Implementation and evaluation of a multi-level mental health promotion intervention for the workplace (MENTUPP): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

Background Well-organised and managed workplaces can be a source of wellbeing. The construction, healthcare and information and communication technology sectors are characterised by work-related stressors (e.g. high workloads, tight deadlines) which are associated with poorer mental health and wellbeing. The MENTUPP intervention is a flexibly delivered, multi-level approach to supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating mentally healthy workplaces. The online intervention is tailored to each sector and designed to support employees and leaders dealing with mental health difficulties (e.g. stress), clinical level anxiety and depression, and combatting mental health-related stigma. This paper presents the protocol for the cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of the MENTUPP intervention in eight European countries and Australia. Methods Each intervention country will aim to recruit at least two SMEs in each of the three sectors. The design of the cRCT is based on the experiences of a pilot study and guided by a Theory of Change process that describes how the intervention is assumed to work. SMEs will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control conditions. The aim of the cRCT is to assess whether the MENTUPP intervention is effective in improving mental health and wellbeing (primary outcome) and reducing stigma, depression and suicidal behaviour (secondary outcome) in employees. The study will also involve a process and economic evaluation. Conclusions At present, there is no known multi-level, tailored, flexible and accessible workplace-based intervention for the prevention of non-clinical and clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety and burnout, and the promotion of mental wellbeing. The results of this study will provide a comprehensive overview of the implementation and effectiveness of such an intervention in a variety of contexts, languages and cultures leading to the overall goal of delivering an evidence-based intervention for mental health in the workplace

The role of lanthanum in the enhancement of photocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanomaterials obtained by calcination of hydrogenotitanate nanotubes

SSCI-VIDE+CARE:ECI2D+MME:ATR:HKO:CGU:GBEInternational audienceThe influence of lanthanum on the thermal stability and photocatalytic activity of calcined hydrogenotitanate nanotubes (HNT) was hereinevaluated. HNT samples were prepared through the hydrothermal treatmentof TiO2 P25 in a concentrated NaOH solution (11.25 M) at 130 degrees Cduring 20 h followed by acid washing. La-doped titanates nanotubes(La-HNT) photocatalysts with optimum 1 wt% of La were then elaborated byincipient wetness impregnation method using lanthanum nitrate asprecursor. La HNT and HNT samples were then calcined at temperaturesvarying between 400 degrees C and 700 degrees C. Samples werecharacterized by means of nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms at77K, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, diffuse reflectancespectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), transmissionelectron microscopy (TEM), ICP analysis and photocurrent experiments.The photocatalytic activities of La-HNT and HNT derived nanomaterialswere then evaluated through the photocatalytic degradation of formicacid (FA).Main results reveal that lanthanum inhibits TiO2 crystallite growthand retards anatase transformation into the less active rutile phase.The addition of La ions to TiO2 results in a charge imbalance creating ahigh proportion of oxygen vacancies as evidenced by photocurrent,photoluminescence and Raman experiments.The photocatalytic experiments reveal that La-doped TiO2 helps tomaintain a high photocatalytic activity level even after calcination athigh temperatures contrary to La-free photocatalysts. The determinationof kinetic parameters reveals that the maintaining of a highphotocatalytic activity results from the synergetic effect betweenrestriction of TiO2 crystallite size growth and formation of a highproportion of oxygen vacancies

Immunochromatographic rK39 strip test in the serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in Tunisia

International audienceThe performance of the rK39 strip test in the diagnosis of Tunisian visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was evaluated and compared with that of immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). A total of 929 sera, including 574 from VL patients, 54 from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients, 42 from patients with other protozoan diseases, 152 from patients with non-parasitic diseases and 107 from healthy controls, were used in the study. The sensitivity and specificity of the rK39 strip test were 87.1 and 94.4%, respectively. Sixteen CL sera showed positive results, suggesting that the rK39 strip test is not restricted to Leishmania donovani complex detection. IFAT was comparatively more sensitive (98.9%) but slightly less specific (90.7%). Despite cross-reactivity shown by CL sera, the rK39 strip test can be recommended for the routine diagnosis of VL in Tunisia, as VL and CL are distinct clinical. entities. (C) 2008 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Outcome of mucormycosis after treatment: report of five cases

Mucormycoses are serious infections caused by filamentous fungi of the order Mucorales. They occur most often in immunocompromised patients. We report five cases of mucormycosis in patients hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Department in Sousse – Tunisia between 2000 and 2013. They were 4 males and one female, mean age 60 years. Three patients were diabetic and one patient had acute leukemia. The locations of mucormycosis were rhinocerebral, rhino-orbital, auricular, pulmonary and cutaneous. The Mucorales isolated were Rhizopus arrhizus in 3 cases and Lichteimia in 2 cases. All patients were treated with amphotericin B and 2 patients had, in addition, surgical debridement. Two patients died and 2 kept peripheral facial paralysis