Influence of Gold Nanoparticles on eNOS Localization in Gill Tissues: Advancements in Immunofluorescence Techniques.

This study optimizes immunofluorescence techniques using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to improve visualization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in gill tissue. Two types of AuNP dispersions, stabilized in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and citrate buffer (CB), were evaluated for their imaging performance. AuNPs suspended in PBS provided significantly better optical contrast due to uniform distribution and effective tissue attachment, whereas citrate-suspended AuNPs exhibited aggregation, resulting in reduced contrast.

Outcomes After Duodenoduodenostomy for Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

Background: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS) is a very rare disease that causes starvation and malnutrition secondary to a mechanical obstruction of the 3 portion of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta. Long-term outcomes following surgery for SMAS by current methods have a high failure rate of 21%-67%. We report the 3-year outcomes of a novel operation for SMAS described as the duodenoduodenostomy (DD).

New Series of Hydrogen-Bonded Liquid Crystal with High Birefringence and Conductivity.

Liquid crystals with high dielectric anisotropy, low operational thresholds, and significant birefringence (Δ) represent a key focus in soft matter research. This work introduces a novel series of hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals (HBLCs) derived from 4-n-alkoxybenzoic, 4-alkoxy-3-fluorobenzoic derivatives (nOBAF), 4-alkoxy-2,3-fluorobenzoic derivatives (nOBAFF), and 2-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoic acid. The HBLCs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and their thermal behavior was evaluated via differential scanning calorimetry.

Palliative Care Training During Surgical Critical Care Fellowship: A Preliminary Needs Assessment at a Major Academic Center.

Surgical palliative care (PC) facilitates communication between surgeons and patients/family about prognosis, symptom control, and therapeutic goals. Surgical critical care (SCC) fellows are at the forefront of the intensive care team; thus, we aim to assess previous and ongoing experiences in delivering PC by surveying fellows at a large academic center. Seventeen surveys were completed in which 59% of fellows reported no previous PC education.

Association of Gender and Operative Feedback Quality in Surgical Residents.

Objective: Feedback is critical for learning, however, gender differences exist in the quality of feedback that trainees receive. For example, narrative feedback on surgical trainees' end-of-block rotations differs based on trainee-faculty gender dyads, with female faculty giving higher quality feedback and male trainees receiving higher quality feedback. Though this represents evidence of gender bias in global evaluations, there is limited understanding of how much bias might be present in operative workplace-based assessments (WBAs).

Effective Adsorption and Removal of Doxorubicin from Aqueous Solutions Using Mesostructured Silica Nanospheres: Box-Behnken Design Optimization and Adsorption Performance Evaluation.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of mesoporous silica nanospheres as an adsorbent to remove doxorubicin (DOX) from aqueous solution. The surface and structural properties of mesoporous silica nanospheres were investigated using BET, SEM, XRD, TEM, ζ potential, and point of zero charge analysis. To optimize DOX removal from aqueous solution, a Box-Behnken surface statistical design (BBD) with four times factors, four levels, and response surface modeling (RSM) was used.

Bringing Back the Art of Medicine to Surgery.

In a relatively short period of time, the need for incorporating primary surgical palliative care into surgical education and residency curriculum has become apparent. This provides an opportunity for growth for surgeons and surgical residents and a method to explore spirituality and wholeness of the patient. It also has the potential for increasing the sense of fulfillment that residents and surgeons alike can drive from caring for complex surgical patients.

Optimal timing and outcomes among COVID-19 patients undergoing tracheostomy.

Background: Patients who require mechanical ventilation secondary to severe COVID-19 infection have poor survival. It is unknown if the benefit of tracheostomy extends to COVID-19 patients. If so, what is the optimal timing?

Methods: Retrospective cohort study within a large hospital system in the United States.

A promising 1D Cd-based hybrid perovskite-type for white-light emission with high-color-rendering index.

A one dimensional (1D) perovskite-type (CHNBr)[CdBr] (abbreviated 4-BAPC) was synthesized by slow evaporation at room temperature (RT). 4-BAPC crystalizes in the monoclinic system with the space group 2/. The 1D inorganic chains are formed by corner sharing CdBr octahedra.

Synergistic Effect of Redox Dual PdO /MnO Cocatalysts on the Enhanced H Production Potential of a SnS/α-FeO Heterojunction via Ethanol Photoreforming.

In the quest for optimal H evolution (HE) through ethanol photoreforming, a dual cocatalyst-modified heterocatalyst strategy is utilized. Tin(II) sulfide (SnS) was hybridized with α-FeO to form the heterocatalyst FeOSnS with a p-n heterojunction structure as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. PdO and PdO /MnO cocatalysts were loaded onto the FeOSnS heterocatalyst through the impregnation method, as verified by high-resolution transform electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and elemental mapping.

Composition and Characterization of Cold Pressed Moringa oleifera Seed Oil.

The present study aims to investigate the volatile compound and the triacylglycerol profiles of Tunisian cold pressed Moringa oleifera seed oil (MoSO) and to assess its thermal properties and its biological activities. GC-MS analysis identified thirty six phyto-compounds amounting to 98.99% of the total oil.

Practice Patterns of Transesophageal Echocardiography Use Among Trauma Patients: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can be utilized for hemodynamic monitoring and resuscitation. In order to study the pattern of TEE use in trauma patients, a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study was performed comparing adult trauma patients who underwent TEE or those who underwent traditional invasive hemodynamic monitoring (TIHM). TIHM was defined as the use of arterial line, central venous line, or pulmonary artery catheter without TEE.

The Morbidity and Mortality Assessment Tool (MMAT): Design and Proof of Concept.

Background: Morbidity and Mortality Conference (MMC) is a traditional quality assessment tool among surgical residencies to evaluate complications within their care and to integrate and educate best practices. Unfortunately, it is difficult to validate and measure loop closure as a result of MMC. This may result in repeating past mistakes or worse, becoming a meeting of anecdotal experiences.

Incentives to Reduce Salt Intake Resulting From Women's Experiences: A Qualitative Study.

Over consumption of salt adversely affects health and is associated with some diseases. Salt over consumption has been reported to be higher in Asian countries including Iran. This research aimed to identify the facilitative factors of reduced salt consumption among 20-65 year-old women to develop effective educational interventions.

Viscoelastic and dielectric properties of 5CB nematic liquid crystal doped by magnetic and nonmagnetic nanoparticles.

In this article we show how spherical nanoparticles (NPs) imposing planar anchoring can strongly impact the viscoelastic, dielectric, and electro-optical properties of a nematic liquid crystal when they are not aggregated. We also demonstrate that when the NPs are magnetic, most nematic properties are more impacted than when they are nonmagnetic. With magnetic NPs a molecular disorder is induced that decreases the nematic order parameter, this decrease impacting the values of elastic constants, viscosity, and response time.

Ag-doped BiVO/BiFeO photoanode for highly efficient and stable photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting.

In a conventional photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting system using BiVO (BVO), most of the charge carriers have very sluggish photocatalysis reaction kinetics because they are easily recombined from the defects developed from the bulk or the surface of the photoanodes before reaching the fluorine-doped tin dioxide (FTO). Herein, we present a facile design and fabrication technique for a Ag-BVO/BiFeO (BFO) heterostructure photoanode by Ag doping and surface passivation with BFO on the as-preparedBVO photoanode. Its photocatalytic properties for PEC water splitting and tetracycline (TC) degradation are compared to those of BVO/BFO, BVO, and Ag-BVO photocatalyst nanoparticle (NP) films.

Development and validation of a bladder trabeculation grading system in pediatric neurogenic bladder.

Bladder trabeculation (BT) is commonly noted on cystogram images of patients with neurogenic bladder (NB). BT is associated with a hostile bladder often requiring prompt, more aggressive management. We aimed to define and validate a reliable grading system for BT severity.

Interactions of oxidative DNA damage and CYP1A gene expression with the liver enzymes in Klunzinger's mullet exposed to benzo[]pyrene.

Benzo[]pyrene (B[]P) is an important contaminant whose liver biotransformation is dependent on the species, the route of exposure and the concentration. The goal of this study was to assess the interactions of oxidative DNA damage and CYP1A gene expression with the liver enzymes in Klunzinger's mullet () exposed to benzo[]pyrene. Sublethal doses of B[]P (5, 10 and 50 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered to the fish for 14 days.

Effectiveness of a collaborative, student-run campaign to increase safety belt use among adolescents.

Background: MVCs are the leading cause of death among adolescents. Seat belts have been shown to decrease MVC-related death. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-supported, student-run campaign to increase safety belt use among adolescents in Southwest Florida.

Photolysis and photocatalysis of tetracycline by sonochemically heterojunctioned BiVO/reduced graphene oxide under visible-light irradiation.

The widespread use of antibiotics in pharmaceutical therapies and agricultural practice has led to severe environmental pollution. In this study, the simultaneous photolysis and photocatalysis behaviors of tetracycline (TC), one of the most frequently prescribed groups of antibiotics, were investigated using BiVO (BVO) supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The resulting BVO/rGO nanocomposite (NC) showed prominent adsorption performance and photocatalytic ability under wide initial pH conditions (from acidic to alkaline: pH 2.

Sonochemical-driven ultrafast facile synthesis of WO nanoplates with controllable morphology and oxygen vacancies for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Among the various synthetic techniques, the sonochemical method has emerged as an interesting method for fabricating different photocatalysis materials with unique photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties. In comparison with the classical method without sonication, this study examines the promoting effect of ultrasonic irradiation during the synthesis of tungsten oxide (WO) nanoplates within short reaction times (15 and 30 min). The shorter ultrasonic reaction time (15 min) was sufficient for the uniform growth of thin and compact layers of WO nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of a tungsten foil.

Effect of pH on photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of monoclinic bismuth vanadate.

Monoclinic bismuth vanadate (c-BVO) was prepared via simple calcination of solvothermally processed tetrahedral BiVO. The physicochemical and morphological properties of c-BVO demonstrated the successful synthesis of the photoactive monoclinic phase from the tetrahedral phase, which has low photoactivity properties. The photoactivities of c-BVO were investigated using the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements in acidic (pH = 2.

Evaluation and Comparison of Total Antioxidant Capacity of Saliva Between Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Healthy Subjects.

Background & Objectives: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common chronic ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa and its development may be associated with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in patients with minor RAS.

Materials & Methods: In this case-control study, 27 patients with minor RAS and 28 age- and sex-matched controls without RAS were enrolled.

Face, Content, and Construct Validations of Endoscopic Needle Injection Simulator for Transurethral Bulking Agent in Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Introduction And Objectives: Endoscopic injection of urethral bulking agents is an office procedure that is used to treat stress urinary incontinence secondary to internal sphincteric deficiency. Validation studies important part of simulator evaluation and is considered important step to establish the effectiveness of simulation-based training. The endoscopic needle injection (ENI) simulator has not been formally validated, although it has been used widely at University of California, Irvine.