Maternal Characteristics, Intention, Self-Efficacy, Perceived Social Support, and Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice: Structural Equation Modeling Approaches.

Breast milk is a perfect food for infants; however, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is low. The relationship between exclusive breastfeeding practices and influencing factors is complex and remains unclear. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Changsha County, China, and 414 mothers were enrolled. An online questionnaire was used to collect data on general information, obstetrics and gynecology characteristics, the initial breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding practice, frequency of attending conventional breastfeeding programs before delivery, the status of breastfeeding self-efficacy, and the status of perceived social support. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to estimate the association between exclusive breastfeeding and potential risk factors of failing to practice exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was 46.1%. The median and interquartile range of the scores for breastfeeding self-efficacy and perceived social support were 51.0 (18.0) and 68.0 (20.0), respectively. Factors that were statistically significant in the univariate analysis were included in the SEM and model fitness was acceptable based on the results. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was directly associated with intention and self-efficacy, while it was indirectly associated with perceived social support and frequency of attending a breastfeeding program. The findings support the recommendation that comprehensive breastfeeding promotion strategies should be implemented to call on the intention and self-efficacy of breastfeeding mothers through various measures, such as education or providing medical and health services.

Interactions between rGO/TNT nanocomposites and cells: Regulation of cell morphology, uptake, cytotoxicity, adhesion and migration.

Reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanotube (rGO/TNT) composites have superior properties, such as a large surface area, extraordinary mechanical strength, high carrier mobility, etc. However, the biosafety and biocompatibility of these composites, such as their influences on cell viability and cell functions, which are of paramount importance, are still not fully addressed. In this study, rGO/TNT nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a modified hydrothermal treatment method. Then, the interactions between the rGO/TNT nanocomposites and Raw264.7 mouse monocyte-macrophage cells were further investigated. The results show that the rGO/TNT nanocomposites could be internalized by Raw264.7 cells and mainly gathered inside the cytoplasm. No rGO/TNT nanocomposites were observed in the nucleus. Moreover, the rGO/TNT nanocomposites exhibited low cytotoxicity toward Raw264.7 cells at a lower dose, though they may exhibit cytotoxicity to some extent at very high concentrations. In addition, the uptake of the nanocomposites influenced the cell cytoskeleton organization, while the cell adhesion and migration abilities were also impaired.