Ralstonia pickettii Traced in Blood Culture Bottles

Over a 9-month period, 14 strains of Ralstonia pickettii were isolated from various biological samples inoculated in a blood culture medium. Molecular epidemiological investigation confirmed the relatedness of the strains. The source of the contamination proved to be the blood culture bottle caps

Self-stratified bio-based coatings: Formulation and elucidation of critical parameters governing stratification

International audienceSelf-stratification is an innovative one-step process used to design multi-functional coatings gathering simultaneously in a one-pot formulation the primer, the intermediate layer and the top coat properties. Many selfstratifying coatings contain oil-based epoxy resins but the literature is scarce in the development of “greener” solutions. In this work, silicone resins and bio-based epoxy resins were dissolved in various solvent blends, applied on a composite substrate and cured under different conditions to obtain stratified coatings. To reach aperfect stratification, the influence of various parameters including (i) the surface tension and the polarity of the resins, (ii) the solvents volatility, (iii) the curing temperature and (iv) the reactivity of the epoxy/amine reaction was studied by a systematic approach. In accordance with the literature, it was demonstrated that a large difference in surface energy and polarity favors resins separation. The volatility of the solvent blend was also shown to be a key factor in the stratification process. However, the predominant parameter, rarely taken into account, isthe curing temperature, which impacts the cross-linking reaction of the epoxy resin. The increase in molecular weight (MW) of epoxy resins due to the cross-linking reaction favors the incompatibility between resins by increasing the difference in MW between epoxy and silicone resins. Thus, optimization of process conditions allowed the design of perfectly stratified bio-based epoxy/silicone coatings. The mechanism of film stratification was also elucidated thanks to in-situ analyses

Self-stratifying fire retardant coatings

International audienceThe design of innovative coatings with multifunctional properties is very challenging. Self-stratification can be an alternative as it is an eco-efficient process allowing the formation, in only one application, of a multi-layer film gathering the following properties: adhesion to a substrate, a functional property such as flame retardancy and weathering protective properties and potentially many others. This effective and economical concept thus allows reducing the number of steps to coat a substrate, while providing a coating with equivalent or better performances than a common three layers process (primer-functional coating-topcoat), also reducing the amount of energy used, the pollution and waste generation1.For self-stratification to occur, liquid coatings must contain at least two partially incompatible thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers dissolved in a common solvent blend2. In this work, an innovative self-stratifying coating based on epoxy (DGEBA)/silicone blend has been developed and applied on polycarbonate substrate. Perfect self-stratification was evidenced by microscopic analysis coupled with X-ray mappings3 (Figure 1). Flame retardant additives (2-10 wt.-%) were added to the formulation and the fire properties were evaluated via the determination of the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI), UL94 and via Mass Loss Calorimetry (MLC). Some of the coatings allowed the formation of a protective barrier against fire and led to V0 rating at UL94 test and an increase of 28% to 35% in oxygen at LOI test. However, the increase in more stringent regulations on toxicological and environmental aspects now leads to the need of “green” flame retardant self-stratifying coatings. In this work, a “greener” self-stratifying coating with bio-based epoxy resin and specific solvent blend replacing xylene (Figure 2) will be presented and fully commented

Multilevel approach to individual and organisational predictors of stress and fatigue among healthcare workers of a university hospital: a longitudinal study

International audienceObjective Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of experiencing stress and fatigue due to the demands of their work within hospitals. Improving their physical and mental health and, in turn, the quality and safety of care requires considering factors at both individual and organisational/ward levels. Using a multicentre prospective cohort, this study aims to identify the individual and organisational predictors of stress and fatigue of HCWs in several wards from university hospitals. Methods Our cohort consists of 695 HCWs from 32 hospital wards drawn at random within four volunteer hospital centres in Paris-area. Three-level longitudinal analyses, accounting for repeated measures (level 1) across participants (level 2) nested within wards (level 3) and adjusted for relevant fixed and time-varying confounders, were performed. Results At baseline, the sample was composed by 384 registered nurses, 300 auxiliary nurses and 11 midwives. According to the three-level longitudinal models, some predictors were found in common for both stress and fatigue (low social support from supervisors, work overcommitment, sickness presenteeism and number of beds per ward). However, specific predictors for high level of stress (negative life events, low social support from colleagues and breaks frequently cancelled due to work overload) and fatigue (longer commuting duration, frequent use of interim staff in the ward) were also found. Conclusion Our results may help identify at-risk HCWs and wards, where interventions to reduce stress and fatigue should be focused. These interventions could include manager training to favour better staff support and overall safety culture of HCWs

Identifying individual and organizational predictors of accidental exposure to blood (AEB) among hospital healthcare workers: A longitudinal study

International audienceBackground: Accidental exposure to blood (AEB) poses a risk of bloodborne infections for healthcare workers (HCWs) during hospital activities. In this study, we identified individual behavioral and organizational predictors of AEB among HCWs. Methods: The study was a prospective, 1-year follow-up cohort study conducted in university hospitals in Paris, France. Data were collected from the Stress at Work and Infectious Risk in Patients and Caregivers (STRIPPS) study. Eligible participants included nurses, nursing assistants, midwives, and physicians from 32 randomly selected wards in 4 hospitals. AEB occurrences were reported at baseline, 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months, and descriptive statistical and multilevel risk-factor analyses were performed. Results: The study included 730 HCWs from 32 wards, predominantly nurses (52.6%), nursing assistants (41.1%), physicians (4.8%), and midwives (1.5%). The incidence rate of AEB remained stable across the 4 visits. The multilevel longitudinal analysis identified several significant predictors of AEB occurrence. Individual-level predictors included younger age, occupation as nurses or midwives, irregular work schedule, rotating shifts, and lack of support from supervisors. The use of external nurses was the most significant ward-level predictor associated with AEB occurrence. Conclusions: AEBs among HCWs are strongly associated with organizational predictors, highlighting the importance of complementing infection control policies with improved staff management and targeted training. This approach can help reduce AEB occurrences and enhance workplace safety for HCWs

Negative interaction between smoking and EBV in the risk of multiple sclerosis: The EnvIMS study

Background: Results from previous studies on a possible interaction between smoking and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) are conflicting. Objectives: To examine the interaction between smoking and infectious mononucleosis (IM) in the risk of MS. Methods: Within the case-control study on Environmental Factors In Multiple Sclerosis (EnvIMS), 1904 MS patients and 3694 population-based frequency-matched healthy controls from Norway, Italy, and Sweden reported on prior exposure to smoking and history of IM. We examined the interaction between the two exposures on the additive and multiplicative scale. Results: Smoking and IM were each found to be associated with an increased MS risk in all three countries, and there was a negative multiplicative interaction between the two exposures in each country separately as well as in the pooled analysis (p = 0.001). Among those who reported IM, there was no increased risk associated with smoking (odds ratio (OR): 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66-1.37). The direction of the estimated interactions on the additive scale was consistent with a negative interaction in all three countries (relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI): -0.98, 95% CI: -2.05-0.15, p = 0.09). Conclusion: Our findings indicate competing antagonism, where the two exposures compete to affect the outcome