The purpose of this study was to examine the current satisfaction levels with nurse uniforms at Taizhou General Hospital in China and to find areas for improvement in order to develop nurse uniforms with improved comfort, fit and convenience. To investigate satisfaction with nurse uniforms, a survey was conducted of 150 nurses. The general characteristics of the nurses, uniform conditions, feelings of satisfaction, fit, preferred designs, inconvenient aspects of the uniforms, and areas for improvement were analyzed. Eight materials of cotton/polyester blended fabrics were selected according to Chinese nurse uniform regulations, and the physical properties of the materials were tested along with the materials used in current nurse uniforms. Four new nurse uniforms with increased aesthetics, functionality, and comfort were developed based on the survey results. Materials with excellent absorption, moisture permeability, and ventilation were used as main fabrics. According to the preferred designs of nurses at Taizhou City General Hospital, China, 4 types of nurse uniforms designed, consisting of design 1 (shirt and pants), design 2 (shirt and pants), design 3 (dress), and design 4 (shirt and skirt). The new nurse uniforms offered better functionality with an improved fit at the armpits, waist, hips, and knees based on product measurements.

Previous studies have suggested that rice bran oil (RBO), an edible oil from the byproducts of rice milling, has antiinflammatory effects in inflammation inducing macrophages, known as M1 subsets. Yet the effects of RBO on the counterpart M2 subsets, the “healing” macrophages, were poorly investigated to date. In this regard, recent studies on the molecular/cellular anti-inflammatory mechanisms of dietary components have demonstrated that mitochondrial respiration contributes to macrophage functioning. Therefore, the current study examined whether RBO regulates cytokine secretion by modulating mitochondrial metabolism in wound healing M2 subsets. Palm oil (PO), enriched with medium-chain fatty acids, served as a positive control. C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing either corn oil (CO), PO or RBO for 4 weeks, followed by purification of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from their tibias and femurs. Cells were further polarized to M2-BMDM, and the expression of M2 marker (CD206) on cellular surfaces were not affected by dietary intervention. In addition, the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in the culture supernatant was not affected by dietary lipids. Oxygen consumption rate, the indicator of mitochondrial respiration in M2-BMDM was not regulated by RBO intervention and PO treatment. Taken together, this study imply that RBO did not intervene both the regulation of inflammatory responses and mitochondrial respiration in M2 macrophages.

This study aims to contribute to the development of sports wearables. It was conducted by a convergence team of professionals in the fashion industry, kinesiology and sports studies, and computer science and engineering. The purpose of the current study was to design and develop a fabric-type fitness band for a sensor to measure acceleration during jump rope exercises. Computer science and engineering professionals developed the Arduino board and sensor, kinesiology and sports studies provided the necessary exercise protocol, and the fashion industry professionals developed the band. First, a fitness band preference survey was completed by men and women between the ages of 20 and 50. Typical uses of the band included tracking exercise amount as measured by the number of steps taken and calories burned. Strap watch closure, a single color and achromatic color, and soft and smooth touch materials were preferred as band design. Second, two fabric-type fitness bands were designed and developed. Design 1 had a 3-dimensional pocket for the sensor, bright blue color, and stretch binding around the edges and for a loop. Design 2 had a flat pocket for the sensor, achromatic color, mesh binding around the edges and two metal loops. Both designs had Velcro as a closure. Third, wear testing of both bands with the sensor were conducted of 15 women in their 20s. They wore the bands during jump rope exercises. Both bands generally satisfied the participants. The Design 2 band was slightly more satisfying than the Design 1 band.

The study purpose was to investigate the jacket-fit satisfaction level of men in their 20s and 30s, using body-scanning data and a questionnaire. Thirty-five men were scanned using a 3D body scanner. The participants were divided into three groups (Small, Medium, and Large) based on their chest-circumference measurement. Their levels of satisfaction with the fit of their tailored jacket were compared by group. Chest, waist, and hip circumferences increased substantially as group size increased. The M-group was mostly satisfied with all body-site views. The S-group was especially dissatisfied with height, back width, waist circumference, and upper-arm circumference. The L-group was especially dissatisfied with waist circumference and hip circumference. The majority of the participants preferred the jacket closely fitted to their body. More than half of the participants thought finding a jacket of suitable size was difficult. When purchasing ready-to-wear jackets, the S-group and the M-group considered shoulder width important, while the L-group considered chest circumference the most important area. When evaluating the fit of ready-to-wear jackets, the L-group evaluated chest circumference, back width, and waist circumference as poor fits. The M-group evaluated sleeve length and shoulder width as poor fits, and the S-group agreed with respect to sleeve length. Body-satisfaction levels and matching jacket-satisfaction levels differed by body-size group, as did areas that need improvement. The conclusion is that size-group analysis using 3D body scanning can be utilized effectively for jacket-fit analysis. The findings of the current study can be applied to improving jacket fit among young male consumers.

Previous studies demonstrated that rice bran oil has an anti-inflammatory effect. The current study investigated if the immune responses and energy metabolism phenotypes were affected by rice bran oil. Rice bran oil and palm oil, which served as an experimental control, were treated to RAW 264.7 macrophages respectively, followed by LPS stimulation so as to quantify the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. The expression of surface markers i.e. CD 80, CD 86 and MHC-classⅡ and mitochondrial metabolism phenotypes were also tested. The data exhibited rice bran oil suppressed inflammatory responses and mitochondrial metabolism were modulated by rice bran oil. These results warrant the necessity for the compositional and/or mechanistic studies to elucidate the details.