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.

Incubator-based active noise control device: comparison to ear covers and noise reduction zone quantification.

BACKGROUND: Noise exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is consistently higher than current recommendations. This may adversely affect neonatal sleep, weight gain, and overall health. We sought to evaluate the effect of a novel active noise control (ANC) system. METHODS: An ANC device's noise reduction performance was compared to that of adhesively affixed foam ear covers in response to alarm and voice sounds in a simulated NICU environment. The zone of noise reduction of the ANC device was quantified with the same set of alarm and voice sounds. RESULTS: The ANC device provided greater noise reduction than the ear covers in seven of the eight sound sequences tested in which a noise reduction greater than the just noticeable difference was achieved. For noise in the 500 Hz octave band, the ANC device exhibited consistent noise reduction throughout expected patient positions. It provided better performance for noise below 1000 Hz than above 1000 Hz. CONCLUSIONS: The ANC device provided generally superior noise reduction to the ear covers and provided a zone of noise reduction throughout the range where an infant would be placed within an incubator. Implications for patient sleep and weight gain are discussed. IMPACT: Active noise control device can effectively reduce noise inside an infant incubator due to bedside device alarms. This is the first analysis of an incubator-based active noise control device and comparison to adhesively affixed silicone ear covers. A non-contact noise reduction device may be an appropriate means of reducing noise exposure of the hospitalized preterm infant.

Social media as an incubator of personality and behavioral psychopathology: Symptom and disorder authenticity or psychosomatic social contagion?

There has been an increasing recognition among both medical and psychological professionals, as well as the public media, of a concerning trend for child and adolescent users of audiovisual-based, algorithmic social media platforms (e.g., TikTok) to present with or claim functional psychiatric impairment that is inconsistent with or distinct from classic psychiatric nosology. In this short communication, we provide a detailed historical overview of this transdiagnostic phenomenon and suggest a conceptual model to organize thinking and research examining it. We then discuss the implications of our suggested model for accurate assessment, diagnosis, and medical-psychiatric treatment. We believe there is an urgent need for focused empirical research investigation into this concerning phenomenon that is related to the broader research and discourse examining social media influences on mental health.

Noise exposure exceeded safe limits during neonatal care and road transport but was reduced by active noise cancelling.

AIM: Noise levels above 45 dB in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and 60 dB during neonatal transport are recognised hazards, but protective equipment is not standard. We measured noise levels in both settings, with and without noise protection. METHODS: Peak sound and equivalent continuous sound levels were measured in a NICU and during road transport, at a mannequin's ear and inside and outside the incubator. Recordings were made without protective earwear, with noise protecting earmuffs and with active noise cancelling headphones. RESULTS: In the NICU, the peak levels at the ear, and inside and outside the incubator, were 61, 68 and 76 dB. The equivalent continuous sound levels were 45, 54 and 59 dB. During road transport, the respective levels were 70, 77 and 83 dB and 54, 62 and 68 dB. In the NICU, 80% of environmental peak noise reached the ear and this was reduced to 78% with earmuffs and 75% with active noise cancelling. The respective figures during transport were 87% without protection and 72% with active noise cancelling, with an unexpected increase for ear muffs. CONCLUSION: Noise levels exceeded safe limits in the NICU and during transport, but active noise cancelling reduced exposure.

Noise and Critical Sound Levels During Non-Invasive Ventilation of a Preterm Infant in the Incubator.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth and the subsequent necessary treatment in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) subjects the preterm infant to non-physiological noise exposure with potentially adverse consequences for short- and long-term development. Adjusters to improve the acoustic environment for the preterm infant need to be defined. METHODS: Sound pressure level measurements during routine procedures in a NICU were performed by »" microphones placed inside and outside the incubator. The microphones need to be suitably positioned to measure sound pressure levels that are representative for the sound field inside and outside the incubator. The sound pressure level spectra generated by respiratory support and corresponding monitor alarms were compared. RESULTS: Inside the incubator, higher sound level pressures (in dBA) were generated primarily by the use of the system components of the incubator itself than outside, whereas when the incubator was closed, it had an insulating effect on sounds generated in the NICU. Non-invasive ventilation resulted in an increase in sound pressure levels from 50 to 60 dBA in the neonate's environment, with sound pressure levels increasing particularly in the frequency range above 1 kHz. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants are exposed to high sound levels, especially in the non-physiological high-frequency range, particularly during non-invasive ventilation. The continuous sound exposure could be further reduced to some extent by an optimized design of the incubator.

Sibling oocytes cultured in a time-lapse versus benchtop incubator: how time-lapse incubators improve blastocyst development and euploid rate.

The aim was to study whether a limited exposure of embryos outside the incubator has an effect on embryo development, blastocyst quality and euploid outcomes. This retrospective study was performed at ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) between March 2018 and April 2020 and included 796 mature sibling oocytes that were split randomly between two incubators after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): an EmbryoScope™ (ES) incubator and a benchtop incubator, G185 K-SYSTEMS (KS). The fertilization, cleavage, embryo/blastocyst qualities, useable blastocyst and euploid rates were assessed to evaluate the incubator performance. In total, 503 (63.2%) mature oocytes were cultured in the EmbryoScope and 293 (36.8%) in the K-SYSTEMS. No differences were observed in fertilization rate (79.3% vs 78.8%, P = 0.932), cleavage rate (98.5% vs 99.1%, P = 0.676) and embryo quality on Day 3 (P = 0.543) between both incubators, respectively. Embryos cultured in the EmbryoScope, had a significantly higher chance of being biopsied (64.8% vs 49.6%, P < 0.001). Moreover, a significantly higher blastocyst biopsy rate was observed on Day 5 in the EmbryoScope (67.8% vs 57.0%, P = 0.037), with a highly significant increased euploid rate (63.5% vs 37.4%, P = 0.001) and improved blastocyst quality (P = 0.008). We found that exposure of embryos outside the incubator may negatively affect the in vitro blastocyst development and euploid rate on Day 5.

Comparison of DNA methylation profiles of human embryos cultured in either uninterrupted or interrupted incubators.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the DNA methylation profiles of human embryos cultured in uninterrupted or interrupted incubators. METHODS: This study included 9 women, ≤ 30 years old (range: 20-30 years), without a history of genetic diseases or smoking, undergoing ICSI treatment, and each woman donated one oocyte. Embryos were randomly assigned to culture in either time-lapse imaging or standard incubators after ICSI. We compared the DNA methylation profiles of human eight-cell embryos cultured in uninterrupted condition using time-lapse imaging (TLI) incubator (EmbryoScope) to those cultured in interrupted culture model using standard incubators (SI, G185 K-System). Nine single-cell whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) datasets were analyzed, including four SI-cultured embryos and five TLI-cultured embryos at the eight-cell stage. RESULTS: A total of 581,140,020 and 732,348,182 clean reads were generated from the TLI and SI groups, respectively. TLI-cultured embryos had similar genome-wide methylation patterns to SI-cultured embryos. There were no significant differences in the methylation and transcription levels of transposable elements and imprinted control regions. Although a total of 198 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified, only five DMGs had significantly different transcription levels between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to compare the DNA methylation profiles of embryos cultured in TLI and SI and will provide a foundation for evaluating the safety of TLI application in assisted reproductive technologies. However, further study with a larger cohort of samples was needed for the data validation.

How and when to measure pH in IVF culture media: validation of a portable blood gas analyzer in two IVF culture dishes for time lapse and conventional incubators.

PURPOSE: Maintaining a stable pH at optimal level in human embryo culture media is crucial for embryo development but poses a challenge for all IVF laboratories. We validate analytically reliable conditions for pH measurement that are as close as possible to the embryo microenvironment during IVF. METHODS: This was a multicentric study. A Siemens EPOC portable blood gas analyzer was used. The analytical validation was carried out under the culture medium (Global Total HSA®) conditions of use (microdroplets, under oil overlay, in a IVF incubator with (EmbryoScope®) or without a time lapse system (K system G210+®) and using IVF dishes. The validation included repeatability ("within-run" precision), total precision (between-day precision), trueness based on inter-laboratory comparison, inaccuracy based on external quality assessment and comparison to the reference technique. We also assessed the pre-analytical medium incubation time required to obtain a target value. RESULTS: A measurement after an incubation period of 24 to 48 h is more representative of the pH to which the embryo will be exposed throughout the culture. The "within-run" and "between-day" precision show very low coefficients of variation (CV%): 0.17 to 0.22% and 0.13 to 0.34%, respectively, with IVF culture media. Trueness (% bias) range from - 0.07 to - 0.03%. We demonstrate good correlation between EPOC and reference pH electrode with an overestimation of 0.03 pH units of EPOC. CONCLUSION: Our method demonstrates good analytical performance for IVF laboratories wishing to implement a robust quality assurance system to monitor pH in embryo culture media. Compliance with stringent pre-analytical and analytical conditions is essential.

Monitoring System for Operating Variables in Incubators in the Neonatology Service of a Highly Complex Hospital through the Internet of Things (IoT).

BACKGROUND: Around 15 million premature babies are born annually, requiring specialized care. Incubators are vital for maintaining their body temperature, which is crucial for their well-being. Ensuring optimal conditions in incubators, including constant temperature, oxygen control, and comfort, is essential for improving the care and survival rates of these infants. METHODS: To address this, an IoT-based monitoring system was developed in a hospital setting. The system comprised hardware components such as sensors and a microcontroller, along with software components including a database and a web application. The microcontroller collected data from the sensors, which was then transmitted to a broker via WiFi using the MQTT protocol. The broker validated and stored the data in the database, while the web application provided real-time access, alerts, and event recording. RESULTS: Two certified devices were created, employing high quality components. The system was successfully implemented and tested in both the biomedical engineering laboratory and the neonatology service of the hospital. The results of the pilot test supported the concept of IoT-based technology, demonstrating satisfactory responses in temperature, humidity, and sound variables within the incubators. CONCLUSIONS: The monitoring system facilitated efficient record traceability, allowing access to data over various timeframes. It also captured event records (alerts) related to variable problems, providing information on duration, date, hour, and minutes. Overall, the system offered valuable insights and enhanced monitoring capabilities for neonatal care.

AI-Guided Computing Insights into a Thermostat Monitoring Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

In any healthcare setting, it is important to monitor and control airflow and ventilation with a thermostat. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can be carried out to investigate the airflow and heat transfer taking place inside a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this present study, the NICU is modeled based on the realistic dimensions of a single-patient room in compliance with the appropriate square footage allocated per incubator. The physics of flow in NICU is predicted based on the Navier-Stokes conservation equations for an incompressible flow, according to suitable thermophysical characteristics of the climate. The results show sensible flow structures and heat transfer as expected from any indoor climate with this configuration. Furthermore, machine learning (ML) in an artificial intelligence (AI) model has been adopted to take the important geometric parameter values as input from our CFD settings. The model provides accurate predictions of the thermal performance (i.e., temperature evaluation) associated with that design in real time. Besides the geometric parameters, there are three thermophysical variables of interest: the mass flow rate (i.e., inlet velocity), the heat flux of the radiator (i.e., heat source), and the temperature gradient caused by the convection. These thermophysical variables have significantly recovered the physics of convective flows and enhanced the heat transfer throughout the incubator. Importantly, the AI model is not only trained to improve the turbulence modeling but also to capture the large temperature gradient occurring between the infant and surrounding air. These physics-informed (Pi) computing insights make the AI model more general by reproducing the flow of fluid and heat transfer with high levels of numerical accuracy. It can be concluded that AI can aid in dealing with large datasets such as those produced in NICU, and in turn, ML can identify patterns in data and help with the sensor readings in health care.

Radiation dose evaluation to organs in neonatal patients by field size during potable X-ray examination in incubators: A Monte Carlo simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal patients located in incubators are exposed to as many as 159 radiographs until discharge. To reduce the dose exposed to the patient, factors that may cause unnecessary exposure to the patient were judged. When conducting portable X-rays of neonatal patients located in an incubator, it is not easy to determine the exact field size because collimation light is exposed on the acrylic plate, an incubator canopy, and the resulting shadow is reflected on the patient's body. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to measure the organ dose exposed to the patient according to the field size when a portable radiograph is given to a neonatal patient in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) incubator. METHODS: To identify the absorbed organ dose depending on the radiation field size during portable X-ray examination of neonatal patient, a Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) simulation, a SpeckCalc program, and a neonatal phantom from the ICRP 89 are applied for the calculation. According to the minimal field size (MinFS) standards of the European Commission (EC), the smaller field size is intended to measure tightly from the top of the lung apices to the bottom of the genitals; a larger field size is also calculated by adding 6 cm in width and length. RESULTS: Compared to the hospital C condition from the previous study, the larger and smaller field sizes are decreased by an average of 45% and 67%, respectively. Study results also show a 42% reduction in smaller field size compared to the larger field size. CONCLUSION: When taking chest and abdomen radiographic images of neonatal patients in incubators, appropriate field sizes are required to prevent inappropriate dose absorption for non-thoracic organs.

Phase change materials for portable isothermal incubators as a solution to shorten effective analysis times in microbiological quality control of drinking water.

The microbiological quality control of water for human consumption of parameters relevant as E.coli and total coliforms does not start on the field despite the existence of test methods that could make it possible. One of the things that makes this difficult is the possibility of initiating an effective and reliable incubation at the sampling site. The appearance of isothermal media with phase change materials solves this limitation. When phase change materials combine a relatively high melting heat with a suitable melting temperature adapted to the application temperature, they become excellent materials for thermal protection and for thermal energy storage. Starting the test at the same sampling point means that the effective times to obtain a result are shorter, improving water quality control. On the other hand, operationally, it also allows longer sampling routes. Both aspects are essential for managers responsible for controlling water quality for human consumption. In this work, the evidence that demonstrates the feasibility of this approach is presented.

Incubator type affects human blastocyst formation and embryo metabolism: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY QUESTION: Does the type of incubator used to culture human preimplantation embryos affect development to the blastocyst stage and alter amino acid utilization of embryos in assisted reproduction? SUMMARY ANSWER: Culturing embryos in a time lapse system (TLS) was associated with a higher Day 5 blastocyst formation rate and altered amino acid utilization when measured from Day 3 to Day 5 compared to the standard benchtop incubator. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Culture environment is known to be important for the developing preimplantation embryo. TLSs provide a stable milieu allowing embryos to be monitored in situ, whereas embryos cultured in standard benchtop incubators experience environmental fluctuations when removed for morphological assessment. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A prospective clinical trial randomizing 585 sibling embryos to either the TLS (289 embryos) or the standard benchtop incubator (296 embryos) over a 23-month period in a UK University Hospital Fertility Clinic. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants were aged 42 years or under, had an antral follicle count of ≥12 and ≥6 2 pronucleate zygotes. Zygotes were cultured individually in 25 µl of medium. Randomized embryos were graded and selected for transfer or cryopreservation on Day 5. For those embryos produced by women who underwent stimulation with recombinant FSH injections and were triggered with hCG, spent medium was collected on Day 5 for amino acid analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography. Clinical pregnancy was defined as the presence of a foetal heart beat on ultrasound scan at 7 weeks. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Overall, blastocyst formation rate on Day 5 was significantly higher in embryos cultured in the TLS (55%) compared to the standard incubator (45%; P = 0.013). Similarly, there was an increase in the number of blastocysts suitable for cryopreservation in the TLS (31%) compared to the standard incubator (23%; P = 0.032). There was a significant difference in the utilization of 12 amino acids by blastocysts cultured from Day 3 to Day 5 in the TLS compared to the standard incubator. Embryos cultured in the TLS displayed an increased total amino acid utilization (P < 0.001) and reduced amino acid production (P < 0.001) compared to those in the standard incubator. Irrespective of incubator used, embryos fertilized by ICSI depleted significantly more amino acids from the medium compared to those fertilized by conventional IVF. There was no difference in the mean score of blastocysts transferred, or the clinical pregnancy rate after transfer of embryos from either of the incubators. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The study was not powered to discern significant effects on clinical outcomes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The metabolism and development of preimplantation embryos is impacted by the type of incubator used for culture. Further research is required to investigate the long-term implications of these findings. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre Commercial and Enterprise Incubator Fund funded this study. The TLS was provided on loan for the study by Vitrolife. The authors declare no conflict of interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN73037149. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE: 12 January 2012. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT'S ENROLMENT: 21 January 2012.

Comparison of embryo implantation potential between time-lapse incubators and standard incubators: a randomized controlled study.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the potential clinical benefits of embryo culture and assessment in a time-lapse incubator compared with a standard incubator using static assessment? DESIGN: This large multicentre, single-blinded, randomized controlled study included 1224 participants randomly assigned (1:1) to the time-lapse or standard incubator group. In all patients one or two embryos were transferred on day 3. The primary outcome was the implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle. Secondary outcomes included the cumulative implantation rate, live birth rate in the first embryo transfer cycle and cumulative live birth rate. RESULTS: Among 1224 participants recruited, 1182 underwent embryo transfer. The number of successfully implanted embryos in the first transfer cycle was significantly higher in the time-lapse incubator group (time-lapse group: 52.35%, standard incubator group: 47.11%, P = 0.014). The implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle was still significantly higher in the time-lapse group than the standard incubator group after adjusting for age, body mass index, medical centre and embryo status (relative risk 1.11, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.20, P = 0.020). However, the cumulative implantation rate, live birth rate in the first embryo transfer cycle and cumulative live birth rate were not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle was significantly improved in the time-lapse group, but the effect of the time-lapse system on the cumulative implantation rate or cumulative live birth rate was not significant. The embryo assessment method offered by time-lapse systems rather than an undisturbed environment may play an important role in improving the implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle. These results are only applicable to young patients.

Arduino-based, low-cost imaging incubator for extended live cell imaging.

In order to image live cells for prolonged periods of time, an Arduino-based, low-cost imaging incubator was constructed. The imaging incubator keeps cells viable by controlling for temperature and CO 2 in order to maintain physiological conditions for cells during imaging. All devices and parts employed in the build were typical maker-type components in order to minimize the cost of the imaging incubator. The imaging incubator allows for real-time imaging of live cells exposed to any desired perturbation or stimulus. As a proof of the system's functionality, cells are imaged over 24 hours while remaining viable in the imaging incubator.

Improved embryonic development and utilization rates with EmbryoScope: a within-subject comparison versus a benchtop incubator.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether, in consecutive intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, embryonic development in an incubator with a time-lapse imaging (TLI) system is better than the previous one obtained in a benchtop incubator (G-185) with similar cultivation characteristics. The study was of a retrospective within-subject design, in which each cycle served as its own control. Data were obtained via the chart review of patients undergoing ICSI in a private university-affiliated in vitro fertilization (IVF) centre who fulfilled the following criteria: second ICSI attempt in which embryos were cultured in a TLI incubator system (TLI group, n = 71), preceded by a first ICSI attempt in which embryos were cultured in a benchtop incubator (Control group, n = 71). Embryonic development up to the fifth day of development, oocyte utilization rate (OUR; transferred embryos plus frozen embryos per total number of retrieved oocytes) and embryo utilization rate (EUR; transferred embryos plus frozen embryos per normally fertilized oocyte) were compared between the groups. There were significant differences in the day 2 non-cleavage rate, day 5 embryo rate, blastocyst development rate, frozen blastocyst rate, OUR, and EUR, in favour of the TLI group. Embryonic development, frozen blastocyst rate, OUR and EUR in the second ICSI cycle were significantly improved when the culture was performed in the EmbryoScope, compared with those rates obtained with culture in a G-185 in the first ICSI cycle of the same patients. The results may also lead to higher cumulative pregnancy outcomes following embryo thawing and transfer.

Exploring physiological stability of infants in Kangaroo Mother Care position versus placed in transport incubator during neonatal ground ambulance transport in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: The positive effects of Kangaroo mother care in NICU's are well documented but, to a lesser extent, explored during inter-hospital neonatal transport. Inter-hospital transport, with the infant placed in a transport incubator, increases the risk of separation while infants in Kangaroo mother care position implies that the parents accompany the transport. There exists limited knowledge if physiological stability differs when transported in Kangaroo mother care position compared to transport in a transport incubator. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare physiological stability of infants transported via ground ambulance in either Kangaroo mother care position or positioned in a transport incubator. METHOD: In total, 24 infants were recruited to be transported between hospitals in either a Kangaroo mother care position (n = 16) or in a transport incubator (n = 8). Inclusion criteria were; current weight >1500 g; current gestational age above 31+ 0  weeks; no central catheter; no respiratory support and no planed painful or distressing interventions during the 48-h follow-up period post-transport. Exclusion criteria were; infants whose parents did not speak or understand Swedish or English and infants with a current weight above 4500 g for the KMC group. Physiological stability was obtained during transport and for a 48-h follow-up period by measuring body temperature, respiratory and heart rate, oxygen saturation, pain score, transport risk assessment and number of interventions during transport and 48-h post-transport. Cost-effectiveness and adverse events were also evaluated. RESULTS: Both groups had comparable background characteristics and physiological stability during transport and for the 48-h follow-up period after transport. Transporting in Kangaroo mother care position was more cost-effective. STUDY LIMITATION: A small sample size in both groups. CONCLUSION: Transporting an infant in Kangaroo mother care position can be regarded as a choice of transport mode when the infant fulfils the set criteria.

Evaluation of radiation dose to organs of neonatal patients during portable X-ray examination in incubators: A Monte Carlo simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Infants admitted to neonate intensive care units (NICUs) are placed in incubators to maintain body temperature and condition, which undergo normal radiographs and are exposed to radiation. Furthermore, different incubator structures in different hospitals exhibit varying object to image receptor distance (OID), source to image receptor distance (SID), presence of canopy, which results in variations in X-ray radiation conditions and doses absorbed by the neonatal patients. OBJECTIVE: To measure organ dose exposed to neonatal patient in different incubator settings. METHODS: A portable X-ray was performed on a neonatal patient placed in an incubator to identify disease progress, the injection path of the drug, and various factors. To minimize direct contact between neonatal patients and image receptor, radiologic technologists place the image receptor on a tray underneath the incubator and place the portable X-ray tube on top of the acrylic canopy of the incubators. SID and OID settings and value of organ dose exposed to the patient varied based on the incubator structure, and the organ absorbed dose was determined using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) simulation, PC-based Monte Carlo program (PCXMC) 2.0 simulation, and neonate phantoms. RESULTS: Evaluations of organ dose of neonatal patients in three hospitals with different incubator settings reveal that the average organ dose differs by 36% depending on change in OID and SID settings and reduces by 10% with an acrylic canopy. Therefore, owing to the presence of an acrylic canopy on the top of the incubator and the longer SID with the corresponding shorter OID, a lower dose was absorbed by organs of neonatal patient. CONCLUSION: Our results provide proof that proper incubator standard decreases organ dose to neonatal patient during continuously diagnostic X-ray procedure.

A quasi experimental study to compare thermo-regulator blanket with conventional method (incubator) for temperature regulations in preterm, low birth weight neonates landing at emergency department of a tertiary care paediatric facility.

Objective: To compare incubator and thermal blanket for thermoregulation in preterm and low birth weight neonates. METHODS: The pilot study was conducted from January to March 2018 at the emergency department of the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, and comprised preterm and low birth weight neonates without any co-morbidity who were randomised to control and interventional groups. Data was collected using a proforma about demographics, weight, gestational age and brief clinical history. Temperature, blood pressure and pulse were monitored along with other routine care after every 15 minutes in the incubator, and the same procedure was adopted for thermal blankets. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23. RESULTS: Of the 38 subjects, 19(50%) each were cases and controls. The mean gestational age between the groups was not significantly different (p>0.05). Temperature for the first 60 minutes remained similar in the two groups, but at 75 minutes and onwards, the incubator showed a significantly better results (p<0.05). Conclusion: Thermal blankets can sufficiently provide a hyperthermic environment to the neonates, but an incubator is a more reliable option to provide sustained temperature.

Effect of contact incubation on stress, behavior and body composition in the precocial Red jungle fowl.

Birds use contact incubation to warm their eggs above ambient temperature required for embryonic development. In contrast, birds in the industry as well as many birds in breeding programs and scientific studies are incubated in conventional incubators that warm eggs via circulating warm air. This means that contact incubated eggs have different thermal properties than eggs incubated in a conventional incubator. In light of previous studies showing that small differences in incubation temperature can affect chicks post-hatching phenotype, we investigated the consequences of incubating Red jungle fowl eggs at the same temperature (37 °C) either via contact incubation or warm air incubation. We found that contact incubated chicks had a more robust body composition, were more explorative and had a higher temperature preference early in life, as well as a sex dependent difference in plasma Corticosterone levels pre-hatch (measured in down-feathers) and post-hatch (measured in plasma) compared to chicks incubated in a conventional warm air incubator. While previous studies have demonstrated that embryonic development and post-hatch phenotype is sensitive to small variations in temperature, our study demonstrates for the first time that the way heat is distributed to the egg has a similar magnitude of effect on post-hatch phenotype and highlights the sensitivity of the incubation period in shaping birds post-hatch phenotype.