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We examine the phase behavior of a hybrid organic-inorganic diblock copolymer/salt mixtures. The experimental system comprises poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PEO-POSS) mixed with a lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) salt. Although the diblock copolymers without salt exhibit a classical order-to-disorder transition behavior with increasing temperature, the PEO-POSS/salt mixtures exhibit disorder-to-order transitions with increasing temperature. The analysis of a small-angle X-ray scattering data from the disordered state using Leibler's random phase approximation enables the determination of an effective Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, χ eff , for the electrolytes. Unlike conventional systems, χ eff increases with increasing temperature. A simple expression is proposed to describe the dependence of χ eff on temperature and salt concentration. This enables the calculation of the segregation strength, χ eff N, for both ordered and disordered electrolytes. The composition of the electrolytes is quantified by f EO/LiTFSI , the volume fraction of the salt-containing poly(ethylene oxide)-rich phase. The morphology of electrolytes is presented on a χ eff N versus f EO/LiTFSI phase diagram. Over the values of f EO/LiTFSI studied (0.61-0.91), only two ordered phases were found: lamellae and co-existing lamellae/hexagonally packed cylinders.

Background: Interest in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome following COVID-19 infection has been increasing. Maintaining quality of life (QoL) is vital for airline crews because they work in a special environment, where they are responsible for the passengers' safety. This study aims to closely investigate factors affecting the QoL of airline crews, including post-COVID-19 syndrome. Methods : This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey, comprising 167 crews. Findings : Age-specific significant differences were observed in social, overall, and total QoL scores. The physical domain QoL was significantly higher in the cockpit crews than that in the cabin crews. Significant differences were found in psychological and overall QoL depending on years of continuous service. Social domain and environmental QoL were lower in those who had no symptoms after being diagnosed with COVID-19 than in those who were symptomatic. Among the participants, 4.2% had post-COVID-19 syndrome, indicating significant differences in the physical domain, depending on whether they exhibit post-COVID-19 syndrome. Conclusion : It is urgent to develop measures to increase the QoL of airline crews, investigate post-COVID-19 syndrome before returning to work, and develop strategies to manage it. Application to practice : The QoL among airline crews differed not only by the demographic characteristics of the participants but also by the presence of symptoms during COVID-19 diagnosis and post-COVID-19 syndrome. Higher QoL among airline crews is associated with the safety of both airline crews and passengers. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a systematic management protocol for airline crews returning to work after following COVID-19 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for eco-friendly wearable sensors is driving the exploration of stretchable, biocompatible, conductive, and recyclable materials for detecting electromechanical signals from the human body. Herein, a straightforward method for producing stretchable, conductive, water-permeable, low-hysteresis, and recyclable hybrid films is proposed, based on a combination of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and lab-synthesized poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (L-PEDOT:PSS). Fine-tuning the film composition yields a stretchable and high-performance sensing material with ultralow hysteresis. The composite film is stable even when subjected to 5000 strained stretch-release cycles and exhibits an efficient thermoresistive response. The on-skin sensor derived from the HEC/L-PEDOT:PSS composite conforms to diverse body movements without sacrificing structural integrity. The sensors exhibit high sensitivity, stability, rapid response times, and low power consumption, enabling efficient monitoring of subtle human activities, such as handwriting, frowning, air flow, and even diaphragmatic breathing. Our sensors not only demonstrate excellent recycling, but also exhibit almost complete recovery of both mechanical and electrical functions upon recycling. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the HEC/PEDOT:PSS composite as a multifunctional and recyclable on-skin sensor. HEC/L-PEDOT:PSS composite films are promising for the advancement of on-skin sensors and will contribute to the development of high-performance, eco-friendly, and zero-waste wearable sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) superfamily regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and function of bone‐forming osteoblasts and bone‐resorbing osteoclasts. However, it is still unknown whether Nodal, a member of the TGF‐β superfamily, serves a function in bone cells. In this study, we found that Nodal did not have any function in osteoblasts but instead negatively regulated osteoclast differentiation. Nodal inhibited RANKL‐induced osteoclast differentiation by downregulating the expression of pro‐osteoclastogenic genes, including c‐fos, Nfatc1, and Blimp1, and upregulating the expression of antiosteoclastogenic genes, including Bcl6 and Irf8. Nodal activated STAT1 in osteoclast precursor cells, and STAT1 downregulation significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of Nodal on osteoclast differentiation. These findings indicate that Nodal activates STAT1 to downregulate or upregulate the expression of pro‐osteoclastogenic or antiosteoclastogenic genes, respectively, leading to the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of Nodal on osteoclast differentiation contributed to the reduction of RANKL‐induced bone loss in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to cellular damage, ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury induces substantial damage to the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. In this study, we sought to determine whether impaired mitochondrial function owing to IR could be restored by transplanting mitochondria into the heart under ex vivo IR states. Additionally, we aimed to provide preliminary results to inform therapeutic options for ischemic heart disease (IHD). Healthy mitochondria isolated from autologous gluteus maximus muscle were transplanted into the hearts of Sprague-Dawley rats damaged by IR using the Langendorff system, and the heart rate and oxygen consumption capacity of the mitochondria were measured to confirm whether heart function was restored. In addition, relative expression levels were measured to identify the genes related to IR injury. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption capacity was found to be lower in the IR group than in the group that underwent mitochondrial transplantation after IR injury (p < 0.05), and the control group showed a tendency toward increased oxygen consumption capacity compared with the IR group. Among the genes related to fatty acid metabolism, Cpt1b (p < 0.05) and Fads1 (p < 0.01) showed significant expression in the following order: IR group, IR + transplantation group, and control group. These results suggest that mitochondrial transplantation protects the heart from IR damage and may be feasible as a therapeutic option for IHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]