Synthetic seed technology for encapsulation and regrowth of in vitro-derived Acacia hyrid shoot and axillary buds

In this study, various concentrations of sodium alginate solutions and calcium chloride solutions were tested in order to optimize the size, shape and texture of alginate synthetic seeds or beads for Acacia hybrid bud-sprouting. The shoot buds and axillary buds from in vitro Acacia hybrids, as explants were encapsulated with 2 to 5% sodium alginate (w/v) in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) free of calcium salt solution solvent and exposed to 25 to 100 mM calcium chloride solution (CaCl2.2H2O). Rounded beads were observed by the encapsulation with alginate 3% and exposed to 75 to 100 mM CaCl2.2H2O combinations and; the encapsulation with alginate 4 to 5% and exposed to any CaCl2.2H2O combinations. The produced synthetic seeds were then tested on the plantlets regeneration ability. The germination rate was within 73.3 to 100% in the duration of 6 to 20 days. It showed that encapsulation at any alginate concentrations and exposed to any of the CaCl2.2H2O concentrations, gave high germination frequency. These plantlets could then be used as the source of explants for the subsequent experiments. The synthetic seeds have the possibility of being an alternative planting material meant for forestry sector in the future, especially for the highly demanded species.Key word: Acacia hybrid, synthetic seeds, encapsulation, alternative planting material

In vitro propagation of Acacia hybrid through alginate-encapsulated shoots and axillary buds

Seed collected from Acacia hybrid trees yields highly variable and poorly performing offspring and are not commonly used in regeneration. The present study described the incapsulation of Acacia hybrid shoots and axillary buds in the calcium alginate gel. The aim of the study was to evaluate the germination of the buds in vitro on the medium with different concentrations of plant growth regulator and; the performance of the germination under light and darkness. For encapsulation purposes, 3% sodium alginate (w/v) in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) free of calcium salt solution solvent were tested. While for complexation, 100 mM calcium chloride solutions (CaCl2.2H2O) were prepared in liquid MS medium. The encapsulated explants or the beads were cultured into the following media: Modified basal MS supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) ranging from 0 to 2.5 mg/L BAP. High germination rate (100%) was observed within five to eight days in all medium tested. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference in the ability of the synthetic seeds to germinate. This showed that the regeneration of shoots is possible by using basal MS only. It was observed that synthetic seeds needed sucrose more than plant growth regulator for its germination. They were also showing good regeneration and development under light condition.Key words: Acacia hybrid, synthetic seeds, encapsulation, germination, regeneration

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

English in primary education in Malaysia: Policies, outcomes and stakeholders' lived experiences

This paper examines English language-in-education policy and planning (LEPP) in Malaysia from macro- and micro-language planning perspectives over the past 50 years. Specifically, it focuses on English language policies at the primary level and investigates their outcomes and consequences at different levels of education. The major focus of this paper is a case study that was conducted on samples of students, lecturers and administrators in a public university providing an illustration of how macro-level policies are enacted at the micro-level. The analysis of the participants’ views and perceptions suggests that macro-level planning alone may not produce the desired changes in language behaviour and that national-level planning needs to be complemented by micro-level work to create desirable language policy outcomes. This suggests that Malaysian LEPP needs to take micro-level realities, perceptions and stakeholders’ experiences into consideration while promoting and strengthening the mastery of English if macro-level planning is to contribute to successful outcomes

A changing paradigm in language planning: English-medium instruction policy at the tertiary level in Malaysia

The literature shows that English-medium instruction (EMI) programmes at the tertiary level in various parts of the world have positioned EMI as a language-planning tool to promote students' mastery of English. English proficiency is believed to be intertwined with the overall economic development of a country. In addition to internationalising education, the reintroduction of EMI in public universities in Malaysia has been used by policy-makers as a strategy for improving graduates' English proficiency, because their low levels of English are perceived as a barrier to attaining the national development agenda. However, the reinstatement of EMI policy contradicts the provision of the national language in the Constitution of Malaysia. This paper examines the nature of the policy and investigates how it is enacted in practice. It illustrates how the macro (national) and meso (university) language policies of EMI are negotiated in written form to avoid the 'sensitivity' of language of instruction in relation to contravening the use of Bahasa Malaysia, and how one university has responded to the push for the implementation of EMI. The findings indicated that the macro language policy goals did not trickle down to meso and micro levels as envisioned by policy-makers, which implicates underlying issues arising from provision and dissemination. The paper argues that this gap between policy goals and their implementation is a factor that should be considered in such a crucial planning strategy for the national agenda