Using rDNA ITS2 barcoding to identify kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) from the genus Mitragyna and Neolamarckia cadamba.

This study collected 80 samples of suspected kratom plant powder. A polymerase chain reaction sequence analysis was conducted using two sets of DNA barcode primers for plant ribosomal (r)DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITSs), namely, ITS3/ITS4 and ITS-p3/ITS-u4. Among the 80 samples, 40 were analyzed using the ITS3/ITS4 primer pair, and then DNA sequences were subjected to a National Center for Biotechnology Information-Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (NCBI-BLAST) comparison. Results showed that 29 samples had a 100% match (364/364) with Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), and 6 samples had a 99.73% match (363/364) with M. speciosa, whereas 5 samples had disordered and unreadable sequences. The 5 unreadable samples and an additional 40 suspected kratom samples were then analyzed using the ITS-p3/ITS-u4 primer pair, followed by an NCBI-BLAST comparison. Among these, 32 samples had a 100% match (404/404) with M. speciosa, and 11 samples had a 99.75% match (403/404) with M. speciosa. Among the samples with sequences matching M. speciosa, three distinct types were observed (no variance/404, 287M/404, and 287A/404). One sample had a 99.51% match (404/406) with Neolamarckia cadamba, and another sample had a sequencing length of 305 bp, with 25 positions showing mixed base pairs, indicating a mixture of different species. Analysis of the mixed base pair pattern suggested a possible mixture of M. speciosa and N. cadamba. Actually, M. speciosa and N. cadamba have very similar external morphologies. This indicates that the ITS-p3/ITS-u4 primer pair is effective in distinguishing mixtures of M. speciosa and N. cadamba and is thus more suitable than ITS3/ITS4 for identifying and analyzing samples of suspected kratom plant powder.

SSR individual identification system construction and population genetics analysis for Chamaecyparis formosensis.

Chamaecyparis formosensis is an endemic species of Taiwan, threatened from intensive use and illegal felling. An individual identification system for C. formosensis is required to provide scientific evidence for court use and deter illegal felling. In this study, 36 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers were developed. By applying up to 28 non-linked of the developed markers, it is calculated that the cumulative random probability of identity (CPI) is as low as 1.652 × 10-12, and the identifiable population size is up to 60 million, which is greater than the known C. formosensis population size in Taiwan. Biogeographical analysis data show that C. formosensis from four geographic areas belong to the same genetic population, which can be further divided into three clusters: SY (Eastern Taiwan), HV and GW (Northwestern Taiwan), and MM (Southwestern Taiwan). The developed system was applied to assess the provenance of samples with 88.44% accuracy rate and therefore can serve as a prescreening tool to reduce the range required for comparison. The system developed in this study is a potential crime-fighting tool against illegal felling.

Development and technical application of SSR-based individual identification system for Chamaecyparis taiwanensis against illegal logging convictions.

Chamaecyparis taiwanensis is an endemic plant suffering illegal logging in Taiwan for its high economic value. Lack of direct evidence to correlate stump and timber remains a hurdle for law enforcement. In this report, 23 polymorphic Genomic Simple Sequence Repeat (gSSR) and 12 Expressed Sequence Tag (EST)-SSR markers were developed and their transferability was assessed. The individual identification system built from selected non-linkage 30 SSR markers has a combined probability of identity as 5.596 × 10-12 equivalents to identifying an individual in a population of up to 18 million C. taiwanensis with 99.99% confidence level. We also applied the system in an actual criminal case by selecting 19 of these markers to correlate illegally felled timbers and victim trees. Our data demonstrate that molecular signals from three timbers hit with three victim trees with confidence level more than 99.99%. This is the first example of successfully applying SSR in C. taiwanensis as a court evidence for law enforcement. The identification system adapted advanced molecular technology and exhibits its great potential for natural resource management on C. taiwanensis.

Effects of Multimedia Framed Messages on Human Papillomavirus Prevention Among Adolescents.

The purposes of this study were to develop gain-framed (benefits of performing behaviors) and loss-framed (costs of not performing behaviors) messages and to identify the effects of these messages on human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical cancer awareness and vaccination intention. Self-administered questionnaires and effect-size measurements were used to evaluate the effects of the framed HPV vaccination messages delivered through multimedia. The results showed that gain-framed and loss-framed messages equally improved HPV knowledge ( d = 2.147-2.112) and attitude toward HPV vaccination ( d = 0.375-0.422). The intent to receive HPV vaccinations for cervical cancer prevention was higher in the two intervention groups ( d = 0.369-0.378) in which the participants were informed that public funding for the vaccination was available. Participants who received loss-framed HPV education messages paid statistically significantly more attention to health education and expressed more concern for sexual health than participants who received gain-framed HPV education messages.

Effects of Didactic Instruction and Test-Enhanced Learning in a Nursing Review Course.

BACKGROUND: Determining the most effective approach for students' successful academic performance and achievement on the national licensure examination for RNs is important to nursing education and practice. METHOD: A quasi-experimental design was used to compare didactic instruction and test-enhanced learning among nursing students divided into two fundamental nursing review courses in their final semester. Students in each course were subdivided into low-, intermediate-, and high-score groups based on their first examination scores. Mixed model of repeated measure and two-way analysis of variance were applied to evaluate students' academic results and both teaching approaches. RESULTS: Intermediate-scoring students' performances improved more through didactic instruction, whereas low-scoring students' performances improved more through test-enhanced learning. CONCLUSION: Each method had differing effects on individual subgroups within the different performance level groups of their classes, which points to the importance of considering both the didactic and test-enhanced learning approaches. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(11):683-687.].

The C2 protein of tomato leaf curl Taiwan virus is a pathogenicity determinant that interferes with expression of host genes encoding chromomethylases.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most important crops worldwide and is severely affected by geminiviruses. Tomato leaf curl Taiwan virus (ToLCTWV), belonging to the geminiviruses, was isolated in Taiwan and causes tremendous crop loss. The geminivirus-encoded C2 proteins are crucial for a successful interaction between the virus and host plants. However, the exact functions of the viral C2 protein of ToLCTWV have not been investigated. We analyzed the molecular function(s) of the C2 protein by transient or stable expression in tomato cv. Micro-Tom and Nicotiana benthamiana. Severe stunting of tomato and N. benthamiana plants infected with ToLCTWV was observed. Expression of ToLCTWV C2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein was predominately located in the nucleus and contributed to activation of a coat protein promoter. Notably, the C2-GFP fluorescence was distributed in nuclear aggregates. Tomato and N. benthamiana plants inoculated with potato virus X (PVX)-C2 displayed chlorotic lesions and stunted growth. PVX-C2 elicited hypersensitive responses accompanied by production of reactive oxygen species in N. benthamiana plants, which suggests that the viral C2 was a potential recognition target to induce host-defense responses. In tomato and N. benthamiana, ToLCTWV C2 was found to interfere with expression of genes encoding chromomethylases. N. benthamiana plants with suppressed NbCMT3-2 expression were more susceptible to ToLCTWV infection. Transgenic N. benthamiana plants expressing the C2 protein showed decreased expression of the NbCMT3-2 gene and pNbCMT3-2::GUS (ß-glucuronidase) promoter activity. C2 protein is an important pathogenicity determinant of ToLCTWV and interferes with host components involved in DNA methylation.

Perceived Risk of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer among Adolescent Women in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: High-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are a critical etiologic factor behind cervical cancer. Adolescents are a vulnerable group for HPV infection. However, the literature on adolescent women for HPV infection and cervical cancer is limited. This study was to investigate HPV-related knowledge and perceived risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer among Taiwanese adolescent women in order to assess intervention strategies for prevention of cervical cancer and maintenance of reproductive health. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was implemented. There were 610 adolescent women from three colleges in Southern Taiwan who participated in this study. Data were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The results showed that the percentage of appropriate answers to HPV-related knowledge questions was only 36.8%, and smoking as the leading cause of cervical cancer received the lowest mean score for appropriate answers among the HPV-related knowledge items. The perceived risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer were moderate, with relatively lower susceptibility to infection with HPV than to cervical cancer (p < .001). Only 11.5% of the participants reported that they had received information about HPV vaccination from healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Participants lacked a comprehensive understanding of cervical cancer prevention and were not aware of their susceptibility to HPV infection. Adolescent women rarely obtained HPV-related information from healthcare professionals. Appropriate education strategies should be developed and conducted by healthcare professionals to reduce the risk of cervical cancer threat from adolescence.

HPV knowledge and factors associated with intention to use condoms for reducing HPV infection risk among adolescent women in Taiwan.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a frequent cause of sexually transmitted infection worldwide, and has a key role in the etiology of cervical cancer. Young people are the most vulnerable age group for acquiring HPV infection, but this particular age group in Taiwan knows little about it. This study investigated Taiwanese adolescent women's knowledge of HPV and factors associated with intention to use condoms for reducing HPV-related diseases among adolescent women. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and a convenience sample of 384 adolescent women aged 15 to 16 years in Southern Taiwan was recruited. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test or ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. Only 26.6% of the participants were aware of HPV. The percentage of correct answers for knowledge about HPV was 35.4%. Factors associated with intention to use condoms for HPV prevention were discussion of sexual issues, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and HPV knowledge. These variables accounted for 55.8% of the variance in scores for intention to use condoms for HPV prevention. These findings could be used in future HPV prevention education and campaigns. Future intervention programs might be particularly focused on insufficient HPV knowledge among adolescent females.

An exploration of human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer prevention experiences among college women: a descriptive qualitative approach.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To enhance understanding of young women's experiences of human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer prevention in Taiwan. BACKGROUND: High-risk types of human papillomavirus are a key aetiologic factor behind cervical cancer. Recently, human papillomavirus vaccination is considered an effective approach to prevent vaccine-specific typed human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer in women. However, several controversial issues still arise about routine administration of human papillomavirus vaccines, and the literature on young women's protection against human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer is limited. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative design categorised responses into themes. METHODS: Sixteen sexually active college women (aged 20-22 years) were recruited via purposive and snow-ball sampling in Southern Taiwan. Every participant underwent an in-depth interview which was audio-recorded and fully transcribed. Analysis of the interview material was inductive and followed a thematic analysis approach. Procedures to confirm confidentiality, credibility and consistency were considered. RESULTS: This article provides an insight into the college women's experiences in the obstacles to and striving towards breakthroughs of human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer prevention. The obstacles include inadequate health literacy, financial difficulty, negative medical experiences and gender myths. The striving towards breakthroughs consists in self-protection and knowledge support. CONCLUSION: College women experience difficulties with human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer prevention. They desire to have a publicly funded human papillomavirus immunisation programme, friendly medical environments, sufficient knowledge and open-minded society to maintain their health. Such reflection information is helpful to design effective human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer prevention campaigns. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Young women do not know how to protect against human papillomavirus infection, although human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer prevention methods are definite. This study provides useful information for health care professionals to assess the intervention education and health care to develop a thorough human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer programme. To have control of human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer for young women, personal health care management, prophylactic medicine and Pap tests should be integrated into human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer campaigns.

[High-quality nursing health care environment: the patient safety perspective].

Patient safety is regarded as an important indicator of nursing care quality, and nurses hold frontline responsibility to maintain patient safety. Many countries now face healthcare provider shortfalls, and recognize a close correlation between adequate manpower and patient safety. Many healthcare organizations work to foster positive work environments in order to improve health service quality. The active participation and "buy in" of nurses, patients and policymakers are critical to maximize healthcare environment quality and improve patient safety. This article adopts Donabedian's theoretical "Structure-Process-Outcome" model of quality (Donabedian, 1988) and presumes all high-quality healthcare environment indicators to be linked to patient safety. In addition to raising public awareness regarding the influence of healthcare environment quality on patient safety, this research suggests certain indicators for tracking and assessing healthcare environment quality. Future research may design an empirical study based on these indicators to help further enhance healthcare environment quality and the professional development of nurses.

Relationship between perceived empowerment care and quality of life among elderly residents within nursing homes in Taiwan: a questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: It is essential for nurses to have a solid understanding of what may influence the quality of life (QOL) among elderly residents within nursing homes. Although many factors have been demonstrated to be related to the QOL among elderly people, the relationship between perceived empowerment care and QOL among elderly residents within nursing homes has not been investigated thoroughly. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore how demographic characteristics, perceived empowerment care and functional status affect perceived QOL among the elderly residents who reside in nursing homes. DESIGN: This study employed a cross-sectional design. SETTINGS: Eight nursing homes throughout southern Taiwan were recruited into this study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and two residents aged 65 years or older residing in nursing homes for at least 6 months, who did not have moderate to severe obstacles in cognitive ability, were recruited as participants. METHODS: A questionnaire including demographic data, a physical function scale, an activity of daily living (ADL) scale, a patient empowerment scale, and a QOL index was used in this study. RESULTS: The results showed a medium rating level of QOL among elderly residents. Elderly residents did not feel excessively disempowered care. Perceived empowering care, ADLs and marital status were significant predictors of QOL, which explained 45.3% of the total amount of variance in QOL. Perceived empowering care was the most important predictor of QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should pay attention to the effect of empowering care on QOL of elderly residents within nursing homes. Empowering care should be considered as a strategy of nursing care in nursing homes.