Social and cultural dimensions of hygiene in Cambodian health care facilities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The frequency of bloodborne pathogen healthcare-associated infections is thought to be high in developing Southeast Asian Countries. The underlying social-cultural logics contributing to the risks of transmission are rarely studied. This report provides some insights on the social and cultural factors that shape hygiene practices in Cambodian health care settings.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted qualitative surveys in various public and private health facilities in Phnom Penh, the capital city and in provinces. We observed and interviewed 319 participants, health care workers and patients, regarding hygiene practices and social relationships amongst the health care staff and with patients. We also examined the local perceptions of hygiene, their impact on the relationships between the health care staff and patients, and perceptions of transmission risks. Data collection stem from face to face semi-structured and open-ended interviews and focus group discussions with various health care staffs (i.e. cleaners, nurses, midwives and medical doctors) and with patients who attended the study health facilities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall responses and observations indicated that hygiene practices were burdened by the lack of adequate materials and equipements. In addition, many other factors were identified to influence and distort hygiene practices which include (1) informal and formal social rapports in hospitals, (2) major infection control roles played by the cleaners in absence of professional acknowledgment. Moreover, hygiene practices are commonly seen as an unessential matter to be devoted to low-ranking staff.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our anthropological findings illustrate the importance of comprehensive understanding of hygiene practices; they need to be considered when designing interventions to improve infection control practices in a Cambodian medical setting.</p

Distinct Neurobehavioural Effects of Cannabidiol in Transmembrane Domain Neuregulin 1 Mutant Mice

The cannabis constituent cannabidiol (CBD) possesses anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties. We have previously shown that transmembrane domain neuregulin 1 mutant (Nrg1 TM HET) mice display altered neurobehavioural responses to the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Here we investigated whether Nrg1 TM HET mice respond differently to CBD and whether CBD reverses schizophrenia-related phenotypes expressed by these mice. Adult male Nrg1 TM HET and wild type-like littermates (WT) received vehicle or CBD (1, 50 or 100 mg/kg i.p.) for 21 days. During treatment and 48 h after withdrawal we measured behaviour, whole blood CBD concentrations and autoradiographic receptor binding. Nrg1 HET mice displayed locomotor hyperactivity, PPI deficits and reduced 5-HT2A receptor binding density in the substantia nigra, but these phenotypes were not reversed by CBD. However, long-term CBD (50 and 100 mg/kg) selectively enhanced social interaction in Nrg1 TM HET mice. Furthermore, acute CBD (100 mg/kg) selectively increased PPI in Nrg1 TM HET mice, although tolerance to this effect was manifest upon repeated CBD administration. Long-term CBD (50 mg/kg) also selectively increased GABAA receptor binding in the granular retrosplenial cortex in Nrg1 TM HET mice and reduced 5-HT2A binding in the substantia nigra in WT mice. Nrg1 appears necessary for CBD-induced anxiolysis since only WT mice developed decreased anxiety-related behaviour with repeated CBD treatment. Altered pharmacokinetics in mutant mice could not explain our findings since no genotype differences existed in CBD blood concentrations. Here we demonstrate that Nrg1 modulates acute and long-term neurobehavioural effects of CBD, which does not reverse the schizophrenia-relevant phenotypes

Block-Partitioned Algorithms for Solving the Linear Least Squares Problem

The linear least squares problem arises in many areas of sciences and engineerings. When the coefficient matrix has full rank, the solution can be obtained in a fast way by using QR factorization with BLAS-3. In contrast, when the matrix is rank-deficient, or the rank is unknown, other slower methods should be applied: the SVD or the complete orthogonal decompositions. The SVD gives more reliable determination of rank but is computationally more expensive. On the other hand, the complete orthogonal decomposition is faster and in practice works well

A Parallel Block Implementation of Level 3 BLAS Kernels for MIMD Vector Processors

International audienceThe fourth-gradient model for fluids-associated with an extended molecular mean-field theory of capillarity-is considered. By producing fluctuations of density near the critical point like in computational molecular dynamics, the model is more realistic and richer than van der Waals' one and other models associated with a second order expansion. The aim of the paper is to prove-with a fourth-gradient internal energy already obtained by the mean field theory-that the quasi-linear system of conservation laws can be written in an Hermitian symmetric form implying the stability of constant solutions. The result extends the symmetric hyperbolicity property of governing-equations' systems when an equation of energy associated with high order deformation of a continuum medium is taken into account

A Raman Spectroscopic Study of Nitromethane up to 350 °C and 35 GPa

Nitromethane has been studied as a model of the energetic nitro materials. The liquid - transition line has been established by Piermarini [1] and a first solid - solid transition corresponding to the methyl group rotation locking has been evidenced by Cromer [2]. In order to precise the phase diagram of nitromethane, a study has been performed by Raman scattering in the pressure and temperature range of 0 -35 GPa and 20 - 350°C respectively. From these experimental results three new solid phases of nitromethane called III, IV, V and their stability domain have been located. A first chemical transformation line has been detected by the disappearance of nitromethane Raman modes and by the irreversible formation of a transparent solid (CI). A second chemical transformation (CI - CII), at higher temperature, is observed by the sudden darkening of the sample