FAIRE-MS reveals mitotic retention of transcriptional regulators on a proteome-wide scale.

Mitosis entails global and dramatic alterations, such as higher-order chromatin organization disruption, concomitant with global transcription downregulation. Cells reliably re-establishing gene expression patterns upon mitotic exit and maintaining cellular identities remain poorly understood. Previous studies indicated that certain transcription factors (TFs) remain associated with individual loci during mitosis and serve as mitotic bookmarkers. However, it is unclear which regulatory factors remain bound to the compacted mitotic chromosomes. We developed formaldehyde-assisted isolation of regulatory elements-coupled mass spectrometry (FAIRE-MS) that combines FAIRE-based open chromatin-associated protein pull-down and mass spectrometry (MS) to quantify the open chromatin-associated proteome during the interphase and mitosis. We identified 189 interphase and mitosis maintained (IM) regulatory factors using FAIRE-MS and found intrinsically disordered proteins and regions (IDP(R)s) are highly enriched, which plays a crucial role in liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and chromatin organization during the cell cycle. Notably, in these IDP(R)s, we identified mitotic bookmarkers, such as CEBPB, HMGB1, and TFAP2A, and several factors, including MAX, HMGB3, hnRNP A2/B1, FUS, hnRNP D, and TIAL1, which are at least partially bound to the mitotic chromosome. Furthermore, it will be essential to study whether these IDP(R)s through LLPS helps cells transit from mitosis to the G1 phase during the cell cycle.

Interspecific variations in growth, physiology and Cd accumulation between Populus deltoides and P. × canadensis in response to Cd pollution under two soil types.

Both acid and alkaline purple soils in China are increasingly affected by Cd contamination. The selection of fast-growing trees suitable for remediating different soil types is urgent, yet there is a severe lack of relevant knowledge. In this study, we conducted a controlled pot experiment to compare the growth, physiology, and Cd accumulation efficiency of two widely recognized poplar species, namely Populus deltoides and P. × canadensis, under Cd contamination (1 mg kg-1) in acid and alkaline purple soils. The objective was to determine which poplar species is best suited for remediating different soil types. Our findings are as follows: (1) the total biomass of both poplars remained largely unaffected by Cd pollution in both soil types. Notably, under Cd pollution, the total biomass of P. deltoides in acid purple soil was 1.53 times greater than that in alkaline purple soil. (2) Cd pollution did not significantly induce oxidative damage in the leaves of either poplar species in both soil types. However, in acid purple soil, Cd contamination led to a 21% increase in NO3- concentration and a 44% increase in NH4+ concentration in P. × canadensis leaves, whereas in alkaline purple soil, it led to a 59% increase in NH4+ concentration in P. deltoides leaves. (3) Cd concentrations in all root orders of P. × canadensis were significantly higher than those in P. deltoides, especially in the first three root orders, under alkaline purple soil. The total Cd accumulation by P. × canadensis in Cd-polluted alkaline purple soil was 2.18 times higher than that in Cd-polluted acid purple soil, a difference not observed in P. deltoides. (4) redundancy analysis indicated that the sequestration effect of higher soil organic matter on Cd availability in acid purple soil was more pronounced than the release effects caused by lower pH. In conclusion, P. × canadensis is better suited for remediating alkaline purple soil due to its higher capacity for Cd uptake, while P. deltoides is more suitable for remediating Cd-contaminated acid purple soil due to its better growth conditions and greater Cd enrichment capability.

Influencing factors of nurses' short-term bereavement reactions after patient death.

An online cross-sectional survey was performed among 181 nurses in mainland China who experienced their most recent patient death within the last month. Multivariate linear regressions were used following bivariate analysis to identify influencing factors for their short-term professional bereavement reactions. More intensive reactions were associated with the nurse's fewer experiences of patient death; the nurse's employment in the intensive care unit rather than the emergency, oncology, geriatrics, or internal medicine departments; and the patient experiencing more pain in the last few days. Higher reaction scores were also reported by nurses who lost the patient more than 1 week prior.

What makes advance care planning discussion so difficult? A systematic review of the factors of advance care planning in healthcare settings.

OBJECTIVES: Existing systematic reviews related to advance care planning (ACP) largely focus on specific groups and intervention efficacy or are limited to contextual factors. This research aims to identify the modifiable factors perceived by different users of ACP in healthcare settings and inform healthcare professionals about the factors affecting ACP practice. METHODS: Five English-language databases (ProQuest, PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, and Medline) and two Chinese-language databases (CNKI and NCL) were searched up to November 2022. Empirical research identifying factors related to ACP in healthcare settings was included. ACP is defined as a discussion process on future end-of-life care. Thematic synthesis was performed on all included studies. RESULTS: A total of 1871 unique articles were screened; the full texts of 193 were assessed by 4 reviewers, and 45 articles were included for analysis. Twenty-two (54%) studies were qualitative, 15 (33%) were quantitative, and 6 (13%) used mixed methods. Foci varied from 28 (62%) studies on a single subject group (either patient, family, or physician), 11 (25%) on 2 subject groups (either patient and family or patient and healthcare professional), and 6 (13%) covered 3 subject groups (patient, family, and healthcare professional). Among the 17 studies involving more than 1 subject group, only 2 adopted a dyadic lens in analysis. Complex interwoven factors were categorized into (1) intrapersonal factors, (2) interpersonal factors, and (3) socio-environmental factors, with a total of 11 themes: personal belief, emotions, the burden on others, timing, responsiveness, relationship, family dynamics, experience, person taking the lead, culture, and support. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Patients, families, and healthcare professionals are the essential stakeholders of ACP in healthcare settings. Factors are interweaved among the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and socio-environmental dimensions. Research is warranted to examine the dynamic interactions of the 3 essential stakeholders from a multidimensional perspective, and the mechanism of the interweaving of factors.

RLB (RICE LATERAL BRANCH) recruits PRC2-mediated H3K27 tri-methylation on OsCKX4 to regulate lateral branching.

Lateral branches such as shoot and panicle are determining factors and target traits for rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield improvement. Cytokinin promotes rice lateral branching; however, the mechanism underlying the fine-tuning of cytokinin homeostasis in rice branching remains largely unknown. Here, we report the map-based cloning of RICE LATERAL BRANCH (RLB) encoding a nuclear-localized, KNOX-type homeobox protein from a rice cytokinin-deficient mutant showing more tillers, sparser panicles, defected floret morphology as well as attenuated shoot regeneration from callus. RLB directly binds to the promoter and represses the transcription of OsCKX4, a cytokinin oxidase gene with high abundance in panicle branch meristem. OsCKX4 over-expression lines phenocopied rlb, which showed upregulated OsCKX4 levels. Meanwhile, RLB physically binds to Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) components OsEMF2b and co-localized with H3K27me3, a suppressing histone modification mediated by PRC2, in the OsCKX4 promoter. We proposed that RLB recruits PRC2 to the OsCKX4 promoter to epigenetically repress its transcription, which suppresses the catabolism of cytokinin, thereby promoting rice lateral branching. Moreover, antisense inhibition of OsCKX4 under the LOG promoter successfully increased panicle size and spikelet number per plant without affecting other major agronomic traits. This study provides insight into cytokinin homeostasis, lateral branching in plants, and also promising target genes for rice genetic improvement.

Towards a global partnership model in interprofessional education for cross-sector problem-solving.

OBJECTIVES: A partnership model in interprofessional education (IPE) is important in promoting a sense of global citizenship while preparing students for cross-sector problem-solving. However, the literature remains scant in providing useful guidance for the development of an IPE programme co-implemented by external partners. In this pioneering study, we describe the processes of forging global partnerships in co-implementing IPE and evaluate the programme in light of the preliminary data available. METHODS: This study is generally quantitative. We collected data from a total of 747 health and social care students from four higher education institutions. We utilized a descriptive narrative format and a quantitative design to present our experiences of running IPE with external partners and performed independent t-tests and analysis of variance to examine pretest and posttest mean differences in students' data. RESULTS: We identified factors in establishing a cross-institutional IPE programme. These factors include complementarity of expertise, mutual benefits, internet connectivity, interactivity of design, and time difference. We found significant pretest-posttest differences in students' readiness for interprofessional learning (teamwork and collaboration, positive professional identity, roles, and responsibilities). We also found a significant decrease in students' social interaction anxiety after the IPE simulation. CONCLUSIONS: The narrative of our experiences described in this manuscript could be considered by higher education institutions seeking to forge meaningful external partnerships in their effort to establish interprofessional global health education.

The meaning of patient deaths for professional caregivers: A quantitative construct validation.

The meaning of patient deaths is key to understanding professional bereavement. To validate its construct, we applied partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to online survey data from 563 Chinese physicians and nurses. Both the personal meaning and professional meaning contribute significantly while not interchangeably to the meaning of patient deaths. In addition to the loss of an acquaintance, the loss of a valuable life, and the loss of a professional goal, patient deaths can also mean trauma, bad luck, identity crisis, a warning, a learning opportunity, and a time to empathize with others' sufferings.

Redefining caregiver strain for family caregivers in end-of-life care in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES: Caregiving for family members at their end of life is stressful. Caregivers' strain, burden, or stress has been measured in various geographical and sociodemographic contexts. The concept of stress, burden, and strain are sometimes used interchangeably. By analysing the factor structure of the Chinese version of the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (C-M-CSI), this study aimed to examine the caregiving strain concept and its demographic correlates. METHODS: A sample of 453 family caregivers of patients with a terminal illness in Hong Kong was employed. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. In addition, generalized linear models (GLM) were used to examine the demographic correlates. RESULTS: The EFA yielded a 3-factor model termed "Perception of Caregiving," "Empathetic Strain," and "Adjustment Demand." This 3-factor model explained 50% of the variance and showed good internal consistency. The CFA confirmed the 3-factor construct with satisfactory internal reliability (χ2 [61, N = 226] = 108.86, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, SRMR = 0.04, and RMSEA = 0.06). Inspired by this factor structure and concepts of stress and strain from engineering discipline, a new model of caregiver strain is proposed. Additionally, family caregivers of non-cancer patients, who were not living with the patient, or younger were associated negatively with different dimensions of caregiver strain. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The results gave insights into the advancement of the conceptualization of caregiver strain, its multidimensional nature, and process of change, which inform directions for future research and practices.

Bereavement After Patient Deaths Among Chinese Physicians and Nurses: A Qualitative Description Study.

In order to achieve an in-depth understanding of professional caregivers' experiences of bereavement after patient deaths in Mainland China, qualitative description was employed. 24 physicians and nurses from hospitals in Nanjing, China, participated in one-to-one, semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was adopted for data analysis. Five themes were generated: the nature of professional bereavement experiences, the meaning of patient deaths, immediate bereavement reactions, long-term changes, and coping strategies. Each theme included personal and professional dimensions. Professional bereavement experiences in Mainland China were found to be influenced by workplace violence against professional caregivers, traditional Chinese medical ethics, the strong death taboo, and inadequacies of the healthcare system. Professional bereavement experiences are meaning-driven, comprehensive, and usually disenfranchised. They involve multidimensional reactions and have both short-term and long-lasting, both event-specific and accumulated impacts. Cultural and systemic factors could shape professional bereavement experiences.

Determinants of Organ Donation Registration Among University Students in Hong Kong.

The present study explored the determinants of registration to facilitate the promotion of posthumous organ donation based on the theory of reasoned actions. A total of 211 university students participated in the study. Logistic regression, multiple regressions, and path analysis were conducted. The logistic regression model correctly predicted nearly 80% of registration status, and a good fit model of registration for posthumous organ donation (MRPOD) was proposed. Findings suggested that affective attitude, subjective norm of family, self-rated knowledge, distance from death, and age were predictors of registration. Worries about organ removal and postmortem mutilation anxiety were also mediated through bodily integrity, which had an indirect effect on the registration through affective attitude. Policymakers are suggested to address the negative emotions associated with challenges towards bodily integrity, encourage parents to initiate discussions with children, instill correct knowledge of brain death, and intervene the bystander effect on organ donation.

The role of ZNF143 overexpression in rat liver cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Zinc finger protein 143(ZNF143), a member of the Krüppel C2H2-type zinc finger protein family, is strongly associated with cell cycle regulation and cancer development. A recent study suggested that ZNF143 plays as a transcriptional activator that promotes hepatocellular cancer (HCC) cell proliferation and cell cycle transition. However, the exact biological role of ZNF143 in liver regeneration and normal liver cell proliferation has not yet been investigated. METHODS: In our study, we constructed a stable rat liver cell line (BRL-3A) overexpressing ZNF143 and then integrated RNA-seq and Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation (CUT&Tag) data to identify the mechanism underlying differential gene expression. RESULTS: Our results show that ZNF143 expression is upregulated during the proliferation phase of liver regeneration after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH). The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, EdU staining and RNA-seq data analyses revealed that ZNF143 overexpression (OE) significantly inhibited BRL-3A cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. We then performed CUT&Tag assays and found that approximately 10% of ZNF143-binding sites (BSs) were significantly changed genome-wide by ZNF143 OE. However, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binding to chromatin was not affected. Interestingly, the integration analysis of RNA-seq and CUT&Tag data showed that some of genes affected by ZNF143 differential BSs are in the center of each gene regulation module. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that these genes are critical in the maintenance of cell identity. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the expression level of ZNF143 in the liver is important for the maintenance of cell identity. ZNF143 plays different roles in HCC and normal liver cells and may be considered as a potential therapeutic target in liver disease.

Five Rice Seed-Specific NF-YC Genes Redundantly Regulate Grain Quality and Seed Germination via Interfering Gibberellin Pathway.

NF-YCs are important transcription factors with diverse functions in the plant kingdoms including seed development. NF-YC8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are close homologs with similar seed-specific expression patterns. Despite the fact that some of the NF-YCs are functionally known; their biological roles have not been systematically explored yet, given the potential functional redundancy. In this study, we generated pentuple mutant pnfyc of NF-YC8-12 and revealed their functions in the regulation of grain quality and seed germination. pnfyc grains displayed significantly more chalkiness with abnormal starch granule packaging. pnfyc seed germination and post-germination growth are much slower than the wild-type NIP, largely owing to the GA-deficiency as exogenous GA was able to fully recover the germination phenotype. The RNA-seq experiment identified a total of 469 differentially expressed genes, and several GA-, ABA- and grain quality control-related genes might be transcriptionally regulated by the five NF-YCs, as revealed by qRT-PCR analysis. The results demonstrated the redundant functions of NF-YC8-12 in regulating GA pathways that underpin rice grain quality and seed germination, and shed a novel light on the functions of the seed-specific NF-YCs.

To IPAS or not to IPAS? Examining the construct validity of the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale in Hong Kong.

Students' attitudes toward interprofessional teamwork can be linked to successful interprofessional education. This points to the importance of identifying a scale that may be useful in keeping track of the change in students' attitudes over time. In response to this, using a combination of within- and between-network approaches to construct validity, we examined the psychometric acceptability of the Interprofessional Attitude Scale (IPAS) involving 274 Chinese healthcare and social care pre-licensure students in Hong Kong. Overall results indicated that IPAS had good internal consistency. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis provided support to the overall five-factor solution although one negatively worded item obtained non-significant factor loading. Results of the between-network analysis suggest that various subscales of IPAS correlated systematically with other theoretically relevant variables: teamwork attitudes, communication, and team effectiveness. The IPAS is a valid measure to examine predominantly Chinese healthcare and social care students' interprofessional attitudes in online interprofessional education.

Assessment of professional bereavement: The development and validation of the Professional Bereavement Scale.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate Professional Bereavement Scale (PBS), a specific measurement tool for professional bereavement experiences. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey collected data from 563 physicians and nurses from urban hospitals in Mainland China. Item consistency analysis, component factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were run to develop and validate the scale. Correlational analysis was conducted to evaluate the psychometric property of the scale. RESULTS: Two subscales of the PBS were developed: the 17-item Short-term Bereavement Reactions Subscale (PBS-SBR) and the 15-item Accumulated Global Changes Subscale (PBS-AGC). Four factors, namely, frustration and trauma, guilt, grief, and being moved, are involved in PBS-SBR. Five factors are involved in PBS-AGC, which are new insights, more acceptance of limitations, more death-related anxiety, less influenced by patient deaths, and better coping with patient deaths. Both subscales have good content validity, construct validity, and criterion validity, as well as satisfactory internal consistency and split-half reliability. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: PBS is a specific assessment tool for professional bereavement which is clearly defined, comprehensive, rigorously tested, and generalizable to different professional caregivers from various departments. Unveiled constructs illustrate that professional bereavement experiences contain a professional dimension in addition to a personal dimension both in an event-specific and a global perspective, which distinguishes them from familial bereavement experiences.

Preliminary Development of a Postmortem Bodily Integrity Concerns Scale Among the University Students in Hong Kong.

The idea of keeping a body intact has been a major barrier that hinders people from making decision for posthumous organ donation or making consent for their deceased family member. The present research thus attempted to bridge the knowledge gap by conducting an exploratory study to identify the underlying beliefs, and a preliminary validation study to confirm the scale developed thereof. Nineteen university students participated in 5 semistructured focus groups; 115 participated in the exploratory factor analysis, while 96 in the confirmatory factor analysis. An 18-item scale, the Postmortem Bodily Integrity Concerns Scale was developed with 4 subscales: Filial Piety Beliefs, Worries of Organ Removal, Postmortem Mutilation Anxiety, and Detachment to Death. The corresponding measures were established and validated with acceptable psychometric properties and a model of good fit. The findings provided implications for the policymakers to devise plans in dealing with the postmortem bodily integrity issue.

A Validation Study of the Posthumous Organ Donation Reasoned Action Scale.

The posthumous organ donation reasoned action scale (PODRAS) may be the first multidimensional scale measuring individuals' perceptions, which is developed based on the Theory of Reasoned Action and guided by empirical data. This study moves further to validate the scale and examine its psychometric properties. Two hundred and twenty-one university students participated in the study. Results suggested that the scale has a structure with six dimensions: Mutilation and Imperfectness, Legacy for Family, Altruism, Detachment, Eradication of Hope, and Burden on Family. The scale was evaluated with acceptable to good psychometric properties and model fit (χ2/df = 1.58; root mean square error of approximation = .07; standardized root mean square residual = .08; comparative fit index = .92; incremental fit index = .92; Tucker-Lewis index = .90). Construct validity was also supported. The study has significant contributions that theoretically, the scale proposed a conceptualization framework in understanding posthumous organ donation, whereas methodologically, the scale serves as a tool that facilitates future studies of organ donation behaviors.

A pilot study to validate measures of the theory of reasoned action for organ donation behavior.

The present study aimed at taking the first attempt in validating the measures generated based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA). A total of 211 university students participated in the study, 95 were included in the exploratory factor analysis and 116 were included in the confirmatory factor analysis. The TRA measurements were established with adequate psychometric properties, internal consistency, and construct validity. Findings also suggested that attitude toward organ donation has both a cognitive and affective nature, while the subjective norm of the family seems to be important to students' views on organ donation.

Unregulated serving sizes on the Canadian nutrition facts table - an invitation for manufacturer manipulations.

BACKGROUND: Serving sizes on the Nutrition Facts table (NFt) on Canadian packaged foods have traditionally been unregulated and non-standardized. The federal government recently passed legislation to regulate the serving sizes listed on the NFt. The objective of this study was to compare the serving sizes on food product NFts to the recommendations in the 2003 Nutrition Labelling regulation (Schedule M) reference amounts, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ranges, and Canada's Food Guide recommendations. An additional objective was to determine if food and beverage products that report smaller serving sizes have a higher calorie density, compared to similar products with a larger serving size. METHODS: Data for 10,487 products were retrieved from the 2010 Food Label Information Program (FLIP) database and categorized according to Schedule M categories. Correlations between calorie density and manufacturer stated serving size were tested and the proportion of products meeting recommendations were tabulated. RESULTS: 35% of products had serving sizes on the NFt that were smaller than the Schedule M reference amount and 23% exceeded the reference amount. 86% of products fell within the CFIA's recommended serving size ranges; however, 70% were within the lower-half of the range. Several bread and juice categories exceeded CFG's recommendations, while several dairy product categories were smaller than the recommendations. Of the 50 Schedule M sub-categories analyzed, 31 (62%) exhibited a negative correlation between serving size and calorie density. CONCLUSION: While most products fell within the CFIA's recommended serving size ranges, there was a tendency for products with a higher calorie density to list smaller serving sizes.

The body of knowledge in thanatology: An outline.

The Association for Death Education and Counseling has updated its articulation of the body of knowledge in the field of thanatology. In doing so it has relinquished the use of a matrix format in favor of a more serviceable outline containing three major sections: Arenas of Thanatology, Practice Considerations for Professionals in the Field, and Contextual and Theoretical Considerations. Accompanying the outline is a new commentary on the state of the field itself, along with an annotated bibliography of recent relevant publications.