Active removal of waste dye pollutants using Ta[sub]3N[sub]5/W[sub]18O[sub]49 nanocomposite fibres

A scalable solvothermal technique is reported for the synthesis of a photocatalytic composite material consisting of orthorhombic Ta3N5 nanoparticles and WOx≤3 nanowires. Through X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the as-grown tungsten(VI) sub-oxide was identified as monoclinic W18O49. The composite material catalysed the degradation of Rhodamine B at over double the rate of the Ta3N5 nanoparticles alone under illumination by white light, and continued to exhibit superior catalytic properties following recycling of the catalysts. Moreover, strong molecular adsorption of the dye to the W18O49 component of the composite resulted in near-complete decolourisation of the solution prior to light exposure. The radical species involved within the photocatalytic mechanisms were also explored through use of scavenger reagents. Our research demonstrates the exciting potential of this novel photocatalyst for the degradation of organic contaminants, and to the authors’ knowledge the material has not been investigated previously. In addition, the simplicity of the synthesis process indicates that the material is a viable candidate for the scale-up and removal of dye pollutants on a wider scale

Fortune or foe: the fatal harm caused by a gambling disorder

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The big picture unfolds: Using photovoice to study user participation in mental health services

Background: User participation is advocated on the basis that consumers know their own needs better than anyone else. Photovoice is a participatory research method that empowers the grass-root population to give voice on concerned issues for eliciting social change. Aim: This study explores the experience and impact of user participation in mental health services (MHS) in Hong Kong through photovoice. It also examines the effects of this method in studying user participation. Method: In this qualitative inquiry, authors, two peer researchers and three participants were involved in the various stages of research design, data collection and data analysis. Participants took photos showing their perception and experiences of being involved in different MHS systems. They shared their narratives through these images and reflected on the participatory experience of photovoice. Results: User participation was experienced as a gradual process of assuming control that involved personal responsibility, connection with peers, collaboration with staff, redefinition of boundaries and social inclusion. Meaningful participation gave rise to a sense of contribution, interpersonal connection and self-worth and transformed one’s identity. Participants enjoyed the mutual interaction and derived benefit from the photovoice process. Issues such as consent and confidentiality arose in implementation. Conclusion: Participation entails partnership among service users, providers and peers. Photovoice opens up new space for unfolding expert knowledge. Further application of this participatory approach with the local community is suggested in order to develop person-centered care.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors associated with mental illness among the working population in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional telephone survey

Mental health-related issues such as stress and depressive symptoms are common in the workplace and costly to both employees and employers. Stigma against mental illness limits oneâ s help-seeking attitudes and behavior, thereby leading to social isolation and deteriorating performance in the workplace. This study aimed at examining what aspects of knowledge, attitude and previous contacts with people with mental illness influence working adultsâ intention to have future contact with people (e.g., to work with, to live nearby) with mental illness. A total of 1031 employees across eight industries were telephone-interviewed. Descriptive analysis and hierarchical logistic regression were performed. The patterns of knowledge, attitude and behaviors were similar across industries. Higher education and lower income level were associated with higher intention to have contact with people with mental illness. Previous contacts were significant predictors of intention of future contacts. The attitude that people with mental health problems are less reliable was significantly associated with lower intention, and the knowledge that people with severe mental health problems can fully recover was significantly associated with higher intended contacts with people with mental illness. The implication of the findings and the cultural and contextual influences are discussed.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Depression literacy among Chinese stroke survivors

Objectives: Mental health literacy is fundamental to the pursuit of health. Little is known about patients' literacy levels regarding depression even though it is common among elderly stroke survivors. This paper will report the level of mental health literacy and thematic constructs of depression interpreted by a group of stroke survivors. Method: Qualitative data on patients' understanding of 'depression' in Chinese were translated and analyzed by an academic and a researcher separately to identify emerging constructs using a thematic approach. Out of 214 ischemic stroke older adults, aged 50+, 85 were able to explain the term in their own words after their first stroke attack. Results: The majority of stroke patients (60%, 129 out of 214) had never heard of depression and only four referred to it as a medical disease. Only a third would like to learn more about depression. Older Chinese adults depicted depression mainly by using words in the cognitive and affective domains, but the descriptors used were mostly non-specific and might not match the diagnostic criteria for depression or the commonly used screening tools. Conclusion: Low mental health literacy among older patients indicated that much more work needs to be done in health promotion and education on depression literacy.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

HBx oncoprotein induces chromosome instability in hepatocarcinogenesis via dysregulation of putative tumor suppressor, TAX1BP2

Poster presentation: Infectious Diseases: no. P131-0054Introduction and Project Objective: Chronic hepatitis B virus infection has been implicated in development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Evidence indicates that the HBV X protein (HBx) is involved in the aberration of centrosomes, which are major microtubule-organizing centres for regulating spindle assembly and bipolarity. It is suggested that cancer is a multi-step accumulation process of genomic instability resulted from centrosome dysfunction. Herein we present a mechanistic study on the roles of HBx in inducing genomic instability through centrosome aberration. Methods: Two stable expression systems of HBx were achieved in cell-lines. Centrosome dynamics were investigated by various types of microscopy as well as biochemical methods. Genomic instability was evaluated in terms of chromosome number and mitotic aberration. The detailed mechanism of chromosome instability was elucidated in cell-lines as well as on clinical HCC samples using molecular assays. Result: HBx expression resulted centrosome ultrastructure disorganization as well as centrosome numerical defects. Further investigation suggests that HBx binds to a centrosome protein called TAX1BP2, which was previously shown to be an intrinsic block of centrosome over-duplication and a tumor suppressor being down-regulated in HCC. Restoring TAX1BP2 was found to block the effect of HBx in centrosome aberrations. Moreover, we found that HBx expression resulted in aberrant mitosis and chromosome mis-segregation. Elucidation of the mechanisms revealed that HBx upregulated mitotic gatekeeper pumilio 2 through down-regulation of its upstream inhibitor NORAD. Similar dysregulation of pumilio 2 and NORAD were found in clinical HCC samples. Conclusion: Taken together, herein we have provided evidence on the mechanism of genomic instability induced by hepatitis B virus X protein via TAX1BP2 and pumilio 2. These findings shed light on potential blockage of genomic instability induced by hepatitis B virus infections