EMEMI: An interference-free mini-incubator with integrated electric and magnetic field exposure for real-time microscopic imaging of field effects.

Uninterrupted microscopic observation and real-time imaging of cell behavior during exposure to the stimulus, for example, electric and/or magnetic fields, especially for periods of several days, has been a challenge in experimental bioelectromagnetics due to a lack of proper gas/temperature conditions outside the incubator. Conventional mini-incubators might suffer from stray fields produced by heating elements. We report an in vitro electric and magnetic fields (EMF) exposure system embedded inside a novel under-the-microscope mini-CO2 -incubator with a unique design to avoid electromagnetic interference from the heating and circulation functions while ensuring the requisite temperature. A unique, reconfigurable array of electrodes and/or coils excited by calculated current distributions among array elements is designed to provide excellent field uniformity and controllable linear or circular polarization (even at very low frequencies) of the EMF within the cell culture. Using standard biochemical assays, long-term cell viability has been verified and compared with a conventional incubator. Cell orientation/migration in three-dimensional culture made of collagen-hydrogels has been successfully observed in vitro, in long-term, and in real-time under the influence of DC electric fields with the device.

An investigation of the discrepancy between set and actual temperature of neonatal incubators: concern for hypothermia and hyperthermia.

OBJECTIVE: To document any discordance between the set temperature and independently measured temperature of neonatal incubators in order to determine the potential of neonatal incubators to cause hypothermia or hyperthermia in neonatal animals. SAMPLE: 5 different veterinary neonatal incubators from 2 separate manufacturers. METHODS: Internal temperatures of 5 incubators from 2 manufacturers were monitored with both internal and external monitoring devices to determine how much incubator temperatures might vary from what is reported on the incubator thermostat. The study was conducted on May 25, 2022. RESULTS: Increases in temperature as measured by thermocouple and infrared sensors of > 2 °C were detected in 3 of the 5 (60%; 95% CI, 17% to 93%) tested incubators. Temperatures exceeded 41 °C at times, despite the incubator thermostat being set to 35 °C. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Neonatal puppies have a decreased capacity to thermoregulate and are susceptible to both hypothermia and hyperthermia if environmental temperatures are not kept within a proper range. Core temperatures below 35.0 °C lead to bradycardia, dyspnea, loss of suckle reflex, hypoglycemia, gastrointestinal ileus, and multiple organ failure; temperatures above 41.1 °C lead to pulmonary edema, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhage in multiple organs, and death.

Abyssal hydrothermal springs-Cryptic incubators for brooding octopus.

Does warmth from hydrothermal springs play a vital role in the biology and ecology of abyssal animals? Deep off central California, thousands of octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) migrate through cold dark waters to hydrothermal springs near an extinct volcano to mate, nest, and die, forming the largest known aggregation of octopus on Earth. Warmth from the springs plays a key role by raising metabolic rates, speeding embryonic development, and presumably increasing reproductive success; we show that brood times for females are ~1.8 years, far faster than expected for abyssal octopods. Using a high-resolution subsea mapping system, we created landscape-scale maps and image mosaics that reveal 6000 octopus in a 2.5-ha area. Because octopuses die after reproducing, hydrothermal springs indirectly provide a food supplement to the local energy budget. Although localized deep-sea heat sources may be essential to octopuses and other warm-tolerant species, most of these unique and often cryptic habitats remain undiscovered and unexplored.

Atuação da psicologia em unidade neonatal no contexto da pandemia da covid-19 / The work of psychology in a neonatal unit in the covid-19 pandemic / Actuación de la psicología en una unidad neonatal en el contexto de la pandemia de la covid-19

A pandemia de covid-19 provocou intensas mudanças no contexto do cuidado neonatal, exigindo dos profissionais de saúde a reformulação de práticas e o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias para a manutenção da atenção integral e humanizada ao recém-nascido. O objetivo deste artigo é relatar a atuação da Psicologia nas Unidades Neonatais de um hospital público de Fortaleza (CE), Brasil, durante o período de distanciamento físico da pandemia de covid-19. Trata-se de estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência, que ocorreu no período de março a agosto de 2020. No contexto pandêmico, o serviço de Psicologia desenvolveu novas condutas assistenciais para atender às demandas emergentes do momento, como: atendimento remoto; registro e envio on-line de imagens do recém-nascido a seus familiares; visitas virtuais; e reprodução de mensagens de áudio da família para o neonato. Apesar dos desafios encontrados, as ações contribuíram para a manutenção do cuidado centrado no recém-nascido e sua família, o que demonstra a potencialidade do fazer psicológico.(AU)

The COVID-19 pandemic brought intense changes to neonatal care and required health professionals to reformulate practices and develop new strategies to ensure comprehensive and humanized care for newborn. This study aims to report the experience of the Psychology Service in the Neonatal Units of a public hospital in Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará, Brazil, during the social distancing period of the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive experience report study was conducted from March to August 2020. During the pandemic, the Psychology Service developed new care practices to meet the emerging demands of that moment, such as remote care, recordings and online submission of newborns' pictures and video images for their family, virtual tours, and reproduction of family audio messages for the newborns. Despite the challenges, the actions contributed to the maintenance of a care that is centered on the newborns and their families, which shows the potential of psychological practices.(AU)

La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha traído cambios intensos en el contexto de la atención neonatal, que requieren de los profesionales de la salud una reformulación de sus prácticas y el desarrollo de nuevas estrategias para asegurar una atención integral y humanizada al recién nacido. El objetivo de este artículo es reportar la experiencia del Servicio de Psicología en las Unidades Neonatales de un hospital público de Fortaleza, en Ceará, Brasil, durante el periodo de distanciamiento físico en la pandemia de la COVID-19. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, un reporte de experiencia, que se llevó a cabo de marzo a agosto de 2020. En el contexto pandémico, el servicio de Psicología desarrolló nuevas conductas asistenciales para atender a las demandas emergentes del momento, tales como: atención remota; grabación y envío em línea de imágenes del recién nacido; visitas virtuales; y reproducción de mensajes de audio de la familia para el recién nacido. A pesar de los desafíos encontrados, las acciones contribuyeron al mantenimiento de la atención centrada en el recién nacido y su familia, lo que demuestra el potencial de la práctica psicológica.(AU)

Effects of green light emitting diode light during incubation and dietary organic macro and trace minerals during rearing on tibia characteristics of broiler chickens at slaughter age.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of green light emitting diode (LED) light during incubation and dietary organic macro and trace minerals during rearing on tibia morphological, biophysical, and mechanical characteristics of broiler chickens at slaughter age. The experiment was setup as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the following treatments: 1) light during incubation (green LED light or darkness), 2) macro mineral source during rearing (organic or inorganic Ca and P), and 3) trace mineral source during rearing (organic or inorganic Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Se). A total of 2,400 eggs (Ross 308) were either incubated under green LED light (16L:8D) or in complete darkness. After hatch, a total of 864 male broiler chickens were reared until slaughter age (day 42) and provided with 1 of 4 diets, differing in macro and/or trace mineral source. During rearing, the experiment had a complete randomized block design with 9 replicate pens per treatment and 12 chickens per pen. At slaughter age (day 42), 2 chickens per replicate were randomly selected and tibia bones were obtained. Tibia weight, length, thickness, osseous volume, pore volume, total volume, mineral content, mineral density, ultimate strength, and stiffness were determined. Green LED light during incubation did not affect any of the tibia characteristics. Dietary organic macro minerals positively affected most of the tibia morphological, biophysical, and mechanical characteristics compared to the inorganic macro minerals, whereas trace mineral sources did not affect tibia characteristics. It can be concluded that dietary organic macro minerals Ca and P stimulated tibia characteristics, whereas green LED light during incubation and dietary trace minerals during rearing did not affect tibia characteristics, locomotion, or leg disorders.

Efecto de la suplementación del medio de incubación con extracto de Berberis microphylla (calafate) sobre la funcionalidad espermática en semen bovino descongelado / Effect of supplementation of incubation medium with Berberis microphylla (calafate) extract on sperm functionality in thawed bovine semen

RESUMEN: En el semen criopreservado, los procesos de congelación/descongelación y posterior manipulación, dañan las células espermáticas provocando disminución de la capacidad fecundante de los espermatozoides descongelados. Estos procesos han sido asociados con el estado de estrés oxidativo (EO) inducido por altos niveles de especies reactivas de oxígeno (EROS), causando daño a la función y estructura espermática. Los espermatozoides descongelados pueden ser protegidos de este daño, con la adición de antioxidantes (AO) al medio de incubación. El fruto de Calafate (Berberis microphylla G. Forst.) posee una alta capacidad antioxidante, lo que hace interesante investigar el efecto de sus componentes antioxidantes en estos procesos biotecnológicos especialmente postdescongelación. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de la suplementación de extracto liofilizado de fruto de Calafate (ELC), sobre la calidad espermática post-descongelación. Previamente se caracterizó el ELC, determinando la actividad antioxidante y metabolitos como fenoles y antocianinas; posteriormente, espermatozoides de bovino descongelados fueron incubados en un medio base suplementado con diferentes concentraciones de ELC. Post-incubación se evaluó la motilidad progresiva; la viabilidad e integridad de la membrana plasmática (SYBR14- PI) y acrosomal (FITC-PNA/PI) y la peroxidación lipídica (BODIPY) por citometría de flujo. La caracterización de ELC demostró que tanto la actividad antioxidante como los fenoles y antocianinas incrementan concomitante con el aumento de la concentración de ELC. La adición de ELC al medio de incubación, dependiendo de la concentración y tiempo de incubación, sería eficaz en proteger la motilidad, viabilidad e integridad de la membrana plasmática y disminuir la lipoperoxidación en los espermatozoides de bovino descongelados.

SUMMARY: In cryopreserved semen, the freezing/thawing process following of manipulation, damage the sperm cell, decreasing the fertilizing capacity of the thawed sperm; being one of the main factors of this damage the oxidative stress. The sperm once thawed can be protected from this damage, with the addition of antioxidants to the incubation medium. The Calafate fruit (Berberis microphylla G. Forst.) has a high antioxidant capacity, making it an interesting resource for investigating the effect of its antioxidant components on biotechnological processes. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplementation of Calafate fruit lyophilized extract (ELC) on sperm quality. The lyophilized extract of the Calafate fruit was characterized, determining the antioxidant activity and metabolites such as phenols and anthocyanins; subsequently, thawed bovine sperm were incubated in a medium supplemented with different concentrations of ELC. Post-incubation, progressive motility was evaluated. By flow cytometry, the viability and integrity of the plasma (SYBR14-PI), and acrosomal (FITC-PNA / PI), as well as lipid peroxidation (BODIPY), was determined. The characterization of Calafate fruits lyophilized extract indicated that antioxidant activity, phenols and anthocyanins increased concomitantly with the increase of dose extract used. The addition of ELC to the incubation medium, depending on the concentration and incubation time, would be effective to protect motility, viability and integrity of the plasma membrane and decreased lipid peroxidation in thawed bovine sperm.

Optimization of the incubator air temperature during LED phototherapy treatment for the preterm infant.

Light-emitting diode phototherapy treatment for jaundice of the preterm infant presents adverse effects, such as discomfort, changes in metabolism, and overheating. This study quantified the body heat exchanges between the environment and a simulated preterm infant requiring phototherapy treatment in a closed incubator. Phototherapy treatment increased the mean incubator roof temperature by 2.9 °C (p < 0.001) and the incubator air temperature by 1 °C (p < 0.001). Analytical calorimetry was used to calculate the additional energy received during phototherapy and thus deduce the optimal incubator air temperature for ensuring thermoneutrality and preventing hyperthermia. The optimal air temperature settings inside the incubator during phototherapy were - 0.51 to - 1.25 °C lower than references, for preterm infant weighing 500 to 2000 g.Conclusion: Phototherapy treatment for jaundice of the preterm infant increased the incubator air temperature. To prevent overheating in the preterm during phototherapy, new curves for optimal air temperature settings inside the incubator were calculated with analytic calorimetry. What is Known •Phototherapy treatment is the first-line treatment for jaundice in the preterm infant. •Phototherapy treatment increases the risk of overheating. What is New •The heat transfers and risk of overheating were quantified using a thermal manikin during phototherapy treatment. •Phototherapy treatment increased the incubator roof temperature and heat transfers. •New incubator's air temperature settings during phototherapy treatment were calculated with analytical calorimetry for preterm infant weighing 500-2000 g.

Fish Feed Quality Is a Key Factor in Impacting Aquaculture Water Environment: Evidence from Incubator Experiments.

The effect of fish feed quality has gained increasing attention to alleviate the harmful environmental impacts induced by intensive aquaculture. In current research, we have conducted an incubator experiment to highlight the effect of fish feed quality on aquaculture water environment. Fish feed from three manufactures with two different dosages (0.1000 g, 0.2000 g) was added to the culture medium with and without Microcystis aeruginosa. Treatments with Microcystis aeruginosa were named as MHT, MHP and MZT; while the treatments without Microcystis aeruginosa named as HT, HP and ZT. Microcystis aeruginosa densities and nutrients concentrations were measured in the study. Results have shown that fish feed quality (manufactures) has a great effect on nutrients concentrations in the absence of Microcystis aeruginosa (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, fish feed can stimulate Microcystis aeruginosa growth that is also influenced by fish feed quality excluding lag phase (0~12 day) significantly in general (P < 0.05). The maximum Microcystis aeruginosa density (Nmax) is 1221.5, 984.5, 581.0, 2265.9, 2056.8 and 1766.6 1 × 104 cells mL-1 for MHT 0.1 g, MHP 0.1 g, MZT 0.1 g, MHT 0.2 g, MHP 0.2 g and MZT 0.2 g, respectively. In treatments with algae, fish feed quality affect total phosphorus (TP) concentrations (except the difference between MHT and MHP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations significantly (P < 0.05). For most of consumed nutrients, the obvious differences among all treatments were observed excluding lag phase in general (P < 0.05), which suggest that the nutrient utilization is also dependent on fish feed quality. Keeping in mind the above facts it is concluded that fish feed quality is a key factor in impacting aquaculture water environment.

Oocyte maturation under a biophoton generator improves preimplantation development of pig embryos derived by parthenogenesis and somatic cell nuclear transfer

This study was conducted to determine the effects of biophoton treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) and/or in vitro culture (IVC) on oocyte maturation and embryonic development in pigs. An apparatus capable of generating homogeneous biophoton energy emissions was placed in an incubator. Initially, immature pig oocytes were matured in the biophoton-equipped incubator in medium 199 supplemented with cysteine, epidermal growth factor, insulin, and gonadotrophic hormones for 22 h, after which they were matured in hormone-free medium for an additional 22 hr. Next, IVM oocytes were induced for parthenogenesis (PA) or provided as cytoplasts for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Treatment of oocytes with biophoton energy during IVM did not improve cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation, intraoocyte glutathione content, or mitochondrial distribution of oocytes. However, biophoton-treated oocytes showed higher (p < 0.05) blastocyst formation after PA than that in untreated oocytes (50.7% vs. 42.7%). In an additional experiment, SCNT embryos produced from biophoton-treated oocytes showed a greater (p < 0.05) number of cells in blastocysts (52.6 vs. 43.9) than that in untreated oocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that biophoton treatment during IVM improves developmental competence of PA- and SCNT-derived embryos.

Color Stability of Self-Cured Temporary Crown Resin according to Different Surface Treatments / 치위생과학회지

In this study, the surface treatment of a self-cured temporary crown was polished using a denture bur, silicone bur, or pumice. The color stability of the temporary crown resin specimen was evaluated by immersing it in coffee, and cola, wine, beer, red pepper paste, or soybean paste. Two-hundred eighty-five identical resin specimens with six types of staining solution and three types of surface treatment were placed in a shaking incubator at 37℃. The degree of discoloration was observed using a time-lapse recording of days 1, 5, and 7. L*, a*, and b* were measured using a spectrophotometer, which shows the quantitative value of discoloration, and statistically processed after calculating ΔE*. The results show that as time passed, all the specimens showed a color change (p<0.001). The amount of color change was the greatest in in crowns with denture bur polishing on the day 1, 5, and 7. As the precipitation time increased, the ΔE* value was also increased. Of the specimens immersed on day 1, the greatest color change in crowns polished with denture bur was observed in those immersed in red pepper paste, while the smallest color change was observed in those immersed in cola. On days 5 and 7, the greatest color change in crowns polished with denture bur was observed in those immersed in red wine. Crowns polished with silicone bur and immersed in soybean paste exhibited the smallest color change. Based on the results, compared to pumice polishing, silicone bur polishing results in better color stability, saves time and money, and is recommended for patients with temporary crowns.

Exploitation of Culture Medium for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The culture media for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) were contrived from both egg-based and agar based ingredients. In 1903, Dorset introduced the first egg-based medium. It was followed by the invention of Lowenstein-Jensen and Ogawa media that contain whole eggs as nutrient and malachite green to inhibit the growth of contaminants. These media have been used worldwide for their usefulness and inexpensiveness. However they have a fundamental disadvantage that the cultivation time for mycobacterial growth takes more than 4 weeks. In 1947, Dubos introduced the first agar medium and followed by the invention of the 7H10 by Middlebrook and Cohn. A powder base of these media contains agar, combination of seven salts, L-glutamic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, and malachite green. This requires the addition of the oleic acid, albumin, dextrose, and catalase (OADC) growth supplement. BACTEC MGIT960 has recently been introduced for rapid cultivation of MTB, which is fully automated liquid culture system with modified 7H9 broth. Agar-based medium developed by Middlebrook has a number of advantages over egg-based medium. One of them is transparency, which enables earlier detection of growing colonies. The major disadvantages of agar media are the high cost of OADC and the need for a CO2 incubator. In conclusion, there is a need for a new agar medium, which can be produced at a lower cost and earlier growth detection. In this review, we introduced the growth promoting factors which can be used as an alternative new growth supplement, cAMP and resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf). These factors may abrogate a lag in adaption of the bacilli in culture media.

Production of Blastospore of Entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana in a Submerged Batch Culture

The principal objective of this study was to determine the optimal liquid culture conditions in shake flasks for maximal sporulation of Beauveria bassiana. The optimal initial pH for the spore production of B. bassiana using Potato Dextrose Broth was 5.2. The screening in shake flasks of carbon and nitrogen sources resulted in the identification of an optimal medium based on 3% sucrose and 1% casamino acid, with a C : N ratio of 22 : 4. Using this medium, a production level of 5.65 x 107 spores per ml was obtained after 5 days of culture. Using 3% corn meal, 2% corn steep powder, and 2% rice bran, the maximum spore concentration of 8.54 x 108/ml was achieved 8 days after inoculation at 25degrees C in a rotary shaking incubator operated at 200 rpm. This represents a yield gain of approximately 2.89 times that of pre-optimization.

Biotransformation of valdecoxib by plant cell cultures.

Valdecoxib is a new anti-inflammatory drug that is highly selective for inhibition of the inducible form of cyclooxygenase (COX-2). In the present study, biotransformation of valdecoxib was investigated in cell cultures of five medicinal plants, viz., Catharanthus roseus, Azadirachta indica, Capsicum annuum, Ervatamia heyneana, and Nicotiana tabacum. Identification of the biotransformed products was carried out by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry analysis. All the cultures transformed valdecoxib into more polar compounds, and C. roseus also produced one unknown compound that is less polar than the substrate. The reactions performed by these plant cell cultures include hydroxylation, methylation, and demethylation. Optimization studies were performed to investigate the effect of the day of extraction and substrate concentration on biotransformation.

Effects of charged amphiphiles in depolarising solutions on potassium efflux and the osmotic fragility of human erythrocytes.

The effect of the presence of charged amphiphiles during the incubation of human erythrocytes in a sucrose-substituted low-Cl(-) solution on the shift of the osmotic resistance profile and the net K+ efflux was investigated. Osmotic fragility was determined by fitting the complementary error function to the haemolysis resistance curve. K+ efflux was calculated from the increase in the K+ concentration in supernatant measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The cationic amphiphile hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) at 14 microM decreases, whereas the anionic amphiphile sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at 50 microM increases the shift of the haemolysis resistance curve of erythrocytes incubated in isotonic sucrose by 0.069 and 0.079 %NaCl, respectively. Both the positively and the negatively charged amphiphile caused a significant change in the K+ efflux into isotonic sucrose solution: CTAB decreased and SDS increased K+ efflux by about 40%. In view of the lack of effect of the investigated compounds on the haemolysis resistance curve and K+ efflux from human erythrocytes incubated in isotonic NaCl solution, these results suggest that the insertion of charged amphiphiles into the erythrocyte membrane modulates the properties of the K+ transport pathway which is activated under low ionic strength (LIS) conditions.

The Effects of Massage on Stress Hormone in Premature Infants / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the effects of massage on the level of stress hormone in the urine in preterm infants. METHOD: The design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design quasi experimental study. Fifty-eight preterm infants were assigned to the experimental(31) or control group(27). The data were collected from March 2002 to August 2003. The massage stimulation was provided to infants in the experimental group for 15-minutes twice a day for 10 days. On day 1 and day 10 of the study, a 24 hour-urine sample was collected for norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol assays. In data analysis, SPSSWIN 10.0 program was utilized for descriptive statistics, ANOVA and t-test. RESULTS: General characteristics of the two groups showed no significant differences, thus the two groups were found to be homogenous. The 24 hour-urine cortisol of the massage group (t=4.61, p=.000) was significantly reduced compared to the control group after 10 days. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the massage stimulation can be used to reduce 24 hour-urine cortisol in preterm infants. Therefore, massage provided in the incubator is recommended for reduction of stress in preterm infants who are hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units.

Production of a healthy calf by somatic cell nuclear transfer without micromanipulators and carbon dioxide incubators using the Handmade Cloning (HMC) and the Submarine Incubation System (SIS).

The aim of this work was to investigate the minimum technical requirements for production of live offspring with somatic cell nuclear transfer. The experiment was performed in a field type laboratory without micromanipulators and carbon dioxide incubators. All long-term incubations were performed in the Submarine Incubation System (SIS) using various gas mixtures. The somatic cell culture was established from ear biopsy of a 9-year-old Holstein cow. Nuclear transfer was performed using the Handmade Cloning (HMC) technique. Zona-free oocytes were randomly bisected by hand with a disposable blade and a stereomicroscope. Cytoplast were selected using Hoechst staining and a fluorescent microscope. After a two-step fusion embryos were activated with calcium ionophore and dimethylaminopurine. Embryos were cultured in microwells (WOWs) in SOFaaci medium supplemented with 5% cattle serum. In two consecutive experiments, six blastocysts were produced from 52 reconstructed embryos. On Day 7, five blastocysts were transferred into synchronized recipients. All three recipients became pregnant but two pregnancies aborted at 6 and 7 months, respectively. A heifer calf weighing 27 kg was delivered at term by Caesarean section from the third pregnancy. The healthy 6-month-old heifer, the first cloned animal of Africa, is living evidence that nuclear transfer technology may be successfully used under basic laboratory conditions.

Power spectral analysis of the heart rate variability of goat fetuses during extrauterine incubation.

Our aim is to determine the relationship between heart rate and behavioral states of a fetal goat using power spectral analysis. Electrocardiograms, electrocortical activity, and fetal breathing movements are recorded from 7 goat fetuses during extrauterine incubation. The heart rate power spectrum is classified into very low, low, and high frequency bands, and behavioral states are classified into low-voltage electrocortical activity with fetal breathing movements (LVB), low-voltage electrocortical activity without fetal breathing movements (LVN), and high-voltage electrocortical activity (HVN). There is a significant difference in total power spectral density in the high frequency band between LVN and HVN, and LVN and LVB. The relationship between each fetal behavioral state is assessed by power spectral analysis.

The Effects of Auditory and Vestibular Stimulation on Stress Hormones in Preterm Infants / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to determine whether providing auditory and vestibular stimulation to preterm infants would have an effect on stress hormones. METHODS: The design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design in a quasi-experimental study. Seventy-nine preterm infants were assigned either one of two experimental groups or to a control group: 27 in the auditory stimulation group, 25 in the vestibular stimulation group and 27 in the control group. The criteria for inclusion in this study were 1) gestational age of less than 37 weeks, 2) birth weight of less than 2,500g, 3) the absence of congenital anomalies or specific diseases, 4) recovering physiological weight loss, and 5) weaned from ventilatory assistance or oxygen. The data were collected from March 2002 to May 2003. The auditory stimulation, a music audiotape, was provided 20 minutes twice a day for 10 days and the vestibular stimulation, an infant waterbed, was provided for 10 days. On day 1 and day 10 of the study, 24 hour urine sample was collected for norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol assays. In the data analysis, SPSSWIN 10.0 program was utilized for descriptive statistics, ANOVA and t-test. RESULTS: General characteristics of the three groups showed no significant differences, thus three groups were found to be homogenous. The 24 hour urine cortisol for the auditory (t=3.489, p=.001) and for the vestibular (t=2.638, p=.013) stimulation group were significantly reduced compared to the control group after 10 days. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that auditory and vestibular stimulation can be used to reduce 24 hour urine cortisol in preterm infants. Therefore, music audiotapes and waterbeds provided in incubator are be recommended for reduction of the stress in preterm infants who are hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units.

A Comparison of Rectal, Axillary, and Skin-to-Mattress Temperatures in Neonates

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the comparability and accuracy of body temperatures measured at three different sites: rectum, axilla and between skin and mattress in the newborn infants. METHODS: 168 term and preterm infants admitted to NICU at Kyungpook University Hospital were enrolled in the study. Glass and digital thermometers were used for the simultaneous measurement of rectal, axilla and skin-to-mattress temperatures. RESULTS: Among three different body temperatures measured by glass thermometer, the rectal temperatures recorded the highest in the bassinet, while no differences were found in the incubator. Rectal temperature by glass thermometer agreed most closely with axillary temperature by digital thermometer. The digital thermometers took significantly less time to measure temperatures from rectum and axilla than glass thermometer. Phototherapy did not influence body temperature measured in the incubator. CONCLUSION: In the bassinet, axilla temperature measured by a digital thermometer was as reliable as rectal temperature measured by a glass thermometer. Skin-to-mattress temperature provides an accurate, safe and easily accessible alternative site while infants are in the incubator.