Macromolecular
crowding, a solution state with high macromolecular
concentrations, was used to promote the crystallization-driven self-assembly
of enzymatically synthesized cellulose oligomers. Cellulose oligomers
were synthesized via cellodextrin phosphorylase-catalyzed enzymatic
reactions in the concentrated solutions of water-soluble polymers,
such as dextran, poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone). The reaction mixtures were transformed into cellulose
oligomer hydrogels composed of well-grown crystalline nanoribbon networks
irrespective of the polymer species. This method was successfully
applied in the one-pot preparation of double network hydrogels composed
of the nanoribbons and physically cross-linked gelatin molecules through
the simple control of reaction temperatures, demonstrating the superior
mechanical properties of the composite hydrogels. Our concept that
promotes the growth of self-assembled architectures under macromolecular
crowding conditions demonstrates a new avenue into developing novel
hydrogel materials.
Objective
The COVID-19 vaccine may hold the key to ending the pandemic, but vaccine hesitancy is hindering the vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP).
Design
Before-after trial
Participants and setting
Healthcare personnel at a 790-bed tertiary care center in Tokyo, Japan.
Interventions
A pre-vaccination questionnaire was administered to HCP to examine their perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine. Then, a multifaceted intervention involving (1) distribution of informational leaflets to all HCP, (2) hospital-wide announcements encouraging vaccination, (3) a mandatory lecture, (4) an educational session about the vaccine for pregnant or breastfeeding HCP, and (5) allergy testing for HCP at risk of allergic reactions to the vaccine was implemented. A post-vaccination survey was also performed.
Results
Of 1,575 HCP eligible for enrollment, 1,224 (77.7%) responded to the questionnaire, 43.5% (n =533) expressed willingness to be vaccinated, 48.4% (n = 593) were uncertain, and 8.0% (n=98) expressed unwillingness to be vaccinated. The latter two groups were concerned about the vaccine’s safety rather than its efficacy. Post-intervention, the overall vaccination rate reached 89.7% (1,413/1,575), with 88.9% (614/691) of the pre-vaccination survey respondents who answered “unwilling” or “unsure” eventually receiving a vaccination. In the post-vaccination questionnaire, factors contributing to increased COVID-19 vaccination included information and endorsement of vaccination at the medical center (26.4%; 274/1,037).
Conclusions
The present, multifaceted intervention increased COVID-19 vaccinations among HCP at a Japanese hospital. Frequent support and provision of information were crucial for increasing the vaccination rate and may be applicable to the general population as well.
Multicomponent systems for self‐assembled molecular gels provide huge opportunities to generate collective or new functions that are not inherent in individual single‐component gels. However, gelation tends to require careful and complicated procedures, because, among a myriad of kinetically trapped structures related to the degree of mixing of multiple components over a wide range of scales, from molecular level to macroscopic scale, a limited number of structures that exhibit the desired function need to be constructed. This study presents a simple method for the construction of double‐network (DN) hydrogels with improved stiffness composed of crystalline cellulose oligomers and gelatin. The pH‐triggered self‐assembly of cellulose oligomers leads to the formation of robust networks composed of crystalline nanofibers in the presence of dissolved gelatin, followed by cooling to allow for the formation of soft gelatin networks. The resultant DN hydrogels exhibit improved stiffness; the improvement in gel stiffness with double networking is comparable to that of previously reported DN hydrogels produced via a time‐consuming enzymatic reaction.
Back Cover: The cover image shows a self‐assembled biomolecular double‐network hydrogel. The pH‐triggered self‐assembly of cellulose oligomers leads to the formation of robust networks composed of crystalline nanoribbons in the presence of dissolved gelatin, followed by cooling to allow for the formation of soft gelatin networks. This is reported by Yuuki Hata, Tomoya Kojima, Tohru Maeda, Toshiki Sawada, Takeshi Serizawa in article 2000187.
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