nkx3.2 mutant zebrafish accommodate jaw joint loss through a phenocopy of the head shapes of Paleozoic jawless fish.

The vertebrate jaw is a versatile feeding apparatus. To function, it requires a joint between the upper and lower jaws, so jaw joint defects are often highly disruptive and difficult to study. To describe the consequences of jaw joint dysfunction, we engineered two independent null alleles of a single jaw joint marker gene, nkx3.2, in zebrafish. These mutations caused zebrafish to become functionally jawless via fusion of the upper and lower jaw cartilages (ankylosis). Despite lacking jaw joints, nkx3.2 mutants survived to adulthood and accommodated this defect by: (a) having a remodeled skull with a fixed open gape, reduced snout and enlarged branchial region; and (b) performing ram feeding in the absence of jaw-generated suction. The late onset and broad extent of phenotypic changes in the mutants suggest that modifications to the skull are induced by functional agnathia, secondarily to nkx3.2 loss of function. Interestingly, nkx3.2 mutants superficially resemble ancient jawless vertebrates (anaspids and furcacaudiid thelodonts) in overall head shape. Because no homology exists in individual skull elements between these taxa, the adult nkx3.2 phenotype is not a reversal but rather a convergence due to similar functional requirements of feeding without moveable jaws. This remarkable analogy strongly suggests that jaw movements themselves dramatically influence the development of jawed vertebrate skulls. Thus, these mutants provide a unique model with which to: (a) investigate adaptive responses to perturbation in skeletal development; (b) re-evaluate evolutionarily inspired interpretations of phenocopies generated by gene knockdowns and knockouts; and (c) gain insight into feeding mechanics of the extinct agnathans.

Facilitating family-focused Care of Older adults living in Long-Term Care in Canada during Restricted Visiting due to COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The focus of this paper is exemplary gerontological nursing interventions that effectively supported families and long-term care residents in Canada during visiting restrictions resulting from COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to describe exemplary gerontological nursing interventions that families and long-term care residents in Canada found supportive during visiting restrictions resulting from COVID-19. METHODS: An analysis of data artefacts including news reports, blogs and social media postings was completed. RESULTS: Thematic analysis resulted in four themes: dedication amidst challenge, innovation and continuous learning, living their nursing values and purposeful knowledge sharing. These themes are described using a framework that depicts four pillars of exemplary nursing practice: professionalism, scholarly practice, leadership and stewardship (Riley, Beal, & Ponte, 2021). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A link is made between these pillars of exemplary practice and enactment of family-focused care. Recommendations focused on gerontological nursing approaches that facilitate family-focused care for older adults residing in long-term care are included.

#Morethanavisitor: Experiences of COVID-19 visitor restrictions in Canadian long-term care facilities.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of families, residents, and staff around visitor restriction policies in long-term care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Background: Beginning in March 2020, public health orders across Canada restricted visitors to long-term care facilities to curb the spread of the infection. This included family caregivers who provide significant support to residents to meet their physical, psychological, social, and safety needs. Method: We collected data from publicly available news and social media. News articles, blogs, and tweets from Canada were collected from March 2020 to April 2021. In total, 40 news articles, eight blogs, and 23 tweets were analyzed using generic qualitative description. Results: Reports from family members indicate that some residents may have died from malnutrition, dehydration, and isolation, rather than from COVID-19, because of the sudden and prolonged absence of family caregivers. There are long-term impacts on family suffering and long-term care worker burnout. Policy and structural issues were identified. Conclusion: Experiences in long-term care reflected not only impacts of pandemic-related visitor restrictions, but also long-standing funding and workforce issues. Implications: Involvement of family, and specifically family caregivers, is crucial in policy decisions, even in unusual circumstances, such as the pandemic.