bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurses' influence on consumers' experience of safety in acute mental health units: A qualitative study
Authors: Cutler Natalie Ann , Sim Jenny , Halcomb Elizabeth , Moxham Lorna , Stephens Moira
Published: September 2020

Aims and objectives

To explore how nurses influence the perceptions and experience of safety among consumers who have been admitted to an acute mental health unit.

Background

Safety is a priority in acute mental health inpatient units, yet consumers do not always experience acute units as safe. Despite being primary stakeholders, little is known about what safety means for consumers in acute mental health units.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study informed by naturalistic enquiry was conducted and is reported using the COREQ checklist.

Methods

Fifteen consumers with experience of mental illness participated in semi‐structured individual interviews. These interviews explored what safety meant for them during their acute mental health unit admissions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The theme Influence of Nurses reflected that the way nurses engaged in acute mental health units had a profound impact on participants' sense of safety. Three sub‐themes emerged as follows: (a) Availability: “It's about nurses spending time with you”; (b) Being responsive: “They would listen if you had a concern”; and (c) Caring: “Little acts of kindness.”

Conclusions

These findings challenge the dominant discourse around safety in mental health organisations, in which nursing practice is often oriented towards the management of risk, rather than the promotion of safety. The findings demonstrate that, through their clinical practice, nurses can enhance consumers' feelings of safety in the acute mental health unit.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses play a key role in providing care within acute mental health units. It is vital that the behaviours and actions nurses can enact in order to promote feelings of safety among consumers in this setting are enabled at individual, unit and organisational levels.
Nurse staffing and care process factors in paediatric emergency department—An administrative data study
Authors: Janhunen Katja , Kankkunen Päivi , Kvist Tarja
Published: September 2020

Aims and objectives

To describe the nurse–patient ratio in the paediatric emergency department and whether it is related to emergency care process measurements: length of stay and the number of patients who leave before treatment is completed.

Background

Despite abundant data on nurse staffing, little is known about its relationship with process variables in paediatric emergency departments.

Design

This was a cross‐sectional study. Administrative data regarding 21,956 patients and nurse staffing (N = 49) were collected from a university hospital's paediatric emergency department between 1 January–30 June 2019. Summary statistics were calculated, differences in the variables were assessed by Kruskal–Wallis and chi‐square tests, and relations between them were explored by linear regression analysis. This study is reported in accordance with the STROBE guidelines.

Results

Nurse–patient ratios varied between shifts and were highest at night (mean 0.75; range 0.3–5.3) and the lowest in the evenings (mean 0.17; range 0.1–0.8). Increases in numbers of nurses in the paediatric emergency department reduced the length of stay by 2% per additional nurse on average, and nurse–patient ratios were negatively related to frequencies of patients leaving before treatment completion.

Conclusion

The results indicate that nurse–patient ratios affect paediatric patient care processes. Staffing levels are negatively related to emergency department length of stay and influence factors that could reduce numbers of patients who leave before treatment completion.

Relevance to clinical practice

Because the nurse–patient ratio affects the care process, it should be used together with other process measurements when assessing care quality in paediatric emergency departments.
Exploring the use of ageing simulation to enable nurses to gain insight into what it is like to be an older person
Authors: Bowden Alera , Wilson Valerie , Traynor Victoria , Chang Hui‐Chen (Rita)
Published: September 2020

Aim and objectives

To explore the thoughts and experiences of aged care nurses following participation in an ageing‐suit simulation intervention.

Background

Globally, people are living longer, and for nurses, there are increasing challenges to meet the needs of the higher numbers of older people in hospital. Educating nurses to understand the ageing process and the experiences of older people in hospital is crucial to addressing these challenges. Ageing‐suits were identified as a possible approach to assist with these educational needs.

Design

This study adopted a qualitative descriptive design.

Method

A convenience sample of nurses (n = 15) were selected from a single aged care ward. Volunteered nurses participated in a four‐hour ageing‐suit simulation session. Their immediate thoughts and experiences were explored via postsimulation debriefs, and three 30‐to 50‐min follow‐up focus groups were conducted at 3 months to explore perceptions on the impact of their experience on clinical practices. The data were analysed with the Braun and Clarke's six‐step thematic analysis method. To ensure quality reporting of this study, the COREQ checklist was utilised (see Appendix S1).

Results

Data analysis generated three main themes. Nurses in the study highlighted that the experience of the ageing‐suit resulted in “it feels real” (theme 1) and helped them in “enhancing understanding” (theme 2) about older people and their practices and supported a process of “changing me” (theme 3).

Conclusion

Ageing‐suits are emerging as a promising innovative educational approach for aged care nurses to gain insight into the challenges of ageing and subsequently making changes to themselves and their individualised practices towards older people. Future research is required to determine whether this educational approach is useful for a broader population of healthcare professionals.

Relevance to clinical practice

Ageing‐suits were identified as a worthwhile educational approach for aged care nurses to improve their specialised clinical practices with older people.
Older people’s early experience of household isolation and social distancing during COVID‐19
Authors: Brooke Joanne , Clark Maria
Published: September 2020

Aim and objective

To explore older people's initial experience of household isolation, social distancing and shielding, and the plans they constructed to support them through the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Background

Public health guidance for those aged 70 or older was predominantly to undertake stringent social distancing within their household. Little is known about older people's experience of these measures. This paper explores changes experienced by those over the age of 70 during the first two weeks of household isolation, social distancing and shielding in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and their early perceptions and plans to support them through the pandemic.

Methods

An inductive phenomenological study. University staff posted the study invitation flyer on social media, such as WhatsApp neighbourhood groups, the Nextdoor App and Twitter. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 19 participants and repeated at 2‐week intervals for 10 weeks; further data collection is still in progress. This paper presents the findings from the baseline interviews, which showed older peoples’ early responses. The COREQ (COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research) checklist was adhered to in the reporting of this study.

Results

Three themes emerged from older people's early experiences of social distancing: protective measures; current and future plans; and acceptance of a good life, but still a life to live.

Conclusion

People over 70 adapted to household isolation, social distancing and shielding, by using social media and neighbourhood resources. Nurses and other professionals can develop holistic care for older people by listening to their experiences of what works for them, helping them link to local and distant supports. Understanding the holistic life view of older people, including death anxiety, is an important element of care planning; to help older people access the protective resources, they need to reduce the serious risks associated with coronavirus.

Relevance to clinical practice

Older people engage with social media, and during the current pandemic and beyond nurses can engage with this medium to communicate with older people. The importance of nurses to understand some older people consider quality of life to be more important than longevity, which may impact on their adherence to health advice.
The organisational context of nursing practice in hospitals in China and its relationship with quality of care, and patient and nurse outcomes: A mixed‐methods review
Authors: Ying Liying , Fitzpatrick Joanne M. , Philippou Julia , Huang Wenjie , Rafferty Anne Marie
Published: September 2020

Background

Achieving high‐quality care and retention of nurses are major concerns for nurse leaders in hospitals. The organisational context is theorised to influence the quality of care and patient and nurse outcomes. This review focuses on China where the healthcare system is different from most Western countries in terms of government healthcare expenditure, public health insurance and healthcare delivery system.

Objectives

To explore the organisational context of nursing practice in hospitals in China and its relationship with quality of care, patient outcomes (patient adverse events, safety and satisfaction) and nurse outcomes (burnout, job satisfaction and intention to leave).

Design

A mixed‐methods review.

Data sources

The electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and China Academic Journals Database were used.

Methods

This review was conducted using the SALSA (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis) framework. Quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists for cross‐sectional studies and qualitative research. A narrative synthesis was conducted and was supported by tabulation of study data. The PRISMA guidelines were used for this review.

Results

Twenty‐three articles met the inclusion criteria and were retrieved, analysed and synthesised. This review supports the link between organisational context, quality of care, and patient and nurse outcomes in the Chinese healthcare system. Aspects of organisational context warrant attention including nurse staffing levels, the shortage of nurses, a lack of nurse participation in hospital affairs and support for the professional development of nurses.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that tailored interventions are needed to improve the organisational context of nursing practice in Chinese hospitals and, in particular, to address the nurse workforce issues and organisational leadership and support. The unique policy context of the Chinese healthcare system should be considered when developing these interventions.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Recognising the importance of the organisational context, it is imperative that nurse leaders make every effort to legislate for safe nurse staffing and to establish a caring culture to improve quality of care and nurse and patient outcomes.
Restraint use in residents with dementia living in residential aged care facilities: A scoping review
Authors: Pu Lihui , Moyle Wendy
Published: September 2020

Aims and objectives

To provide an overview of restraint use in residents with dementia in the context of residential aged care facilities.

Background

Restraints are commonly used in people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities to manage behaviours and reduce injuries, but the concept of restraint use in people with dementia remains ambiguous, and current practices to reduce restraint use in long‐term care residents with dementia remain unclear.

Design

A scoping review using the methodological frameworks of Arskey and O’Malley and colleagues.

Methods

Nine databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, OVID, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ProQuest) were searched from 2005 to 20 May 2019. Articles were included if they were written in English, peer‐reviewed and used any research method that described restraint use in residents with dementia living in residential care settings. The PRISMA‐ScR checklist was used.

Results

From 1,585 articles, 23 met the inclusion criteria. There is a lack of a clear definition of restraint use, and the prevalence of restraint use varied from 30.7% to 64.8% depending on the different operational concepts. People with dementia were at a higher risk for restraint use, and the decision‐making process for restraint use was largely ignored in the literature. The effect of staff educational interventions to reduce restraint use was inconsistent due to varying delivery duration and content.

Conclusions

The prevalence of restraint use in people with dementia living in residential care settings remains high alongside the absence of a clear definition of restraint use. More research about the decision‐making process involved in using restraint and development of effective interventions are needed.

Relevance to clinical practice

Better education about the decision‐making regarding staff, conditions of residents and organisations for restraint use is needed to improve the care for people with dementia living in care settings.
The role of progressive oral implant rehabilitation in mastication, cognition and oral health‐related quality of life outcomes—A pilot to define the protocol
Authors: Tan Daniel , Foster Sheryl , Korgaonkar Mayuresh S. , Oxenham Vincent , Whittle Terry , Klineberg Iven
Published: September 2020

Background

The implications of oral rehabilitation after tooth loss require further investigation.

Objectives

To conduct a pilot study to investigate: (a) changes in masticatory performance with progressive oral implant rehabilitation (POR); (b) association between POR and neurocognitive function using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); and (c) oral health‐related quality of life (OHQoL) outcomes.

Methods

Four completely edentulous patients (mean age: 73 ± 1.4 years) participated. Each received new complete removable dental prostheses (RDPs) transitioned to mandibular two implant‐retained RDPs (IR‐RDP). Assessments were performed at 4 time points for neurocognitive skills, fMRI with functional tasks (jaw clenching, working memory and sustained attention, inhibition), masticatory performance with colour‐changing gum and OHQoL. Assessments were performed with new complete RDPs (T0 as baseline data) and IR‐RDPs at 1 week (T1), 6 weeks (T2) and 12 months (T3) post‐insertion. Data analyses were based on intra‐patient and inter‐patient results.

Results

Masticatory performance and QoL improved with an IR‐RDP at each time point. FMRI jaw clenching sensory and motor cortical activity decreased at T1, with motor cortical activity increasing to T0 levels at T2. For cognitive fMRI activation tasks, cortical activity decreased from T0 to T1 across all regions of interests (ROI) and increased at T2 throughout the cognitive brain regions. Neurocognitive skills declined at T1, followed by improvement to or beyond T0 levels at T2.

Conclusion

Improvements in masticatory performance and OHQoL occurred from complete RDPs to IR‐RDP. Prosthetic adaptation was associated with neurocognitive changes to pre‐insertion activity levels or greater after 6 weeks. These pilot data suggest both behavioural and neural associations between POR and cognition; however, larger study numbers are required.
Host range of Peronospora somniferi and Pe. meconopsidis within selected members of the Papaveraceae under controlled conditions
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Krithika , Thangavel Tamilarasan , Jones Suzanne , Scott Jason B. , Wilson Calum R.
Published: September 2020

Opium poppy, belonging to the family Papaveraceae, is grown for its alkaloid compounds of pharmaceutical value. Downy mildew caused by Peronospora somniferi and Pe. meconopsidis, substantially impacts crop production. The present study was conducted to identify the host range of Pe. somniferi and Pe. meconopsidis within selected weed and ornamental members of the Papaveraceae family. Nine Papaver spp., Meconopsis cambrica and a nonhost control (tomato, Solanum lycopersicum) were challenged with both pathogens under controlled glasshouse or laboratory conditions using infested soil or foliar applied sporangia as inocula. Peronospora somniferi and Pe. meconopsidis induced disease symptoms, including sporulation, in at least one trial for all tested species except for Pa. atlanticum and tomato. Species‐specific PCR testing of foliage of challenged plants confirmed infections by both pathogen species of symptomatic plants, identifying these as hosts. Positive PCR tests were also obtained from Pa. atlanticum plants for both pathogens. However, in the absence of pathogen sporulation structures as further evidence of infection, the host status of Pa. atlanticum remains inconclusive. Testing of seeds collected from Pe. somniferi and Pe. meconopsidis infected plants of Pa. somniferum, Pa. dubium, Pa. rhoeas and Pa. nudicaule showed presence of both pathogens, indicating likely ability for seed transmission in these species. We identified new hosts of these pathogens and discuss potential implications of these alternative hosts in pathogen survival, dissemination and epidemic initiation.
Religious/spiritual care needs and treatment alliance among clinical mental health patients
Authors: Van Nieuw Amerongen‐Meeuse Joke C. , Schaap‐Jonker Hanneke , Anbeek Christa , Braam Arjan W.
Published: September 2020

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

The relationship between patient and professional is one of the cornerstones of successful treatment in mental health care.

For part of the mental health patients, a similar outlook on life with their caregiver(s) is important.

Attention to religion/spirituality (R/S) in mental health care is likely to influence the relationship between a patient and mental health professional, for patients preferring so.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge?

Patients, who appreciate and experience personalized attention to R/S in conversations with practitioners and nurses, are likely to receive the highest therapeutic benefit from their relationship with their mental health professionals

Patients who welcome personalized attention to R/S in conversations but find themselves unsupported in this regard experience significantly lower levels of treatment alliance than do those whose needs are met or those who do not express such needs

For religious and nonreligious patients attaching importance to a similar outlook on life with practitioner or nurse, this experience was also related to a better relationship, compared with patients preferring so but experiencing a different outlook on life.

What are the implications for practice?

Personalized attention to R/S in conversations is recommended, both for practitioners and nurses.

In case of a different outlook on life between a patient and mental health professional, addressing R/S with an open and respectful attitude may prevent negative effects on a patient’s treatment experience.

Introduction

Attention to religion and spirituality (R/S) in mental health care has increased and may benefit treatment alliance.

Aim

To describe the association of (un)met R/S care needs with treatment alliance and compliance among mental health patients.

Methods

Patients in a Christian and a secular mental health clinic (n = 201) filled in a questionnaire. Scales of met and unmet R/S care needs (range 0‒14) were regressed on the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), Service Engagement Scale and Medication Adherence Report Scale. Ancova analyses were performed for the fourteen R/S care needs separately.

Results

In the Christian clinic, met R/S care needs were associated with a higher WAI score (p = .001) and unmet R/S care needs, with a lower WAI score (p = .000). For the Secular clinic, the same trends were observed, but insignificant. Items with the strongest associations were conversations about religious distress with a nurse (p = .000) and a similar outlook on life with practitioner (p = .001) or nurse (p = .005). (Un)met R/S care needs were not associated with treatment compliance.

Discussion and implications for practice

We recommend personalized attention to R/S in conversations. A (perceived) similar outlook on life with mental health professionals may be beneficial for religious and nonreligious patients.
A method to establish an “immortalized F2” sporophyte population in the economic brown alga Undaria pinnatifida (Laminariales: Alariaceae)
Authors: Shan Tifeng , Pang Shaojun , Wang Xuemei , Li Jing , Li Qianxi , Su Li , Li Xiaodong
Published: September 2020

Studies of quantitative trait loci based on genetic linkage maps require the establishment of a mapping population. Permanent mapping populations are more ideal than temporary ones because they can be used repeatedly. However, there has been no reported permanent sporophyte population of economically important kelp species. Based on the characteristics of the kelp life cycle, we proposed a method to establish, and then constructed experimentally, an “immortalized F2” (IF2) population of Undaria pinnatifida. Doubled‐haploid “female” and “male” sporophytes were obtained through the parthenogenesis of a female gametophyte clone and the selfing of a “monoicous” gametophyte clone (originally male), respectively, and they were used as the parents. The F1 hybrid line was generated by crossing the female and male gametophytes derived from the respective female and male parents. Full‐sibling F2 gametophyte clones, consisting of 260 females and 260 males, were established from an F1 hybrid sporophyte. Thirty‐five females and 35 males were randomly selected and paired to give rise to an IF2 population containing 35 crossing lines. A parentage analysis using 10 microsatellite markers confirmed the accuracy of the IF2 population and indicated the feasibility of this method. This proposed method may be adapted for use in other kelp species, and thus, it will be useful for genetic studies of kelp.
Increased levels of interleukin‐32 isoforms alpha, beta, gamma, and delta in the gingival crevicular fluid and plasma of the patients with periodontitis
Authors: Öngöz Dede Figen , Gökmenoğlu Ceren , Deveci Emre Taha , Çelen Selman , Avci Bahattin , Kara Cankat , Çanakçi Varol
Published: September 2020

Background and Objective

Interleukin (IL)‐32, which has been recently reported to be associated with periodontitis, has been suggested to have pleiotropic effect due to its 9 different isoforms. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of IL‐32α, IL‐32β, IL‐32γ, IL‐32δ isoforms in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and plasma before and after non‐surgical periodontal treatment in patients with periodontitis (P).

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐seven P and 27 periodontally healthy controls (C) were recruited in this study. Non‐surgical periodontal treatment was performed to periodontitis patients. GCF and plasma sampling and clinical periodontal parameters were evaluated before and 1 month after treatment. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the levels of IL‐32α, IL‐32β, IL‐32γ, IL‐32δ isoforms in GCF and plasma samples.

Results

The levels of IL‐32α, IL‐32β, IL‐32γ, and IL‐32δ in plasma and GCF were significantly higher in patients with periodontitis than healthy controls (P < .001). In P group, plasma and GCF IL‐32α, IL‐32β, IL‐32γ, and IL‐32δ levels after non‐surgical periodontal treatment were lower when compared to baseline (P < .001). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between GCF and plasma IL‐32α, IL‐32β, IL‐32γ, and IL‐32δ levels in all groups at baseline and after treatment (P < .05).

Conclusion

The study supported that there was a relationship between elevated levels of IL‐32 isoforms and periodontitis. Also, our novel findings suggest that the pro‐inflammatory role of IL‐32 in the periodontitis may be originated from IL‐32α, IL‐32β, IL‐32γ, and IL‐32δ isoforms.
From delayed succession to alternative successional trajectory: How different moose browsing pressures contribute to forest dynamics following clear‐cutting
Authors: De Vriendt Laurent , Lavoie Sébastien , Barrette Martin , Tremblay Jean‐Pierre
Published: September 2020

Aims

Selective browsing can be a chronic disturbance that reduces the survival, growth and reproduction of individual species and shapes the composition and structure of plant communities. Along with other disturbances that perturb the forest ecosystem, browsing may thus affect forest regeneration and successional trajectories after an acute perturbation such as clear‐cutting. However, effects of different browsing pressures on plant species, communities and ultimately succession remain hard to predict.

Methods

We implemented a browsing exclusion experiment (n = 15 sites) along a gradient of moose browsing pressure to investigate how this factor influenced the early‐successional trajectory of boreal forests following clear‐cutting in eastern Canada. We used Principal Response Curve analyses to compare the trajectory of the plant communities depending on site‐specific moose browsing pressure and analyzed the trajectory of individual species leveraging these curves.

Results

Our results show that all browsing pressures lead to alterations in plant communities when compared to exclosures, but the effect was stronger under heavier browsing pressure. Under heavier browsing pressure, we observed a lower ground cover of balsam fir, an increased ground cover of raspberry, reaching more than 60%, and a lower abundance of saplings for balsam fir, birches and rowan.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that forest response to browsing is a function of local browsing pressure and that moose mainly slowed forest succession toward a closed canopy. However, heavier browsing pressure, through reduced sapling abundance and the resulting increased cover of competitive raspberry, may delay forest succession and push the ecosystem toward an alternative successional trajectory. As heavy selective browsing can interact with anthropogenic disturbances to determine forest succession, we recommend strong integration of the forest and wildlife management sectors to promote sustainability.
Interaction of climate change and nitrogen deposition on subalpine pastures
Authors: Wüst‐Galley Chloé , Volk Matthias , Bassin Seraina
Published: September 2020

Aims

Nitrogen (N) deposition causes compositional shifts in subalpine grassland, which can threaten their high plant species diversity. The effects of the interaction of N deposition and climate change are unknown. What are the independent and joint effects of N deposition, warming and water stress on plant functional group cover in subalpine grassland? Do these results apply to the main grassland types of this region typical of base‐poor and ‐rich soils? What vegetation changes can we expect with the current N critical load limits in a warmer future?

Location

Central Alps, southeast Switzerland.

Methods

A fully‐factorial three‐way transplant experiment was established, with a water treatment and three‐level N addition (+0, +3, +15 kg N·ha−1·year−1) along an elevation gradient representing temperature changes of −1.4 to +3.0°C. In all, 216 monoliths, sourced from six summer pastures and with vegetation typical of base‐poor and base‐rich soils, were grown in the experimental site for five years. The cover of functional groups (grasses, sedges, forbs and legumes) was estimated annually.

Results

Nitrogen addition increased sedge cover only at cooler sites. Grass cover was higher at warmer compared to cooler sites, but the watering treatment reversed this pattern. N addition increased grass cover at warmer sites. Legumes showed a unimodal temperature response with maximum cover at +0.7 to +1.8°C. Further warming decreased their cover and also that of forbs. Watering increased the cover of the latter two functional groups at warmer sites especially.

Conclusions

In subalpine grassland, the stimulating effect of increased N on sedge cover is dampened by increased temperatures in both grassland types. Within the current critical N load limits, however, a distinct compositional change — increased grass cover — is expected in a warmer climate. Forb and legume cover decreases with temperature increases greater than 2°C, attributable to both water deficit and temperature.
Compositional variation in understorey fern and palm communities along a soil fertility and rainfall gradient in a lower montane tropical forest
Authors: Viana Jéssica Lira , Turner Benjamin Luke , Dalling James William
Published: September 2020

Questions

Ferns and palms are key components of tropical wet forest understories. The distributions of these groups are influenced by variation in rainfall and soil properties, although the degree to which their resource requirements overlap remains unclear. Palms and ferns also represent extremes in a spectrum of reproductive traits, which may impact habitat requirements and compositional turnover. We asked whether: (a) environmental variables influence fern and palm distributions in a similar manner across a gradient in soil nutrient availability; and (b) larger propagule size and lower reproductive output in palms result in greater spatial aggregation of populations and, consequently, greater distance–decay rates in community similarity in palms than ferns.

Location

Old‐growth premontane forest, Fortuna, western Panama.

Methods

All ferns and palms were sampled in fifteen 5 m × 5 m subplots in each of 12 one‐hectare plots. The plots span a strong gradient in soil nutrient availability related to parent material. Light, precipitation and soil variables were measured in each subplot. Species associations were analyzed using ordination and regression, as well as Procrustes and Mantel tests.

Results

Parent material significantly impacted compositional similarity of both ferns and palms, with fern compositional variation related to total soil N:P ratio and red:far red (R:FR), and palms with bulk density (p < 0.05). Palm and fern abundances were not correlated; however, tree fern abundances showed an opposing abundance relationship with total soil N:P and R:FR compared to herbaceous ferns and palms. Distance–decay rates in compositional similarity were slightly higher for palms than ferns.

Conclusions

Ferns and palms show similar patterns of compositional variation in response to resource availability but were related to distinct environmental factors. Soil fertility and light availability emerged as key factors in predicting the abundance of plant groups, with clear partitioning of environmental gradients only apparent when tree ferns were compared with other groups.
Cellular senescence and hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma: An intriguing link
Authors: Karakousis Nikolaos D. , Papatheodoridi Alkistis , Chatzigeorgiou Antonios , Papatheodoridis George
Published: September 2020

Chronic hepatitis B is mainly responsible for the morbidity and mortality from hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and decompensated cirrhosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma remains the main challenge in the management of not only undiagnosed and/or untreated but also diagnosed and treated patients with chronic HBV infection, as its incidence decreases but is not eliminated even after many years of effective anti‐HBV therapy. The exact mechanisms used by HBV to cause malignant transformation remain uncertain, although much of the available data are in favour of a pathogenetic role of HBx protein. Senescence is a cellular state, in which cells lose their ability to proliferate. This biological mechanism may function in a dual mode, namely being both cancer‐protective as a result of reduced cellular proliferation, but also cancer‐enhancing as a result of modulation of the tissular microenvironment by immune cells during persistent accumulation of senescent cells. Protein X of HBV protein exhibits many similarities in terms of the implemented mechanisms of action and pathways related to the biological process of cellular senescence. Concurrently, insufficient clearance of both senescent and precancerous hepatocytes combined with inadequate immune surveillance as a result of immunosenescence caused by chronic HBV infection may lead to hepatocarcinogenesis. Thus, the effect of HBV seems to be critical as a connecting link between cellular senescence and development of HCC. An ongoing research is underway towards identifying and validating markers of hepatocyte senescence, which could improve the landscape for evaluation of chronic liver disease, thereby providing valuable information in terms of HBV‐related carcinogenesis.
Thermal stratification and fish thermal preference explain vertical eDNA distributions in lakes
Authors: Littlefair Joanne E. , Hrenchuk Lee E. , Blanchfield Paul J. , Rennie Michael D. , Cristescu Melania E.
Published: September 2020

Significant advances have been made towards surveying animal and plant communities using DNA isolated from environmental samples. Despite rapid progress, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the “ecology” of environmental DNA (eDNA), particularly its temporal and spatial distribution and how this is shaped by abiotic and biotic processes. Here, we tested how seasonal variation in thermal stratification and animal habitat preferences influences the distribution of eDNA in lakes. We sampled eDNA depth profiles of five dimictic lakes during both summer stratification and autumn turnover, each containing warm‐ and cool‐water fishes as well as the cold‐water stenotherm, lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Habitat use by S. namaycush was validated by acoustic telemetry and was significantly related to eDNA distribution during stratification. Fish eDNA became “stratified” into layers during summer months, reflecting lake stratification and the thermal niches of the species. During summer months, S. namaycush, which rarely ventured into shallow waters, could only be detected at the deepest layers of the lakes, whereas the eDNA of warm‐water fishes was much more abundant above the thermocline. By contrast, during autumn lake turnover, the fish species assemblage as detected by eDNA was homogenous throughout the water column. These findings contribute to our overall understanding of the “ecology” of eDNA within lake ecosystems, illustrating how the strong interaction between seasonal thermal structure in lakes and thermal niches of species on very localized spatial scales influences our ability to detect species.
The process of slowing down in clinical reasoning during ultrasound consultations
Authors: Groenier Marleen , Christoph Noor , Smeenk Carmen , Endedijk Maaike D.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

In clinical reasoning, clinicians need to switch between automatic and effortful reasoning to solve both routine and non‐routine problems. This requires the ability to recognise when a problem is non‐routine and adapt one's reasoning mode accordingly, that is to ‘slow down’ the reasoning process. In the current study, we explored the process of these transitions between automatic and effortful reasoning by radiologists who performed ultrasound examinations during consultations at the polyclinic.

Methods

Manifestations of slowing down in clinical reasoning were explored in 41 out‐patient consultations performed by five radiologists. Interviews before and after the consultations were combined with observations during the consultations to obtain proactively planned triggers, slowing down manifestations and situationally responsive initiators. Transcripts of the interviews and field notes of the observations were coded. The constant comparative method was used to classify slowing down manifestations.

Results

In thirteen of the 41 consultations, slowing down moments were observed. Four manifestations of slowing down were identified: shifting, checking, searching and focusing. These manifestations mainly differed in how long radiologists maintained effortful reasoning, varying from very short periods (shifting and checking) to sustained periods (searching and focusing). Unexpected patient statements and ambiguous ultrasound images initiated the slowing down moments.

Discussion

The results from this study contribute to understanding how clinicians transition from automatic to effortful reasoning. Also, this study revealed two sources of initiators of this transition in radiologists’ consultations: statements made by the patient and conflicting or ambiguous visual information, in this case from ultrasound images. Natural variations in patient statements and visual information can be used as input of what might be meaningful variation in the domain of radiology education to support expertise development.
Distributional patterns of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) along the Newfoundland East Coast reflect their main prey, capelin (Mallotus villosus)
Authors: Johnson Kelsey F. , Davoren Gail K.
Published: September 2020

On the Newfoundland foraging ground, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) primarily consume capelin (Mallotus villosus), which experienced a population collapse in the early 1990s, associated with altered timing of spawning and spawning migration. We examined whether humpback whale movement and distribution match these prey changes. Combining tour company whale sighting reports and photographs, citizen science reports of capelin spawning and scientific monitoring, whales were found to move northward along the east coast and whale aggregation presence within bays was associated with spawning capelin presence, being later in northerly bays. Whale aggregations arrived 8–20 days later than spawning capelin in northern bays, however, suggesting inconsistent tendencies to track high abundance spawning capelin aggregations during migration. Repeated scientific surveys during July–August 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014–2017, within a biological hotspot associated with capelin spawning sites in Notre Dame Bay, revealed that whale presence was influenced by the date of capelin spawning rather than capelin abundance metrics (i.e., biomass, number of shoals, shoal density, shoal area). A photo‐identification catalog compiled during July–August, 2003–2017, revealed a 22% return rate of whales to the hotspot. Overall, findings suggest that capelin spawning sites are important foraging areas for humpback whales in coastal Newfoundland under these altered prey conditions.
Interannual differences in postrelease movements of rehabilitated harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina richardii) in the Salish Sea
Authors: Sangster Samantha , Haulena Martin , Nordstrom Chad , Gaydos Joseph K.
Published: September 2020

Despite the large number of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) rehabilitated worldwide, few studies have been conducted on postrelease movement and behavior of rehabilitated harbor seal pups. We compared interannual differences in movements and survival of 24 rehabilitated seal pups released in the Salish Sea in 2010 (n = 10), 2012 (n = 5), 2013 (n = 5), and 2014 (n = 4). We also compared the postrelease movement of these seals to the movement of 10 wild seal pups tracked in the same ecosystem in 2010. Transmission duration, total cumulative distance, and average daily distance varied annually. Maximum linear distance traveled from the release site was similar for the rehabilitated seal groups. Compared to wild seals (n = 10), and consistent with prior studies, rehabilitated pups (n = 24) traveled significantly farther daily and cumulatively than wild weaned pups. Unlike in a prior study in this ecosystem, we found no significant difference between transmission duration in wild and rehabilitated pups.
Structural specificity in plant–filamentous pathogen interactions
Authors: Lacaze Aline , Joly David L.
Published: September 2020

Plant diseases bear names such as leaf blights, root rots, sheath blights, tuber scabs, and stem cankers, indicating that symptoms occur preferentially on specific parts of host plants. Accordingly, many plant pathogens are specialized to infect and cause disease in specific tissues and organs. Conversely, others are able to infect a range of tissues, albeit often disease symptoms fluctuate in different organs infected by the same pathogen. The structural specificity of a pathogen defines the degree to which it is reliant on a given tissue, organ, or host developmental stage. It is influenced by both the microbe and the host but the processes shaping it are not well established. Here we review the current status on structural specificity of plant–filamentous pathogen interactions and highlight important research questions. Notably, this review addresses how constitutive defence and induced immunity as well as virulence processes vary across plant organs, tissues, and even cells. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying structural specificity will aid targeted approaches for plant health, for instance by considering the variation in the nature and the amplitude of defence responses across distinct plant organs and tissues when performing selective breeding.
Winter is coming and the clock starts ticking
Authors: Wesselingh Renate A.
Published: September 2020

This article is a Commentary on Jánosi et al. (2020), 228: 1535–1547.
Chemical inhibition of xylem cellular activity impedes the removal of drought‐induced embolisms in poplar stems – new insights from micro‐CT analysis
Authors: Secchi Francesca , Pagliarani Chiara , Cavalletto Silvia , Petruzzellis Francesco , Tonel Giulia , Savi Tadeja , Tromba Giuliana , Obertino Maria Margherita , Lovisolo Claudio , Nardini Andrea , Zwieniecki Maciej A.
Published: September 2020

In drought‐stressed plants a coordinated cascade of chemical and transcriptional adjustments occurs at the same time as embolism formation. While these processes do not affect embolism formation during stress, they may prime stems for recovery during rehydration by modifying apoplast pH and increasing sugar concentration in the xylem sap.

Here we show that in vivo treatments modifying apoplastic pH (stem infiltration with a pH buffer) or reducing stem metabolic activity (infiltration with sodium vanadate and sodium cyanide; plant exposure to carbon monoxide) can reduce sugar accumulation, thus disrupting or delaying the recovery process.

Application of the vanadate treatment (NaVO3, an inhibitor of many ATPases) completely halted recovery from drought‐induced embolism for up to 24 h after re‐irrigation, while partial recovery was observed in vivo in control plants using X‐ray microcomputed tomography.

Our results suggest that stem hydraulic recovery in poplar is a biological, energy‐dependent process that coincides with accumulation of sugars in the apoplast during stress. Recovery and damage are spatially coordinated, with embolism formation occurring from the inside out and refilling from the outside in. The outside‐in pattern highlights the importance of xylem proximity to the sugars within the phloem to the embolism recovery process.
Mechanical force inhibited hPDLSCs proliferation with the downregulation of MIR31HG via DNA methylation
Authors: Han Yineng , Yang Qiaolin , Huang Yiping , Li Xiaobei , Zhu Yunyan , Jia Lingfei , Zheng Yunfei , Li Weiran
Published: September 2020

Objective

This study aimed to investigate how mechanical force affects the proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).

Methods

CCK‐8 assays and staining of ki67 were performed to evaluate hPDLSCs proliferation. qRT‐PCR, ELISA, or Western blot analysis were used to measure the expression levels of interleukin (IL)‐6, miR‐31 host gene (MIR31HG), DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), and DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B). Dual‐luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were conducted to determine whether MIR31HG was targeted by DNMT1 and DNMT3B. MassARRAY mass spectrometry was used to quantify DNA methylation levels of the MIR31HG promoter.

Results

Mechanical force inhibited hPDLSCs proliferation with the downregulation of MIR31HG and upregulation of IL‐6, DNMT1 and DNMT3B. Knockdown of MIR31HG suppressed hPDLSCs proliferation, and knockdown of DNMT1 or DNMT3B reversed mechanical force‐induced downregulation of MIR31HG. Dual‐luciferase and ChIP assays revealed DNMT1 and DNMT3B bound MIR31HG promoter in the region 1,015 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site. Treatment with 5’‐aca‐2’‐deoxycytidine downregulated DNA methylation level in MIR31HG gene promoter, while mechanical force promoted the methylation of MIR31HG gene promoter.

Conclusions

These findings elucidated how mechanical force affects proliferation via MIR31HG in hPDLSCs, providing clues for possible MIR31HG‐based orthodontic therapeutic approaches.
Effects of mechanical stress on human oral mucosa‐derived cells
Authors: Nakamura Koya , Yamamoto Toshiro , Ema Ryo , Nakai Kei , Sato Yoshiki , Yamamoto Kenta , Adachi Keiji , Oseko Fumishige , Yamamoto Yoshiaki , Kanamura Narisato
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Placement of a denture results in the application of mechanical stress (MS), such as occlusal force, onto the oral mucosa beneath the denture. To better understand the molecular mechanism underlying MS‐induced inflammation in the oral mucosa, we examined the impact of MS on human oral epithelial cells (HO‐1‐N‐1) and human fibroblasts (HGFs) in this study.

Materials and Methods

MS was applied on HO‐1‐N‐1 and HGFs using a hydrostatic pressure apparatus. The expression and production of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors were examined by real‐time RT‐PCR and ELISA. MS‐induced intracellular signal transduction via MAP kinase (MAPK) was also examined.

Results

1 MPa MS resulted in a significant increase in inflammatory cytokines, and 3 MPa MS resulted in a significant increase in FGF‐2. MS also increased p‐38 phosphorylation and the addition of a p‐38 inhibitor significantly suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Discussion

Our study suggested that MS applied through a denture increases the production of inflammatory cytokines from oral mucosal epithelial cells and fibroblasts via the p38 MAPK cascade. These responses to MS likely lead to inflammation of the mucosal tissue beneath dentures. On other hand, up‐regulation of growth factors is likely a manifestation of the biological defense mechanism against excessive MS.