Main-chain Macromolecular Hydrazone Photoswitches.

Hydrazones-consisting of a dynamic imine bond and an acidic NH proton-have recently emerged as versatile photoswitches underpinned by their ability to form thermally bistable isomers, (Z) and (E), respectively. Herein, we introduce two photoresponsive homopolymers containing structurally different hydrazones as main-chain repeating units, synthesized via head-to-tail Acyclic Diene METathesis (ADMET) polymerization. Their key difference lies in the hydrazone design, specifically the location of the aliphatic arm connecting the rotor of the hydrazone photoswitch to the aliphatic polymer backbone.

Dynamic changes in methadone utilisation for opioid use disorder treatment: a retrospective observational study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major public health concern in the USA, resulting in high rates of overdose and other negative outcomes. Methadone, an OUD treatment, has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of overdose and improving overall health and quality of life. This study analysed the distribution of methadone for the treatment of OUD across the USA over the past decade and through the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Successful Gap-Year Clinical Research Technician (CRT) Program at an Academic Anesthesiology Department.

Background: Many students elect to take gap years in between graduating college and matriculating into medical school. At an academic institution, investigators can be limited in conducting research due to clinical endeavors. Utilizing a structured, clinical research, gap-year program with students called clinical research technicians (CRTs) can aid both investigators conducting research and students applying to graduate health programs.

Feasibility of intraoperative continuous glucose monitoring: An observational study in general surgery patients.

Background: Perioperative hyperglycemia is associated with adverse outcomes in surgical patients, and major societies recommend intraoperative monitoring and treatment targeting glucose <180-200 mg/dL. However, compliance with these recommendations is poor, in part due to fear of unrecognized hypoglycemia. Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) measure interstitial glucose with a subcutaneous electrode and can display the results on a receiver or smartphone.

A Prospective Observational Comparison of Two Approaches to Anesthetizing the Trachea for Awake Intubation.

Background: Multiple techniques have been described for anesthetizing the lower glottis and trachea prior to awake fiberoptic intubation. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate whether direct application of local anesthetic to the lower airway via an epidural catheter under direct vision is equally efficacious when compared to use of a transtracheal block in adult patients with an anticipated difficult airway.

Methods: Patients age >18 years requiring awake fiberoptic intubation who underwent upper and lower airway topicalization were observed prospectively.

Introduction of an enhanced recovery pathway results in decreased length of stay in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion: A description of implementation strategies and retrospective before-and-after study of outcomes.

Study Objective: This study assessed whether implementation of an enhanced recovery-based pathway decreased length of stay without increasing readmissions among patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion.

Design: Retrospective observational before-and-after study.

Setting: A tertiary children's hospital.

Growth kinetics and cell morphology of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A as affected by temperature, NaCl, and EDTA.

Growth kinetics and morphological characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A grown under stress conditions induced by increasing levels of NaCl and EDTA were studied as a function of temperature. L. monocytogenes Scott A was inoculated into brain heart infusion broth (pH 6) at 19, 28, 37, and 42 degrees C.

High yield criteria for obtaining non-trauma chest radiography in the adult emergency department population.

To develop a clinical decision rule for predicting significant chest radiography abnormalities in adult Emergency Department (ED) patients, a prospective, observational study was conducted of consecutive adults (>or=18 years old) who underwent chest radiography for nontraumatic complaints at an urban ED with an annual census of 85,000. The official radiologist interpretation of the film was used as the gold standard for defining radiographic abnormalities. Using predefined criteria and author consensus, patients were divided into two groups: those with clinically significant abnormalities (CSA) and those with either normal or nonclinically significant abnormalities.

Do published guidelines predict pneumonia in children presenting to an urban ED?

Objectives: In 1997, a Canadian task force published evidence-based guidelines for diagnosing pediatric pneumonia, concluding that the absence of each of four signs (ie, respiratory distress, tachypnea, crackles, and decreased breath sounds) accurately excludes pneumonia. The study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of these guidelines in predicting pneumonia in young children.

Methods: This was an observational study conducted over a 4-month period at an urban emergency department with 80,000 annual visits, approximately 20% of which were children < or =5 years old.

Minimum detectable level of Salmonellae using a binomial-based bacterial ice nucleation detection assay (BIND).

A modified bacterial ice nucleation detection (BIND) assay was used for rapid and sensitive detection of several Salmonella species. For the BIND assay, Salmonella cells are infected with bacteriophage genetically modified to contain DNA encoding an ice nucleation protein (INP). After infection, de novo protein synthesis occurs and INPs are incorporated into the outer membrane of the organism.

Revised model for aerobic growth of Shigella flexneri to extend the validity of predictions at temperatures between 10 and 19 degrees C.

Although Shigella is a major foodborne pathogen, its growth in foods has received little attention. Growth of S. flexneri 5348 inoculated into commercially available sterile foods (canned broths, meat, fish, UHT milk, baby foods) was studied at 10 to 37 degrees C.

Survival and Growth Potential of Aeromonas hydrophila in Reconditioned Pork-Processing-Plant Water .

The growth and survival of Aeromonas hydrophila K144 was studied in reconditioned pork-processing-plant water. Neutralization of residual chlorine by thiosulfate permitted growth and long-term survival of the bacterium at temperatures ranging from 5 to 28°C; growth was also observed at 37 and 42°C but survival times were shorter. The coliform growth response, a bioassay system to measure the amount of nutrients available for microbial growth, for the reconditioned water was 2.

Delayed lactogenesis in women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Breast milk lactose, total nitrogen, conductivity, osmolality, and intake by infants of 33 women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), 33 control women without diabetes, and 11 reference women were determined in a 3-mo study of lactation. Milk of women with IDDM had significantly lower lactose and higher total nitrogen (2-3 d postpartum), and their infants had significantly less milk intake (7-14 d postpartum) than did control or reference women. Total nitrogen was negatively correlated with milk lactose for women with IDDM at all times and for control women through day 14 postpartum.