Microbiological Distribution, Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Risk Factors of Polymicrobial Infections in Diabetic Foot.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot infection (DFI) leads to poor prognosis and polymicrobial infections are usually the main cause. The study is to explore the microbiological distribution, antimicrobial drug susceptibility, and risk factors of polymicrobial infections in hospitalized patients with DFI. METHODS: This retrospective study included 160 patients with DFI in Wagner's grades 2, 3, and 4. Deep necrotic tissue was used to acquire specimens for microbiological culture. VITEK-2 system and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry were used to identify the bacterial isolates. The Kirby Bauer method was used for drug susceptibility tests. RESULTS: A total of 202 pathogens were isolated. The proportion of gram-negative bacilli (GNB, 62.4%, 126 of 202) was higher than that of gram-positive cocci (GPC, 37.6%, 76 of 202). The most prevalent GPC was Staphylococcus aureus in every Wagner grade, while the most common GNB varied in different Wagner grades. Linezolid was the most effective antibiotic for GPC in different Wagner grades. Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic for GNB in Wagner grade 2. Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic for GNB in Wagner grades 3 and 4. Polymicrobial infections existed only in Wagner grades 3 and 4 and increased the risk of amputation (p < 0.01). History of antibiotics, duration of diabetic foot, CRP, and lower extremity arterial disease were the independent risk factors of polymicrobial infections (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should adjust the antibiotic as needed based on the results of drug susceptibility and clinical treatment effect among different Wagner grades. Particular attention should be given to the treatment of polymicrobial infections.

Intrinsic Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Activate the In†Situ Synthesis of Trimethine Cyanines in Cancer Cells.

Environment-responsive in situ synthesis of molecular fluorescent dyes is challenging. Herein, we develop a photoextension strategy to make trimethine cyanines with decent conversion efficiency (up to 81 %) using 1-butyl 2,3,3-trimethyl 3H-indole derivatives as the sole precursors, and demonstrate a free radical mechanism. In the inducer-extension stage, free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were able to mediate similar reactions with no assistance of light. We explored a Mito-extension strategy to in situ synthesize trimethine cyanines in the living cells. The cellular ROS-dependence provided a foundation for preferential cyanine expression in cancer cells. Finally, we applied an iodized precursor as an intrinsic ROS-activated theranostic agent that integrated mitochondria-targeted cyanine synthesis, cell imaging and phototherapy.

The COP1 Target SHI-RELATED SEQUENCE5 Directly Activates Photomorphogenesis-Promoting Genes.

Plant seedlings undergo distinct developmental processes in the dark and in the light. Several genes, including ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5), B-BOX PROTEIN21 (BBX21), and BBX22, have been identified as photomorphogenesis-promoting factors in Arabidopsis thaliana; however, the overexpression of these genes does not induce photomorphogenesis in the dark. Using an activation-tagging approach, we identified SRS5ox, which overexpresses SHI-RELATED SEQUENCE5 (SRS5) following induction with estradiol. SRS5 overexpression in SRS5ox and Pro35S:SRS5-GFP seedlings results in a constitutive photomorphogenesis phenotype in the dark, whereas SRS5 loss of function in the srs5-2 mutant results in long hypocotyls in the light. This indicates that SRS5 is a positive regulator of photomorphogenesis. Furthermore, SRS5 promotes photomorphogenesis by directly binding to the promoters of photomorphogenesis-promoting genes, such as HY5, BBX21, and BBX22, and activating their expression, thus affecting the expression of downstream light-signaling genes. These data indicate that SRS5 acts in the upregulation of photomorphogenesis-promoting genes. In addition, CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1), which plays a central repressive role in seedling photomorphogenesis, directly ubiquitinates SRS5, promoting its degradation in the dark. Taken together, our results demonstrate that SRS5 directly activates the expression of downstream genes HY5, BBX21, and BBX22 and is a target of COP1-mediated degradation in Arabidopsis.

Cohort profile: Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes (S-PRESTO).

The Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) is a preconception, longitudinal cohort study that aims to study the effects of nutrition, lifestyle, and maternal mood prior to and during pregnancy on the epigenome of the offspring and clinically important outcomes including duration of gestation, fetal growth, metabolic and neural phenotypes in the offspring. Between February 2015 and October 2017, the S-PRESTO study recruited 1039 Chinese, Malay or Indian (or any combinations thereof) women aged 18-45 years and who intended to get pregnant and deliver in Singapore, resulting in 1032 unique participants and 373 children born in the cohort. The participants were followed up for 3 visits during the preconception phase and censored at 12 months of follow up if pregnancy was not achieved (N = 557 censored). Women who successfully conceived (N = 475) were characterised at gestational weeks 6-8, 11-13, 18-21, 24-26, 27-28 and 34-36. Follow up of their index offspring (N = 373 singletons) is on-going at birth, 1, 3 and 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months and beyond. Women are also being followed up post-delivery. Data is collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires, metabolic imaging (magnetic resonance imaging), standardized anthropometric measurements and collection of diverse specimens, i.e. blood, urine, buccal smear, stool, skin tapes, epithelial swabs at numerous timepoints. S-PRESTO has extensive repeated data collected which include genetic and epigenetic sampling from preconception which is unique in mother-offspring epidemiological cohorts. This enables prospective assessment of a wide array of potential determinants of future health outcomes in women from preconception to post-delivery and in their offspring across the earliest development from embryonic stages into early childhood. In addition, the S-PRESTO study draws from the three major Asian ethnic groups that represent 50% of the global population, increasing the relevance of its findings to global efforts to address non-communicable diseases.

Photoactivated In Situ Generation of Near Infrared Cyanines for Spatiotemporally Controlled Fluorescence Imaging in Living Cells.

Photoactivated trimerization of 2,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indole derivatives created near infrared fluorophore Cy5. The synthetic method is air-tolerant, photosensitizer free, metal free, and condensation agent free. Living cells make Cy5 on a time scale of minutes under white light irradiation at a low power intensity, with the monomer as the only exogenous agent. The new method is promising to find applications in cell studies for in situ spatiotemporally controlled fluorescence imaging in living cells.

Auxin abolishes SHI-RELATED SEQUENCE5-mediated inhibition of lateral root development in Arabidopsis.

Lateral roots (LRs), which form in the plant postembryonically, determine the architecture of the root system. While negative regulatory factors that inhibit LR formation and are counteracted by auxin exist in the pericycle, these factors have not been characterised. Here, we report that SHI-RELATED SEQUENCE5 (SRS5) is an intrinsic negative regulator of LR formation and that auxin signalling abolishes this inhibitory effect of SRS5. Whereas LR primordia (LRPs) and LRs were fewer and less dense in SRS5ox and Pro35S:SRS5-GFP plants than in the wild-type, they were more abundant and denser in the srs5-2 loss-of-function mutant. SRS5 inhibited LR formation by directly downregulating the expression of LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES-DOMAIN 16 (LBD16) and LBD29. Auxin repressed SRS5 expression. Auxin-mediated repression of SRS5 expression was not observed in the arf7-1 arf19-1 double mutant, likely because ARF7 and ARF19 bind to the promoter of SRS5 and inhibit its expression in response to auxin. Taken together, our data reveal that SRS5 negatively regulates LR formation by repressing the expression of LBD16 and LBD29 and that auxin releases this inhibitory effect through ARF7 and ARF19.

Peritoneal Fluid Cytokines Reveal New Insights of Endometriosis Subphenotypes.

Endometriosis is a common inflammatory gynecological disorder which causes pelvic scarring, pain, and infertility, characterized by the implantation of endometrial-like lesions outside the uterus. The peritoneum, ovaries, and deep soft tissues are the commonly involved sites, and endometriotic lesions can be classified into three subphenotypes: superficial peritoneal endometriosis (PE), ovarian endometrioma (OE), and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). In 132 women diagnosed laparoscopically with and without endometriosis (n = 73, 59 respectively), and stratified into PE, OE, and DIE, peritoneal fluids (PF) were characterized for 48 cytokines by using multiplex immunoassays. Partial-least-squares-regression analysis revealed distinct subphenotype cytokine signatures-a six-cytokine signature distinguishing PE from OE, a seven-cytokine signature distinguishing OE from DIE, and a six-cytokine-signature distinguishing PE from DIE-each associated with different patterns of biological processes, signaling events, and immunology. These signatures describe endometriosis better than disease stages (p < 0.0001). Pathway analysis revealed the association of ERK1 and 2, AKT, MAPK, and STAT4 linked to angiogenesis, cell proliferation, migration, and inflammation in the subphenotypes. These data shed new insights on the pathophysiology of endometriosis subphenotypes, with the potential to exploit the cytokine signatures to stratify endometriosis patients for targeted therapies and biomarker discovery.

Design and Synthesis of 4-(Heterocyclic Substituted Amino)-1H-Pyrazole-3-Carboxamide Derivatives and Their Potent Activity against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Fms-like receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) has been emerging as an attractive target for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). By modifying the structure of FN-1501, a potent FLT3 inhibitor, 24 novel 1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide derivatives were designed and synthesized. Compound 8t showed strong activity against FLT3 (IC50: 0.089 nM) and CDK2/4 (IC50: 0.719/0.770 nM), which is more efficient than FN-1501(FLT3, IC50: 2.33 nM; CDK2/4, IC50: 1.02/0.39 nM). Compound 8t also showed excellent inhibitory activity against a variety of FLT3 mutants (IC50 < 5 nM), and potent anti-proliferative effect within the nanomolar range on acute myeloid leukemia (MV4-11, IC50: 1.22 nM). In addition, compound 8t significantly inhibited the proliferation of most human cell lines of NCI60 (GI50 < 1 µM for most cell lines). Taken together, these results demonstrated the potential of 8t as a novel compound for further development into a kinase inhibitor applied in cancer therapeutics.

Ethylene Inhibits Root Elongation during Alkaline Stress through AUXIN1 and Associated Changes in Auxin Accumulation.

Soil alkalinity causes major reductions in yield and quality of crops worldwide. The plant root is the first organ sensing soil alkalinity, which results in shorter primary roots. However, the mechanism underlying alkaline stress-mediated inhibition of root elongation remains to be further elucidated. Here, we report that alkaline conditions inhibit primary root elongation of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings by reducing cell division potential in the meristem zones and that ethylene signaling affects this process. The ethylene perception antagonist silver (Ag(+)) alleviated the inhibition of root elongation by alkaline stress. Moreover, the ethylene signaling mutants ethylene response1-3 (etr1-3), ethylene insensitive2 (ein2), and ein3-1 showed less reduction in root length under alkaline conditions, indicating a reduced sensitivity to alkalinity. Ethylene biosynthesis also was found to play a role in alkaline stress-mediated root inhibition; the ethylene overproducer1-1 mutant, which overproduces ethylene because of increased stability of 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLIC ACID SYNTHASE5, was hypersensitive to alkaline stress. In addition, the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor cobalt (Co(2+)) suppressed alkaline stress-mediated inhibition of root elongation. We further found that alkaline stress caused an increase in auxin levels by promoting expression of auxin biosynthesis-related genes, but the increase in auxin levels was reduced in the roots of the etr1-3 and ein3-1 mutants and in Ag(+)/Co(2+)-treated wild-type plants. Additional genetic and physiological data showed that AUXIN1 (AUX1) was involved in alkaline stress-mediated inhibition of root elongation. Taken together, our results reveal that ethylene modulates alkaline stress-mediated inhibition of root growth by increasing auxin accumulation by stimulating the expression of AUX1 and auxin biosynthesis-related genes.

A mutation of casein kinase 2 α4 subunit affects multiple developmental processes in Arabidopsis.

KEY MESSAGE: Arabidopsis CK2 α4 subunit regulates the primary root and hypocotyl elongation, lateral root formation, cotyledon expansion, rosette leaf initiation and growth, flowering, and anthocyanin biosynthesis. Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a conserved tetrameric kinase composed of two α and two ß subunits. The inhibition of CK2 activity usually results in severe developmental deficiency. Four genes (CKA1-CKA4) encode CK2 α subunit in Arabidopsis. Single mutations of CKA1, CKA2, and CKA3 do not affect the normal growth of Arabidopsis, while the cka1 cka2 cka3 triple mutants are defective in cotyledon and hypocotyl growth, lateral root development, and flowering. The inhibition of CKA4 expression in cka1 cka2 cka3 background further reduces the number of lateral roots and delays the flowering time. Here, we report the characterization of a novel knockout mutant of CKA4, which exhibits various developmental defects including reduced primary root and hypocotyl elongation, increased lateral root density, delayed cotyledon expansion, retarded rosette leaf initiation and growth, and late flowering. The examination of the cellular basis for abnormal root development of this mutant revealed reduced root meristem cells with enhanced RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED (RBR) expression that promotes cell differentiation in root meristem. Moreover, this cka4-2 mutant accumulates higher anthocyanin in the aerial part and shows an increased expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, suggesting a novel role of CK2 in modulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. In addition, the complementation test using primary root elongation assay as a sample confirms that the changed phenotypes of this cka4-2 mutant are due to the lack of CKA4. Taken together, this study reveals an essential role of CK2 α4 subunit in multiple developmental processes in Arabidopsis.

Low temperature inhibits root growth by reducing auxin accumulation via ARR1/12.

Plants exhibit reduced root growth when exposed to low temperature; however, how low temperature modulates root growth remains to be understood. Our study demonstrated that low temperature reduces both meristem size and cell number, repressing the division potential of meristematic cells by reducing auxin accumulation, possibly through the repressed expression of PIN1/3/7 and auxin biosynthesis-related genes, although the experiments with exogenous auxin application also suggest the involvement of other factor(s). In addition, we verified that ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR 1 (ARR1) and ARR12 are involved in low temperature-mediated inhibition of root growth by showing that the roots of arr1-3 arr12-1 seedlings were less sensitive than wild-type roots to low temperature, in terms of changes in root length and meristem cell number. Furthermore, low temperature reduced the levels of PIN1/3 transcripts and the auxin level to a lesser extent in arr1-3 arr12-1 roots than in wild-type roots, suggesting that cytokinin signaling is involved in the low-temperature-mediated reduction of auxin accumulation. Taken together, our data suggest that low temperature inhibits root growth by reducing auxin accumulation via ARR1/12.

GnRH antagonist pre-treatment: one centre's experience for IVF-ICSI cycle scheduling.

Scheduling gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) cycles for IVF intracytoplasmic sperm injection in patients is a challenge because of unpredictable ovum retrieval procedures on weekends, when less manpower is available. Recently, the use of GnRH-ant pre-treatment to delay an IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle showed no negative effect on clinical pregnancy rates. An age-matched, case-control study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of such pre-treatment for scheduling purposes. Patients (n = 140) undergoing their first ovarian stimulation for IVF-ICSI were included. Patients starting their stimulation on Tuesdays or Wednesdays were most likely to have their ovum retrieval procedure on Saturdays. Seventy patients received a 3-day course of GnRH-ant before starting stimulation, and were compared with 70 age-matched controls not receiving pre-treatment. The main outcomes were the proportion of ovum retrieval procedures occurring on Saturdays, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rates. A five-fold reduction in the number of ovum retrievals occurred on Saturdays compared with controls (7.1% versus 34.3%; OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.42; P < 0.001), with no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate (40.9% versus 37.5%) and live birth rate (27.3% versus 31.3%). GnRH-ant pre-treatment is an effective tool for scheduling of GnRH-ant cycles.

Blue-light-induced PIN3 polarization for root negative phototropic response in Arabidopsis.

Root negative phototropism is an important response in plants. Although blue light is known to mediate this response, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying root negative phototropism remain unclear. Here, we report that the auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) 3 is involved in asymmetric auxin distribution and root negative phototropism. Unilateral blue-light illumination polarized PIN3 to the outer lateral membrane of columella cells at the illuminated root side, and increased auxin activity at the illuminated side of roots, where auxin promotes growth and causes roots bending away from the light source. Furthermore, root negative phototropic response and blue-light-induced PIN3 polarization were modulated by a brefeldin A-sensitive, GNOM-dependent, trafficking pathway and by phot1-regulated PINOID (PID)/PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A (PP2A) activity. Our results indicate that blue-light-induced PIN3 polarization is needed for asymmetric auxin distribution during root negative phototropic response.

Glucose inhibits root meristem growth via ABA INSENSITIVE 5, which represses PIN1 accumulation and auxin activity in Arabidopsis.

Glucose functions as a hormone-like signalling molecule that modulates plant growth and development in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the role of glucose in root elongation remains elusive. Our study demonstrates that high concentrations of glucose reduce the size of the root meristem zone by repressing PIN1 accumulation and thereby reducing auxin levels. In addition, we verified the involvement of ABA INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) in this process by showing that abi5-1 is less sensitive to glucose than the wild type, whereas glucose induces ABI5 expression and the inducible overexpression of ABI5 reduces the size of the root meristem zone. Furthermore, the inducible overexpression of ABI5 in PIN1::PIN1-GFP plants reduces the level of PIN1-GFP, but glucose reduces the level of PIN1-GFP to a lesser extent in abi5-1 PIN1::PIN1-GFP plants than in the PIN1::PIN1-GFP control, suggesting that ABI5 is involved in glucose-regulated PIN1 accumulation. Taken together, our data suggest that ABI5 functions in the glucose-mediated inhibition of the root meristem zone by repressing PIN1 accumulation, thus leading to reduced auxin levels in roots.

GnRH agonist trigger and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: relook at 'freeze-all strategy'.

A case is reported of early onset ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger for final oocyte maturation in a GnRH antagonist protocol. The use of GnRHa in place of HCG as a trigger for final oocyte maturation in an antagonist IVF cycle has been proposed as a method for preventing OHSS in predicted high-responders. This approach, however, did not prevent the occurrence of OHSS in our case despite a freeze-all strategy. To the best of our knowledge, this is a possible index case of severe OHSS with GnRHa trigger for oocyte maturation without any luteal HCG rescue for a high responder, despite IVF cycle segmentation.

Social oocyte freezing: a survey among Singaporean female medical students.

AIM: Social oocyte freezing has gained increasing interest worldwide. We conducted a cross-sectional survey on 129 female medical students in Singapore to assess their mindset and attitudes toward fertility and social oocyte freezing. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was conducted among female medical students in Singapore. The desired sample size was 100 participants. Their awareness of the existence of social oocyte freezing was first assessed. An information leaflet was provided subsequently, followed by a more detailed questionnaire. The questions focused on their awareness of age-related fertility decline and their intentions for social oocyte freezing if made available. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine female students participated in the electronic survey, of whom 36.4% had heard of social oocyte freezing. Of these, 70% had personally considered taking up this option. However, after reading the information leaflet, only 48.9% would still consider this option. Of the total, 89.9% considered themselves too old for pregnancy after the age of 35 years, 37.2% would delay family planning for their career, 45.7% would consider social oocyte freezing to postpone family planning for their career, 46.5% would consider oocyte freezing if they had no suitable partners yet, 50.4% may consider freezing their eggs after the age of 30 years and 71.3% may be more amenable to oocyte freezing if government subsidy is available. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that social oocyte freezing may be a viable option for single young women who wish to delay child-bearing for 'reproductive insurance', so long as this is done with appropriate informed consent with non-directive counseling.

Human embryo cryopreservation: one-step slow freezing does it all?

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown that a modified one-step slow freezing method with higher sucrose concentration (0.2 M) can achieve higher embryo and blastomere survival rates that are comparable to vitrification. However, no study has evaluated the efficacy of a one-step method using commercial slow freezing kit without altering its composition. This retrospective study examines the effects of using 1.5 M PROH with 0.1 M sucrose (F2 medium) alone in a one-step slow freezing method compared to the conventional two-step method. METHODS: Cleavage stage embryos from 526 thaw cycles previously cryopreserved by either the conventional two-step slow freezing method or the modified one-step method were studied. The embryo and blastomere survival rates, cleavage rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The results showed that the embryo survival rate was significantly higher in the modified one-step method compared to the conventional two-step method (86.9 % and 83.1 %, respectively; p = 0.04). Total blastomere survival rate was also significantly increased as a result of the modification (81.0 % versus 76.5 %; p < 0.001). However, there was no statistical difference in the cleavage rates, clinical pregnancy rates (CPR/ET) and live birth rates between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS: Slow freezing using the one-step method is superior to the conventional two-step method in terms of embryo and blastomere survival rates without affecting cleavage rate and clinical outcomes. It can be routinely applied to cleavage stage embryo cryopreservation in IVF centres for greater workflow efficiency.

A Case of 17q12 Microdeletion Syndrome in a MODY5 Type Diabetes with HNF-1ß Gene Mutation Accompanied.

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder prevalent among adolescents. Typically, it manifests with hyperglycemia before the age of 25. MODY5 is attributed to a mutation in the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1ß (HNF-1ß) gene. A complete absence of HNF-1ß is observed in 50% of those with MODY5. The 17q12 microdeletion syndrome closely linked with MODY5. Its incidence in the general population is around 1 in 14,500 and is linked with facial deformities, diabetes, polycystic kidneys, pancreatic hypertrophy, liver anomalies, and neuropsychological impairments. The most primary clinical signs are predominantly associated with the HNF-1ß gene deletion. We chronicle the case of a male of 19 years of age diagnosed with diabetes, who, alongside persistent liver damage and polycystic kidneys, was referred from a community hospital to the Xuzhou Central Hospital. His clinical presentation included diabetes, liver dysfunction, polycystic kidneys, lipid irregularities, insulin resistance, and fatty atrophy. Subsequent genetic screening unveiled a 17q12 chromosomal deletion and an absence of the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1ß (HNF-1ß) gene. Hence, for adolescent patients lacking a familial diabetes history but exhibiting symptoms like polycystic kidneys, liver damage, lipid irregularities, and fatty atrophy, a thorough assessment for the 17q12 microdeletion syndrome becomes imperative.

Copper regulates primary root elongation through PIN1-mediated auxin redistribution.

The heavy metal copper (Cu) is an essential microelement required for normal plant growth and development, but it inhibits primary root growth when in excess. The mechanism underlying how excess Cu functions in this process remains to be further elucidated. Here, we report that a higher concentration of CuSO4 inhibited primary root elongation of Arabidopsis seedlings by affecting both the elongation and meristem zones. In the meristem zone, meristematic cell division potential was reduced by excess Cu. Further experiments showed that Cu can modulate auxin distribution, resulting in higher auxin activities in both the elongation and meristem zones of Cu-treated roots based on DR5::GUS expression patterns. This Cu-mediated auxin redistribution was shown to be responsible for Cu-mediated inhibition of primary root elongation. Additional genetic and physiological data demonstrated that it was PINFORMED1 (PIN1), but not PIN2 or AUXIN1 (AUX1), that regulated this process. However, Cu-induced hydrogen peroxide accumulation did not contribute to Cu-induced auxin redistribution for inhibition of root elongation. When the possible role of ethylene in this process was analyzed, Cu had a similar impact on the root elongation of both the wild type and the ein2-1 mutant, implying that Cu-mediated inhibition of primary root elongation was not due to the ethylene signaling pathway.

Making work fit care: reconciliation strategies used by working mothers of adults with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the experiences of working mothers with an adult child with intellectual disabilities to understand how they reconcile paid work and care responsibilities. METHODS: Fifteen working mothers in Taiwan with an adult child with intellectual disabilities were interviewed, and an interpretative phenomenological approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. RESULTS: All included mothers prioritized their caregiving role over paid work. The strategies used by these mothers to make paid work fit with caregiving included having strong social networks and informal support for their care work, use of formal services, personal religious beliefs and positive attitudes towards care, as well as having flexible working hours due to self-employment, good relations with employers, working positions and work locations. CONCLUSIONS: Formal systems, which include both welfare and labour policies, need to be responsive to and involved in supporting these working mothers, especially those who lack good personal networks.