No description available.

No description available.

CE-ESI-MS has become a powerful analytical tool capable of simultaneous identification and quantification of many classes of biologically relevant molecules. For studies in metabolomics, CE-ESI-MS offers a unique platform which will allow for the systematic elucidation of unknown metabolites in complex matrices without the need for complex sample preparation steps required with other techniques. In this thesis, a novel theoretical prediction model which will allow the estimation of detector response in ESIMS is outlined. This response model will allow researchers to quantitatively predict relative ionization effiency of compounds based on proposed two-dimensional structures without the need for a purified standard. Another feature of this model is that it can be applied to complex biological samples without the need for off-line sample pretreatment. Also in this thesis, a novel neonatal screening method will be presented which will aid clinical chemists in determining the presence of inborn metabolic disorders. This screening method which aims to compliment current protocols will allow health care professionals to further assess dried blood spot samples by providing simultaneous separation, identification, and quantification of relevant metabolites. This method also offers an alternatives to other protocols in place which are necessary to measure acid labile compounds which cannot be assessed by standard screening techniques. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

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Background: Recent research is revealing the high rate of false-positive screening results for IEMs in the NICU population. No study published to date has specifically studied the possible relationship between nutrition and newborn screening in this population. Objective: It is suspected that NICU infants who receive PN are more likely to have abnormal newborn screening results than infants who receive EN. An understanding of the role of nutrition will assist in developing protocols for screening in the NICU and decrease false-positives. Design: Infants admitted to the NICU between January 1-June 30, 2009 were included in this retrospective chart review study (n=339). The type of nutrition and timing of its initiation was recorded and compared to newborn screening results to identify correlations with false-positives. Statistical analysis included means, percentages, Fisher's exact test, Chi-square test, and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. Results: Nutrition type was significantly associated with newborn screening (p<0.001); those who received parenteral nutrition were more likely to have a false-positive. For infants who also received PN, EN of breast milk exclusively increased risk of an abnormal screen more than formula exclusively or breast milk plus formula. The timing of parenteral nutrition had no effect on screening. Premature infants who received PN exclusively had a higher percentage of false-positives than those who received EN Conclusions: Although the hypothesis could not be statistically supported, PN appears to contribute to false-positive newborn screens. More research is needed to ascertain the role of EN and GA in newborn screening and to develop standardized protocols. / Master of Science

Crying is the primary source of distal communication through which newborn and young infants’ needs are related to the caregiving environment and, as such, this social behavior is vital to the survival and development of the infant. Recently, a series of experimental studies has begun to isolate the effects of specific durational components of crying on adults’ perceptions of infant cries. These studies have found the duration of pauses within and between cries to be perceptually salient features, however, the point at which adults were able to detect changes in the duration of the pauses was not addressed. Seventy-five introductory psychology students participated in three experiments designed to determine Difference Thresholds for the point at which manipulations in the durations of pauses before and after the inspiration in infant cries were detectable by the adult listener. The Difference Threshold for the pause before the inspiration (PBI) with the duration of the pause after the inspiration (PAI) held constant was an increase of 354.18% in the duration of the PBI. Difference Thresholds for increases and decreases in the duration of the PAI were 58.53% and -61.91%, respectively. For increases and decreases in the duration of the PAI with a perceptibly longer PBI, Difference Thresholds were 39.82% and -57.6%, respectively. The Difference Threshold for an increase in the duration of the PBI with a perceptibly shorter duration of the PAI was 420.06% and the Difference Threshold for a decrease in the duration of the PBI with a perceptibly longer duration of the PAI was 485.61%. Results provided the first known experimental evidence of the point at which changes in the durations of pauses before and after the inspiration in infant crying are detectable by adult listeners. / Master of Science

An improved digital computer model of the neonatal respiratory system was developed. Using previous models as a basis, important improvements were made in order to accurately simulate infant blood gas chemistry and its effect on respiratory and circulatory control. The model is divided into five physiologic compartments: heart, brain, lungs, tissues, and cerebrospinal fluid compartment. Respiration is a function hydrogen ion concentration in the medulla and oxygen tension and hydrogen ion concentration in the aorta. Cardiac output is a function of oxygen and carbon dioxide tension in the brain and oxygen tension at the tissues. Major improvements in this model include an advanced carbon dioxide dissociation relationship and a complex blood buffer system. It also is able to simulate treatment of respiratory distressed infants with bicarbonate infusion and respirator therapy. In addition, it has a simplified variable time delay. In order to evaluate the model, an attempt was made to simulate an actual infant. Results indicate that while the model is an improvement over previous attempts, it is still deficient in some areas in its ability to simulate actual infants. More comparisons with actual data must be made to accurately evaluate the model. / Master of Science

The purpose of this integrative literature review was to provide a compilation and review of literature related to perinatal outcomes of clients with antepartum or intrapartum oligohydramnios and management decisions applied to these clients. This paper is intended to synthesize and summarize the most current knowledge retrieved in these topics between the years of 1990- 2000. A general search using key terms was conducted, and yielded 63 prospective articles comprised of full articles, abstracts, and literature reviews. Seventeen articles on oligohydramnios, amniotic fluid volume measurements, and perinatal outcomes were retained out of the 35 that were found. The search for the literature discussing management of oligohydramnios produced 9 articles, of which 3 were found to be pertinent to this project. Twelve of the total 39 articles retained were literature reviews and were used for citation and identification of additional information material to this topic. Seven of the 39 articles were retained for the sole purpose of enabling the author to provide a descriptive, thorough review on the relevant concepts of this review. Studies reviewing amniotic fluid volume/oligohydramnios and perinatal outcomes suggest great variance among likelihood of adverse perinatal outcomes. Studies reviewing management of oligohydramnios suggest amnioinfusion may have obstetrical and perinatal benefits for the client with oligohydramnios. Aggressive management including indication for cesarean section related to fetal distress and labor induction were implied with minimal discussion on conservative management for these clients.

Lui Yat Chi. / Publication date from spine. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-103). / Acknowledgment --- p.1 / Abstract --- p.2 / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- Review of previous epidemiological studies of congenital abnormalities --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Limitation in comparing data with different studies --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives --- p.4 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Definition --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Terminology and definition --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- The definition of clinical abnormality --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- The current concepts in major and minor anomalies --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- The definition of major and minor anomalies --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- Major anomalies and minor anomalies --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Subjects and Methodology --- p.16 / Chapter 3.1 --- The introduction of methodology --- p.16 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Background --- p.16 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Different Methodologies and their limitations --- p.16 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methods --- p.17 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Setting --- p.17 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Design of the research data recording sheet --- p.18 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Training --- p.18 / Chapter 3.2.3.1 --- "Training in paediatrics, orthopaedic and clinical genetic centre" --- p.18 / Chapter 3.2.3.2 --- End of training period --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Data Collection --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2.4.1 --- Subject selection --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2.4.2 --- Examination Procedures --- p.20 / Chapter 3.2.4.3 --- Cross checking of the examination --- p.25 / Chapter 3.2.4.4 --- Other sources of information --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3 --- Problems in screening --- p.26 / Chapter 3.4 --- Selection of variables --- p.26 / Chapter 3.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.27 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Results --- p.28 / Chapter 4.1 --- Sub-Classification of the newborn infants --- p.28 / Chapter 4.2 --- Weights and Measures --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Result --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Supplement (statistical analysis of Table 4， 5 & 6) --- p.30 / Chapter 4.3 --- The incidence of congenital abnormalities in Newborn Chinese --- p.31 / Chapter 4.4 --- Relationship between incidence of abnormalities and sex --- p.47 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Result --- p.47 / Chapter 4.5 --- Relationship between incidence of abnormalities and maternal age --- p.53 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Result --- p.53 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Supplement (statistical analysis of Table 19) --- p.54 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Supplement (statistical analysis of Table 21 & 22) --- p.56 / Chapter 4.6 --- Relationship between incidence of abnormalities and parity --- p.58 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Result --- p.58 / Chapter 4.7 --- Relationship between incidence of abnormalities and mode of delivery --- p.59 / Chapter 4.7.1 --- Result --- p.59 / Chapter 4.7.2 --- Supplement (statistical analysis of Table 23 & 24) --- p.59 / Chapter 4.8 --- Other correlations --- p.62 / Chapter 4.8.1 --- Relationship between incidence of abnormalities and mode of delivery --- p.62 / Chapter 4.8.2 --- Supplement (statistical analysis of Table 25 & 26) --- p.63 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion --- p.65 / Chapter 5.1 --- Comparative prevalence of congenital anomalies among different studies --- p.65 / Chapter 5.2 --- Comparison of incidence of specific major abnormalities in different survey --- p.68 / Chapter 5.3 --- Relationship between abnormalities and different factors --- p.70 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Maternal age --- p.70 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Parity --- p.71 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Mode of delivery --- p.72 / Chapter 5.4 --- Other correlations --- p.72 / Chapter 5.5 --- The prevalence of birth defects among different systems in this survey --- p.72 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Central nervous system --- p.72 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Cardiovascular system --- p.76 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- Alimentary system --- p.79 / Chapter 5.5.4 --- Musculoskeletal system --- p.81 / Chapter 5.5.4.1 --- Supplement (statistical analysis of Table Y) --- p.82 / Chapter 5.5.5 --- Multiple syndrome --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion --- p.89 / Chapter 6.1 --- Limitations and Benefits --- p.90 / Chapter 6.2 --- Future direction --- p.92 / References --- p.93 / Appendix --- p.104