Implementation of Gate-All-Around Gate-Engineered Charge Plasma Nanowire FET-Based Common Source Amplifier.

This paper examines the performance of a Gate-Engineered Gate-All-Around Charge Plasma Nanowire Field Effect Transistor (GAA-DMG-GS-CP NW-FET) and the implementation of a common source (CS) amplifier circuit. The proposed GAA-DMG-GS-CP NW-FET incorporates dual-material gate (DMG) and gate stack (GS) as gate engineering techniques and its analog/RF performance parameters are compared to those of the Gate-All-Around Single-Material Gate Charge Plasma Nanowire Field Effect Transistor (GAA-SMG-CP NW-FET) device. Both Gate-All-Around (GAA) devices are designed using the Silvaco TCAD tool.

Dendrimer-enabled targeted delivery attenuates glutamate excitotoxicity and improves motor function in a rabbit model of cerebral palsy.

Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), localized on the surface of astrocytes and activated microglia, regulates extracellular glutamate concentration in the central nervous system (CNS). We have previously shown that GCPII is upregulated in activated microglia in the presence of inflammation. Inhibition of GCPII activity could reduce glutamate excitotoxicity, which may decrease inflammation and promote a 'normal' microglial phenotype.

Selected Transesophageal Echocardiographic Parameters of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Predict Length of Stay Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft-A Prospective Observational Study.

(1) Importance: Abnormal left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, with or without a diagnosis of heart failure, is a common finding that can be easily diagnosed by intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The association of diastolic function with duration of hospital stay after coronary artery bypass (CAB) is unknown. (2) Objective: To determine if selected TEE parameters of diastolic dysfunction are associated with length of hospital stay after coronary artery bypass surgery (CAB).

Nasal Microbiota and Infectious Complications After Elective Surgical Procedures.

Importance: The association of the nasal microbiome with outcomes in surgical patients is poorly understood.

Objective: To characterize the composition of nasal microbiota in patients undergoing clean elective surgical procedures and to examine the association between characteristics of preoperative nasal microbiota and occurrence of postoperative infection.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Using a nested matched case-control design, 53 individuals who developed postoperative infection were matched (approximately 3:1 by age, sex, and surgical procedure) with 144 individuals who were not infected (ie, the control group).

Efficacy and Cost Comparison of Case-based Learning to Simulation-based Learning for Teaching Malignant Hyperthermia Concepts to Anesthesiology Residents.

Background: Case-based learning (CBL) is a distinct classroom-based teaching format. We compare learning and retention using a CBL teaching strategy vs simulation-based learning (SBL) on the topic of malignant hyperthermia.

Methods: In this study, 54 anesthesia residents were assigned to either a CBL or SBL experience.

Addressing the Opioid Crisis One Surgical Patient at a Time: Outcomes of a Novel Perioperative Pain Program.

Opioid prescriptions in the surgical setting have been implicated as contributors to the opioid epidemic. The authors hypothesized that a multidisciplinary approach to perioperative pain management for patients on chronic opioid therapy could decrease postoperative opioid requirements while reducing postoperative pain scores and improving functional outcomes. Therefore, a Perioperative Pain Program (PPP) for chronic opioid users was implemented.

Continuous Electroencephalographic Monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: Research on continuous electro-encephalographic monitoring (cEEG) in the intensive care unit (ICU) has previously focused on neuroscience ICUs. This study determines cEEG utilization within a sample of specialty ICUs world-wide.

Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey of attending level physicians across various intensive care settings.

Integrating Advance Care Planning Videos into Surgical Oncologic Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Preoperative advance care planning (ACP) may benefit patients undergoing major surgery. To evaluate feasibility, safety, and early effectiveness of video-based ACP in a surgical population. Randomized controlled trial with two study arms.

Dendrimer-N-acetyl-L-cysteine modulates monophagocytic response in adrenoleukodystrophy.

Objective: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a neurodegenerative disorder due to mutations in the peroxisomal very long-chain fatty acyl-CoA transporter, ABCD1, with limited therapeutic options. ALD may manifest in a slowly progressive adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) phenotype, or switch to rapid inflammatory demyelinating cerebral disease (cALD), in which microglia have been shown to play a pathophysiological role. The aim of this study was to determine the role of patient phenotype in the immune response of ex vivo monophagocytic cells to stimulation, and to evaluate the efficacy of polyamidoamine dendrimer conjugated to the antioxidant precursor N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in modulating this immune response.

Correction to: Dendrimer-mediated delivery of N-acetyl cysteine to microglia in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.

After publication of the article [1], it has been brought to our attention that an author's name has been formatted incorrectly.

Trajectory of inflammatory and microglial activation markers in the postnatal rabbit brain following intrauterine endotoxin exposure.

Background: Maternal infection is a risk factor for periventricular leukomalacia and cerebral palsy (CP) in neonates. We have previously demonstrated hypomyelination and motor deficits in newborn rabbits, as seen in patients with cerebral palsy, following maternal intrauterine endotoxin administration. This was associated with increased microglial activation, primarily involving the periventricular region (PVR).

Anti-aging factor, serum alpha-Klotho, as a marker of acute physiological stress, and a predictor of ICU mortality, in patients with septic shock.

Purpose: Genetic deletions decreasing serum alpha-Klotho (alpha-KL) have been associated with rapid aging, multi-organ failure and increased mortality in experimental sepsis. We hypothesized that lower alpha-KL obtained at the onset of septic shock correlates with higher mortality.

Materials And Methods: Prospective cohort of 104 adult patients with septic shock.

Dendrimer-mediated delivery of N-acetyl cysteine to microglia in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.

Background: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a pervasive developmental disorder that is progressive and has no effective cure. Immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and excess glutamate in the brain mediated by glial dysfunction have been implicated in the pathogenesis and worsening of symptoms of RTT. In this study, we investigated a new nanotherapeutic approach to target glia for attenuation of brain inflammation/injury both in vitro and in vivo using a Mecp2-null mouse model of Rett syndrome.

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Preceptorship-Mentorship Program.

Little evidence exists to support the effects of a preceptor-mentor program for orienting newly hired certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The literature suggests that participation in a preceptorship-mentorship program will increase the satisfaction, confidence, and comfort of both preceptors and newly hired orientees. The purpose of this project was to determine the effects of these outcomes.

A CRNA Preceptor Workshop to Increase Preceptor Satisfaction, Confidence, and Comfort: A Quality Improvement Project.

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine whether a 4-hour Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) preceptor workshop would significantly increase staff CRNA preceptors' satisfaction, confidence, and/or comfort, to better prepare CRNAs to precept. A review of the literature, interviews with experienced CRNA preceptors, and a needs assessment survey were completed and used to develop the workshop's curriculum. For evaluation of the impact of this quality improvement project, attendees were asked to complete preworkshop and postworkshop surveys.

Maternal Inflammation Results in Altered Tryptophan Metabolism in Rabbit Placenta and Fetal Brain.

Maternal inflammation has been linked to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders such as cerebral palsy, schizophrenia, and autism. We had previously shown that intrauterine inflammation resulted in a decrease in serotonin, one of the tryptophan metabolites, and a decrease in serotonin fibers in the sensory cortex of newborns in a rabbit model of cerebral palsy. In this study, we hypothesized that maternal inflammation results in alterations in tryptophan pathway enzymes and metabolites in the placenta and fetal brain.

Cervical Epidural Depth: Correlation Between Cervical MRI Measurements of the Skin-to-Cervical Epidural Space and the Actual Needle Depth During Interlaminar Cervical Epidural Injections.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between skin-to-epidural space depth, as measured on cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and actual needle depth, as measured by Tuohy needle markings during cervical epidural steroid injections.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of cervical MRI images to determine estimated depth from skin to epidural space. Of the 121 reviewed patients who underwent cervical epidural steroid injections, 81 met inclusion criteria and were retained for data analysis.

Ejection time: influence of hemodynamics and site of measurement in the arterial tree.

The left ventricular ejection time is routinely measured from a peripheral arterial waveform. However, the arterial waveform undergoes constant transformation as the pulse wave propagates along the arterial tree. Our goal was to determine if the left ventricular ejection time measured peripherally in the arterial tree accurately reflected the ejection time measured through the aortic valve.

Thermal QST Phenotypes Associated with Response to Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Response to lumbar epidural steroid injection in lumbar radicular pain varies. The purpose of this study is to characterize the changes in quantitative sensory testing (QST) phenotypes of subjects and compare the QST characteristics in patients who do respond to treatment of radicular pain with a lumbar epidural steroid injection (ESI).

Design: Prospective, observational pilot study.

Operationalizing the Measuring What Matters Spirituality Quality Metric in a Population of Hospitalized, Critically Ill Patients and Their Family Members.

Context: Measuring What Matters (MWM) quality indicators support measurement of the percentage of patients who have spiritual discussions, if desired.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to 1) determine the ease of, and barriers to, prospectively collecting MWM spirituality quality measure data and 2) further explore the importance of spirituality in a seriously ill, hospitalized population of critically ill patients and their family members.

Methods: Electronic medical record (EMR) review and cross-sectional survey of intensive care unit (ICU) patients and their family members from October to December 2015.

Perioperative hypothermia in neonatal intensive care unit patients: effectiveness of a thermoregulation intervention and associated risk factors.

Background: Hypothermia in neonatal intensive care unit patients is associated with morbidity. Perioperative normothermia is the standard of care.

Aims: We hypothesized that a quality improvement intervention (transport protocol, transport education, ongoing monitoring) would decrease the incidence of perioperative hypothermia.

The Effects of Hemodynamic Changes on Pulse Wave Velocity in Cardiothoracic Surgical Patients.

The effect of blood pressure on pulse wave velocity (PWV) is well established. However, PWV variability with acute hemodynamic changes has not been examined in the clinical setting. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of hemodynamic changes on PWV in patients who undergo cardiothoracic surgery.