Mental health treatments and the influence of culture: portrayals of hypnotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy in Singaporean television dramas.

Stigma is one of the chief reasons for treatment-avoidant behaviour among people with mental health conditions. Stigmatising attitudes are spread through multiple determinants, including but not limited to: (i) individual beliefs; (ii) interpersonal influences; (iii) local cultural values and (iv) shared culture such as depictions in television shows. Our research indicates that popular television shows are currently understudied vectors for narratives that alternately reify or debunk assumptions and stereotypes about people with mental health conditions.

Grand challenges in entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades.

Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances.We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter 'members') of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES).A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members.

Clinical Empathy and the Ethics of "Detached Concern" in Mid-Twentieth-Century British Literature.

This article explores the cultural reception of the medical ethic of "detached concern" as represented in mid-twentieth-century British literature. Although empathy is a crucial aspect of effective medical care, daily exposure to the pain and suffering of others can lead to professional distress and burnout. In response, medical practitioners developed an emotionless conception of professional empathy, namely "detached concern," which equates the detachment required to dissect a cadaver to the stance needed to listen empathically without becoming emotionally involved.

Modelling the impact of larviciding on the population dynamics and biting rates of Simulium damnosum (s.l.): implications for vector control as a complementary strategy for onchocerciasis elimination in Africa.

Background: In 2012, the World Health Organization set goals for the elimination of onchocerciasis transmission by 2020 in selected African countries. Epidemiological data and mathematical modelling have indicated that elimination may not be achieved with annual ivermectin distribution in all endemic foci. Complementary and alternative treatment strategies (ATS), including vector control, will be necessary.

Assessment of Dithiocarbamate Residues on Tomatoes Conventionally Grown in Uganda and the Effect of Simple Washing to Reduce Exposure Risk to Consumers.

Pesticide misuse by farmers poses health risks to consumers. This study assessed the level of dithiocarbamate residues in tomatoes acquired from 20 farmers and 25 market vendors in Wakiso District, how simple washing affects these residues, and the potential chronic health risk for Ugandans eating such tomatoes. Results revealed that mancozeb was the only reported dithiocarbamate, and 47.

Status of legislation and regulatory control of public health pesticides in countries endemic with or at risk of major vector-borne diseases.

Background: Legislation and regulation of pesticides used in public health are essential for reducing risks to human health and the environment.

Objective: We assessed the global situation on legislation and regulatory control of public health pesticides.

Methods: A peer-reviewed and field-tested questionnaire was distributed to 142 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO); 113 states completed the questionnaire.

Status of pesticide management in the practice of vector control: a global survey in countries at risk of malaria or other major vector-borne diseases.

Background: It is critical that vector control pesticides are used for their acceptable purpose without causing adverse effects on health and the environment. This paper provides a global overview of the current status of pesticides management in the practice of vector control.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to WHO member states and completed either by the director of the vector-borne disease control programme or by the national manager for vector control.

Causes and types of health effects during the use of crop protection chemicals: data from a survey of over 6,300 smallholder applicators in 24 different countries.

Purpose: The present investigation looks in detail at the causes and types of health incidents reported by 6,300 mainly smallholder agrochemical users in 24 countries during 2005 and 2006.

Methods: The investigation is based on a questionnaire survey of knowledge, attitude and practice that concentrated on the sequence of events from purchasing the pesticide to disposal. Information was also collected about health problems experienced while using agrochemicals.

Onchocerciasis Control: Vision for the Future from a Ghanian perspective.

Since 1987 onchocerciasis control has relied on the donation of ivermectin (Mectizan(R), Merck & Co., Inc.) through the Mectizan Donation Programme.

Development of a new application apparatus for entomopathogenic nematodes.

This paper describes the assessment of nematode spray application methods and details the redesign of a spinning disc applicator for the improved application of the infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematodes to foliage. The assessment highlighted fundamental design features that prevent efficient and accurate nematode application and these are dealt with in turn specifically to enable improved nematode application. The redesigned or prototype spinning disc was shown to improve nematode carriage in droplets, leading to greater deposition of nematodes per unit area.