Explore the vast range of titles available.

Although many musical intervention studies exist in the wider framework of neuroscience and psychology, the preliminary importance of feasibility studies is rarely discussed. Adding to this fact the limited research existing on the therapeutic and restorative potential of music exposure during early developmental periods, pushed us to concentrate on investigating newborns’ perception of music and its impact on the brain. Here, we explore the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) approach when measuring and comparing the neurophysiological perception of music versus language on the brainstem of newborns using auditory brainstem response (ABR). Twenty-five healthy full-term infants were recruited, eight of which were measured within their first 10 days postpartum. The evaluation of the study’s feasibility appealed to five main objectives that essentially answer the question: Can our protocol work? Each objective proposes questions based on Orsmond and Cohn’s guiding framework, designed to assess, and assist feasibility in understanding barriers toward a study’s success. Our results justify that newborns are well capable of undergoing the study and given meticulous considerations and improvements on the intervention resources. The procedure’s communication and technical obstacles are resoluble. Moreover, assimilation of external factors to adapt, such as the culture variation and the ABR protocol implementation are necessary. The study was well received in the selected region (Middle East), and the recording procedure showed potential outcomes for a comprehensive RCT.

In the original publication [...]

Recent technological strides, including high-frequency probes and lung ultrasound, have become a crucial non-invasive diagnostic tool in neonatal care, revolutionizing how respiratory conditions are assessed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). High-frequency probes and portable devices significantly enhance the effectiveness of lung ultrasound in identifying respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), pneumonia, and pneumothorax, and underscore its growing significance. This comprehensive review explores the historical journey of lung ultrasonography, technological advancements, contemporary applications in neonatal care, emerging trends, and collaborative initiatives, and foresees a future where personalized healthcare optimizes outcomes for neonates.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of prophylactic propranolol in the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants ≤32 weeks of gestational age and their visual outcome at 1 year of corrected gestational age.DesignRandomised double blind placebo controlled trial, parallel group nrolment with allocation ratio of 1:1.SettingsTwo level III neonatal intensive care units.Participants109 preterm neonates of ≤32 weeks of gestation with postnatal age ≤8 days old.Intervention Study group: Infants with gestational age between 26 and 32 weeks were started on propranolol prophylaxis (0.5 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours) on seventh completed day of life, till a corrected gestational age of 37 weeks or complete vascularisation of retina whichever was later. Control group infants received a placebo.Outcome measures Primary: ROP of all grades; Secondary: evaluation of complications due to propranolol, ROP needing treatment with laser and/or antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and visual outcome at 12 months corrected age.ResultsProphylactic propranolol in the prescribed dose of 1 mg/kg/day showed a decreasing trend in the incidence of ROP (56.8% vs 68.6%; p=0.39), need for laser therapy (21.56% vs 31.37%; p=0.37), treatment with anti-VEGF (3.92% vs 15.68%; p=0.09) or visual outcomes at 1 year in the study and control groups, respectively, though these reductions were not statistically significant. Decreasing trends favouring propranolol in all other ROP-related outcomes were also noted in the study group.ConclusionsProphylactic propranolol in the prescribed dose of 1 mg/kg/day showed a decreasing trend in all outcomes of ROP though statistically not significant.Trial registration numberCTRI/2013/11/004131.

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of enteral paracetamol and intravenous indomethacin for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm neonates.DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingLevel III neonatal intensive care unit.Participants77 preterm neonates with birth weight ≤1500 g and PDA size ≥1.5 mm, with left to right ductal flow with left atrium to aortic root ratio >1.5:1; diagnosed by 2D-Echo within first 48 hours of life.InterventionParacetamol drops through the infant feeding tube (15mg/kg/dose 6 hourly for 7 days) or intravenous indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg/dose once daily for 3 days).Outcome measuresPrimary: PDA closure rate assessed by echocardiography. Secondary: need for surgical closure of PDA, renal impairment, gastrointestinal bleed, necrotising enterocolitis, hepatotoxicity, pulmonary hemorrhage, sepsis, hypothermia, retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and mortality.ResultsPDA closure rate was 100% (36/36) in enteral paracetamol group as compared to 94.6% (35/37) in intravenous indomethacin group (P=0.13). The secondary outcomes were also similar between the two groups. There was no occurrence of hepatotoxicity.ConclusionsEnteral paracetamol is safe but not superior to intravenous indomethacin in the treatment of PDA in preterm neonates.

The large volumes of waste generated during fruit and vegetable processing pose environmental challenges but also serve as a valuable source of bioactive compounds (BCs), including polyphenols, carotenoids, and flavonoids, which have significant medicinal and nutritional applications. This article reviews emerging valorization strategies for fruit and vegetable waste (FVW), focusing on microencapsulation methods that stabilize, protect, and deliver these bioactive molecules. Microencapsulation not only enhances the bioavailability (BA), controlled release, and functional stability of BCs but also facilitates their integration into functional foods (FFs) and nutraceuticals through technologies like spray drying (SD) and freeze drying (FD). These BCs exhibit high retention and encapsulation efficiency (EE), thus opening their prospects for applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. However, major challenges still exist in the valorization of FVW, such as rapid degradation, scalability, high production costs, and heterogeneity of waste composition. Future developments in encapsulation processes, nanotechnology, and bioconversion present promising avenues for the improvement of stability and industrial applicability. Overcoming these challenges through green and innovative approaches will not only enhance the commercial value of FVW-derived bioactives but also provide a circular economy with substantial environmental and health impacts.

Head and neck cancers are fairly common in India due to the widespread consumption of tobacco and neck dissection is a major component in the surgical management. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of MRND and SND on shoulder function and quality of life in patients of head and neck cancer. Our study is a prospective comparative study on 65 head and neck cancer patients divided into 2 groups—33 in group A (MRND group) and 32 in group B (SND group). Clinical evaluation of shoulder function was done pre-operatively, 1 week, 1 month, 3 month and 6 month post-operatively using arm abduction scores (AAS) and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Nerve-conduction study (NCS) was done pre-operatively and 3 months post-operatively for assessment of SAN. Neck dissection quality of life questionnaire (NDQOL) was used as a quality-of-life measure. A total of 65 neck dissections were included in the analysis (33 in group A and 32 in group B) out of which 53 were males and 12 were females. The mean AAS on the 6th post-operative month in group A was significantly lower than that of group B ( p  = 0.01). The mean SPADI scores on the 6th post-operative month was significantly worse in group A than group B ( p value 0.01). On NCS, a significant decrease in amplitude was seen in group A ( p  = 0.02) and a significant increase in latency was noted in group B ( p  = 0.005). Quality of life score on 6th post-operative month showed no significant difference between both the groups ( p  > 0.05). Level V dissection in MRND is associated with higher incidence and greater severity of shoulder dysfunction. AAS and SPADI score are useful tools in post operative follow up of shoulder dysfunction. NCS helps in the detection of neuropathy and to determine its severity. Early rehabilitation promotes long term recovery.