Impacts of two perfluorinated compounds (PFOS and PFOA) on human hepatoma cells: cytotoxicity but no genotoxicity?

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and particularly two of them, perfluoroctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), have been widely produced and used since 1950. They both persist in the environment and accumulate in wildlife and humans. The toxicity of PFOS and PFOA has been studied extensively in rodents with several adverse effects mainly a hepatocarcinogenic potential.

Factors determining poor practice in alcoholic gel hand rub technique in hospital workers.

Background: Hand hygiene of healthcare personnel is one of the most important interventions for reducing transmission of nosocomial pathogens. Previous studies have demonstrated that the use of alcohol-based hand gel increases hand hygiene compliance, but that effective use of this product cannot be taken for granted.

Objective: Evaluate factors associated with poor hand hygiene effectiveness of hospital workers using an alcohol-based hand gel and the effect of an education program.

[Control measures for a VRE outbreak in a haemodialysis unit].

We report an outbreak of colonization with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) in the Haemodialysis unit of our hospital. From October 2004 to September 2008, 19 patients were found positive. The risk of acquiring this multi-resistant bacterium is extremely important in patients undergoing haemodialysis, heightened measures have gradually been set to control cross transmissions: first isolation, then geographic clustering of carriers and finally creating cohorting sectors with different staff for carriers, contacts and VRE free patients.

A prospective study of the impact of colonization following hospital admission by glycopeptide-resistant Enterococci on mortality during a hospital outbreak.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the impact on mortality of colonization by glycopeptide-resistant Enterococci (GRE) during hospitalization.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2006, a hospital in Nancy, France, was subject to a GRE van A outbreak. Some 113 patients who had acquired GRE after hospital admission were matched with 113 controls.

Short-term assessment of training of medical students in the use of alcohol-based hand rub using fluorescent-labeled hand rub and skin hydration measurements.

This study evaluated 2 measurements of the effectiveness of alcohol-based hand rub application: skin hydration and percentage of skin area covered by fluorescent-labeled hand rub. The use of fluorescent-labeled hand rub is an effective and rapid way to assess the effectiveness of hand rub application and correlates well with the effectiveness of hand hygiene technique, as evaluated by microbial counts on the hands. Measurement of skin hydration also is correlated with effectiveness of coverage and is useful in demonstrating that alcohol-based hand rub does not dehydrate the skin.