Population Genetic Structure of Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in South Dakota: Using Harvested Samples to Inform Management

A primary objective of state wildlife management agencies is to establish sustainable harvest levels for game species. An important component of sustainable management practices is the identification of appropriate management units for monitoring and establishing defensible harvest levels. Across their range, bobcats (Lynx rufus) are an ecologically and economically important species. Despite their importance, little is known about the genetic structure of bobcat populations in South Dakota. We used tissue sampled from n = 1,215 bobcats harvested across the state from 2014–2019 to infer population genetic structure. We used 17 microsatellite loci and a sex identification marker to assign individuals to genetically discrete clusters (i.e., populations) using Bayesian clustering algorithms. Analyses were run to identify the most likely number of clusters (K), considering potential values of K from 1 to 20. We found strong support for hierarchical structure at K = 2 and K = 4, as well as evidence of finer-scale structure that we were not able to fully evaluate due to the spatial resolution of the data. We calculated standard measures of population genetic diversity (e.g., heterozygosity) and population differentiation (e.g., FST and G”ST). All pairwise measures of differentiation between identified clusters were found to be statistically significant (P ≤ 0.001). We identified the spatial configuration of inferred clusters by geographically plotting individuals assigned to each cluster. The inferred structure reduced linkage disequilibrium and deviations from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium as would be expected due to the Wahlund effect. For analyses supporting K = 2, the eastern and western clusters align closely with historical practices of managing bobcat harvest with 2 units in South Dakota, but our results suggest that shifting the boundary of the 2 units so the eastern unit includes counties immediately west of Missouri River and south of the Oahe Dam would better align management units with population boundaries. Alternatively, analyses supporting K = 4 provides a level of resolution that may benefit bobcat management if managers aim to conserve the uniqueness of bobcats in different regions (e.g., Black Hills)

Understanding the enrolled nurse to registered nurse journey through a model adapted from Schlossberg's transition theory

Background Substantial numbers of Enrolled Nurses (ENs) enrol in higher education programs to undergo the transition to Registered Nurse (RN) with the experience described as containing numerous challenges. Objectives This paper reports on a synthesis of the literature that explores the experiences of ENs undertaking a program of study to convert to RN. Consequently, a model is developed to identify educational interventions and resources to enable a successful transition for these students. Design A narrative review was completed with thematic synthesis of the literature guided by Schlossberg's Transition Theory, and Thomas and Harden's framework for systematic analysis of qualitative studies. Data sources CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest Central and Health Collection were searched. Review methods The databases were searched for English language journal articles, theses and grey literature published from 1987 to 2016 from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA. The key search words included truncations of: “enrolled nurse”, ‘licensed practical nurse’, “transition”, “conversion” and “experience”. This resulted in the identification of 33 related articles for review. Results Themes and sub-themes developed from the literature synthesis were integrated into an ‘EN to RN Transition model.’ The four stages of the model reflect the experiences of the ENs as they overcame the various challenges they encountered during their transition to RN. The model was used to develop recommendations that may improve their transition experience and decrease attrition. Conclusion This paper reports on a synthesis of the literature, and presents a four stage model, that reflects the experiences of ENs in their transition to RN. Recognising the elements within each stage can assist educators develop strategies and provide educational resources to enhance the EN journey

Taoist Tai Chi for health: The characteristics and patterns of practice of Western Australian practitioners

Background: Improved knowledge in the area of Tai Chi (TC) practice is important to assist both individuals and health professionals in making informed decisions related to the promotion and practice of TC as a health activity. Methods: Patterns of TC, participant characteristics and reasons for commencing and discontinuing practice were investigated using a cross-sectional survey of 382 Western Australian (WA) Taoist Tai Chi (TTC) practitioners. Results: TTC practitioners were more likely to be older Caucasian Australians, female (78.2%), retired (47.4%), well-educated (50.6%), married or living with partners (64.0%) in metropolitan areas (70.5%), and to report chronic illness. Most practised once or twice per week (60.2%) for a period of 60 to 90 minutes (82.1%) in TC clubs (81.8%) in morning and evening classes (61.2%) and had commenced TC during the previous ten years (74.1%), with a mean practice duration of 6.4 years. The main information source recommending TC came from friends and family (46%). The key motivations for commencing TC were to improve physical health (74.7%), relaxation (46.1%) and to find a ―suitable exercise‖ (66.6%), while lack of time (50%) was the main barrier to continuing TC practice. There was a significant improvement in self-reported health status amongst respondents following commencement of TC practice (p < .001). Conclusions: The high prevalence of chronic conditions amongst the TTC practitioners, their considerable length of practice and perceived improvement in health status indicate that TC may play an essential role in chronic illness self-management, but it was not well-promoted by health professionals in WA

Perceptions of interprofessional education in the Australian Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) course

METHODS: A prospective, mixed methods design was used to survey 165 ALSO course participants before the course and 6 weeks after the course (n=101). Quantitative data were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and all P levels lower than .05 were considered significant. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: There were significant increases in midwives’ confidence in all four aspects of interprofessional interaction measured 6 weeks following the course. However, the doctors only reported a significant increase in one aspect, the confidence that their clinical decisions were respected by the midwives with whom they worked. The qualitative data demonstrated an appreciation of different professional approaches to clinical situations and the importance of teamwork, communication, respect, and understanding. While most participants were positive about the advantages of IPE, just under half also believed there were some disadvantages, particularly due to the variable learning needs of individual professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Both doctors and midwives reported various benefits from IPE, and many believed that IPE assisted maternity team collaboration and communication in the workplace. However, educators need to skillfully manage IPE sessions to ensure a similar distribution of learning and that opportunities for discussion are equivalent for all individuals and professional groups

Ferredoxin containing bacteriocins suggest a novel mechanism of iron uptake in <i>Pectobacterium spp</i>

In order to kill competing strains of the same or closely related bacterial species, many bacteria produce potent narrow-spectrum protein antibiotics known as bacteriocins. Two sequenced strains of the phytopathogenic bacterium &lt;i&gt;Pectobacterium carotovorum&lt;/i&gt; carry genes encoding putative bacteriocins which have seemingly evolved through a recombination event to encode proteins containing an N-terminal domain with extensive similarity to a [2Fe-2S] plant ferredoxin and a C-terminal colicin M-like catalytic domain. In this work, we show that these genes encode active bacteriocins, pectocin M1 and M2, which target strains of &lt;i&gt;Pectobacterium carotovorum&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Pectobacterium atrosepticum&lt;/i&gt; with increased potency under iron limiting conditions. The activity of pectocin M1 and M2 can be inhibited by the addition of spinach ferredoxin, indicating that the ferredoxin domain of these proteins acts as a receptor binding domain. This effect is not observed with the mammalian ferredoxin protein adrenodoxin, indicating that &lt;i&gt;Pectobacterium spp.&lt;/i&gt; carries a specific receptor for plant ferredoxins and that these plant pathogens may acquire iron from the host through the uptake of ferredoxin. In further support of this hypothesis we show that the growth of strains of &lt;i&gt;Pectobacterium carotovorum&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;atrosepticum&lt;/i&gt; that are not sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of pectocin M1 is enhanced in the presence of pectocin M1 and M2 under iron limiting conditions. A similar growth enhancement under iron limiting conditions is observed with spinach ferrodoxin, but not with adrenodoxin. Our data indicate that pectocin M1 and M2 have evolved to parasitise an existing iron uptake pathway by using a ferredoxin-containing receptor binding domain as a Trojan horse to gain entry into susceptible cells

A case-control study of mastitis: nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: Mastitis is a common problem for breastfeeding women. Researchers have called for an investigation into the possible role of maternal nasal carriage of S. aureus in the causation of mastitis in breastfeeding women. METHODS: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of maternal S. aureus nasal carriage in mastitis. Other factors such as infant nasal S. aureus carriage, nipple damage, maternal fatigue and oversupply of milk were also investigated. A case-control design was used. Women with mastitis (cases, n = 100) were recruited from two maternity hospitals in Melbourne, Australia (emergency departments, breastfeeding clinics and postnatal wards). Breastfeeding women without mastitis (controls, n = 99) were recruited from maternal and child health (community) centres and the rooms of a private obstetrician. Women completed a questionnaire and nasal specimens were collected from mother and baby and placed in charcoal transport medium. Women also collected a small sample of milk in a sterile jar. RESULTS: There was no difference between nasal carriage of S. aureus in breastfeeding women with mastitis (42/98, 43%) and control women (45/98, 46%). However, significantly more infants of mothers with mastitis were nasal carriers of S. aureus (72/88, 82%) than controls (52/93, 56%). The association was strong (adjusted OR 3.23, 95%CI 1.30, 8.27) after adjustment for the following confounding factors: income, private health insurance, difficulty with breastfeeding, nipple damage and tight bra. There was also a strong association between nipple damage and mastitis (adjusted OR 9.34, 95%CI 2.99, 29.20). CONCLUSION: We found no association between maternal nasal carriage of S. aureus and mastitis, but nasal carriage in the infant was associated with breast infections. As in other studies of mastitis, we found a strong association between nipple damage and mastitis. Prevention of nipple damage is likely to reduce the incidence of infectious mastitis. Mothers need good advice about optimal attachment of the baby to the breast and access to skilled help in the early postpartum days and weeks