The Effect of Iron Limitation on the Transcriptome and Proteome of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5

One of the most important micronutrients for bacterial growth is iron, whose bioavailability in soil is limited. Consequently, rhizospheric bacteria such as Pseudomonas fluorescens employ a range of mechanisms to acquire or compete for iron. We investigated the transcriptomic and proteomic effects of iron limitation on P. fluorescens Pf-5 by employing microarray and iTRAQ techniques, respectively. Analysis of this data revealed that genes encoding functions related to iron homeostasis, including pyoverdine and enantio-pyochelin biosynthesis, a number of TonB-dependent receptor systems, as well as some inner-membrane transporters, were significantly up-regulated in response to iron limitation. Transcription of a ribosomal protein L36-encoding gene was also highly up-regulated during iron limitation. Certain genes or proteins involved in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), orfamide A and pyrrolnitrin, as well as a chitinase, were over-expressed under iron-limited conditions. In contrast, we observed that expression of genes involved in hydrogen cyanide production and flagellar biosynthesis were down-regulated in an iron-depleted culture medium. Phenotypic tests revealed that Pf-5 had reduced swarming motility on semi-solid agar in response to iron limitation. Comparison of the transcriptomic data with the proteomic data suggested that iron acquisition is regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels

A necessary practice parameter: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Midwife standards for practice

Introduction: The NMBA Development of Midwife standards for practice project has reviewed the National competency standards for the midwife (Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia, 2006) to inform the drafting of Midwife standards for practice. Midwife standards for practice set out the expectations of the midwife’s practice and inform midwifery education accreditation standards, the regulation of midwives and determination of the midwife’s capability for practice. The Standards guide consumers, employers and other stakeholders on what to reasonably expect from a midwife regardless of the area of practice or the years of experience. Aim: Present the research and consultation outcomes that have informed the development of the current draft Midwife standards for practice. Methods: The methods in this three phase study include literature and evidence reviews, interviews, consultations, surveys and observations of midwives practice. Unike clinical guidelines the knowledge to inform standards for practice is not discrete and bounded by specific sets of information with technical solutions. The current relevant evidence has been integrated with the knowledge, experiences and views of midwives across Australia who practice in various jurisdictions, sectors and models of care as well as in clinical and non-clinical roles as well as consumers and individuals who represent professional, government and regulatory authorities. Results: Midwifery practice in this project is apparent as the promotion of health and wellbeing in relation to childbearing, with inherent responsibilities and accountabilities for safety and quality that occurs in the context of respectful collaborative relationships. The current draft Standards acknowledge the involvement of others while clearly positioning midwifery practice as focused on the needs of the woman. Conclusion and implications: The final project phase will test these draft standards through a second round of observations of midwives practicing in clinical and non-clinical settings to ensure that the standards reflect current (not aspirational) evidence-based midwifery practice, are up-to-date, meet legislative requirements and align with the other NMBA standards for practice

Micropropagation of Eucalyptus nitens maiden (Shining gum)

Summary Eucalyptus nitens Maiden (shining gum) is a frost-tolerant species of Eucalyptus that can be used as an alternative species to Eucalyptus globulus in some regions of Portugal where winter temperatures are too low. Seedlings and 1-yr-old shoot tips and nodes were used for micropropagation of E. nitens. The best multiplication rate (2.25) was obtained when seedling shoots (<15 mm) were cultured on a medium containing the major nutrients (at half-strength) and minor elements of Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium, the organics of De Fossard medium (De Fossard et al., 1974) and a combination of benzyladenine (0.9 µM) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.05 µM). Seedling cuttings (4-,8-, and 10-wk-old) rooted well on media containing several concentrations of 3-indolebutyric acid (4.9, 9.8, and 14.8 µM) or 3-indoleacetic acid (5.7, 11.4, and 17.1 µM), giving frequencies of root induction above 80%. With this type of explant, root formation was also found on basal medium without growth regulators. Rooting of in vitro-propagated shoots obtained from seedlings (8-wk-old) after four subcultures (every 3 wk) was more difficult, with the best results obtained on a medium containing 14.7 µM 3-indolebutyric acid (60.0% root induction). No root formation was achieved when shoots from 1-yr-old explants were used. After a period of 4 mo., 96.3% of the plants transferred to the greenhouse survived acclimatization