Low intensity vs. self-guided Internet-delivered psychotherapy for major depression: A multicenter, controlled, randomized study

Background: Major depression will become the second most important cause of disability in 2020. Computerized cognitive-behaviour therapy could be an efficacious and cost-effective option for its treatment. No studies on cost-effectiveness of low intensity vs self-guided psychotherapy has been carried out. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of low intensity vs self-guided psychotherapy for major depression in the Spanish health system. Methods: The study is made up of 3 phases: 1.- Development of a computerized cognitive-behaviour therapy for depression tailored to Spanish health system. 2.- Multicenter controlled, randomized study: A sample (N=450 patients) with mild/moderate depression recruited in primary care. They should have internet availability at home, not receive any previous psychological treatment, and not suffer from any other severe somatic or psychological disorder. They will be allocated to one of 3 treatments: a) Low intensity Internet-delivered psychotherapy + improved treatment as usual (ITAU) by GP, b) Self-guided Internet-delivered psychotherapy + ITAU or c) ITAU. Patients will be diagnosed with MINI psychiatric interview. Main outcome variable will be Beck Depression Inventory. It will be also administered EuroQol 5D (quality of life) and Client Service Receipt Inventory (consume of health and social services). Patients will be assessed at baseline, 3 and 12 months. An intention to treat and a per protocol analysis will be performed. Discussion: The comparisons between low intensity and self-guided are infrequent, and also a comparative economic evaluation between them and compared with usual treatment in primary. The strength of the study is that it is a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of low intensity and self-guided Internet-delivered psychotherapy for depression in primary care, being the treatment completely integrated in primary care setting

Time elapsed between Zika and dengue virus infections affects antibody and T cell responses

Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are co-endemic in many parts of the world, but the impact of ZIKV infection on subsequent DENV infection is not well understood. Here we show in rhesus macaques that the time elapsed after ZIKV infection affects the immune response to DENV infection. We show that previous ZIKV exposure increases the magnitude of the antibody and T cell responses against DENV. The time interval between ZIKV and subsequent DENV infection further affects the immune response. A mid-convalescent period of 10 months after ZIKV infection results in higher and more durable antibody and T cell responses to DENV infection than a short period of 2 months. In contrast, previous ZIKV infection does not affect DENV viremia or pro-inflammatory status. Collectively, we find no evidence of a detrimental effect of ZIKV immunity in a subsequent DENV infection. This supports the implementation of ZIKV vaccines that could also boost immunity against future DENV epidemics

New seven membered palladacycles: C-Br bond activation of 2-bromo-pyridine derivative by Pd(II)

C-Br bond activation followed by a C-C coupling reaction of the 2-bromo-pyridyl unit of [1-phenyl-2-(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)-benzoimidazole] was performed by Pd(CH2CMe2-o-C6H 4)(η4-COD). Two new seven membered palladacycles were obtained. A combined experimental and theoretical DFT study elucidates the mechanism for this reaction. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.This research was supported by grants from the Universidad de Guanajuato (UG-2008) and SEP/CONACYT (México) (02-44420). J. O. C. J.-H. gratefully acknowledges the Carl Trygger Foundation for support through postdoctoral fellowship (CTS-09:144). J. N.-C. thanks the CONACYT for a doctoral fellowship (329449).Peer Reviewe

New seven membered palladacycles: C-Br bond activation of 2-bromo-pyridine derivative by Pd(II)

C-Br bond activation followed by a C-C coupling reaction of the 2-bromo-pyridyl unit of [1-phenyl-2-(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)-benzoimidazole] was performed by Pd(CH2CMe2-o-C6H 4)(η4-COD). Two new seven membered palladacycles were obtained. A combined experimental and theoretical DFT study elucidates the mechanism for this reaction. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.This research was supported by grants from the Universidad de Guanajuato (UG-2008) and SEP/CONACYT (México) (02-44420). J. O. C. J.-H. gratefully acknowledges the Carl Trygger Foundation for support through postdoctoral fellowship (CTS-09:144). J. N.-C. thanks the CONACYT for a doctoral fellowship (329449).Peer Reviewe

Synthesis and Characterization of [Ir(<i>Acac^BiMs</i>)(COD)] and [<i>cis</i>-Ir(<i>Acac^BiMs</i>)₂(COE-OH)]

The reaction of dinuclear complex [IrCl­(COD)]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with 1 equiv of 1,3-dimesitylpropane-1,3-dione (H-<i>Acac</i>^<i>BiMs</i>) and an excess of triethylamine in benzene or dichloromethane at room temperature results in the formation of β-diketonate complex [Ir­(<i>Acac</i>^<i>BiMs</i>)­(COD)], <b>1</b>. Further, compound <b>1</b> reacts with an equivalent of H-<i>Acac</i>^<i>BiMs</i> in dichloromethane under atmospheric conditions to give the new complex with the formula [<i>cis</i>-Ir­(<i>Acac</i>^<i>BiMs</i>)₂(COE-OH)], <b>2</b> (COE-OH = σ,π-hydroxyenediyl), through a formal insertion of a hydroxyl group into a COD ring. All compounds were characterized by melting point, analytical data, and IR and NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, an X-ray crystallographic study was undertaken to corroborate the structure of both complexes

Synthesis and Characterization of [Ir(<i>Acac^BiMs</i>)(COD)] and [<i>cis</i>-Ir(<i>Acac^BiMs</i>)₂(COE-OH)]

The reaction of dinuclear complex [IrCl­(COD)]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with 1 equiv of 1,3-dimesitylpropane-1,3-dione (H-<i>Acac</i>^<i>BiMs</i>) and an excess of triethylamine in benzene or dichloromethane at room temperature results in the formation of β-diketonate complex [Ir­(<i>Acac</i>^<i>BiMs</i>)­(COD)], <b>1</b>. Further, compound <b>1</b> reacts with an equivalent of H-<i>Acac</i>^<i>BiMs</i> in dichloromethane under atmospheric conditions to give the new complex with the formula [<i>cis</i>-Ir­(<i>Acac</i>^<i>BiMs</i>)₂(COE-OH)], <b>2</b> (COE-OH = σ,π-hydroxyenediyl), through a formal insertion of a hydroxyl group into a COD ring. All compounds were characterized by melting point, analytical data, and IR and NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, an X-ray crystallographic study was undertaken to corroborate the structure of both complexes

Expectations, experiences and attitudes of patients and primary care health professionals regarding online psychotherapeutic interventions for depression: protocol for a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: In the year 2020, depression will cause the second highest amount of disability worldwide. One quarter of the population will suffer from depression symptoms at some point in their lives. Mental health services in Western countries are overburdened. Therefore, cost-effective interventions that do not involve mental health services, such as online psychotherapy programs, have been proposed. These programs demonstrate satisfactory outcomes, but the completion rate for patients is low. Health professionals' attitudes towards this type of psychotherapy are more negative than the attitudes of depressed patients themselves. The aim of this study is to describe the profile of depressed patients who would benefit most from online psychotherapy and to identify expectations, experiences, and attitudes about online psychotherapy among both patients and health professionals that can facilitate or hinder its effects. METHODS: A parallel qualitative design will be used in a randomised controlled trial on the efficiency of online psychotherapeutic treatment for depression. Through interviews and focus groups, the experiences of treated patients, their reasons for abandoning the program, the expectations of untreated patients, and the attitudes of health professionals will be examined. Questions will be asked about training in new technologies, opinions of online psychotherapy, adjustment to therapy within the daily routine, the virtual and anonymous relationship with the therapist, the process of online communication, information necessary to make progress in therapy, process of working with the program, motivations and attitudes about treatment, expected consequences, normalisation of this type of therapy in primary care, changes in the physician-patient relationship, and resources and risks. A thematic content analysis from the grounded theory for interviews and an analysis of the discursive positions of participants based on the sociological model for focus groups will be performed. DISCUSSION: Knowledge of the expectations, experiences, and attitudes of both patients and medical personnel regarding online interventions for depression can facilitate the implementation of this new psychotherapeutic tool. This qualitative investigation will provide thorough knowledge of the perceptions, beliefs, and values of patients and clinicians, which will be very useful for understanding how to implement this intervention method for depression

Mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

The genetic make-up of an individual contributes to the susceptibility and response to viral infection. Although environmental, clinical and social factors have a role in the chance of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-191,2, host genetics may also be important. Identifying host-specific genetic factors may reveal biological mechanisms of therapeutic relevance and clarify causal relationships of modifiable environmental risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes. We formed a global network of researchers to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Here we describe the results of three genome-wide association meta-analyses that consist of up to 49,562 patients with COVID-19 from 46 studies across 19 countries. We report 13 genome-wide significant loci that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe manifestations of COVID-19. Several of these loci correspond to previously documented associations to lung or autoimmune and inflammatory diseases3–7. They also represent potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection. Mendelian randomization analyses support a causal role for smoking and body-mass index for severe COVID-19 although not for type II diabetes. The identification of novel host genetic factors associated with COVID-19 was made possible by the community of human genetics researchers coming together to prioritize the sharing of data, results, resources and analytical frameworks. This working model of international collaboration underscores what is possible for future genetic discoveries in emerging pandemics, or indeed for any complex human disease