Assessing the mediating role of family resilience between caregiver burden and caregiver capacity: a cross-sectional study among Chinese stroke survivors and family caregivers in a real-world setting.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships among caregiver burden, family resilience, and caregiver capacity in the care of stroke survivors. We hypothesised that family resilience would mediate the relationship between caregiver burden and caregiver capacity. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was used. SETTING: The study was conducted in a tertiary care setting in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China. PARTICIPANTS: The study involved 413 stroke survivors and their primary caregivers. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary caregivers completed the Shortened Chinese Version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview and Family Caregiver Task Inventor and provided their sociodemographic information. Stroke survivors were assessed for activities of daily living, and their sociodemographic information was provided. Data were analysed, controlling for sociodemographic variables and focusing on the mediating effect of family resilience. RESULTS: Caregiver burden was influenced by the activities of daily living of stroke survivors, caregiver age and caregiver health status (p<0.05). Higher caregiver burden was associated with lower family resilience (p<0.01). Lower caregiver capacity corresponded to heavier caregiver burden (p<0.01). Family resilience mediated the relationship between caregiver burden and caregiver capacity (b=0.1568; 95% CI: 0.1063 to 0.2385). CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing family resilience can reduce caregiver burden and improve caregiver capacity in stroke care. These findings underscore the importance of developing interventions focused on nursing skills and family resilience.

Pandemic fatigue and clinical front-line medical staff health, job status during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey after the lifting of epidemic restrictions.

AIM: This study aimed to measure pandemic fatigue, physical and mental health, and job status of front-line medical staff in Ningbo. And to identify factors associated with pandemic fatigue. BACKGROUND: There was an acute increase in fatigue symptoms at the COVID-19 pandemic onset. The front-line medical staff is particularly vulnerable to fatigue due to their high-intensity work. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted using an online survey that included demographic data, investigation of COVID-19 history and job status. The Fatigue Assessment Scale, GAD-7 score and Sleep Quality Scale were used to collect data from 479 front-line medical staff. METHODS: The study involved 479 front-line medical staff in Ningbo, China. The survey was conducted using an online questionnaire that included demographic data, investigation of COVID-19 history and job status. The Fatigue Assessment Scale, GAD-7 score and Sleep Quality Scale were used to collect data. RESULTS: The results showed that of the 479 participants, 393 (82%) reported pandemic fatigue, 393 (82%) reported job satisfaction and 433 (90.4%) identified with their sense of job value. Sleep quality, work with a fever, economic subsidies for fighting COVID-19 and recognizing professional value were significantly correlated with pandemic fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: As the COVID-19 pandemic challenges front-line medical workers, implementing measures is essential. Health policy implementers could provide sufficient front-line medical staff to ensure rest in case of infection, promote sleep quality and foster professional value and financial subsidies in units. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The study shows how pandemic fatigue affects front-line medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests measures to support them, including promoting sleep quality, providing rest for infected staff, fostering professional value and financial subsidies. The recommendations are relevant to clinical practice as they help support medical staff and ensure high-quality care for patients during the pandemic. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution. Not applicable.

Effects of sleep duration, perceived organisational support and personal resilience on anxiety in non-hospitalised residents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey study in Ningbo, China.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the association between sleep duration, perceived organisational support (POS), personal resilience and anxiety among non-hospitalised residents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ningbo, China. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, an online survey was conducted from 27 January 2023 to 5 February 2023, involving non-hospitalised residents over 14 years old in Ningbo. We received 1938 valid responses. The study used the General Demographic Characteristics Scale, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale, Brief Resilient Coping Scale and the POS questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the 1938 valid questionnaires, 1068 (55.1%) participants reported anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high organisational support (ß=-0.34, adjusted OR (aOR) 0.71, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.98, p=0.038), moderate resilience (ß=-0.26, aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.95, p=0.013), high resilience (ß=-0.67, aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.73, p<0.001) and sleep duration of ≥7 hours (ß=-1.00, aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.49, p<0.001) were significantly associated with anxiety. Participant characteristics were not associated with anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, organisational support, personal resilience and adequate sleep duration were associated with anxiety among non-hospitalised residents. These findings highlight the importance of increasing organisational support, implementing interventions that promote resilience and stress management, ensuring sufficient rest and sleep duration, and helping residents better manage anxiety.

Aspergetherins A-D, New Chlorinated Biphenyls with anti-MRSA Activity from the Marine Sponge Symbiotic Fungus Aspergillus terreus 164018.

Aspergetherins A-D (1-4), four new chlorinated biphenyls, were isolated from the rice fermentation of a marine sponge symbiotic fungus Aspergillus terreus 164018, along with seven known biphenyl derivatives (5-11). The structures of four new compounds were determined by a comprehensive analysis of the spectroscopic data, including HR-ESI-MS and 2D NMR data. All 11 isolates were evaluated for their anti-bacterial activity against two strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among them, compounds 1, 3, 8 and 10 showed anti-MRSA activity with MIC values of 1.0-128 µg/mL. Preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis unveiled that both chlorinated substitution and esterification of 2-carboxylic acid could impact the antibacterial activity of biphenyls.

Fabrication and application of a wireless high-definition endoscopic system in urological surgeries.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a wireless high-definition endoscopic system (WHES) and compare it with a Storz high-definition (HD) system for image resolution, colour resolution, weight, and costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The WHES incorporated a portable light-emitting diode light source and a wireless camera module, which can be compatible with different types of endoscopes. Images were wirelessly transmitted to a monitor or mobile platform such as smartphone through a receiver. The International Standards Organization 12233 resolution chart image was used for the comparison of image resolution and Munsell Colour Checker Chart for colour resolution. In all, 38 endourologists used a Likert questionnaire to blindly evaluate cystoscopic images from a patient with haematuria. The surgical team was asked about the overall performance of the WHES in 20 laparoscopic adrenalectomies using a unvalidated subjective survey. RESULTS: There was no difference in image resolution between the two systems (5.82 vs 5.89 line pairs/mm). Without lens and respective light sources, there were better purple (ΔE = 21.48 vs 28.73), blue (ΔE = 34.88 vs 38.6) and red colour resolution (ΔE = 29.01 vs 35.45) for the WHES camera (P < 0.05), but orange (ΔE = 43.45 vs 36.52) and yellow (ΔE = 52.7 vs 35.93) resolutions were better for the Storz HD camera (P < 0.05). Comparing the WHES to a Storz laparoscopic system, the Storz system still had better resolution of orange and yellow, while the resolution of purple, blue, and red was similar for the two systems. The expert comments on resolution, brightness, and colour for cystoscopy were not statistically different, but the ergonomics score for the WHES was higher (3.7 vs 3.33, P = 0.038). The overall cost of the WHES was $23 000-25 000 compared with $45 000-50 000 for a Storz system. There were 100% general satisfaction for the WHES in the survey. CONCLUSION: We developed a new WHES that provides the same resolution images as a Storz laparoscopic system and acceptable colour resolution with the advantages of wireless connection, small volume, low cost, portability, and high-speed wireless transmission.

Effect of benzothiadiazole treatment on quality and anthocyanin biosynthesis in plum fruit during storage at ambient temperature.

BACKGROUND: Plums tend to experience a reduction in fruit quality due to ripening and they deteriorate quickly during storage at room temperature. Benzothiadiazole (BTH) is a plant elicitor capable of inducing disease resistance in many crops. In this study, the effect of BTH treatment on fruit ripening, fruit quality, and anthocyanin biosynthesis in 'Taoxingli' plum was investigated. RESULTS: The results showed that BTH treatment could accelerate fruit ripening without affecting the incidence of fruit decay or the shelf life. Benzothiadiazole treatment improved the quality and consumer acceptability of 'Taoxingli' plums during storage by increasing the sweetness, red color formation, and the concentration of healthy antioxidant compounds. The BTH treatment could also effectively promote the biosynthesis of anthocyanin by enhancing the enzyme activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), and uridine diphosphate flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) and up-regulating the gene expressions of PsPAL, PsCHI, PsDFR, PsANS, and PsUFGT during storage. CONCLUSION: Benzothiadiazole treatment could be a potential postharvest technology for improving fruit quality and consumer acceptability in harvested plum fruit. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Flavipesides A-C, PKS-NRPS Hybrids as Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitors from a Marine Sponge Symbiotic Fungus Aspergillus flavipes 164013.

Three unusual chlorinated PKS-NRPS hybrid metabolites, flavipesides A-C (1-3), were isolated from a strain of marine sponge symbiotic fungus Aspergillus flavipes 164013. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, and absolute configurations were assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction with ECD spectral analysis. Flavipesides A-C showed potent pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.07-0.23 µM.

Actinomadura craniellae sp. nov., isolated from a marine sponge in the South China Sea.

A novel marine actinomycete, designated LHW63021T, was isolated from a marine sponge, genus Craniella, collected in the South China Sea. A polyphasic approach was applied to characterize the taxonomic position of this strain. The strain was found to have scarce aerial mycelia that differentiated into spore chains. The cell-wall hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. Glucose, galactose, mannose and madurose were found in the whole-cell hydrolysates. The dominant polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol. MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8) were the predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C18 : 0, 10-methyl C17 : 0 and C18 : 1 ω9c. The DNA G+C content based on the draft genome sequence was 72.0 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain LHW63021T was a member of the genus Actinomadura and had the highest similarity to Actinomadura echinospora DSM 43163T (97.3 %). Phylogenetic trees supported their close relationship. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the whole genome sequences of strain LHW63021T and A. echinospora DSM 43163T were 79.13 and 23.20 %, respectively. The evidence from the polyphasic study shows that strain LHW63021T represents a novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the name Actinomadura craniellae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LHW63021T (=DSM 106125T=CCTCC AA 2018015T).

Micromonospora craniellae sp. nov., isolated from a marine sponge, and reclassification of Jishengella endophytica as Micromonospora endophytica comb. nov.

A novel marine actinomycete, designated LHW63014T, isolated from a marine sponge, Craniella species, collected in the South China Sea, was examined using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain LHW63014T showed highest similarities to Jishengella endophytica 202201T (98.9 %), Micromonospora olivasterospora DSM 43868T (98.7 %), Micromonospora maris AB-18-032T (98.6 %) and Micromonospora gifhornensis DSM 44337T (98.6 %). Phylogenetic analyses of the family Micromonosporaceae based on the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences indicated that strain LHW63014T and J. endophytica 202201T located within the genus Micromonospora. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics confirmed their affiliation to the genus Micromonospora. Based on phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and digital DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain LHW63014T could be distinguished from its closest taxa, representing a novel species of the genus Micromonospora, for which the name Micromonospora craniellae sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain LHW63014T (=DSM 106193T=CCTCC AA 2018012T). It is also proposed that J. endophytica be transferred to genus Micromonospora as Micromonospora endophytica comb. nov. (type strain 202201T =CGMCC 4.5597T=DSM 45430T).

Spongiactinospora rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Streptosporangiaceae.

A novel aerobic, spore-forming, marine actinomycete, designated strain LHW63015T, was isolated from a Craniella marine sponge collected in the South China Sea. The strain formed extensively branched substrate and aerial mycelia which carried long and crooked spore chains composed of ridged spores and spherical pseudosporangia. Strain LHW63015T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. Glucose, ribose, mannose, galactose and madurose occured in whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant polar lipids were hydroxyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphoglycolipid and ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipid. MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H6) were the predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acids were 10-methyl C17 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.8 mol%. In phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain LHW63015T fell within the family Streptosporangiaceae and formed a distinct monophyletic lineage adjacent to the genus Sphaerisporangium, and shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.2 % with Sphaerisporangium album YIM 48782T. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, a novel genus and species of the family Streptosporangiaceae, for which the name Spongiactinospora rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain LHW63015T (=DSM 106635T=CCTCC AA 2018019T).

Charged Metalloporphyrin Polymers for Cooperative Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from CO2 under Ambient Conditions.

A facile and one-pot synthesis of metalloporphyrin-based ionic porous organic polymers (M-iPOPs) was performed through a typical Yamamoto-Ullmann coupling reaction for the first time. We used various characterization techniques to demonstrate that these strongly polar Al-based materials (Al-iPOP) possessed a relatively uniform microporosity, good swellable features, and a good CO2 capture capacity. If we consider the particular physicochemical properties, heterogeneous Al-iPOP, which bears both a metal active center and halogen anion, acted as a bifunctional catalyst for the solvent- and additive-free synthesis of cyclic carbonates from various epoxides and CO2 with an excellent activity and good recyclability under mild conditions. Interestingly, these CO2 -philic materials could catalyze the cycloaddition reaction smoothly by using simulated flue gas (15 % CO2 in N2 , v/v) as a raw material, which indicates that a stable local microenvironment and polymer swellability might promote the transformation. Thus, the introduction of polar ionic liquid units into metalloporphyrin-based porous materials is regarded as a promising new strategy for the chemical conversion of CO2 .

Metallosalen-Based Ionic Porous Polymers as Bifunctional Catalysts for the Conversion of CO2 into Valuable Chemicals.

A series of new metallosalen-based ionic porous organic polymers (POPs) were synthesized for the first time using a simple unique strategy based on the free-radical copolymerization reaction. Various techniques were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of these catalysts. These well-designed materials endowed high surface area, hierarchical porous structures, and enhanced CO2 /N2 adsorptive selectivity. Moreover, these POPs having both metal centers (Lewis acid) and ionic units (nucleophile) could serve as bifunctional catalysts in the catalytic conversion of CO2 into high value-added chemicals without any additional co-catalyst under mild and solvent-free conditions, for example, CO2 /epoxides cycloaddition and Nformylation of amines from CO2 and hydrosilanes. The results demonstrated that the irregular porous structure was very favorable for the diffusion of substrates and products, and the microporous structural property resulted in the enrichment of CO2 near the catalytic centers in the CO2 -involved transformations. Additionally, the superhydrophobic property could not only enhance the chemoselectivity of products but also promote the stability and recyclability of catalysts.