Transport Properties of Li-TFSI Water-in-Salt Electrolytes.

Water-in-salts are a new family of electrolytes that may allow the development of aqueous Li-ion batteries. They have a structure that is reminiscent of ionic liquids, and they are characterized by a high concentration of ionic species. In this work, we study their transport properties and how they evolve with concentration by using molecular dynamic simulations. We first focus on the choice of the force field. By comparing the simulated viscosities and self-diffusion coefficients with experimental measurements, we select a set of parameters that reproduces well the transport properties. We then use the selected force field to study in detail the variations of the self and collective diffusivities of all the species as well as the transport number of the lithium ion. We show that correlations between ions and water play an important role over the whole concentration range. In the water-in-salt regime, the anions form a percolating network that reduces the cation-anion correlations and leads to rather large values for the transport number compared to other standard electrolytes.

Individual and contextual risk factors for chikungunya virus infection: the SEROCHIK cross-sectional population-based study.

The purpose of the study was to weigh the community burden of chikungunya determinants on Reunion island. Risk factors were investigated within a subset of 2101 adult persons from a population-based cross-sectional serosurvey, using Poisson regression models for dichotomous outcomes. Design-based risk ratios and population attributable fractions (PAF) were generated distinguishing individual and contextual (i.e. that affect individuals collectively) determinants. The disease burden attributable to contextual determinants was twice that of individual determinants (overall PAF value 89.5% vs. 44.1%). In a model regrouping both categories of determinants, the independent risk factors were by decreasing PAF values: an interaction term between the reporting of a chikungunya history in the neighbourhood and individual house (PAF 45.9%), a maximal temperature of the month preceding the infection higher than 28.5 °C (PAF 25.7%), a socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhood (PAF 19.0%), altitude of dwelling (PAF 13.1%), cumulated rainfalls of the month preceding the infection higher than 65 mm (PAF 12.6%), occupational inactivity (PAF 11.6%), poor knowledge on chikungunya transmission (PAF 7.3%) and obesity/overweight (PAF 5.2%). Taken together, these covariates and their underlying causative factors uncovered 80.8% of chikungunya at population level. Our findings lend support to a major role of contextual risk factors in chikungunya virus outbreaks.

Rheumatism and chronic fatigue, the two facets of post-chikungunya disease: the TELECHIK cohort study on Reunion island.

Prolonged fatigue is increasingly reported among chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-infected populations. We investigated the relationships between CHIKV exposure, long-lasting rheumatic musculoskeletal pain (LRMSP) and chronic fatigue. 1094 participants (512 CHIKV seropositive and 582 seronegative) of the TELECHIK population-based cohort were analysed considering the duration of the manifestations throughout an average 2-year follow-up. Weighted prevalence rates and prevalence ratios for LRMSP, idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)-like illness, both latter syndromes adapted from Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-1994/Fukuda criteria, were compared. Population attributable fractions (PAF) were estimated to assess the contribution of CHIKV infection to each of the three phenotypes. Among 362 adult subjects who had reported either rheumatic pain or fatigue at the onset of the infection, weighted prevalence rates of LRMSP, ICF and CFS-like illness were respectively of 32.9%, 38.7% and 23.9%, and of 8.7%, 8.5% and 7.4% among initially asymptomatic peers (P < 0.01, respectively). Each of the three outcomes was highly attributable to chikungunya (PAF of 43.2%, 36.2% and 41.0%, respectively). In the sub-cohort of CHIKV-infected subjects, LRMSP, ICF and CFS-like illness, which overlapped in 70%, accounted for 53% of the chronic manifestations. In addition to rheumatic disease, chronic fatigue could be considered in caring for patients with chronic chikungunya disease.

Biredox ionic liquids: new opportunities toward high performance supercapacitors.

Nowadays commercial supercapacitors are based on purely capacitive storage at the porous carbons that are used for the electrodes. However, the limits that capacitive storage imposes on energy density calls to investigate new materials to improve the capacitance of the device. This new type of electrodes (e.g., RuO2, MnO2…) involves pseudo-capacitive faradaic redox processes with the solid material. Ion exchange with solid materials is, however, much slower than the adsorption process in capacitive storage and inevitably leads to significant loss of power. Faradaic process in the liquid state, in contrast can be similarly fast as capacitive processes due to the fast ion transport. Designing new devices with liquid like dynamics and improved specific capacitance is challenging. We present a new approach to increase the specific capacitance using biredox ionic liquids, where redox moieties are tethered to the electrolyte ions, allowing high redox concentrations and significant pseudo-capacitive storage in the liquid state. Anions and cations are functionalized with anthraquinone (AQ) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) moieties, respectively. Glassy carbon, carbon-onion, and commercial activated carbon electrodes that exhibit different double layer structures and thus different diffusion dynamics were used to simultaneously study the electrochemical response of biredox ionic liquids at the positive and negative electrode.

Platinum for hydrogen sensing: surface and grain boundary scattering antagonistic effects in Pt@Au core-shell nanoparticle assemblies prepared using a Langmuir-Blodgett method.

Hydrogen resistive sensors are fabricated through the synthesis of a series of Pt@Au core-shell nanoparticles showing various Pt shell thicknesses. Resulting colloids are assembled as hexagonal close-packed 2D monolayers of various dimension characteristics using a simple Langmuir-Blodgett method. The fabricated sensors show attractive hydrogen sensing performances with reversible responses in extended sensing ranges, a good specificity towards H2, short response and recovery times… Sensing measurements and data analyses allow the demonstration of the associated sensing mechanisms. The dissociative chemisorption of H2 and O2 on the Pt surface through a Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism leads to the formation of chemisorbed hydrogen and hydroxyl groups. This surface nature change induces the modification of the scattering of the conduction electrons at both the grain surface and intercontacts, tuned by the extent of hydrogen and hydroxyl group coverages. In assemblies made of particles showing thin Pt shells, the predominance of the surface scattering described by the Fuchs-Sondheimer model accounts for the observed conductive responses as the number of involved grain boundaries is limited. In contrast, in assemblies made of particles with thick Pt shells, the scattering at the grain boundaries described by the Mayadas-Shatzkes model mostly contributes to the observed resistive responses. The sensor behavior is balanced by these two antagonistic effects.

Protective effect of myostatin gene deletion on aging-related muscle metabolic decline.

While myostatin gene deletion is a promising therapy to fight muscle loss during aging, this approach induces also skeletal muscle metabolic changes such as mitochondrial deficits, redox alteration and increased fatigability. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of aging on these features in aged wild-type (WT) and mstn knockout (KO) mice. Moreover, to determine whether an enriched-antioxidant diet may be useful to prevent age-related disorders, we orally administered to the two genotypes a melon concentrate rich in superoxide dismutase for 12 weeks. We reported that mitochondrial functional abnormalities persisted (decreased state 3 and 4 of respiration; p<0.05) in skeletal muscle from aged KO mice; however, differences with WT mice were attenuated at old age in line with reduced difference on running endurance between the two genotypes. Interestingly, we showed an increase in glutathione levels, associated with lower lipid peroxidation levels in KO muscle. Enriched antioxidant diet reduced the aging-related negative effects on maximal aerobic velocity and running limit time (p<0.05) in both groups, with systemic adaptations on body weight. The redox status and the hypertrophic phenotype appeared to be beneficial to KO mice, mitigating the effect of aging on the skeletal muscle metabolic remodeling.

HIF-1-driven skeletal muscle adaptations to chronic hypoxia: molecular insights into muscle physiology.

Skeletal muscle is a metabolically active tissue and the major body protein reservoir. Drop in ambient oxygen pressure likely results in a decrease in muscle cells oxygenation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and stabilization of the oxygen-sensitive hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. However, skeletal muscle seems to be quite resistant to hypoxia compared to other organs, probably because it is accustomed to hypoxic episodes during physical exercise. Few studies have observed HIF-1α accumulation in skeletal muscle during ambient hypoxia probably because of its transient stabilization. Nevertheless, skeletal muscle presents adaptations to hypoxia that fit with HIF-1 activation, although the exact contribution of HIF-2, I kappa B kinase and activating transcription factors, all potentially activated by hypoxia, needs to be determined. Metabolic alterations result in the inhibition of fatty acid oxidation, while activation of anaerobic glycolysis is less evident. Hypoxia causes mitochondrial remodeling and enhanced mitophagy that ultimately lead to a decrease in ROS production, and this acclimatization in turn contributes to HIF-1α destabilization. Likewise, hypoxia has structural consequences with muscle fiber atrophy due to mTOR-dependent inhibition of protein synthesis and transient activation of proteolysis. The decrease in muscle fiber area improves oxygen diffusion into muscle cells, while inhibition of protein synthesis, an ATP-consuming process, and reduction in muscle mass decreases energy demand. Amino acids released from muscle cells may also have protective and metabolic effects. Collectively, these results demonstrate that skeletal muscle copes with the energetic challenge imposed by O2 rarefaction via metabolic optimization.

First screening of Aedes albopictus immunogenic salivary proteins.

Study of the human antibody (Ab) response to Aedes salivary proteins can provide new biomarkers to evaluate human exposure to vector bites. The identification of genus- and/or species-specific proteins is necessary to improve the accuracy of biomarkers. We analysed Aedes albopictus immunogenic salivary proteins by 2D immunoproteomic technology and compared the profiles according to human individual exposure to Ae. albopictus or Ae. aegypti bites. Strong antigenicity to Ae. albopictus salivary proteins was detected in all individuals whatever the nature of Aedes exposure. Amongst these antigenic proteins, 68% are involved in blood feeding, including D7 protein family, adenosine deaminase, serpin and apyrase. This study provides an insight into the repertoire of Ae. albopictus immunogenic salivary proteins for the first time.

An interdisciplinary approach to controlling chikungunya outbreaks on French islands in the south-west Indian ocean.

The outbreak of chikungunya that occurred on French Island territories in the southwest Indian Ocean in 2005 and 2006 caused severe morbidity and mortality. In the aftermath, French authorities set up a scientific task force including experts in epidemiology, public health, entomology, virology, immunology, sociology, animal health, community and hospital medicine. The mission of the task force was to conceive and propose research programs needed to increase understanding of the disease and epidemic and to help public health officials in improving epidemic response measures. The purpose of this article is to describe the findings of the task force at the end of its two-year existence and initial outcomes in the the areas studied. Discussion emphasizes topics requiring further study.

[Perceived morbidity and community burden of chikungunya in La Reunion]. / Morbidité perçue et impact communautaire du chikungunya a l'île de La Réunion: enquête de cohorte en population TELECHIK.

BACKGROUND: Persistence of clinical manifestations, especially polyarthralgia and fatigue, is a characteristic feature of chikungunya virus (CHIK-v) infection. The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of prolonged or late-onset manifestations of CHIK-v infection on the self-perceived health of people on Reunion Island. METHODS: This retrospective cohort survey, dubbed TELECHIK survey, was conducted eighteen months after the end of the chikungunya outbreak on a representative random sample from the SEROCHIK population-based survey conducted on Reunion Island. A total of 1094 subjects whose CHIK-v specific IgG antibody status had been documented were interviewed about current symptoms. RESULTS: Analysis of data showed 45% of CHIK+ vs 14% of CHIK- subjects reporting musculoskeletal pain (P < 0.001), 56% vs. 44% reporting fatigue (P = 0.003), 77% vs. 53% reporting cerebral manifestations (P < 0.001), 51% vs. 34% reporting sensorineural impairments (P < 0.001), 18% vs. 13% reporting digestive complaints (P = 0.06), and 38% vs. 32% reporting skin involvement (P = 0.13). The mean delay between infection and interview was two years (range, 15-34 months). Analysis of data after correction for age, gender, body mass index and comorbidity indicated that rheumatic pain, fatigue, cerebral manifestations and sensorineural impairments were more likely in CHIK+ than CHIK- subjects but the likelihood of digestive and skin manifestations was the same. CONCLUSION: With a mean delay of two years after infection, 45% to 77% of CHIK+ subjects reported prolonged or late-onset symptoms attributable to CHIK-v. These results indicate that persistent manifestations of chikungunya infection have a heavy impact on rheumatologic, neurological and sensorineural health.

Quarterly individual outpatients lifestyle counseling after initial inpatients education on type 2 diabetes: the REDIA Prev-2 randomized controlled trial in Reunion Island.

AIMS: This study aimed to describe the 1-year evolution of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients who attended inpatients education, and to assess whether quarterly outpatients counseling visits by nurses and dietitians can improve metabolic control and health-related behaviours. METHODS: Following in-hospital educational sessions, 398 adult T2D patients were randomized to either attend quarterly individual lifestyle counseling visits by a nurse and a dietitian (intervention group), or receive the usual care (control group). Primary (HbA(1c)) and secondary endpoints (fasting blood glucose, lipids, body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass, blood pressure, diet, physical activity) were assessed at baseline and at 12 months. RESULTS: HbA(1c) changes from baseline to 12 months were -1.74±2.64% (P<0.0001) for the intervention group and -2.02±2.57% (P<0.0001) for the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the intervention group (n=153) and the controls (n=166) for any of the clinical and biological outcomes. In both groups, total energy and fat intakes decreased significantly from baseline levels. Also, no difference was found between the groups for any dietary outcome. A slight enhancement in sports activity was observed in the intervention group, but the difference between the two groups did not reach statistical significance, and no difference was found concerning any other physical activity scores. CONCLUSION: In this study of adults with T2D, patients significantly improved their metabolic control, and dietary and exercise habits, 1 year after receiving intensive inpatients education, whereas subsequent quarterly outpatients counseling visits with nurses and dietitians have not demonstrated any superiority compared with the usual care.

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors in Mayotte in 2008: the MAYDIA study.

AIM: Mayotte, a French overseas territory located in the Indian Ocean, has never had a previous estimate of diabetes prevalence, but has recently undergone socioeconomic changes leading to lifestyle modifications. For this reason, a survey was carried out in 2008 to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors in the island's population. METHODS: A three-step, randomized sample of 1268 individuals, aged 30-69 years, was home-screened, using capillary blood glucose and capillary HbA(1c), weight, height, waist circumference and two blood-pressure measurements. Those with a history of diabetes, glucose ≥1 g/L (fasting) or ≥1.40 g/L (non-fasting), or HbA(1c)≥6%, and a subgroup of those with normal results were examined at a healthcare centre to measure venous HbA(1c) and glucose, and to diagnose diabetes, using an oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: The weighted prevalence of diabetes (venous plasma glucose ≥1.26 g/L at fasting and/or ≥2 g/L at 2 h, or treatment with oral hypoglycaemic agents or insulin) was 10.5% (95% CI: 8.2-13.4%). This increased with age from 3% at age 30-39 years to 26% at age 60-69 years, with no gender differences. Also, more than 50% of those with diabetes were unaware of it, while half of those treated for diabetes still had HbA(1c) levels >7%. The prevalence of overweight (BMI: 25-29 kg/m(2)) was estimated to be 35% in men and 32% in women, while obesity (≥30 kg/m(2)) was estimated to be 17% in men and 47% in women. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of obesity combined with a high prevalence of diabetes indicates a potential for further increases in the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Mayotte. Preventative action against obesity, diabetes and hypertension is required now, as well as plans for appropriate healthcare delivery in the island.

Fast and robust hydrogen sensors based on discontinuous palladium films on polyimide, fabricated on a wafer scale.

Fast hydrogen sensors based on discontinuous palladium (Pd) films on supporting polyimide layers, fabricated by a cost-efficient and full-wafer compatible process, are presented. The films, deposited by electron-beam evaporation with a nominal thickness of 1.5 nm, consist of isolated Pd islands that are separated by nanoscopic gaps. On hydrogenation, the volume expansion of Pd brings initially separated islands into contact which leads to the creation of new electrical pathways through the film. The supporting polyimide layer provides both sufficient elasticity for the Pd nanoclusters to expand on hydrogenation and a sufficiently high surface energy for good adhesion of both film and contacting electrodes. The novel order of the fabrication processes involves a dicing step prior to the Pd deposition and stencil lithography for the patterning of microelectrodes. This allows us to preserve the as-deposited film properties. The devices work at room temperature, show response times of a few seconds and have a low power consumption of some tens of nW.

Balance and walking speed predict subsequent 8-year mortality independently of current and intermediate events in well-functioning women aged 75 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Physical performance may predict survival independently of other current predictors in non selected elderly subjects. We determined if poor balance and decreased gait speed may predict mortality after adjustment for both baseline and follow-up confounders in well-functioning elderly women. METHODS: A subgroup of participants in the Epidemiology of osteoporosis (EPIDOS) study (N = 1,300) was followed for 8 years. Participants were community-dwelling women aged 75 or older able to go outside home without assistance. The baseline examination included a questionnaire and a clinical and functional examination. Participants were contacted every year thereafter by mail. RESULTS: Poor balance, defined by the inability to stand in a tandem position or to complete ten foot taps in less than 4.6 seconds, and poor mobility, defined by a gait speed of less than 0.80 m/s or a stride length of less than 0.5 m were significant predictors of low 8-year survival, independently of other predictors of death at baseline (educational level, social network, number of drugs, fear of falling, visual acuity, perceived health, IADL score, physical activity, and comorbidities) and during follow-up (falls, IADL score, the need to be accompanied to go outside, weight loss, hospitalization, and the report of new comorbidities). CONCLUSION: The current study shows that poor balance and mobility are significant predictors of 8-year mortality independently of baseline and intermediate events in pre-disabled women aged 75 years and older, suggesting that they may reflect a certain failure to respond adequately in the face of present and future medical and non-medical events.

Effect of acute hypoxia on central fatigue during repeated isometric leg contractions.

To determine whether hypoxia has a direct influence on the central command independently of the working muscles, 16 subjects performed intermittent isometric unilateral knee extensions until exhaustion either in normobaric hypoxia (inspired O(2) fraction=0.11, arterial oxygen saturation approximately 84%) or in normoxia while the knee extensor muscles were exposed to circulatory occlusion with a 250 mmHg cuff. Among the subjects, 11 also performed the tests in hypoxia and normoxia without occlusion. Single electrical stimulations were regularly delivered to the femoral nerve to measure the changes in the knee extensor peak twitch force. With the cuff, the average slope of decrease in peak twitch did not depend on the inspired oxygen fraction. Performance was slightly but significantly lower during hypoxia than in normoxia (8.2+/-2.6 vs 9.4+/-3.1 repetitions, P<0.05) with the cuff on. The number of repetitions was much higher during hypoxia with maintaining leg blood flow (15.6+/-4.5 repetitions) than with circulatory occlusion in normoxia. In conclusion, this study showed that a direct effect of hypoxia in reducing the motor drive to the working muscles exists but this effect is moderate.

[Early onset neonatal infections in the South of the Reunion Island: Incidence and use of 2002 ANAES risk criteria]. / Infection bactérienne néonatale précoce dans le sud de la Réunion: incidence et application des critères de risque Anaes 2002.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of early onset neonatal infections (EONI) in the southern part of the Reunion Island, and to study the application of ANAES criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was made of data collected for all live births having occurred between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 2004. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-seven in 16,071 neonates (out of 21,231 live births) presented with a certain or probable EONI, accounting for a regional rate of 20 per thousand (CI95 % 18-23 per thousand). Among 437 EONIs, group B streptococcus (GBS) was reported in 70.5% of the cases (n=308), Gram negative bacteria in 19.9% (n=87), of which nearly two thirds of Escherichia coli (n=56). Applying ANAES criteria led to identify 380 EONIs among 437 proven infections (sensitivity: 87%, specificity: 26%). A logistic regression analysis identified eight EONI predictors for the 7015 neonates for whom the mother GBS screening was documented: GBS positive vaginal culture (OR 4.2; CI95% 3.3-5.4), unexplained preterm birth less than 35 weeks (OR 5.7; CI95% 3.7-8.7), prolonged rupture of membranes greater than or equal to 18 hours (OR 2.1; CI95% 1.4-3.0), maternal fever greater than or equal to 37.8 degrees C (OR 3.2; CI95% 2.3-4.5), fetal tachycardia greater than or equal to 160 ppm (OR 2.7; CI95% 1.8-4.0), and thin (OR 1.6; CI95% 1.2-2.1) or thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR 3.0; CI95% 2.1-4.5) or fetid fluid (OR 14.8; CI95% 4.2-51.8). CONCLUSION: The incidence of EONIS far exceeded that observed in metropolitan France, and the ANAES criteria lack sensitivity and specificity.

A single nanotrench in a palladium microwire for hydrogen detection.

The hydrogen sensing characteristics of a single nanotrench fabricated by focused ion beam milling (FIB) in an evaporated palladium microwire are presented. In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements proved that, in the presence of H(2), the trench closes and electrically connects the initially separated parts of the wire due to the increase in volume of the material. Therewith, an electrical current can be switched through the wire. With experiments under various H(2) concentrations and a mathematical model, we describe the closing mechanism of the trench with respect to various parameters, including the substrate material, film thickness, trench size and wire dimensions. Results have been compared with those from equivalent continuous wires. Thin SiO(2) and polyimide (PI) layers on silicon were used to study the effect of substrate elasticity. Sufficient lateral expansion of Pd to close trenches of up to 70 nm in width has only been observed on PI, which we attribute to its advantageous elastic properties. The scale of the response times allowed the observation of two superposing effects: the chemical conversion of Pd to PdH(x) and the mechanical closing of the trench.

High prevalence of chronic kidney disease in La Réunion island and its association with the metabolic syndrome in the non-diabetic population: La Réunion Diabetes (REDIA) Study.

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in La Réunion island and to investigate the link with the metabolic syndrome in the non-diabetic population. METHODS: The Réunion Diabetes (REDIA) Study included a random sample of 3600 adults aged 30-69 years. Clinical proteinuria (>200 mg/g creatinine), albuminuria (>or=30 mg/g) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were studied in 920 subjects, 411 of whom had diabetes and 509 who did not. Their relations with the metabolic syndrome (as defined by the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines) were analyzed among those without diabetes. RESULTS: Age-, gender- and diabetes-standardized prevalence of CKD stage 1 or 2 (proteinuria or albuminuria with eGFR>or=60 mL/min/1.73 m2) was 13.8% and, for CKD stage 3 or more (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2), 10.7%. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) for proteinuria increased with the number of metabolic syndrome traits: 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.4-5.2) in non-diabetic participants with one trait compared with those with no trait, 2.0 (CI 0.6-6.6) for two traits and 4.1 (CI 1.3-12.8) for three or more; corresponding ORs for eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were 1.9 (CI 0.8-4.5), 0.9 (CI 0.4-2.4) and 2.2 (CI 0.9-5.1), respectively. Clustering of either high blood pressure and triglyceride levels, or high triglycerides and plasma glucose, or all three, conferred the strongest associations with both clinical proteinuria and low eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: CKD prevalence is high in La Réunion island population, and the metabolic syndrome may help to target early diagnosis of CKD in non-diabetic individuals.

Molecular and serological diagnosis of Chikungunya virus infection.

INTRODUCTION: In 2005-2006, during the Chikungunya virus outbreak in La Réunion (Indian Ocean), we urgently established the molecular and serological methods for the diagnosis of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) from various types of samples. METHODS: CHIKV RNA was detected using a highly sensitive real-time RT PCR assay. A co-extracted and co-amplified internal control RNA was used to identify RT PCR inhibitors. Depending on their nature samples were pretreated before nucleic acid extraction. Viral loads were measured using a synthetic RNA calibrator. CHIKV immunoglobulin (Ig) G and M antibodies were detected by ELISA either from sera or from blood absorbed on filter paper. RESULTS: CHIKV RNA was found in various types of samples such as plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and placenta, but was not found in some samples including maternal milk and synovial samples. Detection of IgG from filter paper absorbed blood is specific and sensitive. Routine data showed that maternally transferred IgG and naturally acquired IgM persist at least 12 and 18 months, respectively. DISCUSSION: The techniques enabled the diagnosis of chikungunya in known and newly described forms of the disease. They are used for routine diagnosis and large scale surveys.

Trends and sociocultural factors for childhood overweight in La Reunion Island.

OBJECTIVE: To examine time trends (study 1) and sociocultural factors associated with childhood overweight (study 2) in La Reunion Island. DESIGN: Study 1: a longitudinal analysis of anthropometric data available from health services in the town of Saint-Pierre. Study 2: a case - control study. SUBJECTS: Study 1: 1753 children born between 1977 and 1996. Study 2: 101 six-year old overweight children sex-matched with 101 non-overweight children. MEASUREMENTS: Study 1: overweight at birth (birth weight>4 kg) and at age 4 and 6 using French references and references from the International Obesity Task Force. Study 2: parental and perinatal data, child's lifestyle and representation of food, all collected from the mother. RESULTS: Study 1: a dramatic increase in the prevalence rate of overweight at 4 and at 6 is observed, more severe in girls. Study 2: multivariate logistic regressions showed that mother's overweight was the only variable significantly associated with overweight in both the sexes. The other associated factors were related to sociocultural and family features and sedentarity. Logistic probability functions derived from these data are proposed as a tool for detection of at risk families. CONCLUSION: Our results show the need for a targeted prevention of overweight. We offer a proposal based on education and behaviour modification in La Reunion Island.