Search

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, after oxygen. Although not consistently considered an essential nutrient for plant growth, its positive impact on crop development and production, particularly under stressful conditions such as salt stress, has been well documented. This study aimed to examine the separate and combined effects of salt stress and silicon supply on sea barley (Hordeum marinumHuds.) plants. Thirty-six-day-old H. marinumplants were grown either without or with 150 mM NaCl in the absence or presence of Na2SiO3(0.5 mM). The addition of 150 mM NaCl to the growth medium significantly impaired growth parameters, pigment concentrations, lipid peroxidation, and proline and sodium contents. Simultaneous measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 redox state revealed that photosystem I (PSI) was more affected by salinity than photosystem II (PSII). The observed detrimental effects caused by salinity were significantly mitigated by silicon supplementation in the growth medium. Stress mitigation by silicon appeared to involve various parameters such as growth, chlorophyll pigment contents, lipid peroxidation, proline content, chlorophyll fluorescence (PSI and PSII machinery), and sodium content. Compared to PSII, PSI parameters (the quantum yield of non-photochemical energy dissipation in reaction centres limited by acceptor side Y(NA), maximal fluorescence yield of illuminated sample with closed PSI centres (P700m’), and oxidized PSI (P700ox)) were more sensitive to salinity. However, a more significant beneficial effect was observed for the PSI complex under silicon application. These results suggest that the advantageous effect of silicon on stressed sea barley plants was strongly associated with the crucial role of this element in protecting the photosynthetic machinery, primarily PSI, enabling this species to overcome salinity damages.

Healthy lifestyle interventions that increase physical activity and healthy dietary habits can help improve the physical health of people with serious mental illness (SMI). Yet, these interventions are not implemented in routine practice settings. This mixed methods study examined the decisions that leaders from three supportive housing agencies made as they planned to sustain a peer-led healthy lifestyle intervention for people with SMI at the end of a clinical trial. A combination of implementation strategies that addressed cost concerns, generated local evidence of the intervention’s benefits, and provided ongoing training was identified as important for sustainability. A sustainability model illustrating implementation strategies and mechanisms for supporting three sustainability domains (funding, organizational capacity, and adaptation) was prioritized by participants. Study findings can inform future studies testing strategies and mechanisms to support the sustainability of interventions in routine practice settings to improve the physical health of people with SMI.

Portal hypertension is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients. A color Doppler evaluation of the left gastric vein (LGV) has proven utility in the prediction of esophageal varices and variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. The purpose of this review is to discuss the ultrasound evaluation, imaging findings, and clinical application of Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of the LGV. Knowledge of the color Doppler technique and imaging findings of the LGV may help clinicians improve the monitoring of portal hypertension and predict patients with a high risk of esophageal varices.

People with serious mental illness who participated in a peer-based healthy lifestyle intervention in supportive housing found this intervention feasible and acceptable.People with serious mental illness die at an earlier age than people in the general population largely due to cardiovascular disease. Healthy lifestyle interventions can help reduce this health inequity. In this qualitative study, we examined the perceptions that decision makers in supportive housing agencies had toward a peer-led healthy lifestyle intervention and their views of contextual factors that could shape implementation at these agencies. A purposive sample of 12 decision makers from three supportive housing agencies was recruited. We presented participants a vignette describing our peer-led intervention and used semistructured qualitative interviews to examine their views. Interviews were recorded, professionally transcribed, and analyzed using directed content analysis. Participants reported positive views toward the intervention with the most valued intervention attributes being relative advantage over existing services, compatibility to clients’ needs, ability to pilot the intervention, and cost. A model emerged from our data depicting multilevel contextual factors believed to shape the implementation of our intervention at these agencies, including system- (funding, marketability, and external regulations), organization- (leadership support, fit with organization, staff buy-in and burden), and client-level (adaptability to clients’ needs, and clients’ buy-in) factors. Study findings illustrate the importance of understanding the context of practice before implementation. This examination can help identify critical views from decision makers that could undermine or advance the integration of peer-led interventions in supportive housing agencies and help identify structures, policies, and organizational practices that can inform the implementation process.

Overweight and obesity disproportionally impact people with serious mental illness (SMI). Healthy lifestyle interventions can improve the health of people with SMI but may need to be adapted for this population. The aims of this study were: to (1) examine the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the Peer-based Group Lifestyle Balance (PGLB) intervention and (2) describe intervention adaptations for people with SMI in supportive housing. Peer specialists and social workers co-facilitated 12 weekly PGLB sessions for 14 supportive housing clients. We conducted structured interviews and collected qualitative data through field notes and two focus groups. Frequencies and measures of central tendencies were used to describe participant characteristics and PGLB feasibility and acceptability measures. Qualitative data was analyzed using directed content analysis. Participants on average attended 8 of 12 sessions, and reported that services were satisfactory and helpful. Intervention adaptations, ongoing throughout the study, focused on adding peer-specialists as co-facilitators, increasing individualized support and developing strategies to address socioeconomic barriers impacting participants' ability to engage in healthy lifestyle changes. Study findings suggest that participants with SMI in supportive housing perceived PGLB as feasible and acceptable. Expanding the relevance and reach of peer-based healthy lifestyle interventions in community settings serving people with SMI requires careful adaptations to the socioeconomic realities of this population and the complexities of living with co-morbid health and mental health conditions.