We aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of shift patterns at work on gynecologic problems and the healthcare behavior of Korean nursing staff. We conducted a web-based survey for over two weeks in ...September 2021, involving female nursing staff, including nurses, nurses’ aides, and nursing assistants, working in five medical centers. The questionnaire included 40 questions on baseline characteristics, working information, and experiences with gynecologic problems and medical approaches. Overall, 885 nursing staffs participated in the survey, of the 1,904 who received the invitation with an online link of the survey. The response rate was 46.5%. Among the participants responding to all questions, 569 (64.4%) worked two or three shifts and 305 (34.5%) worked full-time. In women rotating two or three-shift patterns, irregular menstrual cycles (21.6% vs. 13.8%, p = 0.005), abnormal menstrual cycles (40.9% vs. 33.8%, p = 0.038), and dysmenorrhea (48.0% vs. 38.4%, p = 0.006) were more frequent than in those who worked full-time. The experience of visiting gynecologic clinics (47.5% vs. 44.1%, p = 0.332) and treating gynecologic conditions (33.4% vs. 29.3%, p = 0.211) did not differ according to the working patterns. However, diagnosis of gynecologic diseases was more frequent in women working full-time (36.4% vs. 29.7%, p = 0.043). The rates of screening (76.1% vs. 57.8%, p<0.001) and human papillomavirus vaccination (55.7% vs. 39.9%, p<0.001) for cervical cancer prevention were higher in women working full-time than in two–three shifts. This study showed that rotating shift work may be related to an increase in gynecologic problems and a decrease in cancer prevention activity among female nursing staff.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Brain organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells provide a highly valuable in vitro model to recapitulate human brain development and neurological diseases. However, the current systems for ...brain organoid culture require further improvement for the reliable production of high-quality organoids. Here, we demonstrate two engineering elements to improve human brain organoid culture, (1) a human brain extracellular matrix to provide brain-specific cues and (2) a microfluidic device with periodic flow to improve the survival and reduce the variability of organoids. A three-dimensional culture modified with brain extracellular matrix significantly enhanced neurogenesis in developing brain organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Cortical layer development, volumetric augmentation, and electrophysiological function of human brain organoids were further improved in a reproducible manner by dynamic culture in microfluidic chamber devices. Our engineering concept of reconstituting brain-mimetic microenvironments facilitates the development of a reliable culture platform for brain organoids, enabling effective modeling and drug development for human brain diseases.
Various wearable electronic devices have been developed for extensive outdoor activities. The key metrics for these wearable devices are high touch sensitivity and good mechanical and thermal ...stability of the flexible touchscreen panels (TSPs). Their dielectric constants (k) are important for high touch sensitivities. Thus, studies on flexible and transparent cover layers that have high k with outstanding mechanical and thermal reliabilities are essential. Herein, an unconventional approach for forming flexible and transparent cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films is reported. These films are used to embed ultralong metal nanofibers that serve as nanofillers to increase k significantly (above 9.2 with high transmittance of 90%). Also, by controlling the dimensions and aspect ratios of these fillers, the effects of their nanostructures and contents on the optical and dielectric properties of the films have been studied. The length of the nanofibers can be controlled using a stretching method to break the highly aligned, ultralong nanofibers. These nanofiber‐embedded, high‐k films are mechanically and thermally stable, and they have better Young's modulus and tensile strength with lower thermal expansion than commercial transparent plastics. The demonstration of highly sensitive TSPs using high‐k CNF film for smartphones suggests that this film has significant potential for next‐generation, portable electronic devices.
Transparent and flexible cellulose films with a high dielectric performance using ultralong metal nanofibers are key attributes for flexible touchscreen panels (TSPs). High‐dielectric‐constant (k) CNF films using ultralong silver nanofibers have outstanding optical transmittance (≈90%) with high‐k values (k = 9.2 at 120 kHz). A TSP that is protected with a high‐k CNF film shows high touch sensitivity.
Summary
Drought has a serious impact on agriculture worldwide. A plant's ability to adapt to rhizosphere drought stress requires reprogramming of root growth and development. Although physiological ...studies have documented the root adaption for tolerance to the drought stress, underlying molecular mechanisms is still incomplete, which is essential for crop engineering. Here, we identified OsNAC6‐mediated root structural adaptations, including increased root number and root diameter, which enhanced drought tolerance. Multiyear drought field tests demonstrated that the grain yield of OsNAC6 root‐specific overexpressing transgenic rice lines was less affected by drought stress than were nontransgenic controls. Genome‐wide analyses of loss‐ and gain‐of‐function mutants revealed that OsNAC6 up‐regulates the expression of direct target genes involved in membrane modification, nicotianamine (NA) biosynthesis, glutathione relocation, 3′‐phophoadenosine 5′‐phosphosulphate accumulation and glycosylation, which represent multiple drought tolerance pathways. Moreover, overexpression of NICOTIANAMINE SYNTHASE genes, direct targets of OsNAC6, promoted the accumulation of the metal chelator NA and, consequently, drought tolerance. Collectively, OsNAC6 orchestrates novel molecular drought tolerance mechanisms and has potential for the biotechnological development of high‐yielding crops under water‐limiting conditions.
Materials with low crystal symmetry often exhibit anisotropic properties, allowing the tuning of their physical and chemical properties via crystallographic orientation and exposed facet control. ...Herein, for the first time, we have demonstrated that pristine BiVO4 with a preferred 001 growth orientation and exposed (001) facets exhibits excellent intrinsic charge transport properties and surface reactivity. Using preferentially 001-oriented BiVO4 (p-BVO) as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting, an impressive photocurrent density at 1.23 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) is achieved, which is approximately 16 times higher than that exhibited by a photoanode based on randomly oriented BiVO4. Importantly, when the surface of p-BVO is further roughened and decorated with an oxygen evolution electrocatalyst, photocurrent densities of ∼3.5 and ∼6.1 mA cm−2 are achieved at 0.6 and 1.23 VRHE, respectively; the latter value corresponds to ∼82% of the theoretically achievable photocurrent density for BiVO4 under 1 sun illumination. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of crystal orientation and exposed facet control in optimizing materials for solar water-splitting applications.
Summary
Drought conditions are among the most serious challenges to crop production worldwide. Here, we report the results of field evaluations of transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsNAC5, under ...the control of either the root‐specific (RCc3) or constitutive (GOS2) promoters. Field evaluations over three growing seasons revealed that the grain yield of the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 plants were increased by 9%–23% and 9%–26% under normal conditions, respectively. Under drought conditions, however, RCc3:OsNAC5 plants showed a significantly higher grain yield of 22%–63%, whilst the GOS2:OsNAC5 plants showed a reduced or similar yield to the nontransgenic (NT) controls. Both the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 plants were found to have larger roots due to an enlarged stele and aerenchyma at flowering stage. Cell numbers per cortex layer and stele of developing roots were higher in both transgenic plants than NT controls, contributing to the increase in root diameter. The root diameter was enlarged to a greater extent in the RCc3:OsNAC5, suggesting the importance of this phenotype for enhanced drought tolerance. Microarray experiments identified 25 up‐regulated genes by more than three‐fold (P < 0.01) in the roots of both transgenic lines. Also identified were 19 and 18 up‐regulated genes that are specific to the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 roots, respectively. Of the genes specifically up‐regulated in the RCc3:OsNAC5 roots, GLP, PDX, MERI5 and O‐methyltransferase were implicated in root growth and development. Our present findings demonstrate that the root‐specific overexpression of OsNAC5 enlarges roots significantly and thereby enhances drought tolerance and grain yield under field conditions.
A macroscopic film (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) made by layer‐by‐layer assembly of 100 single‐layer polycrystalline graphene films is reported. The graphene layers are transferred and stacked one by one using a ...wet process that leads to layer defects and interstitial contamination. Heat‐treatment of the sample up to 2800 °C results in the removal of interstitial contaminants and the healing of graphene layer defects. The resulting stacked graphene sample is a freestanding film with near‐perfect in‐plane crystallinity but a mixed stacking order through the thickness, which separates it from all existing carbon materials. Macroscale tensile tests yields maximum values of 62 GPa for the Young's modulus and 0.70 GPa for the fracture strength, significantly higher than has been reported for any other macroscale carbon films; microscale tensile tests yield maximum values of 290 GPa for the Young's modulus and 5.8 GPa for the fracture strength. The measured in‐plane thermal conductivity is exceptionally high, 2292 ± 159 W m−1 K−1 while in‐plane electrical conductivity is 2.2 × 105 S m−1. The high performance of these films is attributed to the combination of the high in‐plane crystalline order and unique stacking configuration through the thickness.
Stacked chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene when heat‐treated results in a macroscale graphitic film with mixed AB/incommensurate stacking through each layer but near‐perfect in‐plane order. This graphitic film has mechanical performance greatly exceeding all macroscale layered graphitic films, and an exceptionally high in‐plane thermal conductivity.
Objectives
This systematic review of longitudinal studies, assessing subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) reported by adult cancer patients, aimed to summarize evidence on the impact of chemotherapy ...on SCI, identify moderators of SCI, and evaluate methodological issues.
Methods
Data accrued from Pubmed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and the Cochrane library. Inclusion criteria were original studies, an exclusively adult sample, valid and reliable subjective cognitive measures, and at least one baseline data point prior to and another after the initiation of chemotherapy. Data were collected on the sample composition, data‐collection time points, outcome measures, statistical analysis, and major findings (ie, longitudinal changes in prevalence, severity, and associated factors).
Results
Forty articles published between 2004 and 2019 were retained: 21 examined chemotherapy‐treated patients only, and 19 employed control groups. Findings were mixed, with slightly more studies supporting the impact of chemotherapy on SCI. SCI tended to be more prevalent and severe after initiating chemotherapy, compared with patients' own baseline and controls not treated with chemotherapy. Impact appeared to be acute and more likely limited to subsamples. Most studies examining non–breast‐cancer samples reported the lack or limited impact of chemotherapy on SCI. The most consistent moderators were depression and fatigue. Methodological issues regarding sampling design, measurement, and statistical analysis were discussed.
Conclusion
More rigorously designed longitudinal studies would clarify direct and indirect effects of chemotherapy on SCI.
Rechargeable magnesium batteries have lately received great attention for large-scale energy storage systems due to their high volumetric capacities, low materials cost, and safe characteristic. ...However, the bivalency of Mg2+ ions has made it challenging to find cathode materials operating at high voltages with decent (de)intercalation kinetics. In an effort to overcome this challenge, we adopt an unconventional approach of engaging crystal water in the layered structure of Birnessite MnO2 because the crystal water can effectively screen electrostatic interactions between Mg2+ ions and the host anions. The crucial role of the crystal water was revealed by directly visualizing its presence and dynamic rearrangement using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Moreover, the importance of lowering desolvation energy penalty at the cathode–electrolyte interface was elucidated by working with water containing nonaqueous electrolytes. In aqueous electrolytes, the decreased interfacial energy penalty by hydration of Mg2+ allows Birnessite MnO2 to achieve a large reversible capacity (231.1 mAh g–1) at high operating voltage (2.8 V vs Mg/Mg2+) with excellent cycle life (62.5% retention after 10000 cycles), unveiling the importance of effective charge shielding in the host and facile Mg2+ ions transfer through the cathode’s interface.
Due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), school openings were postponed worldwide as a way to stop its spread. Most classes are moving online, and this includes medical school ...classes. The authors present their experience of running such online classes with offline clinical clerkship under pandemic conditions, and also present data on student satisfaction, academic performance, and preference.
The medical school changed every first-year to fourth-year course to an online format except the clinical clerkship, clinical skills training, and basic laboratory classes such as anatomy lab sessions. Online courses were pre-recorded video lectures or live-streamed using video communication software. At the end of each course, students and professors were asked to report their satisfaction with the online course and comment on it. The authors also compared students' academic performance before and after the introduction of online courses.
A total of 69.7% (318/456) of students and 35.2% (44/125) of professors answered the questionnaire. Students were generally satisfied with the online course and 62.2% of them preferred the online course to the offline course. The majority (84.3%) of the students wanted to maintain the online course after the end of COVID-19. In contrast, just 13.6% of professors preferred online lectures and half (52.3%) wanted to go back to the offline course. With the introduction of online classes, students' academic achievement did not change significantly in four subjects, but decreased in two subjects.
The inevitable transformation of medical education caused by COVID-19 is still ongoing. As the safety of students and the training of competent physicians are the responsibilities of medical schools, further research into how future physicians will be educated is needed.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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