-based recommendations for thermal care before cord clamping (CC). We wished to determine whether placing very preterm infants in a polyethylene bag (PB) before CC, compared with after CC, results in more infants with a temperature in the normal range on NICU admission.

Prophylactic Oropharyngeal Surfactant for Preterm Newborns at Birth: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Preterm newborns at risk of respiratory distress syndrome are supported with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Many newborns worsen despite CPAP and are intubated for surfactant administration, an effective therapy for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. Endotracheal intubation is associated with adverse effects.

Alternative routes of surfactant application - An update.

Non-invasive modes of respiratory support have been shown to be the preferable way of primary respiratory support of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The avoidance of invasive mechanical ventilation can be beneficial for preterm infants in reduction of morbidity and even mortality. However, it is well-established that some infants managed with non-invasive respiratory support from the outset have symptomatic RDS to a degree that warrants surfactant administration.

The history of neonatal intubation.

Interest in 'resurrecting' the lifeless by supporting breathing has been described since ancient times. For centuries, methods of resuscitating animals, then humans and specifically the 'lifeless' neonate were debated and discussed. Over time, with experimentation and worldwide collaboration, endotracheal tubes and laryngoscopes specific to the newborn were created and their use refined.

Sequential extraction of fucoidan, laminarin, mannitol, alginate and protein from brown macroalgae Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus.

The study involves development of a green biorefinery process for obtaining fucoidan, laminarin, mannitol, alginate and protein from dry and fresh Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum using hydrochloric acid and a green extraction solvent. After the extraction of fucoidan which was the targeted biomolecule, an extract and by-product (residual biomass) were obtained. The extract was passed through an ultrafiltration membrane, where fucoidan was obtained in the ultrafiltration retentate while ultrafiltration permeate was analysed for laminarin and mannitol.

Surfactant delivery strategies to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most devastating morbidities of preterm infants. Antenatal factors like growth restriction and inflammation are risk factors for its development. Use of oxygen and positive pressure ventilation, which are often necessary to treat respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), increase the risk for development of BPD.

Nasal interfaces for neonatal resuscitation.

Background: The Neonatal Task Force of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) makes practice recommendations for the care of newborn infants in the delivery room (DR). ILCOR recommends that all infants who are gasping, apnoeic, or bradycardic (heart rate < 100 per minute) should be given positive pressure ventilation (PPV) with a manual ventilation device (T-piece, self-inflating bag, or flow-inflating bag) via an interface. The most commonly used interface is a face mask that encircles the infant's nose and mouth.

Oral stimulation for promoting oral feeding in preterm infants.

Background: Preterm infants (< 37 weeks' post-menstrual age (PMA)) are often delayed in attaining oral feeding. Normal oral feeding is suggested as an important outcome for the timing of discharge from the hospital and can be an early indicator of neuromotor integrity and developmental outcomes. A range of oral stimulation interventions may help infants to develop sucking and oromotor co-ordination, promoting earlier oral feeding and earlier hospital discharge.

Spectroscopic technologies and data fusion: Applications for the dairy industry.

Increasing consumer awareness, scale of manufacture, and demand to ensure safety, quality and sustainability have accelerated the need for rapid, reliable, and accurate analytical techniques for food products. Spectroscopy, coupled with Artificial Intelligence-enabled sensors and chemometric techniques, has led to the fusion of data sources for dairy analytical applications. This article provides an overview of the current spectroscopic technologies used in the dairy industry, with an introduction to data fusion and the associated methodologies used in spectroscopy-based data fusion.