Impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of university students in Spain and their attitudes toward Mobile mental health solutions

Producción CientíficaAntecedentes: La pandemia originada por el COVID-19 ha tenido un impacto en varios aspectos de la vida, incluida la salud mental de los estudiantes universitarios. Las aplicaciones móviles de atención mental (apps) permiten una forma de atención mental en línea que permite la prestación de atención mental a distancia. Objetivos: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo principal explorar el impacto de COVID-19 en la salud mental de estudiantes universitarios en España y explorar sus actitudes hacia el uso de aplicaciones móviles de atención mental. Metodología: Los encuestados respondieron una encuesta, que constaba de dos secciones. El primero incluía el Cuestionario de Salud General de 12 ítems (GHQ-12) que se empleó para evaluar la salud mental de los estudiantes. La segunda sección incluía seis preguntas desarrolladas por los autores para explorar las actitudes de los estudiantes hacia las aplicaciones de atención mental. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que los estudiantes padecían ansiedad y depresión, así como disfunción social. Además, el 91,3 % de los estudiantes nunca había usado una aplicación móvil para la salud mental, el 36,3 % desconocía dichas aplicaciones y el 79,2 % estaba dispuesto a usarlas en el futuro. Conclusiones: La pandemia de COVID-19 tuvo un impacto significativo en la salud psicológica de los estudiantes universitarios. Las aplicaciones móviles de atención mental pueden ser una forma eficaz y eficiente de acceder a la atención mental, especialmente durante una pandemia

Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast.: Volatile constituents, antioxidant, antidiabetic and wound healing activities of its essential oil

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic syndrome known to contribute to impaired wound healing. This condition can be further worsened by excessive melanin production, elastin degradation, and chronic infections at the wound site, potentially leading to melasma and diabetic dermopathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile and inhibitory effects of Tetraclinis articulata essential oil (TAEO) on target enzymes involved in diabetes pathogenesis and chronic wound remodeling, namely α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and elastase, as well as its in vitro antibacterial activity. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of TAEO led to the identification of 46 volatile compounds, representing 96.61 % of TAEO. The major metabolites were bornyl acetate (29.48 %), α-pinene (8.96 %), germacrene D (7.70 %), and d-limonene (5.90 %). TAEO exhibited limited scavenging activity against DPPH free radicals, whereas the FRAP and ABTS assays indicated a relatively higher antioxidant activity. Remarkably, TAEO disclosed a promising in vitro antidiabetic activity against α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 178 ± 1.6 μg/mL, which is comparable to the standard inhibitor acarbose (IC50 = 143 ± 1.1 μg/mL). In silico, molecular docking analysis against α-glucosidase identified 15 compounds that interacted with the enzyme's active site, whereas skin permeability and sensitization assessments indicated that 26 out of the 44 identified volatile compounds were predicted to be free from any skin sensitivity risk. On the other hand, moderate inhibitory activity was recorded against α-amylase, tyrosinase, and elastase. Notably, TAEO at 5 % significantly suppressed biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. faecalis, common skin pathogens associated with wound infections, and reduced their swarming motility. Our findings suggest that TAEO may hold the potential as a natural remedy for type 2 diabetes and its associated co-morbidities, especially chronic wounds

Connected Mental Health: Systematic Mapping Study

Background: Although mental health issues constitute an increasing global burden affecting a large number of people, the mental health care industry is still facing several care delivery barriers such as stigma, education, and cost. Connected mental health (CMH), which refers to the use of information and communication technologies in mental health care, can assist in overcoming these barriers. Objective: The aim of this systematic mapping study is to provide an overview and a structured understanding of CMH literature available in the Scopus database. Methods: A total of 289 selected publications were analyzed based on 8 classification criteria: publication year, publication source, research type, contribution type, empirical type, mental health issues, targeted cohort groups, and countries where the empirically evaluated studies were conducted. Results: The results showed that there was an increasing interest in CMH publications; journals were the main publication channels of the selected papers; exploratory research was the dominant research type; advantages and challenges of the use of technology for mental health care were the most investigated subjects; most of the selected studies had not been evaluated empirically; depression and anxiety were the most addressed mental disorders; young people were the most targeted cohort groups in the selected publications; and Australia, followed by the United States, was the country where most empirically evaluated studies were conducted. Conclusions: CMH is a promising research field to present novel approaches to assist in the management, treatment, and diagnosis of mental health issues that can help overcome existing mental health care delivery barriers. Future research should be shifted toward providing evidence-based studies to examine the effectiveness of CMH solutions and identify related issues

<i>Thymus satureioides</i> Coss.: Mineral Composition, Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Profiling, and Dermatological Properties

Zaitra, Thymus satureioides, is an aromatic plant with a long history of use in traditional medicine. In this study, we assessed the mineral composition, nutritional value, phytocontents, and dermatological properties of the aerial parts of T. satureioides. The plant contained high contents of calcium and iron, moderate levels of magnesium, manganese, and zinc, and low contents of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and copper. It is rich in several amino acids, including asparagine, 4-hydroxyproline, isoleucine, and leucine, and the essential amino acids account for 60.8%. The extract contains considerable amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids (TPC = 118.17 mg GAE/g extract and TFC = 32.32 mg quercetin/g extract). It also comprises 46 secondary metabolites, identified through LC-MS/MS analysis, belonging to phenolic acids, chalcones, and flavonoids. The extract elicited pronounced antioxidant activities, inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa (MIC = 50 mg/mL), and reduced biofilm formation by up to 35.13% using the ¼ sub-MIC of 12.5 mg/mL. Moreover, bacterial extracellular proteins and exopolysaccharides were diminished by 46.15% and 69.04%, respectively. Likewise, the swimming of the bacterium was impaired (56.94% decrease) in the presence of the extract. In silico, skin permeability and sensitization effects revealed that out of the 46 identified compounds, 33 were predicted to be exempt from any skin sensitivity risk (Human Sensitizer Score ≤ 0.5), while extensive skin permeabilities were observed (Log Kp = −3.35–−11.98 cm/s). This study provides scientific evidence about the pronounced activities of T. satureioides, supports its traditional uses, and promotes its utilization in the development of new drugs, food supplements, and dermatological agents

A conceptual framework to design connected mental health solutions in the United Arab Emirates:questionnaire study

Abstract Background: Connected mental health (CMH) is a field presenting information and communications technology–based mental care interventions that could help overcome many mental care delivery barriers. Culture and background influence people’s attitudes, preferences, and acceptance of such solutions. Therefore, the suitability of CMH solutions to the targeted population is an important factor in their successful adoption. Objectives: The aim of this study is to develop a framework for the design and creation of CMH solutions suitable for the UAE context. The framework is based on investigating enablers and barriers of CMH adoption in the United Arab Emirates, from the mental health professional’s (MHP) perspective and from related literature. Methods: A survey of literature on relevant studies addressing the use of technology for mental care in Arab countries, and a web-based questionnaire-based survey with 17 MHPs practicing in the United Arab Emirates investigating their attitudes and views toward CMH was conducted. Results from the questionnaire and from related studies were analyzed to develop the design framework. Results: On the basis of findings from the literature survey and analyzing MHP answers to the web-based survey, a framework for the design of CMH solutions for the UAE population was developed. The framework presents four types of recommendation categories: favorable criteria, which included blended care, anonymity, and ease of use; cultural factors including availability in multiple languages, mainly Arabic and English, in addition to religious and cultural considerations; technical considerations, including good-quality communication, availability in formats compatible with mobile phones, and providing technical support; and users’ health and data safety considerations, including users’ suitability testing, confidentiality, and ensuring MHP integrity. Conclusions: CMH has the potential to help overcome many mental care barriers in the United Arab Emirates in particular and in the Arab world in general. CMH adoption in the United Arab Emirates has a potential for success. However, many factors should be taken into account, mainly cultural, religious, and linguistic aspects

Connected Mental Health: Systematic Mapping Study

Background: Although mental health issues constitute an increasing global burden affecting a large number of people, the mental health care industry is still facing several care delivery barriers such as stigma, education, and cost. Connected mental health (CMH), which refers to the use of information and communication technologies in mental health care, can assist in overcoming these barriers. Objective: The aim of this systematic mapping study is to provide an overview and a structured understanding of CMH literature available in the Scopus database. Methods: A total of 289 selected publications were analyzed based on 8 classification criteria: publication year, publication source, research type, contribution type, empirical type, mental health issues, targeted cohort groups, and countries where the empirically evaluated studies were conducted. Results: The results showed that there was an increasing interest in CMH publications; journals were the main publication channels of the selected papers; exploratory research was the dominant research type; advantages and challenges of the use of technology for mental health care were the most investigated subjects; most of the selected studies had not been evaluated empirically; depression and anxiety were the most addressed mental disorders; young people were the most targeted cohort groups in the selected publications; and Australia, followed by the United States, was the country where most empirically evaluated studies were conducted. Conclusions: CMH is a promising research field to present novel approaches to assist in the management, treatment, and diagnosis of mental health issues that can help overcome existing mental health care delivery barriers. Future research should be shifted toward providing evidence-based studies to examine the effectiveness of CMH solutions and identify related issues

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P &lt; 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)