Co-infection of Fusarium aglaonematis sp. nov. and Fusarium elaeidis Causing Stem Rot in Aglaonema modestum in China.

Aglaonema modestum (A. modestum) (Araceae) is an evergreen herbage, which is intensively grown as an ornamental plant in South China. A new disease was observed in A. modestum from 2020 to 2021 in Guangdong province, China. The disease symptoms associated with plants were initial leaf wilt, stem rot, and resulting plant death, leading to severe economic losses. In total, six Fusarium isolates were obtained from diseased plants. The putative pathogen was identified using both morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis of calmodulin A (cmdA), RNA polymerase largest subunit 1 (rpb1), RNA polymerase II (rpb2), translation elongation factor-1α (tef1-α), and beta-tubulin (ß-tubulin) sequences. Two Fusarium species were identified, namely, one new species, Fusarium aglaonematis (F. aglaonematis) belonging to Fusarium fujikuroi species complex. In addition, Fusarium elaeidis (F. elaeidis) belonging to the Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) species complex was also identified. Pathogenicity assays were conducted by inoculating each species into potted A. modestum plants and co-inoculating two species. The results showed that two Fusarium species could infect plants independently and can infect them together. Co-infection of these two species enhanced the disease severity of A. modestum. Compared to single inoculation of F. elaeidis, severity was higher and disease development was quicker when plants were only inoculated with F. aglaonematis. In addition, these two Fusarium species could infect Aglaonema plants without wounds, while inoculation with a physical injury increased disease severity. This is the first report of co-infection by F. aglaonematis and F. elaeidis causing stem rot on A. modestum worldwide. This study will be an addition to the knowledge of Fusarium diseases in ornamental plants. These results will provide a baseline to identify and control diseases associated with A. modestum.

Emotional intelligence a academic procrastination among junior college nursing students.

AIMS: To explore nursing students' academic procrastination and its relationship with emotional intelligence (EI) and self-efficacy, and self-efficacy's mediation of the relationship between EI and academic procrastination. BACKGROUND: Academic procrastination can lead to a range of negative outcomes. Previous researches have suggested EI and self-efficacy are associated with academic procrastination, but the underlying mechanism of the relationships between them is not clear. Therefore, it is important to determine how these two factors affect academic procrastination. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A convenience sample of 347 nursing students was recruited from two junior colleges in Jinan City, Shandong Province, China. RESULTS: Emotional intelligence and self-efficacy were negatively associated with academic procrastination. Furthermore, self-efficacy mediated the relationship between EI and academic procrastination. CONCLUSIONS: Students who report lower EI and self-efficacy may be at a higher risk of academic procrastination. One way of weakening individuals' procrastination is to strengthen their EI. Another is to help them believe in their abilities rather than fear failure in achieving their goal. Focusing more on these influencing factors can help nursing educators develop intervention measures aimed at decreasing students' procrastination behaviour, such as through EI and self-efficacy training. IMPACT: The findings from the current study could have important implications for nursing education. That is, students who report lower EI and self-efficacy may be at a higher risk of academic procrastination. A larger focus on these influencing factors can help nursing educators and consultants develop intervention measures aimed at decreasing students' procrastination behaviour.

Symptom clusters and related factors in oesophageal cancer patients 3 months after surgery.

AIM: To explore symptom clusters experienced by patients with oesophageal cancer 3 months after surgery and examine whether symptom clusters are related to demographic, clinical and quality of life variables. BACKGROUND: There are multiple symptoms in patients with oesophageal cancer after surgery, which seriously affect their quality of life. Exploring the mechanics of concurrent symptoms such as symptom clusters may facilitate the development of strategies to reduce the impact of these symptoms and improve quality of life. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. The STROBE Statement was chosen as the EQUATOR checklist. METHODS: A convenience sample of 128 oesophageal cancer patients was followed up at 3 months after surgery. Participants completed the demographic questionnaire, the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory for Gastrointestinal Cancer, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Exploratory factor analysis, stepwise regression and correlation analysis were applied. RESULTS: Four symptom clusters were identified: dysphagia-psychological, chemoradiotherapy side-effect, digestive tract reconstruction and fatigue-sleep. Gender, stage of disease and resilience influenced the dysphagia-psychological symptom cluster. Gender, stage of disease, resilience and treatment were significant factors affecting the chemoradiotherapy side-effect and fatigue-sleep symptom clusters. Gender, stage of disease, resilience and anastomotic position were significant factors influencing the digestive tract reconstruction symptom cluster. The correlations between symptom clusters and quality of life were significant, with the highest correlation between the dysphagia-psychological cluster and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should pay more attention to symptom management in patients with oesophageal cancer 3 months after surgery by focusing on four symptom clusters. It is necessary to implement individualised care depending on the influence factors including gender, stage of disease, resilience, treatment and anastomotic position. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings will help develop targeted interventions to facilitate further symptom management for transitional nursing from the peri-operative phase to long-term rehabilitation.