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A superabsorbent resin (SAR) is a functional polymer with a high water absorption capacity, which has been widely used in many fields. In this study, a modified aqueous solution polymerization process was adopted to synthesize a SAR. The optimum synthetical mass ratios of starch, bentonite, potassium persulfate (K2S2O8), and N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide to acrylic acid (AA) were 7.14%, 3.57%, 0.29%, and 0.057%, respectively, and the neutralization degree of AA was 50%. The molecular structure and the surface morphologies of the SAR were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The SAR had a water absorbency of 1300 mL/g in distilled water and 56 mL/g in 0.9 wt.% NaCl solution. The water absorption rate reached 72.65% of the maximum water absorption in 1 hour and swelled to equilibrium in 4 hours. The water retention rate was 45.86% after heating and evaporation at 150°C for 1 hour. The moisture absorption rate reached 28.2% after 10 days of placement. The modified technology provides a new synthetic method for production of SARs, which is characterized by a lack of nitrogen protection, the direct use of raw AA and potato starch, a simplified synthesis process, substantially improved efficiency, and lower production costs.

Aim: To measure nurses' turnover intention and identify associated factors in general hospitals in China. Background: Understanding nurses' turnover intention is important to retain nurses, but factors associated with turnover intention require elucidation. Method: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted across 23 hospitals in China to investigate nurses' (N = 12,291) turnover intention and its associated factors. Associated factors were explored by univariate and multilevel multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean total score for nurses' turnover intention was 13.97 ± 3.63. High proactive personality score, a seriously ill family member, experience of negative workplace events, high work pressure and high work–family conflict increased the risk for turnover intention. A low turnover intention was associated with being a non‐local resident nurse, position title, high salary level, good person–organisation fit and person–group fit, and high family–work facilitation. Conclusion: Nurses with a proactive personality, heavy family care burden, experience of negative workplace events, no position title and a low salary may merit special consideration. Implications for Nursing Management: Nurses' personality traits should be further focused on, and it is important to build a nurse‐oriented organisation atmosphere, including protecting nurses from workplace violence, establishing friendly relationships with their families and expanding career paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To investigate the effect of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and starvation on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods. Primary TM cells were cultured and divided into three groups. The control group was treated with a normal medium, the 3-MA group was stimulated with 3-MA, and the starvation group received nutrient depletion by replacing the normal media with Earle’s balanced salt solution. Cellular mRNA and protein were measured at different 3-MA concentrations and starvation time periods. The level of autophagy was accessed by monodansylcadaverine fluorescent staining and expression of specific autophagy-related genes, light chain 3 (LC3), and Beclin1. The effects of 3-MA and starvation on cell proliferation were determined with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay kit. The mRNA and protein expression of LC3-II, Beclin1, and MMP-2 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Results. Compared to the control group, starvation significantly upregulated LC3-II and Beclin1 in TM cells after 3 h of stimulation, which peaked at 6 h and 9 h, respectively. Increased MDC-labeled cells were also observed. Starvation downregulated the expression of MMP-2. On the contrary, 3-MA suppressed the activation of autophagy, as shown by the marked downregulation of LC3-II and Beclin1. The expressions of MMP-2 were higher in the 3-MA group compared to the control group, reaching a peak at a concentration of 5 mM. Conclusion. Autophagy may be involved in the pathogenesis of POAG via regulating the expression of MMP-2 and, subsequently, the deposition of the extracellular matrix.