Single-cell transcriptomics : a high-resolution avenue for plant functional genomics

Plant function is the result of the concerted action of single cells in different tissues. Advances in RNA-seq technologies and tissue processing allow us now to capture transcriptional changes at single-cell resolution. The incredible potential of single-cell RNA-seq lies in the novel ability to study and exploit regulatory processes in complex tissues based on the behaviour of single cells. Importantly, the independence from reporter lines allows the analysis of any given tissue in any plant. While there are challenges associated with the handling and analysis of complex datasets, the opportunities are unique to generate knowledge of tissue functions in unprecedented detail and to facilitate the application of such information by mapping cellular functions and interactions in a plant cell atlas. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Family Tensions and Information Privacy: A Barrier to Diffusion of Proximity Tracing Applications?

Technology played a central role during the pandemic for communications and services. It was also touted as a potential solution to control the spread of COVID-19 via proximity tracing applications, also known as contact tracing (CT) apps worldwide. In non-mandated settings, however, these apps did not attain popularity. Privacy concerns were highlighted as one reason. We explored how family perceptions of CT apps can affect the family’s use of such apps. We surveyed parent-teen dyads twice over a 5-month period. We analyzed parent-teen perceptions of each other’s intentions and use of CT apps at time 1 and 2, exploring changes over time. Parents’ use intentions were influenced by their and their teens’ perceptions of the benefits but not privacy concerns. Teen intentions were influenced by their own perceptions of benefits, not their parent’s, and their parent’s concerns for the family. Intentions always influenced usage, including intentions at time 1 influencing use at time 2, demonstrating a longitudinal effect of intentions on usage existed for parents and teens

Restraint Free in 2023

This EBP project evaluated if in hospitalized adult patients on Sands 800 does the use of a restraint management bundle decrease the use of restraints during the inpatient admission compared to current restraint practices. In the SICU, restraint usage is an initial response instead of last intervention. This culture of care concerns nurses and providers. It was hypothesized that decrease restraint usage and time in restraints will allow the patient to remain safer by evaluating usage of restraint alternatives, cost savings, patient mobility, and clinical staff understanding of appropriate restraint usage. The SICU was educated on the least restrictive device, which in this project was soft mitts. In-services and poster included the restraint wheel that provided alternatives to restraints. The team prioritized peer support and chart review. Restrained patients were reported to leadership daily with a focus on restraint use greater than 72 hours. Twice-daily audits verified orders and nursing documentation then were reported at shift change. The RGH results showed 636 orders for non-violent restraint orders across 17 units with 96.7 average restraint time in hours June 1, 2023 to June 11, 2023. SICU restraint use decreased since the implementation of restraint education and restraint alternative wheel. Prior to implementation, 38 total patients restrained in March decreased to 28 restrained in August 2023. From the results, the hypotheses was supported. An increased availability of alternatives and types of alternatives as well as education for staff members would continue the culture change.https://scholar.rochesterregional.org/nursingresearchday_2023/1011/thumbnail.jp

Why, when and how to investigate primary ciliary dyskinesia in adult patients with bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis represents the final pathway of several infectious, genetic, immunologic or allergic disorders. Accurate and prompt identification of the underlying cause is a key recommendation of several international guidelines, in order to tailor treatment appropriately. Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic cause of bronchiectasis in which failure of motile cilia leads to poor mucociliary clearance. Due to poor ciliary function in other organs, individuals can suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis, otitis media and infertility. This paper explores the current literature describing why, when and how to investigate PCD in adult patients with bronchiectasis. We describe the main PCD diagnostic tests and compare the two international PCD diagnostic guidelines. The expensive multi-test diagnostic approach requiring a high level of expertise and specialist equipment, make the multifaceted PCD diagnostic pathway complex. Therefore, the risk of late or missed diagnosis is high and has clinical and research implications. Defining the number of patients with bronchiectasis due to PCD is complex. To date, few studies outlining the aetiology of adult patients with bronchiectasis conduct screening tests for PCD, but they do differ in their diagnostic approach. Comparison of these studies reveals an estimated PCD prevalence of 1-13% in adults with bronchiectasis and describe patients as younger than their counterparts with moderate impairment of lung function and higher rates of chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Diagnosing PCD has clinical, socioeconomic and psychological implications, which affect patients' life, including the possibility to have a specific and multidisciplinary team approach in a PCD referral centre, as well as a genetic and fertility counselling and special legal aspects in some countries. To date no specific treatments for PCD have been approved, standardized diagnostic protocols for PCD and recent diagnostic guidelines will be helpful to accurately define a population on which planning RCT studies to evaluate efficacy, safety and accuracy of PCD specific treatments

Wheat root length and not branching is altered in the presence of neighbours, including blackgrass.

The effect of neighbouring plants on crop root system architecture may directly interfere with water and nutrient acquisition, yet this important and interesting aspect of competition remains poorly understood. Here, the effect of the weed blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots was tested, since a low density of this species (25 plants m-2) can lead to a 10% decrease in wheat yield and herbicide resistance is problematic. We used a simplified growth system based on gelled medium, to grow wheat alongside a neighbour, either another wheat plant, a blackgrass or Brachypodium dystachion individual (a model grass). A detailed analysis of wheat seminal root system architecture showed that the presence of a neighbour principally affected the root length, rather than number or diameter under a high nutrient regime. In particular, the length of first order lateral roots decreased significantly in the presence of blackgrass and Brachypodium. However, this effect was not noted when wheat plants were grown in low nutrient conditions. This suggests that wheat may be less sensitive to the presence of blackgrass when grown in low nutrient conditions. In addition, nutrient availability to the neighbour did not modulate the neighbour effect on wheat root architecture.This work was supported by European Union FP7 Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the Broodbank Trust and the Newton Trust University of Cambridge

What do changing weather and climate shocks and stresses mean for the UK food system?

In light of the publication of Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy (www.nationalfoodstrategy. org/) and the COP26 climate meeting in Glasgow, it is timely to consider the impacts of weather and climate extremes on the UK food system. Climate change-driven changes in extreme weather events are one of the highest-risk future shocks to the UK food system [1], underlining the importance of preparedness across the food chain [2]. Here, we identify major knowledge gaps in the primary impacts of extreme weather and climate change across the UK’s food system, its functioning and their interactions to provide information to support adaptation and resilience planning. Research tends to focus on individual food system activities rather than taking a systematic approach [3, 4]. How- ever, strong evidence exists about the impacts of long- term climate trends and extremes [5] on primary food production [6]. The major knowledge gaps therefore concern post-primary production dimensions [4], notably food system activities between the ‘farm-gate’ and consumption—which are the core focus of this paper (supplementary material S1 available online at stacks.iop.org/ERL/17/051001/mmedia). These constitute major economic and social dimensions but are often the ‘missing middle’ in food system discus- sions. We use the UK food system as an illustrative case study, and consider both global and domestic risks and implications. We present methods, tools and frameworks for systemic analysis of climate impacts on food systems, consider the funding landscape, and highlight priorities for future research

Manual / Issue 4 / Blue

Manual, a journal about art and its making. Blue.The fourth issue. Indigo blue, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cerulean blue, zaffre blue, indanthrone blue, phthalo blue, cyan blue, Han blue, French blue, Berlin blue, Prussian blue, Venetian blue, Dresden blue, Tiffany blue, Lanvin blue, Majorelle blue, International Klein Blue, Facebook blue. The names given to different shades of blue speak of plants, minerals, and modern chemistry; exoticism, global trade, and national pride; capitalist branding and pure invention. The fourth issue of Manual is a meditation on blue. From precious substance to controllable algorithm to the wide blue yonder, join us as we leap into the blue. Softcover, 64 pages. Published 2015 by the RISD Museum. Proceeds from RISD Museum publications support the work of the museum. Manual 4 (Blue) contributors include Lawrence Berman, A. Will Brown, Linda Catano, Spencer Fitch, Jessica Helfand, Kate Irvin, Oda van Maanen, Dominic Molon, Maggie Nelson, Ingrid A. Neuman, Margot Nishimura, Karen B. Schloss, Anna Strickland, Louis van Tilborgh, and Elizabeth A. Williams.https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/risdmuseum_journals/1003/thumbnail.jp