Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay on Citrus microcarpa Bunge (kalamansi)

The extract of Citrus microcarpa Bunge leaves was evaluated for brine shrimp lethality in different concentrations (1000 µg/mL, 500 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL, and 10 µg/mL). All experiments were done in triplicate, and the mean result was noted. The lethal concentration LC50 of the test samples after 6 hours and 24 hours was obtained. Using probit analysis, the lethality concentration (LC50) was assessed at 95% confidence intervals. LC50 of less than 100 µg/mL was considered as potent (active). Absolute ethanol Extract has the highest value of being potent or having the highest value for having bioactive components compared to the other two extracts. It has the highest percent mortality relative to the other two extracts, and it also has the highest acute toxicity value for 6 hours of exposure to Artemia salina with a value of 434.01 µg/mL, while the chronic toxicity is 29.01 µg/mL. The result indicates that the prepared extract was rich in bioactive compounds. Thus, Brine Shrimp Lethality Test is a convenient monitor for screening and fractionation in the discovery and monitoring of bioactive natural products

Sensitization of cardiac responses to pain in preterm infants.

BackgroundPreterm infants are repeatedly exposed to painful experiences as part of their care in the neonatal intensive care unit. There is evidence from both animal and human studies that exposure to pain during the neonatal period may have persisting consequences for development.ObjectiveTo perform serial assessments of three heelstick blood draws to examine early changes both in physiological and behavioral responses to repeated exposure to painful stimuli in preterm infants.MethodsHeart rate and behavioral responses to three serially administered heelstick blood draws were evaluated in 22 medically stable preterm infants with less than 48 h of mechanical ventilation who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.ResultsHeart rate and behavioral agitation significantly increased during each heelstick as compared to baseline. The heart rate response was larger to the third heelstick as compared to the first two procedures. Behavioral responses did not change across the three assessments.ConclusionsHealthy preterm infants sensitize to heelstick-induced pain, as measured by their heart rate responses. These data suggest that greater attention to the effects of repeated pain for the neonate is needed

Sensitization of cardiac responses to pain in preterm infants.

BackgroundPreterm infants are repeatedly exposed to painful experiences as part of their care in the neonatal intensive care unit. There is evidence from both animal and human studies that exposure to pain during the neonatal period may have persisting consequences for development.ObjectiveTo perform serial assessments of three heelstick blood draws to examine early changes both in physiological and behavioral responses to repeated exposure to painful stimuli in preterm infants.MethodsHeart rate and behavioral responses to three serially administered heelstick blood draws were evaluated in 22 medically stable preterm infants with less than 48 h of mechanical ventilation who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.ResultsHeart rate and behavioral agitation significantly increased during each heelstick as compared to baseline. The heart rate response was larger to the third heelstick as compared to the first two procedures. Behavioral responses did not change across the three assessments.ConclusionsHealthy preterm infants sensitize to heelstick-induced pain, as measured by their heart rate responses. These data suggest that greater attention to the effects of repeated pain for the neonate is needed

Additional file 1: of Knowledge and attitudes toward corneal donation among Singaporean youth: a cross-sectional study

Questionnaire items. (DOC 107 kb

Growth Failure Prevalence in Neonates with Gastroschisis : A Statewide Cohort Study.

ObjectivesTo perform a multicenter study to assess growth failure in hospitalized infants with gastroschisis.Study designThis study included neonates with gastroschisis within sites in the University of California Fetal Consortium. The study's primary outcome was growth failure at hospital discharge, defined as a weight or length z score decrease >0.8 from birth. Regression analysis was performed to assess changes in z scores over time.ResultsAmong 125 infants with gastroschisis, the median gestational age was 37 weeks (IQR 35-37). Length of stay was 32 days (23-60); 55% developed weight or length growth failure at discharge (28% had weight growth failure, 42% had length growth failure, and 15% had both weight and length growth failure). Weight and length z scores at 14 days, 30 days, and discharge were less than birth (P < .01 for all). Weight and length z scores declined from birth to 30 days (-0.10 and -0.11 z score units/week, respectively, P < .001). Length growth failure at discharge was associated with weight and length z score changes over time (P < .05 for both). Lower gestational age was associated with weight growth failure (OR 0.70 for each gestational age week, 95% CI 0.55-0.89, P = .004).ConclusionsGrowth failure, in particular linear growth failure, is common in infants with gastroschisis. These data suggest the need to improve nutritional management in these infants

Multi-institutional practice patterns and outcomes in uncomplicated gastroschisis: a report from the University of California Fetal Consortium (UCfC).

Background/purposeGastroschisis is a resource-intensive birth defect without consensus regarding optimal surgical and medical management. We sought to determine best-practice guidelines by examining differences in multi-institutional practices and outcomes.MethodsSite-specific practice patterns were queried, and infant-maternal chart review was retrospectively performed for gastroschisis infants treated at 5 UCfC institutions (2007-2012). The primary outcome was length of stay. Univariate analysis was done to assess variation practices and outcomes by site. Multivariate models were constructed with site as an instrumental variable and with sites grouped by silo practice pattern adjusting for confounding factors.ResultsOf 191 gastroschisis infants, 164 infants were uncomplicated. Among uncomplicated patients, there were no deaths and only one case of necrotizing enterocolitis. Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences in practices and outcomes by site. Despite wide variations in practice patterns, there were no major differences in outcome among sites or by silo practice, after adjusting for confounding factors.ConclusionsWide variability exists in institutional practice patterns for infants with gastroschisis, but poor outcomes were not associated with expeditious silo or primary closure, avoidance of routine paralysis, or limited central line and antibiotic durations. Development of clinical pathways incorporating these practices may help standardize care and reduce health care costs