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.

Adhesion and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus from food processing plants as affected by growth medium, surface type and incubation temperature

This study assessed the effect of different growth media [BHI broth, BHI broth plus glucose (10 g/100 mL) and BHI broth plus NaCl (5 g/100 mL)] and incubation temperatures (28 or 37 ºC) on the adherence, detachment and biofilm formation on polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces (2 x 2 cm coupons) for a prolonged period (24-72 h) by some strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S3, S28 and S54) from food processing plants. The efficacy of the sanitizers sodium hypochlorite (250 mg/mL) and peracetic acid (30 mg/mL) in reducing the number of viable bacterial cells in a preformed biofilm was also evaluated. S. aureus strains adhered in highest numbers in BHI broth, regardless of the type of surface or incubation temperature. Cell detachment from surfaces revealed high persistence over the incubation period. The number of cells needed for biofilm formation was noted in all experimental systems after 3 days. Peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite were not efficient in completely removing the cells of S. aureus adhered onto polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces. From these results, the assayed strains revealed high capacities to adhere and form biofilms on polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces under the different growth conditions, and the cells in biofilm matrixes were resistant to total removal when exposed to the sanitizers sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes meios de crescimento [caldo BHI, caldo BHI adicionado de glucose (10 g/100 mL) e caldo BHI adicionado de NaCl (5 g/100 mL)] e temperaturas de incubação (28 e 37 ºC) sobre a adesão, separação e formação de biofilme sobre superfícies (2 x 2 cm) de polipropileno e aço inoxidável durante longo tempo de incubação (24-72 h) por parte de cepas de Staphylococcus aureus (S3, S58 e S54) isoladas de plantas de processamento de alimentos. Também foi avaliada a eficácia dos sanitizantes hipoclorito de sódio (250 mg/mL) e ácido peracético (30 mg/mL) na redução do número de células bacterianas viáveis presentes em um biofilme pré-formado. As cepas de S. aureus aderiram em número mais elevado quando incubadas em caldo BHI em ambos os tipos de superfícies e temperaturas de incubação testadas. A separação das células das superfícies revelou alta persistência ao longo do período de incubação. Número de células necessário para a formação do biofilme foi detectado depois de três dias de incubação em todos os sistemas experimentais. O ácido peracético e o hipoclorito de sódio não foram eficientes em remover completamente a células de S. aureus aderidas sobre as superfícies de polipropileno e aço inoxidável. Os resultados obtidos revelaram alta capacidade das cepas ensaiadas em aderir e formar biofilme sobre superfícies de polipropileno e aço inoxidável sobre diferentes condições de crescimento e que as células na matriz do biofilme apresentaram-se resistentes à total remoção quando expostas aos sanitizantes hipoclorito de sódio e ácido peracético.

Diseño de un control de temperatura inteligente para incubadoras de recién nacidos / Design of an intelligent temperature control for incubators newborns

En este artículo se presenta el diseño de un control de temperatura con técnicas de protección inteligente, con la finalidad de implementarlo en incubadoras para recién nacidos. El funcionamiento del control de temperatura se centra en la utilización de un microcontrolador, programado para responder por modulación de ancho de pulso sobre el calefactor, y así lograr una alta precisión en la regulación de la temperatura. Lo novedoso del proyecto radica en la técnica de protección utilizada. Esta técnica está basada en la supervisión constante de las irregularidades térmicas, en múltiples puntos del ambiente de la incubadora. Esto permite establecer un criterio para el apagado del calefactor y la activación de la alarma en función de la lectura individual de 4 sensores tipo termistor NTC, ubicados estratégicamente dentro de la incubadora. Este diseño se ve motivado a la necesidad de adaptar controles modernos a incubadoras antiguas que pueden ser totalmente recuperadas, además abre la posibilidad de diseñar un equipo de incubadora completo. Cabe destacar que este proyecto contribuye con el desarrollo de tecnología propia en el área de la instrumentación y control aplicado a ingeniería biomédica.

This paper presents an intelligent temperature control design with smart protection techniques, implemented in newborn incubators. The operation of the temperature control was focused on the use of a programmed microcontroller, which respond with pulse width modulation at the heater, and thus achieve, high precision temperature regulation. The novelty of this design, lies, on the protection technique used. That is based, on a constant monitoring of the incubator thermal variations; at several parts of the environment. That allows establishing, an approach for the shutdown of the heater and the alarm on, depending on the individual reading of 4 sensors NTC thermistor, strategically located within the incubator. This design is motivated by the necessity of adapt modern controls to old incubators that can be fully recovered; also opens the possibility to design a complete new incubator. It is important to note that this project contributes with our own development technology; especially on biomedical engineering, instrumentation and control.

El ABC del cuidado de enfermería en los bebés prematuros extremos ­Segunda parte / The ABC of Nursing Care in Extremely Premature Babies ­Part Two

Resumen: En este nuevo artículo de la revista, se continuará profundizando en el cuidado de los bebes de extremo bajo peso y edad gestacional. Para las enfermeras neonatales, cuidar a estos recién nacidos constituye un gran desafío, un compromiso y una responsabilidad. Los prematuros extremos requieren de enfermeros y médicos entrenados, que basen su juicio sobre el conocimiento clínico y científico y puedan apoyarse en los avances tecnológicos. Si bien estos han hecho posible la sobrevida de bebés cada vez más pequeños, la valoración clínica es la habilidad que nos permite optimizar el cuidado. Los distintos elementos de la valoración no sólo permiten detectar los problemas que se presentan durante el nacimiento, sino que además resultan útiles para anticiparnos, intervenir, planear e implementar cuidados durante toda la internación de los bebés teniendo en cuenta que, muchas veces, estos problemas pueden minimizarse o prevenirse por medio una intervención adecuada. Además, la observación y valoración de cada bebé permite conocer al recién nacido, así como fundamentar y transmitir al resto del equipo nuestra opinión en relación con el estado del paciente sobre la base de los hallazgos obtenidos