Climatic drivers of seasonal influenza epidemics in French Guiana, 2006-2010.

Objectives: Influenza seasonality remains poorly studied in Equatorial regions. Here we assessed the seasonal characteristics and environmental drivers of influenza epidemics in French Guiana, where influenza surveillance was established in 2006.

Methods: Sentinel GPs monitored weekly incidence of Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) from January 2006 through December 2010 and collected nasopharyngeal specimens from patients for virological confirmation.

[Managing the open abdomen with vacuum-assisted closure therapy: retrospective evaluation of 22 patients].

Background: The authors reviewed their experience in the management of "open abdomen" using the vacuum-assisted closure device (VAC), in order to assess its morbidity particularly in terms of fistula, and the outcome of abdominal wall integrity.

Methods: Between January 2003 and October 2006, 22 patients required management with an "open abdomen" technique (18 patients were managed with the VAC abdominal dressing device with application of a specific sheet and 4 other patients simply required a dressing with the polyurethane sponge). The mean age was 55 years, and M/F sex ratio was 2.

Reduced encephalopathy in pigs with ischemia-induced acute hepatic failure treated with a bioartificial liver containing alginate-entrapped hepatocytes.

Objective: To analyze the effects of an extracorporeal bioartificial liver containing alginate bead-entrapped hepatocytes on pigs with ischemia-induced acute hepatic failure.

Design: Prospective animal study.

Setting: University and INSERM laboratory.