Intestinal Ligation Mimicking Ureteral Ligation After Ovariohysterectomy in an 11-Month-Old Chihuahua.

Intestinal ligation during ovariohysterectomy has not been previously reported in dogs. Risk factors for this complication appear to be the same as those for ureteral injury, namely decreased surgical visualization due to small patient size and small incision size. This case report describes how the presentation of intestinal ligation in a 2-kg, 11-month-old chihuahua can mimic that of iatrogenic ureteral injury with vomiting, anorexia, and severe azotemia.

Polymer Electrolytes as Energy-Harvesting Materials to Capture Electrical Energy from Dynamic Mechanical Deformations.

Ionic electroactive polymers (iEAPs) can generate electrical energy under bending deformations exhibiting great potential for fabricating energy harvesters from dynamic vibrating environments. According to a previous study, this flexoelectric energy-harvesting potential is explored in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) assemblies subjected to intermittent square wave bending modes. The above study reveals that the mechanoelectrical transduction is likely to be the consequence of ion polarization under a pressure gradient across the PEM thickness.

Flexo-Ionic Effect of Ionic Liquid Crystal Elastomers.

The first study of the flexo-ionic effect, i.e., mechanical deformation-induced electric signal, of the recently discovered ionic liquid crystal elastomers (iLCEs) is reported.

Neuropsychiatric Aspects in a Patient Diagnosed with Corticobasal Degeneration: Clinical Case of Low Incidence and Prevalence in Colombia.

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a pathology of low incidence and prevalence worldwide; it is accompanied by symptoms such as dystonia, rigid akinetic syndrome (bradykinesia), gait disturbances, neurological deterioration associated with severe cortical subcortical atrophy, and progressive to moderate to severe neurocognitive deficits, especially in immediate verbal memory and dorsolateral or dysexecutive syndrome. We identified neurocognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms in a patient diagnosed with CBD. Participant was a 70-year-old female patient, single; she presented progressive memory loss of an immediate verbal nature.

Flexoelectricity in Flexoionic Polymer Electrolyte Membranes: Effect of Thiosiloxane Modification on Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate and Ionic Liquid Electrolyte Composites.

The present article entails the generation of flexoelectricity during cantilever bending of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), composed of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) precursor and ionic liquid (hexylmethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate). The effects of thiosiloxane modification of PEGDA precursor on glass transition, ionic conductivity, and flexoelectric performance have been explored as a function of PEM composition. The glass transition temperature () of the PEM declines with increasing thiosiloxane amount in the PEGDA co-network, while the ionic conductivity improves.

Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Based Electro-Active Ionic Elastomer.

Preparation and low voltage induced bending (converse flexoelectricity) of crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), modified with thiosiloxane (TS) and ionic liquid (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) (IL) are reported. In between 2µm PEDOT:PSS electrodes at 1 V, it provides durable (95% retention under 5000 cycles) and relatively fast (2 s switching time) actuation with the second largest strain observed so far in ionic electro-active polymers (iEAPs). In between 40 nm gold electrodes under 8 V DC voltage, the film can be completely curled up (270° bending angle) with 6% strain that, to the best of the knowledge, is unpreceded among iEAPs.

Mechanoelectrical Transduction of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes: Effect of Branched Networks.

The role of side-chain branching in flexoelectric properties of a flexible, ionic solid polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) has been investigated subjected to mechanical bending. These PEMs were synthesized via photopolymerization of the bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) network attached with monofunctional poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) branches in their ternary mixtures with lithium bis(tri-fluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) salt. Both the PEGDA polymer precursor and PEGDMA side branches are capable of ionizing the lithium salt, but the dissociated lithium cations can also form the complexation with ether oxygen of PEGDA.

Electroresponsive Ionic Liquid Crystal Elastomers.

This paper describes the preparation, physical properties, and electric bending actuation of a new class of active materials-ionic liquid crystal elastomers (iLCEs). It is demonstrated that iLCEs can be actuated by low-frequency AC or DC voltages of less than 1 V. The bending strains of the unoptimized first iLCEs are already comparable to the well-developed ionic electroactive polymers.

Evaluation of an automated ultraviolet-C light disinfection device and patient hand hygiene for reduction of pathogen transfer from interactive touchscreen computer kiosks.

Touchscreens are a potential source of pathogen transmission. In our facility, patients and visitors rarely perform hand hygiene after using interactive touchscreen computer kiosks. An automated ultraviolet-C touchscreen disinfection device was effective in reducing bacteriophage MS2, bacteriophage ϕX174, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium difficile spores inoculated onto a touchscreen.

A Randomized Trial of Two Cover Gowns Comparing Contamination of Healthcare Personnel During Removal of Personal Protective Equipment.

In a randomized trial, a gown designed to allow easy removal at the neck and with increased skin coverage and snugness of fit at the wrist significantly reduced contamination of personnel during personal protective equipment (PPE) removal. Our results suggest that simple modifications of PPE can reduce contamination of personnel. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:97-100.

Relative Resistance of the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris and Other Candida Species to Killing by Ultraviolet Light.

Mobile ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light room decontamination devices are frequently used as an adjunct to standard cleaning in healthcare facilities, but their efficacy in killing Candida species is not clear. In laboratory testing, the emerging multidrug-resistant Candida auris and 2 other Candida species were significantly less susceptible to killing by UV-C than methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:94-96.

Effectiveness of Disinfectants Against Candida auris and Other Candida Species.

Contaminated surfaces are a suspected source for dissemination of the globally emerging pathogen Candida auris. In laboratory testing, sporicidal and improved hydrogen peroxide disinfectants were highly effective against C. auris, C.

Environmental Surfaces in Healthcare Facilities are a Potential Source for Transmission of Candida auris and Other Candida Species.

Contaminated surfaces have been implicated as a potential route for dissemination of the emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen Candida auris. In laboratory testing, C. auris and other Candida species persisted for 7 days on moist or dry surfaces.

Growing Fit: Georgia's model for engaging early care environments in preventing childhood obesity.

Background: In the United States, one in three children is overweight or obese by their fifth birthday. In Georgia, 35 percent of children are overweight or obese. Contrary to popular belief, children who are overweight or obese are likely to be the same weight status as adults, making early childhood an essential time to address weight status.

Geographic information system-based screening for TB, HIV, and syphilis (GIS-THIS): a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To determine the feasibility and case detection rate of a geographic information systems (GIS)-based integrated community screening strategy for tuberculosis, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Design: Prospective cross-sectional study of all participants presenting to geographic hot spot screenings in Wake County, North Carolina.

Methods: The residences of tuberculosis, HIV, and syphilis cases incident between 1/1/05-12/31/07 were mapped.

Predictors of latent tuberculosis treatment initiation and completion at a U.S. public health clinic: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a key component in U.S. tuberculosis control, assisted by recent improvements in LTBI diagnostics and therapeutic regimens.

Coronary bare metal stent implantation in homozygous LDL receptor deficient swine induces a neointimal formation pattern similar to humans.

Introduction: To date, most of all new developments in stent technologies are tested in normal animals. Although invaluable in the evaluation of device safety, the juvenile domestic swine (DS) do not follow the biological healing response occurring in humans following coronary stent implantation. By using a novel swine breed afflicted with familial hypercholesterolemia (FHS), we aimed to analyse the vascular response occurring following bare metal stent (BMS) implantation by comparing in vivo endovascular imaging and histological data.

Tuberculosis knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among North Carolinians at increased risk of infection.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to capture and describe knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about tuberculosis (TB) among persons at high risk for TB infection.

Methods: We conducted 11 focus groups in 3 different populations at high risk for TB infection: Spanish-speaking immigrants, homeless shelter residents, and persons attending a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center. A standardized list of open-ended questions was used to guide discussion.

Increasing barrier method use among oral contraceptive users at risk of STDs. What approach is best?

Objectives: We evaluated whether offering a choice of barrier methods can increase overall barrier method use without decreasing condom use in women using oral contraceptives (OCs) for contraception.

Study Design: We randomized 167 OC users at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) into two groups, one receiving male latex condoms only (Condom group), the other receiving both male latex condoms and nonoxynol-9 film (Choice group). All participants received similar hierarchical STD protection counseling.

Identifying condom users at risk for breakage and slippage: findings from three international sites.

Objectives: This study examined whether past condom failure (breakage, slippage, or both) can predict future failure and evaluated other predictors of condom failure.

Methods: At each of 3 international sites, approximately 130 male condom users were enrolled and given 5 condoms to use for vaginal intercourse over a 3-week period.

Results: Men at increased risk (history of 1 or more condoms that broke or slipped off) reported approximately twice as many condom failures as those not in this group.

The impact of lubricants on latex condoms during vaginal intercourse.

The objective was to evaluate the impact of additional lubricant on condom breakage and slippage. Two hundred and sixty-eight couples used 6 new and 6 aged condoms during vaginal intercourse and were instructed to use 2 of each type with either water-based lubricant, oil-based lubricant or no additional lubricant. The use of either oil-based or water-based lubricant increased slippage rates of new and aged condoms, although only one pairwise comparison (oil-based lubricant vs.

Can condom users likely to experience condom failure be identified?

A study based on a convenience sample of 177 couples who each used 11 condoms found that 103 condoms (5.3%) broke before or during intercourse and 67 condoms (3.5%) slipped off during sex.

Comparison of condom breakage during human use with performance in laboratory testing.

This paper combines results from a study of the determinants of condom quality and use conducted by The Population Council in two countries in the Caribbean with results from a condom breakage study conducted by Family Health International (FHI) in the United States. The studies, conducted two years apart, compared the breakage rates of condoms from the same lot during human use to their performance in laboratory test results. Breakage rates of 12.