Implementation, adoption and perceptions of telemental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Early in 2020, mental health services had to rapidly shift from face-to-face models of care to delivering the majority of treatments remotely (by video or phone call or occasionally messaging) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in several challenges for staff and patients, but also in benefits such as convenience or increased access for people with impaired mobility or in rural areas. There is a need to understand the extent and impacts of telemental health implementation, and barriers and facilitators to its effective and acceptable use. This is relevant both to future emergency adoption of telemental health, and to debates on its future use in routine mental health care. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the adoption and impacts of telemental health approaches during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and facilitators and barriers to optimal implementation. METHODS: Four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science) were searched for primary research relating to remote working, mental health care, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Preprint servers were also searched. Results of studies were synthesised using framework synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 77 papers met our inclusion criteria. In most studies, the majority of contacts could be transferred to a remote form during the pandemic, and good acceptability to service users and clinicians tended to be reported, at least where the alternative to remote contacts was interrupting care. However, a range of impediments to dealing optimal care by this means were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of telemental health allowed some continuing support to the majority of service users during the COVID-19 pandemic and has value in an emergency situation. However, not all service users can be reached by this means, and better evidence is now needed on long-term impacts on therapeutic relationships and quality of care, and on impacts on groups at risk of digital exclusion and how to mitigate these. CLINICALTRIAL

Current state of the evidence on community treatments for people with complex emotional needs: a scoping review

Background Improving the quality of care in community settings for people with ‘Complex Emotional Needs’ (CEN—our preferred working term for services for people with a “personality disorder” diagnosis or comparable needs) is recognised internationally as a priority. Plans to improve care should be rooted as far as possible in evidence. We aimed to take stock of the current state of such evidence, and identify significant gaps through a scoping review of published investigations of outcomes of community-based psychosocial interventions designed for CEN. Methods We conducted a scoping review with systematic searches. We searched six bibliographic databases, including forward and backward citation searching, and reference searching of relevant systematic reviews. We included studies using quantitative methods to test for effects on any clinical, social, and functioning outcomes from community-based interventions for people with CEN. The final search was conducted in November 2020. Results We included 226 papers in all (210 studies). Little relevant literature was published before 2000. Since then, publications per year and sample sizes have gradually increased, but most studies are relatively small, including many pilot or uncontrolled studies. Most studies focus on symptom and self-harm outcomes of various forms of specialist psychotherapy: most result in outcomes better than from inactive controls and similar to other specialist psychotherapies. We found large evidence gaps. Adaptation and testing of therapies for significant groups (e.g. people with comorbid psychosis, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or substance misuse; older and younger groups; parents) have for the most part only reached a feasibility testing stage. We found little evidence regarding interventions to improve social aspects of people’s lives, peer support, or ways of designing effective services. Conclusions Compared with other longer term mental health problems that significantly impair functioning, the evidence base on how to provide high quality care for people with CEN is very limited. There is good evidence that people with CEN can be helped when specialist therapies are available and when they are able to engage with them. However, a much more methodologically robust and substantial literature addressing a much wider range of research questions is urgently needed to optimise treatment and support across this group

Implementation, Adoption, and Perceptions of Telemental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Early in 2020, mental health services had to rapidly shift from face-to-face models of care to delivering the majority of treatments remotely (by video or phone call or occasionally messaging) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in several challenges for staff and patients, but also in benefits such as convenience or increased access for people with impaired mobility or in rural areas. There is a need to understand the extent and impacts of telemental health implementation, and barriers and facilitators to its effective and acceptable use. This is relevant both to future emergency adoption of telemental health and to debates on its future use in routine mental health care. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the adoption and impacts of telemental health approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic, and facilitators and barriers to optimal implementation. METHODS: Four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were searched for primary research relating to remote working, mental health care, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Preprint servers were also searched. Results of studies were synthesized using framework synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 77 papers met our inclusion criteria. In most studies, the majority of contacts could be transferred to a remote form during the pandemic, and good acceptability to service users and clinicians tended to be reported, at least where the alternative to remote contacts was interrupting care. However, a range of impediments to dealing optimal care by this means were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of telemental health allowed some continuing support to the majority of service users during the COVID-19 pandemic and has value in an emergency situation. However, not all service users can be reached by this means, and better evidence is now needed on long-term impacts on therapeutic relationships and quality of care, and on impacts on groups at risk of digital exclusion and how to mitigate these. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews CRD42021211025; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021211025

Comparison of the structural dynamic and mitochondrial electron-transfer properties of the proapoptotic human cytochrome c variants, G41S, Y48H and A51V

Mitochondrial cytochrome c is associated with electron transfer in the respiratory chain and in apoptosis. Four cytochrome c variants have been identified in families that suffer from mild autosomal dominant thrombocytopenia, a platelet disorder associated with increased apoptosis. Three out of the four substitutions, G41S, Y48H and A51V are located on the 40–57 Ω-loop. The G41S and Y48H variants perturb key physicochemical and dynamic properties that result in enhanced functional features associated with apoptotic activity. Herein we characterise the ferric A51V variant. We show by chemical denaturation that this variant causes the native state to be destabilized. Through azide binding kinetics, the population of a pentacoordinate heme form, whereby the Met80 axial ligand is dissociated, is estimated to be of equal magnitude to that found in the Y48H variant. This pentacoordinate form gives rise to peroxidase activity, which despite the similar pentacoordinate population of the A51V variant to that of the Y48H variant, the peroxidase activity of the A51V variant is suppressed. Far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy and pH jump studies, suggest that a combination of structural and dynamic features in addition to the population of the pentacoordinate form regulate peroxidase activity in these disease variants. Additionally, the steady-state ratio of ferric/ferrous cytochrome c when in turnover with cytochrome c oxidase has been investigated for all 40–57 Ω-loop variants. These studies show that the lower pKa of the alkaline transition for the disease causing variants increases the ferric to ferrous heme ratio, indicating a possible influence on respiration in vivo

Вплив особистості на бренд-неймінг сімейного бізнесу

Бренд сімейного бізнесу персоніфікує його на ринку пов’язуючи з особистістю її власника. У статті проаналізовано специфіку процесу правонаступництва поколінь у сімейних компаніях Чеської Республіки, а також систематизовано основні проблеми та шляхи їх вирішення. Метою даної статті є виявлення та обґрунтування можливих ризиків впливу особистості на бренд-неймінг сімейного бізнесу. Авторами узагальнено можливі ризики функціонування сімейного бізнесу за умови участі представників сім’ї в менеджменті, а також спадковим правонаступництвом сімейного бізнесу. Детерміновану вибірку даних сформовано на основі результатів опитування 245 власників сімейних підприємств Чеської Республіки. Для формування вибірки дослідження проведено круглі столи та дискусії у період з 2017 року по 2019 рік. Методологію дослідження засновано на кореляційному та регресійному аналізах. За результатами дослідження авторами зроблено висновку, що власники сімейного бізнесу вважають потенційним ризиком асоціацію компанії з їх особистістю. Будь-яке негативне ставлення до сімейної компанії може негативно віддзеркалитись на сім’ю, тоді як негативне ставлення до сім'ї погіршує репутацію компанії. Це у свою чергу провокує відтік споживачів та працівників. Авторами зазначено, що це також може негативно вплинути на процес правонаступництва за умови спадкоємстві від одного покоління до іншого. Емпіричні результати аналізу згенерованої вибірки даних засвідчили статистично значущий взаємозв’язок між рівнем сприйняттям ризику та спадковим правонаступництвом сімейного бізнесу. Враховуючи отримані результати, авторами визначено, що високий ступінь сприйняття ризику характерний для сімейних компаній зі спадковим правонаступництвом. Перспективами подальших досліджень є аналіз статистичної значущості за умови виключення змінної асоціації назви сімейної компанії із особистістю через високий ступінь їх колінеарності.A company's name often personifies the company. In the case of family companies, the name is mainly connected with that of the owning family. This paper aims to identify and substantiate the context of the perception of any possible risks from the association of a family name with that of a family company during the generational exchange with the participation of several generations in the family company's management. The hypotheses have been verified based on the evaluation of data acquired from a sample of 245 respondents from the Czech Republic. The research period is 2017-2019. The qualitative research is based on round discussion tables with family business owners. The data has been processed using correlation and regression analysis. The authors have shown that owners consider the association of the family name with that of a family company to be a potential risk. Any negative regard for the family company and the family could lead to losing the family's good name and the company and losing customers and employees. Moreover, it could damage the process of intergenerational transition. The connection between the intensity of the risk perception and the generational exchange process with the participation of several members in the management of a family company has been statistically demonstrated. The degree of perception of the risk is high in family companies where the generational exchange is still ongoing. The exclusion of the variable of the connection of a family company name with the owning family due to collinearity suggests a possibility for a different type of research that would demonstrate the statistical significance. The unique article nature lies in the fact that it involves research into the current, real process of generational exchange taking place in Czech family companies with mainly two generations and up to three generations in the family company management

Effect of SiO2 nanoparticles on drought resistance in hawthorn seedlings

Drought is a significant factor limiting crop production in arid regions while hawthorns (Crataegus sp.) are an important component of such region’s forests. Therefore, treatments that increase hawthorn drought resistance may also increase transplanting success. Thus, the physiological and biochemical responses of hawthorn seedlings to a factorial combination of different concentrations of silica nanoparticles (SNPs at 0, 10, 50 and 100 mg L-1) and three soil moisture treatments (without stress, moderate stress and severe stress) were investigated. Seedlings were irrigated with one of the four concentrations of SNPs for 45 days before exposing them to drought stress. Photosynthesis parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA), relative water content (RWC ), membrane electrolyte leakage (ELI) as well as chlorophyll, carotenoid, carbohydrate and proline content were determined. At the end of the experiment, positive effects by SNP pre-treatment on physiological indexes were observed during drought stress. Under drought conditions, the effect of SNPs on photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance was evident. Although the SNPs increased plant biomass, xylem water potential and MDA content, especially under drought conditions, RWC and ELI were not affected by the SNP pre-treatments. Seedlings pre-treated with SNPs had a decreased carbohydrate and proline content under all water regimes, but especially so under drought. Total chlorophyll content and carotenoid content did not change among the treatments. Generally, the findings imply that SNPs play a positive role in maintaining critical physiological and biochemical functions in hawthorn seedlings under drought stress conditions. However, more studies are needed before the physiological and biochemical basis of induced drought resistance can be determined

Oxidative impairment of plasma and skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum in rats with adjuvant arthritis - effects of pyridoindole antioxidants

OBJECTIVES: To study possible oxidation of proteins and lipids in plasma and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) from skeletal muscles and to assess the effects of pyridoindole antioxidants in rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA) and to analyze modulation of Ca-ATPase activity from SR (SERCA). METHODS: SR was isolated by ultracentrifugation, protein carbonyls in plasma and SR were determined by ELISA. Lipid peroxidation was analyzed by TBARS determination and by mass spectrometry. ATPase activity of SERCA was measured by NADH-coupled enzyme assay. Tryptophan fluorescence was used to analyze conformational alterations. RESULTS: Increase of protein carbonyls and lipid peroxidation was observed in plasma of rats with adjuvant arthritis. Pyridoindole antioxidant stobadine and its methylated derivative SMe1 decreased protein carbonyl formation in plasma, effect of stobadine was significant. Lipid peroxidation of plasma was without any effect of pyridoindole derivatives. Neither protein oxidation nor lipid peroxidation was identified in SR from AA rats. SERCA activity from AA rats increased significantly, stobadine and SMe1 diminished enzyme activity. Ratio of tryptophan fluorescence intensity in SR of AA rats increased and was not influenced by antioxidants. CONCLUSION: Plasma proteins and lipids were oxidatively injured in rats with AA; antioxidants exerted protection only with respect to proteins. In SR, SERCA activity was altered, apparently induced by its conformational changes, as supported by study of tryptophan fluorescence. Stobadine and SMe1 induced a decrease of SERCA activity, elevated in AA rats, but they did not affect conformational changes associated with tryptophan fluorescence

Effects of AP39, a novel triphenylphosphonium derivatised anethole dithiolethione hydrogen sulfide donor, on rat haemodynamic parameters and chloride and calcium Cav3 and RyR2 channels.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.H2S donor molecules have the potential to be viable therapeutic agents. The aim of this current study was (i) to investigate the effects of a novel triphenylphosphonium derivatised dithiolethione (AP39), in the presence and absence of reduced nitric oxide bioavailability and (ii) to determine the effects of AP39 on myocardial membrane channels; CaV3, RyR2 and Cl(-). Normotensive, L-NAME- or phenylephrine-treated rats were administered Na2S, AP39 or control compounds (AP219 and ADT-OH) (0.25-1 µmol kg(-1)i.v.) and haemodynamic parameters measured. The involvement of membrane channels T-type Ca(2+) channels CaV3.1, CaV3.2 and CaV3.3 as well as Ca(2+) ryanodine (RyR2) and Cl(-) single channels derived from rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum were also investigated. In anaesthetised Wistar rats, AP39 (0.25-1 µmol kg(-1) i.v) transiently decreased blood pressure, heart rate and pulse wave velocity, whereas AP219 and ADT-OH and Na2S had no significant effect. In L-NAME treated rats, AP39 significantly lowered systolic blood pressure for a prolonged period, decreased heart rate and arterial stiffness. In electrophysiological studies, AP39 significantly inhibited Ca(2+) current through all three CaV3 channels. AP39 decreased RyR2 channels activity and increased conductance and mean open time of Cl(-) channels. This study suggests that AP39 may offer a novel therapeutic opportunity in conditions whereby (•)NO and H2S bioavailability are deficient such as hypertension, and that CaV3, RyR2 and Cl(-) cardiac membrane channels might be involved in its biological actions.Slovak Research and Development AgencyBMBS COST Actio