Fluorescent carbon dots for labeling of bacteria: mechanism and prospects-a review.

The search for bacteria-labeling agents that are more efficient and less toxic compared to existing staining dyes is ongoing. Fluorescent quantum dots and carbon dots (CDs) have been extensively researched for various bioimaging applications. Priority is given to CDs due to several advantages, including lower toxicity, versatility in tuning their properties, and better photostability compared to metal-based quantum dots. Although significant progress is still needed to replace existing dyes with CDs for bacteria labeling, they offer promising potential for further improvement in efficiency. Surface charges and functional groups have been reported as decisive factors for bacterial discrimination and live/dead assays; however, a complete guideline for preparing CDs with optimum properties for efficient staining and predicting their labeling performance is lacking. In this review, we discuss the application of fluorescent CDs for bacterial labeling and the underlying mechanisms and principles. We primarily focus on the application and mechanism of CDs for Gram differentiation, live imaging, live/dead bacteria differentiation, bacterial viability testing, biofilm imaging, and the challenges associated with application of CDs. Based on proposed mechanisms of bacterial labeling and ambiguous results reported, we provide our view and guidelines for the researchers in this field to overcome the challenges associated with bacteria labeling using fluorescent CDs.

Social workers' formal and informal leadership in interprofessional primary care teams in Ontario, Canada.

The development of interprofessional teams in primary care presents opportunities for social workers to take on new leadership positions. This study seeks to describe how social workers engaged in leadership roles in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional on-line survey was disseminated to primary care social workers across Ontario, Canada, with a total of 159 respondents. Most respondents engaged in informal leadership roles and showcased a range of leadership skills promoting team collaboration and consultations, along with adapting to virtual care transitions. Findings suggest there needs to be intentional cultivation of social work leaders through supportive environments and training. Social workers in primary care have leadership capacity and are providing leadership to their primary care teams through formal and informal means. The leadership potential of social workers in primary care teams, however, is being underutilized and can be further developed.

Social Work Leadership Competencies for Practice amid Crisis: A Scoping Review.

Leadership skills are a critical component of effective social work practice in interdisciplinary healthcare and mental healthcare settings. Over the last two decades there has been increased attention to the importance of social work leadership skills for clinical practice. Moreover, social workers display essential leadership skills when supporting individuals and communities amid large-scale crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, wars, and other sociopolitical crises. Currently, there is an absence of literature on social work leadership skills for effective practice in healthcare and mental healthcare settings during times of crisis. To bridge this knowledge gap, this scoping review aimed to synthesize and map the current literature on social work leadership competencies in healthcare and mental healthcare amid crises. Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework for scoping reviews guided this project. Six academic databases were searched, and a total of nine articles met inclusion criteria. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurrent themes among these articles. Results highlight that leadership was defined as both a role and a skill set, and identified collaboration, connection, and shared learning as key leadership competencies for social workers. Implications for social work practice, education, and research are discussed.

Sustainable production of silver nanoparticles from waste part of Litchi chinensis Sonn. and their antibacterial evaluation.

In our study, waste parts of Litchi chinensis cultivar Surakhi were selected for the production of silver nanoparticles. Qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed peel extracts rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, phenolics, tannins as compared to seed extracts. Two different types of nanoparticles (PAN and PMN) were prepared from Litchi chinensis peel using crude aqueous and methanolic extracts. During synthesis, colour variations were observed (brown to blackish brown) and were characterized by UV VIS spectrophotometry. Protein and alkaloids as powerful stabilising agents forming silver nanoparticles were verified by FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of silver nanoparticles shown to be less homogeneous and spherical in form. For PAN and PMN the particle size of silver nanoparticles was 6.9 nm and 7.9 nm respectively with the primitive face-centered cubic phase measured from the XRD pattern. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers profile confirmed the strong signal for elemental silver. The antibacterial activity of PAN and PMN against a diverse group of gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains were determined using an agar well diffusion assay. Both types of silver nanoparticles prepared were found effective against Alcaligenes faecium with highest antibacterial activities recorded (20mm±0.14 and 18mm±0.14). Minimal inhibitory concentration was found to be 15µg/ml for both PAN and PMN against Alcaligenes faecium.

Access to mental health and addiction services for youth and their families in Ontario: perspectives of parents, youth, and service providers.

BACKGROUND: Canadian youth (aged 16-24) have the highest rates of mental health and addiction concerns across all age groups and the most unmet health care needs. There are many structural barriers that contribute to the unmet mental health care needs of youth including lack of available and appropriate services, high costs, long wait times, fragmented and siloed services, lack of smooth transition between child and adult services, stigma, racism, and discrimination, as well as lack of culturally appropriate treatments. Levesque et al. (2013) developed a framework to better understand health care access and this framework conceptualizes accessibility across five dimensions: (1) approachability, (2) availability, (3) affordability, (4) appropriateness, and (5) acceptability. The purpose of this study was to explore access to addiction and mental health services for youth in Ontario, Canada from the perspectives of youth, parents, and service providers. METHODS: This qualitative study was a university-community partnership exploring the experiences of youth with mental health concerns and their families from the perspectives of youth, caregivers, and service providers. We conducted semi-structured interviews and used thematic analysis to analyze data. RESULTS: The study involved 25 participants (n = 11 parents, n = 4 youth, n = 10 service providers). We identified six themes related to structural barriers impacting access to youth mental health and services: (1) "The biggest barrier in accessing mental health support is where to look," (2) "There's always going to be a waitlist," (3) "I have to have money to be healthy," (4) "They weren't really listening to my issues," (5) "Having more of a welcoming and inclusive system," and (6) "Health laws aren't doing what they need to do." CONCLUSION: Our study identified five structural barriers that map onto the Levesque et al. healthcare access conceptual framework and a sixth structural barrier that is not adequately captured by this model which focuses on policies, procedures, and laws. The findings have implications for policies and service provisions, and underline the urgent need for a mental health strategy that will increase access to care, improve mental health in youth, decrease burden on parents, and reduce inequities in mental health policies and services.

Navigating inequities in the delivery of youth mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives of youth, families, and service providers.

OBJECTIVES: There have been concerns about the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian youth (aged 16-24) as they have the highest rates of mental health concerns. The objectives of the present study were to explore the experiences of youth with mental health and/or addiction concerns and their families during the pandemic, and to examine how adequate and equitable mental health services have been for youth and families from the perspectives of youth, parents, and service providers. METHODS: Using a descriptive qualitative research design and a university-community partnership, we conducted individual interviews with youth, parents, and service providers. The study involved a total of 25 participants (n=15 service users, n=10 service providers). Among the service users, 11 participants were parents and four were youth. We used thematic analysis to analyze interview data. RESULTS: The thematic analysis identified three themes in the data: (1) youth mental health concerns have increased, whereas supports have decreased, (2) families end up being the treatment team with increased burden, little support, and lack of recognition, and (3) inadequate and inequitable mental health services for youth and families are amplified during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: At a time when mental health needs were higher, the mental health care system offered less support to youth and their families. For a more equitable response to the pandemic, we need an accessible and integrated mental health care system that shows a commitment to addressing social determinants and reducing health disparities and inequities in access to mental health services.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Les effets indésirables de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur les jeunes (16 à 24 ans) du Canada suscitent des inquiétudes, car ce sont les jeunes qui présentent les taux les plus élevés de problèmes de santé mentale. Nous avons voulu explorer les expériences de jeunes aux prises avec des problèmes de santé mentale et/ou de toxicomanie et de leurs familles durant la pandémie, et à déterminer si les services de santé mentale sont suffisants et équitables pour les jeunes et leurs familles du point de vue de jeunes, de parents et de prestataires de services. MéTHODE: À l'aide d'un plan de recherche qualitative descriptive et d'un partenariat entre les milieux universitaire et associatif, nous avons mené des entretiens individuels avec des jeunes, des parents et des prestataires de services. Vingt-cinq personnes ont participé à l'étude (n = 15 utilisateurs et utilisatrices de services, n = 10 prestataires de services). Parmi les utilisateurs et utilisatrices de services, 11 étaient des parents et 4 étaient des jeunes. Nous avons eu recours à l'analyse thématique pour analyser les données des entretiens. RéSULTATS: Trois thèmes se sont dégagés de l'analyse thématique des données : 1) les problèmes de santé mentale des jeunes augmentent, tandis que les mesures d'aide diminuent, 2) ce sont les familles qui finissent par constituer l'équipe de traitement, ce qui représente un fardeau accru, peu de soutien et un manque de reconnaissance, et 3) l'insuffisance et l'iniquité des services de santé mentale offerts aux jeunes et à leurs familles ont été amplifiées durant la pandémie. CONCLUSION: Alors que les besoins en santé mentale étaient plus élevés, le système de soins de santé mentale a offert moins de soutien aux jeunes et à leurs familles. Pour une intervention plus équitable face à la pandémie, nous avons besoin d'un système de soins de santé mentale accessible et intégré, manifestement engagé à aborder les déterminants sociaux et à réduire les disparités d'état de santé et les iniquités d'accès aux services de santé mentale.

Litchi chinensis inspired nanoformulations: a synergy guided approach for unraveling promising cytotoxic attributes of metal and nonmetal conjugates.

In present study, diverse Litchi chinensis-mediated nanostructures in combination with 5-fluorouracil drug were fabricated viz. Au, Se, Ag, Ag-Se, Ag-Au, 5-FU Ag-Se and 5-FU Ag-Au with subsequent characterization and scrutinization of their anticarcinogenic capabilities. UV-Visible spectroscopic analysis confirmed the state transition for each precursor salt. XRD and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed spherical/quasispherical nanostructures with monoclinic crystalline organization ranged between 18 nm and 38 nm. FTIR analysis revealed fabricated nanoparticles to be capped with various phytoconstituents. DLS and Zeta potential analysis of unloaded and drug-loaded bielemental nanoparticles (BNPs) showed comparatively large hydrodynamic particle size distribution and sufficient stability of nanoparticles. BNPs showed promising lethality concentrations for brine shrimp (LC50 < 2 µg/ml) and antitumor (LC50 < 10 µg/ml) assessments. These findings were in positive correlation with the antioxidant inhibitory concentrations IC50 (74.2-180.1 µg/ml) of the tested entities. Ag-Se and Ag-Au were loaded with 5-FU (loading efficiency of 47% ± 1.14 and 25% ± 0.32, respectively) in light of their promising cytotoxic actions. All nanostructures showed profound hemocompatibility with maximum hemolytic activity as low as 2.4%. Highly significant difference (P < 0.01) was observed in antineoplastic potentials of unloaded and 5-FU loaded BNPs against HepG2 and HT144, with most substantial IC50 for 5-FU Ag-Au (8.95 ± 2.86 µg/ml). 5-FU Ag-Au was identified as a significant inducer of DNA fragmentation with maximum relative tail moment (HepG2: 3.45 ± 0.21) among all treatments.

Effect of Berberis vulgaris L. root extract on ifosfamide-induced in vivo toxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity.

Ifosfamide is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent having broad-spectrum efficacy against several tumors. However, nephro, hepato, neuro cardio, and hematological toxicities associated with ifosfamide render its use limited. These side effects could range from organ failure to life-threatening situations. The present study aimed to evaluate the attenuating efficiency of Berberis vulgaris root extract (BvRE), a potent nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, and lipid-lowering agent, against ifosfamide-induced toxicities. The study design comprised eight groups of Swiss albino rats to assess different dose regimes of BvRE and ifosfamide. Biochemical analysis of serum (serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, total cholesterol, and triglycerides) along with complete blood count was performed. Kidney, liver, brain, and heart tissue homogenates were used to find malondialdehyde, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase levels in addition to the acetylcholinesterase of brain tissue. The results were further validated with the help of the histopathology of the selected organs. HeLa cells were used to assess the effect of BvRE on ifosfamide cytotoxicity in MTT assay. The results revealed that pre- and post-treatment regimens of BvRE, as well as the combination therapy exhibited marked protective effects against ifosfamide-induced nephro, hepato, neuro, and cardiotoxicity. Moreover, ifosfamide depicted a synergistic in vitro cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells in the presence of BvRE. These results corroborate that the combination therapy of ifosfamide with BvRE in cancer treatment can potentiate the anticancer effects of ifosfamide along with the amelioration of its conspicuous side effects.

Preparing social workers to address health inequities emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic by building capacity for health policy: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought tremendous changes in healthcare delivery and exacerbated a wide range of inequities. Social workers across a broad range of healthcare settings bring an expertise in social, behavioural and mental healthcare needed to help address these health inequities. In addition, social workers integrate policy-directed interventions and solutions in clinical practice, which is a needed perspective for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains unclear, however, what the most pressing policy issues are that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, many social workers in health settings tend to underuse policy in their direct practice. The objectives of this scoping review are to: (1) systematically scope the literature on social work, COVID-19 pandemic and policy; and (2) describe the competencies required by social workers and the social work profession to address the policy issues emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review follows Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework. Identification of literature published between 1 December 2019 and the search date, 31 March 2021, will take place in two stages: (1) title and abstract review, and (2) full-text review. In partnership with a health science librarian, the research team listed keywords related to social work and policy to search databases including Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Social Services Abstract and Social Work Abstracts. Two graduate-level research assistants will conduct screening and full-text review. Data will then be extracted, charted, analysed and summarised to report on our results and implications on practice, policy and future research. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Results will help develop a policy practice competence framework to inform how social workers can influence policy. We will share our findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. This study does not require Research Ethics Board approval as it uses publicly available sources of data.

Social work leadership competencies in health and mental healthcare: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Leadership skills are an integral part of effective social work practice in health and mental healthcare settings. Social workers require critical leadership skills to effectively support, treat and advocate for the complex needs of those most vulnerable. Despite an increasing focus on social work leadership within the last decade, there has been a paucity of research on social work leadership competencies within the realm of health and mental health service provision. To bridge this gap, this scoping review will synthesise and map the current literature on social work leadership competencies in health and mental healthcare. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework for scoping reviews will guide our search of six academic databases including: PsycINFO, OVID Social Work Abstracts, OVID Medline, Sociological Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts and CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Selected articles that meet inclusion criteria will then be reviewed and charted. Recurrent themes will be reviewed through a qualitative thematic analysis, and reported in both text and figures. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Findings will highlight key social work leadership competencies as they relate to social work practice, team dynamics, and client outcomes within health and mental healthcare. Material retrieved in this scoping review was selected from publicly available sources, and thus as an obtrusive research method, this review does not warrant ethics approval. Findings from this review will be disseminated through published scholarly material, as well as presented at conferences pertaining to social work research, practice and education.

Recovery-oriented social work practice in mental health and addictions: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Social work is a key profession in the field of mental health worldwide and the profession has values that are aligned with a recovery paradigm. However, there are gaps in understanding how social workers are applying the recovery paradigm in practice. This study will scope and synthesise the literature related to recovery and social work practice in mental health and addictions. There will also be an exploration of best practices and gaps in recovery-oriented social work practice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Using a scoping review framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley, we will conduct our search in five academic databases: PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL Plus, Sociological Abstracts and Social Services Abstracts. Articles meeting inclusion criteria will be charted to extract relevant themes and analysed using a qualitative thematic analysis approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This review will provide relevant information about best practices and gaps in recovery-oriented social work practice in mental health and addictions. The study will inform the development of mental health curricula in social work programmes and clinical settings. Results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and at conferences focusing on mental health, addictions, and social work education. Ethics approval is not required for this scoping review.

Quantification of Berberine in Berberis vulgaris L. Root Extract and Its Curative and Prophylactic Role in Cisplatin-Induced In Vivo Toxicity and In Vitro Cytotoxicity.

Cisplatin is amongst the most potent chemotherapeutic drugs with applications in more than 50% of cancer treatments, but dose-dependent side effects limit its usefulness. Berberis vulgaris L. (B. vulgaris) has a proven role in several therapeutic applications in the traditional medicinal system. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify berberine, a potent alkaloid in the methanolic root extract of B. vulgaris (BvRE). Berberine chloride in BvRE was found to be 10.29% w/w. To assess the prophylactic and curative protective effects of BvRE on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and hyperlipidemia, in vivo toxicity trials were carried out on 25 healthy male albino Wistar rats (130-180 g). Both prophylactic and curative trials included a single dose of cisplatin (4 mg/kg, i.p.) and nine doses of BvRE (500 mg/kg/day, orally). An array of marked toxicity effects appeared in response to cisplatin dosage evident by morphological condition, biochemical analysis of serum (urea, creatinine, total protein, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total cholesterol, and triglyceride), and organ tissue homogenates (malondialdehyde and catalase). Statistically-significant (p < 0.05) variations were observed in various parameters. Moreover, histological studies of liver and kidney tissues revealed that the protective effect of BvRE effectively minimized and reversed nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and hyperlipidemic effects caused by cisplatin in both prophylactic and curative groups with relatively promising ameliorative effects in the prophylactic regimen. The in vitro cell viability effect of cisplatin, BvRE, and their combination was determined on HeLa cells using the tetrazolium (MTT) assay. MTT clearly corroborated that HeLa cells appeared to be less sensitive to cisplatin and berberine individually, while the combination of both at the same concentrations resulted in growth inhibition of HeLa cells in a remarkable synergistic way. The present study validated the use of BvRE as a protective agent in combination therapy with cisplatin.

Civil and forensic patients in secure psychiatric settings: a comparison.

Aims and method To evaluate differences between male patients in secure psychiatric settings in the UK based on whether they are detained under civil or forensic sections of the Mental Health Act 1983. A cohort of patients discharged from a secure psychiatric hospital were evaluated for length of stay and frequency of risk-related incidents. Results Overall, 84 patients were included in the study: 52 in the forensic group and 32 in the civil group. Civil patients had more frequent incidents of aggression, sex offending, fire-setting and vulnerability, whereas forensic patients had more frequent episodes of self-harm. Clinical implications Secure hospitals should ensure treatment programmes are tailored to each patient's needs. Civil patients require greater emphasis on treatment of their mental illness, whereas forensic patients have additional offence-related treatment needs. Regular liaison between forensic and general adult services is essential to help ensure patients can return to appropriate settings at the earliest opportunity in their recovery.

Lower Monoamine Oxidase-A Total Distribution Volume in Impulsive and Violent Male Offenders with Antisocial Personality Disorder and High Psychopathic Traits: An [(11)C] Harmine Positron Emission Tomography Study.

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) often presents with highly impulsive, violent behavior, and pathological changes in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and ventral striatum (VS) are implicated. Several compelling reasons support a relationship between low monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), an enzyme that regulates neurotransmitters, and ASPD. These include MAO-A knockout models in rodents evidencing impulsive aggression and positron emission tomography (PET) studies of healthy subjects reporting associations between low brain MAO-A levels and greater impulsivity or aggression. However, a fundamental gap in the literature is that it is unknown whether brain MAO-A levels are low in more severe, clinical disorders of impulsivity, such as ASPD. To address this issue, we applied [(11)C] harmine PET to measure MAO-A total distribution volume (MAO-A VT), an index of MAO-A density, in 18 male ASPD participants and 18 age- and sex-matched controls. OFC and VS MAO-A VT were lower in ASPD compared with controls (multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA): F2,33=6.8, P=0.003; OFC and VS MAO-A VT each lower by 19%). Similar effects were observed in other brain regions: prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, dorsal putamen, thalamus, hippocampus, and midbrain (MANOVA: F7,28=2.7, P=0.029). In ASPD, VS MAO-A VT was consistently negatively correlated with self-report and behavioral measures of impulsivity (r=-0.50 to -0.52, all P-values<0.05). This study is the first to demonstrate lower brain MAO-A levels in ASPD. Our results support an important extension of preclinical models of impulsive aggression into a human disorder marked by pathological aggression and impulsivity.