Pancreatic β-cells are responsible for production and secretion of insulin in response to increasing blood glucose levels. Defects in β-cell function lead to hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. Here, we show that CNOT3, a CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex subunit, is dysregulated in islets in diabetic db/db mice, and that it is essential for murine β cell maturation and identity. Mice with β cell-specific Cnot3 deletion (Cnot3βKO) exhibit impaired glucose tolerance, decreased β cell mass, and they gradually develop diabetes. Cnot3βKO islets display decreased expression of key regulators of β cell maturation and function. Moreover, they show an increase of progenitor cell markers, β cell-disallowed genes, and genes relevant to altered β cell function. Cnot3βKO islets exhibit altered deadenylation and increased mRNA stability, partly accounting for the increased expression of those genes. Together, these data reveal that CNOT3-mediated mRNA deadenylation and decay constitute previously unsuspected post-transcriptional mechanisms essential for β cell identity.Early studies of the free-living nematode C. elegans informed us how BCL-2-regulated apoptosis in humans is regulated. However, subsequent studies showed C. elegans apoptosis has several unique features compared with human apoptosis. To date, there has been no detailed analysis of apoptosis regulators in nematodes other than C. elegans. Here, we discovered BCL-2 orthologues in 89 free-living and parasitic nematode taxa representing four evolutionary clades (I, III, IV and V). Unlike in C. elegans, 15 species possess multiple (two to five) BCL-2-like proteins, and some do not have any recognisable BCL-2 sequences. Functional studies provided no evidence that BAX/BAK proteins have evolved in nematodes, and structural studies of a BCL-2 protein from the basal clade I revealed it lacks a functionally important feature of the C. elegans orthologue. Clade I CED-4/APAF-1 proteins also possess WD40-repeat sequences associated with apoptosome assembly, not present in C. elegans, or other nematode taxa studied. This paper describes human-centered design strategies used to develop solutions for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients, families, and staff in preparation for transition from an open bay (OB) NICU to a single-family room (SFR) NICU. Through a series of user group meetings, an interdisciplinary team of NICU families, administrators, providers, nurses, and other care team members (CTMs) collaborated with design professionals to create and carry out their vision for the new NICU. This process, which spanned the design, construction, and transition planning phases of the project, enabled stakeholders at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina (USA) to seek solutions for integrating patient and family-centered care into the fabric of its new facility and to redesign the care experience. From this work, new opportunities for family and staff engagement emerged. Continuous end-user involvement led to targeted preparation for neonatal care. Continuous end-user involvement led to targeted preparation for neonatal care. To determine the relationship between the emergence of COVID-19 and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family presence as well as how NICU design affects these changes. A cross-sectional survey from April 21 to 30, 2020. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/ex229-compound-991.html We queried sites regarding NICU demographics, NICU restrictions on parental presence, and changes in ancillary staff availability. Globally, 277 facilities responded to the survey. NICU policies preserving 24/7 parental presence decreased (83-53%, p < 0.001) and of preserving full parental participation in rounds fell (71-32%, p < 0.001). Single-family room design NICUs best preserved 24/7 parental presence after the emergence of COVID-19 (single-family room 65%, hybrid-design 57%, open bay design 45%, p = 0.018). In all, 120 (43%) NICUs reported reductions in therapy services, lactation medicine, and/or social work support. Hospital restrictions have significantly limited parental presence for NICU admitted infants, although single-family room design may attenuate this effect. Hospital restrictions have significantly limited parental presence for NICU admitted infants, although single-family room design may attenuate this effect. We aimed to identify (a) latent safety threats (LSTs) in a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through simulation-based pre-occupancy operations testing, and (b) LSTs that remained unresolved 1-year post-occupancy. In this qualitative study, 111 healthcare professionals participated in patient care simulations and debriefings in a new NICU. Debriefing transcripts were inductively analyzed to characterize LSTs. Unresolved LSTs were identified 1 year after NICU occupancy. Thematic saturation was attained after analysis of nine debriefings. Four major themes affecting staff function and patient safety emerged from 305 threats relay of information, workplace design, patient care processes, and patient family and staff focus. One-year post occupancy, 29 (9%) LSTs remained unresolved. Team debriefings of simulated patient events uncover LSTs that can largely be resolved before transitioning patient care into a new NICU. Understanding how LSTs interact provides a platform to develop viable strategies to mitigate patient safety risks. Team debriefings of simulated patient events uncover LSTs that can largely be resolved before transitioning patient care into a new NICU. Understanding how LSTs interact provides a platform to develop viable strategies to mitigate patient safety risks. Our objective was to explore the case for adoption of flexibility as a core value in the design process for Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Guidelines for NICU design and care of NICU patients and families were examined to identify opportunities for building flexibility into NICU design to optimize function and experience. Benefits of building flexibility into NICU design included the ability for units to adapt quickly and economically to unpredictable events and demographic changes. Further, by centering family presence as a design necessity, NICUs may better protect families from experiencing additional harm due to separation and interruption of restorative activities. We were able to highlight several examples of current NICUs, which have successfully adopted flexible design and operational models to provide optimal levels of clinical and family-centered care. By intentionally incorporating flexibility into the design of an NICU, infants, families, and healthcare providers can be provided with an environment that can adapt to shifting needs to optimally support unit function and clinical outcomes.