Autophagy and cell wall integrity pathways coordinately regulate the development and pathogenicity through MoAtg4 phosphorylation in Magnaporthe oryzae.

Autophagy and Cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling are critical stress-responsive processes during fungal infection of host plants. In the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, autophagy-related (ATG) proteins phosphorylate CWI kinases to regulate virulence; however, how autophagy interplays with CWI signaling to coordinate such regulation remains unknown. Here, we have identified the phosphorylation of ATG protein MoAtg4 as an important process in the coordination between autophagy and CWI in M. oryzae. The ATG kinase MoAtg1 phosphorylates MoAtg4 to inhibit the deconjugation and recycling of the key ATG protein MoAtg8. At the same time, MoMkk1, a core kinase of CWI, also phosphorylates MoAtg4 to attenuate the C-terminal cleavage of MoAtg8. Significantly, these two phosphorylation events maintain proper autophagy levels to coordinate the development and pathogenicity of the rice blast fungus.

Hydrophobic cue-induced appressorium formation depends on MoSep1-mediated MoRgs7 phosphorylation and internalization in Magnaporthe oryzae.

The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae forms specialized infectious structures called appressoria that breach host cells to initiate infection. Previous studies demonstrated that the regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-like protein MoRgs7 undergoes endocytosis upon fungal sensing of hydrophobic environmental cues to activate cAMP signaling required for appressorium formation. However, the mechanism by which MoRgs7 internalizes and its fate remains undetermined. We here show that MoSep1, a conserved protein kinase of Mitotic Exit Network (MEN), phosphorylates MoRgs7 to regulate its function. MoRgs7 phosphorylation determines its interaction with MoCrn1, a coronin-like actin-binding protein homolog that also modulates the internalization of MoRgs7. Importantly, the endocytic transport of MoRgs7 is critical for its GTPase-activating protein (GAP) function important in cAMP signaling. Together, our findings revealed a novel mechanism by which M. oryzae activates MoRgs7-mediated hydrophobic cue-sensing signal transduction involving protein phosphorylation and endocytic transport to govern appressorium formation and fungal pathogenicity.

Chemotherapeutic drug elemene induces pain and anxiety-like behaviors by activating GABAergic neurons in the lateral septum of mice.

Most chemotherapeutic drugs are potent and have a very narrow range of dose safety and efficacy, most of which can cause many side effects. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most common and serious side effect of chemotherapy for cancer treatment. However, its mechanism of action is yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, we found that the treatment of the chemotherapy drug elemene induced hyperalgesia accompanied by anxiety-like emotions in mice based on several pain behavioral assays, such as mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia tests. Second, immunostaining for c-fos (a marker of activated neurons) further showed that elemene treatment activated several brain regions, including the lateral septum (LS), cingulate cortex (ACC), paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH), most notably in the GABAergic neurons of the lateral septum (LS). Finally, we found that both chemogenetic inhibition and apoptosis of LS neurons significantly reduced pain- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice treated with elemene. Taken together, these findings suggest that LS is involved in the regulation of elemene-induced chemotherapy pain and anxiety-like behaviors, providing a new target for the treatment of chemotherapy pain induced by elemene.

Intra-Abdominal Epithelioid Neoplasm With EWSR1::CREB Fusions Involving the Kidney: A Clinicopathologic and Molecular Characterization With an Emphasis on Differential Diagnosis.

Soft tissue neoplasms, harboring fusions between EWSR1 and FUS with genes encoding CREB transcription factors family (ATF1, CREB1, and CREM), are an emerging heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumors that differ significantly in morphology, immunophenotypes, and behavior. Recently, EWSR1/FUS::CREB fusions have been recognized to define a group of aggressive neoplasms of epithelioid morphology with multiple growth patterns and a striking predilection for mesothelial-lined cavities. These neoplasms presenting as a primary neoplasm of intra-abdominal visceral organs are rare, which could elicit a wide range of differential diagnoses because of their diverse morphologies and immunohistochemical profiles. We report 3 cases of intra-abdominal epithelioid neoplasms with EWSR1::CREB fusions involving the kidney. This study included 2 female patients and 1 male patient, with age at presentation ranging from 17 to 61 years (mean: 32 years). All the patients underwent radical nephrectomy without adjunctive therapies. Grossly, the tumors were large, and all were solitary masses with sizes ranging from 5.6 to 30.0 cm (mean: 14.5 cm). Histologically, the neoplasms showed infiltrating and indistinct borders and were composed predominantly of monomorphic round-to-epithelioid cells with variable amounts of pale-to-clear cytoplasm, arranged in cords, nests, and sheets and embedded in a sclerotic hyalinized stroma with variable lymphoid cuffing either intermixed or at the periphery. Notably, a hemangiopericytomatous growth pattern was commonly seen. Nuclear atypia was mild, and mitotic activity was scarce. Immunohistochemically, all 3 cases were at least focally positive for epithelial membrane antigen and keratin AE1/AE3, with 2 tumors showing focal MUC4 expression and 1 case displaying diffuse CD34 and focal CAIX positivity. Targeted RNA sequencing identified EWSR1::CREM fusion in 2 cases and EWSR1::ATF1 fusion in 1 case. Subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis confirmed the RNA sequencing results. On follow-up, 1 patient developed multiple spinal bone metastases 5 months after the surgery while the other 2 patients were free of disease 9 and 120 months after diagnosis, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that intra-abdominal epithelioid neoplasms with EWSR1::CREB fusions may rarely occur primarily in the kidney and should be included in the differential diagnosis of primary renal epithelioid mesenchymal neoplasms.

ALK-Rearranged Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Study of 9 Cases With Expanding the Morphologic and Molecular Genetic Spectrum.

ALK-rearranged renal cell carcinoma (ALK-RCC) is rare, molecularly defined RCC subtype in the recently published fifth edition of World Health Organization classification of tumors. In this study, we described 9 ALK-RCCs from a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic aspect, supporting and extending upon the observations by previous studies regarding this rare subgroup of RCC. There were 6 male and 3 female patients with ages ranging from 14 to 59 years (mean, 34.4 years). None of the patients had sickle cell trait. The diagnosis was based on radical or partial nephrectomy specimen for 8 patients and on biopsy specimen for 1. Tumor size ranged from 2.5 to 7.2 cm (mean, 2.8 cm). Follow-up was available for 6 of 9 patients (6-36 months); 5 had no tumor recurrence or metastasis and 1 developed lung metastasis at 24 months. The patient was subsequently treated with resection of the metastatic tumor followed by crizotinib-targeted therapy, and he was alive without tumor 12 months later. Histologically, the tumors showed a mixed growth of multiple patterns, including papillary, solid, tubular, tubulocystic, cribriform, and corded, often set in a mucinous background. The neoplastic cells had predominantly eosinophilic cytoplasm. Focally, clear cytoplasm with polarized nuclei and subnuclear vacuoles (n = 1), and pale foamy cytoplasm (n = 1) were observed on the tumor cells. The biopsied tumor showed solid growth of elongated tubules merging with bland spindle cells. Other common and uncommon features included psammomatous microcalcifications (n = 5), rhabdoid cells (n = 4), prominent intracytoplasmic vacuoles (n = 4), prominent chronic inflammatory infiltrate (n = 3), signet ring cell morphology (n = 2), and pleomorphic cells (n = 2). By immunohistochemistry, all 9 tumors were diffusely positive for ALK(5A4) and 4 of 8 tested cases showed reactivity for TFE3 protein. By fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, ALK rearrangement was identified in all the 9 tumors; none of the tested tumors harbored TFE3 rearrangement (0/4) or gains of chromosomes 7 and 17 (0/3). ALK fusion partners were identified by RNA-sequencing in all 8 cases analyzed, including EML4 (n = 2), STRN (n = 1), TPM3 (n = 1), KIF5B (n = 1), HOOK1 (n = 1), SLIT1 (n = 1), and TPM1(3'UTR) (n = 1). Our study further expands the morphologic and molecular genetic spectrum of ALK-RCC.

Phenazine biosynthesis protein MoPhzF regulates appressorium formation and host infection through canonical metabolic and noncanonical signaling function in Magnaporthe oryzae.

Microbe-produced secondary metabolite phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) facilitates pathogen virulence and defense mechanisms against competitors. Magnaporthe oryzae, a causal agent of the devastating rice blast disease, needs to compete with other phyllosphere microbes and overcome host immunity for successful colonization and infection. However, whether M. oryzae produces PCA or it has any other functions remains unknown. Here, we found that the MoPHZF gene encodes the phenazine biosynthesis protein MoPhzF, synthesizes PCA in M. oryzae, and regulates appressorium formation and host virulence. MoPhzF is likely acquired through an ancient horizontal gene transfer event and has a canonical function in PCA synthesis. In addition, we found that PCA has a role in suppressing the accumulation of host-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) during infection. Further examination indicated that MoPhzF recruits both the endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein MoEmc2 and the regulator of G-protein signaling MoRgs1 to the plasma membrane (PM) for MoRgs1 phosphorylation, which is a critical regulatory mechanism in appressorium formation and pathogenicity. Collectively, our studies unveiled a canonical function of MoPhzF in PCA synthesis and a noncanonical signaling function in promoting appressorium formation and host infection.

PEComa with ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion: expanding the molecular genetic spectrum of TFE3-rearranged PEComa with an emphasis on overlap with alveolar soft part sarcoma.

AIMS: Mesenchymal neoplasms involving TFE3 gene fusions are diverse, mainly include alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) that is characterised by ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion, and a small subset of perivascular epithelioid cell tumours (PEComas) referred to as TFE3-rearranged PEComa, that most frequently harbours SFPQ::TFE3 fusion. Historically, ASPS and TFE3-rearranged PEComa are considered two distinctive entities despite their known morphological overlap. However, recent studies have suggested a potential histogenetic relationship between them, and several neoplasms that showed morphological features more closely fit PEComa rather than ASPS but harboured ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion have been documented. In this study, we report three cases of PEComa with ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinicopathological features were assessed and partner agnostic targeted next-generation sequencing on clinically validated platforms were performed. The patients are two females and one male with age at presentation ranging from 21 to 51 years. All three tumours were located in the viscera (rectum, kidney and cervix). On a relatively limited follow-up period (range = 9-15 months), all patients are alive without evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease. The neoplasms were composed of tight nested architecture of epithelioid clear cells separated by a delicate vascular network, two of which were associated with sheets of plump spindle cells, and none showed significant discohesive tumour morphology. Immunohistochemically, in addition to TFE3 protein, all three neoplasms demonstrated co-expression of melan-A and smooth muscle actin. RNA-sequencing identified ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion in all three cases that were confirmed by subsequent fluorescence in-situ hybridisation analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our study expands the molecular genetic spectrum of TFE3-rearranged PEComa and further indicates its close relationship to ASPS.

PRRX1-fused mesenchymal neoplasm: A novel PRRX1::NCOA1 fusion transcript.

PRRX1-fused mesenchymal neoplasm is a recently identified, rare subcutaneous soft tissue neoplasm that is characterized by fusion of PRRX1 (exon 1) with NCOA1 (exon 13) in the majority of reported cases. Although initially considered to be fibroblastic, a possibility of neural or neuroectodermal differentiation has been suggested in a subset of cases. We report a 26-year-old female with a 4.0 cm painless mass located in the subcutis of the left thigh. Microscopically, the tumor was well-circumscribed and multinodular and was composed of relatively monomorphic ovoid to spindle cells arranged in loose fascicles, trabeculae, and cords within alternating myxoid and fibrous matrix, and vascularized stroma. Mitotic figures were scarce and necrosis was not observed. By immunohistochemistry, the neoplastic cells demonstrated focal co-expression of S100 protein and SOX10 and were negative for epithelial membrane antigen, smooth muscle actin, desmin, CD34, STAT6, HMB45, Melan-A, and MUC4. The expression of Rb1 was retained. Targeted RNA-sequencing identified a novel transcript fusion of PRRX1 (exon 1)::NCOA1 (exon 15), which was further confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. The tumor was narrowly excised and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was identified after 13 months of follow-up. In summary, we report a new case of PRRX1-fused mesenchymal neoplasm, expanding the molecular genetic spectrum and providing further support for possible neural or neuroectodermal differentiation of this emerging soft tissue tumor entity.

Exploring the challenges and roles of nurses in delivering palliative care for cancer patients and co-morbidities in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from chronic and life-threatening diseases receive inadequate palliative care in low-income countries, eventually leading to poor quality of life for these patients. Little is known about the experience of delivering palliative care in a low-resource country such as Ghana in comparison to higher-income countries. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the roles and challenges of nurses providing palliative care services for patients with cancer and life-limiting conditions at tertiary Hospitals in Ghana. METHODS: Thirty oncology nurses at a tertiary Hospital in Ghana participated. All nurses were providing end-of-life care to patients with cancer. A qualitative exploratory-descriptive design and a semi-structured interview guide developed by the researchers were used. Interviews lasted on average forty minutes to 1 h were audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was carried out to generate themes and sub-themes. FINDINGS: Participants were between the ages of 25 and 40 years. A higher percentage of females (n = 17, 57%) participated in the study than males (n = 13, 43%). Two main themes were generated which were the delivery of palliative care and the provision of home care services. The current roles of nurses were centered around pain management, home care services, spiritual needs, and psychological care. Challenges that hindered the implementation of palliative care included distress over expected and unexpected patient mortality, difficulty delivering bad news to patients and families, and frustration with health system resource shortages that negatively impacted patient care. CONCLUSION: Palliative care is one of the essential services provided for patients with life-limiting conditions, and nurses play an active role in the provision of this care. Further research is needed to determine the most effective ways to deliver this care, particularly in developing nations like Ghana.

New insights into the mechanism of ammonia toxicity: Focus on Cactus.

The NF-κB signaling pathway is the most critical pathway in innate immunity. IκB (Cactus) is the primary cytoplasmic inhibitor of NF-κB (Dorsal). In this study, we found that ammonia exposure could significantly induce the expression of Cactus, in a dose-dependent manner in different tissues, with the highest expression in the gill of Corbicula fluminea. The expression pattern-related elements (Tube and Dorsal) in the NF-κB signaling pathway were also analyzed, showing significant up-regulation in 48 h. There was an inhibitory effect between up-regulated Cactus and Dorsal in 72 h, which may regulate Dorsal as a negative feedback pathway function to control the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α). Besides, through molecular docking simulation, we found that the Cactus could be directly activated by NH3, complementing the regulatory mechanism of the Cactus. To further test our hypothesis, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased after adding PDTC (the antioxidant of Cactus/IκB), suggesting that PDTC can prevent the degradation of Cactus, inhibit Dorsal translocating into the nucleus, and activate the pro-inflammatory cytokines. This revealed the inhibitory effect of Cactus on activating Dorsal/NF-κB factors in the NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, we suggested that the Cactus is an essential regulator of ammonia-activated inflammation in C. fluminea, which was reported to be activated only by bacteria and immune stimulators. Our study provides a new perspective on the mechanism of ammonia toxicity in invertebrates.

Intersection of multiple factors shape Korean American caregiver experience in dementia caregiving.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies have shown that cultural norms such as filial responsibility and familism operate in the Korean American caregiving context. The purpose of our study is to understand the practice of Korean American caregivers who provide care to a family member living with dementia and their dementia care support needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted 2 focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews with a total of 20 Korean American caregivers. We used inductive thematic analysis to guide coding and generation of themes. RESULTS: Three themes were identified; 1) intersectionality in the Korean American caregiver experience, 2) complex family dynamics, and 3) dementia care barriers and caregiver support needs. Within the dyadic relationship and the family, cultural identity, generational, acculturational, and language factors shaped the caregiver experience. The need to navigate bicultural norms could lead to tensions but also provide opportunity for caregivers to consider self-care and use external supports to decrease the work of caregiving. Family was the unit of caregiving and caregiving was divided among family members based on acculturation and language fluency. Caregivers desired both medical information combined with knowledge that experienced lay support could provide. Support that reflects their cultural context was valued. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest the importance of understanding the diversity of response to strong elder care norms among Korean American caregivers and the intersection of multiple factors that influence their caregiving experience. Integrating acculturation and generational assessments may be useful as a way to tailor interventions to optimize engagement in dementia care interventions.

Current Advances of Atomically Dispersed Metal-Centered Nanozymes for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy.

Nanozymes, which combine enzyme-like catalytic activity and the biological properties of nanomaterials, have been widely used in biomedical fields. Single-atom nanozymes (SANs) with atomically dispersed metal centers exhibit excellent biological catalytic activity due to the maximization of atomic utilization efficiency, unique metal coordination structures, and metal-support interaction, and their structure-activity relationship can also be clearly investigated. Therefore, they have become an emerging alternative to natural enzymes. This review summarizes the examples of nanocatalytic therapy based on SANs in tumor diagnosis and treatment in recent years, providing an overview of material classification, activity modulation, and therapeutic means. Next, we will delve into the therapeutic mechanism of SNAs in the tumor microenvironment and the advantages of synergistic multiple therapeutic modalities (e.g., chemodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, sonothermal therapy, and gas therapy). Finally, this review proposes the main challenges and prospects for the future development of SANs in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Substance Use Disorder Education: A Statewide Assessment of Core Content in Nursing Schools.

Of individuals who need treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), 12.6% do not receive it. One reason for this failure to treat is an inadequately prepared health care workforce, including nurses. To establish a state-wide baseline of SUD curricular content, we collected information about topics taught and barriers to teaching important topics using an anonymous survey sent to all 55 nursing programs in Indiana. Topics deemed important were taught more frequently, such as opioid withdrawal (60.6%). Lack of expertise was more commonly reported as a barrier than lack of time (25.3% vs. 7.1%). Findings suggest that nursing students in Indiana are not taught requisite content related to SUD. We have provided pragmatic recommendations to enhance content in schools of nursing and address lack of expertise among faculty. Leaders need to actively evaluate and augment the content of their curriculums to include SUD. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(9), 15-23.].

Single-Molecule Observation of Selenoenzyme Intermediates in a Semisynthetic Seleno-α-Hemolysin Nanoreactor.

The development of monitoring methods to capture short-lived intermediates is crucial for kinetic mechanism validation of enzymatic reaction steps. In this work, a semisynthetic selenoenzyme nanoreactor was constructed by introducing the unnatural amino acid (Sec) into the lumen of the α-hemolysin (αHL) nanopore. This nanoreactor not only created a highly confined space to trap the enzyme-substrate complex for a highly efficient antioxidant activity but also provided a single channel to characterize a series of selenoenzyme intermediates in the whole catalytic cycle through electrochemical analysis. In particular, the unstable intermediate of SeOH can be clearly detected by the characteristic blocking current. The duration time corresponding to the lifetime of each intermediate that stayed within the nanopore was also determined. This label-free approach showed a high detection sensitivity and temporal-spatial resolution to scrutinize a continuous enzymatic process, which would facilitate uncovering the mysteries of selenoenzyme catalysis at the single-molecule level.

Persistent Uptake of H2O2 onto Ambient PM2.5 via Dark-Fenton Chemistry.

Particulate matter (PM) and gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) interact ubiquitously to influence atmospheric oxidizing capacity. However, quantitative information on H2O2 loss and its fate on urban aerosols remain unclear. This study investigated the kinetics of heterogeneous reactions of H2O2 on PM2.5 and explored how these processes are affected by various experimental conditions (i.e., relative humidity, temperature, and H2O2 concentration). We observed a persistent uptake of H2O2 by PM2.5 (with the uptake coefficients (γ) of 10-4-10-3) exacerbated by aerosol liquid water and temperature, confirming the critical role of water-assisted chemical decomposition during the uptake process. A positive correlation between the γ values and the ratio of dissolved iron concentration to H2O2 concentration suggests that Fenton catalytic decomposition may be an important pathway for H2O2 conversion on PM2.5 under dark conditions. Furthermore, on the basis of kinetic data gained, the parameterization of H2O2 uptake on PM2.5 was developed and was applied into a box model. The good agreement between simulated and measured H2O2 uncovered the significant role that heterogeneous uptake plays in the sink of H2O2 in the atmosphere. These findings suggest that the composition-dependent particle reactivity toward H2O2 should be considered in atmospheric models for elucidating the environmental and health effects of H2O2 uptake by ambient aerosols.

Correlation between nutritional status and oral health quality of life, self-efficacy of older inpatients and the influencing factors.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the relationship between nutritional status and oral health quality of life, the self-efficacy of older inpatients and the correlative factors. METHODS: In this study, the convenience sampling method was used to select 307 older inpatients in the southern section of the Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from October to December 2020 as the main research participants. A mini nutritional assessment questionnaire was used to assess nutritional status, and the Chinese version of a geriatric oral health assessment index questionnaire was used to determine the oral health quality of life. Self-efficacy was assessed by a general self-efficacy scale questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data using the SPSS 22.0 software. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to explore the correlation between variables and factors concerned with nutritional status, respectively. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the self-efficacy and oral health quality of life of older inpatients were at a moderate level. Among the patients, 263 had one or more tooth defects, and only 128 had oral restorations or wore dentures. The risk of malnutrition in hospitalised older patients was 37.1%, and the incidence of malnutrition was 13.4%. The risk factors of nutritional status of older patients were age, oral-related quality of life, prealbumin index, self-efficacy, chronic disease, monthly income and tooth defect (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of malnutrition and malnutrition risk in hospitalised older patients is relatively high. The main associated factors include age, tooth defect, oral health quality of life, self-efficacy, chronic disease status and monthly income. Therefore, older inpatients, especially those with prosthodontic problems, should carry out nutritional assessments, intervention and graded management as soon as possible to improve their self-efficacy, improve their nutrition and health status and reduce the incidence of a poor prognosis.

Unimolecular Helix-Based Transmembrane Nanochannel with a Smallest Luminal Cavity of 1 Å Expressing High Proton Selectivity and Transport Activity.

Natural protein channels have evolved with exquisite structures to transport ions selectively and rapidly. Learning from nature to construct biomimetic artificial channels is always challenging. Herein we present a unimolecular transmembrane proton channel by quinoline-derived helix, which exhibited highly selective and ultrafast proton transport behaviors. This helix-based channel possesses a small luminal cavity of 1 Å in diameter, which could efficiently reject the permeation of cations, anions or water molecules but only permits the translocation of protons owing to the size effect. The proton flow rate exceeded 107 H+ s-1 channel-1 and reached the same magnitude with gramicidin A. Mechanism investigation revealed that the directionally arrayed NH-chain inside the synthetic channel played a pivotal role during the proton flux. This work not only presented a helix-based channel with the smallest observable nanopore, but also unveiled an unexplored pathway for realizing efficient transport of protons via the consecutive NH-chain.

The impact on organizations, individuals, and care when nurses are also family caregivers.

BACKGROUND: There can be negative consequences to family caregiving as an employee. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of family caregiving as a nurse (double-duty nurse caregivers) on the nurse, colleagues, and organization. METHODS: Two surveys were completed by double-duty nurse caregivers and healthcare organization leaders on their demographics, and support for/impact of family caregiving. Descriptive statistics, chi squares, t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used. Text from open-ended questions were used to inform the quantitative data. FINDINGS: Without organizational policies and a workplace culture that support family caregiving, managers are limited in the types and level of support they can provide. DISCUSSION: Healthcare leaders perceived family caregiving to have a larger impact on the nurses' own health and work performance than nurses themselves. Family caregiving was identified as a potential contributor to burnout; and lack of workplace support for family caregiving may influence turnover intentions.

Safety Competency, Certification, and Practical Drift.

Safety is one of the top priorities in transport nursing because of the unpredictable nature of moving critically ill or injured patients by air or ground. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between certification status and the transport nurse's self-rated safety competency. Safety competency was measured with an adapted version of the 22-item Critical Care Nursing Competence Questionnaire for Patient Safety (C3Q-safety) scale. To adapt the C3Q-safety scale for transport nursing, we matched the 22 items with the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association safety standards. Then, 5 transport nursing experts reviewed the 22 items for face validity and relevance to Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association safety standards. The C3Q-safety scale assesses 4 safety factors: decision making, collaboration, nursing intervention, and principles of nursing care. This was a cross-sectional survey with 432 respondents; t-tests and linear regression were used to examine the data. Our findings indicated a lack of relationship between certification status and safety competency. However, we found that more experienced transport nurses had lower safety competency scores (ß = -0.150, P = .037). Practical drift (ie, the failure to follow established rules and regulations, which leads to deviations from policies and procedures) may explain why experienced nurses scored lower. The practice implications of this work include the need for a robust safety culture with a focus on nonpunitive reporting and the use of simulation for reducing possible errors and limiting practical drift.

Flexible Single-Chain-Heteropolymer-Derived Transmembrane Ion Channels with High K+ Selectivity and Tunable pH-Gated Characteristics.

A series of single-chain random heteropolymer (RHP)-derived artificial ion channels with both high K+ selectivity and controllable pH-gated behaviors were fabricated by a facile "one-pot" polymerization method. The benzo-18-crown-6 moieties appended on lateral chains of RHPs can form ion-permeable nanopores and transport K+ over Na+ through the lipid bilayers. The ion permeation selectivity was significantly enhanced by incorporating a cholesterol group to serve as a membrane anchor. Interestingly, similar to natural gated protein channels, on-off switchable characteristics were also realized by integrating an additional acid-sensitive alkylamine group into the RHP-derived channel. The unique design strategies have endowed the RHP-derived ion channels with facile synthetic procedures, desirable membrane compatibility, high K+ selectivity, and tunable pH-gated properties. This work provides an entry point for future design of novel functional nanochannels.