DO GENERAL PRACTITIONERS FOLLOW GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS TO TREAT DEPRESSION? CAN THE SITUATION BE IMPROVED?

Several papers have been written to show that General Practitioners do not always prescribe according to the guidelines despite the availability of guidelines regarding the dosage and length of treatment with antidepressants to treat a depressive episode. Here we review the evidence as to whether GPs follow antidepressant guidelines, covering the data between 1996 and the present day, and discuss the implications of this evidence. We then propose solutions which could be used to improve adherence to the guidelines. We propose as one solution the development of joint Doctor-Practice Nurse clinics for the treatment of depression. The outcomes of these clinics should be auditable against the guidelines. Such a solution, when linked with easy access to advice and referral to Secondary Care Psychiatry specialists, argues for a collaborative care or shared care program for the treatment of depression in Primary Care

On the importance of primary and community healthcare in relation to global health and environmental threats:Lessons from the COVID-19 crisis

In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that primary healthcare systems play a critical role in clinical care, such as patient screening, triage, physical and psychological support and also in promoting good community advice and awareness in coordination with secondary healthcare and preventive care. Because of the role of social and environmental factors in COVID-19 transmission and burden of disease, it is essential to ensure that there is adequate coordination of population-based health services and public health interventions. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the primary and community healthcare (PCHC) system's weaknesses worldwide. In many instances, PCHC played only a minor role, the emphasis being on hospital and intensive care beds. This was compounded by political failures, in supporting local community resilience. Placing community building, social cohesion and resilience at the forefront of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis can help align solutions that provide a vision of a € planetary health'. This can be achieved by involving local well-being and participation in the face of any pervasive health and environmental crisis, including other epidemics and large-scale ecological crises. This paper proposes that PCHC should take on two critical roles: first, to support local problem-solving efforts and to serve as a partner in innovative approaches to safeguarding community well-being; and second, to understand the local environment and health risks in the context of the global health perspective. We see this as an opportunity of immediate value and broad consequence beyond the control of the COVID-19 pandemic.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

The era of reference genomes in conservation genomics

Progress in genome sequencing now enables the large-scale generation of reference genomes. Various international initiatives aim to generate reference genomes representing global biodiversity. These genomes provide unique insights into genomic diversity and architecture, thereby enabling comprehensive analyses of population and functional genomics, and are expected to revolutionize conservation genomics

The era of reference genomes in conservation genomics

Progress in genome sequencing now enables the large-scale generation of reference genomes. Various international initiatives aim to generate reference genomes representing global biodiversity. These genomes provide unique insights into genomic diversity and architecture, thereby enabling comprehensive analyses of population and functional genomics, and are expected to revolutionize conservation genomics

The era of reference genomes in conservation genomics

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

How genomics can help biodiversity conservation

The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts by providing evidence for scientifically informed management decisions. Here we survey the main approaches and applications in biodiversity and conservation genomics, considering practical factors, such as cost, time, prerequisite skills, and current shortcomings of applications. Most approaches perform best in combination with reference genomes from the target species or closely related species. We review case studies to illustrate how reference genomes can facilitate biodiversity research and conservation across the tree of life. We conclude that the time is ripe to view reference genomes as fundamental resources and to integrate their use as a best practice in conservation genomics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A picture of medically assisted reproduction activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

STUDY QUESTION: How did coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact on medically assisted reproduction (MAR) services in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic (March to May 2020)? SUMMARY ANSWER: MAR services, and hence treatments for infertile couples, were stopped in most European countries for a mean of 7 weeks. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Europe, non-urgent medical care was reduced by local authorities to preserve health resources and maintain social distancing. Furthermore, ESHRE and other societies recommended to postpone ART pregnancies as of 14 March 2020. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A structured questionnaire was distributed in April among the ESHRE Committee of National Representatives, followed by further information collection through email. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The information was collected through the questionnaire and afterwards summarised and aligned with data from the European Centre for Disease Control on the number of COVID-19 cases per country. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: By aligning the data for each country with respective epidemiological data, we show a large variation in the time and the phase in the epidemic in the curve when MAR/ART treatments were suspended and restarted. Similarly, the duration of interruption varied. Fertility preservation treatments and patient supportive care for patients remained available during the pandemic. LARGE SCALE DATA: N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Data collection was prone to misinterpretation of the questions and replies, and required further follow-up to check the accuracy. Some representatives reported that they, themselves, were not always aware of the situation throughout the country or reported difficulties with providing single generalised replies, for instance when there were regional differences within their country. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The current article provides a basis for further research of the different strategies developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Such conclusions will be invaluable for health authorities and healthcare professionals with respect to future similar situations.peer-reviewe

How genomics can help biodiversity conservation

The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts by providing evidence for scientifically informed management decisions. Here we survey the main approaches and applications in biodiversity and conservation genomics, considering practical factors, such as cost, time, prerequisite skills, and current shortcomings of applications. Most approaches perform best in combination with reference genomes from the target species or closely related species. We review case studies to illustrate how reference genomes can facilitate biodiversity research and conservation across the tree of life. We conclude that the time is ripe to view reference genomes as fundamental resources and to integrate their use as a best practice in conservation genomics

Styrräntans effekt på bostadspriser i Sverige

Denna uppsats undersöker effekten av styrräntan på bostadspriser och antalet sålda bostäder i Sverige under perioden 2005–2019. Under denna period har styrräntan varit historiskt låg och bostadspriserna har stigit med nästan 200 procent. Bostadsmarknaden påverkas av flera faktorer, däribland styrräntan, men frågan är hur mycket styrräntan faktiskt påverkar bostadspriserna. Genom regressioner med penningpolitiska chocker som förklarande variabel visar våra resultat att bostadspriserna minskar med ungefär 4,5 till 13 procent vid en räntehöjning på 1 procentenhet två månader efter den penningpolitiska chocken. Dessa resultat är dock inte statistisk signifikanta. Vi gör även ett försök att beräkna hur mycket styrräntan bidragit till prisökningarna utifrån våra skattningar och kommer fram till att styrräntan kan förklara endast en liten del av de drastiska prisökningarna.

Styrräntans effekt på bostadspriser i Sverige

Denna uppsats undersöker effekten av styrräntan på bostadspriser och antalet sålda bostäder i Sverige under perioden 2005–2019. Under denna period har styrräntan varit historiskt låg och bostadspriserna har stigit med nästan 200 procent. Bostadsmarknaden påverkas av flera faktorer, däribland styrräntan, men frågan är hur mycket styrräntan faktiskt påverkar bostadspriserna. Genom regressioner med penningpolitiska chocker som förklarande variabel visar våra resultat att bostadspriserna minskar med ungefär 4,5 till 13 procent vid en räntehöjning på 1 procentenhet två månader efter den penningpolitiska chocken. Dessa resultat är dock inte statistisk signifikanta. Vi gör även ett försök att beräkna hur mycket styrräntan bidragit till prisökningarna utifrån våra skattningar och kommer fram till att styrräntan kan förklara endast en liten del av de drastiska prisökningarna.