The potassium transporter TaNHX2 interacts with TaGAD1 to promote drought tolerance via modulating stomatal aperture in wheat.

Drought is a major global challenge in agriculture that decreases crop production. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) interfaces with drought stress in plants; however, a mechanistic understanding of the interaction between GABA accumulation and drought response remains to be established. Here we showed the potassium/proton exchanger TaNHX2 functions as a positive regulator in drought resistance in wheat by mediating cross-talk between the stomatal aperture and GABA accumulation. TaNHX2 interacted with glutamate decarboxylase TaGAD1, a key enzyme that synthesizes GABA from glutamate. Furthermore, TaNHX2 targeted the C-terminal auto-inhibitory domain of TaGAD1, enhanced its activity, and promoted GABA accumulation under drought stress. Consistent with this, the tanhx2 and tagad1 mutants showed reduced drought tolerance, and transgenic wheat with enhanced TaNHX2 expression had a yield advantage under water deficit without growth penalty. These results shed light on the plant stomatal movement mechanism under drought stress and the TaNHX2-TaGAD1 module may be harnessed for amelioration of negative environmental effects in wheat as well as other crops.

Methyltransferase TaSAMT1 mediates wheat freezing tolerance by integrating brassinosteroid and salicylic acid signaling.

Cold injury is a major environmental stress affecting the growth and yield of crops. Brassinosteroids (BRs) and salicylic acid (SA) play important roles in plant cold tolerance. However, whether or how BR signaling interacts with the SA signaling pathway in response to cold stress is still unknown. Here, we identified an SA methyltransferase, TaSAMT1, that converts SA to methyl SA (MeSA) and confers freezing tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum). TaSAMT1 overexpression greatly enhanced wheat freezing tolerance, with plants accumulating more MeSA and less SA, whereas Tasamt1 knockout lines were sensitive to freezing stress and accumulated less MeSA and more SA. Spraying plants with MeSA conferred freezing tolerance to Tasamt1 mutants, but SA did not. We revealed that BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 (TaBZR1) directly binds to the TaSAMT1 promoter and induces its transcription. Moreover, TaBZR1 interacts with the histone acetyltransferase TaHAG1, which potentiates TaSAMT1 expression via increased histone acetylation and modulates the SA pathway during freezing stress. Additionally, overexpression of TaBZR1 or TaHAG1 altered TaSAMT1 expression and improved freezing tolerance. Our results demonstrate a key regulatory node that connects the BR and SA pathways in the plant cold stress response. The regulatory factors or genes identified could be effective targets for the genetic improvement of freezing tolerance in crops.

Histone acetyltransferase TaHAG1 interacts with TaPLATZ5 to activate TaPAD4 expression and positively contributes to powdery mildew resistance in wheat.

Plants have evolved a two-branched innate immune system to detect and cope with pathogen attack, which are initiated by cell-surface and intracellular immune receptors leading to pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI), respectively. A core transducer including PAD4-EDS1 node is proposed as the convergence point for a two-tiered immune system in conferring pathogen immunity. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling expression of these key transducers remain largely unknown. Here, we identified histone acetyltransferase TaHAG1 as a positive regulator of powdery mildew resistance in wheat. TaHAG1 regulates expression of key transducer gene TaPAD4 and promotes SA and reactive oxygen species accumulation to accomplish resistance to Bgt infection. Moreover, overexpression and CRISPR-mediated knockout of TaPAD4 validate its role in wheat powdery mildew resistance. Furthermore, TaHAG1 physically interacts with TaPLATZ5, a plant-specific zinc-binding protein. TaPLATZ5 directly binds to promoter of TaPAD4 and together with TaHAG1 to potentiate the expression of TaPAD4 by increasing the levels of H3 acetylation. Our study revealed a key transcription regulatory node in which TaHAG1 acts as an epigenetic modulator and interacts with TaPLATZ5 that confers powdery mildew resistance in wheat through activating a convergence point gene between PTI and ETI, which could be effective for genetic improvement of disease resistance in wheat and other crops.

Predictive Value of Soluble Growth Stimulator Gene 2 Protein for Coronary Slow Flow/No-Reflow in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Receiving Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Soluble growth stimulator gene 2 protein (sST2) is associated with heart failure and myocardial infarction; however, the predictive value of plasma sST2 level for coronary slow flow/no-reflow (CSF/NRF) is unclear. This study aimed to explore the predictive value of plasma sST2 levels for CSF/NRF in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 242 STEMI patients who underwent emergency PCI at our hospital between November 2020 and July 2021 were enrolled in this study. According to the postprocedural procedure, these patients were divided into the CSF/NRF and control groups. Clinical data were collected from both groups and were used to explore the predictive value of serum sST2 levels for CSF/NRF. Results: Of the total 242 patients, CSF/NRF was observed in 50 patients (20.7%). Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in age, diabetes mellitus, sST2 level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), fasting blood sugar, preprocedural blood pressure, intraprocedural hypotension, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin I (cTNI). Multivariate analysis showed that the sST2 level, NLR, and intraoperative hypotension were independent risk factors for CSF/NRF. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the sST2 level for predicting CSF/NRF were 68.0% and 75.5%, respectively, when the sST2 level was more than 64.6 ng/mL (AUC = 0.780, 95% CI: 1.003-1.020, P=0.009). Conclusion: For STEMI patients, preprocedural sST2 levels significantly correlated with CSF/NRF occurring in PCI. sST2 level is a potential predictor for CSF/NRF occurrence.

Accuracy of the Euro CTO(CASTLE) score obtained on coronary computed tomography angiography for Predicting 30-minute wire crossing in chronic total occlusions.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of the Euro CTO (CASTLE)CTA score obtained on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for predicting the success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the 30-min wire crossing in chronic total occlusions (CTO). METHOD: One hundred and fifty patients (154 CTO cases; median age, 61 (interquartile range [IQR], 54-68) years; 75.3% male) received CCTA at the People's Hospital of Liaoning Provincce within 1 month before the procedure. The Euro CTO (CASTLE) score obtained on CCTA(CASTLECTA) was calculated and compared with the Euro CTO (CASTLE) score obtained based on coronary angiography (CASTLECAG) for the predictive value of 30-min wire crossing and CTO procedural success. RESULTS: In our study, the CTO-PCI success rate was 89.0%, with guidewires of 65 cases (42.2%) crossing within 30 min. There were no significant differences in the median CASTLECTA and CASTLECAG scores in the procedure success group (3 [IQR, 2-4] vs 3 (IQR, 2-3]; p = 0.126). However, the median CASTLECTA score was significantly higher than the median CASTLECAG score in the procedure failure group (4 [IQR, 3-5.5] vs 4 [IQR, 2.5-5.5]; p = 0.021). There was no significant difference between the median CASTLECTA score and the median CASTLECAG score in the 30-min wire crossing failure group (3 [IQR, 3-4] vs 3 [IQR, 2-4]; p = 0.254). However, the median CASTLECTA score was significantly higher than the median CASTLECAG score in the 30-min wire crossing group (3 [IQR, 2-3] vs 2 [IQR, 2-3]; p < 0.001). The CASTLECTA score described higher levels of calcification than the CASTLECAG score (48.1% vs 33.8%; p = 0.015). There was no significant difference between the CASTLECTA score (area under the curve [AUC], 0.643; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.561-0.718) and the CASTLECAG score (AUC, 0.685; 95% CI, 0.606-0.758) for predicting procedural success (p = 0.488). The CASTLECTA score (AUC, 0.744; 95% CI, 0.667-0.811) was significantly better than the CASTLECAG score (AUC, 0.681; 95% CI, 0.601-0.754; p = 0.046) for predicting 30-min wire crossing with the best cut-off value being CASTLECTA ≤ 3. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 90.8%, 55.2%, 54.6%, and 87.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The CASTLECTA scores obtained from noninvasive CCTA perform better for the prediction of the 30-min wire crossing than the CASTLECAG score.

Clinical significance of olfactory dysfunction in patients of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Currently, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, rapidly obtaining accurate information of patient symptoms and their progression is crucial and vital. Although the early studies in China have illustrated that the representative symptoms of COVID-19 include (dry) cough, fever, headache, fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, dyspnea, and muscle pain, there is increasing evidence to suggest that olfactory and taste disorder are related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we conduct this study to review the present literature about the correlation between anosmia or dysgeusia and COVID-19. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search in 2020 of the electronic journal databases, mainly PubMed or Web of Science, was performed using the keywords COVID-19 or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with hyposmia, anosmia, dysgeusia, olfactory disorder, or olfactory dysfunction. The country, study period, case number, inpatient or outpatient medical visit, evaluation method (subjective complaints of dysfunction or objective evaluation), and occurrence rate of olfactory or gustatory function were reviewed. RESULTS: Many studies reported that the recoverable olfactory or gustatory dysfunction may play an important role as the early clinical symptom of COVID-19. It is associated with better prognosis, although further investigation and validation should be carried out. CONCLUSION: Studies have shown that smell and taste disturbances may represent an early symptom of COVID-19 and healthcare professionals must be very vigilant when managing patients with these symptoms. In the pandemic era, this implies testing for COVID-19 by healthcare workers with full personal protective equipment.

Childhood maltreatment and violent delinquency in Chinese juvenile offenders: Callous-unemotional traits as a mediator.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents in China suffer a high prevalence of childhood maltreatment, which has been shown to facilitate juvenile violent delinquency. Studies have implicated a relationship between callous-unemotional traits and both juvenile violent delinquency and childhood maltreatment. However, the complex relationships among these three variables have not yet been examined. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of callous-unemotional traits in the relationship between different types of childhood maltreatment and juvenile violent delinquency. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Childhood maltreatment and callous-unemotional traits were assessed in a sample of 441 juvenile violent offenders and a control group of 543 non-offenders, using questionnaires. METHODS: After controlling for socio-economic status, a mediation analysis determined the direct, indirect, and total effect of the mediation of callous-unemotional traits in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and juvenile violent delinquency. RESULTS: The results showed no mediation of callous-unemotional traits in the relationship between physical abuse and juvenile violent delinquency. However, callous-unemotional traits mediated the relationship between sexual abuse and juvenile violent delinquency as well as between emotional neglect and juvenile violent delinquency. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that sexual abuse has both a direct and indirect effect on juvenile violent delinquency via callous-unemotional traits, whereas childhood emotional neglect had only an indirect effect on juvenile violent delinquency.

Family Dinner and the Happiness of Chinese Adolescents: Identifying Mediators and Moderators.

With China's fast-growing economy, family dinners are often overlooked. However, family dinner, as an important routine family activity, provides an opportunity for interaction between adolescents and their parents, which promotes adolescents' happiness. Guided by the positive youth development perspective, the character strength theory of happiness and the family investment model, the current study simultaneously investigated the mediating role of adolescents' internal assets and the moderating role of parental educational level in the influence of family dinner on adolescents' happiness in Chinese families. A three-wave longitudinal study spanning approximately three years was conducted among 817 Chinese seventh graders (52.4% male; Mage = 12.62 years). The frequency of family dinner at the first year was significantly positively correlated with adolescents' happiness in the first and third years. The cross-sectional and longitudinal results showed that adolescents' internal assets mediated the relationship between family dinner frequency and happiness. Specifically, family dinner with higher-educated parents was a stronger predictor of internal assets than family dinner with lower-educated parents after one year. These findings from the Chinese cultural context complement the research in this field and inform practical endeavors to promote adolescents' happiness worldwide based on the strengths of different cultures.

Prognostic Significance of Metabolic Parameters and Textural Features on 18F-FDG PET/CT in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of Breast.

To investigate the prognostic significance of metabolic parameters and texture analysis on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), from August 2005 to May 2015, IDC patients who had undergone pre-treatment FDG PET/CT were enrolled. The metabolic parameters, including maximal standardized uptake value of breast tumor (SUVbt) and ipsilateral axillary lymph node (SUVln), metabolic tumor volume (MTVbt) and total lesion glycolysis (TLGbt) of breast tumor, whole-body MTV (MTVwb) and whole-body TLG (TLGwb) were recorded. Nine textural features of tumor (four co-occurrence matrices and five SUV-based statistics) were measured. The prognostic significance of above parameters and clinical factors was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Thirty-five patients were enrolled. Patients with low and high MTVwb had 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 81.0 and 14.3% (p < 0.0001). The 5-year overall survival for low and high MTVwb was 88.5% and 43.6% (p = 0.0005). Multivariate analyses showed MTVwb was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (HR: 8.29, 95% CI: 2.17-31.64, p = 0.0020). The SUV, TLG and textural features were not independently predictive. Elevated MTVwb was an independent predictor for shorter PFS in patients with breast IDC.

Localized autoimmune pancreatitis mimicking pancreatic cancer: Case report and literature review.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AP) is a rare autoimmune pancreatic manifestation of systemic immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related sclerosing disease. Distinguishing between AP and pancreatic cancer is crucial because the clinical courses, treatments, and prognoses of these two disease entities are quite different. We herein report a case involving a 52-year-old man with subacute epigastralgia who visited our hospital for evaluation of a suspicious pancreatic mass found during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed an enlarged lesion in the pancreatic head with encasement of hepatic vessels. The lesion also exhibited increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation on positron emission tomography/CT imaging, which was highly suggestive of pancreatic cancer. After open biopsy, morphologic examination showed an inflammatory infiltrate in the pancreas, which was compatible with chronic sclerotic pancreatitis. Further laboratory tests revealed an elevated serum IgG4 level, and the diagnosis of sclerotic pancreatitis was then confirmed. After corticosteroid treatment, the pancreatic lesion showed shrinkage on follow-up CT, and the serum IgG4 titer decreased to the normal range. This case suggests that clinicians should be familiar with the clinical presentations and diagnostic criteria of AP versus pancreatic cancer. An awareness of the differences between these diseases may avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical intervention.

Prognostic significance of total metabolic tumor volume on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of metabolic parameters on pre-treatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT), in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving rituximab-containing therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2009 to December 2014, DLBCL patients who had received FDG PET/CT scans for staging were enrolled. The maximal standardized uptake value of tumor (SUVt) was recorded. The metabolic tumor volume (MTV) was the volume of lesion with an elevated SUV greater than 2.5. The total lesion glycolysis (TLG) was the sum of the products of MTV and mean SUV in all measured lesions. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the prognostic significance of maximal SUVt, total MTV, TLG and other clinical parameters. RESULTS: There were 118 patients enrolled in this study. The median follow-up time was 28.7 months. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with higher and lower total MTV was 32.3% and 66.0% respectively (p = 0.0001). The 5-year overall survival (OS) for patients with higher and lower total MTV was 34.3% and 69.9% respectively (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed, besides IPI, that total MTV was independently predictive for PFS (HR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.16 - 4.60, p = 0.0180) and OS (HR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.12 - 5.04, p = 0.024). TLG and maximal SUV of tumor were not independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: An elevated total MTV was a predictor for shorter PFS and OS in patients with DLBCL receiving rituximab-containing therapy, independent of IPI.

Tumor and bone marrow uptakes on [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography predict prognosis in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relevance of standardized uptake value (SUV) on [F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), focusing on tumor and bone marrow, to disease outcomes based on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy.We reviewed the records of patients with DLBCL who were diagnosed between September 2009 and January 2013 and underwent pretreatment whole-body FDG PET/CT scans. All patients received rituximab-containing chemotherapy. The maximal SUV of tumor (SUVt) and maximal SUV of sternum (SUVst) were measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the prognostic significance of SUVt, SUVst, gender, age, clinical stage, international prognostic index (IPI), and laboratory tests.There were total 70 patients enrolled in this study. The median follow-up time was 36 months. An SUVt cut-off value of ≥19 had the best discriminative yield for PFS (P = .04). An SUVst cut-off value of ≥1.6 had the best discriminative yield for OS. The 3-year OS rates for patients with maximal SUVst < 1.6 and for those with maximal SUVst ≥1.6 were 74.8% and 57.1%, respectively (P = .04). Further forward, multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that maximal SUVst (hazard ratio: 2.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.10-6.28; P = .03) and IPI were significant factors affecting OS.In patients with DLBCL receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy, elevated maximal SUVt ≥19 was an independent predictor for shorter PFS, and maximal SUVst ≥1.6 was an independent predictor for shorter OS. It adds the value of pretreatment FDG PET/CT scans.

Meditative music listening to reduce state anxiety in patients during the uptake phase before positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the effects of listening to meditative music on state anxiety and heart rate variability (HRV) of patients during the uptake phase before positron emission tomography (PET) scans. METHODS: A two-group randomized experimental design was used. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. All patients received baseline assessments of state anxiety using Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and HRV before receiving an intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical fluorine-18 fludeoxyglucose in the uptake room. The experimental group (n = 35) listened individually to 30 min of meditative music, integrating Chinese "Chi" and western frequency resonation in the uptake room. The control group (n = 37) lay on bed quietly for 40 min in the uptake room without music. All patients were assessed for their anxiety level and HRV again, before receiving PET scanning as post-test. RESULTS: The results indicated that patients in the experimental group showed a significant reduction in state anxiety and heart rate, and increase on high frequency norm of HRV (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant reduction on anxiety level (p < 0.001), heart rate (p < 0.001) and high frequency norm (p = 0.001) in the experimental group compared with those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Listening to meditative music as a non-invasive and cost-effective strategy can help maximize efforts to promote comfort and relaxation for patients awaiting stressful procedures, such as PET scans. Meditative music can be effective in alleviating state anxiety of patients during the uptake phase before PET scans. Advances in knowledge: The study provides scientific evidence of the effects of listening to meditative music for reducing state anxiety in patients during the uptake phase before PET scans. It may have the potential to lower the risk of unwanted false-positive fluorine-18 fludeoxyglucose uptake in normal organs and to further improve image quality and image interpretation. Listening to meditative music is a safe and inexpensive intervention which can be incorporated into routine procedures to reduce anxiety of patients undergoing PET scans.

Robot-assisted therapy for improving social interactions and activity participation among institutionalized older adults: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Animal-assisted therapy is gaining popularity as part of therapeutic activities for older adults in many long-term care facilities. However, concerns about dog bites, allergic responses to pets, disease, and insufficient available resources to care for a real pet have led to many residential care facilities to ban this therapy. There are situations where a substitute artificial companion, such as robotic pet, may serve as a better alternative. METHODS: This pilot study used a one-group pre- and posttest design to evaluate the effect of a robot-assisted therapy for older adults. Sixteen eligible participants participated in the study and received a group robot-assisted therapy using a seal-like robot pet for 30 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks. All participants received assessments of their communication and interaction skills using the Assessment of Communication and Interaction Skills (ACIS-C) and activity participation using the Activity Participation Scale at baseline and at week 4. RESULTS: A total of 12 participants completed the study. Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that participants' communication and interaction skills (z = -2.94, P = 0.003) and activity participation (z = -2.66, P = 0.008) were significantly improved after receiving 4-week robot-assisted therapy. DISCUSSION: By interacting with a robot pet, such as Paro, the communication, interaction skills, and activity participation of the older adults can be improved. The robot-assisted therapy can be provided as a routine activity program and has the potential to improve social health of older adults in residential care facilities.

Non-family support for breastfeeding maintenance among career women in Taiwan: a qualitative study.

The purpose of the study was to describe the influence of non-family-based support on breastfeeding practices among career women in Taiwan during the first four postnatal months. A qualitative, case study approach was used to investigate the phenomenon. A purposive sample of 14 women was recruited and took part in two to three in-depth interviews. The data were transcribed and analysed using descriptive content analysis. It was found that non-family supports had significant influence on their efforts to maintain breastfeeding. Women faced a number of challenges to breastfeeding. The services provided by in-centre care organizations, the resources and organizations accessed through the Internet, and the support provided by colleagues in their workplaces supported women's efforts to maintain breastfeeding. Given the low breastfeeding maintenance rates in Taiwan and the changing societal structure where fewer families rely on family support, the findings highlight the resources, programmes and nursing practice which might support women's needs and promote breastfeeding among career women.

Exploring nursing staff's attitudes and use of music for older people with dementia in long-term care facilities.

AIMS: This study aimed to explore nursing staff's attitudes and use of music for older people with dementia in long-term care facilities. BACKGROUND: Music has shown positive outcomes in managing behavioural symptoms of older people with dementia. Older people living in long-term care facilities often do not have access to trained music therapists. Nursing staff provide the majority of direct care for institutionalised older people with dementia, therefore, will be the most appropriate personnel to learn and implement music therapy for those with dementia. To date, no studies have explored nursing staff's attitudes and use of music for those with dementia. DESIGN: A cross-sectional research design was used. METHODS: A convenience sample of 285 nursing staff caring for those with dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan were recruited. Participants received a self-administered questionnaire consisted of items exploring nursing staff's attitude and use of music for those with dementia. A total of 214 participants completed the questionnaires, giving a response rate of 75·1%. RESULTS: Most nursing staff held positive attitudes towards use of music for older people with dementia (mean=84·89, range 23-115), but only 30·6% (n=66) had used music for those with dementia in practice. The majority perceived that they had limited knowledge and skills about use of music (72·9%). Over half of the participants reported that they lacked resources and time to implement music therapy in practice. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing staff need more formal training to use music for those with dementia. Nursing staff can be the suitable personnel to learn easily and implement music therapy as a part of routine activity programmes for those with dementia. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Appropriately trained nursing staff in long-term care facilities who use music therapy may help improve the mental health of older people with dementia.

[Application of massage therapy in premature infant nursing care].

Massage therapy has been used in the care of premature infants for many years in western countries, and a significant body of research has already shown the effectiveness of massage therapy in significantly increasing body weight, decreasing infant hospital durations, enhancing bone formation, and improving behavior. Key considerations when applying massage therapy on premature infants include gestational age, bodyweight, and physical condition. Nurses can teach parents to administer massage therapy on their premature infants to enhance parent-child attachment and interaction. This article introduces massage therapy principles and methods, the effectiveness of massage therapy in premature infant care, and an approach to teaching parents how to apply massage therapy on their premature infants. Massage therapy can be included in premature infant care programs in the future.

Promotion of the electrochemical activity of a bimetallic platinum-ruthenium catalyst by oxidation-induced segregation.

An alloy catalyst of 15 wt % Pt(50)Ru(50)/C was prepared by the method of incipient wetness impregnation and activated by hydrogen reduction at 620 K. Physical characterization of the freshly reduced catalyst indicated that bimetallic crystallites, Pt rich in the shell and Ru rich in the core, were finely dispersed in a diameter of dPtRu approximately 2 nm on carbon support. The reduced catalyst was subsequently modified by oxidization in air. On increasing the temperature of oxidation (T(o)), atoms of Ru in the core were found segregated to the surface of bimetallic crystallites and oxidized to amorphous RuO(2). Crystalline RuO(2) (RucO(2)) was formed on extensive segregation at To > 520 K. Catalytic activity of the alloy catalyst for electro-oxidation of methanol was examined by cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical activity of the Pt-Ru/C catalyst was found to be significantly enhanced by oxidation treatments. The enhancement was, therefore, attributed to the segregation of Ru and the formation of RucO(2). Extensive oxidation treatment at elevated temperatures of To > 600 K, however, caused the deactivation of the electroactivity. The deactivation should be the result of excessive oxidation of the carbon support.

The effects of group music with movement intervention on agitated behaviours of institutionalized elders with dementia in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Agitated behaviours are identified by caregivers as the most challenging in dementia care. Alternative approaches reducing occurrence of agitated behaviours and the need for chemical or physical restraints become valuable for institutionalized elders with dementia. OBJECTIVE AND SETTING: This study was to evaluate the effects of group music with movement intervention on occurrence of agitated behaviours of institutionalized elders with dementia in Taiwan. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was used. Thirty-six institutionalized elders with dementia completed the study, with 18 in the experimental group receiving group music with movement intervention twice a week for 4 weeks and 18 in the control group receiving usual care without intervention. Modified Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory was used to assess agitated behaviours at baseline, weeks 2 and 4. RESULTS: Agitated behaviours were significantly reduced in the experimental group following 4 weeks of group music with movement intervention compared to that of the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Group music with movement intervention can be beneficial in managing agitated behaviours of those with dementia and should be incorporated into care routines in residential facilities.