A sol-gel chemistry approach was used to fabricate nanoparticles of TiO(2) in its anatase form. The particle size is shown to be sensitive to the use of HClO(4) or HNO(3) as acid catalyst. The gold-capped TiO(2) nanocomposites were processed by the reduction of gold on the surface of the TiO(2) nanoparticles via a chemical reduction or a photoreduction method. Different percentages of vanadium-doped TiO(2) nanoparticles, which extended the TiO(2) absorption wavelength from the ultraviolet to the visible region, were successfully prepared. The synthesized nanocomposites have a size of about 12-18 nm and an anatase phase as characterized by XRD, TEM, AFM, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The TiO(2) nanocomposite coatings have been applied on glass slide substrates. The antibacterial activity of TiO(2) nanocomposites was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively. Two types of bacteria, Escherichia coli (DH 5alpha) and Bacillus megaterium (QM B1551), were used during the experiments. Good inhibition results were observed and demonstrated visually. The quantitative examination of bacterial activity for E. coli was estimated by the survival ratio as calculated from the number of viable cells, which form colonies on the nutrient agar plates. The antimicrobial efficiency and inhibition mechanisms are illustrated and discussed.

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the factors affecting the level of hope and psychological health status of patients with cervical cancer (CC) during radiotherapy.Material/MethodsA total of 480 CC patients were recruited. Psychological distress scale, Herth hope index, functional assessment cancer therapy-cervix, and Jolowiec coping scale were used to conduct surveys on psychological distress, level of hope, quality of life (QOL), and coping style to analyze the factors affecting the level of hope and psychological health status of CC patients.ResultsThe morbidity of significant psychological distress in 480 CC patients during radiotherapy was 68%, and the main factors causing psychological distress were emotional problems and physical problems. During radiotherapy, most patients had middle and high levels of hope, and the psychological distress index of patients was negatively correlated with the level of hope. The QOL of CC patients during radiotherapy were at middle and high levels, and the QOL was positively correlated with confrontment, optimism, appeasement, and self-reliance, but it was negatively correlated with predestination and emotional expression.ConclusionsFor CC patients during radiotherapy, the morbidity of psychological distress was high, but they were at middle and high levels of hope.

Introduction: More than 42 million people are estimated to suffer from valvular heart disease (VHD) worldwide with a prevalence of 5.3% to 7.7% in the Chinese adult population. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between symptoms, hope, self-management behaviors, and quality of life (QOL) for preoperative patients with symptomatic VHD in a rural area of China. Method: This was a descriptive comparative study that took place in Nanning, China, between January 2015 and March 2016. The sample was 128 preoperative patients with symptomatic VHD. Data were collected using the Symptom Distress Questionnaire, Herth Hope Index, Self-Management Scale, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Results: Data from 122 patients were included in the final analysis. Mean scores of hope, self-management, and QOL were 36.71, 55.27, and 55.56. Worse total scores of symptom severity ( r = 0.57 to 0.69, p < .001) and self-management behaviors ( r = −0.22 to −0.25, p < .05) were associated with poorer QOL. Fatigue, loss of appetite, and self-management behaviors explained 49.90% variance of QOL ( p < .001). Discussion: Fatigue, loss of appetite, and self-management influenced QOL of patients with symptomatic VHD. Interventions aimed at strengthening self-management and relieving symptoms should be tailored for patients with symptomatic VHD base on their traditional animist belief and food culture in rural areas of China such as the Zhuang Autonomous Region.

This study aimed to explore the risk factors for foot ulcer recurrence in patients with comorbid diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) and diabetic nephropathy (DN). This is a prospective cohort study. Between May 2018 and May 2021, we selected 120 inpatients with comorbid severe diabetic foot infection (PEDIS Grade 3 or above) and DN for inclusion in our study. All cases were followed up for 36 months. The study outcomes were whether foot ulcer recurred and the time to recurrence. The risk factors of ulcer recurrence were analysed by comparing the data of the three groups. According to the recurrence of foot ulcer, the participants were divided into three groups: Group A (no foot ulcer recurrence, n = 89), Group B (foot ulcer recurrence within 12‐36 months, n = 19) and Group C (foot ulcer recurrence within 6‐12 months, n = 12). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that urine albumin‐creatinine ratio (UACR) (HR: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.005‐1.011, P < .001) and vibration perception threshold (VPT) (HR: 1.064, 95% CI: 1.032‐1.096, P < .001) were identified as independent risk factors. Kaplan‐Meier curves showed a significant positive association between UACR or VPT and the risk of foot ulcer recurrence (log rank, all P < .05). Areas under the ROC curves for UACR, VPT and the combination of UACR and VPT were 0.802, 0.799 and 0.842, respectively. The best cut‐off values of UACR and VPT were 281.51 mg/g and 25.12 V, respectively. In summary, elevated UACR and VPT were independent risk factors. The best clinical cut‐off values of UACR and VPT for prediction of foot ulcer recurrence were 281.51 mg/g and 25.12 V, respectively. Besides, our results suggested that microcirculation disorders rather than macrovascular complications play a major role in the recurrence of foot ulcer in patients with comorbid DFO and DN.

No abstract