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Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a frequent cause of infections in dogs. Infectious isolates of this coagulase-positive staphylococcal species are often methicillin- and multidrug-resistant, which complicates therapy. In staphylococci, methicillin resistance is encoded by determinants found on mobile genetic elements called Staphylococcal Chromosome Cassette mec (SCCmec), which, in addition to methicillin resistance factors, sometimes encode additional genes, such as further resistance factors and, rarely, virulence determinants. In this study, we analyzed SCCmec in a collection of infectious methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) isolates from predominant lineages in the United States. We found that several lineages characteristically have specific types of SCCmec elements and Agr types and harbor additional factors in their SCCmec elements that may promote virulence or affect DNA uptake. All isolates had SCCmec-encoded restriction–modification (R-M) systems of types I or II, and sequence types (STs) ST84 and ST64 had one type II and one type I R-M system, although the latter lacked a complete methylation enzyme gene. ST68 isolates also had an SCCmec-encoded CRISPR system. ST71 isolates had a psm-mec gene, which, in all but apparently Agr-dysfunctional isolates, produced a PSM-mec peptide toxin, albeit at relatively small amounts. This study gives detailed insight into the composition of SCCmec elements in infectious isolates of S. pseudintermedius and lays the genetic foundation for further efforts directed at elucidating the contribution of identified accessory SCCmec factors in impacting SCCmec-encoded and thus methicillin resistance-associated virulence and resistance to DNA uptake in this leading canine pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Design Methods Results Conclusions No Patient or Public Contribution What Is Already Known What This Paper Adds Develop evidence‐based recommendations for managers to support primary healthcare nurses to thrive at work.A mixed‐methods sequential explanatory design.National data were collected in 2020 via an e‐survey based on a meta‐analysis of antecedents of thriving from 213 primary healthcare nurses across New Zealand. Structural equation modelling analysis identified the key factors supporting primary healthcare nurses to thrive. This informed a second open‐ended e‐survey in 2022 of 19 nurses from one primary healthcare organization. The thematic analysis provided recommendations for improving management strategies to support thriving primary healthcare nurses.The vitality component of thriving significantly reduced burnout and intention to leave organization and profession. In contrast, the learning component of thriving had a significant positive effect on burnout. The key factors that support thriving at work are empowering leadership and perceived organizational supports (decreases burnout and intention to leave organization and profession through enhanced vitality). Recommendations for improving thriving were made in eight key areas: communication, effective management, professional development, scope of practice, autonomy, effective orientation, reward and work–life balance.Vitality is important in reducing burnout and turnover intentions. While learning was identified as increasing burnout, professional development and training for managers were identified as essential. Hence, the vitality dimension of the thriving at work construct should be studied at the dimension level, but more research is needed into the impact of learning on thriving over time. Primary healthcare nurses have identified that empowering leadership and perceived organizational support are critical factors in supporting them to thrive, and they provide specific recommendations for managers to improve these factors in the clinical setting.This study collected data from Registered Nurses only. A plethora of existing research focuses on resilience in nurses rather than thriving at work. Enabling employees to thrive at work contributes to improved well‐being and sustainable organizational performance. Empowering leadership and perceived organizational support are the key factors that support primary healthcare nurses to thrive at work. The vitality dimension of the thriving at work construct should be studied at the dimension level, and further research is needed into the impact of learning on thriving over time. Primary healthcare nurses recommend that managers focus on improving communication, management efficiency, professional development, scope of practice, autonomy, orientation, reward and work–life balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Facing China: The Prospect for War and Peace" by Jean-Pierre Cabestan is a translated book that provides a clear and readable overview of Chinese politics and international relations. The book covers topics such as Sino-US relations, China-India contention, and regional affairs like the South China Seas disputes and the Senkaku Islands conflict. The author argues that while a hot war between China and the US is unlikely, there are ongoing "gray zone" conflicts and trade and tech wars. The book is supported by extensive research and is recommended for policymakers, researchers, and academics studying Chinese foreign policy and international relations. [Extracted from the article]