Biofortification: Future Challenges for a Newly Emerging Technology to Improve Nutrition Security Sustainably.

Biofortification was coined as a term to define a plant breeding strategy to increase the micronutrient content of staple food crops to reduce the burden of micronutrient deficiencies in low- and middle-income countries. In 2003, the HarvestPlus program, based in the centers comprising the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, was initiated to implement the biofortification strategy. This article discusses what has been achieved, what has been learned, and the key challenges to embed biofortification in food systems and to expand its impact.

Histology independent drug development - Is this the future for cancer drugs?

The Cancer Drug Development Forum (CDDF)'s 'Histology independent drug development - is this the future for cancer drugs?' workshop was set up to explore the current landscape of histology independent drug development, review the current regulatory landscape and propose recommendations for improving the conduct of future trials. The first session considered lessons learnt from previous trials, including innovative solutions for reimbursement. The session explored why overall survival represents the most valuable endpoint, and the importance of duration of response, which can be captured with swimmer and spider plots.

SMRT-AgRenSeq-d in potato () as a method to identify candidates for the nematode resistance Gpa5.

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world. Diverse pathogens threaten sustainable crop production but can be controlled, in many cases, through the deployment of disease resistance genes belonging to the family of nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) genes. To identify effective disease resistance genes in established varieties, we have successfully established SMRT-AgRenSeq in tetraploid potatoes and have further enhanced the methodology by including dRenSeq in an approach that we term SMR-AgRenSeq-d.

HISS: Snakemake-based workflows for performing SMRT-RenSeq assembly, AgRenSeq and dRenSeq for the discovery of novel plant disease resistance genes.

Background: In the ten years since the initial publication of the RenSeq protocol, the method has proved to be a powerful tool for studying disease resistance in plants and providing target genes for breeding programmes. Since the initial publication of the methodology, it has continued to be developed as new technologies have become available and the increased availability of computing power has made new bioinformatic approaches possible. Most recently, this has included the development of a k-mer based association genetics approach, the use of PacBio HiFi data, and graphical genotyping with diagnostic RenSeq.

Asynchronous Peer Review Feedback in an Undergraduate Nursing Course: What Students Can Teach Each Other About Writing.

Background: Because patient care depends on nurses' ability to effectively communicate, nursing students need opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills through low-stakes activities. However, content-intensive classes and clinical schedules are obstacles to explicit writing support. Online asynchronous peer review can be an effective solution.

Genome-Annotated Bacterial Collection of the Barley Rhizosphere Microbiota.

A culture collection of 41 bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. ) is available at the Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee (UK). The data include information on genes putatively implicated in nitrogen fixation, HCN channels, phosphate solubilization, and linked whole-genome sequences.

Resisting Potato Cyst Nematodes With Resistance.

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are economically important pests with a worldwide distribution in all temperate regions where potatoes are grown. Because above ground symptoms are non-specific, and detection of cysts in the soil is determined by the intensity of sampling, infestations are frequently spread before they are recognised. PCN cysts are resilient and persistent; their cargo of eggs can remain viable for over two decades, and thus once introduced PCN are very difficult to eradicate.

At the X-Roads of Sex and Genetics in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Group 1 pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary arterial hypertension; PAH) is a rare disease characterized by remodeling of the small pulmonary arteries leading to progressive elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance, ultimately leading to right ventricular failure and death. Deleterious mutations in the serine-threonine receptor bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (; a central mediator of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling) and female sex are known risk factors for the development of PAH in humans. In this narrative review, we explore the complex interplay between the BMP and estrogen signaling pathways, and the potentially synergistic mechanisms by which these signaling cascades increase the risk of developing PAH.

Resilient agri-food systems for nutrition amidst COVID-19: evidence and lessons from food-based approaches to overcome micronutrient deficiency and rebuild livelihoods after crises.

COVID-19 has had an instant effect on food systems in developing countries. Restrictions to the movement of people and goods have impaired access to markets, services and food. Unlike other concurrent crises, rather than threatening the material hardware of food systems, COVID-19 has so far affected the 'software' of food systems, highlighting again that connectivity is at the heart of these systems.

A Diabetes Screening and Educational Event in Rural Alabama.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an increasingly urgent public health issue in the United States. Prevention through early detection and education can help decrease the prevalence and complications of the disease. A nursing faculty member and a postgraduate year one pharmacy resident collaborated to provide diabetes screening and education at a local festival in rural Alabama.

The 21st Century Echocardiography Laboratory in Australia and New Zealand: Rapid Evolution of Training and Workforce, Practice and Technology.

Echocardiography is a common and increasingly used noninvasive imaging tool in medicine. In this paper, we imagine the echocardiography laboratory of the future and consider the challenges we face currently, and may face in the future, and how these might be overcome; challenges such as training enough sonographers to meet the increasing demands of the ageing population living with chronic cardiovascular disease and the need for surveillance in other clinical scenarios. We consider the changing qualification framework and the requirements for accreditation and registration in Australia and New Zealand and the potential for migrant sonographers to meet some of the increasing demand.

Consensus Recommendations for Developing IQ Script Enabled Radiation Oncology Care Plans in the MOSAIQ Oncology Information System.

Background: IQ script enabled radiation oncology (RO) Care Plans are a unique functionality of the MOSAIQ oncology information system and enables standardization of clinical workflow via predefined order sets, strategic launching of assessment forms, and automated forwarding of clinical tasks. However, the development of RO Care Plans is center-specific and must be adapted to each center's clinical workflow. To our knowledge, little to no guidelines exist for RO Care Plan implementation.

Self-Regulated E-Learning Modules for Prenursing Success.

To be successful in their courses, nursing students must possess and routinely practice a wide range of self-regulated learning skills. Self-monitoring and regulation of cognition, metacognition, and behaviors influence learning for nursing practice. As reading and studying for comprehension, effective note taking, and taking tests successfully are challenging for many students, faculty at a rural community college created five self-regulated e-learning modules to equip prenursing students with evidence-based techniques to facilitate learning.

Nurses' perceptions and experiences of mentoring.

Pre-registration education programmes provide nursing students with the skills and knowledge to become safe and proficient practitioners. Assessment of students' competence is a fundamental part of these programmes and mentors play a crucial role. Mentors are registered nurses who have completed an appropriate mentorship programme in an approved higher education institution, and their main role includes teaching, supervising and assessing students' clinical competence.

What influences mentors to pass or fail students.

The aim of the study was to establish mentorship practice in relation to the University of the West of Scotland pre-registration nursing students. Surveys were sent to 4,341 mentors, with a 41 per cent response rate. Results show that 18 per cent of participants had passed a failing student.

Independent static balance training contributes to increased stability and functional capacity in community-dwelling elderly people: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of independently conducted static balance exercises within a fall-safe environment in elderly participants engaging in independent training.

Design: Randomized two-group parallel controlled study.

Setting: Retirement center, community dwelling.

Investigating the use of simulation as a teaching strategy.

Aim: To compare the performance of two groups of pre-registration nursing students exposed to two different methods of simulation as a teaching strategy, with the aim of providing an evidence base to assist in the selection of appropriate teaching methods, and to inform resource allocation with regard to teaching clinical skills.

Method: A longitudinal, comparative quasi-experimental design, including a validated and piloted assessment tool, was used to evaluate students' performance within three domains: cognitive (knowledge and decision making), motor and affective. Students also completed self-assessments of confidence and anxiety levels.

The role of the lecturer in practice placements: what do students think?

The importance of providing high quality practice placement experiences has long been a feature of pre-registration nursing programmes. There are a myriad of people who may be involved in ensuring that this is the case, including service providers and educational providers. The role, remit and function of the nurse educator in sustaining the quality of this experience has been revised and refined throughout the history of nurse education.

Side effects of high-dose dobutamine are not prevented by normal saline infusion in dobutamine stress echocardiography.

High-dose dobutamine used in dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) has hemodynamically based side effects due to a variable combination of beta1 (inotropic) and beta2 (vasodilator) effects. Of concern is the development of an "empty ventricle syndrome" associated with intracavitary or outflow tract obstruction and resultant symptomatic hypotension. This study was undertaken to determine whether the concurrent administration of normal saline (N/S) would decrease symptoms, limit the development of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and hypotension by maintaining left ventricular volume.