EVALUATION OF ANTI CANCER POTENTIAL OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF CURCUMA ZEDOARIA.

Objective: Evaluation of anti cancer activity of methanol extracts of Curcuma zedoaria against Ehrlich's ascities carcinoma (EAC) cell line in Swiss albino mice. Method: In vitro cytotoxicity assay has been evaluated by using the trypan blue and MTT assay method. In vivo anti cancer activity was performed by using EAC cells induced mice groups (n=12), at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. respectively, half of the mice were sacrificed and the restwere kept alive for life span parameter. The anti cancer potential of MECZ was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, viable and nonviable tumorcell count, tumor weight, hematological parameters and biochemical estimations. Furthermore, antioxidant parameters were assayed by estimatingliver tissue enzymes. Result: Dose dependent cytotoxicity was observed in (* p < 0.05) Trypan blue and MTT assay method. In vivo anti cancer parameters like tumorvolume, tumor weight, and viable cell count were decreased compared to the EAC control group. MECZ treated EAC cell–bearing mice had anincreased life span to that of EAC control group. Hematological and serum biochemical profiles were restored to normal levels in MECZ-treated micecompared to the EAC control group. Among the tissue parameters lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione,superoxide dismutase, and catalasetoward normal levels compared to the EAC control group. In short, Conclusion: MECZ exhibited remarkable antitumor activity in Swiss albino mice, which is attributed to its augmentation of endogenous antioxidantactivities and cytotoxic nature. Keywords: Curcuma zedoaria, Zingiberaceae, EAC cell line, antitumor activity, 5-Flurouraci

Reflecting on professional self-disclosure and supportive relationships with foster carers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professional self-disclosure can be defined as a clinician revealing personal information about themselves to the person they are caring for. This article provides reflections from clinicians working in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and their navigation of professional self-disclosure during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The reflections focus on the use of self-disclosure in supportive relationships with foster carers. Drawing on the authors’ practice experiences as clinicians in specialist CAMHS settings, the article considers changes in the way that self-disclosure was approached following the shift to remote care delivery during the pandemic. The authors suggest that remote working involves a potentially increased scope for inappropriate use of self-disclosure and outline the implications for mental health nurses working with foster carers

An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of self-harm repetition and recovery in young adults

Six young adults (19–21) with repeat self-harm for over five years were interviewed about their self-harm, why they continued and what factors might help them to stop. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis identified six themes: Keeping self-harm private and hidden; Self-harm as self-punishment; Self-harm provides relief and comfort; Habituation and escalation of self-harm; Emotional gains and practical costs of cutting; Not believing they will stop completely. Young adults presented self-harm as an ingrained and purposeful behaviour which they could not stop, despite the costs and risks in early adulthood. Support strategies focused on coping skills, not just eradicating self-harm, are required

An interpretative phenomenological analysis of young people’s self-harm in the context of interpersonal stressors and supports : parents, peers and clinical services

Rationale: Self-harm in young people is of significant clinical concern. Multiple psychological, social and clinical factors contribute to self-harm, but it remains a poorly understood phenomenon with limited effective treatment options. Objective: To explore young women’s experience of self-harm in the context of interpersonal stressors and supports. Method: Fourteen adolescent females (13 – 18 years) who had self-harmed in the last six months completed semi-structured interviews about self-harm and supports. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was undertaken. Results: Themes identified were: 1) Arguments and worries about family breakdown; 2) Unhelpful parental response when self-harm discovered and impact on seeking support; 3) Ongoing parental support; 4) Long-term peer victimization/bullying as a backdrop to self-harm; 5) Mutual support and reactive support from friends (and instances of a lack of support); 6) Emotions shaped by others (shame, regret and feeling ‘stupid to self-harm’); and 7) ‘Empty promises’ - feeling personally let down by clinical services. These themes were organised under two broad meta-themes (psychosocial stressors, psychosocial supports). Two additional interconnected meta-themes were identified: Difficulties talking about self-harm and distress; and Impact on help-seeking. Conclusion: Parents and peers play a key role in both precipitating self-harm and in supporting young people who self-harm. The identified themes, and the apparent inter-relationships between them, illustrate the complexity of self-harm experienced in the context of interpersonal difficulties, supports and emotions. This has implications for improving support from both informal and clinical sources

What do young people who self-harm find helpful? A comparative study of young people with and without experience of being looked after in care: What do young people who self-harm find helpful?

BackgroundSelf‐harm amongst young people is an increasing problem, with looked‐after young people at higher risk. Despite this, little research exists on what young people who self‐harm find helpful.MethodOne hundred and twenty‐six 11–21 year olds (53 who had experience of the care system and 73 who did not) were recruited from the community and NHS. All participants had self‐harmed in the past 6 months. Participants completed an Audio Computer‐Assisted Self‐interview (ACASI) regarding their views about the support they had received, how helpful it was, and what further help they felt they needed.ResultsLooked‐after young people reported the three most helpful sources of support were Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), friends and pets and the least helpful were CAMHS, Accident and Emergency (A&E) and Social services. For non‐looked‐after young people, CAMHS, counselling and Harmless (user‐led support service for self‐harm) were most helpful and CAMHS, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and general practitioner (GP) were the least. Compared with the other group, more looked‐after young people had received help from A&E and CAMHS, whereas more non‐looked‐after young people had accessed GPs, parents, psychological therapies, self‐help books and websites. More looked‐after young people found support groups helpful, and more non‐looked‐after young people reported that distraction techniques, medication and their siblings were helpful.ConclusionYoung people who self‐harm have mixed views about CAMHS. Differences in the pattern of access and preferences for support between looked‐after and non‐looked‐after young people should be reflected in service availability and commissioning

Unaccompanied Refugee Minors’ Experiences of Mental Health Services

Background: The current evidence shows that unaccompanied refugee minors have poorer adjustment and greater psychiatric morbidity than the general population. Despite the availability of some treatment options, there have been widespread concerns about poor access and utilization of mental health services in this population. Very limited research evidence is available on their perceptions and experiences of treatment for mental illness and mental health services. Research aims: The aims of this research were to explore the unaccompanied refugee minors’ experiences of mental health service, the factors contributing to the experiences and their perceived ways of improving these services. Methods: A clinical sample of 15 unaccompanied refugee minors and their carers were recruited from consecutive referrals to a specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) team for looked after children. Young people and their carers were interviewed using a semi structured interview schedule. Interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed by a thematic framework. Results: The main emerging themes related to participants’ understanding of mental health, experiences of services and interventions, and suggestions for future improvement. Young persons’ limited knowledge of mental health services, lack of trust and fear of stigma were perceived as main factors affecting their engagement. They preferred not to talk about their past at this stage, but rather expected clinicians to help them address their present needs. Activity-based interventions were favoured over talking treatments. Strategies to engage the young persons, and connecting with other agencies and communities were recommended by the participants. Conclusions: The findings provide support for the role that preparation, engagement, and communication between agencies and communities may play in the unaccompanied refugee minors’ experience. These findings are discussed in the context of previous evidence. Clinical and service implications as well as recommendations for future research are considered

Is it ‘just’ trauma? Use of trauma-informed approaches and multi-agency consultation in mental healthcare of looked after children

This article presents three case studies of patients that a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) have supported and its purpose is to encourage discussion of two key learning points. The first of these is the utility of developmental trauma as an approach for children with mental health presentations. The second centres on the importance of multi-agency working when working with young people, principally those within the UK's local authority care system (‘looked after children’), who have had traumatic experiences in order to enhance positive outcomes. We also want to encourage consideration of the implications of developmental trauma for current core CAMHS therapeutic models in an attempt to reach beyond the often held narrative that the trauma formulation implies there is ‘just trauma, no mental illness’

Role of clinical attachments in psychiatry for international medical graduates to enhance recruitment and retention in the NHS

Aims and method There are numerous challenges in the recruitment and retention of the medical workforce in psychiatry. This mixed-methods study examined the role of psychiatry clinical attachments for international medical graduates (IMGs) to enhance recruitment and retention. An online survey was launched to capture views and perceptions of IMGs about clinical attachments. The quantitative and qualitative responses were analysed to elicit findings. Results In total, 92 responses were received, with respondents commonly from India, Pakistan and Egypt. Respondents were mostly aged 25–34, with ≥3 years of psychiatry experience. Over 80% expressed strong interest in completing a psychiatry clinical attachment and believed it would support career progression. Qualitative data indicated that IMGs hoped to gain clinical experience and understanding of the National Health Service (NHS). They wished for a clearer, simpler process for clinical attachments. Clinical implications Clinical attachment can be mutually beneficial, providing IMGs with opportunity to confidently start their psychiatry career in the UK and enhance medical recruitment in mental health services across the NHS

Multidisciplinary reflections on the NHS long-term workforce plan

Three professionals working in different areas of healthcare reflect on the implications of NHS England's first long-term workforce plan for England across acute care, mental health services and the UK's health and care education system