Effect of the dilution rate on microbial competition : r-strategist can win over k-strategist at low substrate concentration

The conditions present in both in vitro and in vivo ecosystems determine the microbial population harbouring it. One commonly accepted theory is that a species with a high substrate affinity and low growth rate (k-strategist) will win the competition against a second species with a lower substrate affinity and higher growth rate (r-strategist) if both species are subjected to low substrate concentrations. In this study two nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB), Nitrospira defluvii (k-strategist) and Nitrobacter vulgaris (r-strategist), were cultivated in a continuous reactor systems. The minimal hydraulic retention time (HRT) required for maintaining the slower growing Nitrospira was first determined. A reactor containing Nitrobacter was set to the same HRT and Nitrospira was injected to evaluate the effect of the dilution rate on the competition between both species. By following the microbial population dynamics with qPCR analysis, it was shown that not only the substrate affinity drives the competition between k- and r-strategists but also the dilution rate. Experimental data and numerical simulations both revealed that the washout of Nitrobacter was significantly delayed at dilution rates close to the mu max of Nitrospira. The competition could be even reverted towards Nitrobacter (r-strategist) despite of low nitrite concentrations and dilution rates lower than the ae max of Nitrospira

Assessing the freshwater quality of a large-scale mining watershed : the need for integrated approaches

Water quality assessments provide essential information for protecting aquatic habitats and stakeholders downstream of mining sites. Moreover, mining companies must comply with environmental quality standards and include public participation in water quality monitoring (WQM) practices. However, overarching challenges beyond corporate environmental responsibility are the scientific soundness, political relevance and harmonization of WQM practices. In this study, a mountainous watershed supporting large-scale gold mining in the headwaters, besides urban and agricultural landuses at lower altitudes, is assessed in the dry season. Conventional physicochemical and biological (Biological Monitoring Water Party-Colombia index) freshwater quality parameters were evaluated, including hydromorphological and land-use characteristics. According to the indicators used, water quality deterioration by mining was absent, in contrast to the effects of urban economic activities, hydromorphological alterations and (less important) agricultural pollutants. We argue that mining impacts are hardly captured due to the limited ecological knowledge of high-mountain freshwaters, including uncharacterized mining-specific bioindicators, environmental baselines and groundwater processes, as well as ecotoxicological and microbial freshwater quality components. Lessons for overcoming scientific and operational challenges are drawn from joint efforts among governments, academia and green economy competitiveness. Facing a rapid development of extractive industries, interinstitutional and multidisciplinary collaborations are urgently needed to implement more integrated freshwater quality indicators of complex mining impacts

Mindfulness, worries, and parenting in parents of children with type 1 diabetes

Objective Parents of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) often experience distress and worries, which may negatively impact their parenting behaviors. The current study investigates parental mindfulness (i.e., an enhanced attention to and awareness of current experiences or present reality) as a resilience mechanism. Using a daily diary approach, the predictive role of parental mindfulness for daily diabetes-related worries was examined, its impact upon protective parenting behaviors, and its buffering role in the relationship between daily worries and protective parenting behaviors. Methods Participants were 56 parents of 40 children with T1D (2–12 years). Trait mindfulness was assessed with the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Subsequently, parents completed a diary for 14 consecutive days, assessing parental worries about hypo- and hyperglycemia and general and diabetes-specific parental protective behavior. Results Multilevel analyses showed that parental diabetes-related worries fluctuated substantially across days and positively predicted daily protective behavior. Higher levels of parental mindfulness predicted less daily worries about hypoglycemia and lower engagement in general protective behavior and hypoglycemia avoidance behavior. In addition, the relationship between worries about hyperglycemia and general protective behavior was moderated by parental mindfulness. Conclusions The present findings highlight the importance of daily parental worries in explaining parental protective behaviors on a daily basis. Mindfulness emerged as a promising resilience factor in parents of children with T1D, resulting in less daily worries and protective parenting. These results have important clinical implications and point to the promising role of mindfulness interventions in this context

Families with pediatric type 1 diabetes : a comparison with the general population on child well-being, parental distress, and parenting behavior

Aims The aim of this study was to compare families with a child (2-12 years) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to families which are not confronted with chronic illness, with regard to children's well-being, parental distress, and parenting behavior. In addition, differences were explored between families whose child has optimal vs suboptimal glycemic control. Methods Mothers, fathers, and children of 105 families with pediatric T1D completed questionnaires assessing child well-being, parental distress, and parenting. The control group consisted of 414 families without chronic illness. Results With regard to child well-being, children with T1D had more adjustment difficulties (as reported by mothers) and lower quality of life (QoL) (as reported by mothers and fathers), whereas children themselves (8-12 years) reported higher QoL compared to controls. In terms of parental distress, mothers, but not fathers, of children with T1D reported more stress, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms than controls. With regard to parenting behavior, parent reports revealed less protectiveness in fathers and less autonomy support and responsiveness in both parents as compared to controls. No differences were found in parent-reported psychological control between parents of children with and without T1D, but children with T1D perceived lowered parental psychological control. Lastly, secondary analyses indicated that especially families with suboptimal child glycemic control showed more maternal distress and worse child well-being (according to parents). Conclusions Families confronted with pediatric T1D differ from families without chronic illness: childhood T1D impacts parental perceptions of child well-being and differentially affects mothers' and fathers' distress levels and behaviors

Using Person-Reported Outcomes (PROs) to Motivate Young People with Diabetes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This manuscript describes how person-reported outcomes (PROs) can be utilized in care for young people with diabetes in the context of motivation. RECENT FINDINGS: The use of person-reported outcome measures (PROMS) in clinical care is feasible and acceptable, and helps focus the clinical encounter on life domains important to the person with diabetes. Results with regard to impact on self-management and glycemic outcomes are limited. Motivation is an important factor for self-management. Based on self-determination theory, autonomy-supportive, person-centered, and collaborative communication by diabetes care providers is associated with better outcomes. PROMs can facilitate this conversation. Understanding of youth motivation for maintaining or improving self-management behaviors requires a person-centered approach. PROMs can be used to facilitate an autonomy-supportive and person-centered conversation in clinical care. Training diabetes care providers in autonomy-supportive, person-centered conversation skills to discuss PROs might help to tap into youth's motivation, but further research is needed.status: publishe

Using Person-Reported Outcomes (PROs) to Motivate Young People with Diabetes

Purpose of Review: This manuscript describes how person-reported outcomes (PROs) can be utilized in care for young people with diabetes in the context of motivation. Recent Findings: The use of person-reported outcome measures (PROMS) in clinical care is feasible and acceptable, and helps focus the clinical encounter on life domains important to the person with diabetes. Results with regard to impact on self-management and glycemic outcomes are limited. Motivation is an important factor for self-management. Based on self-determination theory, autonomy-supportive, person-centered, and collaborative communication by diabetes care providers is associated with better outcomes. PROMs can facilitate this conversation. Summary: Understanding of youth motivation for maintaining or improving self-management behaviors requires a person-centered approach. PROMs can be used to facilitate an autonomy-supportive and person-centered conversation in clinical care. Training diabetes care providers in autonomy-supportive, person-centered conversation skills to discuss PROs might help to tap into youth’s motivation, but further research is needed

Emotionele impact van de chronische ziekte op het kind en zijn gezin

Emotionele impact van de chronische ziekte op het kind en zijn gezin Een chronische ziekte heeft een impact op het emotioneel welbevinden van het opgroeiende kind, de jongere, jongvolwassene en zijn gezin. De behandeling omhelst veelal intensieve dagelijkse opvolging. Therapietrouw (de mate waarin patiënten hun voorgeschreven behandeling volgen zoals met het behandelend team overeengekomen; WHO, 2003) is een complex gegeven. In deze bijdrage worden de resultaten besproken van een omvattend Vlaams onderzoek rond therapietrouw bij kinderen en jongeren met type 1 diabetes (N=291) waarin zowel jongeren als hun beide ouders werden bevraagd (Goethals et al., 2017). Er zal vooral worden ingezoomd op de belangrijke rol van de onderliggende opvoedingsdimensies (responsiviteit, psychologische controle etc.) die ouders hanteren. Er wordt ingegaan op de werkzame factoren in de behandeling en begeleiding door de psycholoog, onder meer gebaseerd op de Zelfdeterminatietheorie (Ryan & Deci, 2000; Vansteenkiste & Soenens, 2015). Goethals, ER., Oris, L., Soenens, B., Berg, CA, Prikken, S., Van Broeck, N., Weets, I., Casteels, K., & Luyckx, K. (2017). Parenting and Treatment Adherence in Type 1 Diabetes Throughout Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood. Special Issue on Adolescent and Young Adult Health. Journal of Pediatric Psychology (in press). Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The" what" and" why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological inquiry, 11(4), 227-268. Vansteenkiste, M., & Soenens, B. (2015). Vitamines voor groei: ontwikkeling voeden vanuit de Zelf-Determinatie Theorie. Acco.status: accepte