The addition of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) greatly enhanced the properties of methylcellulose (MC) stabilized aqueous foams. CNC addition decreased air bubble size, initial foam densities and drainage rates. Mixtures of 2 wt % CNC + 0.5 wt % MC gave the lowest density foams. This composition sits near the onset of nematic phase formation and also near the overlap concentration of methylcellulose. More than 94% of the added CNC particles remained in the foam phase, not leaving with the draining water. We propose that the nanoscale CNC particles bind to the larger MC coils both in solution and with MC at the air/water interface, forming weak gels that stabilize air bubbles. Wet CNC-MC foams were sufficiently robust to withstand high temperature (70 °C for 6 h) polymerization of water-soluble monomers giving macroporous CNC composite hydrogels based on acrylamide (AM), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), or polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). At high temperatures, the MC was present as a fibrillar gel phase reinforced by CNC particles, explaining the very high foam stability. Finally, our CNC-MC foams are based on commercially available forms of CNC and MC, already approved for many applications. This is a "shovel-ready" technology.

Key Points Question Is temperament associated with preoperative anxiety in young patients undergoing surgery? Findings In this systematic review of 23 studies including 4527 participants aged 1 to 18 years and meta-analysis of 12 studies including 1064 participants, certain temperament styles were associated with patients’ preoperative anxiety. Specifically, emotionality, intensity of reaction, and withdrawal were associated with increased preoperative anxiety, whereas activity level was associated with reduced anxiety. Meaning Knowledge of temperamental propensity to preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients may help to guide the design of future detection, prevention, and/or individualized management strategies (eg, improving emotional regulation and coping skills) aimed at reducing the adverse effects of preoperative anxiety.

Relatively higher shyness among ELBW survivors in adulthood suggests that stressful pre- and early postnatal environments may have lasting effects on personality development. However, later social influences such as relationship status may attenuate some types of shyness in adulthood.

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Background: Cardiac sources of emboli can be identified by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). The Canadian Best Practice Guidelines recommend routine use of TTE in the initial workup of ischemic stroke when an embolic source is suspected. However, TTEs are commonly ordered for all patients despite insufficient evidence to justify cost-effectiveness. We aim to evaluate the TTE ordering pattern in the initial workup of ischemic stroke at a regional Stroke Center in Central South Ontario and determine the proportion of studies which led to a change in management and affected length of stay (LOS). Methods: Hospital records of 520 patients with a discharge diagnosis of TIA or ischemic stroke between October 2016 and June 2017 were reviewed to gather information Results: 477 patients admitted for TIA or ischemic stroke met inclusion criteria. 67.9% received TTE, out of which 6.0% had findings of cardiac sources of emboli including left ventricular thrombus, atrial septal aneurysm, PFO, atrial myxoma, and valvular vegetation. 2.5% of all TTE findings led to change in medical management. The median LOS of patients who underwent TTE was 2 days longer (p < 0.00001). Conclusion: TTE in the initial workup of TIA or ischemic stroke remains common practice. The yield of TTEs is low, and the proportion of studies that lead to changes in medical management is minimal. TTE completion was associated with increased LOS and may result in increased healthcare spending; however, additional factors prolonging the LOS could not be excluded.