Is the infant car seat challenge useful?:A pilot study in a simulated moving vehicle

Background and Objective: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends preterm infants complete a pre-discharge “car seat challenge” observation for cardiorespiratory compromise whilst in a car seat. This static challenge does not consider the more upright position in a car or the vibration of the seat when the car is moving. This pilot study was designed to assess the cardiorespiratory effects of vibration, mimicking the effect of being in a moving car, on preterm and term infants.Methods: A simulator was designed to reproduce vertical vibration similar to that in a rear facing car seat at 30mph. 19 healthy newborn term and 21 preterm infants, ready for hospital discharge, underwent cardiorespiratory measurements whilst lying flat in a cot (baseline), static in the seat (30°), simulator (40°) and during motion (vibration 40°). Results: Median test age was 13 days (range 1- 65 days), and median weight was 2.5Kg [iqr: 2.1-3.1Kg]. Compared to baseline observations, only the total number of desaturations was significantly increased when infants were placed at 30° (p=0.03). At 40°, or with vibration, respiratory and heart rates increased and oxygen saturation decreased significantly. Profound desaturations <85% significantly increased during motion, regardless of gestational age.Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the effect of motion on infants seated in a car safety seat. Term and preterm infants showed significant signs of potentially adverse cardiorespiratory effects in the upright position at 40° particularly with simulated motion; not identified in the standard challenge. A larger study is required to investigate the significance of these results

Deficiency of GABAergic synaptic inhibition in the Kölliker-Fuse area underlies respiratory dysrhythmia in a mouse model of Rett syndrome

Life threatening breathing irregularity and central apnoeas are highly prevalent in children suffering from Rett syndrome. Abnormalities in inhibitory synaptic transmission have been associated with the physiopathology of this syndrome, and may underlie the respiratory disorder. In a mouse model of Rett syndrome, GABAergic terminal projections are markedly reduced in the Kölliker–Fuse nucleus (KF) in the dorsolateral pons, an important centre for control of respiratory rhythm regularity. Administration of a drug that augments endogenous GABA localized to this region of the pons reduced the incidence of apnoea and the respiratory irregularity of Rett female mice. Conversely, the respiratory disorder was recapitulated by blocking GABAergic transmission in the KF area of healthy rats. This study helps us understand the mechanism for generation of respiratory abnormality in Rett syndrome, pinpoints a brain site responsible and provides a clear anatomical target for the development of a translatable drug treatment

Perceptions of Agribusiness Leaders toward Agricultural Education in Nebraska

The purpose of the study was to determine the perceptions of agribusiness leaders with regard to Agricultural Education in the State of Nebraska. More specifically, the objectives were to: 1. Determine perceptions of the skills, attitudes and knowledge that should be taught in Nebraska\u27s elementary and secondary schools to prepare students for their future in agriculture Determine perceptions of funding levels for agricultural education in Nebraska. Determine perceptions of the need for a name change for vocational agriculture in Nebraska\u27s secondary schools. Determine perceptions of where various agricultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes should be taught at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. Determine perceptions with respect to the effectiveness of leadership from the teacher education program in agriculture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Agriculture Division of The Nebraska Department of Education

Методи управління екологічними ризиками в системі забезпечення економічного розвитку регіону

Метою статті є дослідження методів управління екологічними ризиками в системі забезпечення економічного розвитку регіону