Root nodules of red alder (Alnus rubra) and sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata) are inhabited by taxonomically diverse cultivable microbial endophytes.

The root nodules of actinorhizal plants are home to nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbionts, known as Frankia, along with a small percentage of other microorganisms. These include fungal endophytes and non-Frankia bacteria. The taxonomic and functional diversity of the microbial consortia within these root nodules is not well understood. In this study, we surveyed and analyzed the cultivable, non-Frankia fungal and bacterial endophytes of root nodules from red and Sitka alder trees that grow together. We examined their taxonomic diversity, co-occurrence, differences between hosts, and potential functional roles. For the first time, we are reporting numerous fungal endophytes of alder root nodules. These include Sporothrix guttuliformis, Fontanospora sp., Cadophora melinii, an unclassified Cadophora, Ilyonectria destructans, an unclassified Gibberella, Nectria ramulariae, an unclassified Trichoderma, Mycosphaerella tassiana, an unclassified Talaromyces, Coniochaeta sp., and Sistotrema brinkmanii. We are also reporting several bacterial genera for the first time: Collimonas, Psychrobacillus, and Phyllobacterium. Additionally, we are reporting the genus Serratia for the second time, with the first report having been recently published in 2023. Pseudomonas was the most frequently isolated bacterial genus and was found to co-inhabit individual nodules with both fungi and bacteria. We found that the communities of fungal endophytes differed by host species, while the communities of bacterial endophytes did not.

Evaluating Workforce Mental Health and Well-Being: A Review of Assessments.

OBJECTIVE: Given the importance of mental health and well-being assessments to employers' efforts to optimize employee health and well-being, this paper reviews mental health assessments that have utility in the workplace. DATA SOURCE: A review of publicly available mental health and well-being assessments was conducted with a primary focus on burnout, general mental health and well-being, loneliness, psychological safety, resilience, and stress. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Assessments had to be validated for adult populations; available in English as a stand-alone tool; have utility in an employer setting; and not have a primary purpose of diagnosing a mental health condition. DATA EXTRACTION: All assessments were reviewed by a minimum of two expert reviewers to document number of questions, subscales, fee structure, international use, translations available, scoring/reporting, respondent (ie, employee or organization), and the target of the assessment (ie, mental health domain and organizational or individual level assessments. DATA SYNTHESIS & RESULTS: Sixty-six assessments across the six focus areas met inclusion criteria, enabling employers to select assessments that meet their self-identified measurement needs. CONCLUSION: This review provides employers with resources that can help them understand their workforce's mental health and well-being status across multiple domains, which can serve as a needs assessment, facilitate strategic planning of mental health and well-being initiatives, and optimize evaluation efforts.

ß2 -Adrenoceptor agonist profiling reveals biased signalling phenotypes for the ß2 -adrenoceptor with possible implications for the treatment of asthma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: ß-Adrenoceptor agonists relieve airflow obstruction by activating ß2 -adrenoceptors, which are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed on human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells. The currently available ß-adrenoceptor agonists are balanced agonists, however, and signal through both the stimulatory G protein (Gs )- and ß-arrestin-mediated pathways. While Gs signalling is beneficial and promotes HASM relaxation, ß-arrestin activation is associated with reduced Gs efficacy. In this context, biased ligands that selectively promote ß2 -adrenoceptor coupling to Gs signalling represent a promising strategy to treat asthma. Here, we examined several ß-adrenoceptor agonists to identify Gs -biased ligands devoid of ß-arrestin-mediated effects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Gs -biased ligands for the ß2 -adrenoceptor were identified by high-throughput screening and then evaluated for Gs interaction, Gi interaction, cAMP production, ß-arrestin interaction, GPCR kinase (GRK) phosphorylation of the receptor, receptor trafficking, ERK activation, and functional desensitization of the ß2 -adrenoceptor. KEY RESULTS: We identified ractopamine, dobutamine, and higenamine as Gs -biased agonists that activate the Gs /cAMP pathway upon ß2 -adrenoceptor stimulation while showing minimal Gi or ß-arrestin interaction. Furthermore, these compounds did not induce any receptor trafficking and had reduced GRK5-mediated phosphorylation of the ß2 -adrenoceptor. Finally, we observed minimal physiological desensitization of the ß2 -adrenoceptor in primary HASM cells upon treatment with biased agonists. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our work demonstrates that Gs -biased signalling through the ß2 -adrenoceptor may prove to be an effective strategy to promote HASM relaxation in the treatment of asthma. Such biased compounds may also be useful in identifying the molecular mechanisms that determine biased signalling and in design of safer drugs.

Culturable fungal endophyte communities of primary successional plants on Mount St. Helens, WA, USA.

BACKGROUND: While a considerable amount of research has explored plant community composition in primary successional systems, little is known about the microbial communities inhabiting these pioneer plant species. Fungal endophytes are ubiquitous within plants, and may play major roles in early successional ecosystems. Specifically, endophytes have been shown to affect successional processes, as well as alter host stress tolerance and litter decomposition dynamics-both of which are important components in harsh environments where soil organic matter is still scarce. RESULTS: To determine possible contributions of fungal endophytes to plant colonization patterns, we surveyed six of the most common woody species on the Pumice Plain of Mount St. Helens (WA, USA; Lawetlat'la in the Cowlitz language; created during the 1980 eruption)-a model primary successional ecosystem-and found low colonization rates (< 15%), low species richness, and low diversity. Furthermore, while endophyte community composition did differ among woody species, we found only marginal evidence of temporal changes in community composition over a single field season (July-September). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that even after a post-eruption period of 40 years, foliar endophyte communities still seem to be in the early stages of community development, and that the dominant pioneer riparian species Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata) and Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) may be serving as important microbial reservoirs for incoming plant colonizers.

Phylogenetics and genetic variation of Heligmosomoides thomomyos in Western pocket gophers (Thomomys spp.).

The host specificities and systematics of North American Heligmosomoides species remain particularly uncertain. The primary aim of this study was to verify that a species described previously based only on morphology, H. thomomyos, from pocket gopher (Rodentia: Geomyidae) hosts in Oregon represented a monophyletic lineage. In order to address this aspect, as well as to further understand relationships and geographic patterns, we carried out phylogenetic, genetic diversity, and population dynamic analyses using partial 18S rRNA and COI mtDNA sequences of Heligmosomoides specimens. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that there are likely multiple Heligmosomoides species present in these hosts. This was supported by the high degree of divergence and differentiation found among populations, significant population structure between locations, and a modest positive association between geographic and genetic distances. This study serves as the first molecular characterization and first phylogenetic report of H. thomomyos, and documents two new host records for this parasite. The relationship of H. thomomyos among pocket gopher hosts and to other Heligmosomoides species, however, warrants continued study.

On the fly: Adapting quickly to emergency remote instruction in a family literacy programme.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to extraordinary changes in family literacy instruction, forcing face-to-face programmes to shift rapidly (or "on the fly") to online, remote instruction. This study is one of the few on online teaching and learning in family literacy and, to the knowledge of the authors, the first on emergency remote instruction in a family literacy programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article examines how the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy at The Pennsylvania State University in the United States has responded to the pandemic by converting its face-to-face family literacy classes into emergency remote instruction using online platforms. Serving eight immigrant families in 2019-2020 who live in the State College area in central Pennsylvania, the Family Pathways programme includes adult education, parent education and interactive parent-child literacy activities. The article discusses how teachers created online learning opportunities for parents and children to learn together, the strategies and resources instructors used to teach remotely, how challenges such as discomfort with technology were addressed, and what has been learned from the experience. Although COVID-19 presents unprecedented challenges for educators and learners in family literacy programmes more broadly, it has also compelled instructors in this particular programme to use remote instruction creatively and has revealed the critical importance of family literacy programmes as an educational support system for low-income and immigrant families.

À la volée : adaptation rapide à l'urgence du télé-enseignement dans le cadre d'un programme d'alphabétisation familiale ­ La pandémie de COVID 19 a entraîné des changements extraordinaires en matière d'alphabétisation familiale, contraignant les programmes en présentiel à passer rapidement (pour ainsi dire, à la volée) à un mode d'enseignement à distance en ligne. Cette étude est l'une des rares à aborder l'enseignement et l'apprentissage en ligne en matière d'alphabétisation et, à la connaissance des auteures, elle est la première qui porte sur l'enseignement à distance dans le cadre d'un programme d'alphabétisation familiale durant la pandémie de COVID-19. Le présent article se penche sur la réponse que l'Institut Goodling de recherche en alphabétisation familiale de la Pennsylvania State University (USA) a apporté à la pandémie en transformant, à chaud, ses cours d'alphabétisation familiale en présentiel en cours à distance par le biais de plateformes en ligne. Le programme Family Pathways, qui accueillait en 2019­2020 huit familles immigrées habitant près de State College, une circonscription administrative dans le centre de la Pennsylvanie, comporte des volets d'éducation des adultes, d'éducation parentale et d'activités interactives d'alphabétisation parents-enfants. Il examine différents aspects de ce programme : comment des enseignants ont élaboré des offres d'apprentissage en ligne pour permettre aux parents et aux enfants d'apprendre ensemble; les stratégies et ressources utilisées par les enseignants dans leurs cours à distance; comment les défis, comme le fait d'être mal à l'aise avec la technologie, ont été abordés et quels sont les leçons tirées de cette expérience. Bien que la COVID-19 pose plus globalement des défis sans précédent aux éducateurs et aux apprenants des programmes d'alphabétisation familiale, elle a aussi obligé les enseignants de ce programme particulier à faire un usage créatif du télé-enseignement et révélé l'importance décisive des programmes d'alphabétisation familiale pour offrir un système de soutien éducatif à des familles immigrées et disposant de faibles revenus.

Interfacial vs Bulk Phenomena Effects on the Surface Tensions of Aqueous Magnetic Surfactants in Uniform Magnetic Fields.

The literature clearly reports that magnetic surfactant systems respond to magnetic fields. This manuscript investigates if the responses are because the magnetic fields directly alter the interfacial properties or if the surface-active properties are independent of the paramagnetic fluid responses. It uses uniform and gradient magnetic fields to determine the magnetically induced changes to the surface tensions independent of bulk paramagnetic fluid effects for ionic magnetic surfactants. The magnetically induced decrease in surface tensions is small compared to the bulk paramagnetic fluid effects. The reported decrease in surface tensions is significantly smaller than those previously found in the literature, which reported a combined interfacial and bulk paramagnetic effect. The magnetically induced surface tension changes are a function of the degree of association, α, of the magnetic moiety with the surfactant's amphiphilic structure. Therefore, the proposed answer to the question is that as α approaches zero, the magnetic properties of the magnetic surfactant system approaches the behavior of an ordinary paramagnetic fluid. For magnetic surfactants with α approaching one, there is a measurable interfacial response. For example in this study, a magnetic surfactant with α = 0.92 had a 2.5 times greater magnetically induced change in surface tension compared to a magnetic surfactant with α = undetectable, even thought they had similar magnetic moments.

Do Foliar Endophytes Matter in Litter Decomposition?

Litter decomposition rates are affected by a variety of abiotic and biotic factors, including the presence of fungal endophytes in host plant tissues. This review broadly analyzes the findings of 67 studies on the roles of foliar endophytes in litter decomposition, and their effects on decomposition rates. From 29 studies and 1 review, we compiled a comprehensive table of 710 leaf-associated fungal taxa, including the type of tissue these taxa were associated with and isolated from, whether they were reported as endo- or epiphytic, and whether they had reported saprophytic abilities. Aquatic (i.e., in-stream) decomposition studies of endophyte-affected litter were significantly under-represented in the search results (p < 0.0001). Indicator species analyses revealed that different groups of fungal endophytes were significantly associated with cool or tropical climates, as well as specific plant host genera (p < 0.05). Finally, we argue that host plant and endophyte interactions can significantly influence litter decomposition rates and should be considered when interpreting results from both terrestrial and in-stream litter decomposition experiments.

Gauze Impregnated With Quaternary Ammonium Salt Reduces Bacterial Colonization of Surgical Drains After Breast Reconstruction.

Surgical site infection after breast reconstruction is associated with increased length of hospital stay, readmission rates, cost, morbidity, and mortality. Identifying methods to reduce surgical site infection without the use of antibiotics may be beneficial at reducing antimicrobial resistance, reserving the use of antibiotics for more severe cases. Quaternary ammonium salts have previously been shown to be a safe and effective antimicrobial agent in the setting of in vitro and in vivo animal experiments. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial properties of a quaternary ammonium salt, 3-trimethoxysilyl propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride (QAS-3PAC; Bio-spear), at reducing surgical drain site colonization and infection after breast reconstruction (deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction or tissue expander placement). Twenty patients were enrolled, with 14 surgical drains covered with nonimpregnated gauze and 17 surgical drains covered with QAS-3PAC impregnated gauze, for the purposes of investigating bacterial colonization. Antibiotic sensitivity analysis was also conducted when bacterial cultures were positive. The overall incidence of bacterial colonization of surgical drains was lower in the treatment group compared with the control group (17.6% vs 64.3%, respectively; P = 0.008). QAS-3PAC impregnated gauze reduced the incidence of bacterial colonization of surgical drains during the first (0.0% vs 33.3%) and second (33.3% vs 87.5%; P = 0.04) postoperative week. Furthermore, no enhanced antibiotic resistance was noted on drains treated with QAS-3PAC impregnated gauze. The results of this study suggest that QAS-3PAC impregnated gauze applied over surgical drains may be an effective method for reducing the incidence of bacterial colonization.

A Comparison of 4 Analgesic Regimens for Acute Postoperative Pain Control in Breast Augmentation Patients.

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing breast augmentation are treated with multiple combinations of medications for pain control including ketorolac, liposomal bupivacaine, bupivacaine, and intravenous and oral narcotics. There is no current consensus on the optimal combination; therefore, all are used at the discretion of the surgeon. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study. The total number of patients included was 132. Comparisons were made between 4 groups: bupivacaine only (B); bupivacaine and liposomal bupivacaine (BL); bupivacaine and liposomal bupivacaine plus intraoperative ketorolac (BLKi); and bupivacaine and liposomal bupivacaine plus postoperative ketorolac (BLKp). Average pain scores immediately postoperative and before discharge were recorded and correlated to percentage of patients who received narcotic in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Additional end points noted were side effects including nausea and time spent in PACU postoperatively. RESULTS: Those receiving intraoperative ketorolac had the lowest pain on discharge (P < 0.0001) and the lowest percentage of patients receiving narcotics (P = 0.009) out of all 4 groups. There was no significant difference between the 4 groups in terms of time spent in PACU, pain immediately after the procedure, or amount of antiemetic given. No bleeding complications were noted for those who did or did not receive ketorolac. CONCLUSIONS: When given options for pain control in breast augmentation, intraoperative ketorolac should be considered, because its inclusion was significant in decreasing use of narcotics and pain upon discharge. Addition of other costly drugs such as liposomal bupivacaine may not provide additional benefit in the immediate postoperative setting for procedures with a short recovery period such as breast augmentation.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Salvage with Omental Flap.

A large number of people are affected with heart failure annually and require left ventricular assist device placement as a bridge to heart transplant or as destination therapy. When these devices become infected, it is a challenge to eradicate the infection. Failure ultimately results in a significant morbidity and mortality. Source control along with debridement and antibiotics can eradicate the infection of the patient, but many times there is a large defect that needs soft-tissue coverage. Many options for soft-tissue coverage have been suggested, but omentum may be an excellent choice due to its vascularity, bulk, and immunological properties. In this case report, the omental flap is employed for salvage of the left ventricular assist device with excellent results.

The evolution in management of patients with subcentimeter, node-negative, triple-negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the evolution in treatment recommendations and outcomes for patients with subcentimeter, node-negative, triple-negative disease. METHODS: Patients were divided into a remote (diagnosed from 1997 to 2003) and a recent (diagnosed from 2004 to 2011) group. Demographics, tumor size, surgical treatment, use of adjuvant chemotherapy, survival, and disease recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty patients were placed in the remote group and 31 in the recent group. Demographics, tumor sizes, and surgical treatment were similar between groups. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy increased from 7% to 42% in the recent group (P < .002). Disease-free survival and recurrence (7%) was not influenced by the use of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that adjuvant chemotherapy is increasingly used in patients with the triple-negative phenotype, regardless of other favorable prognostic variables. The value of adjuvant chemotherapy for the subgroup of patients in our study is unclear and mandates further investigation.

Breast reconstruction.

As diagnostic technology has progressed and the understanding of the disease process has evolved, the number of mastectomies performed in the United States has increased. Breast reconstructive techniques have commensurately become more sophisticated along the same timeline. The result is that those facing mastectomy have the potential to simultaneously retain physical beauty and wholeness. Only 33% of women who are otherwise candidates for immediate reconstruction at the time of mastectomy choose reconstruction. Patients generally have a high level of satisfaction with the option they choose, contributing to a feeling of overall recovery and physical and emotional wholeness.