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The stability of cannabinoids is complex and crucial for the assessment of impaired driving caused by cannabis. Therefore, the effect of antioxidants on the long-term stability of Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD), 11-hydroxy-Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-OH), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in whole blood samples preserved with fluoride citrate (FC) and fluoride oxalate (FX) mixtures was investigated at different temperatures. The measured concentrations of the cannabinoids in authentic whole blood preserved solely with FC or FX mixtures decreased significantly during prolonged storage at −20°C. On average, less than 5% of the initial concentrations of THC and CBD were recovered after 19 weeks of storage interrupted by 5 thawing/freezing cycles. The rate of decrease was greatest in FC-preserved blood. The repeated thawing/freezing of the samples accelerated the instability progression. At 5°C approximately 60% of the initial concentrations of THC and CBD were recovered after 19 weeks of storage. No significant decrease was observed in samples stored at −80°C during the test period of 5 months. The instability at −20°C was to a great extend avoided by adding 30 mM ascorbic acid (ASC) to the samples before storage. Samples preserved with a combination of the FX mixture and ASC showed no significant decrease in the recovered concentrations during a 5-month storage period interrupted by 6 thawing/freezing cycles. Samples preserved with a combination of the FC mixture and ASC showed almost similar improvements in cannabinoid stability. Other reducing agents such as sodium metabisulfite and glutathione also improved the stability in FX-preserved blood stored at −20°C.

South African welfare policies, like those of many other countries in the world, are influenced by global economic trends directing neoliberal policy implementation. The adoption of neoliberalism in South African government policies has elicited criticism (Holscher & Sewpaul, 2006; Mindry, 2008). Although the literature (Abramovitz, 2012; Spolander, 2014; Stark, 2008) has explored the changes and the challenges brought about by neoliberalism in social work, less detailed attention has been paid to its specific impact on child and family welfare services. The influence of neoliberal policies on child and family welfare organisations and their social workers in South Africa has also received scant attention. The purpose of this article is therefore to explore and promote debate in the profession and in civil society on the possible influence of neoliberalism in the management of child and welfare organisations, on service delivery as well as on social workers. This paper will discuss indicators of neoliberalism before exploring the implications for child and family welfare services in post-apartheid South Africa in relation to three key themes: the financing of welfare; structures and organisations; and the managing of clients. This discussion we believe is crucial toward developing an understanding of how these themes are linked, and to facilitate the critical debate necessary in civil society on child and family welfare in South Africa.

The South African social work profession, which can be considered to still be in the early stages of rebirth post-apartheid, has been affected by neoliberal compromise. This paper reflects on the impact of neoliberalism on South African social work, particularly within the context of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as perceived and experienced by front-line social workers and social work managers. The findings highlight some of the unseen struggles of South African social work practice, as the profession is caught between the demands of social development and neoliberalism. This study invites the voices of front-line social workers to join academic debate and offer on-the-ground insight which social work academics might not be able to identify. In doing so, the discussion around neoliberal impact on South African social work and NGOs is deepened, allowing for authentic reflection on the challenges for the profession within an environment of neoliberal and developmental conflict.

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Dimensionality reduction of multivariate elemental concentrations of glass is reported for computing likelihood ratios (LRs). The LRs calculated using principal component analysis (PCA) and a post hoc calibration step result in very low (

Asthma in children is the most prevalent allergic disease worldwide that has become a major public health priority. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between baseline serum vitamin D status, spirometry, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels (FeNO) in 64 Greek children with ‘mild asthma’ aged 5 to 12 years (51.6% male) in a dietary intervention study. We hypothesized that baseline serum vitamin D levels modify the beneficial response of fatty fish intake on pulmonary function in asthmatic children following a Mediterranean diet. The intervention group consumed 2 fatty fish meals/week (≥150 g cooked filleted fish/meal) as part of the Mediterranean diet for six months, and the control group consumed their usual diet. Baseline serum 25(OH)D was determined using enzyme-linked immunoassay and defined as sufficient levels of 25(OH)D ≥25 ng/mL. Only 36% of children were graded as sufficient in 25(OH)D levels on entry into the study with a higher proportion of girls insufficient than boys (61% vs 39% respectively). Participants with sufficient levels of serum 25(OH)D at baseline, consuming the intervention diet increased FEV1/FVC by 4.89 units (β = 4.89; 95%CI: 1.19-8.61; p = 0.013) and FEF25-75% by 12.83 units (β = 12.83; 95%CI: 4.27-21.40; p = 0.006) compared to controls. No significant differences in pulmonary function or FeNO were observed for those with insufficient levels of 25(OH) D in the intervention or control groups. In conclusion, sufficient serum vitamin D levels enhanced ventilatory function in response to a dietary intervention in asthmatic children. © 2020

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a toxic glycolytic by-product associated with increased levels of inflammation and oxidative stress and has been linked to ageing-related diseases, such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. As MG is a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound, forming both reversible and irreversible adducts with a range of endogenous nucleophiles, measuring endogenous levels of MG are quite troublesome. Furthermore, as MG is a small metabolite it is not very immunogenic, excluding conventional ELISA for detection purposes, thus only more instrumentally demanding LC-MS/MS-based methods have demonstrated convincing quantitative data. In the present work we develop a novel bifunctional MG capture probe as well as a high specificity monoclonal antibody to finally setup a robust reaction-based ELISA (ReactELISA) method for detecting the highly reactive and low-level (nM) metabolite MG in human biological specimens. The assay is tested and validated against the current golden standard LC-MS/MS method in human blood plasma and cell-culture media. Furthermore, we demonstrate the assays ability to measure small perturbations of MG levels in growth media caused by a small molecule drug buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) of current clinical relevance. Finally, the assay is converted into a homogenous (no-wash) AlphaLISA version (ReactAlphaLISA), which offers the potential for operationally simple screening of further small molecules capable of perturbing cellular MG. Such compounds could be of relevance as probes to gain insight into MG metabolism as well as drug-leads to alleviate ageing-related diseases. Keywords: Methylglyoxal, ELISA, Glyoxalase, Plasma, Cell culture, Buthionine sulfoximine

The clinically tested KCa3.1 channel blocker, senicapoc, has been proven to have excellent pharmacological properties and prior clinical trials found it to be safe for use in patients with sickle cell anaemia. Currently, several preclinical projects are aiming to repurpose senicapoc for other indications, but well-described analytical methods in the literature are lacking. Our aim was to develop a sensitive, rapid and accurate ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method using pneumatically assisted electrospray ionisation (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) suitable for the determination of senicapoc in plasma samples. Unfortunately, direct analysis of senicapoc in crude acetonitrile extracts of human plasma samples by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS was subjected to significant and variable ion suppression from coeluting phospholipids (PLs). The interferences were mainly caused by the presence of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine classes of PLs, including their lyso-products. However, the PLs were easily removed from crude extracts by filtration through a sorbent with Lewis acid properties which decreased the total ion suppression effect to approximately 5%. Based on this technique, a simple high-throughput UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of senicapoc in 100-μL plasma samples. The lower limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/mL. The mean true extraction recovery was close to 100 %. The relative intra-laboratory reproducibility standard deviations of the measured concentrations were 8% and 4% at concentrations of 0.1 ng/mL and 250 ng/mL, respectively. The trueness expressed as the relative bias of the test results was within ± 2% at concentrations of 1 ng/mL or higher.

Summary The revised global definition for social work promotes the profession’s commitment to social change and development, social cohesion and the empowerment and liberation of people. By reviewing the implications of this definitional shift and locating this within existing influential social work ontological models, the implications for social work within global and national contexts are critically reviewed. Findings The changes to the global definition, along with recognition of the importance of strengthening knowledge and theory, encourage critical review of the implications of a shift from an emphasis on individual approaches to the importance of collective and macro perspectives in social work intervention. The location and exploration of these debates using existing key ontological frameworks and socio-economic contexts encourages critical reflection on the purpose, role and function of social work in society. Implications Social work must critically review what it means by, along with the implications of, the profession’s commitments. The profession needs to consider how theory, its academic discipline and social work interventions support these commitments. The critical examination of ontological frameworks, indigenous knowledge and social work interventions is vital to inform social work education and practice to enable a reinvigorated profession able to address the contemporary challenges of both society and individuals.

Background: Childhood asthma is the most common respiratory disorder worldwide, being associated with increased morbidity and a decreased quality of life. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties; however, their efficacy in asthma is controversial. The present study aimed to examine the efficacy of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with a high omega-3 ‘fatty’ fish intake in Greek asthmatic children. Methods: A single-centred, 6-month, parallel randomised controlled trial compared the consumption of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with two meals of 150 g of cooked fatty fish weekly (intervention) with the usual diet (control) with respect to pulmonary function in children (aged 5–12 years) with mild asthma. Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry and bronchial inflammation by fractional exhaled nitric oxide analysis. Results: Sixty-four children (52% male, 48% female) successfully completed the trial. Fatty fish intake increased in the intervention group from 17 g day −1 at baseline to 46 g day −1 at 6 months (P

An emerging global consciousness and rising attention given to international social work development has seen the recognition of comparative research within the profession. Understanding the functioning and organisation of social work within various country contexts is critical in order to formulate knowledge around its overall impact, successes and challenges, allowing social workers to learn from one another and build professional consolidation. The profession is mapped out in 10 countries, reflecting on its structure, identity and development. Although the profession is developing globally, it is also experiencing significant challenges. Key insights, conclusions and recommendations for future research are presented.

Buprenorphine (BUP) was not long-term stable in whole blood samples preserved with fluoride citrate (FC) and fluoride oxalate (FX) mixtures when stored at −20°C. On average, only half of the initial concentrations of BUP was recovered after 12 weeks of storage at −20°C when interrupted by 3–4 thaw/freeze cycles. Norbuprenorphine (NBUP) was less unstable; approximately 90% was recovered after 12 weeks of storage at −20°C. The instability was less at 5°C, but the formation of BUP and NBUP from their glucuronides was observed at that temperature, especially in FC-preserved blood. The substances were stable for at least 5 months when stored uninterrupted at −80°C. The instability of BUP and NBUP in FC- and FX-preserved whole blood stored at −20°C was eliminated when the samples were modified with 30 mM ascorbic acid (ASC) prior to storage. The mean recoveries were greater than 95% after a 5-month interrupted storage period at −20°C when modified with ASC.

Supporting and maintaining complex systems in developing countries has numerous challenges, especially in systems that suffer from obsolescence and operate beyond their designed life. Existing methodologies in developing an integrated logistics support system (ILSS) in developed countries are based on resources that are readily available, while in developing countries this is not always the case, and so grounded design rules within a robust framework are required. Various methods and six case studies of high technology systems were used for this paper. Obsolescence effects are considerably wider than the retirement and obsolescence component of present frameworks. Ondersteuning en instandhouding van komplekse stelsels in ontwikkelende lande het talle uitdagings, veral in stelsels wat verouder en langer as hul ontwerpslewe bedryf word. Bestaande metodologieë vir die ontwikkeling van 'n geïntegreerde logistieke ondersteuningstelsel in ontwikkelde lande berus op hulpbronne wat geredelik beskikbaar is, terwyl dit in ontwikkelende lande nie altyd die geval is nie. Daar word ook grondige ontwerpreëls binne 'n robuuste raamwerk vereis. Gemengde metodes is aangewend en ses gevallestudies van hoëtegnologie stelsels is vir hierdie studie gebruik. Verouderingseffekte is aansienlik wyer as die aftrede- en verouderingskomponent van bestaande raamwerke.

The Life Esidimeni crisis in South Africa is a shocking tragedy in which an estimated 141 mental health patients died after being transferred to some unlicensed non-government organisations (NGOs), as a result of the termination of a government-subsidised contract. The subsequent public arbitration hearings cast blame upon certain individuals, but left the deinstitutio­nalisation process untouched. Though these individuals must be held to account, we argue that the greater overarching process of deinstitutionalisation needs to be questioned. While the concept of deinstitutionalisation holds merit, it has been co-opted by a neoliberal agenda. Underlying the Life Esidimeni crisis are neoliberal tenets of economic prioritisation, self-responsibility and the removal of the state from service delivery

A dilution, and eventual denigration, of the social work profession, such as through the practice of social workers being managed by non-social workers, can increasingly be traced to neoliberal utterances and resultant managerial discourses. Social workers may unwittingly be contributing to the handover of management practices to non-social workers. This paper outlines the reasons for the tension between general management and social work management, presents a conceptualisation of social work management and supervision, and examines the impact of the global neoliberal discourse and resultant managerial tenets on social work in the South African context.

Macro-economic policy shapes and structures social welfare policy, services, and their implementation. As a result, the commoditisation of social welfare services and the use of markets as well as private sector management philosophies and tools have colonised and fashioned the design, provision and implementation of social welfare policy and structures. The impact has been far reaching, from limiting social welfare responses of elected democratic government to shaping the profession in a range of intended and unintended directions. Written from a UK perspective, this paper proposes a discussion of the impact of macro-economic neoliberal policies in the field of social welfare and explores the implications for social work practice. The paper also promotes a debate within the profession regarding the importance of macro-economic analysis and possible responses, as well as suggesting a way forward within European and, more broadly, international practice contexts.