Use of 16S rRNA gene sequences to identify cyanobacteria that can grow in far-red light.

Although most cyanobacteria use visible light (VL; λ = 400-700 nm) for photosynthesis, some have evolved strategies to use far-red light (FRL; λ = 700-800 nm). These cyanobacteria are defined as far-red light-utilizing cyanobacteria (FRLCyano), including two groups: (1) chlorophyll d-producing Acaryochloris spp. and (2) polyphyletic cyanobacteria that produce chlorophylls d and f in response to FRL. Numerous ecological studies examine pigments, such as chlorophylls d and f, to investigate the presence of FRLCyano in the environment. This method is not ideal because it can only detect FRLCyano that have made chlorophylls d or f. Here we develop a new method, far-red cyanobacteria identification (FRCI), to identify FRLCyano based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. From public databases and published articles, 62 16S rRNA gene sequences of FRLCyano were extracted. Comparing with related lineages, we determined that 97% sequence identity is the optimal cut-off for distinguishing FRLCyano from other cyanobacteria. To test the method experimentally, we collected samples from 17 sites in Taipei, Taiwan, and conducted VL and FRL enrichments. Our results demonstrate that FRCI can detect FRLCyano during FRL enrichments more sensitively than pigment analysis. FRCI can also resolve the composition of FRLCyano at the genus level, which pigment analysis cannot do. In addition, we applied FRCI to published datasets and discovered putative FRLCyano in diverse environments, including soils, hot springs and deserts. Overall, our results indicate that FRCI is a sensitive and high-resolution method using 16S rRNA gene sequences to identify FRLCyano.

Oncology nursing on the move: a contemporary issue on Chinese oncology nursing in cancer care.

Cancers have become the primary cause of death among Chinese residents, seriously affecting their health and life. Oncology nursing is a specialized nursing practice focusing on cancer education, prevention, screening, early detection, and palliative and hospice care. China has made tremendous progress in developing oncology nursing. However, to ensure more individuals can get cancer care, the country's healthcare system still confronts several problems in oncology nursing that need to be addressed to ensure that more individuals can receive cancer care. This article reviews the current development of oncology nursing in China, especially in pain symptom control, palliative care, end-of-life care, education and training. The challenges faced in oncology nursing in China and the suggestions for developing oncology nursing in China are also discussed and proposed in this review. The growth of research on oncology nursing by Chinese nursing scholars and concerned policymakers is anticipated to ultimately improve oncology nursing and the quality of life of patients with cancer in China.

Translation and validation of the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire-vaginal symptoms: the simplified Chinese version.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS) is a simple and effective questionnaire for evaluating vaginal symptoms, sexual problems and the quality of life (QOL) in patients. This study was aimed at validating the simplified Chinese version of the ICIQ-VS. METHODS: A total of 120 women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) stage <2, 124 with stage ≥ 2, and 51 patients who underwent POP surgery (POP stage ≥2) were included. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used for reliability analysis. We used the content validity index, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test to study validity. Paired sample t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, effect size and standardized response mean were used to assess sensitivity. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the vaginal symptoms score (VSS) and sexual matters score (SMS) were 0.787 and 0.861 respectively. The test-retest reliabilities of the VSS, SMS, and QOL score were 0.830, 0.894, and 0.948 respectively. The test-retest reliability was from good to excellent (ICC 0.669-0.948). The item-level content validity index was 0.60 to 1.00. The scale-level content validity index/universal agreement was 0.95, and the scale-level content validity index/average was 0.96. Significant score differences existed between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups (p < 0.001). Criterion validity was significant (p < 0.001). VSS and QOL score had high sensitivity (p < 0.001, effect size and standardized response mean >0.8). CONCLUSIONS: The simplified Chinese version of the ICIQ-VS can objectively and reliably access vaginal symptoms, sexual matters, and QOL in Chinese women.