Natural rubber (NR) latex gloves are widely used as a very important barrier for healthcare workers. However, they can still be perforated easily by sharp devices and instruments. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of graphene oxide (GO) to low-ammonia NR latex on its puncture resistance, mechanical properties and thermal stability. GO was synthesized using modified Hummers' reaction. The produced GO was mixed into the NR latex solution at various doses (0.01-1.0 wt. %), followed by a coagulant dipping process using ceramic plates to produce film samples. Puncture resistance was enhanced by 12% with 1.0 wt. % GO/NR. Also, the incorporation of GO improved the stress at 300% and 500%, the modulus at 300% and 500% and the tear strength of low-ammonia NR latex films.

ObjectivesDelaying of policies for immunization of aging adults, low vaccine uptake, and the lack of supportive evidence at the national level could diminish the value in health and economics of such programs. This study aims to develop a “country score tool” to assess readiness and to facilitate evidence generation for aging adult immunization programs in Europe, and examine the comprehensiveness, relevance, acceptability, and feasibility of the tool.MethodsThe tool was developed in two phases. First, a modified Delphi process was used to construct the tool. The process included a literature review, stakeholder consultations, and a three-round Delphi study. The Delphi panel included researchers, supra-national and national decision-makers of immunization programs recruited from five countries, using snowball sampling method. The consensus was predefined at the agreement rate of 70%. Pilot testing of the tool was conducted in the Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, and Hungary involving researchers in the field of health technology assessment. After assessing the countries' readiness, researchers evaluated four features, namely comprehensiveness, relevance, acceptability, and feasibility of the tool via an online survey that included 5-scale Likert questions. The percentages of affirmative answers including “agree” and “totally agree” choices were presented.ResultsThe review identified 16 tools and frameworks that formed the first version of our tool with 14 items. Eight experts were involved in the Delphi panel. Through three Delphi rounds, four items were added, one was dropped, and all others were amended. The consensus was achieved on the tool with 17 items divided into decision-making and implementation parts. Each item has a guiding question, corresponding to explanations and rationales to inform assessment with readiness scores. Eight researchers completed the pilot testing. The tool was rated as comprehensive (75%), relevant (100%), acceptable (75%), and feasible (88%) by participants.ConclusionThrough a thorough and transparent process, a country score tool was developed helping to identify strengths, weaknesses, and evidential requirements for decision-making and implementation of immunization programs of aging adults. The tool is relevant for different European contexts and shows good comprehensiveness, acceptability, and feasibility.

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XPO5 codes for the nuclear transport factor exportin-5, which is a membrane-bound protein. This gene is responsible for the transport of pre-miRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasmic compartments, thereby adjusting the whole miRNA expression level. The reduction of the miRNA levels was recorded when XPO5was knocked down. rs11077 is found in the 3′UTR region of XPO5, and this SNP might affect mRNA stability and be associated with the altered expression of XPO5. This leads to the universal suppression of miRNA expression profiles, thereby mediating the HCC survival. HCC patients bearing C/C and A/C genotypes of rs11077 had a survival rate of 60% after 3 years; and this rate was reduced to 24.7% with HCC patients bearing the A/A genotype. In this study, we constructed a molecular assay based on a real-time PCR HRM technique for rs11077 genotyping. We successfully designed the primer pair for the real-time PCR HRM of rs11077. We also found the optimal concentration of MgCl2 to arrive at a clear differentiation of the three genotypes of rs11077. Thereafter, we characterised the analytical specificity and the precisions of the molecular assay. The SNP genotyping results were compared between the real-time PCR HRM and nucleotide sequencing. Finally, we evaluated the molecular assay on 123 human blood samples. The rs11077 genotyping assay in this study could be used for the prognosis of HCC patients.