Cerium/Ascorbic Acid/Iodine Active Species for Redox Flow Energy Storage Battery.

In this study, we developed a novel cerium/ascorbic acid/iodine active species to design a redox flow battery (RFB), in which the cerium nitrate hexahydrate [Ce(NO3)3·6H2O] was used as a positive Ce3+/Ce4+ ion pair, and the potassium iodate (KIO3) containing ascorbic acid was used as a negative I2/I- ion pair. In order to improve the electrochemical activity and to avoid cross-contamination of the redox pair ions, the electroless plating and sol-gel method were applied to modify the carbon paper electrode and the Nafion 117 membrane. The electrocatalytic and electrochemical properties of the composite electrode using methanesulfonic acid as a supporting electrolyte were assessed using the cyclic voltammetry (CV) test. The results showed that the Ce (III)/Ce (IV) active species presented a symmetric oxidation/reduction current ratio (1.09) on the C-TiO2-PdO composite electrode. Adding a constant amount of ascorbic acid to the iodine solution led to a good reversible oxidation/reduction reaction. Therefore, a novel Ce/ascorbic acid/I RFB was developed with C-TiO2-PdO composite electrodes and modified Nafion 117-SiO2-SO3H membrane using the staggered-type flow channel, of which the energy efficiency (EE%) can reach about 72%. The Ce/ascorbic acid/I active species can greatly reduce the electrolyte cost compared to the all-vanadium redox flow battery system, and it therefore has greater development potential.

Light Energy Conversion Surface with Gold Dendritic Nanoforests/Si Chip for Plasmonic Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Surfaces with gold dendritic nanoforests (Au DNFs) on Si chips demonstrate broadband-light absorption. This study is the first to utilize localized surface plasmons of Au DNFs/Si chips for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applications. A convenient halogen lamp was used as the heating source to illuminate the Au DNFs/Si chip for PCR. A detection target of Salmonella spp. DNA fragments was reproduced in this plasmonic PCR chip system. By semi-quantitation in gel electrophoresis analysis, the plasmonic PCR with 30 cycles and a largely reduced processing time provided results comparable with those of a commercial PCR thermal cycler with 40 cycles in more than 1 h. In the presence of an Au DNFs/Si chip, the plasmonic PCR provides superior results in a short processing time.

Effects of Storage Time and Temperature on Antioxidants in Juice from Momordica charantia L. and Momordica charantia L. var. abbreviata Ser.

This study determined the antioxidant activities of juice from Momordica charantia L. (MC) and MC var. abbreviata Ser. (MCVAS) by analyzing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability, ferric reducing power (FRP), and total phenolic content (TPC). The effects of storage time and storage temperature on these antioxidant activities were investigated. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was conducted to identify the major components of MC and MCVAS. The results revealed that the antioxidant activity of MCVAS was better than that of MC, possibly because of richer components of MCVAS. For MC and MCVAS, the scavenging concentrations of 50% DPPH were 3.33 and 1.19 mg/mL, respectively; moreover, the FRP values were 68.93 and 118.14 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g dry weight, respectively; and the TPC values were 8.15 and 11.47 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight, respectively. The antioxidant activities of MC and MCVAS decreased with storage time. High storage temperature decreased antioxidant activity more quickly than a low temperature. In addition, MC had exhibited a faster decline in DPPH scavenging ability and FRP than MCVAS during 24-day storage, but no difference was observed in TPC.

Green biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using Chenopodium formosanum shell extract and analysis of the particles' antibacterial properties.

BACKGROUND: Various physical and chemical methods for synthesis of metal nanoparticles have had some drawbacks. Therefore, green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) has became one of the most crucial emerging areas of nanobiotechnology. In the present study, plant-mediated synthesis of Au NPs was performed using Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum) shell extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. RESULTS: Reaction parameters were manipulated to optimize the Au NPs using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. Optimized Au NPs with a surface plasmon resonance band at 533 nm were prepared using a 744 µg mL-1 extract and a solution of pH 2.62 chloroauric acid (HAuCl4 ·3H2 O) at 40 °C. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) results indicated that most of the resultant Au NPs were spherical in shape and exhibited a mean size of 8 ± 6 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the elemental gold and crystalline nature of the resultant NPs. FTIR spectrum analysis indicated the critical role of phenolic groups in the reduction of Au3+ ions and stabilization of the formed Au NPs. Moreover, the synthesized Au NPs possessed antibacterial activity for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: In this study, Au NPs were synthesized with high efficiency and stability using Djulis shell extract, and related antibacterial applications were demonstrated. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Investigation of chemotherapy-induced brain structural alterations in breast cancer patients with generalized q-sampling MRI and graph theoretical analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast neoplasms are the most common cancer among women in Taiwan. Cognitive deficits are common complications of breast cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy. The most frequently observed disorders involve executive function and memory impairment. With improvements in tumor intervention and the consequent increase in the number of cancer survivors, the quality of life of patients has become an important issue. We are interested in the early effects of chemotherapy on the brain structures of patients. In addition, generalized q-sampling imaging (GQI), a wide range of q-space datasets for a more accurate and sophisticated diffusion MR approach, was first used in this topic. METHODS: As diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is associated with restrictions in the resolution of crossing fibers, we attempted to use GQI, which can overcome these difficulties and is advantageous over DTI for tractography of the crossing fibers. This cross-sectional study included two groups: breast cancer survivors who had completed their chemotherapy (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 20). All participants underwent diffusion MRI exams and neuropsychological assessments. We included four parts in our image analysis, i.e., voxel-based statistical analysis, multiple regression analysis, graph theoretical analysis and network-based statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results from the voxel-based statistical analysis showed significantly lower GFA and NQA values in the breast cancer group than those in the control group. We found significant positive correlations between the FACT-Cog and GQI indices. In the graph theoretical analysis, the breast cancer group demonstrated significantly longer characteristic path length. Adjuvant chemotherapy affected the integrity of white matter and resulted in poor cognitive performance, as indicated by the correlations between the neuropsychological assessment scales and the GQI indices. In addition, it was found that the characteristic path lengths in the breast cancer group increased, indicating that the brain network integration became worse. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated alterations in structural brain networks and associated neuropsychological deficits among breast cancer survivors.

Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Polymers: A Mini-Review.

Human safety and well-being is threatened by microbes causing numerous infectious diseases resulting in a large number of deaths every year. Despite substantial progress in antimicrobial drugs, many infectious diseases remain difficult to treat. Antimicrobial polymers offer a promising antimicrobial strategy for fighting pathogens and have received considerable attention in both academic and industrial research. This mini-review presents the advances made in antimicrobial polymers since 2013. Antimicrobial mechanisms exhibiting either passive or active action and polymer material types containing bound or leaching antimicrobials are introduced. This article also addresses the applications of these antimicrobial polymers in the medical, food, and textile industries.

Pharmacokinetics and efficiency of brain targeting of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 given as Nao-Qing microemulsion.

Nao-Qing solution has been shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The purpose of this study was to improve the pharmacokinetics and brain uptake of Nao-Qing, administered as an oil-in-water microemulsion. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given Nao-Qing microemulsion by intranasal or intragastric routes. Samples of blood, brain, heart, liver, lung and kidney were collected at pre-determined time intervals, and the contents of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 (active ingredients of the Nao-Qing microemulsion) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that contents of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 in Nao-Qing microemulsion was 8475.13 ± 54.61 µg/ml and 6633.42 ± 527.27 µg/ml, respectively, and that the particle size, pH and viscosity of the microemulsion were 19.9 ± 5.07 nm, 6.1 and 3.056 × 10(-3 )Pas, respectively. Absorption of ginsenoside Rg1 was higher than that of ginsenoside Rb1, which was barely detectable after intragastric administration; furthermore, the concentration of ginsenoside Rg1 in blood and other tissues at each time point was lower for intragastric than for intranasal administration. Compared with intragastric administration, intranasal administration resulted in a shorter tmax (0.08 versus 1 h), a higher Cmax (16.65 versus 11.29 µg/ml), and a higher area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) (592.91 versus 101.70 µgch/ml) in the brain. The relative rates of uptake (Re) and the ratio of peak concentration (Ce) in the brain were 126.31% and 147.48% for ginsenoside Rg1, respectively. These data illustrate that intranasal administration can promote the absorption of drugs in Nao-Qing microemulsion and achieve fast effect.

C634Y mutation in RET-induced multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is a rare, autosomal dominant endocrine disease. Currently, the RET proto-oncogene is the only gene implicated in MEN2A pathogenesis. Once an RET carrier is detected, family members should be screened to enable early detection of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and hyperparatitity. Among these, medullary thyroid carcinoma is the main factor responsible for patient mortality. Accordingly, delineating strategies to inform clinical follow-up and treatment plans based on genes is paramount for clinical practitioners. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we present RET proto-oncogene mutations, clinical characteristics, and treatment strategies in a family with MEN2A. A family study was conducted on patients diagnosed with MEN2A. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of family members, and first-generation exon sequencing of the RET proto-oncogene was conducted. The C634Y mutation was identified in three family members spanning three generations. Two patients were sequentially diagnosed with pheochromocytomas and bilateral medullary thyroid carcinomas. A 9-year-old child harboring the gene mutation was diagnosed with medullary thyroid carcinoma. Surgical resection of the tumors was performed. All family members were advised to undergo complete genetic testing related to the C634Y mutation, and the corresponding treatments administered based on test results and associated clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION: Advancements in MEN2A research are important for familial management, assessment of medullary thyroid cancer invasive risk, and deciding surgical timing.

Shear cushions reduce the impact loading rate during walking and running.

In addition to vertical ground reaction force (GRF), anterior-posterior GRF with a greater external moment arm may be another repetitive impact force that contributes to overuse running injuries. In this study, a shear cushion device was placed between the sole of a shoe and the ground to reduce not only the vertical loading, but also the anterior-posterior loading while walking and running. For this study, 15 healthy male runners classified as heel strikers (height: 173.2 +/- 4.7 cm, mass: 68.5 +/- 5.6 kg) were recruited. Participants were required to walk (2.5 m/s), jog (3.5 m/s), and run (4.2 m/s) while wearing shoes with three different sole groove designs (conventional, straight groove, and 45 degrees groove). Both the straight and 45 degrees groove soles provided significant shear shift during walking, jogging, and running, as well as delayed the time to first peak anterior-posterior GRF during walking. The straight groove sole reduced the vertical loading rate during jogging (p = 0.010) and running (p = 0.010), and delayed the time to first peak vertical GRF in all gait conditions. These findings suggest that the vertical loading rate and the time to the first peak anterior-posterior GRF can be changed by the sole groove design under various gait conditions.

Enhanced antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibition, and anti-inflammatory activities of Praeparatum mungo and three of its derivatives.

The main objective of this study is to explore the functions of Praeparatum mungo (PM) and three of its derivatives, Praeparatum mungo/turmeric (PM/T), Praeparatum mungo/bromelain (PM/B), and Praeparatum mungo/inorganic elements (PM/IE). The results indicated that additives included in the fermentation process of PM enhanced PM's antioxidant properties. PM/B exhibited the highest total phenolic content (19.18 ± 0.46 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing power. PM/IE exhibited the highest ABTS free radical scavenging activity and chelating ferrous ion activity. PM/T exhibited the best inhibitory tyrosinase activity. The 625 µg/mL PM extract can extensively reduce nitric oxide production of RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated by 1 µg/mL LPS and exhibited no cytotoxicity for anti-inflammatory applications. Additives in PM natural fermentation process can enhance antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibition, and anti-inflammatory properties of PM for future applications.

Dual Parallel Intramedullary K-Wires for Arthrodesis of the Finger Distal or Thumb Interphalangeal Joints.

OBJECTIVE: K-wire arthrodesis methods are commonly used during arthrodesis of the finger distal interphalangeal (DIP) or thumb interphalangeal (IP) joints. Here we propose an advantageous approach involving dual parallel intramedullary K-wires with the K-wire tips cut to bury underneath the skin. METHODS: From January 2017 to December 2021, 35 patients (43 joints) underwent finger DIP or thumb IP joint arthrodesis using this method. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated, while functional outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score. Patients with at least 1 year follow-up were analyzed. The preoperative and postoperative functional results were analyzed using the paired t-test. RESULTS: Arthrodesis union was achieved in 41/43 joints (95.3%). We treated 10 thumb IP joints and 33 finger DIP joints, for which the underlying cause was osteoarthritis and trauma in 37 and six digits, respectively. The average time of K-wire removal was 8.9 (range, 7-10) weeks after surgery. Twenty-four patients (27 joints; 22 women, two men) had at least 1 year follow-up (mean 15.9; range, 12.5-40.8) months. For patients with bone healing, the VAS score improved from 6.6 (range, 5-8) to 0.6 (range, 0-1) (p < 0.001), and the QuickDASH score improved from 57.9 (range, 31.8-77.3) to 14.7 (range, 6.8-20.5) (p < 0.001) at final follow-up. Both of the two failure cases were in the thumb. There were no other complications. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is simple and cost-effective and achieves a good union rate. The advantages include the ability to choose variable K-wire sizes according to the size of the medullary canal and the ease of postoperative care.

Health Behavior Models and Regular Exercise Levels Among Workers in Taiwan.

Purpose: The present study aims to examine the disparate effects of health behavior models, namely exercise self-efficacy (ESE), health belief model (HBM), and planned behavior theory (PBT), applied to clarify the degree of regular exercise among workers in Taiwan. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was adopted. A questionnaire was distributed to obtain information pertaining to regular exercise level, demographic characteristics, and the scores of ESE, HBM, and PBT. In total, 400 full-time workers voluntarily participated in this study. Results: The results showed that only 20.5% of the participants exercised regularly, 37.3% exercised irregularly, and 42.3% did not exercise currently. "Perceived benefits" and "perceived barriers" pertaining to HBM; "attitude" and "perceived behavioral control" pertaining to PBT; and ESE were associated with regular exercise level in the multiple linear regression analyses of each health behavior model. When all three models were considered simultaneously, ESE provided the greatest explanation of the variances for regular exercise levels. PBT total made a smaller contribution in the prediction of regular exercise level, while the effect of HBM did not show statistical significance. In order to explore the practicality of moving beyond theoretical models and focusing on the components across health behavior models to enhance workers' exercise behavior, the components showing statistical significance in separate analysis were put into the multiple linear regression simultaneously. The results showed that ESE, perceived barriers of health behavior, attitude, and perceived behavioral control were significantly associated with regular exercise level. Conclusion: A low percentage of workers exercising regularly should be a notable issue for workplace health promotion. Neither utilizing cues to exercise nor advertising health threats of physical inactivity is sufficient to enable workers to exercise regularly. Enhancing workers' ESE and behavior control and removing the exercise barriers would constitute efficient strategies for maintaining the exercise habit of workers.

Reversal effects of pantoprazole on multidrug resistance in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells by down-regulating the V-ATPases/mTOR/HIF-1α/P-gp and MRP1 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.

To investigate reversal effects of pantoprazole (PPZ) on multidrug resistance (MDR) in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro. Human gastric adenocarcinoma cell SGC7901 was cultured in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics in a humidified 5% CO(2) atmosphere at 37°C. Adriamycin (ADR)-resistant cells were cultured with addition of 0.8 µg/ml of ADR maintaining MDR phenotype. ADR was used to calculate ADR releasing index; CCK-8 Assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of anti-tumor drugs; BCECF-AM pH-sensitive fluorescent probe was used to measure intracellular pH (pHi) value of cells, whereas pH value of medium was considered as extracellular pH (pHe) value; Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining analyses were employed to determine protein expressions and intracellular distributions of vacuolar H(+) -ATPases (V-ATPases), mTOR, HIF-1α, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and multidrug resistant protein 1 (MRP1); SGC7901 and SGC7901/ADR cells were inoculated in athymic nude mice. Thereafter, effects of ADR with or without PPZ pretreatment were compared by determining the tumor size and weight, apoptotic cells in tumor tissues were detected by TUNEL assay. At concentrations greater than 20 µg/ml, PPZ pretreatment reduced ADR releasing index and significantly enhanced intracellular ADR concentration of SGC7901 (P < 0.01). Similarly, PPZ pretreatment significantly decreased ADR releasing index of SGC7901/ADR dose-dependently (P < 0.01). PPZ pretreatment also decreased cell viabilities of SGG7901 and SGC7901/ADR dose-dependently. After 24-h PPZ pretreatment, administration of chemotherapeutic agents demonstrated maximal cytotoxic effects on SGC7901 and SGC7901/ADR cells (P < 0.05). The resistance index in PPZ pretreatment group was significantly lower than that in non-PPZ pretreatment group (3.71 vs. 14.80). PPZ at concentration >10 µg/ml significantly decreased pHi in SGC7901 and SGC7901/ADR cells and diminished or reversed transmembrane pH gradient (P < 0.05). PPZ pretreatment also significantly inhibited protein expressions of V-ATPases, mTOR, HIF-1α, P-gp, and MRP1, and alter intracellular expressions in parent and ADR-resistant cells (P < 0.05). In vivo experiments further confirmed that PPZ pretreatment could enhance anti-tumor effects of ADR on xenografted tumor of nude mice and also improve the apoptotic index in xenografted tumor tissues. PPZ pretreatment enhances the cytotoxic effects of anti-tumor drugs on SGC7901 and reverse MDR of SGC7901/ADR by downregulating the V-ATPases/mTOR/HIF-1α/P-gp and MRP1 signaling pathway.

[Technical study of vinpocetine micelles prepared by thin-film hydration method].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare PEG-PLA polymeric micelles loaded with vinpocetine (VP). METHODS: VP micelles were prepared by thin-film hydration method, single factors affecting drug loading content, encapsulation efficiency, productivity, particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) such as dosage, type of organic solvent, quantity of organic solvent, hydration temperature, hydration speed, amount of hydration water, hydration time were investigated, and the optimum technology was obtained. The mean particle size and PDI were determined by DLS. The drug loading content, encapsulation efficiency, productivity of VP micelles were investigated by UV. RESULTS: The drug loading content and particle size of VP micelles were 20.35% and 118.3 nm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The technology of VP micelles prepared by thin-film hydration method is practical and simple. It's valuable to be further studied.

Novel hydroxymethylbilane synthase gene mutation identified and confirmed in a woman with acute intermittent porphyria: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare autosomal dominant porphyrin metabolic disease caused by a mutation in the hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene. This study aimed to explore the clinical manifestations of a patient with AIP, to identify a novel HMBS gene mutation in the proband and some of her family members, and to confirm the pathogenicity of the variant. CASE SUMMARY: A 22-year-old Chinese woman developed severe abdominal pain, lumbago, sinus tachycardia, epileptic seizure, hypertension, and weakness in lower limbs in March, 2018. Biochemical examinations indicated hypohepatia and hyponatremia. Her last menstrual period was 45 d prior to admission, and she was unaware of the pregnancy, which was confirmed by a pregnancy test after admission. Sunlight exposure of her urine sample for 1 h turned it from yellow to wine red. Urinary porphyrin test result was positive. Based on these clinical manifestations, AIP was diagnosed. After increasing her daily glucose intake (250-300 g/d), abdominal pain was partially relieved. Three days after hospitalization, spontaneous vaginal bleeding occurred, which was confirmed as spontaneous abortion; thereafter, her clinical symptoms completely resolved. Genetic testing revealed a novel heterozygous splicing variant of the HMBS gene in exon 10 (c.648_651+1delCCAGG) in the proband and four other family members. The pathogenicity of the variant was verified through bioinformatic methods and a minigene assay. CONCLUSION: We identified a novel HMBS gene mutation in a Chinese patient with AIP and confirmed its pathogenicity.

Characterization of surface modification on self-assembled monolayer-based piezoelectric crystal immunosensor for the quantification of serum α-fetoprotein.

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on coinage metallic material can provide versatile modeling systems for studies of interfacial electron transfer, biological interactions, molecular recognition and other interfacial phenomena. Recently, a bio-sensing system has been produced by analysis of the attachment of antibody using alkanethiols, to form SAMs on the face of Au-quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) surfaces. In this study, the attachment of anti-α-fetoprotein monoclonal antibody to a SAMs surface of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid was achieved using water-soluble N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxysuccinimide as coupling agents. Surface analyses were utilized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The quantization of immobilized antibody was characterized by the frequency shift of QCM and the radioactivity change of ¹²5I labeled antibody. The limit of detection and linear range of the calibration curve of the QCM method were 15 ng/ml and 15-850 ng/ml. The correlation coefficients of α-fetoprotein concentration between QCM and radioimmunoassay were 0.9903 and 0.9750 for the standards and serum samples, respectively. This report illustrates an investigation of SAMs for the preparation of covalently immobilized antibody biosensors.

Gender Difference in the Relationships between Inflammatory Markers, Serum Uric Acid and Framingham Risk Score.

The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of gender in the relation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, and serum uric acid (UA) to the risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. In total, 404 workers were recruited to obtain the measurements of serum markers for CVD risk. Demographic data, nutrition, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption were assessed through a questionnaire. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) was adopted to estimate the risk of future CVD events. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine CVD risk markers in relation to the FRS by gender. The hsCRP was not significantly correlated with the FRS for all workers after adjusting for covariates, including demographic data and health-related lifestyle. WBC count was positively correlated with FRS for all workers, but WBC count did not show an interaction with gender with respect to the FRS. Serum UA showed an interaction with gender on the FRS, and UA positively correlated with the FRS in males though not in females. With respect to CVD prevention, the WBC count can be used to monitor the risk for all workers. Due to a gender difference shown in the relationship between serum UA and the FRS, serum UA can be a monitor of the risk of future CVD events in male workers only.

Preparation and Characterization of pH Sensitive Chitosan/3-Glycidyloxypropyl Trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) Hydrogels by Sol-Gel Method.

pH responsive chitosan and 3-Glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) hydrogels were synthesized by the sol-gel crosslinking reaction. GPTMS was introduced to influence several behaviors of the chitosan hydrogels, such as the swelling ratio, mechanical properties, swelling thermodynamics, kinetics, and expansion mechanism. The functional groups of Chitosan/GPTMS hybrid hydrogels were verified by FT-IR spectrometer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to analyzed the thermal behavior of water molecules, the expansion of thermodynamics, and the content of water molecules in the hydrogel. The results show that hydrogel consists of 50 wt.% GPTMS (CG50) and has good mechanical properties and sensitivity to pH response characteristics in the acidic/alkaline buffer solution. The increase of GPTMS content leads to the increase of hydrophobic groups in the hydrogel and causes the decrease of the overall water content and the freezing bond water content. When the hydrogels were immersed in acid solution, the interaction force parameter was smaller than that of DI-water and alkaline. It means that the interaction forces between hydrogel and water molecules are relatively strong. The swelling kinetics of hybrid hydrogels were investigated to inspect the swelling mechanism. The result is consistent with the Fisk's diffusion mechanism, meaning that the rate of water penetration is adjustable. The biodegradable hydrogel (CG50) in this study has good environmental sensitivity and mechanical properties. It is suitable to be applied in the fields of drug release or biomedical technology.

Work Hours and Difficulty in Leaving Work on Time in Relation to Work-to-Family Conflict and Burnout Among Female Workers in Taiwan.

The present study explores the relations between work hours and the difficulty in leaving work on time to both work-to-family conflict (WFC) and burnout among female workers in Taiwan. A cross-sectional research design and questionnaire were employed to obtain the research data. In total, 738 full-time female workers took part in the study. The results of regression analyses showed that when age, marital status, economic status, occupation, parental status, and housework responsibilities were controlled, more work hours were positively associated with WFC and burnout. When the difficulty in leaving work on time was also considered in the analysis, long working hours were still significantly associated with burnout; however, the significant relation with WFC disappeared. It is surmised that if female employees work overtime voluntarily, the perception of WFC diminishes; nevertheless, the adverse effect of long working hours on health remains unabated. This study concludes that female employees who work overtime on a voluntary basis are at risk of health problems, which should be a focus of concern.

Work Ability and Quality of Life in Patients with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.

This study aimed to investigate level of work ability and quality of life (QOL) as well as the relationship between them among patients suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study design with continuous sampling and a questionnaire were used to obtain the research data. Controlling for personal characteristics, pain, psychological distress, and social support, multiple linear regressions were adopted to explore the relationship between work ability and overall QOL. Further analyses were also made to clarify the relationships between work ability and each domain of QOL. In total, 165 patients with WMSDs were recruited. Compared with general workers, the participants reported a lower level of work ability and overall QOL. Work ability was significantly associated with overall QOL when covariates were controlled. Among the four domains of QOL, work ability was significantly associated with both the physical and psychological domains. The conclusion was that work ability is a definite factor of QOL for patients with WMSDs; the essence of work ability may be beyond economic function or social support. Strategies to help workers with WMSDs enhance their work ability to fit their new or temporary jobs would be beneficial to their QOL.